Recovering Addict wondering about CYMBALTA

[Smiles Are Fake]

I am a recovering addicted of Vicodin, im 8 days clean. I started my Cymbalta today. I was just wondering If anyone is on it or has used it and has it worked? Depression comes bad with detoxing, and I just would like to know more about it. I researched it and found out a lot, but I would like to know from others point of view, like maybe how long it takes to kick in? they say about 1-4 weeks, ehh i dunno bc i just weened myself off paxil so maybe it will act quicker?? any answers anyone? if so id really appreciate it! Thank you

-Megan

[Hensley258]

It really sounds like the biggest issue your having is "crappy doctor syndrome."

I fired three top Psychiatrists before finding one that actually cared about me getting better and really worked hard to find the right med combo for me.

Keep searching because there are still some good docs out there.

[Smiles Are Fake]

Thank you all for posting, it means A LOT. Come to find out I cannot take Cymbalta even though my retarded doctor told me I could, Well you cant mix the Cymbalta and the migraine meds together, there would be too much seretonin in your brain which would put you in a coma, NICE HUH?? SO  during my detox i had to go to the ER and get a demerol shot. My doctor is brainless, she just writes scripts and sends you on your way without even thinking about it. Im going to go see her to finalize my care with her, shes done nothing for me, I have depression and anxiety and I really need something for  after this detox when the mental really starts to hurt me,
I take valium for anxiety but that just makes me tired, i dont wanna be tired anymore. I was tired on vikes for almost 10 months. I want to have a life, but I have hope I'll get on something that works.

Now is it true, if depression runs in your family, and say my mom is on effexor, it would probably work for me too? my doctor told me this but its hard to believe anything she says. I have no idea. I need some info lol..



Smiles arent fake, but mine are until my life gets together =)

[RicardoODurnin]

Like Hensley258 I did not have any success with cymbalta either, it was as well as taking nothing.
But like he said each med works different for different people and it does take at least 4 weeks to start.
On the other hand CONGRATULATIONS, I quit about four years ago and if it was not for the two very short relapse ( one day each, just enough to attempt suicide ) I am still clean, one day at the time with the help of AA.
The fist week is the harder, keep it up that the worst is over. Remember that relapse is optional, be strong.
By the way smiles are not fake, unfortunately some people are.

[Hensley258]

Cymbalta can be very effective for some people. I took it for 2 months and unfortunatly in my case it didn't work at all.

You can expect it to take a good 4 to 6 weeks before knowing for sure if it's going to be effective for you. Keep in mind that different people respond differently to different AD medications. Thus the only way to really know if it will work for you is to give it time.

[Jade59]

Hi Megan,

LOL.....LOVE your screen name!  I don't know anything about Cymbalta either, but I wanted to congratulate you on your 8days clean!!!  It's been a while, but I've been where you are and know how hard getting off pain killers can be.  

While your waiting for responses, you might want to put Cymbalta up in "Search Medhelp" which is up in the right hand corner and read old posts about this drug.  

Take care and best of luck.  You're doing great!!

[el_dave]

Dunno anything about Cymbalta, Sorry. I was just wondering, did you taper off the vikes or do it cold turkey? What I did was to zap my tolerance with proglumide, then tapered off hydo and oxy. It worked really well, no one could even spot my junky self, withdrawals were so slight. Are you doing all right with it?

-El Dave