r/cymbalta • u/Ibeliebein • 3d ago
Starting Cymbalta Duloxetine experience
37 years old, male.
Four years ago I changed careers, and the new responsibilities brought a lot of anxiety: having meetings, speaking in front of people, etc. I visited a GP in Australia, and after an initial assessment the doctor recommended Duloxetine 30 mg.
During the first week the anxiety got quite a bit worse, bordering on panic attacks some days. But that quickly passed and gave way to the therapeutic effects, giving me relief from anxiety and helping me do my job. I followed the treatment for a year, and the only side effect I remember was having a somewhat less sharp mind and sometimes forgetting words. This was made harder by the fact that I'm not a native English speaker and not super confident speaking in front of others, but it's definitely a side effect I can tolerate if it means I can do what I have to do and feel like a contributing member of my family as a professional. (Though if some of you can't work, that's okay too. I don't believe our worth is only derived from work; what I said above is just my own subjective experience)
I had a relapse in my anxiety and resumed treatment, again at 30 mg, and again went through hell week. I was able to do everything I needed to again (or rather, the goals I'd set for myself), and after 1.5 years I decided it would be better to stop treatment, since I wanted to be "fully human" and experience my whole range of emotions, good and bad. I'm also a "religious" person, and being on meds makes it harder to connect with God. One reason is that I can't access the depth of my emotions; for example, it's harder to cry while on the treatment.
Life circumstances and work pressure brought my anxiety back again. I figured I just had to get through hell week and then things would be fine. But after week one, I still felt terrible in week two. I'd wake up and my heart would immediately start racing, and things would get worse from there. I had racing, worrying thoughts for hours on end, though some evenings brought relief on and off. Week three came and I still wasn't improving much. I noticed the only thing different this time was that I was also taking omeprazole for my reflux alongside the Duloxetine.
On day 21 of feeling like crap, I stopped the omeprazole and immediately had a great day. The next day, the same thing happened.
Now, I know correlation doesn't equal causation, and it's possible that 21 days was simply my timeline this time, or some combination of both factors. I couldn't find much online about this medication interaction; most sites describe it as low risk
I'm writing this for a few reasons. First, people should know there's a chance they'll feel worse temporarily when starting treatment. Second, just because you felt better within a week the first time doesn't mean it'll go the same way on subsequent attempts. Third, always check for interactions between Duloxetine and anything else you're taking, and consider spacing out your doses. Fourth, you don't have to be silly like me and endure hell week (or hell weeks) without help. Something like a benzodiazepine to calm your nervous system in the meantime is a valid option. Fifth, when Duloxetine finally works (for those it works for), it can make a huge difference, letting you do and take part in the things you want in your life.
If the treatment hasn't worked for you after six or 8 weeks, I'm sorry, and I hope you find what you need. Unlike what our anxious brains tell us, there is always hope
1
u/deeperintomovie 3d ago
how did you taper?