Cymbalta is a commonly prescribed drug for anxiety and depression, but sometimes leaves the user feeling “Cymbalta ruined my life.”
What happens when one drug works well for many people but proves problematic for others? Robles Ranch explores Cymbalta and whether it is right for them.
Contact Robles Ranch for information about our residential mental health treatment center.
What is Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is available by prescription and is the brand name for a drug called Duloxetine. It is classified as a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI), which also includes meds like Effexor XR, Pristiq, and Fetzima.
Cymbalta helps treat anxiety and depression, as well as chronic musculoskeletal and nerve pain. SNRI drugs work because they impact the neurotransmitters that communicate with a person’s brain. This causes the brain to block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps them feel less anxious and depressed.
Anyone using Cymbalta should have a prescription and use it as directed and while under the care of a physician or therapist. Cymbalta can be prescribed to adults, teenagers, and children who are at least seven years old.
What Conditions Does Cymbalta Treat?
Cymbalta is mostly known for treating anxiety and depression, but it is also used to treat chronic pain, like that experienced when a person has fibromyalgia. The individual should first get a thorough analysis from a mental health expert or physician to determine their specific physical and emotional health. This helps the clinician to make recommendations for medications, including whether Cymbalta may be the right choice for the person.
Side Effects From Using Cymbalta
Sometimes a person may end up saying, “Cymbalta ruined my life” because they experienced persistent or potentially dangerous side effects. While most side effects are temporary and pass quickly, some stick around and get worse with age.
Common side effects for Cymbalta include:
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Frequent urination
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Cold-like symptoms
- Weight loss
Less common side effects may occur and should be reported to the physician or other prescriber.
These symptoms include:
- Difficulty with sexual performance or desire
- Diarrhea
- Shakiness
- Face, neck, or arms feel warm
- Tingly feelings in the skin
- Loss of taste
- Heartburn
- Swollen joints
Can I Become Addicted to Cymbalta?
When someone says, “Cymbalta ruined my life”, could it be because they developed an addiction to it?
Not likely, because this drug does not cause a person to develop serious physical withdrawal symptoms, nor do they need to attend detox when going off it. However, a person can feel they cannot get by without their Cymbalta, sometimes increasing the amount without telling the prescribing clinicians.
Some Cymbalta users develop a psychological dependence on their medication and experience emotional symptoms when not using it, such as increased depression and anxiety. This may cause them to feel they cannot get by without using the drug. Any attempt to stop using Cymbalta should be discussed with the prescriber before changes are made, so the individual can be monitored as they go off the drug.
What To Do If You Feel “Cymbalta Ruined My Life”
The most common reasons a person might feel that “Cymbalta ruined my life” are that they experienced severe and long-lasting side effects or withdrawal symptoms when stopping the drug. Some people also struggle while waiting for the medication to take effect and may be unaware that it’s time to try another one.
It’s also worth it to go over other medications a person is taking (both prescription and over-the-counter) with the prescribing clinician to make sure that there isn’t a problem with interaction.
If Cymbalta has caused problems for someone, that doesn’t mean they are stuck with no alternatives. They should talk to their therapist or doctor about other choices, including other SNRIs, SSRIs, atypical antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. For some, a combination of two or more prescription medications may get the best results.
Begin Treatment for Mental Health Disorders at Robles Ranch
Do you live with anxiety or depression every day and are tired of the struggle that accompanies having a mental health disorder? Robles Ranch offers luxurious care in our residential center that gives people a safe space in which to heal themselves. Our team of licensed therapists helps people build trust and matches them with the right therapy modalities for their unique needs.
Contact us today to talk about what we can do to help you turn your life around. Ask about our free insurance verifications.