Aibu to be worried to take duloxetine

So happy to hear you are feeling better. Mine was introduced for nerve pain too - hallelujah! You sound a bit like me forgetting to take doses, but I've found the withdrawal effects from are far less than Venlafaxine. I'm on 60mg too but 2 separate doses daily. I have one of those med boxes with all my meds in. If course, I forget about that too! But when I remember, which is usually then life is good 💕 even my adult son commented on how good I looked and seemed. I don't think he's ever noticed so much as a haircut unless it was in crisis and I shaved it off 🤣🙄

I've been on Duloxetine for 4 years, no issues unless I forget to take a dose, it's massively reduced my intrusive thoughts & suicidal ideation, & provided moderate relief from anxiety & fibro pain.

I can't say I've noticed any reduction in libido or ability to climax either, Seroxat was much worse IME.

After years of having to try different meds that mostly did bugger all it's been a lifeasaver for me.

Ahhh, I've been on many antidepressants,
I had 2 nearly fatal overdoses - one in 2020 and I was in a coma for 6 weeks - mild qpermanent damage
One in 2023 which left me bed bound for 6 months (in ICU for 8.5 weeks)
Was on paroxetine over the both overdoses but was switched to duloxetine 60mg on the 2023 overdose and it has changed my life!!
It helps with my nerves damage but my mood has been much better. The only side affect is if I don't take it at the same time every day I get withdrawals.

Same, it works well for me. I've been on 90 but now on 20 and have been on it for years.

Remember though that there's a real bias to those sites - people without any serious side effects (which is the much much larger group) are unlikely to post. I hope they help you. I've been on other antidepressants for a long time and they've really helped Mr.

Please keep us updated, we are all here for you.

Is it one dose you are taking? Only that I usually take mine at 8pm just before bedtime, sleep on any after effects and keep in a routine.

I've not been well this weekend so I'm a bit out of kilter with meds. I don't feel any side effects as such, just a bit tired. But I'm off out gardening which never would have happened before! Take care xx

@Rizzo111 I was barely functioning before. Deeply depressed, massive panic attacks, despair, dependent on family support, suicidal ideation, gp kept regular check ins with me, the works...

Now I'm back at work and sit somewhere between ok & happy. My mental health continues to improve as I continue to piece my life back together - and I'm making sure I build lots of self care into my life so that I don't slip back.

I enjoy socialising (although it took a while to build up tolerance to this again), I tend to only get weepy at normal things or if I've missed a couple of doses & when I negative thoughts do creep in, I know they're unrealistic and can manage them.

It's...night and day.

You'll get there, I know it's hard but have faith - this isn't forever. Your future awaits when you're ready for it, for now, just look after yourself.

No obviously I take advice from my Dr, don't worry. She has advised me to increase my dose, but I'm not quite sure how to get the extra tablets. I will inquire on Monday.

@Pixiesgirl don't go messing with your dose will you?

Speak to your doctor about your concerns and take it from there.

I've had brain zaps before and honestly they don't bother me...neither do head rushes etc But I reiterate - if you're not experiencing these side effects (which are common to most, if not all, anti depressants) then you don't need to worry

*not a doctor or nurse, just someone who's tried a lot of anti depressants

I had brain zaps before with seroxat. Not keen to experience again

Oh no, that sounds awful. I guess I will have to see what happens. I'm only on a half dose at, maybe I will not take full.
.

This, I'm not qualified to say, that is only my opinion and I'm far from a medical professional - thank goodness, I couldn't handle the hours 😷😭😂

For me it was the short life it spends in your system. Miss one tablet when it's due and the side effects are awful - brain zaps, head whooshes, dizziness from just moving head.

It works for some people clearly, but I would never advise anyone to take it. Even my crisis team were wanting me to come off it after 17 years but they couldn't give an alternative.

Then my lovely doctor put me on a plan to reduce and switch to Duloxetine - mainly because it works for nerve pain, which I need.

I don't know, you have to make your own choices to suit. Good luck though ❤️

If it's working for you, then no, you don't need to worry.

If you start to experience a deterioration in your mental health or any worrying or unpleasant side effects then speak to your GP.

No one panic about their anti depressants, ok?

What works well for one person can be trouble for another. That's why doctors (should) monitor patients to see how they're getting on with new anti depressants and why patients shouldn't be afraid to speak up if they're having issues.

Just because duloxetine works brilliantly for me, with no side effects, doesn't mean everyone will have the same experience...Just like the other anti depressants I tried before duloxetine either did bugger all or gave him awful side effects.

The only thing I've noticed with duloxetine is that I do get withdrawal symptoms if I miss a couple of doses, so I know that when I'm ready to start weaning off them I'll need to liaise closely with my GP to manage this.

And, quite frankly, if I can never get fully off them I really don't care. I'm living again - taking 1 tablet a day is a small price to pay.

I have been on venlafaxine for 5 weeks and tbh it has quieted my anxiety quite a bit.

Should I Be worried?

I've taken Duloxetine before and found it incredibly helpful for anxiety. It also worked as a multi faceted medication for me as I had chronic pain and bladder issues and it helped with that and also urinary frequency. Coming off it was difficult as I got the old 'brain zaps' and you have to taper it very carefully. If you are feeling suicidal I would suggest you go or these a go as they will possibly turn that feeling around. As with all SSRIs and SNRIs, they can be tough in the first couple of weeks band to taper from, and it can a be very individual experience as to how the affect you. I'm currently on Sertraline and they have been a lifesaver for me. Please try. The only way is up and you have that chance? Good luck 🤞

Oh no @JanglingJack what's wrong with venlafaxine? Just been put on it.

That 20 years being like a roller coaster of self harm, suicide attempts and just being generally on edge with Venlafaxine. I honestly thought I could never come off it, then GP weaned me on to Duloxetine... No thoughts of self harm, I'm functioning 100% better. It has been a life changer.