Aibu to be worried to take duloxetine

[Rizzo111]

I have health anxiety
been in a major depressive episode
awaiting adhd assessment

my dr has prescribed me duloxetine (30mg) however now I’m scared as seen reviews that it can be fatal? Any views? I’m desperate for help

I have taken this for over 10 years, absolutely no problems. ANY drug can be fatal to someone somewhere , there will always be risk with medication but for the vast, vast majority the benefits are far higher.

What first post said. Be reassured that if there was a serious risk then your doctor wouldn't have prescribed it without telling you so - and it would only be prescribed by a psychiatrist, not a GP.

Look at roaccotane for example. It's well known to commonly cause such severe side effects that it's been directly responsible for suicides and so it can only be prescribed by specialists & then only after a careful assessment of the suitability of the patient AND a clear discussion with the patient so that they can make a fully informed choice.

I went on duloextine when very severely depressed with severe anxiety (and ADD)...not only did it probably save my life but I'm doing brilliantly several years on.

You'll be fine, op

I take it and have found it really effective against anxiety. I would try it and see how it goes. Wishing you peace and better health.

I refused to take duloxetine. There was a class action lawsuit in America (where it’s sold under the name Cymbalta) because people said they had severe withdrawal symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

Also people have talked about sexual dysfunction as a result of taking it, saying they have genital numbness and difficulty climaxing, and the problems don’t go away after they stop taking the drug - they are permanently damaged.

Af the end of the day your doctor doesn’t tell you what to do - they advise and you make your own decisions.

Thank you all that is so good to hear. I couldn’t admit this elsewhere but I do have suicidal thoughts at times and feel at my lowest. I’m desperate to get my mental health sorted for my dd who needs me so much

It's the best thing that ever happened to me after being trapped on Venlafaxine for nigh on 20 years.

It seems so much softer, and I am much calmer in spite of them being in the SNRI group with similarities.

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.

I have heard about this lawsuit but then saw some information that said it didn’t go anywhere. To be honest I’m suffering with some suicide ideation anyway
and im
too depressed and low to be having sex at the moment 😂

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

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 🤞

That’s so good to hear. I feel like I have been on a roller coaster I get by by just telling myself
to get through the day and drinking a bottle of one 2-4 days a week just to shut out the house temporarily

Yes thank you I just saw a few reviews on drugs.com that said it nearly killed them and it scared me but think it may be due to taking with other drugs and having serotonin syndrome

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

Should I Be worried?

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.

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.

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 ❤️

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 😷😭😂

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.
.

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

@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

That’s so good to hear, can I ask what’s changed the most for you?
At the moment I’m really over eating and struggling to socialise in any way i put off seeing people
I’m always cryinb and have lots of very negative thoughts

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.

@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.

Thanks all taken first one so fingers crossed

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