Duloxetine 4 weeks in no better

[Dawn1331]

I'm really at my wits end. I thought by now I would feel a lot better. Still panic attacks, still anxiety at 100 and shaking.
Anyone had any success with it? Does it take ages to work? I'm so tired of fighting

Are you having a medication review ?

@DustyLee123 yes tomorrow. I don't know whether to persevere or try something else. I've never been on duloxetine x

I’ve never heard of it, sounds like it’s something to do with constipation !
See what the GP says, I’d expect to see some small improvement by now. Was there any talk of offering you something separate for the panic attacks ?

Ugh. I'm on duloxetine also (30mgs) I was on paroxetine ( until Jan this year, I tried to kill myself ended up in a coma for 8 wks) however, I really got on with paroxetine but they took me off it and put me on that. It doesn't work as well but I can't have it upped as I had kidney failure and required diyalsis and they are not back to baseline yet. Is this the only anti depressant you've been on? You may need it increasing or changing. Wait until your med review tomorrow xx

@DustyLee123 no nothing else. Some websites say 6-8 weeks for full effect but when your anxiety is so bad you can't think of 6-8 hours never mind weeks x

My DH went on a different antidepressant for anxiety. I noticed a small difference at 4 weeks, but he then got better every month until 6 months.

What's caused the anxiety?

@Eyesopenwideawake I have terrible health anxiety linked to losing my son 6 years ago. Was on sertraline @JamieJ93 but I felt numb, citalopram didn't help then menopause hit so I came off sertraline and went on hrt and for 6 months I was fine then it came back worse than ever.
I've never been suicidal but I had a day where I just wanted to end it because there's no respite from it.
Duloxetine started the 15th of August and I did feel a bit better but today has been horrendous x

The doctor may suggest an increase and wait another 4-6 weeks but if no change he/she will probably offer an alternative. It took me about 6 anti depressants until I found the "right" one ( paroxetine) but then was forced into duloxetine. My psychiatrist is looking to switch me ( if unable to increase due to kidney function) xx
(I've been on duloxetine for 8 months and no "real" change) xx

@JamieJ93 I'm sorry none of the drugs have worked so far and I hope you get back on the fluoxetine.
I don't think people really understand what it's like - never ending torture

People definitely do not understand. I've always said, anxiety is (for me anyway) the worst out of all. It's constant, relentless and no break from the constant worry. I sympathize with anyone who has anxiety because we are often told "it's not that bad", "cheer up" from people that have no clue what you are feeling!! Xx

@JamieJ93 its not a choice! We can't switch it on and off it's crippling and if you would rather be dead than live like you are what is a clearer peek into how bad it is? X

I'm so sorry for your loss. Have you had/are you having therapy or counselling alongside the meds?

@Eyesopenwideawake I've been on the waiting list for 4 years the average wait time is 6 unless you pay and even then you're not always seeing a psychologist just a talk therapist or cbt. There is no real help x

@Dawn1331. Over the years I have been on most antidepressants that worked to some degree but not completely. Duloxetine has worked for me, but only at the higher dose (120mg per day). And I also take Carbamazepine and propranolol for anxiety type symptoms. PM if you want to talk about it!!

Might be worth mentioning propranolol to the GP.

6 years?! Bloody hell, that's brutal 😠Have a look at my AMA on remedial hypnosis - it can be very effective for anxiety and trauma. Happy to chat if you think it might help.

I’m on 90mg of duloxetine taken in the mornings and 15mg mirtazipine taken in the evenings, for about 10 months now. The combination is working really well for me (I had severe depression, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia), but from what I remember it did take several weeks to get used to them and stable. I started on a lower dose of the duloxetine (30mg) and stepped up to 60mg and then the 90mg.

The relief of not having that awful feeling of all consuming panic and dread all the time is wonderful, and I sleep like a baby! So worth asking about taking a higher dose and/or in combination with something like mirtazipine which I think is often prescribed for anxiety.

@Piggles43 thanks for your experience. I think it definitely needs upped. I dream of the day I'm no longer anxious. A dream x

So sorry you are suffering the unrelenting torture called anxiety. The many ignorant, judgemental people who just don’t understand & don’t want to are intensely irritating.
Turning to Duloxetine, I think I have been extremely lucky. I am on 30 mg at night for GAD & Health Anxiety. I began these tablets on 20/7/23 on a half dose to help with side effects.
Am now taking every day & feel so much better. Still feel tired despite taking the medication at night. However that’s better than crippling anxiety. Previously I have taken Citalopram, Escitalopram, Sirtraline, Mirtazipine & Venlafaxine. Had to keep switching due to a low sodium level.
It sounds as if you need a higher dose, so hopefully you can discuss this at the review. Duloxetine commonly causes nausea/sickness. The lower dose should have helped with that.
If you can, persevere with Duloxetine. Switching A/D is challenging with the different side effects.
Wishing you good luck.

@DemelzaandRoss do you find taking it at night helps the effect? I'm so glad it's really working for you x

@DemelzaandRoss @DustyLee123 @Eyesopenwideawake @JamieJ93 @Piggles43 @redastra just out of the Dr's. He's doubled the dose and wants me to hang on for 4 weeks and if no improvement then he's switching ke to venlafaxine. Anyone had success with Venlafaxine x

Just seen your update. That’s positive news. It’s really annoying that A/D take so long to kick in. I really hope that in a few weeks time the horribleness will reduce & you will feel different.
You asked about taking Duloxetine in the evening. This has been better for me. Before, I started feeling tired & spaced out in the morning. I don’t feel like that now, though some days I’m tired.
Venlafaxine is another SSRNI & I took it for 18 months until January this year. I stupidly thought I could manage without & tapered off slowly from Nov 22. Very soon my anxiety returned. I asked to go on a different drug as Venlafaxine gave me violent nightmares a weight increase. So far on Duloxetine I have not had nightmares & the Consultant says it’s better for weight control. Other than those side effects Venlafaxine was a good tablet for me. I took the Extended Release version.
Hang on in there. You WILL get better. Remember that. The Calm app is also very helpful I find.
Sending you & all anxious MN 💐

@DemelzaandRoss thank you so much for always replying. It really comforts me. Yeah he basically said he doesn't usually see reap benefits from 7-10 weeks. He was lovely and said I should hang in there.
I read venlafaxine is better for anxiety/panic disorder but I've never had it. Do you see a big difference in the mental effects between the two? X

@Dawn1331 You have had the worst imaginable event happen to you. I’m pleased for you that your GP seems sympathetic, some aren’t.
Regarding the two medications, my Consultant describes them as ‘sisters’ I researched them too & agree on paper that Venlafaxine seems better for panic & anxiety. However, so far Duloxetine has been a life changer. I actually feel like ‘me’ for the first time in 9 months. I started taking 30mg every other day on 20/7. Increased to every day on 22/8. I think when you begin the higher dose you will feel weird for a week or so. After that a different feeling. Counselling would help you, it’s terrible about the waiting list. Do download the Calm app. Has lots of help, breathing, emergency strategies, sleep stories etc.