For millions of people, Cymbalta use has led to reduced symptoms and improved quality of life. Unfortunately, not everyone has had a positive experience with the medication. What has caused some people to claim Cymbalta ruined my life?
Learn more about our drug rehab programs in Georgia or call us now at 770-240-5699.
What Is Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is the brand name of a prescription medication that contains duloxetine. It was developed in 1990, and it first earned approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2004.
Cymbalta was originally approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition to MDD, it is now approved for:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Diabetes-related nerve pain
Physicians also sometimes prescribe Cymbalta on an off-label basis to treat conditions such as:
- Stress-related urinary incontinence
- Chemotherapy-induced nerve pain
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Migraine
- Glaucoma
How Does Cymbalta Work?
Cymbalta is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Medications in this category work by artificially boosting the presence of two neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, in a person’s system:
- Serotonin is involved with functions such as mood, memory, learning, body temperature, and the sleep/wake cycle.
- Norepinephrine plays a key role in the body’s “fight or flight” response to perceived threats and other stressors.
Typically, nerve cells release these chemicals into the synapses (or small gaps that separate cells from each other) when triggered by the brain. Once they have crossed the synapse and delivered their message, the chemicals are transported back to the cell where they originated, so that they can be reabsorbed and stored for future reuse.
Cymbalta disrupts the process of transporting serotonin and norepinephrine back to their original cells, which prevents them from being reabsorbed. This creates a buildup of both neurotransmitters within synapses throughout a person’s central nervous system (CNS).
The presence of additional serotonin and norepinephrine has the effect of magnifying the messages they are delivering. For some people, this leads to an easing of the physical and mental health concerns listed in the previous section.
Why Would Someone Say Cymbalta Ruined My Life?
Though Cymbalta can be both safe and effective when used as directed, some people who have taken the medication claim that Cymbalta ruined my life. Comments like this are typically due to particularly distressing adverse effects.
Every prescription medication can cause unpleasant side effects, and Cymbalta is no exception to this rule. Among the medication’s more common side effects are:
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Heavy sweating
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Erectile dysfunction
Less common but more dangerous side effects that have been linked to Cymbalta include:
- Liver damage
- Mania
- Fainting
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Serotonin syndrome
- Suicidal thoughts
Claims of Cymbalta’s life-ruining impact are most likely related to these severe effects.
For example, serotonin syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that is caused by excessive serotonin in a person’s system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dangerously high body temperature, loss of muscle coordination, muscle rigidity, tremors, and seizure.
Most of the concern about antidepressants and increased suicidality has focused on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but SNRIs such as Cymbalta have also been identified as having a possible link.
Of course, no risk of suicide should ever be ignored. If you have been thinking ending your life, or you know someone who has been having similar thoughts, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline online or by calling or texting 988 from any phone in the U.S.
This free service is staffed by trained professionals who can assess your circumstances and connect you with appropriate resources in your area.
Is Cymbalta Addictive?
Another reason why people may think Cymbalta ruined my life is if they feel like they can’t stop using the drug.
Cymbalta doesn’t pose the same risk of addiction that some other prescription meds, such as opioid-based painkillers, do. People who use Cymbalta rarely develop the powerful cravings that are characteristic of addiction, nor do they experience the recreational high that could compel them to use the drug over and over again.
However, even though Cymbalta isn’t generally considered to be addictive, people who use it frequently experience one addiction-related symptom: withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms
When a person attempts to stop using Cymbalta, they may develop a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
- Flu-like aches and pains
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Anxiety and irritability
- Depression
Cymbalta withdrawal can also cause a phenomenon that’s commonly referred to as “brain zaps.” This experience feels like brief electrical shocks in your head. They aren’t dangerous, but they can be disconcerting.
How to manage Cymbalta withdrawal
The best way to avoid or minimize Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms is to speak with your doctor before you stop using it.
Withdrawal is typically most severe when you abruptly stop using a drug. This is because your body can adapt to – and begin to rely on – any substance that you use for an extended period.
In the case of Cymbalta, if you suddenly stop using it, your body may struggle to maintain appropriate serotonin and norepinephrine levels. The resultant chemical imbalance can trigger the withdrawal symptoms mentioned earlier.
When you consult with your doctor first, they can set up a tapering schedule that will slowly reduce your daily Cymbalta dose. This will give your body time to adapt to the gradual reduction of Cymbalta in your system, which should help you avoid the more distressing aspects of withdrawal.
Your doctor can also help you select an alternative approach to address whatever condition you were treating with Cymbalta. If you were using it for mental health purposes, they may propose trying a new med and/or participating in therapy.
The good news is that there are a range of effective alternatives to Cymbalta for treating anxiety, depressive, and other mental health concerns. But none of these options are ideal for everyone, which is why it’s important to find a provider who will take your unique needs, goals, and preferences into account when developing your treatment plan.
Find Mental Health Treatment in Atlanta
If you’ve been living with anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, North Atlanta Behavioral Health is here for you.
Treatment options at our outpatient center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Within each of these programs, we offer a variety of customized therapies and support services.
Our team will work closely with you to ensure that you receive the focused services that can ease your symptoms and put you on the path to a healthier and more hopeful future.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
