I have been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for 8 years, and it is hardly the first SSRI so-called antidepressant which I've experienced. Be it Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, or the current poison, there's been absolutely no antidepressant effect with any of them, but the professionals tend to differ on that, and the fact that I have never been suicidal cannot be a non-factor with their opinions.
When they've seen that I'm less agitated, they've been good with that.
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When they observe, even as trained psychiatrists, how I appear to be less angry, just how bright can they really be not to notice how the effects of the drug only make me too weak to find the energy to express any anger! Well, I'm doing that much now, and I'm really fed up with their toxic ignorance-mongering! It's 2019, and by now the professional world should have figured out how to help those of us who never really tried to quit this life, but have been too depressed to really take care of themselves or find happiness and purpose in it! That when said bright bulbs observe a state of agitation in a patient, it may be a symptom of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Yours, Truly), and may even have nothing to do with depression. That observable anger isn't necessarily irrational! That there may be an actual difference, one which the guy who spends but 15 minutes with you out of three months may never observe, between agitation which makes the individual essentially non-functional, and a personal intensity which focuses one's concentration for a functional life. Without more time invested, the two personal traits would necessarily appear the same, regardless of the observer's degree of education!
Right now, I feel better than I have for the past eight years. Instead of collapsing on the couch in fatigue, as I typically have when I look around the house and notice a bunch of chores that need to be done, and things that somehow, impossibly need to be fixed or replaced, I go right into getting that stuff done. Also, gone is the sluggishness that has cause me such easy frustration, leaving me prone to give up and take another nap. Over the past several days, the benefits of minimal exercise have somehow improved dramatically... I feel much lighter on my feet, although I'm not in fact one single ounce lighter! I now realize how I'm in my 50's now, and have been living as if I'm several decades older... but WHY??
It so happens that a week ago, I decided to address my inconsistent sleeping patterns by shifting my Duloxetine (Cymbalta) dose from the morning, taken with my other essential meds, to the evening. Problem is how it so typically would take me several days to remember that when the evening came, especially with the memory problems Cymbalta had been causing. When I finally became aware of that problem, on account of the changes described, I had been off that med for about a week. Since I was feeling only better without that poison, I saw no good reason to go back to it.
In all honesty, I know that after only one week the final verdict remains to be seen, and I'm quite aware that the surge of agitation/intensity can be potentially problematic in society and maybe even with my health, but the alternative simply isn't sustainable! How long I will continue feeling better is another question, and it's somewhat complicated by the fact of my ASD and ADD, both which have made nervous agitation a natural thing for me all my life! I have also scanned several websites which trumpet out to the world dire warnings on the said dangers of Duloxetine withdrawal, combed through their lists of frightful effects, and experienced none of them after a week (while in my current state) had passed, other than increased agitation. Or is it really intensity? Certainly nonausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or dry mouth. Also, if you aren't getting enough blurred vision, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, or sexual problems, then you may want to ask your doctor about starting a Cymbalta regiment, LOFL!
Anyway, that's my story with Duloxetine, and I'm sticking to it. Also, I wish you the best in navigating these waters, hang in there!