Cymbalta--better absorbed than most by RNY patients...who uses it and what do you think?

I SO wish I could know for sure how well Cymbalta is absorbed.   I've had severe and debilitating depression for 30 years.   I have tried countless meds to no avail.   The only med that worked for me (many years pre-op) was zoloft, but after a few years the effect wore off.  Recently I began researching cymbalta, as it is one of the few meds I had not already tried.   Since I am post-RNY, I did as you and checked around to see what results folks were getting.  There seemed to be quite a few people who were taking it successfully in spite of it being extended release.    So I decided to give it a whirl.    I have only been on it for about 8 weeks so far, but I think it's working.   I'll have to be on it longer to be really convinced that it's the med workinig and not just a temporary coincidental improvement.    But I definitely think it's worth a try.

Given that you suffer from such severe depression, I'm excited to hear that you are feeling that it is helpful. I'll pray for its continued help for you!

Keep us posted!

Denise

I saw your pictures last week. You look GREAT.. I was on Cymbalta for about 5 years, just up until my surgery in November. The fact that my weight ballooned so much leading to my surgery makes me wonder if it had lost it's effectiveness for me. Because of the surgery, my doctor switched me to Zoloft. I started with liquid form, and now am on pill form. I have found a huge difference in my mood for the positive. Obviously losing 90 pounds helps tremendously, but I think the Zoloft has played a part. Hope that helps a little bit....David

Thanks! I'm hoping the Cymbalta will be of some assistance because as I mentioned to another poster, Zoloft was killing my stomach. I guess we'll see as time goes. I'll definitely post my "findings". And there is definitely a component of mood elevation with the weight loss!! Congrats on your success!!!

Denise

Thanks Denise for your kind words.  I hope the Cymbalta works for you.   I know how badly depression can destroy lives and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.   If you try it, be sure and give it time to work.   You may also need doseage adjustments.  They started me at 30 mg for 2 weeks then up to 60 mg which I think is the pretty standard doseage.

Do you know where I might get a copy of this study?  I was just prescribed Cymbalta for back and hip pain and wanted further info since I am one month post op for bpass surgery.

thanks!

 december will make 6 years that i am on and off cymbalta. it works great for me, so much so that my parents can tell when i stop taking it after a few days. it has worked the same since surgery but over the summer i decided to go off it and stick with just xanax for my anxiety, i am actually restarting it tonight because i can feel myself slipping again and it's definitely effecting the way that i'm eating, so hopefully it will help me get back on track.

I too have fibromyalgia and will have my gastric bypass on May 16th.  Cymbalta has made a huge difference in my pain level, but since my doctor said that my meds would have to be liquids or crushed, I have been concerned.  Reading these posts has been encouraging!

Thank You

 

 

 

 

Sorry I'm a bit late in replying to this thread.

 

Currently, I've been taking Cymbalta (30 mg, 1x daily) for anxiety, depression, and pain. I am also someone who suffers moderate-to-extreme bathroom issues since my RnY in 2011 (re: constipation, and impactions). The Cymbalta I find, is very binding. Between feeling full all the time (even simultaneously full and hungry at times), nauseated, etc.

I find it's blunted the anxiety to the point where I am ambivalent. So instead of my life being limited due to pain, anxiety and depression, now I feel it's limited because I'm so ambivalent, I don't feel like doing anything.  Also, my underlying pain issues (neck herniation, low back and knee pain, adenomyosis & endometriosis), is not minimized while on this Rx. 

Debating the merits of weaning myself off it. I don't feel that there's enough merit to keep taking it.

I am 5 post op from rny and take 60 mg cymbalta. It works well with me. I was on topamax for about 5 months. Not so good. I was forgetting my memory and scared the crap out of me. My mom had alzheimer.