Cymbalta, a curiosity..

[Theodon]

Depression is a smart defensive mechanism given us by nature. It makes us feel uncomfortable to force to stop sitting on our ass and do something.
It can't and should not be "treated". It's not a mental disease. It was supposed to be this way.
All you need to do is to find a new, better job, a new place to live, a new friend/company, a new love - and the problem is solved.

Are you unaware of the findings that show some types of depression aren't a normal function of the brain, or do you think yourself more intelligent and knowledgeable than the many people who've dedicated their lives to finding out about the subject throughout decades of research?

If it's the later, I'd like you to link your research and findings on the subject that refutes the people who've shown your own statement to be wholly incorrrect.

[Fiana]

Are you unaware of the findings that show some types of depression aren't a normal function of the brain

I have no doubt that there are. And there are plenty of other mental diseases. But do "millions of people in the us" have them? For the vast majority depression is nothing but bad mood and should not treated by using medicine.
Even if not - trying to fight your depression the natural way won't hurt.

When people tell me that they have depression I ask them "When was the last time you was in gym?". And they say "But why? I don't want to go to gym, I have depression." Sorry, but as long as you prefer your depression to the normal life you'll never get rid of it.

[Deleted]

I have no doubt that there are. And there are plenty of other mental diseases. But do "millions of people in the us" have them? For the vast majority depression is nothing but bad mood and should not treated by using medicine.
Even if not - trying to fight your depression the natural way won't hurt.

When people tell me that they have depression I ask them "When was the last time you was in gym?". And they say "But why? I don't want to go to gym, I have depression." Sorry, but as long as you prefer your depression to the normal life you'll never get rid of it.

Tell us more about your revolutionary discoveries about medical science, bro.

[Theodon]

I have no doubt that there are. And there are plenty of other mental diseases. But do "millions of people in the us" have them? For the vast majority depression is nothing but bad mood and should not treated by using medicine.
Even if not - trying to fight your depression the natural way won't hurt.

When people tell me that they have depression I ask them "When was the last time you was in gym?". And they say "But why? I don't want to go to gym, I have depression." Sorry, but as long as you prefer your depression to the normal life you'll never get rid of it.

So you treat millions of people as if they have minor depression, and then give them this 'advice' that could cause even more harm because of your personal beliefs based on anecdotal evidence that doesn't contradict the mountains of evidence that show what you've said to not be true at all? And this sounds smart to you?

No doubt some of them may have minor depression that can be alleviated through regular exercise, but to tell people with depression that they shouldn't take medication without knowing anything about them is both stupidly dangerous and entirely ignorant. You've just assumed it's all minor depression. You do not give advice based on guesses and assumptions, especially when it's medical and it can lead to death.

[Dolus]

"Depression" is a "symptom." Much like "pain." "Pain" is the body's way of saying something is "wrong." Depression can be caused by something as small as not having enough "fat" in one's diet. But, depression can be attributed to biological issues. The hippocampus is found to be much smaller in some patients experiencing depression. People with depression should seek out a doctor. Science and technology are constantly evolving.

[belfpala]

So you treat millions of people as if they have minor depression, and then give them this 'advice' that could cause even more harm because of your personal beliefs based on anecdotal evidence that doesn't contradict the mountains of evidence that show what you've said to not be true at all? And this sounds smart to you?

No doubt some of them may have minor depression that can be alleviated through regular exercise, but to tell people with depression that they shouldn't take medication without knowing anything about them is both stupidly dangerous and entirely ignorant. You've just assumed it's all minor depression. You do not give advice based on guesses and assumptions, especially when it's medical.

This is pretty much correct. Regular workouts can be effective for mild to moderate depression.

Saying, essentially, "haha I'm not depressed, y r u?" ... not effective for anything.

(mine seems to mostly be related to sunlight)

[Stir]

OP: Never ever take psychiatric medicine prescribed by a general practitioner. That's my stance. If your practitioner wants to give you something along those lines, then they had better send you to a psychologist first in order to assess if you even need it, and from there on you should speak with a psychiatrist in order to figure out which anti-depressant you need.

My guess is that the doctor is trying to prescribe you an expensive and addictive placebo. However, I am not a medical professional. Still; it never hurts to consult a specialist for a second opinion.

[Fiana]

So you treat millions of people as if they have minor depression, and then give them this 'advice' that could cause even more harm because of your personal beliefs based on anecdotal evidence that doesn't contradict the mountains of evidence that show what you've said to not be true at all? And this sounds smart to you?

Yes. I said that for MOST of them it's not true.
I told them to go to gym and TRY to cure their depression the natural way before starting to take medications. No, it won't do them no harm. Any good [non-american]doctor would try non-intrusive healing first. And yes, it is smart.

But you are free to take any medication you like whenever you like. But I advice you to try gym first if you care about your health.

[Deleted]

Yes. I said that for MOST of them it's not true.
I told them to go to gym and TRY to cure their depression the natural way before starting to take medications. No, it won't do them no harm. Any good [non-american]doctor would try non-intrusive healing first. And yes, it is smart.

But you are free to take any medication you like whenever you like. But I advice you to try gym first if you care about your health.

Hey bro, no time to ramble for them push-ups.

[belfpala]

But you are free to take any medication you like whenever you like. But I advice you to try gym first if you care about your health.

So you're doing three things here.

First: Ignoring what the OP actually asked.
Second: Assuming people who actually are depressed want your advice (hint: they do not).
Third: A thing I do, I admit, but assuming that "going to gym" is some kind of cure-all.

Yes, doctors should try non-medication methods first. Yes, US doctors over-prescribe. Yes, sometimes it's just a case of lazy. But if you haven't felt the crushing weight of actual depression, you do not have any room to give any kind of advice.

And again... we've deviated from the actual question in the OP.

[Theodon]

Yes. I said that for MOST of them it's not true.
I told them to go to gym and TRY to cure their depression the natural way before starting to take medications. No, it won't do them no harm. Any good [non-american]doctor would try non-intrusive healing first. And yes, it is smart.

But you are free to take any medication you like whenever you like. But I advice you to try gym first if you care about your health.

That was not your advice. Your opened by saying that depression isn't a disease to be treated, then your advice was to not take medication, that they need to find a new job, a new love, to go the gym get a new job/friends, and basically improve their lives in all aspects, and to stop wanting to be depressed. You have no idea what you are saying.

[Arunu]

Obviously. I highly doubt every person who might post here after using Cymbalta will report the same sleep deprivation that I had. Insomnia might be a side effect, but I went a little more than a month straight without sleep (and working fast food with an established vertigo issue doesn't help). I was given the stuff because that crackpot of a doctor decided he knew more than any shrink and refused to give me a referral to a mental health professional.

How on earth did you manage that ? I have episodes of insomnia since I was 16 or something, so for around 18 years now, lately I've been fine but in bad weeks I do not sleep at all or maybe 1-2 hours tops a night.
After a night or 5-6 without sleep I simply can not function normally anymore. Can't focus on anything, apathy , zero energy you know the drill...
I've tried everything I can, be it medicine to breathing techniques to homeopathic, nothing seems to work.
Not attempting to doubt you by the way, just interested in how you manage to function after such an extended period of sleep deprivation.

On topic : It's good that at least some people manage to actually read what goes in their bodies.
Most people I know just toss in everything they prescribe without doing any kind of background search on effects and side effects.

as someone else mentioned, check with your pharmacist and maybe a second opinion by a specialist.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Second opinion. See a Psychiatrist.

[Puupi]

Just a general comment on the subject: people tend to think that "anti-depressant" or any other medicine that affects your head is some magic pill that is meant for the exact symptom which is it generally labeled at. Anti-depressant makes you happy, anti-psychotic makes you less nut etc. But that's not the case.

They are not magic pills. They affect the biochemical reactions in your brain, which MIGHT lead to easing those symptoms you have. Therefore, an anti-depressant or anti-psychotic drugs might be used for various other stuff, too. Like headache, dizziness, sleeping disorders, problems with focusing and stabilizing your moods. Just examples, though.

If a doctor prescribes you anti-psychotics, it doesn't necessarily mean that he thinks you are a nutjob who needs to be locked in a cage. That particular medicine might affect some reactions in your brain that might ease your head ache.

[Septik]

You should read the whole post

"Do any of you know about Cymbalta? Have you ever taken it, or have a friend or family member? What were the experiences? What do you think about all this in general? "

I was prescribed cymbalta for my neuropathy a couple years ago, started out on 30mg pills and went up to 60mg.
I got the same story, 'try this.. it is an antidepressant but it MIGHT help with your nerve pain..."
They made me sweat a lot, in the middle of winter when i was taking them, they didnt help me very much, maybe cut my pain episodes by about 10%, if at all. Same as any of the *-triptaline drugs, or the gabupenten or the lyrica that I've also tried, which im pretty sure all of those are also anti-depressants that _might_ help with other stuff.

Pharmaceuticals suck ass is my experience. Good luck with yours!