yep, MS sure does suck! It is a shame that you have all that you have going on with yourself and your medicines. I feel the same. I take so many pills a day to help with my MS symptoms. Yes, I'm overweight because of some of those meds (but I take full responsibility for it), but I'm too fatigued to exercise and I don't like lettuce as a staple diet so I live overweight. I'm tired from the drowziness the meds make me feel, and yes, my libido is on permanent vacation. But other than that, I feel great. I just I've just come to realize that this is the best life is going to get living with this damn disease. Do I want for more, yes, but I try not to think about it.

I am assuming you are on 120mg right? I can't speak for others. But I can speak for myself as well as a medical person.

First, most importantly taper off. It is recommended that you taper from 120 to 60mg for a week or two then to 30 mg etc. DON'T!!! Stay at 60mg for at least 4 weeks 6-8 is better. Why? Because you have been on it for so long. Trust me!!

Second, I am glad you where able to loose weight while on it. Most people don't. I am also glad to hear it helped with your pain. I wasn't so lucky. Ask your self which is more important to you weight, giddy up and go, the pain, or is it for depression.

Dr. Christy here.... now my opinion and advice:

Get off that crap now. If you are depressed work toward getting something else. I support drugs 100% when they are used properly. Alot of Dr.'s like to push these "anti-depressants/neuropathy" medicine.

Don't get me wrong Cynmbalta is a good drug for the right person.

Here's the fix and its cheaper, yes cheaper. Do your research.

The giddy up and go: look into Paxil its $4 at most pharmacies. It works very well for that as well as making the horse ride longer. (if you get what I mean) I am sure you do!

Depression: Paxil works well

Anxiety: Paxil works well also for OCD (should you have that)

Pain and weight: Exercise. If you get off this medicine Cymbalta. (correctly) start Paxil. I promise you this. You will feel 100% better. Not over night. Why? You have been on a high dose for way to long.
Once you get on another medicine such as Paxil, the giddy up and go gets going and going and going like the energize bunny. You will then not only feel betterm, be happy, but will want to work out and exercise to stay in shape while it will be helping with the pain.

Regardless, of what you decide DO YOUR RESEARCH!! Cymbalta ruined my life. No, I did but it altered my mind without me realizing it. Now its to late. Personal experience with the Paxil on the OCD, Depression, Anxiety as well as the energize bunny part. It works.

Hope this really gives you something to think about,. Most of all I hope you find something that works for you before it causes you to end up in a dark area.

Christysms

Paxil helped with anxiety for a long time. I don't know much about Cymbalta.

Good luck,

Darla

Thanks for the advice :) I used to be a nurse so I'm aware what withdrawal can do so I've been tapering down 6 weeks at a time. I just dropped down to 30 mg this week and I go to my neuro in February so if he decides to change my meds it should time just right.
At the moment I want to see if I can function at a lower dose and see if it helps the other problem.
thing is the cymbalta actually works and between the cymbalta, keppra and going gluten free I've dropped close to 60 lbs. I will put my big girl panties on and deal with it if I have to, but waaaaa I want my cake and I wanna eat it to!!!
Ok, pitty party is mostly over...

Cymbalta didn't help me so I decided to get off of it. The first day of no med at all, I could literally hear my eyeballs moving in my head! I tapered off slowly as directed but still am having some problems. I feel more like my old self but can't do much before I become exhausted. It had really packed on the pounds and the weight immediately started to drop off. I am having to be very careful that it doesn't drop too fast. I have quite a bit to go now but too fast will leave me weak since I tend to get that way any how.

I'm just using Baclofen for spasms now along with the injections and migraine med.

Gentle hug, Linda

wow Chrtisysms, you hit the nail on the head. I have been on Cymbalta for yrs along with other stuff for MS neuropathy pain, but I have edema that really interfers with alot and have weight gain.I think its the Cymbalta.The first time I have an ' MS Attack" I agreed to IV solumedrol, which was disasterous and surprise about 2 yrs later I have AVN(osteonectrosis in both hips So now weight loss is super important (100lbs) if I need a double hip replacement.
I must say, I get more info from folks like you on this site then from all my Drs. in fact, they always seem confused and have difficulty looking me in the eye when I ask succinct questions,

I had my follow up wirh my neuro. He wants me to go back up to at least 60 mg and after two weeks without it the pain was out the roof. We decided to stay on the 60 mg for another 6 months mainly because I'm one of the blessed people who have few problems, and I'm still loosing weight and it actually does help with the pain.
I still think it sucks, but I getting a better hand on it.

So sorry for all you're going through with the meds. I hate them myself. I've been seeing a naturopath lately. She seems to keep me in a good spirit with my supplements. I really hate meds but if they're needed, they're needed. Just hope you get on an even keel that works best for you.