Suggest Treatment For Depression And Numbness In Head And Arms

Posted on Tue, 28 Jul 2015

Question: I started taking Cymbalta several years ago as an add on to Lexapro. I was fighting depression. I was also gaining too much weight. I was diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic and have taken my A1C from over 9 to 6.5 from a combination of healthy diet, exercise, Metphormin and Lantus (once a day). I noticed much, much happier moods once I got my sugars normalized and I titrated off Lexapro. Now, in addition to the Metphormin and Insulin, I still take 20 mgs of Cymbalta twice a day. Last week, the pharmacy gave me a generic. Immediatly I felt dizzy, tingly all over and very numb in my head and arms. What should I do?

I've read some disturbing reports on-line about the side effects of Cymbalta. Weight gain being one. Also, people trying to get off the drug experience terrible withdrawal and symptoms that I'm experience now having received a Generic.

Maybe I should get off Cymbalta or its generic altogether and see how I do without it? I want to lose more weight and this may be why I've found it so difficult to do? I know it effects my metabolism.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be side effect of drug, consider taking previous brand

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions. Yes, dizziness, tingling, numbness can be caused by the drug. And as you have mentioned that you had these after the generic brand, it is better to go for previous brand.

Besides, this symptoms may also be due to hypoglycemia. Therefore please check blood sugar the next time if you develop similar complaint.

At this point of time, I do not favour withdrawing cymbalta because everyone will respond differently to medications. I've read where some have gained wieght but many I have seen have not gained weight. Even one of the side effect of it is deceased appetite, so even weight loss can be expected. For weight reduction you have to monitor the calorie intake with regular exercise.

I would not suggest you to stop or alter the dose without consulting your prescribed doctor.

Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

Sincerely,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad