This is less of a post and more of a rant that I just need to scream into the void, so feel free to ignore because I don’t think there’s a good solution here and I’m sure I’ll be fine.
So, I’ve been taking brand-name cymbalta for my depression for years and years. It’s not a cure but it helps keep me out of the deeper holes and when I tried switching to the generic (duloxetine) several years ago I fell into a very deep depression and so my dr switched me back to the brand name because although generic versions are very similar, they aren’t exactly the same and some people can have different reactions and it wasn’t worth the risk of seeing if that depression was just something that might have naturally happened with the brand name or if the generic just didn’t work for me. Taking the brand-name cymbalta is a pain-in-the-ass because my insurance makes me go through massive hoops and even when it’s covered I still have to spend thousands of dollars each year out-of-pocket for the non-generic penalties but it’s worth it and I’m lucky that I can afford it, BUT I just heard from my pharmacist who told me that the brand name cymbalta has been discontinued and is no longer available.
BRO, WHAT?
My pharmacist managed to find one bottle in Texas but I’m writing this here in case maybe you are a fancy pharmacist reading this and know of a secret stash of brand-name cymbalta somewhere I could order, or if maybe you’ve had a similar problem and had a good experience with a generic cymbalta that is closer in formulation to the brand name than duloxetine?
(Insert lightly panicked sigh here)
I suspect there is not a good answer for this problem and so I’m going to cross my fingers that the generic works. Giant shout out to everyone else out there forever working on the bullshit that comes with just trying to survive your own damn body. I SEE YOU, FRIEND.
Maybe a compounding pharmacy could tailor it? Hate it for you 💙
What!!?? Say it ain’t so.
I HATE that for you. I was on Cymbalta for years. Generic, though. I switched to Pristiq, and I am going to pretend that it will never be discontinued because it is the glue that is holding me together. I mean that pretty seriously, too. I was without it for a couple of days last week, and my life was not a pleasant place to be.
You will be okay in the end, though there may be some bumps along the way. Hang in there. I hope you get a good substitute sooner rather than later.
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… That sucks SO much. Sending you big love and hugs. It’s not a Cymbalta cache, but it’s what I got. ❤️
I’m sorry, I hate when meds that actually work get discontinued. I take migraine meds and it took numerous different meds to find one that actually worked for me and then of course it got discontinued. I stocked up as much as I could before it went away forever and have since had to find a new med. It’s never fun. Good luck.
Cymbalta is manufactured by Lilly. It’s possible they will be manufacturing their own generic, you could ask your pharmacist to try and get you Lilly Duloxetine. It should be exactly the same just not under the cymbalta name as it would be the same manufacturer/recipe
OMG! NOOOO! WTF! I TAKE CYMBALTA TOO! I fucking hate all of this. I also take Veozah, but I won’t get it anymore at the end of the year because my insurance won’t cover it. Right now, I’m going through veozah the first year but then it’s $1760/mo. I’m constantly in fear that they are gonna tell me that they are discontinuing my Biologic.
I guess what I’m saying is, I feel your pain and if I find some black market Cymbalta, you’ll be the first to know!
Xoxo andrea
I’m sorry about this for you. It seems that this decision was made by Eli Lilly in 2023. I can’t believe docs and pharmacists are just now dropping this on patients. Seems like they should have been looking for a solution for you way before now. Hang in there.
I used to think the same exact thing happened to me but then I switched to the generic for the third time and lo and behold I did ok on it. And I KNOW when my meds aren’t working! So, my hope is for you that if you are able/willing to try again, the generic will work just fine.
For those of us one tiny pill away always from LOSING IT completely, I see you and hear you and feel you.
Same with my brand Wellbutrin. The generic made want to kill my husband. Hint…he’s a very nice person. So I feel ya! At least they still make it and I can afford to pay for it. My heart goes out to you, Jenny. <3
It’s possible that the company that made the non-generic is still making it but labeling is now generic. So, you might try searching by manufacturer also.
Maybe add a small amount of Lamotrigine (Lamictal)? Itʻs made a huge difference for me, and adding 25mg did not require the tapering off and gradual start of a new medication. Worth asking your doctor.
I completely understand!! When I switched it wasn’t great. When I was able to work, I was able to afford the insanity of a name-brand prescription that no one wants you to have. Although it took a really long time, about 3 months, I did eventually get similar relief from the generic. I am so sorry you are going through this. I will ask my old pharmacist who is a fancy gem of a human, and not my current pharmacist who literally made me feel broken about 15 minutes ago. It will be ok, I genuinely hope that you are able to get the brand name med and please hang in there! Thank you for making me feel like I’m not the only one. You’re an amazing, clever and kind human.
I take a generic form of Zoloft. I also take a low dosage of clonazapem in extreme anxiety situation. I call it my cocktail, but it’s no joke, I know. The doctor has had to switch me from one brand to another based on efficacy. When you find something that offers relief you cling to if for dear life. When it’s not available, you feel abandoned. I’ll be praying for you on your quest for relief.
This feels like a bad breakup! I’m so sorry you have to go through this!
Maybe you could get from another country? Sorry this is happening. Sending good vibes for a solution!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/brand-name-cymbalta-by-eli-lilly-is-being-discontinued/
It was apparently discontinued last December
I’m a fancy pharmacist but unfortunately don’t know how I can help much. What I do know is that generic medications are not 100% the same as brand regarding the amount of active ingredient; it is considered acceptable for a generic to have anywhere from 80-120% of the amount of drug the brand name has. This usually isn’t a problem for most people with the notable exception of antiseizure meds, but I can understand it happening with antidepressants as well. All I can suggest is once you are no longer able to get the brand name Cymbalta, try different generics and see which one works the best. Ask your pharmacist if they know which generics you tried in the past that didn’t work and steer clear of those. Sorry I can’t help more!
Faint possibility that might be worth checking out: Are you close enough to either Mexico or Canada to see if either country might have a stock of it? If they do, I can almost guarantee it will be cheaper than the U.S. price is/was.
What??? Noooo! I’m also on Cymbalta. Coming off Duloxetene is no joke either!
Wah!! 😩 What a major pain in the ass! Even if you find a generic that will work, just having to go through this process is SO anxiety-inducing!! I feel your pain. I’m a SAD-syndrome person & I moved to the southwest so I could go off meds (which I have been able to do, thank the goddess!)! But I vividly remember the days when taking meds made the difference between getting out of bed … or not. Stay strong. We love you! 😘
I’m so sorry. I can only offer hugs.
Oh jesus, that’s awful and I am screaming right along with you into the void. I’m so sorry. Sending you big hugs and crossing my fingers that you’re able to find what you need.
Hi Jenny. That sucks so so much. I’m sorry. I hope the Cymbalta Fairy arrives bearing shit loads of brand name the good stuff. I am a 61 year old girl with depression and anxiety. The right meds are indeed magic. 🌟 I just received my signed copy of your newest book. I laughed so many times during just the first ten or so pages. Thank you SO much for sharing your experiences, heart, and laughter with us. It truly is comforting to know we are not alone in our weird wild journey on this planet. Sending hugs, peace, laughter, and some wishes for some fucking good Cymbalta to show up. ♥️
I don’t have the attention span today to read the whole post, but something similar happened to me. I go through Neuro Spa TMS- they do med management too, and my med management Dr and I came up with me taking Paxil instead. It is working well. My Dr asked me questions to see what would be the best fit while trying to match to what I used before.
Good luck! Do some research too, that will help you decide what the best replacement will be.
Damn, girl. You haven’t just had the rug pulled out from under you lately, the entire earth seems to be crumbling under your feet. I don’t have a solution, but wanted to say that we see you, too, and are pulling for you.
Plus I will of course laugh and relate to the whole book! 😆 I’ve only beenread ten pages or so. 😉
Amazon pharmacy?
There are certain generics of Prozac that don’t work for me. It was a horrible trial and error, but now I know. Nothing generics in the blue capsule! Good luck. I hope you find one that works.
Wah!! 😩 What a major pain in the ass! Even if you find a generic that will work, just having to go through this process is SO anxiety-inducing!! I feel your pain. I’m a SAD-syndrome person & I moved to the southwest so I could go off meds (which I have been able to do, thank the goddess!)! But I vividly remember the days when taking meds made the difference between getting out of bed … or not. Stay strong. We love you! 😘
I’m so sorry. I’m on my third biologic drug for Crohn’s disease and my latest testing suggests that after several years of success, this one is also no longer working for me. So far there’s always been one more drug I can try (this time, there are two!) but it’s not hard to be anxious that eventually I will have tried all the available drugs. I wish my immune system did not literally hate my guts.
I can’t help you, but just know that I love you and I’m sending you all the hugs! ❤️
I had the same experience with the generic–it simply didn’t work. I no longer take Cymbalta and still have some on hand, which I would be happy to mail to you so you can dispose of it properly. I know you likely do not give out your address, so I will send it to Nowhere Bookstore.
I’m so sorry. I’ve been playing which meds will work roulette since I’ve been 26 and finally diagnosed with Bipolar I. I hope you find a solution soon!
I feel you. Not the same but I can’t take the generic synthroid. Something in it makes me nuts.
I hear you. We had that problem with a generic medication versus the name brand for my son when he was little. It’s so frustrating. Luckily Duloxitine is working for my husband although I think the cymbalta would have worked better. My husband and I have gone through many different antidepressants between us. It’s so hard. Sending you lots of love.
As someone who works adjacent to this field…look for a generic manufacturer in Canada or the US. I did a Quick check and Sunshine seems to be from Canada. Feel free to email me directly if you want any more insights…
I reacted badly to the generic of Cymbalta as well and then I went back on Cymbalta and even though I had been taking it years without too much trouble I had horrible side effects and had to stop taking it. Ugh. I feel your pain. I am currently on a “new” medication called Auvility. It works for now. We’ll see how long it lasts. 🙂 Hoping you find a suitable replacement. Hugs.
I have one medicine where a certain brand of the generics makes me nauseated and sometimes makes me vomit. I have a note in my file not to get me the generic from that maker (because the medicine doesn’t do much good if you vomit it up 10 minutes later). But everytime I pick it up from the pharmacy I have to have them show it to me before I accept it so I don’t end up with the vomit pills accidentally. And they really don’t want to take it out of the bag and show me.
Oh Jenny….I am so sorry. I went through that recently and when my doctor changed my prescription, it wasn’t good. Thankfully she listened to me and switched them up to something that does work. I hope you’re able to find something that works for you. I know how tough the struggle is and am sending you some love.
Generics are allowed to be + or – 25% in variation from brand name (worked in pharma many years). So
different generics can vary greatly from brand! If you find a generic that’s decent, the label lists the manufacturer. Write it down! Tell your Rx you need to have same generic manufacturer every time it’s filled. Also if you like a specific generic, ask your doc to Rx you a 90 d quantity instead of 30 d. If you’ve been stable, on the same chemical compound for months, the doc should be fine giving you a 90 d Rx. It will be a larger investment to pay for a 3 mo supply all at once but will be worth it.
On duloxitine. I needed an above average dose – 100mg to get the same effect as 60 mg of Cymbalta. It is still a pain in the ass with the insurance company because the typical dose is 60mg and then I take two additional 20mg. It works great for me. I hope a higher dose may work for you too.
Yup same happened to me. I take a name brand antidepressant and generic equivalent doesn’t work as well for me. My doc has to put “no substitutions” on my prescription each time I refill it. Fortunately mine is still available.
Oh hell, that would give you the screaming ab dabs! I am so sorry, Pox on them anyway……
I take duloxitine and it’s even better than the generic Celexa I once was on.
I don’t know of any other generics to recommend, but I feel your pain. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you (and fervently praying that duloxitine isn’t going to go anywhere).
Maybe a compounding pharmacy will have the answer for you. I see someone else has suggested that.
Hi! It’s my understanding that while the brand name Cymbalta is going away, duloxatine isn’t. I take it too, so I’m clinging to this!
Also is it a tablet you can split? If so then your doc Rxs 1/2 a tab – if the same generic house makes a version that’s 2X the number of mg that’s originally desired and you take one half a tab of it.
It seems like it would be unethical for them to discontinue it because a known bad side effect from inadequately treated depression can be death. I have a friend who was in a cancer medicine trial. He’s the only one of the test group still alive, and they have to keep making the drug for him because it would be unethical to take it away when it’s definitely keeping him alive after 20+ years of exhausting other treatments. Every 6 months he has to let them know he’s still alive and still needs it, but that’s a minor inconvenience. I don’t know how you’d go about working that angle with the drug company, but you’ve definitely tried ALL the things. If Cymbalta keeps you here, then they should have to keep getting it to you.
We get our cat’s asthma inhaler by mail from this Canadian pharmacy. Looks like they have Cymbalta right now. https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/product/cymbalta
Oh no!!! Lucky for me the generic works for me. Recently the capsules changed from green and brown to blue and white. My first thought was, well these aren’t going to work. I made it through 90 days.
I hope your pharmacists can find a quick solution. My current “cocktail” is the best I have ever been on, andbi know you can find yours, as well. Hugs!
Oh so sorry for your situation! I hate it that drug companies have unlimited ability to mess up our lives without ever consulting with those who take their drugs.
I have serious allergies and weird reactions to all kinds of stuff. So it’s no joke when they discontinue an item, or it’s patent ends so it goes to the generic market, they change its ingredients, or your insurance won’t pay for it any more!
I’m sorry I can’t help, but you have my complete understanding and sympathies.
And lots of virtual hugs because the anxiety of trying something new and wanting to not get a bad reaction is an unnecessary anxiety that the industry foisted on you by discontinuing or altering something that was working perfectly fine for you and thousands of other people.
Phooey on the industry!
Hang in there and keep trying until you find something works for you.
Your supporters are behind you 1,000%
That’s HORRIBLE. I like the suggestion of finding a compounding pharmacist. My AI Bot says it’s possible. GOOD LUCK!
The Aging Awkwardly blogger
Maybe a different brand name snri? I’m sure you and your dr will do everything you can to figure it out. As someone who has tried every single class of antidepressants, and found ONE that sorta works, and has no close alternative, I feel your panic 💚
Oh gawd. That’s horrible. I’m sorry. Hope you find an alternative to Cymbalta that’s even better than it was.
I’m terribly sorry to hear about your dillema. Have you checked the availability of Cymbalta in Canada and Mexico? Just a thought.
I’m not sure if you’ve had this done or not, but I spent years trying to find a medication that worked for me. When I switched to a new psychiatrist she had me do what’s called a GeneSight test, which analyzes your DNA and gives suggestions on what meds will work for you. Turns out I have not one, not two, but three genetic mutations that keep me from processing meds correctly. (For years I’ve said I’m the queen of side effects and now I know why.)
Point is, I got a list of meds that are good, meds that may be okay, and meds I absolutely should not take. Tried one of the good list and for the first time in forever I found a med that worked for me.
I hope you can find more of the stuff that works for you but if you can’t this may be a way to go? I just hope you don’t have the ceo of the company to consult with your doctor because, close quote, she’d “never seen anything like this before.”
I have been on generic Cymbalta for a while now, and it seems to be working ok. Hope it comes through for you now. Virtual Hugs.
Generic drugs contain as much as 18% “other” ingredients. That’s a lot. In situations like this, your pharmacist will be more help than your doctor. Assuming you have a good one, that is.
Did you perhaps piss off a gypsy in a past life?
Been there, Try and say fuck it because you are probably right that there won’t be a good answer this being America, however maybe somewhere like Liechtenstein is way smarter and nicer than the USA and you can start an international anti depressant cartel. Using cats or Glitter Monkeys … if not remember you are a fucking force of nature battling indolent cancer, anxiety and depression. We are your cheerleaders. We won’t fail you , and of course neither will Victor, Halle ,your family and hopefully your Doctors. There will be an answer ….well I hope so any way. ✌️
I am so sorry. I’ve been there with other meds. I wish you the very best, as you find a Cymbalta dealer.
Oh, Jenny. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. Greedy bastards. It looks like Effexor XR and Pristiq are the most equivalent but again, it’s a crap shoot. I like the suggestion someone had of the DNA testing to determine the best option. Not the same, but I went through being on “time-released” meds only to find out my body doesn’t process those correctly and instead dumps the entire load at one time into my system. Serious out of body experiences until they figured it out.
Don’t know if this helps. But I had to switch from Cymbalta to Trintellix and have found it as effective. Maybe as a last resort it will work for you too.
My doctor told me, several years ago, that generics are never as strong or an exact chemical match as a name brand. Why even make generic then? I am having a terrible, no good, very bad day with insurance today. Also dealing with the dentist office, who are being giant jerks and are making me pay way over what my insurance says will be owed out of pocket. I get so tired of places treating patients/ customers poorly when they know someone is in desperate need of their service. I am sorry friend that I do not know of a secret stash of your meds. I do hope someone comes through for you. Hugs.
I hope you find that secret stash of cymbalta. I take it for nerve pain. I then discovered that It helped my depression. The first time I noticed any med working on that. So I got a blessed two-for one. It is still working on the nerve pain—but the depression aspect I think I plateaued a long time ago. All this on the generic. Hey, I wish you well and that your docs find a work around! The D (and the A) are horrible without the right medicine.
You will be ok because of this community that cares about you.
Have you considered checking with Canadian pharmacies? Why was it discontinued?
I have had problems with some generics working and some not depending on the manufacturer. Maybe you just got the wrong generic.
The only way I sleep is Benedryl which every doctor says isn’t great. I’m trying Black Cohosh, I have taken ONE Unisom which made me a zombie for two days. I see a bunch of other options at Costco, but I don’t need 300 pills of something that may or may not work. When I go to not warehouse stores, all they have is Benedryl. Even OTC meds suck here.
Girl, come over to the Lithium dark side. It’s delicious. (and I hope you find whatever you need to be happy and healthy.)
How many of us panicked that you were going to name our own med?!? I hope you get that taken care of.
I had a similar reaction with Zoloft when the generic first came out. I tried the generic again a few years later and had no issues. Wishing you the same and drug companies can suck it.
Tl/dr: see if a there are multiple manufacturers of the generic version, and if so, see if one of them will work better for you.
Ok, I haven’t read through all the comments yet, but here’s to hoping you will, and that I’m not the only one to mention this: it could depend on the manufacturer.
I use spironolactone to help me with my “mature woman acne” issue. Brand name is Aldactone, and I have no idea who makes it, because I’ve been taking the generic version for years.
A while back, I got a refill with a note that mentioned my pills may look different, but assured me they would work the same. They did not. I noted then that the spironolactone manufacturered by Amneal was the one that worked, and alternatives offered through other manufacturers were total crap. I now have a note to only fill my Rx with Amneal spironolactone. 💗
Can you possibly get Drizalma or Irenka? They are supposed to be the exact formulation of Cymbalta? I’m not sure if they discontinued as well or if even available here. I also apologize if someone else already mentioned these.
I took Cymbalta years ago and then was given the generic. I didn’t see a difference but a friend who was also taking it did and was switched back to the name brand. I ended up having adverse reactions to the medication after a few years and needed to do a slow taper due to pretty icky reactions to bumping down using prescribed doses. This required that I open the capsules and weigh out my doses and put them in separate capsules. I still had some of the name brand Cymbalta and what I noticed was that when I opened the name brand capsule the contents were perfectly round teeny tiny balls that reminded me of white non pariels (sprinkles). The generic contents were non uniform tiny flake like bits. It made me think that maybe the generic isn’t absorbed evenly which caused my friend’s issues. I don’t know if there is a way to know what the contents of generic duloxitine capsules looks like.
Try different generic manufacturers. There are several and one may work better for you. Ajanta (possibly at Walgreens) gets high ratings. If you can find out which one you had before (ask your insurance or pharmacy to check), you know which one to avoid. Brand Cymbalta was recalled due to contamination issues and they may have dropped it because of their supply problems. I know it sucks but I’m keeping my fingers crossed one of the generics is a good match.
I so hope you can find something that works for you. Dealing with pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies is a recipe for depression. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something new out there that might work. Western medicine has failed people dealing with depression and other mental health issues miserably. If research was done in an unbiased fashion, looking at all possible avenues for help, we would probably have lots of forms of treatment at our fingertips. But then greed steps in and research becomes incredibly flawed. And people suffer. I’m just so sorry you are caught in this.
I am a pharmacist, though I don’t work in a retail pharmacy, so no drug supply. The active ingredient is the same, but the other stuff in the capsule (called excipients) may be different in the generics. This little difference may not make a difference to some people, but you may be extra sensitive. I would 1. Find out if the manufacturer that made the brand (Lilly) makes a generic or plans to start soon, 2. Sample different generics to see if one is better for you. 3. If none of the above works, discuss a slight increase in dose with your prescriber to see if that helps. Manufacurers include: Aurobindo Pharma, Lupin Ltd., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Actavis Elizabeth, Ajanta Pharma, Alembic, Alkem Labs, Breckenridge, CSPC Ouyi, Hetero Labs, Inventia, and Citron Pharma are also listed as manufacturers of generic duloxetine. If you find yourself with a lot of time to call manufacturers, you can ask which excipients they use to try to find the most similar generic.
I really hope you find something that helps you. This is so scary! Best of luck.
In response to the comment about 80-120% generic equivalency, that isn’t quite right. This article explains how generics are much closer to the name brand equivalents. Hope you find a replacement that works for you!
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/debunking-a-common-pharmacy-myth-the-80-125-bioequivalence-rule
this happened to my husband when he switched to the generic Viibryd the first time. but. some years later he tried again and was fine. i wonder if the generics get better over time? so sorry to hear this is a real scary situation.
Same happened to me. When I tried a generic a few years ago it did not go well so I went back to the branded Cymbalta. Then a year ago Cymbalta was discontinued in Canada. I tried a different generic: Teva. I’m doing ok but not as well as I was while using the name brand. I am thinking of trying another. I hope you find one that works for you without too much trial and error.
I’m pretty sure you have already done this but genetic testing can pinpoint which antidepressants are most likely to work for you. It has made a big difference to a couple of family members who were switched to the right drug.
Try to see if you can get it in Canada and have it shipped or even Mexico. My friends parents use to go to Mexico to get their prescriptions filled because they didn’t have health insurance at the time.
My only other advice is delulu is the solulu in other words don’t panic and pretend it’s all ok. I know not very good advice but it’s what I’m using to currently get through life. I really hope you can find some more of the brand name.
Well, I lost the first thread. 71/2 years ago the doc discovered I had a genetic abnormality called MTHFR-C 377. (Or thereabouts) which meant I couldn’t process folate and could only get a pure substitute from a small company in Oregon. So I started it. Unfortunately, within months I was diagnosed with Lupus and started Plaquenil. Within months, my husband died. I had been taking Zoloft but increased grief depression with increased pain thru out my body(from spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, plain old tension, my psychiatrist suggested Duluxetine instead of Zoloft. So I switched. I have felt remarkably better ever since then. The Duluxetine (90 mg) relieves much body pain. And I noticed its lack when I had lost it for a couple days. The grief will still be with me but only over him, not the old depression. Talk tx helped that. Check out the genetic thing like someone else above suggested. Please hang in there. You are needed.
This is actually a comment for a commenter above:
Ava / July 28, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Please be super-careful about combing Cymbalta with Wellbutrin. Keep the doses LOW. Otherwise that combination can increase suicidality even in someone who would otherwise never even consider such a thing. Trust me on this. My doc increased my doses of both for a week or two to help me through a rough patch. I woke up in the ER with bandages on my wrists. (It also led to hypertensive crisis: “If one’s systolic pressure exceeds 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure crosses 100, it is a stage that requires immediate medical attention.”) The whole episode ruined my life (too long a story to repeat here, but basically…evil ex…custody issue…estrangement from my son and other people I love…)
I went through this 20ish years ago when Canada took Serzone off the market. Freaked right out & had some very odd conversations with my doctor trying to negotiate with her to stay on it (yeah, I wasn’t particularly coherent about it all).
You will be OK. You will find a new med that works, potentially even better than Cymbalta. It may take a false start or two, but meds just keep getting better, so it will happen.
It’s crap like this which stokes my belief in “Big Pharma”.
That really really really sucks. Good luck finding something that works for you. I have the same issue with thyroid meds.
Oh my! I literally talked about this fear to my therapist today before reading this! I tried a generic duloxetine this past winter and it did nothing for me…. Teva manufacturer. Then I randomly got switched to Breckenridge manufacturer and within a week it was working for me. I have a note on my account to only fill with Breckenridge and so far so good. I haven’t tried the name brand. Good luck to you!!
Jenny, this is the time to have the elaborate DNA testing done so they can tell which meds you will get the most help from. Not the ancestry version, maybe ask your doc about it?
I’m silently screaming for you, and everyone else impacted. I had the exact same experience with the generic version of cymbalta. It was ugly, oh so very ugly. I got to play anti-depressant roulette while my shrink tried to find the right alternative. My out of pocket cost for the brand name was just not doable. I wish that I had had the option back then of genetic testing to cut through some of the trial and error to find the right option. I have done it recently with my current doctor. The adjustments that she made have helped a lot.
Recently, I had a similar experience with Vyvanse. They switched me to the generic and it didn’t make me feel very good. However, I came up with a workaround that worked for me and maybe it could work for you too: while you still have some of the brand name cymbalta, get the generic and take half of each if you can. If you can’t because they’re not splittable, take the Cymbalta one day and the generic the next day. The hope is that your body will get used to the generic while you still have the Cymbalta in your system to some extent. This worked for me with the vyvanse, but who knows? It seems worth trying?
Sometimes they sell the formulation to another pharmaceutical company, and you might be able to figure that out. I’ve been chasing Buspar/Buspirone for years. There were/are a few “generics” and exactly one of them works for me. It’s been made by at least 5 different manufacturers, but I can still find it and get my pharmacy to order it. Have hope. This might work out. ❤️
Oh Jenny!! My brain spends an inordinate amount of time trying to kill me, too. I’ve been taking duloxetine (I’ve never had the brand name version) for a few years, and while it doesn’t exactly make me NOT depressed, it does seem to keep me from climbing onto the roof with a rifle. Crossing everything I’ve got that it will work for you. Hugs and more hugs!!
I’ve had similar experiences, and so has my wife; the thing that’s been a saving grace is that the R&D keeps advancing and the number of solutions keeps growing. I hope you’re able to find a source for the med you know works for you. If not, I hope you and your doctor find something else that works equally well or better. Take care.
I’m so sorry, and I’ve been there. I’m currently on duloxetine, which I get through H-E-B and it works as well as any other antidepressant. I’ve never been on name-brand Cymbalta so I don’t know about any difference.
Jenny, have you tried/can you use TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)? I have found it to be very effective. If you have not tried it and would like more information I would be glad to pass along what I know.
Sending you good thoughts.
Oh Jenny, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m not a Pharmacist but I am a licensed Pharmacy Technician. I hate to add fuel to the fire, but “Duloxetine” IS the generic for Cymbalta. However, it is produced by many different manufacturers. Each one has the same active ingredient but they have their own inactive ingredients. That’s where your problem seems to lie. Many people have the same problem with various meds. The inactive ingredients aren’t necessarily good or bad for you, but some people find that they can affect how well a medication works with their own biology. I honestly don’t know which manufacturer has inactive ingredients that are similar to what the Brand uses, but it might be worth trying different ones unless you change medication altogether. Talk to your doctor or Pharmacist. Pharmacies sometimes carry more than one manufacturer in their stock. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck dear Jenny!
Hello Jenny, I got switched to Irenka and it did work for me, I didn’t feel any difference switching from cymbalta. There is another generic from Sandoz laboratories which I heard is really good too. Hope this helps!
Hi, i know there was a recall on cymbalta but also read that it is not technically being discontinued. I’m sure you have tried everything you can. I wonder if calling different pharmacies and providers could be helpful in talking to them about the recall and if Texas will restock on cymbalta. The FDA even advised that people not stop taking this medication suddenly due to withdrawal symptoms etc. i doubt any of this is helpful, especially if pharmacies there are no longer carrying it, but i would definitely call anywhere and everywhere you can. Including your health insurance. So sorry ❤️
I also had trouble with generic Cymbalta. It definitely helped with my depression, but it put me in the ER with uncontrollable vomiting. If you end up having to switch, Vilazodone is working for me. I think it’s really expensive and they like to exhaust other avenues if available, so you might ask about it.
Lesson my son is bipolar so I know about antidepressants the solution it’s not the pharmacy it’s your doctor his job is to found a better medicine for your case he is there for you YOU PAY HIM it’s not a favor to him not to use him that is number 1 number 2 when médecin are discontinued it’s because in the long run they are found that actually they are not good for you and cause more sides effects so that why they where removed from the shelf you can Google what was it’s says good luck to you
Maybe since you last tried a generic form years ago, things have changed with either the formulas (and there might be one that works for you) or with you and changes in your medications that you’ve made since that last try out. So maybe it will be okay with one now? I know that’s nothing and not helpful really. Just trying to put positive possibilities out there because I know how easy it is for me to go down a dark rabbit hole immediately in situations like this and it’s hard to imagine an “okay” scenario for myself. <3 <3 <3
Two words: pharmacogenomic testing! There are several companies that do genetic testing to see which meds have the best chance of working for you. If you can afford it, it can save you a ton of trial-and-error he’ll.
Also, big hug for generally being too awesome for this shit.
I’m so sorry. I hope you see this comment (I left it on FB too)- has your dr had you take the gene sight test yet? It will tell you what drugs work best with your dna and which ones to avoid. It’s really cool. https://genesight.com
It’s going to be okay!
I was also on brand name before generics. I found that the Breckenridge generic doesn’t work for me. I have to hunt down Lupin or Ajanta generic brand and it works!
I am the same with generics, I am sensitive to some fillers used in drugs and generics seem to use them more than the brand.
When I was on Zoloft I could use one generic brand but none others. Since switching to Lexapro the first generic I used made me ill so I have only used the brand name one.
So if you haven’t already, have you done genetic testing for your meds? It identifies the ones that work and the ones that don’t. My husband went through three and gave up on them until he tried the testing. To our physician’s shock, it cited three meds she would not have suggested — one was so old she hadn’t heard of it! It labels the top 20 or so meds as red/green/yellow lights for your particular genetic makeup. Interesting, the 2-3 that were her “first line” for patients were under his red zone.
Several companies offer it and your physician can order it. Both you and they will receive a copy. There may be comparable drugs to cymbalta for you to use without going generic.
It’s going to be okay, Jenny! Try different brands of the generics. You might find one works when others don’t. Find a pharmacist who understands your problem and will work with you to find the right one. I have the same trouble with generics vs. brand names. It’s very frustrating. And scary sometimes. Sending you tons of good luck with this and ❤️.
it’s going to be ok!
It’s scary as hell right now, but there are options, and we will hold you up until you are OK (and after). What a bullshit surprise, tho….
You’ve probably already checked but this thread has some ideas. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/brand-name-cymbalta-by-eli-lilly-is-being-discontinued/
Pharmstore.com
Huh. I’ve been taking the generic Cymbalta since 2008. It helped with my MDD and anxiety and *bonus* kept me from knowing I had fibro for a long time.
I hope you find a solution. The withdrawal is fucking terrible.
I have a friend who takes generic Lyrica for neuropathy but can only take it from one certain company. That company has now discontinued the drug and my friend is left to figure out what else will work so she doesn’t have to pay a fortune for the Lyrica. I hope you find something that works for you soon! Keep the faith! ♥️
I’ve been on the generic. I had switched back to Prozac (generic) and I was almost committed. I was so happy to be put back on the generic.
Also, you can scream into the Void here:
https://screamintothevoid.com/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email
Dealing with this shit is worse than the illness you’re trying to live with. So sorry for the complication. You’ll be ok despite this!
This is what I found online. You may wish to talk with your doctor further.
Cymbalta (duloxetine) has not been completely discontinued, but the FDA has issued recalls and safety advisories for certain bottles due to the presence of N-nitroso-duloxetine, a nitrosamine impurity that is a known carcinogen and can increase cancer risk with prolonged exposure above acceptable levels. These recalls and advisories are specific to certain batches of the medication that contained elevated levels of this impurity, not a wholesale discontinuation of the drug itself.
Key points:
Nitrosamine Impurity:
The primary reason for the recalls is the detection of N-nitroso-duloxetine in some batches of duloxetine.
Cancer Risk:
This impurity is suspected of potentially causing cancer, especially with prolonged exposure.
Recalls and Advisories:
The FDA has recalled hundreds of thousands of bottles and issued safety advisories for specific lots of duloxetine containing this impurity.
Not a complete discontinuation:
Cymbalta is still available, but patients and healthcare professionals are advised to be aware of the recalls and consult about alternative treatments if their medication is affected.
Ongoing Process:
Regulatory bodies like the FDA and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia are working with manufacturers to improve processes and testing to reduce nitrosamine impurities in duloxetine products
Oh. My. God. THIS is awful. Simply awful.
Duloxetine works just fine for me, but I know EXACTLY what you’re feeling. From my FIRST dose, it was like a Switch was turned on in my Brain because the Chemicals in the Duloxetine match My Own Chemicals to a Tee. THIS is awful. You can’t be the only one who responds to Cymbalta rather than the Generic.
Omg. I just found this out – from you! Now I need to call my doctor and figure this out too. Just when you think everything is fiiiiiiine….
I have not read through all comments so sorry if this is a repeat. Sometimes the European or Japanese market continues to manufacture the brand under another name (same formula), so might be worth researching and asking your doctor and pharmacist for any help. Wouldn’t hurt to contact the pharma brand either.
Oh goodness that sucks! I was actually just recently put on duloxetine (my insurance automatically gives the generic unless specifically told otherwise), it’s helped me a bit but not anything huge. I had no idea the brand-name was getting discontinued. No advice here, just lots of hugs because dealing with this sort of thing on top of the issues you take the medication for in the first place is so frustrating.
(Totally not related, but this past weekend I traveled by myself for the first time since 2008, stayed at an Airbnb for the first time with 12 people I barely knew or didn’t know at all, and I honestly think your books helped me be able to do these things. It was a short trip to gather with family to spread my mom and uncle’s ashes, so not exactly a fun-happy vacation, but I did have a nice time with everyone. And I really wasn’t sure I’d be able to go, the anxiety leading up to the trip was huge, but I did it! Just wanted to share, since you share so much with us.)
Compound pharmacies are not allowed to make commercially available medications by law. Im a pharmacist. And take the generic. You were probably 1 of a very few people on brand name. I didn’t think they had made it for years actually, since the generic is the only thing used.
Thinking of you and the horrible stress you are dealing with. Hopefully you can find something that works as well. I do know that there are certain doctors that can do genetic testing to find the correct meds. I am lucky and duloxatine works for me but made my daughters psychosis much worse. I will crossing all the fingers and toes that you are able to find something.
With apologies to the last comment, compounded pharmacists can make personalized medications specifically for situations like this. This might be a viable route for you but there is trial and error that might be time consuming and frustrating. Please speak with your doctor as getting medical advice off the internet is always a bad idea – otherwise, I am sorry that you are going through this and wish you the best of luck because I do think it will be okay.
Good Evening! My doctor did a genetic test (cheek swab) and gave me a report of medications that work well (and not so well) with my DNA. Maybe that might be an option for you? Plenty of people love you and support you. You are going to be ok!
I THINK I HABE THE ANSWER! ✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻💊💊💊💊💊 I struggled with this for YEARS 7 did tons of research. None of the generics were working for me, BUT I’ve been getting a particular generic for years that works! I get it through Honeybee Pharmacy online. The generic is Breckenridge & it’s worth a try. https://honeybeehealth.com/drugs/details/cymbalta/breckenridgepharmaceutical
Happy to answer any questions. It has worked for me for about 5 years, before that was a nightmare. I definitely understand your frustrated desperation, I remember it well. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
p.s. part of my journey was all the support for this generic on Reddit: https://www.google.com/search?q=reddit+duloxetine+honeybee+breckenridge&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
I’ve ADHD with treatment proof MDD. Ketamine has been my lifesaver as well. I found, I’m sorry idk.the generic.but it’s Pristiq. I found it 10 yrs.ago or so, and we found it.to work best for me without sending me.into a.mania. Soooo many docs and shrinks have no CLUE about it. You’ll know if it works.Within a week, maybe 2. It’s FAST, like Ketamine. I’m NOT anyone, just a disabled woman who with Pristiq, that Bu shit, meds that slow my heart rate, and daily Ketamine torches (I can’t afford infusions) Ive terrible.Ennui, but I’m not constantly depressed, and no ideations (except early Nov last year) in two years .
If you’ve not tried it, I suggest you ask your Dr.
(I yelled at you for years to try K too, yelled cause I’m.one tiny voice in a huge sea of your adoring stans!)
Jenny,
You’re so right about there being a difference between brand name versions and generics. My son had the opposite problem: a generic ADHD drug worked fine for him, but the brand version made him sick.
I am in despair over so much these days, but the way our medical systems are constantly finding new, unnecessary ways to fail us breaks me.
Will you be OK? Probably eventually. But it’s the meantime that can do you in. We’ll be here for you until find another side to reach.
I hear you. Not Cymbalta but another that my insurance will only cover generic. Which doesn’t work the same. 😕
I was kicked off an asthma med I was on for 20 yrs successfully. I hadn’t had any flares in a decade. Then the patent on Advair ran out and they switched me to the generic. It is NOT the same..within 2 months I had a massive flare of symptoms and its been 18 months and I’m still struggling to find a med that has the same effect. In the meantime I’m miserable. My BP is up bc I use my rescue inhaler so much bc the daily med isnt working. It’s 500 a month if I want to pay out of pocket. Prior to the patent expiring it was 25 a month. I have about 10 other co conditions including crps and fibromyalgia. It’s BS. I work a corporate job and make good money and still struggle because my dang medical care costs so much. I spent 100k out of pocket in 2022 (I spent 4 months at a specialty clinic learning to walk/function again after being bedridden for months and in so much pain I was suicidal. Took a 2nd mortgage out.) I see you mama ❤️ and I’m so effing pissed on your behalf. We are being failed by this system every day. 😔
Try different brands of genetics and one might work for you, they’re all different.
Good luck 💞
My family and I understand this problem because a lot of times the generics are formulated differently than the name brands. I have anaphylactic reactions to a lot of medications and sometimes switching from a name brand to a generic can cause that reaction. We have also found that they don’t work as well in several cases and have to take a higher dose or it just flat doesn’t work. Don’t get us wrong as We do have some generics that we take with no problems. Modern chemistry is a hit or miss with me and I try to avoid new meds whenever possible and so do my doctors.
Hi Jenny
I’m writing from France, where Cymbalta is still being manufactured (It’s about 3 dollars for 3 months… I know… let’s not talk politics…). I’m going to ask my pharmacist if there’s any way I can buy it with an american prescription. I could send them to you every 3 months, not a problem. The difficulty would be, I guess, that I’m not you (obviously). Worth coming to France every 3 months, if I can’t get them for you.
I get back to you as soon as I find an answer
I don’t know if you’ve done it before but I highly recommend you have your psychiatrist do a pharmacogenetic test. It was amazing it tells you what works and doesn’t work for based on your genetics! WTH this exists and it’s like a secret. Years and years of trial and error fixed by one cheek swab. And mine was covered by insurance. Hoping this helps and sending love, light and energy to you.
Could it be compounded?
I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I’ve been on maintenance pain medication for almost ten years that make it possible for me to get out of bed and function most days. There is a shortage of them in Canada currently with no end in sight. I’m allergic to all the other options. I’m telling myself each day that it’s going to get better and to just hang on but my fingers are slipping. I don’t think these companies realize how critical-and miraculous-the proper medications can be. I’m hoping you are able to get the proper treatment you need.
That really sucks. As soon as I saw the title, I started to panic a little thinking it might be the drug I am on. I totally understand because it took me 30 drugs and 5 years to finally find a med that keeps the darkest dark away. I wish you all the luck. Hopefully your other treatments will help a generic work just as well.
I’m so sorry. I understand how incredibly frustrating this is. I hate insurance and big pharma. I’ve had similar situations where I can’t get the medication I need approved and I can’t afford it without the insurance. Why do I even have insurance? It’s all a crock and it’s only going to get worse thanks to the current administration. Praying for you that the transition isn’t too difficult. Thank you for your books, they helped me through a lot of my mental illnesses. Much love!
Emily
I just wanted to second the suggestion of using an online pharmacy like NorthWest Pharmacy (https://www.northwestpharmacy.com). I had to use this for a heart medication that U.S. insurance won’t cover because they claim that other medications do the exact same thing (they don’t). I had to pay out of pocket, and sometimes the pills came from Canada or England or, once, Belgium (!!), but my pharmacist could enter my prescription directly on their site, and the medication always came on time.
This country is stupid.
I am sooooo sorry! I would be in total panic if one or all of my antidepressants disappeared. I know you didn’t ask for alternatives, but have you heard of Auvelity? It is supposed to mimic the effect of ketamine treatment, which I know you have done before. It has helped me a lot.
I understand this completely. I take generic Lexapro, but there is one brand that does not work for me and I need a pharmacy that is willing to get a different brand. I have an independent pharmacy now that is willing, but…. You are absolutely not imagining the need for a particular formulation.
I’m really sorry. Last year I was terrorized by a pharmacy that said my clonazapam was scarce. It worked out with in a day but for one day I was a mess. I just wanna throw this out here, my daughter also takes clonazepam. We can both take generic, but she can only take the generics that are green. You give her the exact same drug, exact same milligram, but a different color like yellow, she has a horrible reaction to it. So whatever generic you tried in the past, perhaps it was just something like that. I hope something can be worked out and I really like the suggestion about checking to see if Lily will be making their own generic.
I’m so very sorry, Jenny. As soon when I saw the heading of this blog, my heart went out to you and it cried Oh nooo. I have had very debilitating panic attacks since childhood and the only medication that works for me is clonazepam. I’ve been on it since I was 19, and I’m 54 years old now. A lot of doctors don’t like it because it can be addictive and I think it’s in the family of narcotics, but it’s the only one that’s worked for me and I have no side effec5ts on it which is a tremendous plus. When I had a doctor who I was seeing and she was giving me prescriptions of clonazepam suddenly retire, I was in a panic and in tears as I tried to get in contact with another doctor who was willing to prescribe me clonazepam.
I’m sorry, I have no experience with your medication, but know that you’re not alone in this, even though it feels like it. I have felt that panic you’re feeling…
On another note, I’m a female even though my avatar is showing a picture of a sexy man. (That’s from a different website.)
Jenny, I have a solution that just might work for you. When my psychiatrist prescribed an antidepressant that was nosebleed expensive in the US, he recommended I send my prescription to a Canadian pharmacy that supplies generic drugs by mail, and gives you a manufacturer list to choose from with prices. He told me in strong terms that not all generics are created equal & that ones manufactured in Japan & Australia are usually much more effective than those manufactured in China or India. I experimented & this turned out to be very true. I ended up with Japanese pills that really worked.
Some foreign manufacturers skip key steps like adding a stabilizer or coating the pill to prevent oxidation or moisture damage. Unfortunately, these are the manufacturers that many (most?) pharmacies source from because they are cheaper than the others. My advice is to talk to your doc & shop around. You will probably find a good source! Your doc can specify a manufacturer on your prescription & the pharmacy is required to source from them. It works!
I’ve known people that were able to get their meds from Canada when they weren’t available in the States. Might be worth a try if you haven’t already. Hoping you can find a good solution asap 💕
I so understand. The only medication that worked for my chronic pain without side effects was a brand named NSAID that is no longer manufactured. Super pricy and high co-pay that I was willing to spend because it worked for over two decades. Now I am using up my stash and dreading when it runs out.
I am in this exact same boat. I generally paid $6000+ out of pocket for the name brand because my insurance denied it and I was so utterly miserable and depressed when trying to find another option that I almost lost my job, so it was worth paying because I’m lucky and could. I’m mostly mad that this decision was made long ago and no one told me until now.
Well, this sucks big eggs. I didn’t read all 148 comments, so pardon me if this has already been stated. What if you tried a gradual switch – maybe alternating days between brand name and generic? Obviously, check with your doc first. But that, combined with the suggestion to find Lilly’s generic of it, might be a good option.
*I’m not a doctor, but I play one in my imagination.
I used to take Cymbalta but my insurance changed and wouldn’t cover it. I eventually found Trintellix (and Takeda’s patient assistance program, thankfully!) and it worked better than any other medication I’ve had. Maybe see if you could make a switch?
I did have to take it at night because at first it causes nausea.
I, too, used to take Cymbalta but my insurance wouldn’t cover it. What the heck is the deal with it not being available anymore??? That’s BEYOND rude…bordering on unconscionable (I hope I spelled that right – the default spell checker isn’t flagging it but that’s no guarantee). Jenny, I love you. Knowing you’re “out there” somewhere in real live life keeps me going. Hugs and commiseration!! Kerri
Hey, Jenny… here’s your note that you are going to be okay. You have a heck if a lot of people who love and support you, you have resources enough to start hunting for other meds (even though it sucks to experiment with brain chemistry meds) and you are clever and brilliant and strong and capable and lovable even when your brain lies to you that you’re not. Here’s a hug if you want one – and remember: You’re going to be okay.
Big hugs! Is going to a compounding pharmacy an option? Best of luck.
That sucks. I’m also on Cymbalta for persistent suicidal ideation and multiple sclerosis chronic pain problems… I guess I get to try the generic too. I’m hopeful that it will be okay. My brain has been telling me to kill myself for most of my life. I tried once and it solved 0% of the problems. It’s still talking, I think it’s just not trying hard enough. If it wants me dead it will need to do it for itself, I don’t do other people’s homework.
Oddly enough that seems to calm down my Healthcare team as to whether I should be considered a danger to myself. Depression lies. And my brain is a pond that thoughts (fish) swim through I am focused on being the pond and not feeling trapped inside the fish.
Your words have helped me in many ways over the years. I don’t know if any words of mine would help you but I hope you have a better reaction to generic than you had in the past. If you haven’t tried them in 7 years you have an entirely different body (on the cellular level), which means you might not react the same way.
Love, luck, and lollipops,
R.R.
I’m sorry to hear this Jenny. I had same issue switching to generic but my doc was able to get insurance to pay for the brand name. I can’t imagine not having it. I have heard of people trying abilify when this happens. It’s like a “boost” to your antidepressant. Maybe ask about it and good luck making the switch. You have had genetic testing right?
Hi Jenny!
You may be able to get it overseas. Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. This is my experience as a patient. Some meds are over-the-counter abroad.
There is an online service called online-ph.com or you can see if your US doctor will write a prescription you can send to Canada. Mexico might be another option.
All the best!
Oh man, I’m sorry to hear this. I have no sources, alas, unless you try Planet Drug? I was able to get my Savella there for a fraction of the cost in the US (my insurance wouldn’t cover it and there is no generic yet). The meds take a while to get here from whichever country they source it from so you have to plan ahead to make sure you don’t run out (a skill I don’t possess but I learned the hard way). Your doc just needs to fax them the Rx. Easy peasy. Good luck. I’m in the middle of changing antidepressents (AGAIN!) because sooner or later, they all crap out on me and I have to try another one. I understand your panic.
It was your mention of this phenomenon in your book that might have saved my life. I had a similar thing happen with generic Wellbutrin. They switched the generic. It stopped working. But buprion isn’t an over night thing. 3 months later, i slid from my office chair onto the floor to sleep. Slid like, it was too much energy to stand before laying down on the floor. And way too much to make it to a bed. And i thought something is wrong. Very wrong. A week later I was reading your book and wtf, that is a thing that happens??!! I dug into the research, looked up the NDC codes, called my pharmacist and requested a different generic. It took 2 weeks to feel better but damn if it didn’t fix the problem.
A year later they discontinued the one that was working and i also panicked.
Here is the hopeful news: just because one generic didn’t work doesn’t mean they all won’t.
Each manufacturer is making them a bit different. What one has, another may not. What makes it bioavailabile or not to you may change.
If its possible to know the ndc code of the one that didn’t work, you may be able to trial another that is not that one.
Hi Jenny, try reaching out to the manufacturer Eli Lilly to see if you can buy overstock and how to find it. 1-800-Lilly-Rx (1-800-545-5979).
Yea, you may need to find a new “cocktail” with your doctor. Sometimes change can be good
The generics aren’t the same, and your system is very sensitive. So sorry they are discontinuing Cymbalta.
Hi. Nerdy pharmacist here.
Eli Lilly (the maker of Cymbalta) gives Prasco labs their “authorized generics”….they are often made in the same factories, etc. so ask your pharmacist if you can start with that one. It will hopefully work just like the brand name ones!
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
It’s worth reaching out to Eli Lilly on this: they have an excellent Compassionate Use program and may have some workarounds for maintaining branded Cymbalta use. Can’t hurt to call.
I am so sorry, Jenny- this is so much stress to add on top of our general current existence in amerikkka 😭
If you have the spoons for research, definitely start looking into other medical combinations that people have come up with as a result of forced ingenuity on THEIR part. I absolutely believe in the overlap potential of our crazy health Venn diagram 🫶🏼🌻💜✨
My Dear, I feel your pain.
This has happened to me.
Ended up taking a new drug after three fails.
Sucks!
I wish you luck on your drug journey, may the solution be better than the problem.
Prayers
Pips Mom
I am a phancy pharmacist, but I don’t know of any secret stash. I think duloxetine is an amazing drug. I’ve taken it for a long time, successfully.
When I moved to the generic, I was started on one that made me nauseous. I moved to another manufacturer and it was successful. Then, they discontinued that and I recently moved to another manufacturer. I’m doing well.
I think it’s worth trying and sticking to another manufacturer. It’s scary, and I’m scared for you. However, in the long run, it’s the most likely to succeed as a solution. Work with your friendly pharmacist to be selective. There is a way through this.
I recently had another pharmacist suggest genomic testing to identify which medications will work best for me. That could include inactive ingredients that are a problem. You might explore that as well.
In the meantime, hugs and positive juju that you are able to find a solution that works for you.
I see you, friend. I have a Mental Health NP who has been trying to get just the right cocktail for me, and I get how frustrating it must be to have to change after finally something has been working. That said, I have found that as have I aged, what once worked for me before no longer does. Knowing you, you have already done this, but have done or considered pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing? Maybe it’s hooey, but maybe it will help? You will get there… the right cocktail is out there for you! xo
Wow that sucks. I’m lucky that the generic sertraline my pharmacy carries works well for me, but I remember reacting really badly to generic birth control pills some years ago. Generics can be great but not always.
HUGS
“ working on the bullshit that comes with just trying to survive your own damn body”
Cheers to that! I just spent 56 days in and out of the hospital as I navigated my first experience with an auto immune disease. That shit was bananas.
Wasn’t prepared for what it would be like for my body to try to kill me, but it was terrifying and strangely boring as I waited for the doctors to work it through. They found a med that worked and I’m 85%. Not ideal, but surviving.
Sending you love and light!
Following up on what the pharmacist Laura Tietz mentioned above (#18), that generics vary in their strength from 80% to 120% of brand name meds, with my fluoxetine I’ve found that some generics aren’t quite strong enough, but taking a slightly higher dose can help get things back in balance. Perhaps your doctor can prescribe a higher dose of generic and see if that works. Best wishes navigating this your latest Heroine’s Journey ordeal, dear Jenny.
Further to my previous comment, i’d like to tell you all about something I once read (can’t remenber where).
Mental Illess is exactly what it sounds like, an illness. To desire a cure is like losing a limb and expecting it to grow back. Many people who get depressed just want the depression to go away but that is a dead persons goal, meaning a dead person would have better sucess at achieving that goal then you would. What people with this illness can do is maximize their function. That can be done through drugs and or psychiatric treatment. Most improtantly it is the acceptance that life is okay with a missing limb, sometimes it’s even wonderful.
Pips Mom
Your honesty is so powerful! Sending you strength—switching meds is tough, but you’ve got this, and you’re not alone. Thanks for sharing.