cymbalta made me crave food

[waterflow]

I have gained 7 pounds back now since starting the cymbalta. didn't take any yesterday and I didn't want to eat. That means it made me want to eat all the time which it was supposed to do the opposite. So, that is another anti med I quit. They all do that to me. Guess I will have to deal with life on my own. Now I have to try and re-drop the 7 pounds I gained.

[SharonA]

Don't stop taking it if it is helping with the pain. You have been looking for so long for something to help you. You can fight the urge to eat all the time or you can make healthy choices when you feel the need. Keep baby carrots, celery, raisins (I can eat the golden ones), etc. on hand and ready to eat.

I totally understand what these kinds of meds can do to your appetite, but it is possible to fight those urges. I take Elavil and you know what that can do to your waist line. One thing that I do when the need for something sweet takes over my life is I keep hard candy mints on hand. I pop one in my mouth when I need to satisfy that hunger. They are fat-free and do not have that many calories per piece.

Try these suggestions before you give up on another med that might help you live a more pain-free life. (((Hugs)))

[leelee88]

I totally agree Sharon!!! Mary please do not stop something that is helping your pain!! Being that it has been helping, you have also been able to do more things and be more active. So it all might level out really soon..(((hugs)))

[ICNDonna]

I also agree. Plus there's the fact that the hunger feeling could go away after you've been on it a while. If it helps your pain, I would definitely not stop taking it. Plus a fast gain usually means you are retaining fluid in your body tissues --- so if you get hungry, concentrate on snacks with low salt. That may help. Also be sure to drink enough water.

Donna

[SandyRN]

I URGE you not to stop taking it Mary!!! You really give up too soon on medications. A lot of them will cause temporary weight gain that is caused by water weight, not FAT weight!! That might be what's happening to you now. It's your life, but if I have to choose between terrible pain and depression or a few extra pounds I would choose the extra pounds. I understand you want to lose weight but you can DO that by eating things high in fiber that fill you up, or drink protein waters by Special K...they REALLY do fill me up and for some crazy reason don't bug my bladder.

PLEASE don't stop. You need to be on this medication and when you keep flip flopping around on it, stopping and starting it you are wigging your body out. It's NOT good to take your medications only when you feel like it. You MUST take them every day and stick it out through the side effects, all of them, because 99.9% of the time they go away.

Just please don't stop taking it...it was good to hear you felt better mentally and physically and I can't understand why you would want to give that up.

[maryla]

Mary,

I totally agree with the others. Don't stop taking it! You were very influential in my descision to start taking it. Today is my 3rd day on it and I'm looking forward to better days.

I think it is probably just water retention like one of the other girls said here. When You have a craving try drinking a large glass of water. And wait it out. Cravings only last about 20 mins. So, keep yourself busy for that time.

Hope this has helped and I'll keep you posted on my results.

God Bless,