How is this stuff supposed to work? (Cymbalta)

I started taking cymbalta about three weeks ago, I'm currently on 60mg. I found that when I had first started taking it that my panic attacks just stopped, depression was gone. I didn't feel happy, but it was easier to focus on things that would lead me to feel better about myself and my situation.

The past two weeks everything sort of went to hell. I had to get tell something to my philosophy teacher about my home situation because it was directly related to the mark I got on a paper (I managed to get the marks back, if any of you are curious i can tell you through PM, I'll leave it at that). I was shook up by that for the whole day. I didn't get any time to myself when I got home, and I there wasn't anyone to cuddle with that night so wound up just feeling really lonely and depressed all over again. So the entire week I felt pretty terrible, which was only make worse by an unnecessary argument that my Dad just HAD to have with me the day before my philosophy final.

I feel like panic attacks and whatnot are somewhat easier to handle now, but I'm feeling hopeless again. I don't have any plans to stop taking the meds right now, but is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this?

I haven't taken that particular med, but in general with these sorts of medications, from what I know, it's fairly common to have sort of a big initial boost in mood during the first week or 2, and then it kind of levels out. it sounds to me like your recent unhappy feelings were situation-based, and in my opinion, quite justified under those circumstances.

it's a blurry area when it comes to determining where reasonable reactions to situations end and something more/worse begins. but 3 weeks isn't very long; I would suggest continuing to take it, since you are experiencing some helpful effects. however, pay close attention to yourself and your moods and thoughts, and if you find yourself feeling really bad, go to your doctor. the first 2 antidepressants I tried made me utterly miserable and suicidal around 4-6 weeks of taking them. it's definitely something to watch out for, and if you feel that's what's happening, see your doctor asap and ask to try something else. but unless something severe happens, I would give it at least one more week for sure.

best of luck