[drphilistine]

OK, I get what the brain zaps are now. The worst was Sat and Sun, now they are lessening and generally only in the morning when I first get up.

But here's why I'm not freaked out: I was having these when I was ON the cymbalta. So a few more are not a big deal.

Cymbalta worked for a while, but apparently slowly stopped being effective. The transition was so gradual that neither I nor my family noticed. But the withdrawal symptoms crept in anyway.

Upping the dose is out: I tried a 60mg and felt like my anxiety meter needle was pegged against the red line; and then some.

I actually, all in all, feel better off the stuff. The next antidepressant I try will be nutrition, exercise and socializing - never again will I use medicinal antidepressants. Another lesson learned.

And if I haven't said it before: CYMBALTA SUCKS!!!

[rap64]

Dr Phil

At same stage as you. Day 7. Head and zaps are no different to when taking it, and yes I am feeling marginally better too. It worked for me brilliantly to start with, but then the zaps and cloudiness, started, so should have stopped then, but it does sneak up on you and you blame other things.

Had tried withdrawal, but felt no different, so may as well just do the cold turkey. Worst antidepressant ever to come off, and I have tried a few.

Hate it with a passion.

Robyn

[nursedeborah]

drphil, and Robyn,
Hope I got someone's name spellled right. I guesss I best start learning to
laught at this point, as it now has just been way to frigging long feeling
like crap.

Both of you are right on schedule, and I really mean that. It was day 6 for
me when I started getting the real bad withdrawls. Then with each decrease I
have done it is also day 6-9 that they really start to hit me.

I just read another board, and found another person that feels like I do, so I
am not alone in just having one hell of a time getting through this. I started to
really think that it had done me in.

I started my decrease in Aug 31, 09 after being on 60 mg of Cymbalta since March 07.
I am now down to 20 mg minus 5 beads. I never thought it would take me this long to just
get to hear, Every fiber of my body has felt it all, this should never be done to a human being.

All I want you to know is that cold turkey is even harder than a slow wean, so if this is what you
decide for yourself I respect you decision, but will remind you that none of these drugs should ever
be stopped cold turkey, especially CYMBALTA.

It has nothing what so ever to do with mind over matter, your brain is addicted to this, and it can take
up to 6 mo. to 2 years for it to stop, some even longer. The ones who have been off for several weeks are still
having some withdrawls that are not that bad, but other are not doing all that great. Some we don't even hear from
so I really wonder how they even are doing??

Well I need to go to my daughters to pick something up.

You will always find all the support you need here with anything!

Debbie