[doglover]

About three weeks ago (to be honest, I don't remember, life has been a blur) I went off my 120 mg of cymbalta due to a refill error. I went cold turkey and experienced the worst w/drawal symptoms of my life all while taking care of two kids, two dogs, and a husband that travels. I finally got rid of all those awful side effects--vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, etc.

While I was feeling better, I called my P-doc and cancelled my appointment. Told her what I had done. She was ticked and said that this was against her treatment plan. I had 30 days left under her care. After that, I would have to be a new patient again. To be honest, that suited me fine since I never liked her in the first place.

I had lost my baby 8 years ago and have been on an antidepressant ever since. I wanted to know if I was grieving or truly depressed.

I have felt off, not completely there. I have been emotional and screaming. I have been yelling at my kids and they really haven't done anything to warrant the yelling. Last night, in a moment of weakness I decided to see if I just took one cymbalta (60 mg) if I would feel better. I immediately felt better and my family noticed.

I feel like a complete failure. I can't believe I gave in but I feel so much better. I know I should find a new doctor and figure this all out. I have enough cymbalta to last 2 months....I can go then. I am also disappointed that I couldn't beat this.

Any kind advice? Again, I feel so much better than when I was off but I am so not going to be happy when I wean off this again. Ugh!

[watchdog]

Hi there-
Please do not feel like you are a loser because you had to return to the cymbalta for relief from your withdrawal symptoms! My wife is undergoing her own path to recovery from this medication. There are a number of posts telling of the pitfalls trying to come off cymbalta too fast, especially cold turkey. This drug is highly addictive, if not in a physical sense, definitely a chemical one. It alters the brain chemistry, so you need to come off the med slowly to allow your body to recoup. My wife suffered trauma early in life, and is having to deal with issues now. Her P doc has been trying to treat her with drugs (I am opposed to) rather than therapy. This is a very complex issue, and cannot be solved overnight, or by clicking your heels three times....... get yourself stabilized to where you feel well and back in "control", then plan a course of action. Loser? No. That is the drug talking.

Hope this helps
Watchdog