[Alm0st*SuccessFully OFF]

I have been on meds since high school (about eight years). I started with a few different ones (Celexa, Zoloft, etc) and really liked Welbutrin but was allergic to either the med itself or the dye from the tablet. My doctor started me on Effexor XR. I eventually was on the highest dose of Effexor (350mg) and was sleeping ALL the time, stopped going to the gym, I couldn't even get up for a 1230 class. Eventually I weaned down to the last drop of that (18.75, 37.5mg tablet i broke in half) and tried that but couldn't successfully get off of it without withdrawals. So she added Cymbalta, a blessing in disguise. Ya, I successfully stopped taking the Effexor, but started taking a demon. Sleeping all the time, continued to NOT work out and I just have no motivation to do anything at all. I tried getting off of it a bunch of times and it was just impossible. Of course my doctor thought I was crazy and I "shouldn't be getting withdrawals since I'm on such a low dose." Ok lady I'd like to see you do it!

Finally, I started doing research and looking at all of these sites and forums. About a month ago I started taking Prozac to help with the withdrawals. I take 10mg at night because it makes me even more tired than the Effexor and Cymblta. I have been told that Prozac has a longer half life and stays in your system for longer and weans itself off. So, this is what I have done so far:

1. For 2 weeks I took 10mg of Prozac and 20mg of Cymbalta (usually people take the Prozac at night, depending on how it effects you)
2. For 1 week (you could try 2) I dumped out half and took about 10mg of Cymbalta in the capsule (which is an iffy thing to do, I do not think it is recommended to actually tamper with the capsule)
3. For the past 5 days I haven't taken Cymbalta at all.

I definitely notice withdrawals but it is not even close to as bad as it would be if I wasn't taking the Prozac. Right now emotions are high and I am a bit disoriented. But I am fighting through it because I know that it could be WAY worse.

No one else around me really understands how I feel or what I am going through so I felt it was an appropriate time to join this site! I was trying to get a puppy to lift my spirits but apartments around here never allow them and I'm pretty much allergic to all of the ones that do (because of previous cats, allergenic dogs). I appreciate everyones stories. Anyone can feel free to contact me, I will share my story and try to help anyone that I can.

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Dear Friend:
Thank you for sharing your story. It seems that there has been a lot of medicine changes in a short time. That is a lot of changes that your brain has had to adjust to.

I relate to what you wrote when you said that with cymbalta you were "sleeping all the time...and have no motivation to do anything at all".

Yes, it is hard for family members and friends to understand what we are going through.

I hope everything goes well with prozac. I took prozac many years ago, and it was effective for me.

hugs
Cookie

[Alm0st*SuccessFully OFF]

Thank you for your reply! The medicine changes were all at the beginning, since the effexor and cymbalta came into play i havent tried anything else. I now am 7 days off cymbalta and still taking prozac but i am even more disoriented and cant get out of bed (probably due to the withdrawals). It is weird, I take the Prozac at night before bed but before i take it and right after i feel clear, and fine. Maybe i should start taking it in the morning?? I have a very important interview tomorrow and I am very nervous that I will blow it due to whatever's going on in my head. I seriously feel drunk all the time! And of course my doctor isnt of much help.

<3 good luck everyone, stay strong, itll all be over soon!

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Dear Friend:
I have had problems getting out of bed the last 5 years.
At night I am usually clear and I feel "well" , it is in the morning that I feel really bad.
Ask your doctor if you can take prozac in the morning.
hugs
Cookie

[fatandtired]

I am on a very similar weaning regiment -- also tapering and using 10mg Prozac. Today is my last day of Cymbalta. I've been breaking open the 20mg capsules lately as well. I feel crazy and out of my head. I can also relate to your sleepiness and general lack of motivation.

I do take the Prozac in the morning, probably out of habit since that's when I've always taken my Cymbalta.

Good luck and hang in there!

FatandTired