[angeltaylor8]

Hello everyone, I have just found this site and am so relieved to be able to find other people who are experiencing the same as me as I didnt know what was wrong with me. I have been taking various antidepressants since I had Post Natal depression following the birth of my son almost 12 years ago. I really cant remember what I started of on but I have been taking Cymbalta 60 mg for almost 4 years now. I have been getting repeat prescriptions by phoning my health centre and simply requesting it and I have decided enough is enough as I really want to come of this drug. I knew it was not going to be easy as I suffered if I even forgot to take one tablet. My head would become fuzzy and I would be aware of every blinking movement my eyes made, in fact I could even hear my eyes blinking! This might sound strange to some but its like there was a heightened awareness of blinking, hearing and dissconection to name but a few if I didnt pop my daily pill. Well now this has increased tenfold since I decided to go cold turkey after reducing my dosage to every other day for a week prior to stopping totally. Its five days now from I have been Cymbalta free and I think I have made a mistake by withdrawing this way. My head is constantly sore & dizzy, I feel as if I am just floating along and can barely fully function. I rang my health centre for another repeat prescription (30mg this time) and told them I wanted the lower dosage as I want to wean myself of them. Its shameful the way this drug is prescribed and in my case not monitored, in fact my doctor told me it would be useful for treating my Fibromyalgia which I was diagnosed with 2 years ago. I am now wondering do I really have Fibromyalgia or is it the side effects of taking antidepressants for so many years that have made me feel so fatigued with aches and pains. I am determined live my life without Cymbalta and hope I can get some help along the way with coming along here

[Caroline]

Hi,
From what you describe, you are suffering from some of the side effects of withdrawal... The best thing to do is to go back to the dose that you had no symptoms and slowly decrease your dosage. If you are in the US your doc can prescribe 20mg, believe it or not I had to tell mine that it is available in 20mg. Some other items I have found to work to control the head aches, zaps, dehydration feeling...Omega 3 supplements, Vit E and Gatorade. I read the book How to get off Psychiatric Drugs by James Harper. His approach is very similar to the one everyone on this site seems to believe works best with little to no withdrawal effects. I have had great success since I upped my Omega 3's to 3 capsules in the am and at lunch, 1 Vit E 400mg every day and the gatorade, G2 low cal, in the am to ease dry eyes. The Omega's I used are Whole Foods brands high in Omega 3-6-9..

Good Luck
C

[cookie]

Dear AngelTaylor:
Yes, it is a relief to find out other people experiencing the same as us.
From what I read on this site, the every other day approach maximizes withdrawal symptoms. I´ve read here, that it is better to take a certain dose EVERYDAY than it is to alternate days and then stop.

I agree with Caroline, go back to the dose of cymbalta in which you feel well and then start weaning from there. I´ve been weaning doing gradual drops by taking out beads from the capsule (which I learned worked for others on this site).

Mood and body pain might be regulated by the same neurotrasmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine). Depressed people sometimes suffer from physical pain.

On this site, I´ve read about people who took cymbalta for fibromyalgia (never had depression before) and then when withdrawing they experience depression/mood symptoms such as crying outbursts, rage, insomnia or sleepiness, appetite changes.

In my case I took cymbalta for depression, and now when weaning I´ve experience more pain, in parts of the body that were hurt years ago. I actually got an x-ray for my cervicals/neck because they were hurting, and doctor found no bone problems.

[kathyl]

I tried weaning and have been severely ill the whole time. I decided 3 days ago to finally go cold turkey. The withdrawals have been worse ( how can that be?) I will try the omega 3 and fish oil. I would try most anything to feel just a touch better. I see my doctor tomorrow. I know there is no quick fix.
I pray every day and my husband Bob helps me immensely. He teaches me to believe that I am healthy.
I will beat this thing and never take cymbalta again no matter how bad I feel.