[beedle]

I've been taking Cymbalta for several years after trying other antidepressants (Effexor among others) with little success. Cymbalta seemed to work well at first. Then it became less and less effective. My doctor started me at 30mg/day and gradually worked up to 90mg/day. After I lost my insurance, it became very difficult to get Cymbalta (it runs over $400/mo. without insurance, for those who didn't know that). A friend sent me to Lilly Pharmaceuticals and, after a long application program, I was accepted to receive the drug for free for 1 year (in 4-month shipments delivered to the doctor). But now that this is in hand, I'm realizing that it really isn't working well any more, and that things have begun to feel flat, dead, and worthless. Again. After reading some of the other posts here, it seems that perhaps the best thing is to stop. When I've run out for a period, I get the predictable dizzy spells plus the dark depressions, no energy, suicidal thoughts - the whole enchilada. But I've also seen ads for Abilify (stupid name), which is reputed to enhance the action of other antidepressants. Does anyone have any experience with adding Abilify to Cymbalta? Do most folks find the technique of removing some of the little balls to be the most effective? At 90mg/day, that means three 30mg capsules. I've tried taking three alternating with two; has anyone had any experience with that approach? I would like to be off of the Cymbalta, but I'm really scared to go back to the pre-antidepressant days without some sort of alternative plan. I just don't like being hostage to something that is so powerful, a virtual unwanted and expensive addiction.

[cookie]

I tried abilify a few years ago. I only took it for a week because with the medication I started hearing voices, which stopped once I quit the medication. Abilify made me wake up at 4am with a lot of energy and then I was very sleepy the whole day, I could barely keep me eyes open. I didn´t like that medication. However every person is different, and medications work for some.

[crysinpink]

beedle, on 17 October 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:

I've been taking Cymbalta for several years after trying other antidepressants (Effexor among others) with little success. Cymbalta seemed to work well at first. Then it became less and less effective. My doctor started me at 30mg/day and gradually worked up to 90mg/day. After I lost my insurance, it became very difficult to get Cymbalta (it runs over $400/mo. without insurance, for those who didn't know that). A friend sent me to Lilly Pharmaceuticals and, after a long application program, I was accepted to receive the drug for free for 1 year (in 4-month shipments delivered to the doctor). But now that this is in hand, I'm realizing that it really isn't working well any more, and that things have begun to feel flat, dead, and worthless. Again. After reading some of the other posts here, it seems that perhaps the best thing is to stop. When I've run out for a period, I get the predictable dizzy spells plus the dark depressions, no energy, suicidal thoughts - the whole enchilada. But I've also seen ads for Abilify (stupid name), which is reputed to enhance the action of other antidepressants. Does anyone have any experience with adding Abilify to Cymbalta? Do most folks find the technique of removing some of the little balls to be the most effective? At 90mg/day, that means three 30mg capsules. I've tried taking three alternating with two; has anyone had any experience with that approach? I would like to be off of the Cymbalta, but I'm really scared to go back to the pre-antidepressant days without some sort of alternative plan. I just don't like being hostage to something that is so powerful, a virtual unwanted and expensive addiction.

I have been coming off 60mg myself over the past 5 weeks, during this time i have HAD to wean! I saw my doctor about it and he gave me the following advise in which i have followed.

WEEK ONE and TWO of coming off Cymbalta.

Have one tablet at the same time every SECOND DAY instead of daily.
During this time i experienced the following
- head spins
- heart palpitation ( nearly all day every day)
- helium head i called it, the feeling of your brain being filled with helium is the only way to describe the feeling
- confusion of what i was doing and bad train of thought
- bottom lip quivers
- accelerated emotions up / down / down / down / up

The first two weeks was hard but i had depended on this chemical for the last 18months of my life and it has terrible long term side affects.

ok WEEK THREE

Have one tablet at the same time every THIRD day.
During this time i experienced the following
- Head spasms still but not so severe
- I was a hundred miles an hour! Spoke extremely fast, couldn't sit down, super hyperactive
- Body waves, whole body would feel as though it had been on a gravitation festival ride and all my central gravity was off balance. only every now and then though
- Dry mouth happens again, just like when i first started.
- became more hungry more often
- DO NOT DRINK WHILE COMING OFF CYMBALTA! you end up with very mixed emotions and get severely intoxicated with a very small amount of alcohol
- SEX IS SO MUCH BETTER - I had trouble having orgasms while on cymbalta, no that there is not so much in my system i can experience them quicker and harder.

WEEK FOUR AND FIVE
During this time i experienced the following

- Not so much feeling like im on speed anymore, still have moments of hyper activity but not as often - more settled and normal feeling
- I did have a very depressing day on Saturday where i was at home depressed laying on my floor for hours and then needed a cuddle so badly i cuddled a wall corner, this lasted 1/2 a day then i had to have a shower and push through it, feeling empty can be a friend because you are so use to it, but i pushed myself out of it and put on some music and got a friend to come around.
- still a little giddy in the brain area but im kind of use to it now
- heart palpitations perhaps 3 - 4 times a week but not scary ones


During Cymbalta i really needed it and it was a great anti depressant for me, my chemical imbalance was leveled out and now coming off it we just need to be patient enough for our bodies to start producing the serotonin itself. Alot of positive affirmations, exercise and good company is the best advice i can give to anyone that is about to , or is coming off this drug. It is something i would compare to a drug addict coming off of a heavy drug, it is very similar, we have the same brain altering chemicals everyday for months, years etc, then eventually we try and get off it so we too go through withdrawals. This is the hardest thing i have ever had to do and you WILL experience horrible depressive days, sad days , lonely days, but just stick to your weaning system and eventually you will not need them anymore.

It has been about a week since i have had my 60mg Cymbalta and I am going to try and stop them all together now.

If any drastic changes happen i will let you all know.

If you have any questions, and i am not afraid to share , please email me websterjadecrystal@hotmail.com.

Thanks and I hope this helped. xo