Need Help Getting Away From This Stuff!

Melissa76, on 14 November 2011 - 02:35 PM, said:

I've been been taking Cymbalta now for 4 months (30mg, once a day) and have been having horrible, disturbing, very VIVID nightmares and can't handle much more. Could someone please tell me how to wean myself off of this? My doctor suggested me to start taking Zoloft in replace of the Cymbalts (25mg, once daily) but after reading so many negative reactions to Zoloft, I just want to wean myself off of Cymbalta all together and take no anti-depressants and just focus on exercising more and eating better. Can someone PLEASE give me some ideas or suggestions on how to do this safely?

Thank goodness you have only been taking it for 4 months and such a low dose! I remember when I first started on Cymbalta (I was taking 60mg/day), I couldn't sleep. So my doctor put me on Ambien 10mg/nightly, so that I could get some sleep. I had VERY disturbing dreams and nightmares as well. But I thought they were from the Ambien. Maybe they were from the Cymbalta. Since I have started weaning myself of Cymbalta (I'm down to taking 18 beads out of a 20mg pill), I have not needed the Ambien and I have not had any nightmares. I have not discussed taking a different med with my doctor, and by reading here, I don't want to start anything else. I am trying to get off of all medications, wanting to go med free and all natural (plus, just can't afford them). I have been taking many vitamins and supplements and trying to eat better. I know I should exercise, but I am just not motivated to do it. I KNOW that it helps with depression tremendously! My doctor had me alternate days with dosage; 60mg one day and 40mg the next. I did this for a month and had NO problems or symptoms. The next month, I alternated 40mg one day and 20mg the next day. Again, no problems or symptoms. For the next step, my doctor wanted me to alternate 20mg one day and zero the next, but I couldn't take the yucky feeling in my body, or the confusion/dizziness in my brain. So I started reading here, and now have decided (on my own; I should've talked to my doc)to start "counting beads." I am taking a 20mg pill, opening the capsule, and counting the beads. I counted 185 beads. I am taking 10% (18 beads) out, putting the rest back in the capsule, and taking it. My husband wants me to do this for a week, then take 36 beads out the next week, and so on. He thinks this may help diminish the pain and dizzines. He went through the same thing trying to get off of Paxil. Whether this is safe or not, I don't know. It's all I can offer. But, I know where you are at, and it stinks! I hope all goes well! Shelly

Cymbalta Withdrawal Support and Cymbalta Side Effects Help: Need Help Getting Away From This Stuff! - Cymbalta Withdrawal Support and Cymbalta Side Effects Help