[brooklyngirl]

Hi All,

I found this forum late in the summer when I was looking to get off Cymbalta. I used Bead Counting from September until mid-November (about 2 months) to slowly wean off of 60 mg. My only symptom was when I completely off Cymbalta I got migraines for about a week but then they went away.

Now it is 2 months later and I have slowly fallen back into depression. I have been on and off anti-depressants since I was an adolescent. I am also getting more anxiety and panic attacks (which I have also had since adolescence) and fear of people breaking into my apartment -- being IN my apartment -- when I am home alone. I am sad a lot. Crying at work....

I need to figure out a healthy way to move out of these feelings again. I am in the middle of moving or I would say I am going to get on a healthy regimen of eating well and exercising regularly but I know that will take a while for me to get into. I can't miss work to see a doctor for medication (such as a 6 month run of Prozac) because I haven't earned any sick days yet.

Of course I am really stressed out and could use some advice on what steps I can take in the short term (i.e. today, tomorrow, until I move) medium term (the next month or so) and the long term.

Thank you.

[brooklyngirl]

So I had a breakdown about one month after I posted this. I am now on 20mg a day of Prozac which is definitely helping. I've been on it for about a month. I am also looking for a therapist but it is really hard with my work schedule and commute.

It was really scary to totally lose it and think about just jumping in front of an oncoming train but the stress and sadness were unbearable. I was crying all day long at work. I as a complete mess.

I have to accept that I need to be medicated but Prozac should be okay and is A LOT less expensive.

For the record, here was my bead counting regime which helped me get off Cymbalta this fall:

CYMBALTA

I counted 192 (but I may have dropped a few beads!) beads in my 60mg pills.

That is 3.2 per mg.

So my goal is:
Week 1 decrease by 3 beads. (189 beads per pill) = 59/mg
Week 2: decrease by 9 beads. (176 beads)/pp) = 55/mg
Week 2: add 20mg of Prozac each day moving forward
Week 3: decrease by 18 beads (162 beads) = 50/mg
Week 4: decrease by 30 beads (132 beads) = 41.mg
Weak 5: decrease by 30 beads (102 beads) = 31.8mg
Week 6: decrease by 30 beads (72 beads) = 22.5 mg
Week 7: decrease by 36 beads (32 beads) = 11.25 mg
Week 8: decrease by 7 beads (25 beads) = 5mg
Week 9: Prozac 20mg only