[SparklyCupcake]

I have been on andtidepressants for 14 years.

Trying to wean off entirely. I went from 120 mg to 60 mg Cymbalta without too much of an issue. Tried to go to 50 next and it was bad, so went back to 60. I was on 60 for about 6 weeks. I'm on day 5 of 50 and good Lord...I've been having diahrrea, back/leg pain, strange twinges in my head, dizzy/don't feel like I'm actually here, like I'm floating. Its a TEN MG DIFFERENCE, how in the world is that causing so many problems?! And when I can I expect them to stop? I have to go back to work tomorrow, I can't be dealing with this. I also keep getting this feeling in my head, this strange surge of something that makes me feel agitated and angry ....so awful

Is there anything I can do? Should I just go back to 60? I really want off because I have a lot of health issues that doctors cannot find a reason for other than long term anti depressant use. Not to mention if I want to start a family in the next few years, I have to get off before getting pregnant.

Help?

[Jenni]

Hello
Yes, it is worth getting off if it is giving you such bad health issues. Could you go back to 60 and then go to see your doctor and explain the symptoms you suffered? I found going from 120 to 90 not much of a problem when I did it a couple of years ago(I was on 120 during pregnancy which you might be interested to know...). 90 to 60 was not a huge deal - couple of weeks and I was feeling ok. 60 to 30 was rough and 30 to zero has been awful.

There are ways to mitigate the withdrawal effects. The pharma way to do it (and don't give up on them because they made one really awful drug!) is to ask to be transferred on to Prozac. Prozac leaves your system more slowly (long half-life) so it's not a sharp shock to your system.

Lots of people on this forum have found certain fish oils very helpful so that's another option to look at.

When you dropped to 60, did you do alternate days? Some people on this site didn't find that helpful but I certainly did. Worth a thought. For the drop from 60 to 30, it took me about two weeks at the new dose to feel fine again but I was still functioning. I am on day 16 at zero and I have lost that feeling of my legs not being connected, the rushes of rage are still there but I am dealing with them, the nausea is much better (but still there). I am lots better than I was.

You can take over the counter remedies like motion sickness pills to help with the nausea and dizziness. Sometimes the pharmacist knows more than your doctor. Definitely talk to your doctors again and tell them they need to find a better way to wean you off. Also, a little gentle exercise helped me a lot. It also makes you feel that you are getting your life back again

I only see my psychiatrist every few months so I am looking forward to making him informed about the problems coming off the drugs he probably prescribes every day.