[starry]

I have been taking both Cymbalta and Xanax. Cymbalta for the past 5 months, Xanax for the past 4 years. My dosage of Cymbalta was 60 mg and Xanax was 1.50 a day. Before Cymbalta, I was taking Zoloft at its maximum dosage. I could have left well enough alone, and continue to live my life in a fog of my own making, but, near Christmas, I decided that I was tired of being tired all the time, unmotivated, overweight, and basically skimming through life, rather than savoring each moment . . . good, bad, and ugly.

So . . . I quit taking both, four days ago . . . cold turkey. Maybe not the wisest of choices, as far as weaning methods go, but, what's done is done.

What I'm feeling is complicated. I feel high . . . and it isn't a good high. I feel like my brain is on acid (or what I perceive acid to be like as I've never taken it . . . ) and it is taking every amount of strength I have to hang onto reality. I also feel acutely aware. I know this is a contradiction, but it's a very strange phenomenon. I feel aware of EVERYTHING. I am noticing things I haven't noticed in years. From the simplest things to each breath I take, to the more complex as the weight I've gained in the past four years. I also am more acutely aware of those around me. This is a good thing :) I'm having bouts of crying spells, itching, sweating, bloating and severe indigestion. As bad it this may seem, I am astounded that a drug so powerful (Cymbalta) is allowed to be prescribed and is available. I wouldn't turn back now even if I was offered a million dollars.

I've found the information on this site to be very useful and informative. I am taking a trip to GNC for the suggested vitamins and amino acids. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this journey.

Thank you.

[starry]

Thank you, Houdi. Yes, what a mess is right, but today the withdrawal symptoms were not as severe as the previous 5 days. I'm staying positive and have hopes that each day the symptoms will decrease, but also, not trying to be too hard on myself if one day is better or worse than the other. Thank you for the link to the other forum. I am a new member there, also.

Something new, today . . . I've noticed that my sense of taste has diminished drastically. I can taste sweet, but not salt. I haven't read anything about this being a withdrawal symptom. Maybe I have missed something? It's not that bad, really, as my appetite has greatly reduced because of this, and I look forward to losing the extra 30 lbs. I gained while on Cymbalta. My energy level is returning, so, I'm looking forward to getting back into an exercise routine, with yoga being my primary source.

Thank you again, for the welcome and the response.