[MrSplendido]

Hi everyone. I've read this forum for a bit before and after I came off Cymbalta while trying to find ways around the zips and mood swings I was getting full force. I'll give you a little history of what I've went through so you can compare it to your own situation.

I started taking Cymbalta after a doctor gave me it when I quit drinking. That's a long story in itself, so I'll spare you the fun details. Anyway, the Cymbalta did help at first with the addiction withdrawal and depression that followed, but if I missed a dose (all 3 years I have done 60mg), it was zip/zap hell. I decided to just continue with it because I wanted nothing to do with the side effects of coming off it. This year as I'm turning 31, I find out my liver has some issues. Even after I quit drinking years ago, my liver is still going downhill, so I figure I'm going to half to cut out any medications that might be helping that along, and that includes Cymbalta. Plus, that extra $30 a month in my wallet isn't exactly just spare change.

So I've been searching for some different natural ways to get the serotonin in my body to fool the brain back into thinking it's still being tinkering with by Eli Lilly. I did a little research and found out that tryptophan , that same substance in turkey that makes everyone sleepy (which isn't true, by they way. It's because you ate so much :) ), will be turned into serotonin by your body. If you can get the serotonin back in your brain, the cymbalta withdrawal could be lessened for you. I had every withdrawal symptom you could name, and it's only been two weeks now. BUT, yesterday all I had was a few mild zaps during the day. Today, I woke up with NOTHING. Not a one. That's why I was compelled to share this with you all.

Ok, so here's my not so secret. Protein Whey. You might be thinking, "That stuff that weight lifters take all the time to bulk up???". Well, yes and no. They can take it if they want to up their protein count. I've been trying to work out more to get a little more serotonin, and it's actually helped my in many ways. I've even lost weight taking it. I eat a banana and have a shake in the morning on the way to work. Not exactly a balanced breakfast, but even if I have to rush out the door and can mix up a cup of milk and whey. Then another shake after I work out in the afternoon. Even from what I've read about protein whey, you don't need to work out all the time, or in some cases at all, to see positive effects. I implore you to look it up yourself. I swear to you that between a little exercise, a standard multi-vitamin that I was taking the whole time anyway, the protein whey, and a few extra bananas in my diet, I am kicking the Cymbalta withdrawals butt!


Anyway, just thought I would share something with you all since you've helped me. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one dealing with it. By the way, I live about 20 minutes to Eli Lilly's headquarters. So if you'd like anything delivered there, such as a flaming bag of poop on their doorstep, I'd be happy to help. :)

[IamAwesome]

MrSplendido,

Thanks for the information! I will try that for myself. I think Whey Protein is better than the Benadryl because I'm replacing one drug for another.

What brand of Whey Protein are you using?

I have also done some research and found that low levels of dopamine (a feel happy chemical released in your body) can cause the following issues:

feeling depressed, flat, bored, and apathetic?
low on physical or mental energy? Do you feel tired a lot; have to push yourself to exercise?
Is your drive, enthusiasm, and motivation on the low side?
difficulty focusing or concentrating?
Are you easily chilled? Do you have cold hands or feet?
Do you tend to put on weight too easily?
Do you feel the need to get more alert and motivated by consuming a lot of coffee or other "uppers" like sugar, diet soda, ephedra, or cocaine?

I take a supplement that has the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, which are compounds used by the brain to produce dopamine.

Food sources of dopamine increasing tyrosine include almonds, avocados, bananas, dairy products, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.

Dopamine is easily oxidized. Foods that are rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables may help protect dopamine-using neurons from free radical damage. Many healthcare professionals recommend supplementing with vitamins C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. I use MaxGXL supplements found at ( http://maxcellularhealth.com )

Foods such as sugar, saturated fats, cholesterol, and refined foods interfere with proper brain function and can cause low dopamine. Consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol should also be reduced because they can clog the arteries to the brain, heart, and other organs.

Caffeine must also be avoided by persons with depression. Caffeine is a stimulant which initially speeds up neurotransmission, raises the amount of serotonin, and temporarily elevates mood.

[2broke4crazy]

I understand your instructions, but what about the trytophan you mentioned? Are you saying that the whey protein, bananas, exercise, and multiple vitamins equal to trytophan?

[nursedeborah]

2broke4crazy,
I am not sure who you were asking the question to, but I did talk to someone
about this sub, but never implied that it took the place of anything, I only
said that here in the US it was taken off the market a very long time ago.

If your able to get it, that's cool, but there was just such a big deal over liver
damage, and something els? can't remember so FDA pulled it all from the
shelves.

I know for me I tried all the suppliments, and they did nothing. I just
think that the brain wil have to heal in it's own way, and time. If they
work for you, great. I know others say the same.

We are all so different, and I am very med sensitive, so I got really bandged
up just being on the drug. The thing I do notice now that I am getting the
dose down, I am doing better, so people keep telling me, it's just does not
feel that way inside, or with with mental stuff that still has such a hold on me
from this drug, it really did so much dmage to me. It is scary to think one
could be stuck like this, and be fully aware of it the rest of their lives. I would
rather not know, no then they would just lock me up.

How are you doing, don't mind me it's just one of them day's.

ttake good care,
Debbie

[Gatsby]

I would support Mr. Splendido's advice.

I started everyday of my withdrawl with a protien shake.

Take your favourite flavour of frozen yogurt, add one banana, protien powder (one little cup in the tub), 2 mg of flak seed oil and whatever fruit you like (blueberries and pommegranate are good) and toss it all in a blender. You can add vitamin supplements too if you can find them.

It is important that the flavour appeals to you because your appetite may be off. If you have to put a little chocolate sauce it do it.

Be Well,

Gatsby

[pennycantu]

i totally agree with the working out. there are sooo many more advantages to self curing than just taking a drug. that's why i chose to go cold turkey off cymbalta. i've missed a few days so i'm feeling horrid right now. i've been off for 4 weeks. i worked in the fitness industry for some time and can tell you, all of you that Whey protein is NOT used to bulk up. it is not a weight gain type supplement. When you work out, your muscles tear from over straining them. to repair them, you need to drink lots of water to hydrate and get oxygen to them and also take in protein. Whey is a form of protein that has very few calories and fat grams. So when you are done with your workout, the best recovery drink is a milk based Whey protien drink that has 40g of protein in it. do not be afraid of these smoothies ppl! they actually, when used on a regular basis, do wonders for your body, lessen your soreness the next day and can act as a meal replacement if you like. My favorite Whey smoothie is called a mud pie and here's the recipe: 8oz milk, 1tsp dry yogurt, 1 scoop Dr Smoothie Ja Mocha smoothie mix, 2 scoops Apex Whey Protien (chocolate), 1 tsp peanut butter (natural pb of course) and 1 oz of honey or 1 packet of splenda, honey tastes better to me though. add ice, and blend. it fills you up, give you a coffee and choc fix, repairs your muscles and is an overall healthy alternative to a cheeseburger and you'll have over 40g of protien with this drink. These are the brands I used in the gym to make smoothies for my customers and those are the brands i recomend. if you use a different brand like wheybolic or something else, you may have different results. Wheybolic is good though from what other people have told me. something as simple as 8oz milk and 2scoops of powder will do the trick for a great recovery drink after a heavy workout.

[Junior]

Hi Murphy

I think you have to work with your body. When I went through the worst of Cymbalta withdrawal, there is no way I could have worked out either. I had moderate-severe upper abdo pain and had to severely restrict my food intake. At one stage my dr thought I might have had gallstones!

Also, from talking to people at another forum (for Paxil withdrawal) many people there find they can't work out during withdrawal either. But there are no hard and fast rules.

Hope that helps a little
Junior