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January 2015 Switched To Prozac After 12Mths On Cymbalta


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#1 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 28 January 2015 - 06:54 AM

Hi everyone :) 

I've never blogged before or used forums etc, but after doing my research on how bad it can be to withdraw from Cymbalta I wanted to find somewhere I could find support & advice but then also help others along the way too  :hug:

 

I'll keep it as brief as I can so I don't bore you all but there's a few things to cover so grab yourself a cuppa lol....

 

In December 2013 I finally went to see my GP, after months of trying to deal with my rising anxiety/panic/sadness, etc by myself... purchasing endless self-help books and slowly isolating myself from friends & family.
I had been meds free for over a year at that point (was previously on the SSRI Citalopram (Celexa) ) and so I felt like a total failure because I knew I needed some help again but just didn't want to admit it after doing so well for over a year meds-free.

Because I'd been on & off Citalopram over the years my GP suggested we try an SNRI this time and see how I got on.
I was given the choice of either Mirtazapine (Remeron) or Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and due to having lost 4st in weight during my year off medication I opted for Cymbalta as the Remeron had a very high chance of undoing all my hard work!

It took me days to finally take my 1st 30mg Cymbalta pill as I really didn't want to take any drugs again, but I knew I needed to do something as I was so moody & snappy with my fiancĂ© and children, and none of how I was feeling was their fault.
Along with the 30mg starting dose I also asked for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Counselling which I find extremely beneficial.

 

After doing more research I found out that there is no way to reduce Cymbalta down in small steps like you can with say Prozac for example & started to realise how hard it could be to eventually come off this medication.
So when my GP said about 60mg being the usual dose and did I want to increase I made the decision not to as I felt calmer at 30mg than I did on nothing at all, and I kept in mind the withdrawal process at a later date.

 

There were times when I wanted to increase the dose and I read that the overwhelming lethargy I was experiencing at 30mg could actually be improved if I upped the dose to 60mg. As tempting as this was (because I was literally living on my arm chair & SO lethargic all the time) I was determined not to increase the amount of this drug in my body/brain so continued at 30mg for a year while I worked on my mind-set, positive thinking, mindfulness, etc.

 

To make this as short as possible for you all, I'll skip forward one year to December 2014...

I am sooooo fed up of feeling lethargic, tired and just not-bothered about doing anything!!
Despite the main reason for me choosing Cymbalta over Remeron was to avoid gaining back the weight I had previously worked SO hard to lose.... I have gained a whopping THREE STONE in just 12mths being on this medication!
From a very slim, just over 10st, to a very wobbly, uncomfortable 13st 7lbs!! :'-(
As I've gained the weight (it's definitely made me crave sugar & carbs!) I have lost my self-esteem and pretty much spent the whole of 2014 in my house, on my chair! :'-(
Yes, at times it is nice to feel numb where you would have once felt anxiety/panic/guilt/fear etc but I pretty much have no emotions now, I find it hard to cry and sometimes we all need a good healthy crying session to release emotions.

My GP hadn't had much experience with Cymbalta, withdrawal, tapering etc so he dropped me down to the 20mg capsules (the lowest you can get) when I told him I wanted to start coming off them.
I was on that dose for around 5-6wks and then I took matters into my own hands and did some research myself as he didn't seem to know what to do for the best after the 20mgs....
I returned to my GP in January of this year (2015) and said I wanted him to switch me over to Fluoxetine (Prozac) liquid form so I could then much more easily taper off that over the coming weeks/months.
Initially I was going to do every-other-day tapering (20mg Cymbalta, 20mg Prozac, 20mg Cymbalta, and so on) but after the side effects I'd been having over the last few months from the Cymbalta (I'll mention those below) I just decided to stop it there and then and started with the 20mg Prozac.... BYE BYE CYMBALTA!!

Here is a brief breakdown of my short experience so far....

Day1: At 2pm when I would have normally taken my Cymbalta I took the Prozac and all was fine on this day. 
Think I was driven by my positivity and determination to get off this stuff!

Day2: Whoozy head that came in waves but quite frequently (like when you forget to take your meds), fluey symptoms like heavy/aching limbs, extreme lethargy and needing to fall asleep so went to bed very early that night.

Day3: WOW!! What a crazy night that was!!! Vivid dreams running very quickly, lots of thoughts, numbers, patterns, movement - like a child's kaleidoscope at some points! My brain couldn't keep up with what my dreams/thoughts were doing BUT it wasn't scary just really weird and I woke up exhausted. 
I later found out that the Cymbalta is 99% out of the body after approximately 2.5days which was spot on for me and that's what must have caused the crazy overload/freak-out of my poor brain overnight :blink: 

Day4: Very whoozy head, dizziness on standing etc, but none of these painful "brain-zaps" I've read about.... so far anyway.
Slept VERY well on night 3!

Day5: Slight nausea, but wasn't sick.

 

Day6: Upped my water intake, cut back on sugary foods to prevent highs & lows and to try and keep my mind as stable as possible throughout this transition.... ***Advice: STOP any alcohol and coffee/caffeine drinks to help ease/prevent added stresses, highs & lows*** 
Still slightly dizzy, wobbly on my feet but totally bearable and luckily I don't drive as if I did there's no way I would have during this time. 

Day7: For the first time in MONTHS I got myself out of the house and did the school run on foot (my fiancé has been doing it for me whilst I've not felt upto it, his boss is thankfully very understanding) The school run on foot takes just over an hour as the Infants & Juniors are in different schools about 15/20mins away from eachother and is 80% an uphill climb.
My heart was pounding because I'm so unfit (and withdrawing) having hid away for a year but I did it and wow what a sense of achievement! Something so small & simple to others but such a milestone for me :'-)

"The smallest of victories is STILL a victory"

Day8: The 1st week has gone amazingly well, I was so so lucky! But then came a massive 14hr-long headache that paracetamol wouldn't touch. Luckily I had some Co-Drydamol 10/500's in the medicine cabinet but after an hour even these had barely touched it so I had to add 2x Ibuprofen 200's to the mix and FINALLY it began to subside enough for me to drop off to sleep.
BUT I am happy to report that on this day I noticed that the whoozy/dizzy/foggy head had GONE!!
Can't believe it! But not counting my chickens just yet.

Day9: This is the day I am posting this blog and although the headache is looming again and I still feel the lethargy I've felt for the past year, I am so so glad that I followed my heart and put a stop to Cymbalta there and then... I WILL NEVER EVER take it again!
So far the Prozac is working for me and helping to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and I am sleeping VERY well!  
I have a long way to go to repair the damage Cymbalta caused to me - especially the 3st(+) weight gain and my poor circulation to my hands & feet.... purpley feet and very pale yellowy/bluey toe and finger nails.... but I CAN & I WILL get through this... and you will too :hug: 

If anyone has any questions, etc please feel free to ask below and thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read this :wub: 

Autumn xXx


#2 TryinginFL

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Posted 28 January 2015 - 08:53 AM

Hi Autumn,

 

Wonderful post!  I'm so happy that things seem to be progressing relatively well for you at such an early stage!  Your age and the Prozac are part of this, I'm sure  :)

 

The exercise you had taking the children to school is one of the best things you can do for yourself!  Try to keep it up as well as drinking lots of water!

 

Not only does it help your system, but you will find that it will help to get the weight off as well...   So many of us gained weight during this but it does come off and in your case, it shouldn't take that long. :D

 

I'm happy that you haven't mentioned any rage feelings, especially since you have children to care for - here again, I'm sure that the addition of the Prozac while getting off this stuff has been a great help.

 

Keep up the good work and please come back often to keep us updated.  If you have any questions, or you need to vent, all is welcome here - this is a very safe place and no one will judge you!

 

We want to help you and we care! 


#3 Clara

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Posted 28 January 2015 - 05:41 PM

Way to go autumn!!!!  So happy for you! Keep up the good work!!! Keep us posted on your progress! We all learn from one another! Hugs and prayers for you!!!! :)


#4 fishinghat

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Posted 28 January 2015 - 08:01 PM

..."purpley feet and very pale yellowy/bluey toe and finger nails...."

 

I am a little concerned about his as it usually indicated a lack of blood flow. Have you mentioned this to your dr?


#5 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 29 January 2015 - 04:10 AM

Thank you TryinginFL and Clara :wub: 
Hi fishinghat, yes, my Dr has been really good at keeping an eye on this, as he was also very concerned. I had lots of blood tests to rule out things like thyroid problems, anaemia and of course liver function as that can be impaired whilst on Cymbalta & they all came back fine which I wasn't expecting, but was of course very relieved. So he said all he can put it down to was the Cymbalta.
I'm now 10days free of that drug and my feet/toes are MUCH warmer and the weird yellowy-tinged nails are much less obvious.
My finger nails, although still a little pale, are no where near as bluey-tinged as they were just a few weeks ago... so fingers crossed these side effects I experienced will now start to subside/heal x


#6 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 29 January 2015 - 04:56 AM

Here are a few (embarrassing :unsure:) feet & nail photos I took on 7th December, the following day I went to see my GP again and said my feet were still the same & I asked to be reduced down to 20mg, which I started on 10th December for 6wks before I then made the decision to come off it completely on 20th January and switching straight over to the SSRI Prozac as it's a lot easier to taper off with it being available in liquid form and also has a muuuuch longer half-life. And that's where I am right now, Day10 of no Cymbalta, so early days x

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#7 fishinghat

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Posted 29 January 2015 - 08:52 AM

AA82

 

That is a new one to me for a cymbalta side effect. I am glad that your dr has checked this out and it is nothing serious. Thanks so much for the reply.

 

No reason to be 'embarressed' by the pictures. We are all here to help and/or be helped as well as to learn. No one here will criticize.

 

God bless


#8 thismoment

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Posted 29 January 2015 - 12:24 PM

Autumn

 

Did your doctor do blood-work-- liver, kidney function etc? Would be a good idea.


#9 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 30 January 2015 - 04:41 AM

Hi thismoment :) 

As said above, my Dr has been fab and done lots of blood tests all coming back absolutely fine so he can only link it to the Cymbalta.
To fishinghat also, Cymbalta can cause Peripheral Circulation problems and it definitely did for me. My hands and feet were always cold and sometimes I couldn't even feel/wasn't aware that they were cold until I noticed how purpley-looking they were :( or until my fiancĂ© jumped in bed when my foot would touch his leg lol! 
I'll attach an updated pic now of just Day11 free of Cymbalta x

(PS, can I "Tag" people's names like on Facebook/Twitter so they get notified? And also, how do I do the Quoting?
I wanted to copy the bit above about me having blood tests done, etc so thismoment could have a read, but couldn't figure it out and it wouldn't let me Copy & Paste :wacko: )

Thanks in advance everyone xxx


#10 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 30 January 2015 - 04:52 AM

Just 11 days free of Cymbalta and my feet are pretty much back to normal colour (just the odd moment of discolouration so I try to always have socks on at the moment, plus it's freezing here in the UK right now!) My big toe nails still have the discolouration but my feet and hands are FINALLY warm again! :D 
Think my poor hands and feet deserve a manicure & pedicure very soon, for the first time in aaaaaaages... they deserve some special attention bless them  :wub:  Teehee x

(I had attached 2 photos but it said 1 of them was too big a file)

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#11 thismoment

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Posted 30 January 2015 - 11:46 AM

Autumn

My bad; I just re-read your earlier posts and I note that I missed the line about the blood tests. Glad to hear you are seeing some improvement.

#12 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 03 February 2015 - 06:08 AM

That's ok thismoment and thank you :) x


Two Weeks without any Cymbalta (Duloxetine) in my body and I feel MUUUUUUCH more alert!!

I have not needed to nap at all... and THAT alone is a miracle after spending most of 2014 feeling drowsy, lethargic or asleep!
I'm not saying I'm ready to take on a Marathon anything but I'm truly starting to feel AWAKE again, and after feeling like a sleep-walking 'zombie' for a year this is a VERY positive, uplifting & encouraging feeling for me right now.

"I am waking up!!"  :D
 


#13 thismoment

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Posted 03 February 2015 - 09:39 AM

AutumnAngel82

 

I am happy for you!! It looks like you are having a smooth transition. Just go with it and let us know how it goes!! Good work!


#14 AutumnAngel82

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    Determind to be meds-free by Summer 2015 in the safest & healthiest way possible.
    Switched from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) 30mg, to 20mg on 9th December 2014 (after 1yr @ 30mg)and then on 20th January 2015 I dropped the Duloxetine completely and started on 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac)
    Wish me luck! :-) x

Posted 03 February 2015 - 09:56 AM

Everyone is so lovely in here, thanks so much :wub: 
It helps knowing this group exists as I don't know anyone personally who has ever even heard of this drug let alone used it, so therefore they don't understand what it was like to be on it or to come off it.
Being on the 20mg Prozac now is like being part of some big well-known gang lol, I'm amazed at how many people I know are on it and I like the fact it's a drug that's been around for a long time.

SSRI's have been known to cause me to have sensitive, itchy skin which twice in the past led to a bad allergic reaction... but to be honest I was stupidly drinking wine most evenings at the time alongside my meds, so it was more than likely that interaction rather than the SSRI itself.

So this time around my Dr and I decided I should keep a little log/diary of any symptoms that worry me, but so far I've been very lucky... just from the odd headache & some brain fog/feeling like I'm in a dream.
I am very aware however that sometimes people can feel fine at first and then start to suffer later down the line with depression/anxiety returning so I'll do my best to look after myself best I can with healthier food choices now, drinking lots of water and upping exercise etc.

I'm really glad I decided to taper down to as little as 20mg Cymbalta for 6wks first and then make the jump straight over to Prozac.
Dr is happy with my progress so far and said there's no rush to taper me off the Prozac if I'm not experiencing any reactions to it.
So  I will chill at 20mg for a good few weeks maybe even months before starting to taper off this final drug in the equation.

Thanks for reading x
 





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