5 replies to this topic

[GillMan]

Hello everyone. Thank God for this forum! I discovered this yesterday, when I was pretty sure I was going insane! I was recently weaned off of Cymbalta and onto Wellbutrin (Bupropion) by my doctor, over a two week period. I'm now about a week and a half on solely Wellbutrin Two nights ago I started feeling extremely paranoid, deeply depressed, and had suicidal thoughts. That night, I experienced at least three (that I can remember) episodes of night terrors. In addition to all this, I'm getting the lovely "brain zaps" and nausea/diarrhea. I'm always tired, though that is likely because I have difficulty sleeping, even when taking an over-the-counter sleep aid.

 

All of this isn't helped that I'm currently separated from my wife (her decision). I was sad and upset before, but now I have episodes where I start crying uncontrollably. I've tried to be extremely upfront with her and my son (he is 14) so that they don't become alarmed by my erratic behavior. Before, I had some hope of reconciliation down the road, but right now I can't feel anything but despair. Really trying hard to power through this, but it's damned hard! 

 

I just called my doctor, and I'm hoping to speak with him about some ways to get through the withdrawal. I know for sure that I really hate this drug, and never want to go through anything this awful again!

[TryinginFL]

Welcome GillMan!

 

Happy that you have found us!

 

First, let me ask you what dosage of the Cymbalta were you taking?  Unfortunately your Dr. certainly doesn't understand the withdrawal from this poison drug.  The safest way is to SLOWLY wean off the Cymbalta at the same time that you SLOWLY build up the Buproprion. By slowly, I mean a period of weeks...

 

You are currently experiencing many of the hideous withdrawal symptoms from this horrible drug. I unfortunately went cold turkey off of 60mg in Jan. of 2014 and spent one year in hell.  Sometimes age, length of time on the drug and the dosage determine how your withdrawal will be...the average is 3-4 months.

 

Depending upon the dosage you were on, it could be advisable to occasionally take a few mg to ease the withdrawal to a bearable state - but only enough to do that.

 

We have others here who will come on to help - Our "Doc", fishinghat will most likely have some great advice.

 

I am sorry to hear of your situation as that certainly doesn't help

 

 

Liz

[fishinghat]

Liz is right. Even the manufacturer warns not to stop rapidly. Suicidal thoughts, seizures, etc. My recommendation would be to get back on at least some level of Cymbalta (depending on your original dose) and slowly wean off by bead counting. We can help with the bead counting. Just open one of your capsules and count the number of timy beads inside and we will be glad to recommend a drop rate to start with. Hang in there.

[BobbieBoop]

GillMan,

 

You are in the right place!  I stopped CT almost 3 months ago and I have had a very hard time with my withdrawal. The people on this site are loving and very helpful.

 

Bobbi

[GillMan]

Thanks everyone! I've been on 60mg for about three years. I'm 45, and have been taking some sort of antidepressant for about 12 years. They always seem to either quit working (which I'm sure is due to my body building up a tolerance) or cause me bad symptoms such as headaches, weight gain, etc. 

[gail]

Hi GM,

I suggest that you go back on 30 mg to stabilise then bead count your way down. Many go from 60 to 30mg with no problems. I would suggest that you reinstate at 30 for a while to stabilize and then bead count your way down.

You are in withdrawal at the moment and it can get pretty nasty before it gets better.
Come back anytime! Gee, a lot of repeats in my post, so be it.