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#1 Rush

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    Trying to get off Cymbalta for the 2nd time & it's not going too good...

Posted 13 January 2010 - 08:02 PM

I've never actually posted to a site like this before, but I think this time I need it. Here's my situation in a nutshell (a rather large nutshell): I've had GAD & GAD Related Depression for years (most of life undiagnosed). About 10 years ago I sought medical help. I did what I call the "med-go-round" for about a year, and finally settled on Cymbalta (along with a couple of other drugs - Xanex, of course, and I think at that time it might have been Trazadone?). Cymbalta seemed to be the answer to my prayers. The weight I had gained came off, I was able to get my life back together, but then realized my life was not what I wanted it to be. So with major life changes (one of them being a huge cutback in income with a job change), I weaned myself off all my meds & was happy. My body is very sensitive to drugs and at that time I believe was getting away with just 20 mg of Cymbalta a day. Weaning off of it was nothing like what I went thru with Paxil!!

Fast forward to a year & a half ago -- life takes a downswing & I'm back on the drugs. This time it's 40 mg of Cymbalta, 50 of Limotrigine, and Xanex as needed. Once again, I've decided to make the life changes and get off the drugs. (I quit my job, so no more insurance...)

This time, getting off the Cymbalta has been really hard. Like I said, I'm very sensitive to meds, so I know my doses are low compared to a lot of people, but I went from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 (a couple of weeks at each level) and then dropped to zero. I've been off Cymbalta since January 9th. The withdrawal is bad, but after being off for 5 days, I really hate to think about putting that poison back in my body again - counting the beads - ect. It makes me weep at the thought (literally tears are dripping down my face now). I'm not suicidal or anything, I just want to be myself again.

So I need some advice and/or feedback. If it's just a few more days, I can stick it out. If it's going to be weeks, then maybe I need to start counting beads? I don't know - I just want to be done, but I'm sick of the brain zaps, the memory lapses, the crying & the rages...

What do I do??

#2 QueenTimely

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    I am currently on Cymbalta after many years of other drugs including Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor. I had a terrible experience coming off of Effexor that resulted only in my going back on, then changing to Cymbalta. I feel, at this point, that the drugs are causing as many problems as the initial depression did, and am looking at the possibility of coming off but am living this year in rural Italy and need some real support in considering this possibility and its consequences.

Posted 14 January 2010 - 10:16 AM

Hi Rush -
You're in the right place. I've been weaning off 60mg for a few weeks now, with homeopathic support. I discussed the "beads" approach with my doctor/homeopath, and I hold it very much as an option, but right now, for several reasons, I'm following his approach.

No one can tell you what to do. No one can tell you how long it will be because no one else is you. What I can tell you is that I came off Effexor in much the same way you've just described and was sick for months, not days or weeks. So sick, I wound up on Cymbalta. Two years later, I'm coming off again. Differently this time.

Having said that no one can tell you what to do, I can tell you what I would do if I were going through what you describe. If I didn't have my homeopath (and this is the first time I've had a real course of homeopathic treatment), I would:

  • Send NurseDeborah on this board a private message asking her advice
  • Take 5 or 10 mg of Cymbalta and see if it alleviates the symptoms; and
  • prepare to reduce by beads;

It's not failure, it's not forever and I don't in any way discount what I'm sure you've been through. It's just for now, you're only human and the "beads" approach makes a lot of sense. It's just too bad that psychiatrists, for the most part, aren't as attentive to getting us off the meds they put us on.

I also offer the following: The course I am on is much more rapid than I ever would have considered without this homeopathic doctor. He first reduced me from 60mg directly to 30mg and now I'm on 30mg every other day but only because we are supplementing my dose with homeopathic remedies he has determined are right for me after considering a lot about me, my diet, my history, my sleeping, my relationship patterns, etc. With all of that in mind, he determined that carcinosinum and phosphorous would help me. And all I can say is that so far, I have had some pulsing in my ear, some loose bowels, and probably two bad days total. Bad means agitation and short temper, not looking to put myself in hospital as I considered last time. If you have a homeopath that you trust, consult him or her.

I know you want it to be done. And it will be. Sooner if you do it right than if you rush and "bite the bullet".

I want to say here: I am not telling you what to do. I am not a doctor, not a homeopath. I'm just offering you my feedback. These are very serious medications that can have detrminental effects both in the taking and in the coming off. Be prudent. Take care of yourself.

#3 nursedeborah

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    I am reallly trying to get off Cymbalta, and not having, well I am having nightmares even with the decreased does, and clanging in my head.

    I just found this site, and I really need help, I can't do this, I fear I willl never get off this brutal medication.

    Deboreah Wesson

Posted 14 January 2010 - 01:47 PM

I've never actually posted to a site like this before, but I think this time I need it. Here's my situation in a nutshell (a rather large nutshell): I've had GAD & GAD Related Depression for years (most of life undiagnosed). About 10 years ago I sought medical help. I did what I call the "med-go-round" for about a year, and finally settled on Cymbalta (along with a couple of other drugs - Xanex, of course, and I think at that time it might have been Trazadone?). Cymbalta seemed to be the answer to my prayers. The weight I had gained came off, I was able to get my life back together, but then realized my life was not what I wanted it to be. So with major life changes (one of them being a huge cutback in income with a job change), I weaned myself off all my meds & was happy. My body is very sensitive to drugs and at that time I believe was getting away with just 20 mg of Cymbalta a day. Weaning off of it was nothing like what I went thru with Paxil!!

Fast forward to a year & a half ago -- life takes a downswing & I'm back on the drugs. This time it's 40 mg of Cymbalta, 50 of Limotrigine, and Xanex as needed. Once again, I've decided to make the life changes and get off the drugs. (I quit my job, so no more insurance...)

This time, getting off the Cymbalta has been really hard. Like I said, I'm very sensitive to meds, so I know my doses are low compared to a lot of people, but I went from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 (a couple of weeks at each level) and then dropped to zero. I've been off Cymbalta since January 9th. The withdrawal is bad, but after being off for 5 days, I really hate to think about putting that poison back in my body again - counting the beads - ect. It makes me weep at the thought (literally tears are dripping down my face now). I'm not suicidal or anything, I just want to be myself again.

So I need some advice and/or feedback. If it's just a few more days, I can stick it out. If it's going to be weeks, then maybe I need to start counting beads? I don't know - I just want to be done, but I'm sick of the brain zaps, the memory lapses, the crying & the rages...

What do I do??



Rush,
Welcome, sorry you had to have this happen to you, God am I sorry.
If you need any help just let me know. I am here for you!

Everyone is right no one can tell you what to do, but we can share
our experience, strenght, and hope.

for me I didn't listen at first, and suffered dearly, but also my
memory was so bad I would forget what dose I was on, and end up
decreasing , and not remembering it. I did get it all fixed, but
for me, and so many other's the best way to get off this stuff is
to just decrease by 1 mg per day = 9 beads, and if your still having
an awful time, then just do 5 beads, oh every two weeks.

If you have any questions, just let me know,
Debbie

#4 Rush

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Posted 14 January 2010 - 02:50 PM

Sigh... Thanks Nurse Deborah & Queen Timely for the responses. I guess I'll go back to counting again. Quite a while ago my husband gave me a weekly pill box and that really helps me remember what doses I've been taking & when to taper again. It may sound silly and old fashioned, but the box REALLY helps me. I think I just needed that extra kick in the butt to get myself to back-up & finish tapering off more slowly.

I'm not one of those people who believe that Cymbalta is evil, but I wish there was more awareness, education and resources for those of us who have to quit. How many products are there to assist people with quitting smoking? How many programs/groups are available to alcoholics or narcotic abusers? I know in my head that I'm not an "addict" or an "abuser", but my body doesn't know the difference - it just wants the drug. I'm so glad there are at least forums like this for people to share. My husband is wonderful & tries to support me the best he can -- he's asked me several times to try & explain what's going on, but it's so hard to make someone who hasn't been through it understand the battle that seems to be taking place in my own body & brain. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!

Thanks again for the responses & for reading my rant. I'll slow things down a little and try to keep thinking positive.

Rush

Rush,
Welcome, sorry you had to have this happen to you, God am I sorry.
If you need any help just let me know. I am here for you!

Everyone is right no one can tell you what to do, but we can share
our experience, strenght, and hope.

for me I didn't listen at first, and suffered dearly, but also my
memory was so bad I would forget what dose I was on, and end up
decreasing , and not remembering it. I did get it all fixed, but
for me, and so many other's the best way to get off this stuff is
to just decrease by 1 mg per day = 9 beads, and if your still having
an awful time, then just do 5 beads, oh every two weeks.

If you have any questions, just let me know,
Debbie


#5 Junior

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Posted 17 January 2010 - 03:08 AM

Hi Rush

If you and your husband would like to know a little more about why it is hard withdrawing from drugs like Cymbalta, please let me know and I'll try to explain. (I have a 4yr degree in psychology with a special interest in mental health).

Just please stick with your tapering schedule. From the many stories I've read in recent months (both here and at a Paxil withdrawal forum), the slow taper has a far better success rate than a quick taper or the cold turkey 'method'.

Regards
Junior

#6 Rush

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Posted 17 January 2010 - 10:45 PM

Junior - I also have a degree in psychology (but I was anti-med for many years). After reading responses & looking thru additional other posts, I went back to 5 mg a day and I seem to be stabilized for now. I did have a bit of a anxiety/panic episode 2 nights ago in public, but I managed to work thru it before I had to actually leave the establishment. Since then I've been pretty good. I'm going to stay at 5 for about a week more, and then drop 1 mg per week or so unless I feel all "wonky" again and then I'll slow it down even further. It's just so hard to be patient -- I just want to be done with it all!

But that makes me think of another question -- to get thru the tapering, I've been relying on my Xanex more. Am I going to have issues with that later? I've had the script for years & years, and when I went completely off regular meds before & changed my life situation, I hardly ever had to take it. But since tapering off the Cymbalta, I find that I'm relying on it more (but still not more than my script allows per day).

Today was a really good day for me - I helped a friend paint in a house he's selling, went to a dance class (which I haven't done since October), and did some work (at home) on a charity I'm involved with - so I'm feeling really up right now. I hope this keeps up - but I always feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. What goes up, must come down...??

Now that I've found this forum I'll keep coming back - hopefully to be able to tell people the story of how I was able to do this & not go bonkers, or at least give others the same encouraging messages that I've gotten. I swear I can feel the positive energy behind me now & I am grateful and sincerely thankful.

Rush


Hi Rush

If you and your husband would like to know a little more about why it is hard withdrawing from drugs like Cymbalta, please let me know and I'll try to explain. (I have a 4yr degree in psychology with a special interest in mental health).

Just please stick with your tapering schedule. From the many stories I've read in recent months (both here and at a Paxil withdrawal forum), the slow taper has a far better success rate than a quick taper or the cold turkey 'method'.

Regards
Junior


#7 QueenTimely

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    I am currently on Cymbalta after many years of other drugs including Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor. I had a terrible experience coming off of Effexor that resulted only in my going back on, then changing to Cymbalta. I feel, at this point, that the drugs are causing as many problems as the initial depression did, and am looking at the possibility of coming off but am living this year in rural Italy and need some real support in considering this possibility and its consequences.

Posted 18 January 2010 - 04:18 AM

Hi Rush -
Although I too have a degree in psychology, for what that's worth :) , I do not know what to tell you about the xanax except the obvious: it's probably better not to rely on it too much. What too much is, I cannot tell you. I think there is a withdrawal syndrome associated with it, so better take it easy. What I can tell you, with a great deal of confidence, is that there is amazing work going on now in using mindfulness techniques to cope with depression and anxiety and this is what is giving me my life back. I recommend at least the following two books:

The Mindfulness Way Through Depression http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/1593851286 and
The Happiness Trap http://www.amazon.co... Happiness Trap

I am also aware of rave reviews for Steven Hayes "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life." I will order and read this one too. http://www.amazon.co...63806330&sr=1-1

My mindfulness practices have helped me enormously to not be brought down by anxiety, negative emotions and negative thoughts. :D

#8 Junior

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Posted 18 January 2010 - 06:41 AM

Hi Rush and Queen

MY psych degree means something :) - at least to me :D . See, I went back to school at the age of 37 and recently, at the age of 46 landed a 6 month job (maternity leave) - as a new graduate B) .

Queen you may have read a post or two of mine elsewhere where I explained: it's just about how SSRIs and SNRIs actually work and why people often suffer withdrawal when they come off them.

Rush - my psychiatrist told me that as far as Benzos are concerned, Xanax is at the higher end in terms of being addictive. Please be careful. From what I've heard, tapering off benzos is a LOT harder than getting off anti-depressants.

Queen - I understand the Mindfulness thing is being used more and more in the field of psychology - with a great deal of success. I know it's based on buddhist philosophy and that it's about accepting the moment and feeling it fully but that's really all I know.

Regards
Junior

#9 QueenTimely

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    I am currently on Cymbalta after many years of other drugs including Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor. I had a terrible experience coming off of Effexor that resulted only in my going back on, then changing to Cymbalta. I feel, at this point, that the drugs are causing as many problems as the initial depression did, and am looking at the possibility of coming off but am living this year in rural Italy and need some real support in considering this possibility and its consequences.

Posted 18 January 2010 - 07:45 AM

Oh, I'm sorry. :) . I think I stepped on your toes and didn't mean to. I'm sure your psych degree is meaningful. Truly. I'm reeling a bit from everything people with psych degrees, or the like, have not been able to do in regards to my depression, anxiety and getting off medications that were not doing the job they were meant to do. And I've been in therapy for most of my life. Please forgive any offense I have unwittingly caused.

Hi Rush and Queen

MY psych degree means something :D - at least to me B) . See, I went back to school at the age of 37 and recently, at the age of 46 landed a 6 month job (maternity leave) - as a new graduate B) .

Queen you may have read a post or two of mine elsewhere where I explained: it's just about how SSRIs and SNRIs actually work and why people often suffer withdrawal when they come off them.

Rush - my psychiatrist told me that as far as Benzos are concerned, Xanax is at the higher end in terms of being addictive. Please be careful. From what I've heard, tapering off benzos is a LOT harder than getting off anti-depressants.

Queen - I understand the Mindfulness thing is being used more and more in the field of psychology - with a great deal of success. I know it's based on buddhist philosophy and that it's about accepting the moment and feeling it fully but that's really all I know.

Regards
Junior


#10 Rush

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Posted 18 January 2010 - 06:36 PM

Congrats!! Even though I had a great day yesterday, I had a horrible time sleeping. I'm stil having the crazy vivid dreams. So, I'm still going to keep it slow. It's nice to hear that someone is doing well!


Hang in there! I have been slowly weaning since Thanksgiving. I took Nurse Deborah's advice and removed beads from my 60mg pills, then got a prescription for 30mg and removed beads. I started to really experience symptoms towards the end, but knew that I wanted to stay with it. Today is day 3 of NO PILLS! I have been a little "on edge" and have experienced dizziness, but nothing compared to going CT. I am looking forward to a good, restful night's sleep. You can do it.


#11 Junior

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Posted 19 January 2010 - 02:51 AM

Oh, I'm sorry. :) . I think I stepped on your toes and didn't mean to. I'm sure your psych degree is meaningful. Truly. I'm reeling a bit from everything people with psych degrees, or the like, have not been able to do in regards to my depression, anxiety and getting off medications that were not doing the job they were meant to do. And I've been in therapy for most of my life. Please forgive any offense I have unwittingly caused.


It's ok Queen. I didn't take offence. I think I knew where you were coming from. And you are right - because in general, a psychology degree means nothing when it comes to medication. This is actually where a lot of people get confused about the differences between psychology and psychiatry. Psychiatrists do a medical degree before going on and specialising in psychiatry. Psychology - if in clinical practice (it is a broad discipline) - is more about talk therapy.

My knowledge about how medications work is partly from my study (they teach how the nervous system works) and partly from a strong interest in the relationship between mental illness and the brain. I'm fascinated in how / why certain medications work for some and why they don't work for others, what their mode of action is, and how it helps (some) individuals with mental illness.

As for my qualifications - the reason they mean so much to me - well it's a long story. In essence, my son (who has autism) is an only child meaning that I will never have grandchildren. I needed to do something with my life and the decision to go back to school was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Better go, people want their dinner! :D
Cheers
Junior

#12 Junior

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Posted 19 January 2010 - 03:05 AM

Oh..and in terms of your struggle with depression - unfortunately some forms are treatment resistant. Sorry that you've had such a hard time with it. My experiences have been episodic but it's enough for me to know how debilitating it is :( . Give me phsyical pain any day!

Junior :)

#13 QueenTimely

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    I am currently on Cymbalta after many years of other drugs including Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor. I had a terrible experience coming off of Effexor that resulted only in my going back on, then changing to Cymbalta. I feel, at this point, that the drugs are causing as many problems as the initial depression did, and am looking at the possibility of coming off but am living this year in rural Italy and need some real support in considering this possibility and its consequences.

Posted 19 January 2010 - 04:14 AM

Hi Junior -
My step-father is a psychiatrist, and I've seen many. With all due respect to him and to all the other psychiatrists I've seen, the bottom line is, as far as I can tell: IF THERE ARE PSYCHIATRISTS WHO KNOW WHEN A PERSON SHOULD STOP THEIR MEDICATION AND HOW TO HELP THEM GET OFF IT WITHOUT TRAUMA, I HAVE NEITHER MET NOR HEARD OF ONE. :(

And this to me is an absolute scandal. Not one of them was able to help me identify when the medication was becoming part of the problem, or how to help. One of my psychiatrists, the head of psychiatry at a Veteran's Hospital, was the one who had me phase off a high dose of Effexor in several weeks. When I then suffered from severe and debilitating anxiety attacks, horrific diarrhea and loss of appetite to the tune of 8 kilos, he didn't know it was withdrawal or show any curiosity. Then, he didn't have a mobile number, an emergency number or a doctor covering for him when he was away. Just the "humourous" advice: Don't kill yourself over the weekend. Ha ha. I know not every psychiatrist is like this, but look at the evidence: people trying to get off medication when the effects are negative, have to come to consumer-based websites for strategies and support. What a fiasco.

Anyway: as we say in Australia, good on ya! Good for you for your degree and for your knowledge in this area. And may you have an easy journey with the medication, and help others as well. Thanks to all on this website -- it's an absolute God-send. :)




It's ok Queen. I didn't take offence. I think I knew where you were coming from. And you are right - because in general, a psychology degree means nothing when it comes to medication. This is actually where a lot of people get confused about the differences between psychology and psychiatry. Psychiatrists do a medical degree before going on and specialising in psychiatry. Psychology - if in clinical practice (it is a broad discipline) - is more about talk therapy.

My knowledge about how medications work is partly from my study (they teach how the nervous system works) and partly from a strong interest in the relationship between mental illness and the brain. I'm fascinated in how / why certain medications work for some and why they don't work for others, what their mode of action is, and how it helps (some) individuals with mental illness.

As for my qualifications - the reason they mean so much to me - well it's a long story. In essence, my son (who has autism) is an only child meaning that I will never have grandchildren. I needed to do something with my life and the decision to go back to school was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Better go, people want their dinner! :)
Cheers
Junior


#14 Junior

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Posted 19 January 2010 - 05:21 AM

Hi Queen

I've been very fortunate. I've only had one bad experience with a psychiatrist - the one who put me on Cymbalta!! The reason I didn't go back to him, not even to tell him why I stopped taking it, is that I don't agree with his philosophy. Knowing that I'd been on Aropax for over 10 years he said that if an SSRI 'doesn't work, you move on and try something else'. That made me wonder what he would try after Cymbalta (an SNRI, which didn't agree with me) and I thought.. no way :) He also doesn't believe in psychology .. only CBT and he practises that himself. :(

As far as getting off these medications - you could not be more spot on. I have a very good GP who respects my opinion and works with me rather than for me - but he is learning from me. Not the other way around. I told him that it's the fault of the drug companies for not informing doctors and he wasn't sure that was the case :). He did admit that he doesn't prescribe Aropax much now as it is one of the hardest to come off. He also said that if he was putting me on something now (for the depression he was originally treating me for back in 1997) it would be Lexapro. What he doesn't know, however, is that people are having just as much trouble coming off that!

From what I can gather, drug companies just don't allow their studies to run long enough for the sorts of withdrawal effects that people experience to fully rear their ugly head. I've heard of some people having no trouble getting off their a/d initially, only to have major problems 6-7 months down the track! What scares me is that it seems ALL modern A/ds are addictive and that the medical profession hasn't realised it yet. Modern day a/ds are the modern day valium. :unsure:

As for me looking at coming off the Aropax - I'm fortunate. I just don't seem to suffer the withdrawal problems that so many others do. Not with Aropax anyway. Coming off Cymbalta was a bugger but even then, I didn't suffer to the extent that many others do. I've been on Aropax, Lexapro and Cymbalta and have NEVER had a brain zap! :huh:

This website helped me a lot as well. I'm past the crisis time but I'm more than happy to hang around and give something back :)

Warm regards
Junior

#15 nursedeborah

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    I am reallly trying to get off Cymbalta, and not having, well I am having nightmares even with the decreased does, and clanging in my head.

    I just found this site, and I really need help, I can't do this, I fear I willl never get off this brutal medication.

    Deboreah Wesson

Posted 19 January 2010 - 02:11 PM

Congrats!! Even though I had a great day yesterday, I had a horrible time sleeping. I'm stil having the crazy vivid dreams. So, I'm still going to keep it slow. It's nice to hear that someone is doing well!


Rush,
Your dose is to low, are you on the 10 mg or the 20 mg?
Being that you had been on the 10 mg, and were only off
for a few days,I really don't think your ready, or that
that big of a decrease is right for you. You should feel
better. Just try upping it, and see what happens.

Debbie

#16 Rush

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Posted 19 January 2010 - 06:36 PM

Debbie,

My original script was for 2 X 20mg per day, so I had been dividing the beads on the 20 mg caplets as I was tapering. So for the last fews days I've been counting beads to get 5 mg a day. Aside from the insomnia/vivid dreams, this seems to be working. Since I'm not working right now, I feel like I can tackle the sleep issues. The irrational mood swings, brain zaps, etc. stopped when I went back to 5 mg. I'm going to continue the 5 for a few more days, and then drop 1 mg at a time (a week at a time) and see how it goes.

Like I said, I'm very sensitive to drugs & I've always been on low dosages for everything (except Paxil - don't EVEN get me started on that fiasco!!). Since I quit my job, I have no insurance and can't really afford the price of meds, so I'm hoping to be able to taper off with my most recent refill - which at this rate, I should be able to do.

I'm sure everyone on this forum has felt or heard this a million times -- but I just want to be done with it! I'm making the life changes, I'm doing CB therapy, I've got tons of self-help books -- I just want this stuff out of my system - and that makes the tapering so hard to do. When I quit smoking, I did it cold turkey. When I quit caffiene, I did it cold turkey. It's hard to be patient with your body when your mind has been made up!

But again, I can't express enough gratitude for this forum. I'm not sure what sort of mess I'd be in without it. The steady assurances of "you can do it", and "just take it slow" -- all of those really have helped. I have been checking the site each day now, not only in search of similar stories, but in hopes that I can pass forward the help that was passed to me.

"Slow and steady wins the race..."

Angie

Rush,
Your dose is to low, are you on the 10 mg or the 20 mg?
Being that you had been on the 10 mg, and were only off
for a few days,I really don't think your ready, or that
that big of a decrease is right for you. You should feel
better. Just try upping it, and see what happens.

Debbie


#17 Junior

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 03:48 AM

Paxil eh? *rubs chin* I go to a Paxil withdrawal forum and many people there have been to hell and back in their attempts to get off it. I'm on Paxil myself and so far have had a lot LESS trouble getting off it than I did with Cymbalta. Go figure!

Junior

#18 Rush

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 11:56 AM

For me Paxil was the definition of pure evil. Of course, it didn't help that the Dr I was seeing at the time was a complete idiot. He cranked me up so fast & so high on the stuff, that it completely changed my personality. My family finally had to convince that something was wrong. Then he had me quit cold turkey & I spiralled so far down I wasn't sure I would ever come back up. *shudder* Bad times...

Paxil eh? *rubs chin* I go to a Paxil withdrawal forum and many people there have been to hell and back in their attempts to get off it. I'm on Paxil myself and so far have had a lot LESS trouble getting off it than I did with Cymbalta. Go figure!

Junior


#19 bcgirl45

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    Quit klonopin cold turkey about 40 days ago. Cymbalta weaning and looking for info to get this OUT!

Posted 29 January 2010 - 12:31 PM

Junior - I also have a degree in psychology (but I was anti-med for many years). After reading responses & looking thru additional other posts, I went back to 5 mg a day and I seem to be stabilized for now. I did have a bit of a anxiety/panic episode 2 nights ago in public, but I managed to work thru it before I had to actually leave the establishment. Since then I've been pretty good. I'm going to stay at 5 for about a week more, and then drop 1 mg per week or so unless I feel all "wonky" again and then I'll slow it down even further. It's just so hard to be patient -- I just want to be done with it all!

But that makes me think of another question -- to get thru the tapering, I've been relying on my Xanex more. Am I going to have issues with that later? I've had the script for years & years, and when I went completely off regular meds before & changed my life situation, I hardly ever had to take it. But since tapering off the Cymbalta, I find that I'm relying on it more (but still not more than my script allows per day).

Today was a really good day for me - I helped a friend paint in a house he's selling, went to a dance class (which I haven't done since October), and did some work (at home) on a charity I'm involved with - so I'm feeling really up right now. I hope this keeps up - but I always feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. What goes up, must come down...??

Now that I've found this forum I'll keep coming back - hopefully to be able to tell people the story of how I was able to do this & not go bonkers, or at least give others the same encouraging messages that I've gotten. I swear I can feel the positive energy behind me now & I am grateful and sincerely thankful.

Rush

Hi Rush, My name's Tracy, I just finished reading the discussions here, just wanted to share an irony I suppose. First, you're all such smart people, you, Junior, Queen Timely (Thanks for the book suggestions, I wrote them down, going holistic too.)I'm just an entertainer :( I was prescribed cymbalta while taking the benzodaizipine-klonopin, right beside xanax. (I didn't even know what a benzo (new lingo) was until 3 months ago when I quit. Not just naive right.) So yah ,be careful, with xanax. I was on klonopin (prescribed for sleep and anxiety) for a long time though, about a yr. and a half. Then they introduced cymbalta, and for the last 13 mos., I was on both, together. So in total, about 30 months, with klonopin first, and then with klonopin and cymbalta together. I became educated in regards to pharmeceutical addiction after the fact. The irony is, you're tapering cymbalta, using a little xanax(benzadiazipine) to help (I know you're not abusing it,you're hardly taking any, and you've had an old prescription for years.) And I was using klonopin( benzodiazipine)up to 2.5mg daily as prescribed, (not realizing, I was abusing it, as prescribed, no more, however, no less, holy cow.) and they put me on cymbalta,because I was getting huge panic attacks closer together.(I now know, I was going through (benzodiazipine) klonopin withdrawals, while on it;and, it had stopped working, and I wouldn't up any more doses. Just like cymbalta withdrawals, when you don't up the doses.)I had to learn all of this on the internet. Addiction, withdrawal, tapering, was never addressed. Instead of telling me I needed to discontinue klonopin, and it was obviously way more than a "little chemical dependency" (catch phrase which I bought until I just quit) and they put me on cymbalta because of greater panic attacks I was having, and emotional pain. It's like some kind of sick cyle, some aspects of the world of medicine. Where are the doctor's in all of this? Pharmeceutical Co.'s? Oh my gosh. I trusted. No more panic attacks, now that I'm off of klonopin (benzodiazipine), and cymbalta. And, I now know, why my brain and my body were so wound up and exhausted. I thought I was just going crazy, and working too much after a trauma. I didn't have the answers, to ask any of the right questions. Not pertaining to you Rush, (just wanted to share the negative potential of a benzodiazipine over a long period of time, through my experince., and how that drug, landed me a prescription for cymbalta, the irony.) Just some insight for anyone that might be on a benzodiazapine(xanax, klonopin, valuim) long term, like I was, together with cymbalta. I say this, keeping in mind I know we're all different; I had no idea the cymbalta made me physiologically sick, until I removed the benzodiazipine (klonopin). That's why I had to do a quick cymbalta taper. The best to all of you guys, bcgirl45-Yah, a Canuck. We absolutely adore all you Aussies! Had insomnia, panic attacks, from a very painful personal trauma which started all of this, to sum it up.



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