3 replies to this topic

[cookie]

I started Cymbalta 60mg 5 years ago, due to my severe depression. The first year, my depression symptoms improved, although I never went back to be the productive, sociable person I was. The following years, cymbalta was not as effective as before in treating my depression.

I never thought about quitting Cymbalta until I found this site (I am knew in this forum), I started reading the withdrawal symptoms, and became really scared. Sounds like the withdrawal symptoms are worse than the illness for which cymbalta was prescribed. So I decided it is time for starting reducing my dose. The first barrier was my psychiatrist, he says that my brain needs antidepressants forever to function, like a diabetic needs insulin to survive.

In spite of this, I am determined to reduce my dose, and get off of cymbalta in the near future. I do not want to take antidepressants anymore, but to rely in a more healthy lifestyle (diet, yoga, vitamins, omega 3, etc). I want to search natural ways to boost neurotrasmitters (serotonin) and learn to live without meds.

My specific questions are:
1. How is life without cymbalta?? It has been so long since I first started taking it (5 years), that I do not remember how was life without it. Once, you overcome the withdrawal symptoms, what do you feel?
2. Once you quit, do you get the initial symptoms you had when Cymbalta was first prescribed??? Do your initial symptoms return?. For example: if you were depressed and cymbalta helped, do you again feel depressed when quitting?
3. Are the withdrawal symptoms the same initial symptoms for which cymbalta was prescribed or new symptoms?
4. How long do the withdrawal symptoms last??
I would appreciate your support

[mentalpatient]

my brain needs antidepressants forever to function, like a diabetic needs insulin to survive.

This is an amazing quote to me..! There has not been enough research done to determine the "long-term" effects of anti-depressents. Your brain in NOT like a pancreas that stops producing insulin. Serotonin levels change every day for many different reasons...

I would have to ask a few things to get to know your situation better....

1. How long were you depressed?
2. Was it as a result of a traumatic event? Divorce, lost job, death in the family etc....

[cookie]

Thank you for answering. I do not like that quote either. There must be natural ways to boost serotonin levels.
To answer your questions:
1. I have been depressed for 8 years. The first 4 years were not that bad, I was able to function, work and socialize. Then a severe depression struck, that prevent me to have a normal life.
2. I do not think my depression is due to a traumatic event. Although throughout my life I do have lived what you mention: lost my boyfriend (which I do not care anymore), lost my job due to my severe depression, death in the family (a sister) long time ago back in 1988. To tell you the truth I do not think these events triggered my depression. None of them bother me anymore except for loosing my job (but my depression appeared 1 year before loosing my job). I do believe my depression is due to a biochemical cause, bad functioning of neurotrasmitters.

[cookie]

Thank you for answering. I do not like that quote either. There must be natural ways to boost serotonin levels.
To answer your questions:
1. I have been depressed for 8 years. The first 4 years were not that bad, I was able to function, work and socialize. Then a severe depression struck, that prevent me to have a normal life.
2. I do not think my depression is due to a traumatic event. Although throughout my life I do have lived what you mention: lost my boyfriend (which I do not care anymore), lost my job due to my severe depression, death in the family (a sister) long time ago back in 1988. To tell you the truth I do not think these events triggered my depression. None of them bother me anymore except for loosing my job (but my depression appeared 1 year before loosing my job). I do believe my depression is due to a biochemical cause, bad functioning of neurotrasmitters.