28 replies to this topic

[OasisFlyer]

I am so glad that I found this forum and so many other people that are going through this!

I started on Cymbalta 60mg about 2 years ago for depression. Over the past 2-3 years I have been extremely fatigued and am now being treated for sleep apnea. The fatigue has not lessened, so my doc and I wonder if it's the Cymbalta that is making me tired. To wean off he gave me 2 weeks worth (14 pills) of 30mg to take then just stop after that. I took my first 30mg last Wednesday and felt pretty good! So, I thought I'd be okay taking out a few beads a day to get off the 30's (since the idea of stopping cold scared me), and boy was I wrong! I've been unable to function for 3 days! I had horrible night sweats, dehydration, dizziness, brain zaps and yesterday I felt like I had the flu. I need to get back to work and function normally, so I took enough to get me back to 60mg last night. Today, I am an emotional mess and I'm having suicidal feelings that are really scaring me. I feel like I am floating, I'm feeling really anxious, and possibly even manic. I do feel like I can go out of the house though, unlike the past few days, but I'm also feeling like I just took one step forward and two steps back

Should I stay on the 60mg for another few days to stabilize before I start taking some beads out?

[MaureenV]

I am so glad that I found this forum and so many other people that are going through this!

I started on Cymbalta 60mg about 2 years ago for depression. Over the past 2-3 years I have been extremely fatigued and am now being treated for sleep apnea. The fatigue has not lessened, so my doc and I wonder if it's the Cymbalta that is making me tired. To wean off he gave me 2 weeks worth (14 pills) of 30mg to take then just stop after that. I took my first 30mg last Wednesday and felt pretty good! So, I thought I'd be okay taking out a few beads a day to get off the 30's (since the idea of stopping cold scared me), and boy was I wrong! I've been unable to function for 3 days! I had horrible night sweats, dehydration, dizziness, brain zaps and yesterday I felt like I had the flu. I need to get back to work and function normally, so I took enough to get me back to 60mg last night. Today, I am an emotional mess and I'm having suicidal feelings that are really scaring me. I feel like I am floating, I'm feeling really anxious, and possibly even manic. I do feel like I can go out of the house though, unlike the past few days, but I'm also feeling like I just took one step forward and two steps back

Should I stay on the 60mg for another few days to stabilize before I start taking some beads out?

Many people find they can go from 60mg to 30mg without too many problems, but you MUST stay at that dose for at least a few weeks, as for many people, the withdrawal effects don't kick in for up to a week. It's hard to know whether it was the drop to 30mg, or the further drop taking out the beads which caused the problem, because there wasn't enough time in between, and that's the problem with moving too quickly.

In order to do this without too many withdrawal effects you're really going to need more Cymbalta.

My gut feeling is that you could try taking 45mg per day for two weeks and see how that goes. You can do this by either taking out 1/4 of a 60mg, or using 1 1/2 30mg. You can easily divide a capsule in half by tipping half into either side of the capsule and stuffing the end with a piece of bread.

Keep in touch - someone here will be able to make suggestions whichever way you decide to go.


regards, Maureen.

[cookie]

Dear Oasis:
I´ve taken cymbalta for 5 years. Most of the time I took 60mg, sometimes my doctor decrease it to 30mg, then when I felt bad will increase it to 60mg again. So I´ve been between 60 & 30mg all these years. For me going from 60mg to 30mg was not a huge problem (maybe because I was taking another drug that acted on norephinephrine neurotrasmiter).

My feeling is that you went too fast, by taking additional beads out from 30mg. I think taking 30mg for 2 weeks and just stopping after that is a huge goal. Maybe you can go slower, taking more time, and lowering little by little.

Maybe take 60mg for a few days till you stabilize and then decrease just a little.

Hugs
C.

[OasisFlyer]

Many people find they can go from 60mg to 30mg without too many problems, but you MUST stay at that dose for at least a few weeks, as for many people, the withdrawal effects don't kick in for up to a week. It's hard to know whether it was the drop to 30mg, or the further drop taking out the beads which caused the problem, because there wasn't enough time in between, and that's the problem with moving too quickly.

In order to do this without too many withdrawal effects you're really going to need more Cymbalta.

My gut feeling is that you could try taking 45mg per day for two weeks and see how that goes. You can do this by either taking out 1/4 of a 60mg, or using 1 1/2 30mg. You can easily divide a capsule in half by tipping half into either side of the capsule and stuffing the end with a piece of bread.

Keep in touch - someone here will be able to make suggestions whichever way you decide to go.


regards, Maureen.

Thank you for your advice Maureen! I can certainly continue refilling my 60's and use those to start weaning from. I have an important wedding coming up next month, and lots of things to do before then, and I don't want to be all wacky for the next few weeks. I'm thinking I may wait to start weaning again until after then. I should have known better than to think I could wean off so easily :/ I'm so worried about withdrawal now that I'm thinking about taking one or two beads out every other day or something really slow like that!

[OasisFlyer]

Dear Oasis:
I´ve taken cymbalta for 5 years. Most of the time I took 60mg, sometimes my doctor decrease it to 30mg, then when I felt bad will increase it to 60mg again. So I´ve been between 60 & 30mg all these years. For me going from 60mg to 30mg was not a huge problem (maybe because I was taking another drug that acted on norephinephrine neurotrasmiter).

My feeling is that you went too fast, by taking additional beads out from 30mg. I think taking 30mg for 2 weeks and just stopping after that is a huge goal. Maybe you can go slower, taking more time, and lowering little by little.

Maybe take 60mg for a few days till you stabilize and then decrease just a little.

Hugs
C.

Yes, I think I did go too fast, which I very much regret now! I should have checked online for this forum before trying!!!!! My doc and I were planning for me to start on Pristiq after this, so I wonder if that would make any difference as far as helping me off Cymbalta? I'd just like to be medication free for a bit and see how I feel though. I now know for sure that there is no way I can possibly go from 30mg for 2 weeks then stop completely. Time is on my side, I just need to be patient! I do think for now that I will stay with my 60's and just go down VERY slowly from there. Thank you for the hugs!!!!!!!!

[MaureenV]

Thank you for your advice Maureen! I can certainly continue refilling my 60's and use those to start weaning from. I have an important wedding coming up next month, and lots of things to do before then, and I don't want to be all wacky for the next few weeks. I'm thinking I may wait to start weaning again until after then. I should have known better than to think I could wean off so easily :/ I'm so worried about withdrawal now that I'm thinking about taking one or two beads out every other day or something really slow like that!

My pleasure. If you're going to drop by a few beads though, you should, at least initially, wait for at least a week before doing the next drop.

Some people, like me, feel the withdrawal effects immediately, even from a small drop. Others feel fine for about another six days, then all hell breaks loose if they've dropped too much. Until you know which category you fit in to, it's wise to stop at each drop.

For me, because they hit immediately, after about four days, all side effects were gone, and it was only then that I did another drop. I only did tiny drops, too, taking 10 weeks to get from 20gm to zero. I should add the withdrawal effects were very mild, and very manageable, just enough to remind me that going any faster, or a bigger drop wouldn't be pleasant!


You CAN get off without too many problems; it MAY mean it takes a long time. But you might as well get to that point having suffered as little as possible.

Stay tuned here ...


regards, maureen.

[cookie]

Dear Oasis:
Do research on Pristiq before starting it. I´ve learned to research a lot when doctors recommend medicines (after the experience of cymbalta). Please ask your doctor about its benefits, side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
C.

[beanpoleon]

I'm in the below 20mg transition stage where things are more unusual than painful. Driving home from school yesterday I noticed that something didn't seem normal and it dawned on me that everything seemed to be in extreme 3-D. As if I had seen everything in two dimensions my whole life and was finally seeing things in 3-D. It was fascinating but only lasted a minute. Later a song from the mid 80's was playing and I swear I was 20 years old again. Vivid memories came back, but they too faded quickly.

Today, persistant headache, like a fever with no temperature. Eyes slow to focus, but still managed to be productive. Reducing dosage too quickly maybe. Ah, the life of a weanee.

[MaureenV]

I'm in the below 20mg transition stage where things are more unusual than painful. Driving home from school yesterday I noticed that something didn't seem normal and it dawned on me that everything seemed to be in extreme 3-D. As if I had seen everything in two dimensions my whole life and was finally seeing things in 3-D. It was fascinating but only lasted a minute. Later a song from the mid 80's was playing and I swear I was 20 years old again. Vivid memories came back, but they too faded quickly.

Today, persistant headache, like a fever with no temperature. Eyes slow to focus, but still managed to be productive. Reducing dosage too quickly maybe. Ah, the life of a weanee.

Recently I read an official list of withdrawal symptoms, one of which was 'depersonalization' and thought yep, that's what it was like. It's very hard to react and interact with others in a consistent way when you don't feel like you're the same person.

cheers, keep up the good work. DON'T RUSH.

I spent 10 weeks going from 20mg to zero. Unless you have a pressing reason to be off sooner, take your time.

[beanpoleon]

Thanks for the response Maureen.

[beanpoleon]

15 mg seems like the tipping point for me. I'll have to procede with caution from now on. I was late taking my 15 mg dosage and felt minor zaps and strangeness. I heard a slight noise and about jumped out of my skin. Also seem to be losing more hair and my sunny disposition. A see-saw of emotions and vivid memories. Still in charge though(I tell myself.) I have a two week break before summer classes begin and will try to maintain. Got hooked on Wacky Races recently, may have to wean myself off that also.

[MaureenV]

15 mg seems like the tipping point for me. I'll have to procede with caution from now on. I was late taking my 15 mg dosage and felt minor zaps and strangeness. I heard a slight noise and about jumped out of my skin. Also seem to be losing more hair and my sunny disposition. A see-saw of emotions and vivid memories. Still in charge though(I tell myself.) I have a two week break before summer classes begin and will try to maintain. Got hooked on Wacky Races recently, may have to wean myself off that also.

What are Wacky Races? Sounds like fun, anyway!

Hang in there ...


kind regards, Maureen.

[beanpoleon]

It's a cartoon from the sixties that is being reran here in the states. Coincidentally the cable channel it's on is called Boomerang.

I apologize, must be weaning too fast.

[OasisFlyer]

Dear Oasis:
Do research on Pristiq before starting it. I´ve learned to research a lot when doctors recommend medicines (after the experience of cymbalta). Please ask your doctor about its benefits, side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
C.

I am terrified to start another medication when I finally get off Cymbalta! I am going to take my time to end this one, then see how I am without anything for awhile. I have a fear that I won't be able to function without anything either, so this is going to be interesting. Maybe there is a forum like this for Pristiq! Actually, it was recommended to me by my dental hygienist who said that a lot of the girls in the office are on Effexor and it has helped them all tremendously. She also mentioned something about taking a Pharmaceutical class where they mentioned Effexor and Pristiq as being top-notch drugs for depression and anxiety. Problem is, I also have mild bipolar disorder, mild OCD, and PMDD, so I don't know how they will want to treat me with all that going on. Sigh.

[OasisFlyer]

Thanks for the response Maureen. I have experienced depersonalization before, but so far not on cymbalta withdrawal. I see a lot of your replies to others and they are always informative and supportive. I must say though, you have the patience of Job. From what I've gathered, the withdrawal process ranges from mild to maddening. My reaction has been mercifully tame compared to the majority of the people here. Most people are in such deep pain when they begin their research that it is a relief to find that they are not alone or going crazy. This forum provides a place to organize their thoughts and develope a plan. Also just the act of focusing enough to put words to print is theraputic in a small way.

15mg for the next week, then see what happens.

I also have to thank Maureen for her advice! This forum was a lifesaver when I had my episode last week. I am happy to report that I went back on my full dose of 60mg for one day, then have been taking out one or two beads a day (now up to about 6 out per day). I have not had my usual extreme tiredness as much, and have been experiencing a bit of insomnia instead. It has to be coincidental with the dosage changes with the Cymbalta, as I have not had insomnia in years. I am so worried about what is going to happen in the coming months, weaning off this then being medicine free. I have too much going on with my mental health that I can't see being able to function without taking something. I need to find a specialist in my area that knows how to treat someone with multiple mental health disorders. That has been a hurdle in my treatment, as I have not been able to find a place that accepts my insurance, is seeing new patients, has competent office staff and doctors, and is within a reasonable distance from my house. It often seems like there is always an obstacle in the way of me trying to help myself, and I get discouraged after that very easily and often give up. I blame that on my mental state, as it pains me to give up, but I do not have the physical or mental energy to continue to fight through and get myself what I need many times. I could write and write here, as it's so nice to know there are people out there who are listening. Has anyone had success with psychotherapy or counseling? I do think that would help me as well.

[beanpoleon]

Hey OasisFlyer. You sound just like me, without the PMDD. I used to sneer at the thought of counseling but when I told my M.D about the ineffectiveness of AD's, she said that maybe it's my personality.

[beanpoleon]

Talked to counselor yesterday, burst into tears, never done that before, embarassing. Shaved my beard, look even stranger. Two weeks to regroup, clean house, excercise, eat healthy, my list of things I probably won't do. Had to take a couple of klonapin, slept well at least. I went to the vet to get things for the cats, had to wear sunglasses even though it was raining to cover eyes red from crying. Lower than whale crap. At least I know this is part of the process, like being three drinks behind. Libido still AWOL...the selfish bastard.

[MaureenV]

Talked to counselor yesterday, burst into tears, never done that before, embarassing. Shaved my beard, look even stranger. Two weeks to regroup, clean house, excercise, eat healthy, my list of things I probably won't do. Had to take a couple of klonapin, slept well at least. I went to the vet to get things for the cats, had to wear sunglasses even though it was raining to cover eyes red from crying. Lower than whale crap. At least I know this is part of the process, like being three drinks behind. Libido still AWOL...the selfish bastard.

Hi beanpolean, what does are you down to? I've lost track, sorry.


Don't worry, your libido will return, in spades, too, if you're one of the lucky ones whose libido seems to want to make up for lost time. Or perhaps it's just that we 'forget' how damned good it feels!


regards, Maureen.

[OasisFlyer]

Talked to counselor yesterday, burst into tears, never done that before, embarassing. Shaved my beard, look even stranger. Two weeks to regroup, clean house, excercise, eat healthy, my list of things I probably won't do. Had to take a couple of klonapin, slept well at least. I went to the vet to get things for the cats, had to wear sunglasses even though it was raining to cover eyes red from crying. Lower than whale crap. At least I know this is part of the process, like being three drinks behind. Libido still AWOL...the selfish bastard.

I've been sleeping terrible as well. The insomnia has passed a little, now I am able to nap during the day at least. Gotta get the sleep when I can! I was very emotional last week when I went down in the dose too fast. It was a nightmare. I am just going very, very slowly now, and if it takes me months to wean, then so be it. Better than being miserable. Though, I did feel "better" since lowering my dose, up until yesterday. Now I'm back to feeling the way I was before starting to wean, which is tired, fatigued, no energy... all for no reason whatsoever. The docs are stumped. I'm over it. I want my life back. I'm tired of sleeping and not getting anything done from lack of energy. How depressing

[beanpoleon]

Hello Maureen, 15 mgs and holding. I was gauging my withdrawal success on lack of brain zaps and anxiety but a deep sadness snuck in when I wasn't looking. It could have been normal though; my counselor and I were talking about family and I thought of my deceased mother (so close to mother's day at that). On a strange level it felt good to experience genuine, strong, healthy emotions. I've heard they existed but considered them to be only rumors.

My MD says for people who have migraines a very small amount of amytriptyline, below theraputic levels for depression can help prevent them. I feel better at 15mg of cymbalta now than I did at 60. Maybe 15mg (below theraputic value) is just enough to take the edge off without dulling everything into sameness. Someone said that being on strong AD's reminded him of having a fabulous meal waiting and the host dumps everything into a blender, turning it into grayish pablum. He may not have to taste anything bitter, but he can't savor the sweet. I will remain at this level or slowly taper and evaluate. I did go from 30 mg to 15 in just over a week, by all accounts much too fast.

OasisFlyer, sorry to hear that you are experiencing such trouble with this. Some days are worse than others. Hopefully you will find a way to lift your spirits. One thing I've found absolutely to be true is in order to have energy I have to use energy. I'm more tired after wasting a day playing video games than I am after a day of yard work.

[OasisFlyer]

Hello Maureen, 15 mgs and holding. I was gauging my withdrawal success on lack of brain zaps and anxiety but a deep sadness snuck in when I wasn't looking. It could have been normal though; my counselor and I were talking about family and I thought of my deceased mother (so close to mother's day at that). On a strange level it felt good to experience genuine, strong, healthy emotions. I've heard they existed but considered them to be only rumors.

My MD says for people who have migraines a very small amount of amytriptyline, below theraputic levels for depression can help prevent them. I feel better at 15mg of cymbalta now than I did at 60. Maybe 15mg (below theraputic value) is just enough to take the edge off without dulling everything into sameness. Someone said that being on strong AD's reminded him of having a fabulous meal waiting and the host dumps everything into a blender, turning it into grayish pablum. He may not have to taste anything bitter, but he can't savor the sweet. I will remain at this level or slowly taper and evaluate. I did go from 30 mg to 15 in just over a week, by all accounts much too fast.

OasisFlyer, sorry to hear that you are experiencing such trouble with this. Some days are worse than others. Hopefully you will find a way to lift your spirits. One thing I've found absolutely to be true is in order to have energy I have to use energy. I'm more tired after wasting a day playing video games than I am after a day of yard work.

I am worried about becoming sad (sadder?) myself after weaning off, since the Cymbalta did keep me from becoming too sad over the course of the treatment. I completely understand what you mean about the sameness! I only feel real emotions when not on some kind of AD (been on a few over the years) except for rare occasions when the circumstances were extreme either way.

As far as my tiredness/fatigue, I have been diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea, low ferritin (iron stores), sinusitis (2 surgeries plus a tonsillectomy), allergies, depression, and most recently it has been discovered that I have postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia! Somewhere in there, something is causing this tiredness, whether it be the medications prescribed (which is why I am going off Cymbalta) or lack of a diagnosis and proper treatment. I have been prescribed more pills than my 86 year old grandmother!! I'm about to turn 29, I'm in the prime of my life, I'm single, no kids, and practically no life. I have to take Provigil to get through most days at work. Sorry, I don't mean to be a total downer or complain... after all this is a Cymbalta weaning forum! I suppose I just wonder what is going to happen when I am finally off it and I try to function without an AD. I fear a few weeks of feeling... well.... probably about the same as I do now :/

[MaureenV]

Hello Maureen, 15 mgs and holding. I was gauging my withdrawal success on lack of brain zaps and anxiety but a deep sadness snuck in when I wasn't looking. It could have been normal though; my counselor and I were talking about family and I thought of my deceased mother (so close to mother's day at that). On a strange level it felt good to experience genuine, strong, healthy emotions. I've heard they existed but considered them to be only rumors.

My MD says for people who have migraines a very small amount of amytriptyline, below theraputic levels for depression can help prevent them. I feel better at 15mg of cymbalta now than I did at 60. Maybe 15mg (below theraputic value) is just enough to take the edge off without dulling everything into sameness. Someone said that being on strong AD's reminded him of having a fabulous meal waiting and the host dumps everything into a blender, turning it into grayish pablum. He may not have to taste anything bitter, but he can't savor the sweet. I will remain at this level or slowly taper and evaluate. I did go from 30 mg to 15 in just over a week, by all accounts much too fast.

OasisFlyer, sorry to hear that you are experiencing such trouble with this. Some days are worse than others. Hopefully you will find a way to lift your spirits. One thing I've found absolutely to be true is in order to have energy I have to use energy. I'm more tired after wasting a day playing video games than I am after a day of yard work.

Howdy, 15mg, that's great.


I'm always a bit wary about what's considered to be a 'therapeutic dose'. Apart from a few annoying side effects, I was doing quite well on 30mg of Cymbalta. Couldn't see my normal GP, and the bloke I saw insisted that 60mg was the minimum therapeutic dose, despite me insisting I felt fine. I didn't know at that stage about opening and dividing the capsule contents.

I had such bad side effects from the 60mg, and figured that if I wasn't even on a therapeutic dose at 30mg, then maybe I didn't need Cymbalta at all (wrong) and decided to wean off it. When my GP got back I got another 30mg prescription and eventually got to 30mg every second day (ouch!) and eventually found this site. I have no doubt my own GP would have been guided by me and let me stay on 30mg, and I'd probably still be on it.

A few months off Cymbalta, I realized I needed 'something' because I was having too much of an affect on the people I live with. I asked for Prozac, given the people on here who took it to help with withdrawal never seemed to have a problem, but researched it beforehand and it was a bit of an eyeopener.

The minimum therapeutic dose of Prozac is 20mg, but if you look at the studies done (and I'm quoting off the top of my head here), 40% are helped with 10mg, 55% are helped with 15mg, 75% are helped with 20mg, 80% are helped with 40mg etc etc (the figures are not accurate, but you get the drift). In other words, everyone's body is so different no one can say what the best dose is for any individual. They strike a percentage at which the vast majority of people get benefit and set that figure as the 'therapeutic'dose. I'm one for whom even 5mg of prozac helps.


So many people too, on here, have said that they started actually 'feeling' things again, to the extent that they cried at completely stupid things (me included). Sometimes during withdrawal I'd be in tears for absolutely no reason. The day i wasn't in tears at all I knew I'd turned a corner.

Hang in there ...


kind regards, Maureen.

[beanpoleon]

Wow OasisFlyer, it's amazing that you can function as well as you do. The PTN causes "some of the most excruciating pain that someone can experience." And the Provigil causes awful side effects which could lead you to take Cymbalta (or vice versa) which opens up another can of worms. Add the PMDD, OCD and bi-polarity and their meds into this and I'm starting to understand the depths of your suffering. I don't see your posts as complaining or a downer but as someone truly desperate for answers. I know it can be hard to think straight but your last post ended a little worrisome, I hope I'm wrong. Try to address the most disturbing issues first and work on the others as needed. Maybe counseling could help you with that. So young for such burdens.



Thanks for the dosage information Maureen, there does seem to be quite a bit of leeway in the helpful amount. I will alway be a neurotic mess but at my age I'm starting to accept it. If 10 or 15mg of cymbalta works, then so be it.

"The day I wasn't in tears at all I knew I'd turned a corner" brings back memories from almost 25 years ago. I was misprescribed Mellaril (a truly vile witches brew) for anxiety, hated it and quit cold turkey. I was totally unaware of withdrawal symptoms back then, thought I was going mad and checked myself into a hospital. I was out a few days later but for two days I found a secluded spot and cried uncontrollably. The third day, nothing, not a tear, sob, sniffle, not even a whimper. I couldn't force to cry if my life depended on it. I knew I had turned a corner.

[OasisFlyer]

Wow OasisFlyer, it's amazing that you can function as well as you do. The PTN causes "some of the most excruciating pain that someone can experience." And the Provigil causes awful side effects which could lead you to take Cymbalta (or vice versa) which opens up another can of worms. Add the PMDD, OCD and bi-polarity and their meds into this and I'm starting to understand the depths of your suffering. I don't see your posts as complaining or a downer but as someone truly desperate for answers. I know it can be hard to think straight but your last post ended a little worrisome, I hope I'm wrong. Try to address the most disturbing issues first and work on the others as needed. Maybe counseling could help you with that. So young for such burdens.



Thanks for the dosage information Maureen, there does seem to be quite a bit of leeway in the helpful amount. I will alway be a neurotic mess but at my age I'm starting to accept it. If 10 or 15mg of cymbalta works, then so be it.

"The day I wasn't in tears at all I knew I'd turned a corner" brings back fond memories from almost 25 years ago. I was misprescribed Mellaril (a truly vile witches brew) for anxiety, hated it and quit cold turkey. I was totally unaware of withdrawal symptoms back then, thought I was going mad and checked myself into a hospital. I was out a few days later but for two days I found a secluded spot and cried uncontrollably. The third day, nothing, not a tear, sob, sniffle, not even a whimper. I couldn't force to cry if my life depended on it. I knew I had turned a corner.

Thank you! I don't get the support I need from family (and some friends), as they think I should just "suck it up" and go to work, clean, do dishes and laundry, etc. What they don't realize is that I AM "sucking it up" just to get out of bed! Work takes everything out of me, and it takes all I have just to get through most days, and most days it's with the help of the Provigil. I only take half a pill, which gets me through a particularly tired spot, and lasts about 2 hrs on average, and the side effects have been minimal (thank goodness!!!). Luckily, my TN isn't THAT bad (excruciating) and it's more of a dull ache (that is ALWAYS there though) and it flares up worse after I get a cold sore, and it is so much pressure that I feel like a ton of bricks is sitting on my face. Ibuprofen doesn't do anything (barely takes the edge off), they gave me generic Valtrex to keep the virus dormant (not sure of the side effects since I started taking it the same day I started weaning off Cymbalta), and I was prescribed Gabapentin, which can also cause fatigue, so I'm afraid to take it :/ As for the PMDD, I was on Prozac for awhile (which stopped working after about 6 months, which was frustrating as hell... when they worked I called them my "happy pills" and I felt wonderful... so that's when I was switched to Cymbalta) and they put me on birth control pills, which keeps my hormones level so no more PMDD.. yay! I just realized I have the mild OCD like.. oh... last week. Which is more a manifestation of anxiety/inner turmoil that comes out in the form of me "hurting" myself. Nope, I'm not a "cutter" but what I do is comparable to cutting in the world of psychology. I definitely need counseling!!!!

Anyway, back to the Cymbalta... I took out 24 beads last night (out of what, 540 in a 60mg capsule.. ugh) and I feel alright today. Went for a final sleep study night before last and the sleep apnea should be under total control... we'll see how I feel once I "catch up" on sleep. I'm not feeling too much as far as withdrawal effects now that I am going so slowly. I'm wondering if I, too, will be stuck at 10-15mg dose.... though I want this stuff OUT of my body! I believe that it has made me gain a bit of weight, and the night sweats and the daytime sweating have been a pain! I feel my brain becoming un-clouded... is that weird? After weaning so slowly and having only gone down about 2mg so far? Maybe it's all in my head, but either way, I'll take it

[MaureenV]

Thank you! I don't get the support I need from family (and some friends), as they think I should just "suck it up" and go to work, clean, do dishes and laundry, etc. What they don't realize is that I AM "sucking it up" just to get out of bed! Work takes everything out of me, and it takes all I have just to get through most days, and most days it's with the help of the Provigil. I only take half a pill, which gets me through a particularly tired spot, and lasts about 2 hrs on average, and the side effects have been minimal (thank goodness!!!). Luckily, my TN isn't THAT bad (excruciating) and it's more of a dull ache (that is ALWAYS there though) and it flares up worse after I get a cold sore, and it is so much pressure that I feel like a ton of bricks is sitting on my face. Ibuprofen doesn't do anything (barely takes the edge off), they gave me generic Valtrex to keep the virus dormant (not sure of the side effects since I started taking it the same day I started weaning off Cymbalta), and I was prescribed Gabapentin, which can also cause fatigue, so I'm afraid to take it :/ As for the PMDD, I was on Prozac for awhile (which stopped working after about 6 months, which was frustrating as hell... when they worked I called them my "happy pills" and I felt wonderful... so that's when I was switched to Cymbalta) and they put me on birth control pills, which keeps my hormones level so no more PMDD.. yay! I just realized I have the mild OCD like.. oh... last week. Which is more a manifestation of anxiety/inner turmoil that comes out in the form of me "hurting" myself. Nope, I'm not a "cutter" but what I do is comparable to cutting in the world of psychology. I definitely need counseling!!!!

Anyway, back to the Cymbalta... I took out 24 beads last night (out of what, 540 in a 60mg capsule.. ugh) and I feel alright today. Went for a final sleep study night before last and the sleep apnea should be under total control... we'll see how I feel once I "catch up" on sleep. I'm not feeling too much as far as withdrawal effects now that I am going so slowly. I'm wondering if I, too, will be stuck at 10-15mg dose.... though I want this stuff OUT of my body! I believe that it has made me gain a bit of weight, and the night sweats and the daytime sweating have been a pain! I feel my brain becoming un-clouded... is that weird? After weaning so slowly and having only gone down about 2mg so far? Maybe it's all in my head, but either way, I'll take it

Try not to think too much about the journey ahead, and how far you've got to go, look where you are now.


You are NO LONGER taking 60mg of Cymbalta. You may not be far down the track, but you've at least taken the first steps. Remember, a thousand mile journey begins with a single step.



Hang in there. If it takes you twelve months, you won't be the first. And at the end of that time you'll be OFF cymbalta, which is the objective.

regards, Maureen.

[cookie]

Oasis:
I totally understand when you say you are worried about becoming sad after weaning off, that is my fear too.
Do not worry if you "are single, no kids, and practically no life and feel like a gradma". You are not alone!.... I am living something similar to you. Although I am much older I am 36. So do not worry, for now, what matters is your health and mental health, then life will take it´s course. In another paragraph you also said that friends do not understand what you are going through. That is even hard to get out of bed. I totally understand. It is so hard for me also to get up in the morning
My advice, is to keep on lowering the dosage slowly as your doing. Live the present and do not worry about the future. And remember that in this site, you´ll find people that are going through similar or tougher situations, and we are here to listen.
Hugs,
C.

[OasisFlyer]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. You all have truly been lifesavers!!!!!!

I am feeling a bit better today overall, but have been experiencing some "flu-like" symptoms that I am not sure whether to attribute to the withdrawal or not. I just hope it all goes away soon! I've immersed myself in the Harry Potter books and movies (amazing how I can "feel" again, even after only going down a slight bit with my dose so far) and am living day-to-day and trying to see hope for the future. The hardest hurdle I see coming up is the wedding of my almost 22-year-old brother. While I am happy for them and I love my new sister-in-law to death, that particular event is going to be hard for me to get through, as the single, lonely older sister. The one thing I am gaining is not only a sister-in-law, but many wonderful people that I can now consider my family, and everyone is amazing. I will definitely not go through the event in a sad state and I'll have a great time, but the feeling will be in the back of my mind that I wish it were me instead :/

[beanpoleon]

OasisFlyer, those two offer good advice, on many levels. Good to see you are doing better.

[cookie]

Dear Oasis:
Remember what I told you!!! Society imposes structures which we do not have to follow. We "have" to go to college, we have to get married at a certain age, then have kids at a certain age, etc.
Depression comes when one compares oneself to others. Life is not about following society paths, it is about finding one´s purpose in life and being faithful to it. Finding what makes us happy.
Besides if you see yourself as the "single, lonely older sister", this is what men will see in you. I used to think exactly like you think. I remember when my little sister got married, I was the "lonely older sister". Now I don´t think about myself that way. Now I try to think about myself as the cute, demanding sister who will -select- among men the one I like. I wrote you a message. Please open it when you have the time.
hugs
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