Cymbalta is a drug that loses its effects if you don't take it daily. It also requires tapering off much more slowly than is allowed by the dosages on the market. Every other day doesn't work. It didn't work for me or for many others posting on this board. You are undoubtedly reeling from severe withdrawal. Most people discontinuing successfully on this board (including me) find they need to divide the smallest available dosages into smaller portions, dividing the capsules beads, either themselves or with the help of a pharmacist.
My advice:
- Get back onto a low dose of Cymbalta -- maybe 10 - 20 mg. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to do this.
- Taper off very slowly. Maybe 20 mg for a week or two, 15 for a week or two, 10, etc. You might find that 10mg is enough to start with.
- While you're doing that, find a psychopharmacologist, or a psychiatrist specialising in anti-depressant medications, to help you sort out your next move.
- Stay connected to this board, reading the posts of the more experienced people such as MaureenV and Junior. Send them personal messages. Get some advice for your particular situation.
Anxiety and depression are often very closely connected. For me personally, Zoloft was the best, but I had to stop using it after several years when it just stopped helping me. I never found anything very good after that and have felt pharmacologically depressed since then -- we're going back about 8 years now.
I'm feeling better coming off this drug. When I'm completely off, I'll figure out how I feel and whether I need anything else. Meditation and mindfulness-based practices and online supports have been extremely helpful in reducing my need for medication. So far. Best of luck.
Just looking for opinions - Have taken zoloft for anxiety for years. It has totally helped, but I had been feeling depressed and unmotivated and my doctor told me to take cymbalta. Worst mistake EVER! I have taken it about 1 1/2 months, was taking 60 mg, but I have felt bad since the beginning so I thought I could try every other day, bad idea! So I ran out of my presecription and despretly want to take zoloft again. I had heard to wait 5 days before starting the zoloft. I am on day 3, so tired of the spins which I have had the entire time.
Does anyone how long it is suggested to wait before switching from Cymbalta to zoloft? I called my doc and they made an appt for me which is over a week away. I asked what to do in the meantime and basically was blown off.
Any suggestions?
Jessica
