3 replies to this topic

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Dear Trichster:
After reading other cymbalta users withdrawal recommendations on this site, it seems to me that you went too fast and decreased a big amount each time. From what I´ve read here, one has to wean slowly, to diminish withdrawal symptoms.
I was on 60mg for 5 years. I did not dare to do the huge drop you did to 30mg. So I went from 60mg to 52mg and then to 45mg. I am planning on going to 37mg and then to 30mg. I´ve had several symptoms but most of them manageable.
I have also read that taking the pill -every other day- is a mistake. Because of life of cymbalta within the body. One should take cymbalta everyday, it´s better to reduce dose than doing the every other day approach.

I´ve read on this site about people that have felt the same symptoms that you have felt and after a period they see "light at the end of the tunnel" (symptoms dissapearing).

I have also heard from psychiatrist the phrase "you need antidepressants, like a diabetic needs insulin". Does that mean that you will be on cymbalta for the rest of your life???? Do you think the pill will solve the problem??? As I said I have been taking cymb. for 5 years. But what I do think is that antidepressants are a mattress that give us support while we try through therapy / talking to psychiatrist to find the root of our depression. What worries me is that we become so dependent on the pill, and we become lazy in our health. In my case I have taken an active rol in my mental health looking for other answers. I do take pills, and do receive psychiatric therapy. But I also look for other ways to boost neurotrasmitters by taking supplements, exercising, doing yoga, meditation, and eating healthy. I have become active, doing research about depression and medicines that are prescribed to me.

It is "funny"....but after hearing the lecture about "diabetics needing insulin like we need cymb". After 5 years of cymbalta and a psychotic med. I developed insulin resistance, having to take a diabetic pill. (I was not diabetic before taking cymbalta, nor have history of diabetes in my family). So now I find myself taking not only cymbalta but also a pill for controlling glucose levels".
It is your decision and your health wether to stay on cymbalta or quitting. In my case I would love not to be dependent on a drug. My dream is to quit it or at least reduce dosage to a minimum.

I told you my story because I take cymbalta for depression. I don´t know about trichotillomania. There are other tools to treat depression: accupunture, supplements, homeopathy, sunlight, etc.

I am not a doctor, just a "patient" who has suffered from depression for many years. I just give you my thoughts. At the end its your decision

Regards
Cookie

[cfb]

I think I am going back on my Cymbalta.
27 days ago I decreased my dose from 60mg to 30mg for 7 days and did great. Then I took 30mg every other day for 7 days and did fine but I have trichotillomania (supposedly controlled by the Cymbalta) and had a pulling bout...nothing I can't handle, just a little set back but now after being Cymbalta free for 13 days I have hit rock bottom. I feel nothing emotion wise except sadness, can cry at the drop of a pin. Not hungry, dull headache, irritable, body aches, and so darned tired and absolutely no motivation to do anything except waste time on the computer so I don't pull. Called my dr and she doesn't think going off the Cymbalta is a good idea for me. I don't think I can handle feeling this way much longer and considering going back on 30mg at least to see if my mood and motivation improves. So discouraged. Really wish I could go off it but my dr thinks I need it, like a diabetic needs insulin. Maybe she's right.

I am so sorry to hear this for you. How long have you been taking Cymbalta before trying to get off of it?

[cfb]

Dear Trichster:
After reading other cymbalta users withdrawal recommendations on this site, it seems to me that you went too fast and decreased a big amount each time. From what I´ve read here, one has to wean slowly, to diminish withdrawal symptoms.
I was on 60mg for 5 years. I did not dare to do the huge drop you did to 30mg. So I went from 60mg to 52mg and then to 45mg. I am planning on going to 37mg and then to 30mg. I´ve had several symptoms but most of them manageable.
I have also read that taking the pill -every other day- is a mistake. Because of life of cymbalta within the body. One should take cymbalta everyday, it´s better to reduce dose than doing the every other day approach.

I´ve read on this site about people that have felt the same symptoms that you have felt and after a period they see "light at the end of the tunnel" (symptoms dissapearing).

I have also heard from psychiatrist the phrase "you need antidepressants, like a diabetic needs insulin". Does that mean that you will be on cymbalta for the rest of your life???? Do you think the pill will solve the problem??? As I said I have been taking cymb. for 5 years. But what I do think is that antidepressants are a mattress that give us support while we try through therapy / talking to psychiatrist to find the root of our depression. What worries me is that we become so dependent on the pill, and we become lazy in our health. In my case I have taken an active rol in my mental health looking for other answers. I do take pills, and do receive psychiatric therapy. But I also look for other ways to boost neurotrasmitters by taking supplements, exercising, doing yoga, meditation, and eating healthy. I have become active, doing research about depression and medicines that are prescribed to me.

It is "funny"....but after hearing the lecture about "diabetics needing insulin like we need cymb". After 5 years of cymbalta and a psychotic med. I developed insulin resistance, having to take a diabetic pill. (I was not diabetic before taking cymbalta, nor have history of diabetes in my family). So now I find myself taking not only cymbalta but also a pill for controlling glucose levels". Before I had just one problem: Depression. Now I have 3 problems: Depression + Pre-Diabetes + Cymbalta withdrawals.

It is your decision and your health wether to stay on cymbalta or quitting. In my case I would love not to be dependent on a drug. My dream is to quit it or at least reduce dosage to a minimum.

I told you my story because I take cymbalta for depression. I don´t know about trichotillomania. There are other tools to treat depression: accupunture, supplements, homeopathy, sunlight, etc.

I am not a doctor, just a "patient" who has suffered from depression for many years. I just give you my thoughts. At the end its your decision

Regards
Cookie

I was put on cymbalta to help me sleep for my doctors thoughts were that sleeping pills were addictive. Now I am wondering what in the world she was thinking if she is saying cymbalta is not addictive. I started out on 60mg and have been at such dosage for about 2yrs. In trying to get off she told me to start taking the 60 every other day. Another doctor advised that I go to 30mg every day for a week and then go to every other day. You have heard (from a doctor?) every other day is no good? I am looking for internet wisdom for it appears to me doctors are nothing more than drug dealers with a license. Going cold turkey for the three day weekend to see what happens for the last dosage I took was Wed. May 26. What are your thoughts?

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Dear Cfb:
I was put on cymbalta 60mg because I was suffering a severe depression (couldn´t eat, work, socialize, get up of bed, concentrate, etc). Before cymbalta I had tried other therapies and none of them worked. Cymbalta seemed at the time the only option I had.

It is shocking to hear that your doctor put you on 60mg cymbalta for helping you sleep and that you have been taking it for 2 years. Why would your doctor use such a strong antidepressant for insomnia????? I´ve never read anywhere that cymbalta helps with sleep.

I haven´t heard from any doctor that everyday is no good. What I DO have read, is many stories on this site of people that had tried the everyday approach, suffering different symptoms. Because life of cymbalta in the body/brain, if you skip one day, that day you won´t have any cymbalta in your system. I trust more the real stories of cymbalta users.

Dropping from 60 to 30mg seems like a huge drop to me. I took 60mg all these years, then decrease to 52mg for a week, then 45mg for a week, plan to take 37mg for a week and 30mg the next. Diminishing the symptoms of decreasing dosage.

Through this site I learned valuable information on cymbalta reduction and withdrawal. I encourage you to read the posts and make your own conclusions. I´ve read on this site people that have gone cold turkey and other who have weaned slowly. The ones that have gone cold turkey have suffered severe symptoms in a shorter time. But it is your decision.

My opinion, is that you try to solve sleeping problems naturally. First try to find the root of your sleeplessness, is it stress, unable to relax???, etc, etc?? an try taking herbal teas such as chamomile, linden, lemongrass. There also are supplements like melatonin, you can do research on the internet.

regards
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