Well my journey started 4 years ago with multiple trips to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack. From there I started my antidepressants. So now at the age of 41 I first used paxil, then lexapro, and finally onto cymbalta. Over those 4 years including the first one seeing a therapist I was able to take control of my panic/anxiety attacks. But I've also managed to put on over 110 lbs. I went from just under 200 to just under 310. I finally had enough. I've always been somewhat overweight (but still very athletic) and have lost a considerable amounts of weight 3 times in my life but this increase came quick and came hard. This is about 40 pounds higher than my highest ever ... I felt so awful (no wait I'm still there
![:)](https://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
), have problems with my hip which I now have severe arthritis in, problems doing things because of my weight, loss of my libido.. and this was all affecting me much more than the panic attacks ever did.
Six weeks ago I started my tapering off of the cymbalta and now I find myself into my 5th day of being completely cymbalta free. The brain shudders continue, there is constant ringing in my ears, my eyes are very jumpy ( the best that I can describe it), headache, very irritable, and some crazy, crazy dreams. But at the same time I'm very happy to be on my way to a cymbalta free life.
I'm anxious to get the weight under control and yet really don't seem to have the ability to start. I guess baby steps is the way to go. I'll put some additional updates on here as I continue thru my journey. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated... Best of luck to all of you..