5 replies to this topic

[Phyn]

Hi.
I'm Phyn, I've been on Cymbalta for about 7 months, the first two months I was on 30mg and since then, 60mg for depression and anxiety.
I actually chose to go on the drug as a mental support for a really hard time I was going through. I was really tired of life and had dark thoughts. So, I spoke to my doctor about it, and at first, we tried Effexor, but the first week I was such a zombie that I couldn't function. So I then switched to Cymbalta.
Now, my life is becoming 'normal' again, and I've been working hard on myself, faith, visualization, meditation, mental clean-up, motivational reading as well as an intense spiritual rehabilitation. I feel like I can handle life again. I've been thinking of stopping the cymbalta, but...I read these pages of the withdrawal horror stories and it scares the heck outta me.
Is there no other way? has anyone tried natural supplements for help, like Mimosa or Kava?
I feel like the longer I'm on it, the more difficult it will be to wean off. I do not want to stay on it forever, but the pharmacist told me that I must stay on it at least a year before stopping, or else I'll fall back and will be on it the rest of my life. ACK!!!
so, if you've any advice for me, I'm all ears(eyes).

[cookie]

Hi.
I'm Phyn, I've been on Cymbalta for about 7 months, the first two months I was on 30mg and since then, 60mg for depression and anxiety.
I actually chose to go on the drug as a mental support for a really hard time I was going through. I was really tired of life and had dark thoughts. So, I spoke to my doctor about it, and at first, we tried Effexor, but the first week I was such a zombie that I couldn't function. So I then switched to Cymbalta.
Now, my life is becoming 'normal' again, and I've been working hard on myself, faith, visualization, meditation, mental clean-up, motivational reading as well as an intense spiritual rehabilitation. I feel like I can handle life again. I've been thinking of stopping the cymbalta, but...I read these pages of the withdrawal horror stories and it scares the heck outta me.
Is there no other way? has anyone tried natural supplements for help, like Mimosa or Kava?
I feel like the longer I'm on it, the more difficult it will be to wean off. I do not want to stay on it forever, but the pharmacist told me that I must stay on it at least a year before stopping, or else I'll fall back and will be on it the rest of my life. ACK!!!
so, if you've any advice for me, I'm all ears(eyes).

Why do you "have to stay on it at least a year before stopping, or else you´ll fall back and will be on it the rest of your life"???? What is the difference between quitting now and quitting in a year????
It has taken me long to wean, so in case you decide to start weaning slowly, you could be done in 5 months, so you will be on the drug for at least a year anyways.

[pamela]

I am with Cookie on this........I have never heard of the the year rule. Sounds like some false information was given to you. I don't even think that the clinical trials they did with Cymbalta lasted a year.

The professionals we trust are not informed about the realities of this drug.

[chrism23]

Hi,

Read the thread I have going on withdrawal. Its hard but not that bad. I am a yogi. And adept at meditating. If you are, you can ride the withdrawals with out much problem.

[Phyn]

Why do you "have to stay on it at least a year before stopping, or else you´ll fall back and will be on it the rest of your life"???? What is the difference between quitting now and quitting in a year????
It has taken me long to wean, so in case you decide to start weaning slowly, you could be done in 5 months, so you will be on the drug for at least a year anyways.

that sounds doable... do you have a detailed thread somewhere? Or.. wish to share with me?

thanks for the replies, everyone.

[CymHaltya]

Hi.
I'm Phyn, I've been on Cymbalta for about 7 months, the first two months I was on 30mg and since then, 60mg for depression and anxiety.
I actually chose to go on the drug as a mental support for a really hard time I was going through. I was really tired of life and had dark thoughts. So, I spoke to my doctor about it, and at first, we tried Effexor, but the first week I was such a zombie that I couldn't function. So I then switched to Cymbalta.
Now, my life is becoming 'normal' again, and I've been working hard on myself, faith, visualization, meditation, mental clean-up, motivational reading as well as an intense spiritual rehabilitation. I feel like I can handle life again. I've been thinking of stopping the cymbalta, but...I read these pages of the withdrawal horror stories and it scares the heck outta me.
Is there no other way? has anyone tried natural supplements for help, like Mimosa or Kava?
I feel like the longer I'm on it, the more difficult it will be to wean off. I do not want to stay on it forever, but the pharmacist told me that I must stay on it at least a year before stopping, or else I'll fall back and will be on it the rest of my life. ACK!!!
so, if you've any advice for me, I'm all ears(eyes).

Hi Phyn - it's difficult to imagine any true benefits of extending a relationship with a med as evil as cymbalta, other than for the pharmacy, lilly and doctors who receive spliffs from the lilly reps. The good news is that you've started research before the "discontinuation" process. You might also consider taking a look a nutrients - cymbalta doesn't create neurotransmitters but prohibits a natural re-uptake process so that the targeted neurotransmitters remain after they've fired. cymbalta works on serotonin and norepinephrine and the precursor (raw materials) for these can be found in several amino acids, the stuff that makes up protein.

for serotonin it's tryptophan, found naturally in eggs, meats/ poultry, spirulina, and, for norepinephrine the precursor is tyrosine, found in meats, eggs, nuts, soy. For therapeutic dosages, tyrosine can be bought at the heath store / pharmacy - tryptophan requires a prescription; a major supplier once sold contaminated tryptophan with tragic consequences and, though the contamination was a result of the process and not the amino itself, the FDA banned it. The ban occurred just four days prior to a Newsweek feature story about another of Eli Lilly's potions, Prozac.

Vitamin C (ester) helps to metabolize the tyrosine. Note that another amino, 5-HTP, also converts to serotonin but does so in the liver which creates heart risks and very little is passed from the blood to the brain. Also, B vitamins (especially B6 & B12), Omega 3 & 6, minerals...warm baths with mineral salts, etc. - suggest that you continue to research and have a plan ready to go to help with the transition. and, exercise.

Note, in november 2010, cymbalta was approved by the FDA for indications of certain, specific types of pain. It was not approved, however, for stress-induced incontinence because of liver damage and the risk of suicide it created. yes, it's too dangerous to give patients who need help with incontinence because it will damage their liver and might cause them to commit suicide but, it is ok for people in the midst of a dark depression. huh?

Hang in, be smart!