3 replies to this topic

[loveandlight]

I'm not functioning. I can't stay awake. I have headaches. Thoughts of suicide. I have canker sores. (cold sores? are they the same thing). I've never had them before.

I've never felt like this before in my life.

I started cymbalta 30mg about three months ago for mild depression, was raised to 60mg about a month ago. When I increased to 60, i started having headaches, an inability to concentrate, an inability to function, started tapering off, two weeks on 30, 4 days at half a capsule. I haven't felt alive in about a week i think?

I can't function. I'm a junior undergrad, but I'm doubting myself being able to pass this semester. I have heaps of papers due this week, but writing this post is the most computer time I think i can handle.

I thought about going to the hospital.

I can't function at all.

Can't stay awake...can't read..can't write

Have ya'll felt this dead?

I don't want to see anybody. I have trouble carrying on conversations. I can't handle lots of stimulation. Music is a passion of mine, but lately I can't listen. I love to dance, but my body doesn't want to move.

Is this cymbalta>?

How long will I be dead to the world? I've lost interest in everything.

I think I could sleep forever.

Any words?

[schmb01]

Yes, the words are "you are suffering withdrawal", but, don't despair, it does get better. Everything that you are feeling is normal, and I felt the same way when my dose was upped to 90.

It is a bumpy road to feel better, but you will get there. Is your doctor aware of this, and supportive? You will want to try some of the nutritional changes outlined here, but if it gets so bad that you can't tolerate it, you may need medical intervention, so it is important to have a good relationship with your doctor, if you are that lucky.

Many of us are taking a super Omega 3 supplement, which can be found at any health food store. There are also foods that you can eat that are rich in Omega 3, so check the topic under Nutrition.

Just know that what you are feeling is normal for withdrawal, and it is scary. If you have feelings or thoughts of suicide, please head to the ER, they can help you there, or call a local prevention line for advice.

I can't stress enough that you are not alone in how you are feeling. It is the drug and not you. Cymbalta does some freakish things to your seratonin and dopamine levels, and it will take your body awhile to readjust.

Hang in there, and keep posting here, this group is here to support you.

[loveandlight]

thank you for taking the time to respond!

Your words about nutrition are very true. I have not had the energy to properly cook, and living alone, I've resorted to cereal and chips. How embarrassing and terrible! I do think that this is making me worse.

I am in a country that doesn't have cymbalta, and have no dr. relationships here. I went to go see a GP, and after my health history, I gave her my symptoms seeing what her ideas were. She told me to get my thyroid/iron levels checked. At this response, I cried. After which, I explained that I don't usually have such minimal control over my emotions. I told her that I thought it might be the Cymbalta and she said, well I've never heard of this drug. She googled it in front of me and said well yeah maybe it is the cymbalta. and i paid 60 dollars for this?!?!

I asked her if all medical advice was guess work. I told her I was surprised to learn that there is minimal evidence for serotonin deficiency being the cause of depression. I was wondering why SSRI's/SNRI's were continually prescribed. She told me that it is common for medicines to be repeatedly used, even if they are minimally understood, simply because they have shown positive response in the past. This scares me a bit..more than a bit.

I was put on Cymbalta by a doctor in the states, whom I have just e-mailed for advice.

I'm having a difficult time accepting that this debilitating state is all from this medicine.

I was on this clear path towards self actualization, spiritual growth and holistic health. But now, I'm being quite humbled to a realization that I am merely chemicals. Maybe this was the cosmos way of killing my ego entirely.

I do believe that our thoughts, beliefs, and actions have the power to alter these chemicals in ways similar to medicines, except that it's more natural and self controlled.

Just trying to stay engaged ....

I'm trying not to amplify my situation with self-loathing. Whenever I attempt to do something that I know is good for me or productive, I get humbled into a state of head pounding exhaustion.

Much love.

[Sarah J]

thank you for taking the time to respond!

Your words about nutrition are very true. I have not had the energy to properly cook, and living alone, I've resorted to cereal and chips. How embarrassing and terrible! I do think that this is making me worse.

I am in a country that doesn't have cymbalta, and have no dr. relationships here. I went to go see a GP, and after my health history, I gave her my symptoms seeing what her ideas were. She told me to get my thyroid/iron levels checked. At this response, I cried. After which, I explained that I don't usually have such minimal control over my emotions. I told her that I thought it might be the Cymbalta and she said, well I've never heard of this drug. She googled it in front of me and said well yeah maybe it is the cymbalta. and i paid 60 dollars for this?!?!

I'm having a difficult time accepting that this debilitating state is all from this medicine.

I do believe that our thoughts, beliefs, and actions have the power to alter these chemicals in ways similar to medicines, except that it's more natural and self controlled.
I'm trying not to amplify my situation with self-loathing. Whenever I attempt to do something that I know is good for me or productive, I get humbled into a state of head pounding exhaustion.

Much love.

So this doctor offered you no solution to ease your withdrawal? I answered your post elsewhere about fasting. Hang in there, because what you are feeling is real, self-loathing is not the answer, but the migraine part is kind of hard to talk yourself out of.

Private Message me and I can tell you some OTC medications that are great for migraines available outside of the US that require prescriptions in the US (I just don't want to list them here because they are only good if you have serious migraine - and I hope you are in a country where you can get these). Know that you want to be drug free now and detox, but if your head feels anything like mine did during the first week of withdrawal, stop the suffering and insanity and let your body start to rest, then you can focus on repairing at a deep cellular level. Hang in there.