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[tVEC]

I was on cymbalta for years for severe depression. I am forced to go to a state mental health clinic in a poor town thus I get a new psychiatrist every few months. One of these decided to give me just Luvox in stead of both cymbalta and abilify. She had me stop cymbalta in 2 weeks. It was the worst experience of my life. I had terrible depression, worst than anything before. I had severe nighttime emotional breakdowns and irrational fears. I was puking several times daily and generally losing my mind. After 2 weeks I demanded to get back on cymbalta. I got back on 60 mg and the withdrawals stopped. Although I felt less depressed, I was moody, impatient and had a quick temper. This was at 60mg. Then the antidepressant effects diminished, so I asked yet a different doctor for 120 mg. Big mistake! I was full-blown manic. I hardly slept and spent money like I won the lottery. I became ultra-obsessed on recording music. I play music as a light hobby but 120 mg of cymbalta turned me into a writing and recording maniac. I became ill from lack of steady sleep. Then I crashed like falling off a cliff. With 120mg, I eventually became so moody I couldn't associate with anyone. I became withdrawn and hopelessly depressed.
My doctor then told me that cymbalta was a "drug with claws". It latches on and doesnt let go. She got me started on lamictal, and told me she would reduce cymbalta 10mg per month over the next year. I started that and on my own initiative I cut the cymbalta from 120mg to 60mg over night and had no bad issues. That was in June 2011. Now Im on 20mg, and my doctor gave me some low dose Prozac as a "hair of the dog", specifically prescribed to me for "SSRI withdrawal". The lamictal is beginning to work without the cymbalta holding it back.
When I first lower my dose each month, I wake up sweaty and have light nausea time to time. Nothing like stopping cold turkey. Hopefully by Feb 2011 I will off it for good.
I think cymbalta is a very dangerous drug. Most doctors don't want to admit that SSRIs are addictive. They are only worried about pain killers. Honestly, I'd rather go through Vicodin withdrawal (and I have) than Cymbalta withdrawal. Considering how drug companies test their goods on citizens of third-world nations (most whom have never seen a doctor or could have a wide range of diseases) to reduce costs, avoid regulations and increase profits, then fudge the results to get FDA approval, ALL new untried pharmaceuticals should be considered as dangerous as heroin off the street. Doctors gets money from drug companies to push these new untested drugs on you, do research before accepting them! Makes you wonder who the drug dealers really are.