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[corgicreations]

Do you have any advice for someone who has been forced to quit Cymbalta cold turkey and can't turn back? I got laid off from my job and lost my health insurance (I work in the architectural field and the international projects they were counting on to get them through the rest of the year got put on hold because Russia's economy is so bad right now). Lord knows I tried getting all of my medicines filled before losing my insurance so that I could taper, but it was "too soon" and BCBS wouldn't pay for it. I can't afford to pay cash and my fiance makes just over the limit to get it for free through the drug assistance program. As much as I hate it, I have no other choice. I can't go back and taper off. I took my last Wellbutrin XL (150 mg) on Monday, so I've been off of it for 6 days now. Took my last Cymbalta (60mg) on Thursday, so I've been off of it for 2 days. Withdrawl symptoms started on Friday. Not sure if it matters or not, but I stated taking Cymbalta when I got my insurance policy in February, so I've been on it for about 9 months. I started the Wellbutrin about 2-3 months later becasue the cymbalta helped more than the effexor and paxil ever did, but still wasn't enough.

I'm no stranger to SSRI/SSNI withdrawl. I seem to have medication resistant depression, so Cymbalta isn't the first drug that I've tried and gone off of. Paxil withdrawl was hell for me, even with tapering. I thought it couldn't get any worse. I had a harder time getting of Paxil than I did getting off Effexor (which I also tapered). This is nothing like Paxil withdrawl was., which really surprised me because I had NO trouble getting on the Cymbalta like I did getting on both Effexor and Paxil. But then, I wasn't able to taper like I always could before. Any other time I stopped a med, it was because I was trading it for another one, so I knew I was going off the medicine. I was able to prepare.

Friday night, neither one of us got any sleep because I had at least 4 dreams in which someone was trying to murder me and I kept mumbling, talking and screaming in my sleep. I'm constantly lightheaded, dizzy. Even sipping water makes me feel like I'm going to throw up. The symptoms don't surprise me. For the most part, they're the same as Paxil withdrawl, but with the addition of the nightmares, upset stomach, and extreme depression/crying spells.

I guess I just feel helpless because I don't know how long this is going to last or how to ease it. Dramamine somewhat helped the dizziness from paxil withdrawl, but does nothing to help with this. Trying to relax by drinking tea doesn't work because it makes me feel like I'm going to throw up. Attempting to distract myself by trying to read, use the computer/play a game, watch a movie, etc only makes me feel worse becasue it makes me even dizzier. Is there anything that anyone has tried that helps ease the withdrawl? I know that everyone is different, but is there an average time frame for withdrawl symptoms so that I can get a general idea of when I can hope to start feeling human again? Thanks in advance!

[wmaraionet]

The nightmares are horrible. I think I read something that called then "night terrors" and that is a very accurate description. I had a hard time stopping the Cymbalta for that reason. Even weaning I had the night terrors. I have been switched to Pristiq and I am still having crazy dreams but at least when I wake up I can tell reality from dream world. Have you thought about trying the patient assistance program to get your medication? Here is the link: http://www.lillycares.com/index.jsp I also have been taking Benadryl for the nausea. You can buy the melt in your mouth kind in the kids section so you dont have to even drink water. Hope that helps.

[corgicreations]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm not sure if the Benadryl is helping or if today is just better than yesterday, but something is better for sure. Unfortunately, drug companies only provide the medicine if your income is less than 200% of the federal poverty line, which is $28,000 for a family of 2. My fiance's income is $29,200. So we just barely don't qualify for me to get assistance, despite the fact that it would cost $450 per month to pay cash for my three medications. It'd be nice if they looked at "spendable income" after rent, transportation and medical expenses, wouldn't it? On the positive side, I found out today that my psych. is willing to reduce his rate to $60 since I don't have insurance, so when I get my unemployment check he's going to look at the Walmart $4.00 prescription list with me and we're going to try to see if they have something I can try. I'm greatful that he's willing to work with me on payment and on trying to find something inexpensive for me to take. I also know that the medicine that I can't function without (an anticonvulsant that I take for a nerve injury disorder) is over $100 per month cash, but only about $20 per month if you print up a free "prescription discount card", so I'm relieved not to have to worry about that one.

You know, originally I wanted to get back on the cymbalta & wellbutrin as quickly as I could because it's the only combination that Ive found so far that works for me. But after learning how difficult it is to get off of Cymbalta, I really don't know that I want to go back on it. Look at our economy. Who is to say that my next job won't lead to a lay off, as well, putting me right back here again? I'd much rather try older medications that are less expensive so that if I find something that works, I don't have to rely on insurance to pay for it. My mom has been in therapy & on meds for depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder for most of my life and I have had signs of severe depression since I was 10 years old, probably partly due to genetics and partly due to the emotional trauma of being raised by a borderline. Looking at family history and my past, I just can't imagine anti-depressants being a temporary helping hand. I don't want to think about relying on meds for my entire life, but I need to face the fact that I may not have a choice and that finding a drug that I can afford to take "forever" is a better option than having to quit cold turkey because I lose my insurance.