Hi all! Found your forum and so glad I did! Started slowly tapering (- 5 beads) today after reading many posts late into the night last night. A little background on me - I'm a 50 y/o male. Been on various anti-depressants and other mood altering prescription drugs since 2000 (Welbutrin, Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Seroquel, Ambien, and now (since 2009) I'm taking Cymbalta in am and Remeron (Mirtazapine) in pm for sleep. Additionally, Cardio doc got me hooked on Xanax for anxiety in 2000 as well. In 2003 after a severe depressive episode, I was able to get off Xanax after an in-patient, dual-diagnosis stay at a well-known clinic in Houston. Continued on the anti-depressant cocktails rollercoaster along with an increasing appetite for alcohol and self-destruction until I hit bottom in 2009 and checked myself into a rehab clinic in Santa Barbara, CA.. Rehab Clinic psych-doc took me off the Lexapro/Luvox/Seroquel cocktail and put me on 90mg of Cymbalta. I will admit, Cymbalta seemed a lifesaver at that point. I could feel again! I had energy and clear thoughts! It was exactly what I needed at that point. Regular psych-doc reduced dosage to 60mg and added 15mg Remeron (Mirtazapine) for sleep aid, and also put me on Abilify. Abilify nearly killed me, causing all sorts of side-effects, including pacing, repetitive thoughts and actions, racing thoughts and sleeplessness! STAY AWAY FROM ABILIFY! I was only on it for a couple of months, but suffered permanent effects as a result. Two years of sobriety and clear thinking were then followed by a resumption of occasional alcohol use, but THAT monkey was off my back. Now, my sights are set on getting off of Cymbalta and Mirtazapine. Cymbalta first, so I can still get some sleep during the weaning process (hopefully!).
I hope to post here regularly to track my progress and receive support and information on the best ways to deal with purging my system from this drug. I've read the posts from many very strong people on these boards and hope my experience is less debilitating than the worst posted here, but time will tell. It always does.