8 replies to this topic

[Selah]

I'm new to forums. I have struggled with Depression since my teens now am 54. I recently withdrew & I believe am still with drawing from cymbalta. Doctor wanted me to start imipram to stop the withdrawal symptons & help with my depression weeks ago but I wanted to see how I would be off of all meds.

Anyone every try this medication & wondering how you've done with it?

Back to square one :-(

[fishinghat]

Are you referring to imipramine?

[Selah]

Yes, I believe that's it.

[fishinghat]

I found the following entries in this forum I thought you might be interested in....

 

One person wrote;

 

“Before I had taken Imipramine for a long time, then stopped, and when I started again following a personal crisis it didn't help any more, and I couldn't deal with the very high dose I would have had to take.”

 

Another wrote;

 

Short history - been on anti-depressants for ten years now. Have never had one that made me feel like I wanted to feel...like care about what's on my walls...if my house was clean, etc. I was first put on Zoloft for bad PMS. I can't even remember what order anything was taken or how many mgs but I have also been on Lexapro, Prozac, Effeczor, Wellbrutin, and add a few more in there that I can't even remember right now.

The doctor who is handling my AD's is an internist and a chronic pain/depression doc. This has been for the last year. My PCP put me on all the other drugs. Anyway, I recently told my pain doc that I would like to get off Cymbalta because didn't really feel like it was helping me. I was on 60mgs a day. He decided to up it to 120mg to see how that worked and upped my pain meds to see if that would make me feel better too. This was a month or so ago. Two weeks ago I told him that the 120mg wasn't having any effect either and would like to come off. He suggested I move to Imipramine. Said to take the cymbalta every other day or so for a week or so, then start taking the imipramine. Well, after this visit I started did some random searches on the net and found this place. Since that doc visit and before finding this place, I decided I'd take 60mg for a couple weeks before trying the Imipramine. That is where I am today.

I have been taking 60mgs for about two weeks. After finding this place I recognized some mild withdrawal feelings, slight headache, nauseous...a few days over the course of two weeks was a little more anxious that others, but I'd just take a xanax on those days.

Other drugs I am on:

Oxyxodone/Roxicodone 15mgs every 4 hours or so
Oxycontin 40mg twice a day or every 8 hours (as prescribed if the pain is bad)
Xanax 1mg 4 times a day if needed (as prescribed) but maybe once a day every couple a days in reality
Premarin hormone
Amphetamine (adderall) 10mgs - prescribed up to 6 tablets a day, but just take if I feel like it might give me energy
Promethazine 25mg (as needed)


I have always been haphazard in taking my ADs. The only times I would really panic was if I'd go off somewhere and forget the meds and would know I wouldn't be home for more than 3-4 days. I know realize some of my days in the past where I might have been extra tired, or had a headache, or nauseous, might have been from not taking meds regularly.

I've been reading here for about a week...would love to hear your suggestions on getting off cymbalta...when I should start the Imipramine...or maybe IF I should start it at all. Would like to see if I needed any AD at all. Your comments welcomed!

Oh, pain meds are for degenerative disk disease...have had 3 back surgeries in the last 9 years, two fusions, the last one being December 08.

 

A third entered this post;

 

I am 4 days off cymbalta (after only taking it for 6 weeks) too. I was absolutely terrified until I found this board. My doc told me she had heard the withdrawal was VERY bad but I thought I'd be on it longer than this (it made me obsessive, anxiouos, amped and I couldn't stand the way I felt on it).

I've been on ADs for twenty years- imipramine then celexa (which both pooped out after ten years each) and NO lie- this withdrawal feels exactly like the traumatic, life-altering depression that started me down this path. I CANNOT believe how bad withdrawal from this medication is. I am:
nauseous
crying at the drop of a hat
severely anxious
brain zaps
eyes feel like they're falling out of my head
scared to drive
can't move my head without a zap
afraid to be alone

and much more. If I wasn't on sleep meds I know I wouldn't sleep. I can't even watch TV- I cried at Jurassic Park????????

It's Day 4 and I hope to god this ends soon. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW!

 

 

You might also look at the discussion at...

 

Need info on Imipramine..........

Started by mspat08, Nov 22 2008 05:18 PM

 

[Selah]

Thanks

[air3333]

We need to understand depression and where it came from to move on. What causes one to be depressed? Pharmaceutical companies blame depression on a chemical imbalance in the brain, although there is no proof of this - and is now being refuted by many. Eastern religions such as Buddhism teaches us that we need to understand where this came from - such as an early childhood experience and then relive that experience and minimize it through meditation. In my experience, stress can cause anxiety and depression and this stress comes from within our own mind interacting with a stressful environment. Furthermore we need to find the deep roots of our depression and what is causing it. I do not think that taking medication solely can eliminate depression - as this could cause harmful effects such as fatigue and sleepiness. The side effects alone can cause one to become even more depressed in general. Although they are claimed to be anti-depressants they should be renamed chemical imbalance medications.  

[Selah]

I appreciate your thoughts on depression. I agree with most.

[FiveNotions]

Hello there, and welcome, Hopeful!

I refuse to address you as Hope-less, because you've decided to get off the poison, and you found us.....And that's Hope-full!

;-)

[TryinginFL]

Welcome, Hopeful!  (I agree with FN - CANNOT be hopeless!)

 

You have found a wonderful, caring, supportive  and knowledgeable group of ppl here!   
We are happy that you are here with us and want to help - please feel free to ask questions, rant or whatever...

 

We all wish you luck and hope that you will keep us posted!

 

Again, welcome!