6 replies to this topic

[Ramona80]

I reinstated my full dose of Cymbalta about 3 weeks ago. I've seen some very gradual, slow improvements. It goes back and forth, though, some days are better, some days are worse. 

 

But then today, I have felt physically worse than I have in quite a long time. My body just feels saturated with the stress hormones, in a way I haven't felt before. I feel it strongly in my arms, legs, chest... And I am very shaky. 

 

It's discouraging, as it feels like a nosedive in a time I'm hoping to be improving. I'm actually wondering if I need to see the doctor about this, or if it is just part of the back-and-forth of recovering.

[TryinginFL]

Ramona,

 

How much did you increase up to your "normal" dose?  Sometimes after being down some mgs. your body doesn't take kindly to a large increase.  These are the times when you actually have to increase in smaller amounts.

 

Sorry, I am confused here...   Are you reinstating in order to bead count down?  Perhaps you don't need to go up to the original dose if that is the case.  Some have found this to be true.  Just go up say 1/2 the amount you have just tried and see if that is helpful.  It could be that your body and mind don't really need all of that at this point.

 

I am no expert to be sure, especially since I did the whole thing cold turkey, but these are my thoughts.

 

Hopefully someone else will hop on here soon and give you their advice.

 

Please keep us posted and you know we are always here for you~

 

Liz

[Ramona80]

I was lowered from 60mgs to 40 mgs, then placed at 50 mgs for 4 weeks, about 1 week of which my psychiatrist had me take Celexa as well, and increased the dose part way through, and then withdrew it. Completely messed me up.

 

During my hospital stay, they reinstated me from 50 mgs of Cymbalta to the 60 mgs I had originally been on, so I would stabilize more quickly. My new psychiatrist said it can take 4-8 weeks for this to really take effect. It's been a little over 3 weeks.

 

Yes, I eventually want to get off Cymbalta, but at this point, stabilizing is the most important to me, as the withdrawal symptoms have been extremely hard.

 

Another thought I had was I had a Klonopin before bed 2 nights ago, for the first time in a while. Then I didn't take one last night (as I'm only taking the Klonopin intermittently.) One thought I had was that this is perhaps due to this. Not sure. Just feel worse today than I have in weeks. 

[thismoment]

Ramona80

 

Sorry you're having a bad day today. 

 

From what I've read, your psychiatrist is most certainly correct 4-8 weeks; split the difference and give it 6 weeks before assessing closely. Hopefully there won't be any scary spikes between now and then, and most likely things will improve.

 

The wave-action is pretty common, especially with a variety of meds-- Cymbalta, Celexa, and Klonopin: it all figures in when you stir in various foods, alcohol, caffeine, and the hormonal menu ordered up by the range of daily experiences. Find some things that soothe your mind and calm your pulse. Take it easy.

 

Take care.

[fishinghat]

Wow TM. Two minds on the same track!! I was half way through typing the same thing when you posted. I think he has got it right Ramona. Patient a little longer.

[Ramona80]

So spikes have happened to other people here? After things have been slowly improving?

[thismoment]

Ramona

There is always some wave-action in times of transition, with some high spikes and low troughs. It will smooth out when the meds are fully on stream.

It's impossible to figure out what's doing what; try to find some distractions to keep your mind off itself.