13 replies to this topic

[natboo]

I was wondering if increased depression during the first days of withdrawal can be related to the withdrawal? I am so concerned that my depression is returning, only a billion times worse. I was actually never the classic depressed type, but had feelings of rage, which the Cymbalta helped. Now as I am coming off the drug I have found myself crying over everything and I feel like a horrible person, who can't seem to do anything right. I hope this is the withdrawal and will get better.

~Natalie

[Houdi]

natboo:

This feelings you are writing about are noted in other forum members posts regarding withdrawal issues. Be very careful. Let us know how you are doing, if you feel like it.

Houdi

[MaureenV]

Natalie - exactly what I felt - I had raging arguments with my teenager when normally I can just stand back & let it wash over me. I was in tears several times a day - seemingly over nothing sometimes, and yet things that might normally make us upset (an example would be the Jaycee story) left me completely unmoved. It's like I was in a bubble with it's own emotions - but removed from the normal ones.

Hang in there.


Maureen.

[Junior]

The crying? Oh yeah, had that. For no apparent reason really. And I'm NOT a crier!!!

Don't worry. These are 'normal' withdrawal feelings and will pass.

[jasontc]

been off cymbalta for a week now and im experiencing the same symptoms even the occasional crying and im a guy. Just starting to get over the worst dizzyness and nausea parts. Depression seems to be back with a vengance and its very difficult to deal with day to day living

[MaureenV]

I can only share my experience with you; as we're all different, who knows?

Took 30mg Cymbalta for 30 days.

Took 60mg for around 10 days, sometimes only taking it every 1 1/2 days.

Dropped down to 30mg again, then tried to reduce to 1 1/2 to 2 days, which is when all the withdrawal symptoms started (excl depression).

Followed Houdi's suggestion of taking a smaller dose every day, and was taking 15mg every day; withdrawal symptoms virtually disappeared, but replaced by crushing depression.

Of course, didn't know if this was underlying depression or withdrawal, so wanted to give it some time, as I already had a GP appointment for today. The depression suddenly lifted over a day or two after about a week of being on a continuous low dose, but some mild brain zaps returned. On their own I can handle them easily enough.

So again, who knows - if it's the withdrawal it will eventually pass, if not, it's presumably underlying depression.

Keep us posted.


Maureen.

[cymbaltasgoingdown]

I think the reason Eli lilly has gotten away with the horrible withdrawal side affects for so long is, because doctors probably tell patients that maybe it is their depression returning. I've been on other antidepressants and was able to get off of them without these horrible side affects, depressing, insomnia, headaches, stomache aches, dizzyness, brain zaps..... and it would take 2 pages to describe the side affects I've felt in just 2 weeks. It is the withdrawal from the medication that is causing all of your problems.

[nursedeborah]

Cymbalta,
I have to telll you your not alone, nor is what your feeling anything that is not on the withdrawl symptom list
at this site http://prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm

I have been going down slowly since the 31 of August from 60 mg, and I am now on 40 mg minus 25 beads.
I had been doing ok, but now I just feel right back where I started when I was on the full dose.

All the physical crap that everone talks about, and the mental stuff too. I really hate to mental stuff more than
anything as I can't seem to do what I want to do. I just feel so stuck, and was the same way ofn this drug.

Doctors don't even know the side effects of this drug, or the withdrawls from the drug. I talked to my doc, and
then he talked to the rep, and she just said I was sensitive to the drug!!!

I am doing crappy right now, and just want of, and want a life.

Debbie

[Junior]

Madtabby, have you had any therapy or just 'drug therapy'?

[nursedeborah]

madtabby,
Don't let you shrink do to you what so many doc's do, and that's take you off this drug their way.
If you look at some of the older posts, or just ask some of us we will tell you what we have
learned since we have been here.

I started out being on 60 mg, and went to 50 mg, then to 45 mg, 30 mg now on 25 mg.
I also had to get on Prozac as I learned here that it helped with the brutal withdrawls.

From what your saying you don't sound like your having that bad of a time, so it sounds
like you found the right amount for you. Now just stay there for 2 weeks, and then try to
do your next decrease. If you feel really awful you can always add a little to it, that's the
great thing about our being in control of all of this!!

Doctor's do not know anything about this drug what it does to some being on it, and
especially coming off it!!!


Love,
Debbie

[Junior]

Madtabby (love the name by the way -I have a female ginger tabby who drives me nuts ;-p)

I'm glad you are going to therapy. I'm going to do the same thing. I saw a psychiatrist who is also a psychologist / psychotherapist 10/11 yrs ago when I was going through an incredibly hard time (I see that as harder than this) and he helped me a lot. Just yesterday I got a referral and I've got my first appt with him on Oct 22 so I just have to hang in there until then.

Are you finding that it's helpful for you?

[Junior]

Sounds like he's using a combination of therapies, one of which is CBT. I know that this 'mindfulness' is being used increasingly in psychology but I don't know a lot about it at this point. I know it's a buddhist philosophy but I'm not sure exactly how it is being applied in every day practice.

I have done to 4th yr level in psychology study. I know a little about counselling as it is the reason I got into study in the first place. I really wanted to be a Counselling Psychologist but *sign* I don't know. I'm getting older (nearly 47), it's not fair on hubby as he has carried the load of being the breadwinner for the past 20 years, we want to travel, my parents are getting older...blah blah blah... Plus I needed a break from study after 10 years straight! So I decided to just get a part-time job in the mental health field and see where it leads me. So I am now (as of two weeks ago) a mental health worker and tbh I haven't really got my head around the very concept of that yet! lol!

Sorry to hear about your cat. Takes a long time to get over the death of a pet doesn't it? I have two..the ginger tabby and a russian blue. They drive me crazy but I'd be lost without them.

[nursedeborah]

I can remember in my training when they used to say these were just a bandage, and to assit
while we were in therapy. So I went on this stupid stuff when I was dating a drug addit. I had
never needed it before. I just wasn not listening to my body, and knew I needed to get away from him.

Now over 10 years later, it has change my personality to much that I don't even know who I am.
I am really so angry about all of this.

Thanks junior for the info about the other site, and how some people are taking 2 years to
get better from this crap. At least I have some idea what's instore, then when I get better
faster, I willl be thrilled.


Debbie

[Junior]

Debbie

You will get your personality back. Just keep reminding yourself that it's the effects of the drugs. I don't feel like the real me either. Tbh I don't seem to be able to feel much at all at the moment - even when I know on some level, what I should be feeling. If that makes sense?????????

I'm seriously beginning to think that I may have to quit my new job and just focus on getting well. Blah.. don't really want to go there ... I"ve worked so hard for so long to be able to get a good job and when I do... It's just not fair. Haven't I been through enough already? Dammit.. I can't even sit down and have a good cry. Farking drugs :-I

Jun