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Almost 7 Months Off -- Still Have Symptoms


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#1 jenibee

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 02:48 PM

Hi Everyone

 

I haven't posted much before, but refer to this site for comfort often.  I started coming off Cymbalta 60mg in October, 2017 after using for more than a decade.  I'm sure I came off too quickly, but I could not help myself as I wanted to get off this stuff.  I have had almost all of the common symptoms: pain, stomach issues, dizzy, restless, anxious, depressed, crazy irrational thoughts, feeling of doom, ocular migraines...and I can't even remember the rest right now.  The different symptoms seem to come and go in different waves.  Most recently, however, I started a new job (last October) and got hit hard in December with the worst anxiety I have ever experienced. 

 

My last dose of Cymbalta was July 3, 2018. When the anxiety hit its worst in December, my doctor gave me a combination of Ashwaganda extract 250mg 1 in morning, 1 at night; l-theanine 200 mg - up to 5 a day; and Rhodiola extract standardized to 3% rosavins 500 mg 1 in the morning.  These are all "natural" remedies as I refused to go on another AD. But this combination has worked!

 

Although I still don't feel quite like myself, I am functional and able to work and get through the days.  I am still slightly going back and forth between anxious and depressed to a certain extent.  

 

After 7 months of being completely off Cymbalta, I would hope that this is over, but I cannot be sure that I am done suffering.

 

Wondering if Mr. FISH has any words of advice and if you think it is strange to get hit with this crippling anxiety almost 6 months after being Cymbalta free?

 

Thanks to you all for this wonderful site. It has really helped me survive this.


#2 invalidusername

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 03:14 PM

Jenibee - what a wonderful thing that you found remedy in natural means. I do not blame you at all having suffered as a result of the same since I started to ween of Cymbalta last September. I am sure Hat will say that relapse of anxiety, particularly as you were on the medication for so long, is something that often happens. I have certainly seen a few posts here describe it. The brain can take some considerable time to heal...


#3 fishinghat

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 03:39 PM

IUN is right. Research shows it takes the brain up to 2 years to heal and from what I have seen over the years relapses are fairly common until around 8 months out and even after that if the stress is severe enough.

I like your recipe...
Ashwaganda extract 250mg 1 in morning, 1 at night; Unluckily I can not use it as I have thyroid issues (Non-Cymbalta related).
l-theanine 200 mg - up to 5 a day; A favorite among many on this site. Be sure it is the Suntheanine (pure l=theanine)variety as D-Theanine can't be absorbed.
Rhodiola extract standardized to 3% rosavins 500 mg 1 in the morning; usually called Golden root. I have no experience with this but will certainly check into it.

Keep us posted Jenibee and thanks for the info.

#4 fishinghat

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 03:46 PM

Found this in my library. I don't even remember doing the research. lol

 

· Arctic Root -
Rhodiola is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, short-term (for up to 6-10 weeks). The safety of long-term use is not known. The potential side effects of rhodiola are not known.

 

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information about the safety of taking Rhodiola if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

 

Dangers of Rhodiola Rosea, also called Arctic Root, Golden Root
Folks are commonly encouraged to increase their dose of rhodiola until they achieve the desired effect. Many sources claim it is a safe herb with very little side effects. Most common side effects are difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, gastrointestinal distress, headache, and dizziness. Increasing the dose of anything until you achieve the desired effect is a dangerous practice for any botanical and should be avoided.

 

Reported Side Effects on Patients Taking Rhodiola
These side effects usually occur when you are on a higher dosage and when you take it with caffeine. So let’s say you are a coffee drinker. You are at increased risk. If you are a Coca Cola or Pepsi lover, symptoms may worsen. Any stimulant product or new weight loss products that contain caffeine will worsen the symptoms of the following:
⦁ Anxiety and agitation
⦁ Nauseous
⦁ Restlessness
⦁ Insomnia
⦁ Hypersalivation

 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
There is not enough research to prove that rhodiola is safe for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.

 

Diabetes
Rhodiola may lower blood sugar levels. If patients are taking a medication to lower blood glucose it could make their levels go dangerously low. And if their levels go too low and blood sugars bottom out, they can pass out. The consequences of low blood glucose can be just as dangerous as high blood sugar.

 

Blood Pressure
Rhodiola may alter blood pressure and is not recommended for patients taking ACE inhibitors. Rhodiola can also increase the risk of bleeding when it’s taken with aspirin or prescription anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin. It is not proven safe with anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®). Rholiola should not be taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

 

Autoimmune Disorders
Rhodiola can increase the symptoms of autoimmune disorders because it stimulates the immune system. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn’s disease/ ulcerative colitis), neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, as well as autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s and thyroiditis can all be exacerbated by the use of rhodiola.

 

Thyroid
Rhodiola is not proven safe for folks on thyroid medicine. It may change (lower?) thyroid levels. If you take thyroid medicine you should not take rhodiola. If your thyroid testing is irregular, please consult your physician.

 

Anxiety
A 2008 study at the UCLA Anxiety Disorders Program suggests rhodiola can aid patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Rhodiola, however, may have stimulant-like effects and without knowing a patient’s biochemical status, rhodiola can worsen their symptoms of anxiety. Patients suffering from anxiety who also exhibit the ‘shakes’ from caffeine and ephedrine should not take rhodiola.

 

Bipolar Disorder
Rhodiola rosea should not be prescribed to patients with manic behavior disorders. If you have bipolar disorder, for example, rhodiola can be dangerous because it can cause mania.

 

Depression
Rhodiola should not be prescribed to patients with antidepressant sensitivity, either. Rhodiola rosea can cause drowsiness for patients on benzodiazepines, SSRI and SNRI antidepressants. It is not recommended for patients on SSRI medications or MAOI medication because it can cause serotonin syndrome.

 

Birth Control Pills
It can make your birth control pills less effective.


#5 jenibee

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 04:03 PM

Thanks for the responses!  My doctor checks my blood frequently and I do take thyroid, so will watch for any changes in my levels.  Just grateful for the relief at this point in time.

 

I hope this doesn't last for 2 years, but hope that the worst is over.  I will keep you posted as I continue to fight as my brain struggles to adjust.


#6 invalidusername

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Posted 26 January 2019 - 04:40 PM

I have read many pros and cons to Rhodiola too, insomuch that it can make or break anxiety. The key as always is to start low. 

 

Thanks again for the update Jenibee, and please, do keep us updated with your progress. Wishing you all the best,

 

IUN

 

p.s. wish I had a doc like yours who was open to non-medicinal means of cure!


#7 invalidusername

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Posted 29 January 2019 - 09:18 AM

Jenibee...

 

I am starting my own "stack" as of today to include ash and suntheanine. You said at the start of the post you took "up to 5 a day" referring to l-theanine. Can you give more details on this - for example, what determined how much you took, when you took it?

 

And have you since decreased the doses since you are feeling better, or are you maintaining the same?


#8 jenibee

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 12:23 PM

Hi IUN!

 

Yes, the l-theanine works very well for me to kill the anxiety. However, it does make my head feel a little fuzzy when I'm trying to work, so I have to be careful when I take it.  At first, when I was in extreme anxiety mode, I was taking them every 3 hours or so because I felt like I was very unstable and could hardly function.  It was probably what helped me get through that horrible time.  Today, I only take it when I need it if I'm having an extra anxious day.  I have found that the Ashwaganda and Rhodiola seem to have me stabilized for now. What a huge relief!  I hope it works as well for you  :)


#9 invalidusername

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 03:52 PM

Thanks Jenibee.

 

Was first day of both ash and thea. You will read in my thread that it has made me feel quite sedated. In fact I could still fall asleep now - 8 hours on - as I write this. I did feel relaxed because of the sedating effect, but I think this counteracted by making me feel worse about my depression. I haven't had a depressive moment for a month, so as I felt it come on yesterday, maybe it wasn't the best time to start trialing the new combo... Not sure...

 

Thanks again for your input - always good to read how others get on with this stuff.

 

Maybe I should try it when I feel the worse anxiety coming on like you have?


#10 fishinghat

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 05:26 PM

Sounds like you need to back off on the dose IUN. A little less sedated should make you a little less depressed.


#11 invalidusername

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Posted 01 February 2019 - 06:45 PM

You think there is a correlation here Hat?

 

I went for the 200mg suntheanine - there were 100mg, but the going dose was 200, so I opted for those.

 

Maybe it would be worth trying without tomorrow to see what occurs. I really don't want this depression lingering around any longer than it has to. It is quite a nasty spell...


#12 fishinghat

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Posted 02 February 2019 - 08:50 AM

Can't you cut the pill to reduce the dose some?  You know the rule...start low and work your way up.  lol


#13 invalidusername

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Posted 02 February 2019 - 09:52 AM

I will move this to my thread so as not to hijack!!





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