Cymbalta withdrawal?? - Page 2 - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

eddie z. · 08-03-2005, 09:26 AM

Thank you, as always, Cate!!

Jenna,
Read my post to you on Cate's Lamictal thread, too. Unfortunately, you won't know if the Cymbalta will make you gain until you try it. Just be aware that if you do gain weight, that's probably the culprit. As far as the withdrawal from the Effexor goes, you shouldn't really have much because you've added the Cymbalta. Make sense? But your plan to taper the Effexor sounds like a good cautious idea.

And as far as making the switch, if the Effexor hasn't been helping, then you don't need to keep taking it. I personally got GREAT results from the combination of Wellbutrin and Cymbalta in terms of alleviating my depression, so maybe it will be the same for you, minus the weight gain, of course. And I was only taking 30mg! I would keep that ECT option open in my mind, too, if the Cymbalta doesn't do the trick.

Hope this helps!
Love and hugs,
Eddie

eddie z. · 08-06-2005, 11:34 AM

I actually cried last night. I was cleaning up papers and found my late Patsy's vet records. I just couldn't face going through them right then. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign.

I'm thinking I might want to try Effexor again. I believe I need something that works on serotonin and it shouldn't interact too badly with all the other stuff. Plus it's not likely to cause more weight gain either.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

eddie z. · 08-07-2005, 07:32 PM

Yeah, I'm probably going to have to have something to replace the Cymbalta. Went to see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory today and kept choking up and tearing up towards the beginning. So I'm apparently getting weepy. I'm still not sure that's totally a bad sign, but I'm thinking it's not that good either.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

EEEK! · 08-08-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie z.

I actually cried last night. I was cleaning up papers and found my late Patsy's vet records. I just couldn't face going through them right then. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign.

I'm thinking I might want to try Effexor again. I believe I need something that works on serotonin and it shouldn't interact too badly with all the other stuff. Plus it's not likely to cause more weight gain either.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

have you ever considered taking depakote with an ssri? sometimes if the frontal lobe isnt functioning properly, or has minor damage (it can happen easily, bumps, jolts, even lightly banging your head on something) anticonvulsants help the ssri work properly, im not sure about ssnri though

best of luck

eddie z. · 08-08-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEEK!

have you ever considered taking depakote with an ssri?

I use to take Depakote back when they thought I was bipolar, but I don't think I need a mood stabilizer now. I think the Strattera and Wellbutrin have my frontal lobes covered, too. But thanks for the suggestion, EEEK!

I'm pretty sure I'll ask the doc to try me back on Effexor rather than re-starting the Cymbalta. I've been on Effexor by itself and that just didn't cut it, but I think with the other stuff on board it should help with the moodiness.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 08-09-2005, 05:11 PM

Hey Eddie, I'm weepy too-the benzo withdrawal is really doing a number on me, so I can relate. I just wondered if you are weepy or depressed? I would imagine that emotions coming to the surface and crying spells would be perfectly natural in your situation. Your brain is adapting I guess. It should hopefully be better in more time. If you are majorly depressed however, that is another matter. Hope you are ok.
Sincerely, Cate.

eddie z. · 08-09-2005, 05:23 PM

Thank you, Cate!! I'm just a little weepy, not depressed. Now I have another sick pet to worry about and I almost lost it again in the vet's office today. I think if the news had been more definite or worse I probably would have broken down, but they really don't know what's wrong with her, so I kept my composure.

I see my therapist tomorrow and I'll talk to her about all this, too. I'm strongly leaning towards adding some Effexor in. I'm looking for work and I don't need to be all weepy when I'm facing interviews and such. I can't remember if you're taking anything for depression/anxiety other than the remaining benzos, but if not, an SSRI or Effexor may be helpful. Just a thought.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 08-09-2005, 05:52 PM

Hi Eddie, I'm just on 10 mgs of amitriptyline for sleep other than the xanax. You have job interviews and stuff-it must be really tough and having another pet sick-that just adds insult to injury. I'm going to try to see what my brain is like without anything -I haven't been drug free, well for decades-so I want to see where I'm at. I don't have any responsibilities so it's a lot easier. If it gets bad I will definitely do something about it. I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well.
Take care.
Cate.

eddie z. · 08-10-2005, 07:34 AM

Thank you, ((((Cate))))!! That would be cool if you could do without anything. I just worry, for myself anyway, about relapsing on drugs of abuse if I don't have medication to keep me stable, you know? Like my husband and I had a bit of a fight last night and I actually wanted to use. That's a rare thing and I think yet another sign that I need an additional antidepressant. So be careful and don't put your recovery at risk, OK?

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 08-10-2005, 10:55 AM

Thanks Eddie. I won't put myself at risk. If I really get depressed or anything, I will go go to the doctor. I hope your pet is ok. And your interviews go well. Take care. Sincerely, Cate.

eddie z. · 08-10-2005, 12:16 PM

You're welcome always, Cate, and again, thank you!

Saw my therapist this morning and she wanted me to go ahead and call my doctor about the Effexor. But when I looked at my calendar, I saw that my next appointment is on Monday, so I'm just going to wait. I think I'll be alright between now and then. lol.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

eddie z. · 08-14-2005, 07:38 PM

Well, I see the doctor tomorrow. I'm going to ask if he'll add Effexor to my regimen. Shouldn't be a problem. And it should help me deal with some issues with my husband and with my sick kitty. Thanks, all, for the support!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 08-15-2005, 12:40 AM

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow, Eddie. I hope the Effexor helps. I love your new avatar-I used to to have that picture-somewhere, I remember it from my childhood. How's your kitty?
Cate.

eddie z. · 08-15-2005, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmajor7th

I used to to have that picture-somewhere, I remember it from my childhood.

Thanks, Cate!! Yeah, we must be about the same age because I had a framed print of that picture over my bookshelf when I was a kid, too. And I had a jigsaw puzzle of the kitty below. Same artist, someone called Gig. They copied Gig's style in Shrek 2 when Puss-in-Boots did his pitiful look. I thought that was hysterical.

Mariann doesn't look quite that bad although she has lost 1/3 of her body weight and her coat is very rough. I'm just accepting that she probably won't live much longer and trying to keep her comfortable and happy. Thanks for asking!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

eddie z. · 08-15-2005, 05:43 PM

The doc agreed with me about the Effexor, so he gave me some starter samples and I went ahead and started today. Now we'll see how this goes! LOL.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

dmajor7th · 08-15-2005, 07:54 PM

Yeah, Puss in Boots was hilarious when he did his pitiful look. Interesting to know where they got that from. How's the Effexor feel?

eddie z. · 08-15-2005, 08:18 PM

I just took 37.5mg today, so I haven't noticed anything at all. I took Effexor for a while before and don't remember having trouble with side effects then either...except nightmares and I have those anyway.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

2stop · 08-15-2005, 10:10 PM

I took Cymbalta for almost two weeks..but it felt like I was doing speed on it..my mind raced so bad, and I was so wired up...it wasn't a pleasurable energy I can tell you that.....I stopped taking it told me doc no way..it wasn't for me. I am quite sensitive to antidepressants nowadays though. Hopefully it will be an antidepressant that works for some...I read it was great for pain...but like I said it just didn't work well for me at all.

eddie z. · 08-16-2005, 07:52 AM

((((Tammie)))),
Sorry the Cymbalta didn't work out for you! Sounds like you may have been started on too high a dose. Generally, for people with anxiety problems such as yourself, antidepressants should be started at LOW doses and increased very slowly. That way you can avoid problems with those "speedy" anxiety-provoking side effects. Hope this helps!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

shaire · 11-03-2005, 04:33 PM

The class that these drugs belong to (SNRI's) is very effective in treating depression, however, good luck getting off. I was on Effexor for six years and tried getting off once. Found out I didn't have the time to be non-functional to go through withdrawal and went back on. Then Cymbalta came out ~ it was supposed to be a better, cleaner drug, better 1/2 life, easier to get off it. This is day 4 off of Cymbalta, I have been very tearful, I experience the "brain-freezes" that others have described. I am miserable. I cannot function. I am more miserable now then when I got diagnosed with depression. I would not recommend this drug of anyone unless NOTHING else has worked AND they are ready to kill themselves. I talked to one gal who is 7 months off Cymbalta and still experiences that Brain Freezes of shocks every once in a while.

eddie z. · 11-03-2005, 05:28 PM

((((shaire)))),
WELCOME to SR!! Thank you for your post, too!! I'm sorry that you are having so many problems. Did you taper off the Cymbalta or go cold turkey? If you just stopped abruptly, you may need to go back on a lower dose and wean off slowly. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about how you're feeling? Since you're feeling so bad, I would really suggest you give them a call. Best wishes to you!!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

Don W · 11-03-2005, 11:55 PM

eddie, I'm sorry but, you've got me in stitches. " I don't know, PMS or Medication causing my ill temperment." Thank God, I can't have PTSD, Bi-polar, etc and eliminate PMS.

eddie z. · 11-04-2005, 04:59 AM

, Don!!

Love and hugs,
Eddie

bbobunny · 11-05-2005, 07:10 PM

hi, im new to the forum. i take 60mg. cymbalta daily (for about 4 months now) and so far so good. no strange side effects. previously i had been on prozac and ritalin. a really bad combination. it just made me in a really high but depressed state all the time. and i seemed to spend money uncontrollably. bbo

eddie z. · 11-05-2005, 07:28 PM

Hey, bbo

!! WELCOME to SR!! Thank you for sharing your experience, too. I'm glad the Cymbalta is doing alright for you. I thought it was a great antidepressant; it's just that I gained so much weight on it.

I am doing really well on the Effexor, etc. I just :sweat an awful lot is all. I can live with that, though.

Love and hugs,
Eddie

08-09-2005, 05:11 PM	#31 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	Hey Eddie, I'm weepy too-the benzo withdrawal is really doing a number on me, so I can relate. I just wondered if you are weepy or depressed? I would imagine that emotions coming to the surface and crying spells would be perfectly natural in your situation. Your brain is adapting I guess. It should hopefully be better in more time. If you are majorly depressed however, that is another matter. Hope you are ok. Sincerely, Cate. __________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

08-09-2005, 05:52 PM	#33 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	Hi Eddie, I'm just on 10 mgs of amitriptyline for sleep other than the xanax. You have job interviews and stuff-it must be really tough and having another pet sick-that just adds insult to injury. I'm going to try to see what my brain is like without anything -I haven't been drug free, well for decades-so I want to see where I'm at. I don't have any responsibilities so it's a lot easier. If it gets bad I will definitely do something about it. I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well. Take care. Cate. __________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

08-10-2005, 10:55 AM	#35 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	Thanks Eddie. I won't put myself at risk. If I really get depressed or anything, I will go go to the doctor. I hope your pet is ok. And your interviews go well. Take care. Sincerely, Cate. __________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

08-15-2005, 12:40 AM	#38 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	Good luck with your appointment tomorrow, Eddie. I hope the Effexor helps. I love your new avatar-I used to to have that picture-somewhere, I remember it from my childhood. How's your kitty? Cate. __________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

08-15-2005, 07:54 PM	#41 (permalink)
dmajor7th Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 92	Yeah, Puss in Boots was hilarious when he did his pitiful look. Interesting to know where they got that from. How's the Effexor feel? __________________ If you're going through hell, keep going.

08-03-2005, 09:26 AM	#26 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Thank you, as always, Cate!! Jenna, Read my post to you on Cate's Lamictal thread, too. Unfortunately, you won't know if the Cymbalta will make you gain until you try it. Just be aware that if you do gain weight, that's probably the culprit. As far as the withdrawal from the Effexor goes, you shouldn't really have much because you've added the Cymbalta. Make sense? But your plan to taper the Effexor sounds like a good cautious idea. And as far as making the switch, if the Effexor hasn't been helping, then you don't need to keep taking it. I personally got GREAT results from the combination of Wellbutrin and Cymbalta in terms of alleviating my depression, so maybe it will be the same for you, minus the weight gain, of course. And I was only taking 30mg! I would keep that ECT option open in my mind, too, if the Cymbalta doesn't do the trick. Hope this helps! Love and hugs, Eddie

08-06-2005, 11:34 AM	#27 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	I actually cried last night. I was cleaning up papers and found my late Patsy's vet records. I just couldn't face going through them right then. I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad sign. I'm thinking I might want to try Effexor again. I believe I need something that works on serotonin and it shouldn't interact too badly with all the other stuff. Plus it's not likely to cause more weight gain either. Love and hugs, Eddie

08-07-2005, 07:32 PM	#28 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Yeah, I'm probably going to have to have something to replace the Cymbalta. Went to see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory today and kept choking up and tearing up towards the beginning. So I'm apparently getting weepy. I'm still not sure that's totally a bad sign, but I'm thinking it's not that good either. Love and hugs, Eddie

08-09-2005, 05:23 PM	#32 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Thank you, Cate!! I'm just a little weepy, not depressed. Now I have another sick pet to worry about and I almost lost it again in the vet's office today. I think if the news had been more definite or worse I probably would have broken down, but they really don't know what's wrong with her, so I kept my composure. I see my therapist tomorrow and I'll talk to her about all this, too. I'm strongly leaning towards adding some Effexor in. I'm looking for work and I don't need to be all weepy when I'm facing interviews and such. I can't remember if you're taking anything for depression/anxiety other than the remaining benzos, but if not, an SSRI or Effexor may be helpful. Just a thought. Love and hugs, Eddie

08-10-2005, 07:34 AM	#34 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Thank you, ((((Cate))))!! That would be cool if you could do without anything. I just worry, for myself anyway, about relapsing on drugs of abuse if I don't have medication to keep me stable, you know? Like my husband and I had a bit of a fight last night and I actually wanted to use. That's a rare thing and I think yet another sign that I need an additional antidepressant. So be careful and don't put your recovery at risk, OK? Love and hugs, Eddie

08-10-2005, 12:16 PM	#36 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	You're welcome always, Cate, and again, thank you! Saw my therapist this morning and she wanted me to go ahead and call my doctor about the Effexor. But when I looked at my calendar, I saw that my next appointment is on Monday, so I'm just going to wait. I think I'll be alright between now and then. lol. Love and hugs, Eddie

08-14-2005, 07:38 PM	#37 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Well, I see the doctor tomorrow. I'm going to ask if he'll add Effexor to my regimen. Shouldn't be a problem. And it should help me deal with some issues with my husband and with my sick kitty. Thanks, all, for the support! Love and hugs, Eddie

08-15-2005, 05:43 PM	#40 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	The doc agreed with me about the Effexor, so he gave me some starter samples and I went ahead and started today. Now we'll see how this goes! LOL. Love and hugs, Eddie

08-15-2005, 08:18 PM	#42 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	I just took 37.5mg today, so I haven't noticed anything at all. I took Effexor for a while before and don't remember having trouble with side effects then either...except nightmares and I have those anyway. Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

08-15-2005, 10:10 PM	#43 (permalink)
2stop ~Author of My Life~ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Doing what I thought I couldn't.... Posts: 4,794	I took Cymbalta for almost two weeks..but it felt like I was doing speed on it..my mind raced so bad, and I was so wired up...it wasn't a pleasurable energy I can tell you that.....I stopped taking it told me doc no way..it wasn't for me. I am quite sensitive to antidepressants nowadays though. Hopefully it will be an antidepressant that works for some...I read it was great for pain...but like I said it just didn't work well for me at all. __________________ Many Hugs and Hope too, Tammie "Think of all the beauty still left around you and BE HAPPY." ~Anne Frank~ "Things do not change, WE change." ~Henry David Thoreau~

08-16-2005, 07:52 AM	#44 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	((((Tammie)))), Sorry the Cymbalta didn't work out for you! Sounds like you may have been started on too high a dose. Generally, for people with anxiety problems such as yourself, antidepressants should be started at LOW doses and increased very slowly. That way you can avoid problems with those "speedy" anxiety-provoking side effects. Hope this helps! Love and hugs, Eddie

11-03-2005, 04:33 PM	#45 (permalink)
shaire Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 1	Cymbalta/Effexor it's all the same The class that these drugs belong to (SNRI's) is very effective in treating depression, however, good luck getting off. I was on Effexor for six years and tried getting off once. Found out I didn't have the time to be non-functional to go through withdrawal and went back on. Then Cymbalta came out ~ it was supposed to be a better, cleaner drug, better 1/2 life, easier to get off it. This is day 4 off of Cymbalta, I have been very tearful, I experience the "brain-freezes" that others have described. I am miserable. I cannot function. I am more miserable now then when I got diagnosed with depression. I would not recommend this drug of anyone unless NOTHING else has worked AND they are ready to kill themselves. I talked to one gal who is 7 months off Cymbalta and still experiences that Brain Freezes of shocks every once in a while.

11-03-2005, 05:28 PM	#46 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	((((shaire)))), WELCOME to SR!! Thank you for your post, too!! I'm sorry that you are having so many problems. Did you taper off the Cymbalta or go cold turkey? If you just stopped abruptly, you may need to go back on a lower dose and wean off slowly. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about how you're feeling? Since you're feeling so bad, I would really suggest you give them a call. Best wishes to you!! Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

11-03-2005, 11:55 PM	#47 (permalink)
Don W Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Charleston S.C. Posts: 1,463	eddie, I'm sorry but, you've got me in stitches. " I don't know, PMS or Medication causing my ill temperment." Thank God, I can't have PTSD, Bi-polar, etc and eliminate PMS. __________________ Captain America - On the side of good

11-04-2005, 04:59 AM	#48 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	, Don!! Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

11-05-2005, 07:10 PM	#49 (permalink)
bbobunny Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Killeen, Texas Posts: 2	hi, im new to the forum. i take 60mg. cymbalta daily (for about 4 months now) and so far so good. no strange side effects. previously i had been on prozac and ritalin. a really bad combination. it just made me in a really high but depressed state all the time. and i seemed to spend money uncontrollably. bbo __________________ bbobunny

11-05-2005, 07:28 PM	#50 (permalink)
eddie z. No expectations! Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,916	Hey, bbo !! WELCOME to SR!! Thank you for sharing your experience, too. I'm glad the Cymbalta is doing alright for you. I thought it was a great antidepressant; it's just that I gained so much weight on it. I am doing really well on the Effexor, etc. I just :sweat an awful lot is all. I can live with that, though. Love and hugs, Eddie __________________

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