YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

Withdrawing from Cymbalta is treacherous but can happen.....

Thank you so much to the person who posted from username uneedacetylcholene!!

I have been on cymbalta for nearly seven years (?) and have tried  numerous times to get off but because of the devastating withdrawal symptoms have never been able to do so. In addition to the ghastly withdrawal symtoms that most everyone else has so elegantly already described I  would also get severely depressed.  I thought this meant I needed to be on the medication. I soon realized that the added depression was a symptom of withdrawal.

I have steadily decreased from 60 mg to 30 mg and am now elimnating about a 1/4 caspule a day and have been on roughly 15 mg for the last week. I have added in a supplement that helps to promote acerylcholene production ( found it at Vitamin cottage - ask your nutritionist there for help) and am also taking DLPA (@ 1000mg day) to help with energy etc... I also take a fish oil supplement specfically for mood, Vitamain B, Amino Acids, and Vit D3. I heard Lecithin helps to promote acetylcholene production and am thinking about adding that as well. I watch my diet and avoid gluten, wheat, dairy, and sugar. I still drink caffeine,  but no more than one cup of coffee a day or  some green tea. I teach yoga so wether I ma teaching or taking I try to get that in daily - THIS REALLY HELPS!!! Meditation is also great for tapping into your own healing potential.  Fuse this with your deepest desire to grow and heal - change the storty line, rewrite your contracts  and I believe healing will come!

I have slight irritability but no more mind zaps, headaches have decreased. I seem to be feeling ok and just pray the process will continue until I am completely weaned off the medication.  The advise to gradually withdraw,  even by a few granules a day,  seems to be the best way to get off the med without incurring a plethora of new symptoms.  I have decided to live free of pharmacueticals and instead seek help from a Naturopath and acupuncturist to help with any forthcoming bouts of depression.

In terms of weight gain I am unclear if I ever had any due to this medication but my hope is that I may lose some weight after being off of it....

This is a sturggle that takes dedication, persisitence, trust and a strong belief that you can get through this and get well without pharmaceuticals. Try some alternative therapies and really examine your diet and how certain foods predispose you and excaserbate depression symptoms.

I will keep you posted as to how weaning off goes. If I can do it anyone can!! I have been on antidepressants since 1989 and have always identified myself as a person struggling with depression. Well , I am sick and tried of being that person and am ready to heal differently!

If you have any furhter suggestions as to how to get off these meds and live with out them - Please send them my way. Best wishes to anyone out there struggling with this. Read the other posts in the Cymbalta Withdrawal Tips