Going off of Cymbalta Journey

I have decided to share my journey, and I hope others will chime in for support and advice.

I was on 60mg of Cymbalta for 2 years. While briefly pregnant I decided to stop cold turkey. For some reason, perhaps hormones, I did not experience many of the withdrawal symptoms others have. Then two months later I got flu and strep-like symptoms followed by the worst depression I've ever experienced along with cyclical thoughts.

I got back on Cymbalta and have been at 30mg for the past month. The depression has improved, but I'm still in a very dark place. Tomorrow I see my doctor and I think I will begin the transition to Prozac. I am very scared.

I will continue to post here to document my journey with the transition.

Advice and encouragement is wanted and will most likely be needed through this journey.

Thank you, Karen. I'm sorry you had a rough time getting off of Effexor, but glad you were able to switch to Pristiq!

Today I saw my new psychiatrist. He was very quick to diagnose me as Bipolar 2 and suggest Lithium, which was very odd to me since I do not experience manic episodes...

He agreed to try the Prozac (20mg) switch instead by immediately stopping the 30mg Cymbalta. I always planned on counting beads to make the switch, but I really can't afford to drag this out any longer than it needs to be. I hate to disobey him... but I won't decide until tonight which route I will take.

Thank you for sharing your story, Myself09. What was the lowest dose you took before hitting 0mg?

You do not always have mania with BP2. Sometimes only once or twice in a life time.

Make sure your gyn/ob is update with your changes. DRINK tons of water to flush your system clean every day. I am sorry for the loss of your pregnancy.

Walk as much as as your can without over exerting yourself the endorphines help.

Peace and strength
Trina

Dropped Cymbalta to 7mg last night, woke up today with anxiety and lowered mood.

Started 5mg of Prozac (fluoxetine) today.

Myself09, I really appreciate the advice. I've been pretty scared at how fast I've been going, even though it's slower than the doctor suggested. I've tried tapering before down to 18mg and know it wasn't until two weeks later that I mentally experienced the decrease in dose.

In your opinion, do you think I should just hold off on the Prozac for now while I stabilze? My only fear is that it is going to take weeks for the Prozac to improve my mood.. My depression is crippling, I'm afraid to get stuck in a dark place for 1-2 months after decreasing the Cymbalta. I know you don't have the answers, but I appreciate any insight you can offer. Thanks again!

5mg Cymbalta last night.
5mg Prozac today.

Going to stay at these doses for a few days before stopping the Cymbalta.

My throat is sore and I feel a lot of tension in my head, but I may be hypersensitive to changes right now.

As far as my mood, minor morning anxiety as usual. I notice slight boost in mood at night.

No longer taking Cymbalta.
Took 10mg of Prozac today.

No changes to report.

Thanks, Karen!

1 day off of Cymbalta.
Took 20mg Prozac today.

Still pretty down, but a lot of it is situational. Throat is not sore anymore and headaches have been minimal so far.

Hi

I weaned of Cymbalta last year I was taking 90mg and did suffer withdrawal effects the worst one being hives. I also changed from Cymbalta to Prozac and have found the Prozac to be much better so I hope it works well for you.

Hibee

4 days off of Cymbalta.
Sticking with 20mg Prozac.

Slight headaches and I had trouble holding down my breakfast.

Feeling a lot more apathetic, I may have more energy, but also a profound sense of hopelessness. I really hope the Prozac can shift my focus.

Hibee, that's very nice to hear, thank you! I will try to keep my head up through this process.

3Shadows, thank you for your input. Best of luck switching medicine!

And thank you Karen, I have completely cut out alcohol a few weeks ago (not that I was a big drinker) and am refraining from smoking my one little hit of pot a week too, just to give my poor brain a break. Also, walking and yoga. My body is used to 4-5 workouts a week and mountain biking, which I know would be good for me, but I just can't find the motivation to do any of it right now.

I'll continue to update in hopes of someone benefiting from this thread one day.

5 days off of Cymbalta
4 days on Prozac (20mg)

Just wanted to check in. Feeling pretty brain dead. I am managing to focus on small tasks at work, but getting out of bed is incredibly difficult. I'm exhausted, but not necessarily sleepy (though I did manage to sleep 13 hours last night). Still incredibly apathetic. I'm surprised that I'm not having overt withdrawal symptoms, but I know it may be too soon. Also, after all the medication changes and not exercising the past month, I'm not sure I know what normal is anymore.

Karen, I've been so scared to smoke marijuana lately, but the little bit I used to smoke was very special (for lack of a better word) to me, do you really feel that it doesn't contribute to your depression?