11 replies to this topic

[Wagtail]

I have hit a wall , it's just over 5 months since I took my last 60 mg of cymblalta & have had a few very good days followed by not so good days . As the physical s/e's ease I am noticing that my fears seem to be returning . I can usually talk to myself , & tell myself that this is normal for someone going through discontinuation syndrome , but the past few days it's been difficult .
I need someone to rerasure me !!! PLEASE .

I find my motivation has gone & am a bit depressed & scared.

[Clara]

Wagtail. I am sorry to say, but at 3+ months off Cymbalta, I am in the boat with you! I think SAD is a part of my problem. Weather has really been cold and dreary this winter here in SC. BUT, on the good weather days, I have found that if I get out doing yard work, (even the physically hard stuff), I feel better. It's so hard to not worry if these rough days are ever going to end. I get really ill with myself and want to have a pity party. I am convinced that I cannot give in to the feel sorry for myself attitude! Somehow with God's help we will all overcome the damage this crap med has done. I am not very adept at research, but Five Notions has posted lots of good info! It all overwhelms my mind when I try to get into the in depth articles, but they are helpful! I'm prob' not making much sense right now. It's been one of those days, good for a few hours, then bad for a few, just flip floppin' all over! I sincerely hope you see many brighter days soon!!!  Cyber hugs and prayers!!!!! :)clara

[fishinghat]

Wagtail, yoou were doing so much better. I would think this would be just a setback and you should be better in a couple more days. Have you been pushing yourself to hard?  Maybe you just need a day off to get yourself back stable. Keep us informed.

[Lundeliz]

I'm right there with you, Wagtail. I've been off a little less than four

months, and I'm really not having any better days yet. Today the feeling is

hopeless and scared. I'm having a lot of trouble keeping up the positive

talk. Hope tomorrow will be a better day for all. Thank you for reminding

me I'm not alone.

[Wagtail]

Thank you Clara , fishinghat & lunderliz .. Just having you all reply has lifted my spirits a little & that always helps .i

Its surprising isn't it , @ how a little bit of confirmation can turn ones thoughts around
just the tiniest bit of support is all it takes to point my feet in the right direction again.
Clara & lunderliz ... Hang in there with me ... I'll race you to the finish line, ha ha ..
. With the help & support from wonderful souls like fishinghat , keeping us strong & making things clear to us when our minds are all frazzled & not able to think for ourselves .
Fishinghat , you're our knight in shining armor & I for one could not have come this far without you .
Thank you ...:-)

[thismoment]

Wagtail, Clara, and Lundeliz

 

I'm sorry to hear you're having some down days.

 

I've been reading a bit about the neurotransmitter dopamine, and how we feel when it's in short supply. We feel blue and listless and defeated-- our spark is out. There is a short supply of dopamine following the withdrawal from antidepressants.

 

Drugs that stimulate dopamine production include the following: caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, opioids, alcohol, and cocaine. The prescription drug Sinemet (lerodopa) stimulates dopamine production and is prescribed for Parkinson's Disease; there are others. But you need to keep increasing the dosage to maintain the dopamine levels, so it's counterproductive in the long run.

 

There are other ways to stimulate the production of dopamine, and the science tells us that home-grown dopamine lasts the longest and is easiest to maintain in good supply. You can have your own dopamine grow-op and have fun doing it!

 

First, foods rich in tyrosine are thought to stimulate the production of dopamine. These foods include bananas, almonds, avocados, low-fat dairy and meats, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Junk foods that contain high sugar and caffeine are thought to create a short boost in dopamine followed by a longer deficiency. 

 

Second, is success. Success, in the simplest sense produces dopamine- it's the success of finishing a project you've been meaning to do for months, but haven't been able to get at it. Some examples might include these: cleaning out the garage you started weeks ago, finishing painting those rooms, writing that essay, finishing your degree, or walking a marathon. Success is one good thing that can come in a small package.

 

Third is laughter. A giggle will brighten your face (and the faces of others), but a gut-laugh will carry you blissfully into tomorrow!

 

So, finish up that project you were working on, pack a lunch containing a banana, a handful of almonds, and a caffeine-free drink and jog to the Comedy Club!

 

Success, healthy food, aerobic exercise and laughter=homegrown dopamine.

 

Best wishes.

[FiveNotions]

The antidepressant wellbutrin also acts on dopamine....increases it by preventing the brain from re absorbing it....

[thismoment]

Hi FN

Yes, Ritalin too. But you need more and more of it, and there's a serious withdrawal afterwards- and you're left with low dopamine.

[FiveNotions]

TM, you mean Ritalin doses have to be increased, right? Cuz I've been taking wellbutrin 300 mg a day since the late 1990s.....and I've never needed to increase it....seems to have worked great....although I do plan to get off it once (if) I get through the cymbalta process and feel able to handle another withdrawal.....

L-tyrosine and mucuna-dopa are also used to enhance dopamine....but need to be used with extreme care as they're pretty powerful, especially the mucuna....and can have some adverse effects.....

[equuswoman]

Wagtail. I am sorry to say, but at 3+ months off Cymbalta, I am in the boat with you! I think SAD is a part of my problem. Weather has really been cold and dreary this winter here in SC. BUT, on the good weather days, I have found that if I get out doing yard work, (even the physically hard stuff), I feel better. It's so hard to not worry if these rough days are ever going to end. I get really ill with myself and want to have a pity party. I am convinced that I cannot give in to the feel sorry for myself attitude! Somehow with God's help we will all overcome the damage this crap med has done. I am not very adept at research, but Five Notions has posted lots of good info! It all overwhelms my mind when I try to get into the in depth articles, but they are helpful! I'm prob' not making much sense right now. It's been one of those days, good for a few hours, then bad for a few, just flip floppin' all over! I sincerely hope you see many brighter days soon!!!  Cyber hugs and prayers!!!!! :)clara

Prayers that you will soon be back up there again! You can do this and we will help you!

[clearglass]

Good Morning Wagtail,

Sometimes I feel like my motivation is gone too, but I push through just like you said in an earlier post.  I also overdo it sometimes, especially when I get out of the house. Maybe of you slow down just a bit, lay back on a lawn chair, put on some shades and read something you enjoy or just feel the sun. 

God will help you, even with the yard:-)

 

clearglass

[xman]

I need the suuuuuunnnnnn. They say (who, I do not know) Leo's need sunshine and I find this to be the case. Some folks are not affected by the gloomy days and I sure wish I could join that group. Alas, I am blessed to have THIS group of people. You lift me up and give me great ideas and confirm my own sense of short-term despair. Trying to stay positive~