613 replies to this topic

[Howtostoppropperly]

Monday and Tuesday were very tough but yesterday and today I start to feel myself again... I start to feel again!!!

[fishinghat]

Great news. Give yourself a couple of days and then taper some more.

[gail]

Indeed, great news. Two good days, don't we ever count them! So happy when they come by.

And starting to feel again, that is a great complaint among Cymbalta users. Good for you!

[Howtostoppropperly]

Went to my Dr and we agreed on going to 100mg Zoloft and lower the C to 15mg as from Saturday. Agree FH?

[fishinghat]

Yep, sounds about right. You may have a few rocky days but then the Zoloft should help some by then.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today my first 100mg Zoloft... I lower the C as from Monday to 15mg. Cheers and have a nice weekend you all!

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today I feel myself very apathic and I feel like I am completely somewhere else... I'm not myself... What the Fuck is thus? Is that withdrawal?

[fishinghat]

Unlikely. That is the Zoloft kicking in and is a welcome stage of the cross over. If it lasts a couple days then you can start to decrease the Cymbalta more. Slowly. This is obviously a step by step process. As you drop the Cymbalta the withdrawal will slowly decrease this feeling of apathy. If things get too bad you will need to go up on the Zoloft to 100 mg/day. I am thinking though that this may be enough Zoloft because you haven't been on the 75 long enough for it to kick in but the original 50 is probably what is kicking in right now. So stay with the 75, if the apathy continues then start dropping the Cymbalta again and hopefully as the Zoloft kicks in more it will be enough to handle the Cymbalta withdrawal until you are completely off the C.

 

This is exactly what I went through until I was off the C. Once off the C for a couple months you will need to evaluate what you are feeling and adjust the Zoloft accordingly. Usually that means you can tweak it back slightly.

 

I have been looking forward to this kicking in and now am very optimistic.

[Howtostoppropperly]

But I went to 100mg ad from Saturday. This evening I will lower my C from 20 to 15mg. I feel empty, apathic and almost depressed. Ive taken a clonazepam to function.

You agree on lowering my C now?

[fishinghat]

I am sorry, I though you were still on 75. I know you are in a hurry but that can get you in trouble. Slow wins the race. But if you want to, yes, go ahead and lower from 20 to 15 on the C. If you feel Ok in a couple three days lower again. Apathy is common as your new AD kicks in. That means it is working on covering the negative emotions you were experiencing. I know it feels like depression after having so much withdraw l symptoms but a little apathy and lethargy are a good sign right now as long as you are not having any suicidal thoughts.

 

Go down on the C to 15 and lets see how you feel in a couple days.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today I was thinking that when this is the new me, I have to end it because I don't want to go back ending severe depressed

[fishinghat]

Don't panic. You know what severe depression feels like. You can not determine anything by one days experience. You these meds work slowly and patience is a virtue. Look at the trend over 3 or 4 days or even a week. Then you can make some decisions. Frankly I think the apathy is a good sign as long as you don't have suicidal thoughts.

 

Time and patience my friend.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today lowered to 15mg and felt almost great again   ...

[fishinghat]

Don't get in too big a hurry. just stay at that level a few days and keep us posted.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Will stay at this level for a week I think FH  

[Howtostoppropperly]

You think the tinnitus will stop after taking Cymbalta FH?

[fishinghat]

There is a good chance. Most of the members who suffered from this had it fade away after 3 or 4 months but some took as long as 1 to 2 years.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today very apathic, really awful... Hate it. Want to feel again.

[fishinghat]

Don't worry about this. It is just a sign that the Zoloft is kicking in more. That apathy is protecting you from most of the Cymbalta withdrawal. Embrace it for right now. If you still feel that way tomorrow then it is time to consider another drop in Cymbalta. This is also a sign that you do not need to increase your Zoloft dosage. That is good because 100 mg is not a high dosage. Once off the Cymbalta we will work on reducing the Zoloft as much as possible but that us down the road.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I hate it and it's making me totally unhappy for the moment.

[fishinghat]

If you can't wait drop some more on the Cymbalta. Remember you are coming through a hard situation right now. A little suffering is to be expected. DON"T FIGHT IT AS THAT MAKES THINGS WORSE. Accept it as better than the alternatives and that it is only temporary.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I do not know what todo at this moment. I really feel completely empty without fear but senseless as a matter of speaking. Even a clonazepam isnt doing very much at this moment.

What should I do?

[fishinghat]

The is nothing to do. It is the Zoloft that has wiped out your symptoms from the Cymbalta withdrawal. It is much better than suffering with severe emotional swings BUT if it bothers you that much then drop some more on the Cymbalta to level things out. I am telling you HTSP, this is a terrible thing to go through. The idea is to get off the C with the least amount of suffering and pain. Right now you are just numb, apathy and empty. It is the lesser of two evils. IT WILL GO AWAY WHEN YOU DROP THE C AGAIN. If you are looking for feeling good while changing psych meds it will NOT happen. I wish it could. If you want drop the C again. If you drop the C too fast you may find yourself in a disaster before you know it. Accept the feeling of emptiness for a couple days and then drop the C again. DON'T WORRY. I seriously doubt that this is your depression coming back again as we all go through this on the cross over to a new AD.

[gail]

HTSP,

You may think at the moment that this will last forever, it is just an uncomfortable passing.

Bad days and good days are the norm when starting or switching to a new antidepressant.

Treat yourself to comfort food, hot baths and whatever can make you feel better while this phase lasts. It will pass!

[Howtostoppropperly]

I appreciate it guys, really thanks... I will lower to 10mg from tomorrow evening. Is it am option to go to 0 from 15mg?

[fishinghat]

It is an option but the faster you drop the greater the risk of being hit hard. When you make a drop in Cymbalta it usually takes 3 to 10 days for the withdrawal effects to hit. So if you make too many drops real quick you can get hit hard before you know it. Most of us dropped 1% or less each day and if I had it to do over I would go slower than that. Making a 17% drop (say 5 mg out of a total 30 mg capsule is a heck of a drop. with the help of the Zoloft that is now in your system you might be able to handle it though. Let us know.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Then I will drop with 1% a day from today and not with 5mg FH. I have faith in you guys so I don't want play the tough one now. So 1% a day from this evening on...

[Howtostoppropperly]

Today another awful day... I have to stabilize first on this level I think.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I have painful burning skin today, yeah!!!

[fishinghat]

I am glad you are doing the 1% drops and yes if you are having a tough time then stabilizing is a good idea.

 

Do me a favor and update me on your current symptoms as they have been over the last 2 or 3 days.

 

Thanks