I am new to this forum and have posted replies, but now I am wondering how long are these withdrawl side effects going to last? I was on Cymbalta for 8 years for pain and withdrawls from Oxycodone. I never felt it worked for my depression but kept on it anyway because when I tried to switch it was so much worse. My medical history is long and it made sense to take anti-depressants and Oxy when it all started as I was facing Cancer and 8 spinal fusions. I managed to get off pain killers but I switched to Zoloft because I was having so much anixiety. I had no idea the withdrawls from Cymbalta would be so horrible and because of this forum I realized at least why I felt so horrible! I decided enough is enough and told my doctor I wanted off all anti-depressants and started weaning off of Zoloft. I started at 100mg to 75mg to 50mg to 25mg over a month period. I took my last 25 mg tablet a week ago. I am of the mind-set that I have to try life without all these drugs and now I am wondering how long I am going to feel like this!! I am having these issues:
The worst is the dizziness or what people here refer to "brain zaps". I also have vertigo when laying down. I have had pretty bad stomach nausea but that seems to be slowly getting better. I am taking lots of vitamin supplements and I am going to go for a walk today... I am in California why not?
I am still crying but not as much now. I just cry and say I need to get it out and just go on, I have withdrawn from a lot of drugs over the years but this is up there with Oxy withdrawls... it took me years to feel better from that drug and I hoping it won't be as long with these anti-depressants as I just want to feel better!! Any thoughts would be so appreciated.
Hi and how I agree with you! Its much better to keep going as you are now and not have to depend on drugs all the time. Exercise such as walking WILL help, and also natural methods of getting Seratonine will be even more helpful. Im really sorry that you have had such a bad time, but believe me - it does get better. The good thing is that on this forum, you do read of people going through exactly the same problem and its good to know that you are not on your own! The brain zaps almost killed me when I had them - I was sure that I would not get through it, but you do...it may take time, but every day is a day you are better. I too have had really bad crying days, mainly over things which I couldnt even explain...I just felt that I had to cry, which of course makes you feel even worse at the time, but as you say, you have to get it all out. The worst thing you can do is bottle things up and dont say anything - if you have a good friend or partner you can talk to is worth its weight in gold as you do need to offload a lot of what you are experiencing. I was taking Sertraline for about 15 years without a break, and when I did stop them it was because I had a bad interaction with other drugs I was taking and had Seratonine Syndrome, which is bad in itself and I had to stop cold turkey. I really thought that I wouldnt get through it and the doctors advice was to take more antidepressants and come of them slowly...not good advice when you are overdosed in the first place! But it DOES get better..,.hang in there and the best of luck to you!
hi marie
i think you are brave to get this far you will have good and bad days but you will get through them you should now be able to get your life on track your on the up now this is really good go for walks if you have friends go see them keep your mind ocupied all the time you are starting your new life keep thinking this.
only don't stay in the house or this will start to get you down you need to get out every day or as mutch as you can and make sure you have people around you till you get through the rest of it get out and enjoy your life i do really think if you have some one to talk to this will take your mind of things you have gone through a lot now open a new chapter in your life you will look back and think what a wasted life ive had look to the future now.
good luck keep us posted.
christine.