Posted by gapsgal on May 28, 2006, at 19:14:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal vs Effexor, posted by gapsgal on May 28, 2006, at 15:44:59
Well I am stuck at 15 mgs. The symptoms are just too bad when I go any lower...so I think I am going to try the prozac solution that has been suggested. Since the couple of doctors I have been too think I am an idiot for having withdrawals and one told me that I could have a fatal syndrome if I took prozac...dummy didnt think that I would not still be taking cymbalta too...I will have to buy it online I assume.
This really stinks now I feel like a doper...
> It is hard to imagine anything being worse than cymbalta, but then there is effexor, it has an even shorter half-life. So after just an hour or so of missing a dose or being late the withdrawals begin...the cymbalta withdrawals are just as bad but take a bit longer to start.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > After all this talk about not even starting, I feel weird asking this, but this is real life...
> > >
> > > A friend of mine is considering starting on either Effexor or Cymbalta. He knows the possible withdrawal symptoms, but right now he has no life. He has tries a slew of SSRIs that gave hive horrible side-effects that you would expect from a neuroleptic - NOT from a mere SSRI. The doctor expects that an SSRI/Norepinephrine med may have the same effect, but not sure.
> > >
> > > He cannot afford meds, and can only take ones are given away as freebies. Which of these two is the lesser of two evils?
> > >
> > > He wants to know - which withdrawal is worse - Effexor or Cymbalta... so I am asking any of you who have suffered through withdrawal from both - which was worse?
> > >
> > > And a question for those of you who are adamantly against taking anything... WHAT therapy is available to train/restructure the brain to eliminate a severe anxiety disorder? I guess I ought to take that question to another board...
> > >
> > > -Jaspar
> >
> > Hi Jaspar,
> >
> > I originally went on Cymbalta for a severe daily panic attack disorder. It was the wonder "mind" drug. Little did I know how insidious it was. My BP was always on the low side. Suddenly it was high and I was put on BP meds. I never had belly fat. Suddenly I have more than my share along with an extra 25 pounds. My thyroid was tested and my meds were adjusted. I never had heart problems but started having my left arm going numb, tightness in my chest and shoulders, etc. I was sent for extensive tests and my heart is great. My skin started changing. Moles are arriving all over the place. I went to the dermatologist. She can't figure it out. Migraine headaches started. I'm now on my fourth day of cold turkey after a year and 1/2 on 60mg of Cymbalta. My symptoms of the above mentioned disorders have worsened ten fold (except for the panic and I'll get to that shortly). My body is so bloated my husband had to cut my wedding rings off. Not to mention how badly bloated my tummy is! My face and neck are swollen too (btw..this started several months ago and after being tested for mumps and seeing and ENT doc. Guess what!? I'm fine and they don't know what is causing this along with outside ear pain...). The headaches are horrible. The numbness and pain in my arm is worse than ever not to mention that all of my muscles in my body are screaming. Last night I had a dream that I was looking down at myself sleeping and I wasn't breathing. I had to tell myself to breath. I woke up and told my husband that I was either going to vomit or my heart was going to give out. Now, I'm one of the most optomistic people on the face of the earth and I have a wonderful life (finally after all that went down the past 3 years...death, a wonderful 20 year marriage abruptly ending, more death, losing my home, nearly losing my daughter, so much more and the reason for the panic attacks, but you get the picture). That being said, I know I'll get through it I just have to find a way to get my body back to what it was before Cymbalta. Long story for a relatively short answer. The withdrawal symptoms seem to be a magnification of the problems of the body that crop up while on the drug. The things that we and our doctors think are due to aging, etc. Anxiety & panic? My way out and what has worked for me was being mindful and seeing a hypnotherapist and having monthly body massage. Not the stage kind. This person worked on relaxation techniques while taping our sessions along with relaxation music. Everytime I listened to my tape/s while going to sleep I noticed something so profund that I had not noticed before. It's a beautiful thing. I also went for healing touch and that is also a very relaxing and a mindful thing to do. I've worked in the mental health field for 30 years and work for the largest non-profit mental health agency in VT. We promote trying to heal the body without drugs, with our own mind calming techniques. Nutrition is a big thing as well. But I'm sure we all know that.
> >
> > I don't know about Effexor as I've never been on an antidepressent/anti anxiety drug before this.
> >
> > Please ask you friend when he is having a panic attack to focus on something in the room and just smile, breath, and say, "I'm in the moment." It just may work. It has been my saving grace, so to speak.
> >
> > KParis
> >
> > ~ Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.
> > ~ Nicolas
> >
>
>
poster:gapsgal
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060505/msgs/649876.html