Cymbalta in W/D

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Has anyone had any experience with Cymbalta to help out with depression in wd?  I've struggled with depression before benzos so who knows if its wd related.  I've come pretty close to the edge as far as my safety is concerned and I really don't want to keep rolling the dice.  I know that there are likely some horror stories related to a/d use in wd as well, but I'd love to hear if anyone has had a positive or even semi-positive response.  I know its not going to solve all my problems and that a/d need to be withdrawn from as well, but if I can get through K withdrawal I bet I can handle the worst of a/d withdrawal.

 

Thanks everyone,

Scott.

[[Kl...]]

Hi Scott,

 

I want you to be safe and I am so glad that you are willing to try something to get some relief!  The following are things that I will remember for myself, if in the event, I need help in the future.  Please feel free to PM me at any time.  You are a very dear Buddie of mine!!  Big Hugs to you, KL

 

If I had known then what I know now. . .

 

I would choose an SSRI and NOT an SNRI due to the time-release dosing that is inherent in all SNRI's (Cymbalta, Effexor, Pristiq).

 

I would start on a tiny, tiny, dose of an SSRI that came in a liquid preparation, for example, Celexa or Lexapro and wait a few weeks betwen bumping it up so that I could avoid any "start up" side effects such as anxiety/panic attacks. 

 

At the same time as starting an SSRI, I would also get myself into see a good therapist and begin working on getting less isolated and more exercise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[[Kl...]]

P.S.  If you stick to a non-time release A/D, I believe you will find w/d to be not too challenging.  I w/d from Effexor/Cymbalta/Pristiq by using Lexapro as a "bridge" after 11 years of use.  My last dose was on July 18.  I thought that was rough.  Pales in comparison to my experience of benzo w/d.  I suppose everything is a matter of perspective!  Hugs, KL

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Thanks Klonkers,

I've been on a/d's too throughout the years and come off of them without any issues that I, at the time, identified as wd related.  I wish I had been more diligent about keeping records about the impact of each.  The SSRIs have helped out at points in my life and I suppose I need all the help I can get to get through this patch.

 

So did you take the a/d' s during wd?  Were they at all helpful.  I hear you about starting out a very low dose.  Almost all of the SSRI's from what I remember had some initial sideeffects that wore off after a short time.  I suppose this could be avoided with a low mg start.

 

Which SSRIs were helpful?

 

Thanks for the response, Scott. 

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I hope you don't mind I moved this to this board as you may find you get more responses here. 

 

I was on Cymbalta when I first began taking benzos years ago.  The only reason I came off of it was the unpleasant s/x i had while on it.  It did help tremendously at the time w/ my anxiety (though I was also on Clonazepam).  My depression lifted, but I was instead left feeling very "flat".  Not sad, not angry, not happy...just "there".  At the time though, "there" was better than the anxiety and depression I had been experiencing (which may have been caused actually by being on benzos for awhile). 

 

So, to sum it up, it didn't make me worse off.  But I also felt just not "right" on it.  And that is how my interest in coming off of all meds began.  I started to think I was ready to tackle this anxiety issue med free. 

 

With any med, can come s/x.  I am really sensitive to meds in general....even in the past when I was on antibiotics, I would have most of the possible s/x listed. 

 

I hope that helps a bit.  I didn't have a bad experience with it....just not as good as I hoped for. 

 

All the best,

Schatje

[[Co...]]

Hi Scott, I started cymbalta about two months ago, I had been off klon and all meds since March 2010...I started it for nerve pain. I started on 30mg the first week and increased to 60 mg the second week...although it didnt help the nerve pain it helped some other of my sx...mainly the inner vibes and jitteriness...It also helped anxiety and my mood is lighter...I really have not had much depression with wd. I tolerated the cymbalta really well...no panic attacks or high anxiety...it did make me a bit nauseous is all...now Im on elavil as well to relieve nerve pain. I should mention Im not very medication sensitive. Good luck and feel better. I also am glad that you are willing to try something to relieve your depression and keep you safe. Best, Colleen

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Hi-I guess I'll chime in, too.  My doctor started me on very low dose, 5 mg, of Celexa, a SSRI, and titrated me up to 40 mg.  Yesterday she decided to add Effexor, at a very low dose of 37.5 mg, which is an SNRI.  I feel the Celexa has worked well for me, but I still have complete apathy, so she decided to add Effexor.  I haven't started it yet, and I'm a little nervous about it.  I tried SNRI's in the past, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, etc., and had horrible reactions.  I felt like I was on speed.  I will give the Effexor a try because I need something to help with my lack of energy and apathy.  Not sure this will help, but I wish you luck!  Hugs,  Jenn

 

P.S.  Love you Colleennnnnnn

[[BY...]]

Hello,

 

When it comes to just about anything anymore, I read on the subject as much as I can and take into consideration both pros and cons before making a decision. Wish I had done that before.

 

Anyway, if you have time read this over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duloxetine

[[Co...]]

Hi Jenn with so many ns, I took effexor for awhile in 1998...I remember because we had just moved here to Az, it was hard on me to leave my friends and work...but then I became very depressed after the loss of my dog...he jumped over our wall and got hit by a car...I cried all the time but hated for my daughter to see that so I was given first paxil which didnt help and then effexor...I dont recall any problems with the effexor...I felt better and took it about 6 months or so and then stopped it. I dont remember any wd from it. Anyway I hope it helps you and I love you too. Colleennnnnnn        ps thanks for those extra ns

 

Sorry to hijack your thread Scott I agree that its a good idea to do a bit of research.

 

Hi Mike...how r u? I missed you around here...I always loved your posts. 

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Oh ouch, be careful, many people who have taken both ADs and benzos say it was easier to get off the benzos than the ADs.  And Cymbalta has one of the worst reputations for being terrible to get off of.  Maybe even worse than Paxil.  Definitely I have heard stories equivalent to the worst of the benzo stories.

 

Adding another psych drug to the mix is the LAST thing I would try.  There are other approaches to handling depression (or any other withdrawal symptom) that I would totally try first.