Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
Hi,
My name is Vijoy and I am a psychiatrist. I have MDD and was previously on Effexor XR 300mg daily and had severe visual problems after a few weeks, and switched to Cymbalta 60mg daily without any break. I have to say Cymbalta helps with certain residual symptoms of depression such as willingness to socialize and start new tasks.
A few days ago I stopped the Cymbalta (yes, from 60 to ZERO) because I am starting to have depressive episodes again. I have come to reason that Cymbalta is effective for short-term treatment... anything past 3 months seems INEFFECTIVE in my patients incl. myself. So why take medication if it's not going to help and reduce your life expectancy due to cardiac problems such as hypertension and tachycardia / arrythmias?
I feel terrible flu-like symptoms now however, including nausea, dizziness, SEVERE headaches that are not relieved by Tylenol, periods of "freeze" that feel like cataplexic attacks, etc. I feel even more depressed especially knowing that I am incapable right now of doing anything competently.
My advice is to bear with the withdrawl if you can and take a week off work if possible, like I am doing. I am going through what you are going through, I know, it SUCKS. IF you can get your family doctor to prescribe you clonidine ina very small dose it may help (for a few days) but beware of low blood pressure upon lying to standing. Clonidine is used for the flu like symptoms of heroin withdrawl and may be useful because your body is going through a sympathetic-parasympathetic mayhem right now (you may have noticed a swing-like state of symptoms). I would not recommend this but amphetamines may also help, although the insomnia will worsen. The periods of "freeze" are cataplexic attacks seen in narcolepsy. Ambien will help with insomnia by the way although I havent tried it recently.
Anyways I am a relatively new doctor who is just trying to relate and help out and hopefully one day publish more information on these psych drugs that many people know little about. I hope this was a little helpful, God bless. We learn from each other.
Yours,
Vijoy
poster:Dr. Vijoy
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050822/msgs/557908.html