Gleezie: Been on anti-depressants longer than off --- ready to break free

[gleezie]

Hi there,

 

I am 27. I have been on anti-depressants since I was 12. Originally put on to counter a bad side effect of a different medication, due to family history, just never have come off. 

 

Originally took Celexa, at some point got on Effexor and have now been on Cymbalta 60mg (took 90mg for about 6 months) for almost 9 years. 

 

I've been wanting to get off anti depressants for years, just has never seemed like the right time until now. I hadn't done any research into coming off Cymbalta until tonight and now I am so scared of coming off. I had no idea it was so difficult. I've requested to join the FB group and plan to follow the tapering advice of ~10% 

 

Edited January 30, 2017 by scallywag
add generic drug name tag

[nz11]

Welcome gleezie.

 

We have some of the fastest posting moderators of all internet sites around here so its unusual your post is about to go to page three unwelcomed.

 

There are many Aussies here safely tapering.

It is difficult to get off these drugs but it sounds like you are going to start from an informed position and thats better than most and a major key to a successful outcome.

You can do it, and you will. 

 

You might like to check this out if you have not yet read it:

Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

You can get off this drug and get your life back you will just have to be patient and put aside several years to do it safely and well.

Doctors will ignorantly try to taper you over a few weeks they are misinformed.

 

So sorry you were drugged with these drugs even when the black box warnings existed. The medical profession have acted shamefully.

 

So glad you found sa and so sorry you guys lost the cricket today...to that great nation to your East ! I'm sure you will bounce back in the next one day-er for sure.

Heres one more useful link in case you havent read it

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

nz11

[ChessieCat]

Hi gleezie and welcome from me too.

 

NZ is correct in saying that you are in a great position.  Many members find SA after they have got into trouble with withdrawal symptoms.  I was one of those but I was fortunate that I found SA 3 weeks after getting bad withdrawal symptoms when I tried to drop my dose from 100mg to 50mg.  I was able to updose to 75mg and have been tapering successfully since then, and only getting occasional, minor withdrawal symptoms.

 

It will be helpful if you would Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years.  Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking.  If you are using a phone there are instructions in Posts 9 & 10.

 

And here are some more links to information which you should find helpful.  Check them out and then you can ask questions here in your Intro/Update topic and journal your progress.  Click "Follow" top right and you will be notified when someone responds.

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

Three things which are strongly recommended when it comes to tapering are patience, listening to your body and throwing out the calendar.  The following really helped me to understand SA's recommended taper of now more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

[scallywag]

Welcome from me too, a fellow taperer of Cymbalta!

 

A quick link to how many of us create the 10% reductions: Counting beads.