I saw attrocities in Desert Storm. In 1994 I was put on Prozac. Since then I have never been off my meds...just changed to different names, etc.
There were days here and there over past 3 decades when i would miss a dose...and man o man it was obvious.
This last week i have been helping my brother move from 800 miles away back to my home. We took the train, rented a car, and then packed boxes, and a uhaul. I forgot my meds...Its been 6 days since i took my last dose of Cymbalta and i have been through sucky physical withdrawals... There's one good thing though, i have slept so good...even on the floor (im 60 years old..thats not easy)
Yet, i have suffered.. so i looked up an answer just now to try to understand some of these withdrawal symptoms and this amazed me but shouldn't have. I DO have all my receipts bookmarked if anybody needs them.
Eccerpt from LinkedIn: "Neuroscience News 424,436 followers
Antidepressant Withdrawal Should Be Taken Seriously
It can take nine months or more for people who have used antidepressants for the long term to find relief from withdrawal symptoms. Researchers address the common symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal and steps to take to help improve symptoms."
Then I typed into my browser: "what vitamins help with cynbalta withdrawal "
WOW!!! I am now feeling really violated Look how much is done in our brains...synthetically... i mean ...crap, frens...
"Vitamin B12, along with Vitamins B3 and B9, not only helps lower homocysteine levels but helps convert it back to methionine. This is then converted into SAMe, which is best known as a methyl-donor. This can help restore and regulate neurotransmitter levels in the body and ease depression. Mar 26, 2023
This is just the tip of this particular rabbit hole for me. Just thought id better get this thread started just in case someone else is out there feeling as bewildered as i am right now...in between the bad withdrawals I'm dealing with in the bathroom ..both face first and the other way.... this sucks.
But...I am better... I don't want to take any more of ths med
Your current symptoms are not true physical withdrawal, but actually discontinuation symptoms. You will feel terrible, but there isn't much danger of actual physical harm to your body as there is with true physical withdrawal. Cymbalta is difficult to discontinue because it has a short half life and needs a taper schedule to avoid discontinuation symptoms. Prozac has a much longer half life, so a taper is rarely needed. Prozac is sometimes used to help taper off of the other SSRIs with short half lives. These medications and nearly all other "maintenance" medications are not intended for lifelong treatment. They are meant to help manage symptoms during the short term while lifestyle changes or therapy actually treats the condition.
As for PTSD and any other mental health conditions including depression and anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for effective treatment and recovery. It can be used along with medication, but it focuses on identifying the root cause of the condition (when needed), recognize exacerbating triggers and thought patterns that reinforce the condition, and development of mitigating thought patterns and actions. PTSD is one of the most difficult conditions to live with, especially when it's caused by war and combat experiences. It's like living with non-stop panic attacks. Taking medication temporarily while starting CBT can help calm and clear the mind to facilitate treatment, but it's not meant to be taken indefinitely.
Although there are therapists who offer CBT, face to face sessions are hard to find and expensive. There are also CBT books, workbooks, websites, videos, and podcasts available.
The symptoms that I have are maddening either way. Why would I have this eye-zap 8 days after the last dose? sooooo frustrating.
and my mouth - I have NO filter right now. Every word out of my mouth makes no sense and I am angry grumpy mean and no desire to do anything but sleep