Posted by omgirl718 on September 22, 2008, at 8:59:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » ihatedrugs, posted by LeftCoastChick on August 28, 2008, at 1:53:58
I'm responding to the person who posted about going from Cymbalta to Lamictal. They are not the same class of drug. Lamictal is an anti-seizure medication and would be used in your case as a mood stabilizer. In general, having had chronic depression for 30 years now, and having been in therapy for 25, with 8 years on medication and the rest off, I'd have to say it's not really worth playing around with the meds unless you are a psychotic, schizophrenic, or bipolar I. I have been diagnosed as chronic depressive (unipolar), and now for the past five years as bipolar II (with second opinions). Apparently there is now an additional classification of bipolar III.
I have tried all the meds (including lamictal, topomax, and others in that class) and am now steadily coming off of my meds (Cymbalta 120 mg/day, Lithium 600 mg/day, Wellbutrin 300 mg/day, Klonopin 2 mg/night) without my doctor's support. In fact she said, NO psychiatrist would help me titrate off of my meds given the time of year (fall), my history of depression, and diagnosis. The reason I am coming off, is that I have been in a state of anhedonia for the past 2 years -- so basically not enjoying anything, and for the most part no longer feeling anything. My doctor has now diagnosed me as being in a "Borderline Rage" -- which is supposedly in part driving me to want to go off of my meds. In fact if you are bipolar anything, the desire to come of your meds is supposedly an indicator that you are in or entering a manic phase -- not that you might actually be in-tune with what your body needs.
I have come to the conclusion that mental illness is real and based in biochemistry, environment, lifestyle and triggers. I have also come to the conclusion that the medications don't really work for chronic forms of the illness. The medications represent hope which is why we take them and doctors prescribe them. However, the side effects are sometimes worse than the illness they are treating, and coming off of the drugs (especially those with a short half life, such as Cymbalta) is truly hell -- this is not something any psychiatrist has EVER told me. And I find it unbelievable that my current (now ex) psych is telling me that NO psychiatrist would be willing to help me with my effort to take a more holistic approach to treating my illness. I am surprised by the lack of curiosity psychs exhibit when it comes to developing treatments for their patients. Once a meds doc, always a meds doc. Admittedly being a meds doc and knowing all there is to know about the meds would make a doctor feel "in-control" of mental illnesses -- or would at least cause that person to believe they are using the finest medicine available to treat the illness. But that's a myth. Medicine in general is still in the stone ages -- not dark ages, as there are a number of bright spots on the horizon, but at present, most treatments for cancer, mental illness, and other illnesses are crude.
I truly understand how difficult trying med combinations can be and how difficult it is to live with depression or Bipolar whatever. I could go on and on, but here's the upshot based on my experience (keep in mind: EVERYONE is different. it's YOUR experience that really counts):
1. It's OK to have bad days
2. Learn more about coping mechanisms that do not involve drugs
3. Omega-3 (fish oil, or 3/6/9 oil) really does help depression an is good for your body overall
4. SSRI's (like Cymbalta) are messing with your serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates MANY bodily functions.
5. A lack of serotonin has never been determined to be the actual CAUSE of depression.
6. Serotonin does boost mood -- so SSRIs may be treating the cause of depression, or they may just be mitigating the effects of depression.
7. I have had success with Abilify as a mood stabilizer and anti-depressant/psychotic, but I do not believe the drug is weight neutral (as it claims to be). While taking it (for about a year) I put on 40 lbs, which put a dent in my work-outs, which put a dent in my serotonin levels. Net-net? Not worth it!
6. Lithium. It works as a mood stabilizer and has some anti-depressant qualities, but it has an incredible number of serious physical side effects. Expect to feel sick and super-neutral (not full of energy or with a positive outlook) if you take it.
7. Always look for the balance between your mood, physical health, and the side effects of the drug you are taking.
8. It takes from 4-8 weeks to successfully try any drug -- you have to titrate up, and then if you feel too sick, or you don't feel it's working, you have to titrate down. The process of trying drug after drug can take its toll. Better to try EVERY alternative to meds first.
9. If you are ever having a really bad episode there is always ECT. It has come a long way from the old days. It too has side effects, like the loss of some short-term memory for a couple of weeks, but at least you are not subjecting your brain and body to some serious chemicals on a daily basis, and you don't have to "withdraw" from ECT.
10. Don't get too caught up in a Bipolar II diagnosis. If you are a female and map it out, it might just correspond to the natural hormonal rhythms of your body with regard to your cycle.
11. People who are not diagnosed as depressed have about 3 "down" days each month.
12. Try to make peace with the state of your brain chemistry. Accept that you have an illness to deal with that there presently is no cure for. It's important to love yourself as you are.
13. There are NO drugs out there that will ultimately give you a better quality of life (all around) if you have chronic low-grade depression with the occasional severe episode (which does merit drugs) from time to time, or Bipolar I. Save your money, save your frustration, and save your brain and body by seeking alternative ways of handling your disorder until better drugs become available -- or until researchers get a better handle on what causes the disorder.
14. MOST IMPORTANT -- take charge of your treatment. Don't let doctors scare you, don't buy into their point of view until you understand the alternative points of view. Challenge their points of view. Read books. Go online. When shopping for a doctor for mental health purposes, be a knowledgeable consumer! Interview a few before settling on one. You will need to pay for each session as most doctors won't spend a half hour with you for free before you decide to buy their services (it's not a consumer-friendly industry).
15. Your meds and your doctor will not be effective if you don't believe in them. Getting better requires a sort of religious faith. If you believe that something helps your depression (chocolate, soy milk, not watching the news) then it will. So try believing in something other than meds.
16. One thing I only recently picked-up on, is that alleviating depression is closely aligned with alleviating stress. So focus as much on removing stress as you do on boosting your mood. Stress also has many biochemical factors. Try to keep yourself out of stressful situations, jobs, and so on. It's OK to be more sensitive, creative, emotional, or whatever than other people.
poster:omgirl718
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20080220/msgs/853386.html