Any experience with Anti-depressants?

[jmarie]

I started Cymbalta about three months before my husband left. My mood had really leveled off, recently, and I thought I didn't need it any longer. I quit taking it about 3 weeks ago, but almost immediately started another crying jag with mood swings. I have realized that was a mistake, stopping it.

I started taking it again, last week, but all I have wanted to do is sleep.

This is not what I experienced when I first started taking it. If anything, I was a bit antsy and a bit jittery, but like I said that leveled off and my mood swings disappeared.

Why would it affect me so differently the second time around? I am going to MAKE myself get out of bed tomorrow...but was wondering if any of you have any experience.

[badunnin]

Oooh, 1) never stop taking meds without your doctor and 2) never stop taking them cold turkey. Call your doctor to make an appointment.

[Beth]

No personla experience, but my understanding is that anit-depressants shouldn't be stopped abruptly. DO call your doctor's office in the morning. Hiope you're feeling better real soon.

[Jessnc]

Oooh, 1) never stop taking meds without your doctor and 2) never stop taking them cold turkey. Call your doctor to make an appointment.

Agreed. Make an appt. with your Dr. I was weaned off of Paxil with Dr's approval and it took 1 month to stop taking it and 1 1/2 months for withdrawal symptoms to subside. I was only taking it for 6 months. I'm no expert, but it may be possible that you are experiencing a combination of side effects/withdrawal effects. But do contact your Dr.

[Robyncz]

I agree with the others. You should not have stopped taking it without talking to your doctor. Call your doctor in the morning and get in for a consultation so you both know what to expect.

The sleepiness might not be a reaction to being on the meds again, but rather a reaction to being OFF them for a period of time. But I'm only guessing. Talk to your doctor.

[Becky13347]

Just wanted to stress what the others have said. Consult your doctor before you change anything about the anti depressants you are taking. You should never go off anti depressants cold turkey w/o talking to your doctor and should probably not resume them without talking to the doctor.

Please make an appointment and talk to your doctor about this.

[TKay]

I'm no expert, but I can speak from experience. The others are correct. You should never stop cold turkey (providing that's what you did). You should always be weaned over time off of anti-depressants. It's a classic thing that people on anti-depressants do. You take your meds, you feel better, you think you're fine, you stop your meds. I've done it before too.
With what you've been through recently, Joyce, I would think you might require the anti-depressants for a longer period of time. Again, I'm no professional. The first time I took anti-depressants was when I went through my divorce. The meds really helped me get through. They're not happy pills, but they do take the edge off so it's easier to cope. I digress.
I would suspect that the sleepiness is a sign of the depression you're experiencing and not necessarily a direct result of the meds. If that's not the case, it could be that your situation is different than it was the first time you tried the Cymbalta so that your reaction to the drug is different.
I would go back on the meds (as you're doing) and contact your doc to make sure you're handling it the right way. He/she may have information about how the drug affects the body that might help you.
HTH.

[LakeMartinGal]

What everyone else has said, and also -- you might need a lower dose at this point! When the Effexor I take made me sleepy, a lower dose struck just the right balance! See the doc!!!