Dealing with Depression

The section on suicide and antidepressants was better than what I read online other places. I thought there would be more ideas on low cost alternatives to antidepressants – there was no mention of coupon drug offerings in here that I just found out about recently. The tapering off section was ok. I expected a little more from the pharmacists in this e-booklet but fortunately it was an inexpensive purchase.

I was on Cymbalta for 12 years at 60 mg a day. When I decided to get off it, the side effects were worse than any experience I’ve ever had. I contacted a psychiatrist for help. She saved my life and made it EASY to taper off. Maybe it was prayer, and maybe it was her too, but I did it. I went down from 60 mg to 30 mg of Cymbalta with 30 mg of Paxil (generic Paroxetine) added in for a week or two, then down to 30 mg of Cymbalta with the 30 mg of Paxil, then gradually (2 weeks) NO Cymbalta with 30 mg. of Paxil for a full week and half, maybe two, then 20 mg. of Paxil for little over a week, then 10 mg of Paxil and finally off ALL of it! It may have been 2 weeks on each new regiment, I can’t recall exactly the time frame now, but I was FREE of Cymbalta–something I never, ever though was possible.

I thought I was ready to be free of ALL anti-depressants, but NOT so. I had to get something else because I became severely depressed when off all meds. I have a brain chemical deficiency and need something. But Cymbalta is a vicious drug to deal with if you decide not to take it any longer! It dealt with depression and any aches and pains I had. Now I have the aches and pains, but another new med to help depression.

I had a “need” to see if I could actually get off it and be okay without anything because I thought a loss in my life had caused my depression, and I would be okay without any meds any longer–not so! I will take anti-depression meds for the rest of my lifetime, and I’m okay with it.

An interesting article. We wish the answers to the dilemma of whether to take antidepressants vs. try to control somewhat mild symptoms with OTC products were more black & white. Nonetheless, we found the article enlightening.

This had a lot of good info on depression which I need to help my wife, who suffers major depression periodically. I am going to try the St.John’s wort with her and see if it helps. Thanks.