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Recovery Stopping an antidepressant

aokorn

Bluelighter
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Oct 15, 2023
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I stopped taking an antidepressant Cymbalta (Duloxetine) six months ago. I am reporting this for the reason that it has had a very positive effect on my health. Perhaps this information will help someone.

I had been taking Duloxetine for at least 10 years. At that time (when I started taking it), this antidepressant helped me a lot. Soon after I was 'cured', however, I took it more because I was afraid of depression, which I thought might recur. Depression is really one very serious thing.

While I was taking this, my weight increased a lot. I was at 166 cm to 118 kg. In addition, about 5 years ago I developed quite severe diabetes. I did not specifically attribute both problems (weight and diabetes) to the antidepressant. I thought they were due to other medications that I was also taking. And also my age.

Fortunately, as fate would have it, I decided six months ago to stop taking these antidepressants. Somehow, the time seemed ripe for it. I have to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life. Within two weeks, my blood sugar was back to normal and even very low. My diabetologist reduced my diabetes medication after a while because of this. I still take some of it (Forxiga), but that's because the diabetologist says it's good for the heart at my age. But I have stopped taking Metformin completely. My blood sugar is still below normal. I have also lost 25 kg in two months, without any special measures! I eat the same as before, but I exercise a bit more. This is because I have more will to move.

As you can see, stopping taking it has been positive for me. Those of you who have been taking this medicine (for a long time) should, in my opinion, speak to your doctor to reduce or stop taking it. From my information, prescribing antidepressants by doctors has become quite fashionable. And not necessarily just for depression, but also for pain or inflammation...
 
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I'm happy to hear you are doing well both
mentally and physically. I had very bad experiences with antidepressants. I never suffered from clinical depression, but was prescribed them anyway. Only took them for half a year or so because I began to lose interest in life.
Someone I know got them prescribed for headaches.
 
Glad you're doing better.

I've had mixed results from various antidepressants and mixed results from quitting them. I'm off them now.

In general, I'd say it's best to avoid them unless you suffer from severe clinical depression. Even then, it may take some experimenting to find one that works and that doesn't have terrible side effects.

Antidepressants aren't to be taken casually.
 
Ich habe es 4 Monate lang genommen und habe überhaupt nichts gemerkt, bis die Entzugserscheinungen auftraten...aber sie dauerten nur eine Woche
When I once spoke to my psychiatrist and asked her how psychotropic drugs (including antidepressants) work, she told me that they only work if they have something to work on.

Therefore, someone who is mentally 'healthy' only feels the side effects of the drug.
 
When I once spoke to my psychiatrist and asked her how psychotropic drugs (including antidepressants) work, she told me that they only work if they have something to work on.

Therefore, someone who is mentally 'healthy' only feels the side effects of the drug.
I was taking it for chronic pain. Didn’t touch it whatsoever.
 
When I once spoke to my psychiatrist and asked her how psychotropic drugs (including antidepressants) work, she told me that they only work if they have something to work on.

Therefore, someone who is mentally 'healthy' only feels the side effects of the drug.
I was told the same after taking antidepressants that made me fall asleep constantly and think that life had lost all it's meaning.
 
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As I have already written: antidepressants (also) have many side effects.

You have to think carefully about whether to take them. Of course, with a doctor's consultation.
 
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I never found a particularly effective antidepressant, but duloxetine was one of the more bearable ones. And coming off gave those delicious brain zaps (which I enjoy) for about a month.

It's quite concerning to read about the way it affected your metabolism though. Definitely something for some to consider if they're having difficulties.
 
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