No sertonin.

I quit Cymbalta three weeks ago. Since then I have been in Hell mentally and physically. The physical symptoms are getting better but my emotional state is a nightmare. I have to explain and defend my ****** sad attitude to everyone I talk to, I just can't resist. I'm in a constant state of rage, self pity, sadness and frustration. I have no energy and just want to wade into the water and sink out of sight. I'm a burden and a downer. I have become ridiculous and self absorbed and have little or no hope of it ever getting any better. Whatever makes sertonin in other people must just make vitreous and bile in my own brain. I'm talking to a counselor, drinking lots of water, taking supplements, St. John's wort, trying to meditate and reading Ekhart Tolle, etc...my existence has become meaningless, my pain immense and overwhelming.

Why did you quit Cymbalta? And did you just stop cold turkey?

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Hi Kittycat.

They don't always tell you this, but when you go off psych medications, you should do it gradually and with your MD because withdrawal symptoms can be severe.

Congratulations on getting over the physical stuff at least! You may still be feeling bad right now, but I personally think your prospects for getting better are great, just because you are actively trying new things.

For supplements, I like the book called "The Ultramind Solution" by Mark Hyman. Don't be put off by the rather hype-y title. It's the best source that I know of for this (I also like Andrew Weil's books and web sites).

I've noticed at least a handful of people reporting that meditation is a HUGE help, not just a small help, but they all got success only after trying consistently for quite some time, like 1-2 weeks. I haven't seen a single person say that they tried meditation seriously for weeks and it didn't help, so I suspect that this has a high chance of really working if you stick to it.

I also recommend "SNAP CLUB" as described in this thread

http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...n-escaped.html

It is very easy to try and seems to be a really big help in quite a few cases so far. See also #45 in that thread for purely medical things to check from Mark Hyman.

The other things that I find help me that's not in your story above is exercise and yoga. My impression is that exercise almost always helps but will rarely completely resolve a depression. You can find other ideas in the "depression success stories" section of the site.

Also, by the way, the whole "low serotonin causes depression" thing is apparently wrong

Low Serotonin Levels Don?t Cause Depression | World of Psychology

Go get em! This is a friendly site. Let us know how it goes and what works for you. As Steven Colbert says

I'LL SEE YOU IN HEALTH!!

- vital

@Zinco, I stopped taking Cymbalta because I felt deadened emotionally and depressed. I did taper off but not for long enough I suppose. @Vital, I do Yoga and exercise but I have Plantar Fasciitis in both feet and Fibromyalgia so I feel pain and extreme fatigue constantly. It's hard to workout but I also know that it takes energy to make energy. Meditation is difficult for me because I have focus problems right now as well. I am in a brain fog and just so tired. I just slog through life, driving and not remembering how I got places, literally shuffling my feet when I walk. I fell down the garage steps today and don't remember how it happened. I am icing my kneecap and worrying about the direction my life is taking. I am 47 and I feel 80. I can't figure out what is wrong with me. However I am not crying every day and that is an improvement. I am trying. All I can do is keep going forward. I will look up those resources and Thanks for that!

Kittycat dear,

I really admire your courage and tenacity, but I think you need support too. Are you in contact with your MD and your counselor? Please take care of yourself and keep in contact with us.

- vital