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[Briony]

If you've only been on two weeks, I am sure you can withdraw more quickly. I would miss one day in three this week, every other day next week, then if you feel fine, stop in three weeks. I had been on for a fair bit longer x

[MIS71MUM]

Yes that's a good idea.  Was supposed to take my dose this morning at 8 but think I'll either take it this evening or in the morning.  That way I'll know what a day time feels like without it, then can compare.

The upside to all this is that I have only taken 1 X 2 mg diazepam in 3 weeks, so that should be out of my system soon.

My brain is that foggy from taking it, it's hard to think clearly.

[CLKD]

Diazapam doesn't last that long ….. which is why people become addicted to it.

Fuzzy head can be caused by all types of issues, for me it can be sleeping too heavily, for too long, not enough sleep.  Add to that a BB and AD at night 

You may not feel any different ……..

[MIS71MUM]

I've just realised something and it's scared me a bit. Each day this week, since taking the tablets at 8 am, I've had quite a down spell where I've felt very numb and not liked myself. These were very dark thoughts where I thought I was a bad person and was worthless to everyone. It did pass but left me upset.
So far today, I haven't felt like that after missing my today's dose.

Is what I describe a normal se of an AD? Or would you quit?

[Briony]

I know that for many ADs, you can feel down before you feel better. I think it's a recognised side effect of some?


From Cymbalta/Duloxetine info pages re side effects:

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Dizziness, headache, somnolence
Common (1% to 10%): Dysgeusia, lethargy, paraesthesia/hypoesthesia, tremor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsions, disturbance in attention, dyskinesia, extrapyramidal symptoms, myoclonus, psychomotor restlessness, restless legs syndrome, trismus, syncope
Rare (less than 0.1%): Akathisia, dysarthria, gait disturbance
Postmarketing reports: Intracerebral bleeding, seizures upon treatment discontinuation, serotonin syndrome[Ref]


Psychiatric

Antidepressants may have a role in inducing worsening of depression and the emergence of suicidality in certain patients during the early phases of treatment. An increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders has been reported with short-term use of antidepressant drugs.


Very common (10% or more): Insomnia
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, sleep disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apathy, bruxism, disorientation/confusional state, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, poor quality sleep, suicide attempt
Rare (less than 0.1%): Aggression and anger, completed suicide, hallucinations, mania, suicidal behavior and ideation[Ref]

[MIS71MUM]

Thank you for that. At least - I'll know how I feel by the morning. Anxiety is the worst feeling in the world.....I hate it.

This experience really has been the worst for me - just wish I was coming out the other side.

Wouldn't mind but initially when I took them at night, felt like I'd be able to get on with them. As soon as I changed to the morning, it all went wrong.

Feel guilty about my little ones, I'm neglecting them while all this is going on 😓

[Briony]

Put it into perspective - you'll be out the other side soon.  Two weeks of it is nothing and I bet your little ones wont have had a clue.

Do you take anything for your hormonal issues? I am a bit reticent to say this, given recent posts, but I can honestly say that taking Qlaira was the best thing I did in terms of my moods and anxiety. Better than any AD. x

[CLKD]

It's the Trial and Error that I found so difficult at a time I was already really ill.  I hadn't the energy to keep asking for more advice from our GP.  Fortunately he always had time for me, even those days when I wandered into the Surgery where I felt safe, he nipped me in between patients.

I too HATE the anxiety. 

[MIS71MUM]

I read your post the other day about Qlara...i've also read Gypsy Rose Lee's pill diary.

As I mentioned before, i'm 44.  I'm currently taking Femoston 1/10, I dislike the progesterone part and always prefer the oestrogen element.  The only thing is, I thought I'd read that Qlara was similar to Femoston 2/10 which I didn't get along with.  That was my main concern - I think it was that, it was the same time as I was told I had low ferritin levels and the GP pulled me off it straight away.

I know the kids aren't suffering really, but it's me that feels guilty, the anxiety/AD journey has lasted 2 months so far and there's no end in sight. 

CKLD - just got to keep trying until I get myself sorted, the anxiety is consuming sometimes and I can't stop thinking about how to get well.  My mind just needs a rest, luckily I am sleeping okay.

[Briony]

It was me who compared it to Femeston 2/10, but only in terms of the amount of estrogen. They are otherwise very different.

I didnt like progesterone but found it's better to have a little nearly all the time than a lot some of the time, if that makes sense? Thats why I switched from sequential hrt to a combined pill. The pill GRL is now on (Marevlon) is known to be good for ladies who like higher estrogen and less progesterone x

[CLKD]

"I know the kids aren't suffering really, but it's me that feels guilty, the anxiety/AD journey has lasted 2 months so far and there's no end in sight …….. "    :       do the children know that you are less than 'able'?  Are they at an age where they would do chores around the house/garden?  Children pick up vibes so better to be up front?  That gets rid of the guilt  .

[MIS71MUM]

My little ones are 5 & 7. I've told them that I am poorly but luckily, they are too young to fully understand what's wrong with me.

Last night was really enjoyable with them....probably because I missed my medication. We watched X Factor, got goosebumps and cuddled them and felt something, it was a much needed relief to the numb feeling. I even thought about the "C" word after seeing some adverts.

anyway - taken my med this morning. Dreading the lightening bolts of anxiety that it gives me and the worthless feeling. But from past experience, I know now that I probably feel like I do because I haven't previously tapered from AD's and my mental health has suffered.  So have the next day or so to decide whether to carry on with this med or start to taper off.

Also had a good sleep last night, which really helps you function properly. Noticed I was in a good mood last night, so do wonder if the meds are starting to lift my mood a bit.

Briony - I have "sticky blood syndrome" which makes me high risk for bcp.....once I'm feeling a bit more with it, I'll investigate my options.  Just daren't do anything to make me feel worse atm.

[Briony]

Briony - I have "sticky blood syndrome" which makes me high risk for bcp.....once I'm feeling a bit more with it, I'll investigate my options.  Just daren't do anything to make me feel worse atm.

If you're able to have any BCP, then Q would be the one. The only reason I ended up on it is that my dad had a serious stroke at a young age and I get migraines, occasionally with aura. Being s low dose and not having synthetic estrogen, it's less likely to cause problems. I think a good GP will weigh up the risks for the individual person - we balanced by higher risk with the fact I dont smoke, am not over weight and had tried other options with no success. As CKLD so often rightly says, it's all about quality of life.         That said, another GP I saw in the same practice refused to let me have any pill. (I just made an appointment to see another one!).

[MIS71MUM]

I just don't get this Duloxetine stuff. I took my dose yesterday at 8 and this morning at 8. From midday till 3, I've been laid out on the settee totally spaced out. Almost like when I first started taking it. I suppose this is because I missed my dose on Sunday. Now I've come round a bit, although I don't feel anxious, I feel very down.

Therefore I think I need to remove balls as a way of withdrawing - also would the withdrawal be lessened by switching to something else asap.

Seeing my GP in the morning

[CLKD]

You won't take anything else that will help withdrawal.  It may be something else making you feel spaced out.  Are you drinking enough, eating, suddenly tired ………