More withdrawals??? So tired of them. Help.

[Pat1956100]

My doctor wants to start me on Cymbalta.  I have been on Effexor for over 6 years.  I had a horrible time coming off of the Lyrica.  I swear it was as bad as any opiate withdrawal.  I still feel sick, depressed, and really miserable.  Now I am supposed to start the Effexor taper. (Oh, I chose to do them separate).  I am on 150mg.  The taper is 75mg for 1 week, then 37.5mg for a week, then stop and start the Cymbalta.
I am afraid because this seems pretty fast to me but my doctor doesn't like to be argued with or when you don't follow his instructions.
Do you think this is doable?  Am I going to feel as sick as I did with the Lyrica?  Can I start the Cymbalta earlier?
I feel like such a ***** and so sick. .
The missing word is b i t c h.  lol.
I posted this in the depression community but I know that you guys have lots of experience with this as well so thought maybe I could get some help here too.  If not, I am sorry for posting it here.
I just know that you all know my history and know that I'm not usually such a b i t c h.
I'm just scared of more withdrawals.

[vicki595]

If its a MAO inhibitor you need to wait two weeks and then start the new med. But that's not the case with you and I think the pharmacist is off on this one.

If you're not sure if you should take the Cymbalta then wait til the doctor is back and just go back to the full dose of the Effexor if you want. Either way, you need to be covered with the amount you're used to...it's up to you Sweetie...you know none of us can tell you what to do...  My money is on the Lyricamcausingmall of this.

[Pat1956100]

I am really tempted to take the Cymbalta again today.  Something has to help.  I don't see how it could hurt.  The pharmacist had to check the original script to see whether or not I had to wait so I imagine some doctors make you wait and others don't.

[Pat1956100]

Yes I did take the Cymbalta yesterday.  The pharmacist mentioned a washout period????
My doctor's machine just says to go to the ER if it's an emergency.
I really feel horrible and so freaking sad.  The ativan helped for a bit with the shakes.

[vicki595]

Really?  All I know is that starting the Cymbalta while tapering the other is a pretty standard practice.  You started the Cymbalta yesterday, right?

Isn't there a doctor on call for your doctor?   This really bites, huh?  Can you treat the symptoms you're feeling at all? Does the Ativan help?

[Pat1956100]

Today was so bad.  I just feel so sick and sad.  My doctor is of course on holidays so I phoned the pharmacist.  He basically said that the withdrawals were very bad and to take ativan as it would help a bit.
I'm not even sure if it's the Lyrica or Effexor or the combination but this is brutal.
He also told me not to start the Cymbalta until I am off the Effexor.  I really don't know how I am going to get through this.

[LeaAnn807]

Hey, Pat, I haven't read the whole thread but I'd talk to the doc about overlapping.  Or, if he's unreasonable, you might talk to another doc.  Effexor WD can be rough, but it should be lessened by tapering slowly.  I would be very cautious about it.  I've known people to do crazy things when stopping it cold turkey.  Literally, it was my ex husband.  Perfectly normal person and went NUTS and we didn't know why!  I want to see you HEALTHY!  So, let's do this right, ok?  And carefully! : D