Cymbalta to Zoloft- BIG mistake

[lesweet1971]

I went happily to my psychiatrist thinking my Cymbalta (60mg) might be pooping out. I certainly wasn't having any major issues with anxiety or depression ON Cymbalta (loved it- been on 5 1/2 yrs for a depression episode in 2008). Worked great. I just thought it could be tweaked a bit bc I was having some issues w/hypochondria after some medical stuff last year (that wasn't affecting me THAT bad & frankly I am confident I could have worked harder in therapy to deal with it but I thought maybe the Cymbalta might be pooping out and maybe a change was needed).

Fast forward to Jan 7, 2014. Appt w/psychiatrist. The NP switched me to Zoloft. Low dose of Zoloft for a week(50mg) while taking low dose Cymbalta for a week(30mg). Week 2- stop Cymbalta and start 100mg Zoloft. Appx Feb 8, I had a horrible panic attack (hadn't had one in YEARS). Then everything snowballed- anxiety, agitation, feeling crazy, disconnected, frightened.

Called Psych & got in. Apparently Zoloft not a good med for me. I said I wanted the Cymbalta back (she suggested Cymbalta, Pristiq, Effexor- all SNRI's which maybe my body likes? Side bar- I took Prozac yrs ago (20 yrs) in college and it worked like a charm. Tried again in 2008 & sadly it wasn't working so they upped my dose from 20mg to 40mg & that sent me right over the edge like the Zoloft did this time!  Both SSRI's- apparently I can't take those)?! :(

I digress- Feb 14, 2014 I stopped Zoloft completely & started low dose Cymbalta (30mg) for 1 week then week 2 and after, my old dose of 60mg Cymbalta. I've been back on Cymbalta for 18 days. Full dose for 1 week & 4 days. I'm having better "normal" days most if the time but it seems at least once a day or every other day, I feel that weird, creepy crazy anxiety feeling and I feel it's like a step back and really distresses me. I have Xanax as needed and I'll take one & it helps, as does the treadmill for 30 minutes (I didn't exercise before this now I'm walking like Forrest Gump effortlessly?! Blessing in disguise?! Hehe)!  

My question finally is- are these "step backs" normal part of what I've gone through and since most days have been better or good, does that mean my Cymbalta is working again but just takes more time to settle in and get my chemicals right again?! I'm so fearful the Cymbalta won't or isn't working again when I have these setbacks and worry I've "screwed" myself by switching meds. My psychiatrist NP assures me these reactions, while crappy, aren't uncommon and that I haven't "ruined Cymbalta" for myself bc I was off of it for 6 weeks. She said sometimes AD's will often work better after a little break?!

I guess I want to know how long til I get better?! Truth is, I know it takes time but I'm looking for reassurance. And I'm feeling guilty for even messing w/it in the first place. I have no issues in my mental health history other than appx 2-3 depressions I was treated for. Twice in college for situational stuff and now this "breakdown" (I'm calling it mental flu!), from switching meds.

Any kind, encouraging or helpful advice would be appreciated!!!!

[lesweet1971]

Thank you. Psychiatrists seem to think that it's ok to stop those meds that quickly when going onto another one (even though they were different SNRI to SSRI). The only reason I think it was the Zoloft that caused the problem was that I had 0 side effects until appx 4 weeks after stopping the Cymbalta and being on the Zoloft. Something similar happened in 2008 w/Prozac that I just made the correlation with. I was on Prozac for mild anxiety for abt a yr and a half. My anxiety was increasing so the NP @ family doc increased dose from 20mg to 40mg. That's when crap hit the fan, just like this time!  That's when my therapist referred me to Psychiatrist & he put me on Cymbalta. It was a lifesaver and got me out of that terrible mess plus has helped ever since w/anxiety/depression. (I was on Prozac in college 20 yrs after a bout of depression/anxiety and it was a lifesaver back then but for w/e reason, it didn't work years later).  My point is I think Zoloft & Prozac must me similar in that my brain doesn't like all the serotonin. Idk if I'd ever try an SSRI again and if so, it'd have to be a combo. I'm currently back on Cymbalta and will not be changing anytime soon as it does work for me. I just thought it could use a bit of improving bc I was having some hypochondria last yr (I did have several medical issues). I think therapy could have helped that.... Live & learn!!! Thanks again for your reply. It's appreciated :)

[CRSeaside]

In my view the Cymbalta was stopped too abruptly when it was discontinued first time.  I can't use Paxil, Zoloft & a bunch of other meds either. For me it's like taking an unmanageable dose of depression in a pill.
I was on a combo of Wellbutrin & Cymbalta . You may want to ask your Pdoc about that to boost your mood.
  You'll be ok. Med changes are always scary.  Stick with doing the things you know.   Pamela