Trying to Get Off Cymbalta?

The carb-free thing didn't work out but I'm not convinced that it isn't a diet issue that's causing my problems.  I've found some information on "delayed pattern food allergy" on the web and although I may be grasping at straws it sounds like an interesting theory to me.  I ordered a book by Dr. Gislason which explains the very involved process for discovering if you may in fact have a food allergy.  According to what I've read, it may take many months to come to any realization but if it works it's easily worth the time.

To prepare for fasting, which is the first step in the process, Dr. Gislason suggests that you rid your body of all prescription medications (as well as nicotine, caffeine & alcohol among other things).  I've been on SSRI's for about fifteen years to treat my Major Depression, so I'm a bit apprehensive about not taking them since I've experienced some severe depression in my life.  I've also had some experience with SSRI withdrawl so I know not to stop taking them abruptly.  I'm taking 60mg of Cymbalta once per day, so my plan was to take one dose every-other-day for a week or two then take one every third day, etc.  Since the medication comes in capsules, they can't be split in half.  I've used this method to wean myself off SSRIs before and have never had any problems.

Three days ago I intentionally skipped my Cymbalta dose before I went to bed, planning to take a dose the next night.  I woke up the next morning hardly able to move.  My muscles were so weak I could baredly lift my head from my pillow to drink some water.  As the day progressed I became more and more nauseated and I shivered with cold sweats.  It reminded me of my drinking days and the horrible hang-overs and alcohol poisoning I suffered all too frequently.  Unfortunately, my sickened state prevented me from realizing the source of my suffering until later in the evening.  I took a dose immediately but the damage was already done.  The next morning the withdrawl symptoms were gone.

I have NEVER experienced SSRI withdrawl symptoms that severe or sudden before.  In the past it's taken two or three days before I started to get "brain zaps" and feel dizzy or nauseated.  I admit that I was getting over a cold virus so that may have had some effect but I don't really think so.  My doctor prescribed 20mg tablets and I've been taking two of those once per day for the last two days and I haven't experienced any withdrawl as of yet.

If anyone out there is planning on quitting Cymbalta, be careful!  Also, don't let your prescription run out and think you'll just call your doctor tomorrow.  If you do, you may suffer severely for it and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Am I Missing Something?

Either I've missed something major in my research or my cognitive abilities have been more compromised than I thought.  If anyone reading this post could offer some insight I may have missed I would really appreciate it.

For the past year and a half I've learned more than I care to about antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, Trycyclic, etc.) and other forms of medication from pain killers to anti-convulsants and sedatives.  I've been prescribed about ten different medications (so far) by several doctors as I've tried desperately to get some relief from my illness.  Right now I'm taking 200mg Welbutrin, 60mg Cymbalta, 100mg Neurontin and 2mg Lorazepam once daily.

Actually, antidepressants are far from new to me.   I've been taking them for about fifteen years.  I've suffered with depression for as long as I can remember with my earliest memory of being depressed taking place in my second grade classroom.  But it wasn't until 1995, while I was attending college, that I was finally diagnosed  with Major Depression and medicated.  Since then I've probably taken most of the antidepressants on the market.

About eight years ago I developed severe Panic Disorder and started taking Lorazepam for acute attacks.  After my panic became partially controlled I used Lorazepam on occasion to help me sleep.  A year and a half ago when I became ill with Fybromyalgia my sleep was severely disrupted as it is with many sufferers.  I couldn't stay asleep and I was plagued with disturbing dreams and horrible nightmares.  I started taking the Lorazepam again and it magically helped me sleep without any noticeable side effects.        

OK so, here's where the confusion starts. The last two doctors I've seen have insisted that I stop taking Lorazepam due to it's "addictive" nature.  I've been prescribed other medications that are meant to replace it, the latest and greatest of which is Neurontin.  I took the prescribed dosage for about six weeks and never experienced any reduction in the side effects which were SEVERE and included nausea, dizziness, migraine headaches, confusion and excessive tiredness.

I'm not understanding the logic here.  Although Lorazepam is supposedly addictive, I've been taking it on and off for eight years.  When I do take it, I'm able to get a good night's sleep, wake up feeling rested and without side-effects.  I've gone days and even weeks in the past without taking it and never experienced any type of withdrawal (which I have from other medications).  The fact that Lorazepam is addictive seems beside the point in this case.  It has worked well for me consistently and I haven't had any ill effects that I'm aware of.  The same cannot be said about the drugs that have been prescribed to replace it.  What am I missing?  Is there some type of stigma attached to the prescribing of Lorazepam (Ativan) in the medical community?  Is it some kind of taboo?  I 'm thoroughly baffled and can think of no other reason that my doctors would be so adamant that I not take it.  Any insight on this?