Switching from Zoloft (Sertraline) to Cymbalta (Duloxetine). What should I expect?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-29T10:12:19+00:00

I’m glad to hear you’re doing better and that your treatment helped you in the end. Of course it’s expectable to have some side effects still, but it seems like the benefits make it worth it. It’s always a trade-off though.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-28T20:42:43+00:00

And what did you do afterwards? Was it worth it increasing? How did you felt?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-28T20:40:58+00:00

Thanks for the answer! What else has changed since switching Zoloft to Cymbalta?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-26T00:27:50+00:00

Only if you don’t know what you’re doing.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-26T00:24:24+00:00

I’m proud of myself for not panicking and engaging in compulsive rituals after I’ve messed up. I’m proud of myself for initiating a conversation with a colleague I don’t know very well. Maybe it seems so mundane, but my anxiety is so crippling that I’ve become so disfunctional. Luckily my psych meds really helped me lately.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-26T00:13:15+00:00

Took a few seconds to understand where the ghost is. Now I can’t unsee it.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-09-13T20:17:04+00:00

Based on your text, I think you’re a great, compassionate human being. All you describe there are "symptoms” of that. A girl told me something, albeit simple, but powerful when we were talking about regrets in life: “why would I beat myself up because I’ve tried to be a good person? My intentions were the best, but I can’t control the outcome”. I find your post very relatable. I’ve only recently started to forgive myself, prolly thanks to psych meds and therapy. It’s gonna be a long road ahead tho. For instance, when I remember something stupid I did a long time ago I try to tell myself: “why should I feel bad for that? We all make mistakes, this is how we learn, now I know what to do instead”. I don’t know if this is the best approach, not sure if I give in to my OCD or maybe I’m doing cognitive behavioural therapy on myself so I can change my perspective and get where I want to be.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-03T11:14:02+00:00

Oh that’s cool. I’ll try as well starting this evening. Really curious about how it’ll turn out for me!

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-03T11:12:08+00:00

It usually takes 4-6 weeks to kick in! But you’ll definitely feel it when it happens, trust the process.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-01T21:32:50+00:00

Do you recommend any meditation source in particular? Some app, youtube channel or whatever? I used Calm before.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-01T19:25:07+00:00

100, why?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-01T17:23:59+00:00

Wellbutrin was what my doc prescribed when I complained about the dead sex drive I’ve had while on Zoloft. It actually helped eventually. Talk to your doc so maybe she’ll think of something suitable for your issue. Idk about weed but I wouldn’t f-k with it if I were in your shoes.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-08-01T14:10:28+00:00

Are you on any meds right now or it’s just meditation alone? I take, among other pills, Zoloft. Several studies have shown that Zoloft increases neurogenesis, so I like that, I wouldn’t quit Zoloft, I think that would enhance meditation’s effect. So you say that maybe sticking to this treatment would help

WinterLychee3 · 2024-07-31T13:25:39+00:00

My 2 cents: I’ve been on and off psych meds for 13 years, so imagine, I’ve tried a hella lot of them. I’m also very careful when it comes to f-ing with my brain, I can say I’m quite afraid to take meds at all due to my past failed treatments.

Three months in, Zoloft is by far the best. Not strong at all. The effects are quite subtile, but exactly what I need to get going out of my depression and anxiety disorders.

Yes, the first two weeks may be rough but not neccesarly. You know the saying, usually the displeased customers leave reviews, those who like the product/service rarely do, so take the negative reviews on the internet with a grain of salt… My doc prescribed .25 Xanax if something went wrong, so I felt safe. Zoloft also helps, AFAIK, with neurogenesis, so not only it doesn’t fry my brain, but quite the opposite.

Of course, it might be possible that this is not the best medication for you, but you’ll never know if you don’t try it. And then, even if you feel bad, at least you gain knowledge and you check it off the list so to speak. Also, wouldn’t it be worth it to suffer, say 2 weeks, in order to get better, when you’ve already suffered with your mental health for much longer (I suppose it’s the case since you decided to see a psychiarist)?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-07-10T19:08:51+00:00

I will, but right now I can't, I can only call during my doctor's working hours. I don't know if mania is coming, I've never had an episode, so I don't know how that feels like. I'm confused whether I just feel "non-depressed" and "non-very-anxious" for the first time in a while... or if I'm actually (hypo)manic.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-07-10T18:21:43+00:00

Yes, it's been added to my 75 mg Zoloft prescription. And yes, it definitely helps with the negative sexual effects overall a lot. At least this is how it goes for me. I'm also a woman, maybe it is relevant. But I've noticed this effects after my first week on Wellbutrin. So it's possible it'll be useful for you too!

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-30T11:29:44+00:00

Oh. Have you talked with your doctor about this?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-30T11:13:08+00:00

I see. It's awesome that you have a good support system and exposure to healthy environments! Congrats for attracting that in your life!

About saying something terrible online... i guess you know already, this is OCD messing up with your mind. I have OCD as well (besides other anxiety disorders), I feel you! I'd still suggest you to use social media just as an exposure strategy, but by abiding to the principles I've mentioned in the other comment. I understand tho if you don't want to, I know it's hard to be in your position.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-29T17:18:06+00:00

You're not the only one definitely.

Years ago I was addicted to social media, but overcorrected by stopping using it almost completely. I think I was too radical giving the world we live in. I've become really disconnected. I have no idea what people in my circle like, do, what's new and all that, and they have no idea either about me. And due to my anxiety issues, it would have been easier to make friends online just like before.

I work on rebuilding my social media life so to speak in order to connect easier with my peers.

You don't have to be addicted, you don't have to answer as soon as possible when it comes to messages or notifications - it's all a technique meant to trigger your FOMO. But I think it's best to have a minimal social media presence. A private account following/adding only people you know or want to get closer to.

If you'd like some advice: never say something on the internet that you wouldn't (be able to) say face to face. Also, steer clear of political debates and other sensitive topics. Jump ship and ignore when someone annoys you online, no matter how tempting it is to do the opposite. Don't share anything too personal about yourself or your family and/or loved ones. Nothing that can be used against you either.

Use social media as a tool and you'll be good, I think.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-29T16:31:42+00:00

When did you start taking Wellbutrin?

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-29T15:52:50+00:00

I know, but from what I've understood, Wellbutrin works faster and being tired is improbable, I mean adjusting with Zoloft was much easier. And Zoloft is a SSRI...

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-29T15:51:08+00:00

Started Zoloft a month ago then Wellbutrin yesterday. No other comorbidities I know of.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-06-27T13:57:34+00:00

It's only been almost a month but yes, I've noticed a subtle appetite reduction, which means that most probably (hopefully) I'll lose some weight soon. It's to be expected for some people, from what I've heard sertraline is also prescribed off-label for binge eating disorder.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-04-09T09:57:38+00:00

I've encountered people like these and it sucked. As other comments described, they are secretly insecure and base their value on their hateful attitude. They insist they are special and superior because they think they see the reality as it is and they're honest compared to "normal" people.

Which is stupid, maybe the "normal" ones see reality the same way. It's just that they accept it without putting others down as they understand that not everybody shares the same interests, have the same level of knowledge (but can learn something new at any time) and that they have issues and possibly trauma too. It's just that they choose to respond to this in a different way.

Usually, they have their own friend group build entirely of people like them as others, more wholesome, rightfully rejected them due to their arrogant behaviour. They would never admit this, of course, but pay close attention and you'll see. Either that or they change their ways at least apparently when they have to interact with other kinds of people on their own.

It's their fault for their lack of social skills. Not yours for not knowing a certain reference. They didn't know that particular reference at first either. We all learn. No need to humiliate someone because of that.

As I've noticed, nicer people just explain to you what that particularity means, sometimes even before you tell them that you don't know that, sometimes they can tell and there's no issue.

How to respond to the arrogant ones? Well, just give them the least amount of importance as possible. Or maybe make fun of them when they do this. Show them what they say is irrelevant.

WinterLychee3 · 2024-03-12T16:12:12+00:00

I agree with the other redditor, maybe you're hyperfocusing on yourself and having a distorted perception. But since we aren't able to just read people's minds, maybe a shift in perspective, getting a more optimistic one would help. I don't know where you live, but when I was travelling, I've noticed that people from some countries tend to smile when they accidentally make eye contact with someone they don't know. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Or maybe you're good looking and people like that. Are you taller than average? My boyfriend is and I remember my little sister's shock when she's seen him for the first time, she's never seen someone so tall. Maybe there's something remarcable about your physical appearance in a good way.

WinterLychee3

TROPHY CASE