Hello All,
I shared 2 weeks ago that I was cutting back on my Cymbalta and Tramadol. Now I am not sure I should have cut back on both at the same time.

I have been a mess crying all the time. Arguing with people. (really not like me) The reason I cut back was because I felt like I was not really feeling anything. I couldn't tell you the last time I cried. Now I can't seem to stop.

I know that both Cymbalta and Tramadol influence Seratonin levels. I'm guessing that may be why this is happening. I am also having really bad pain now. I'm considering adding one tramadol back to what I now take which is 50mg in AM, afternoon and two at night. I will add one back in the AM because I wake up in a lot of pain.

My neuro said that he believes that it is the Cymbalta causing my emotions to be so flat.

I forgot to also say that I had IVIG Rx's last week for 2 days. I believe I still have not recovered from s/e's from the rx. Nausea, pain, my h/a finally went away today.

Has this happened to anyone else or does anyone have any suggestions or support for me. I am really confused on what I should do.

Cymbalta and tramadol, both cause side effects if you get off the medications too fast. Yes they can and do mess with your emotions. Make sure you ask your doctor when going off a medication, or for that matter getting back on the medication on how to do it safely. Tramadol does help with pain, and perhaps you are experiencing more pain because you got off the med. Go ahead and call the doctor. Be as comfortable as you can. ginnie

If you have decreased doses on both drugs, you might want to add in a small amount of tryptophan.

SSRI type drugs do NOT increase production of serotonin, they only keep serotonin longer in the synapses between nerves.
In fact serotonin production goes down, when the serotonin is not retaken up back into the cell.

Tryptophan, B6 and magnesium are involved in making new serotonin.

When you start to withdraw on these drugs, there is a period where the production of serotonin has to restart back to your previous normal levels. The tryptophan can help this a bit.

You need to be careful and not use too much --and it would be best to discuss this with your doctor.

This is one link that explains the use of tryptophan with removing SSRI type drugs.
http://www.moodcure.com/withdrawal_protocol.html
You can Google "tryptophan serotonin withdrawal" for other
sites and ideas.

I hope your doctor is somewhat knowledgeable about this so he/she can help you. Tryptophan is easier to do this with and gentler than 5-HTP.
How to do this and dosing depends on how much you have reduced your drugs at this point.
Doctor's Best makes a good tryptophan product. So does NOW.

You don't want to use too much supplement, and push yourself into a serotonin syndrome situation.

Stopping ultram is a nightmare. You will be depressed. Weepy. Dry heeving or vomiting. Feel off balance. I take 200 mg a day and I still feel emotions. It must be coming from the cymbol. I WOULD NOT GO OFF THE ULTRAM.

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your answers. I appreciate it. For some reason I feel afraid of taking medications. I think the side effects and the fact that my family has had a genetic predisposal to addiction really scares me. I did go back up to the 250mg of Tramadol yesterday and feel better. Maybe is a few weeks I will try to get to 200mg.

Ginnie I did talk to my neuro and he was ok with me doing both. I should have known better than to do both at once. I think I was just anxious to get myself back. Well, that didn't work!

Mrs. D. I will talk to my doctor about the Tryptophan when I see him in July. Reminds me of Turkey at Thanksgiving.

FiestLady, I don't know that I'll ever be able to go off the ultram all together. Just with the decrease my pain level really increased. I don't want to take anything stronger than this.

I hate this disease! I hate the medications! It feels like I'll never be myself again!

Hopeful