Posted by Raisin on July 14, 2006, at 0:31:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 13, 2006, at 14:28:16
Hi, Everyone,
I went off Cymbalta cold turkey after reading that the intense unbearable itching that I was experiencing while on the drug would continue as a withdrawl symptom. I don't remember the exact date, but I stopped taking it around June 21, and I have been itch free for about a week, hooray! My new experiences include very mild nausea (no vomit episodes), much dizziness and lightheadedness, water retention, intense irritability and crabbiness (boyfriend almost broke up with me).Notes:
1. While on this "antidepressent" drug for only about 6 weeks I experienced these severe depression symptoms:Anxiety
Stress eating (causing a weight gain of 15 lb.)
Extreme midday tiredness (2 hour nap)2. I was also on Welbutrin while taking Cymbalta. I ran out about a week before I stopped the Cymbalta and did not refill. I'm sure this also added to my irritability (although it did not affect me until stopping the Cymbalta.)
3. The Cymbalta was added to my drug cocktail because my Dr. learned that another (unofficial) benefit of the drug was a tightening up "down there" which could be helpful for those of us women who have stress incontinence. (I only leaked a tiny amount when I sneezed or coughed.) My leakage problem stopped the day after I started taking the Cymbalta. The Dr. heard about this at a seminar and asked if I wanted to try it. It is not FDA approved for the treatment of incontinence. I am now pursuing other options to deal with the incontinence.
4. My Dr. does not know that I went off the meds. I keep meaning to call, but I haven't.
It is somewhat strange to experience emotions and feelings after trying to avoid them. Looking back, I feel that I was a little like a zombie while on the meds - nothing bothered me, but I was never experiencing true joy, either. I am going to try to stay off the drugs and deal with whatever comes. It is a little strange (but normal) to feel sad, angry and anxious, but I also get to experience joy, happiness and contentment. As long as I don't fall back into the old routines of sleeping and eating for immediate gratification, or crying for 3 days straight, I think I can do it. If not, I guess I can always go back to Welbutrin.
I am just wondering how much longer this "airheadedness" will continue. (It could be a personality trait and not an effect of the meds, I guess.)
Having all of you here to validate what I have been and still am going through has been invaluable. I appreciate your comments and information.
Thanks!
Raisin
poster:Raisin
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060627/msgs/666933.html