Posted by tennisplayer on November 17, 2007, at 9:53:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by withdrawing on November 17, 2007, at 3:59:25
> Can anyone tell me about how long to expect these withdrawal symptoms? I realize everyone is different, but if someone has been following these posters and has a general idea, it would be great to know!
Withdrawing--You may have already read my several posts (Tennisplayer), but I tapered off Cymbalta for about 8 weeks, took my last dose on July 31, 2007, and have been through 3 months of withdrawal symptoms, but each month they have lessened in severity or disappeared, so that now I am fairly well back to normal with a few glitches. Some people report that they were over their withdrawal much quicker (in about one month or so.) I was on it for 11 months at 60 mg. How long you were taking it and at what dose affects how long your withdrawal symptoms will last and how severe they are, apparently. My worst early symptoms were nausea, insomnia, extreme anger and irritability, and compulsive talking. The nausea is gone completely. Insomnia is almost comopletely gone. I still have much quicker and stronger angry reactions to small things that normally I would probably ignore. Certain smells, any loud noises, etc. irritate me. I still tend to talk too much but it is getting under control. I plan to go to a psychological counselor when I can afford to, or go to a free clinic and discuss some of the anger/talking compulsion problems I still have. When I was on Cymbalta (and Amitriptyline at night, which I had taken for 10 years or so), I was so sleepy all the time that I slept most of the hours of the day and night, but never felt rested when I woke up--only like I wanted to go back to sleep. Neither I nor my doctor thought it could be from the Cymbalta, since I have interstitial cystitis a chronic severe pain disease that I have to take Lortab (hydrocodone) for. I have had to take Lortabs for 3 years now. We thought it was something with those making me sleepy. Once I quit the Cymbalta (just on my own, didn't tell doctor, didnt read drug info, did it cold turkey at first and had horrible withdrawal including severe nightmares, sweats, heat flushes, etc and extreme nausea). Anyway, while I was on the Cymbalta for 11 months I was like a zombie--no energy, no interest in anything except getting back to sleep. When I finally got off of it, I went to the other extreme, hyperactive, lots of energy, some happy (exstatic) mood phases, craving of sweets and carbohydrates almost exclusively (I gained 10 pounds). I lost 25 pounds while taking Cymbalta. Some people do just the opposite--they gain on Cymbalta.
Overall, I feel so much better and alive again, I care about things again. I have the energy to do things. Hang in there and you will eventually feel much better. If you werent on it too long you may be done with withdrawal in 4 to 6 weeks or something. thanks tennisplayer
poster:tennisplayer
thread:466069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/795550.html