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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Alexi, posted by gjv625 on August 2, 2005, at 17:53:12
I have been off Cymbalta since Friday (6 days) and am so dizzy I can't leave the house. I went from 60 mg to 30 mg, then I just poured out 1/2 of each capsule (so I was taking 15 mg) for a few days, then stopped. I am so dizzy and I have dirrareah a lot. I feel like I'm going crazy - have to lie down a lot during the day (luckily I work from home). I am still so dizzy after 6 days of no Cymbalta in my system!! Does anyone have any advice - what can I take to stop spinning? I just feel horrible, but refuse to go back on even 1 mg of any antidepressant!!! I am better off on my own. Need advice to get rid of dizziness. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
Hi,
My name is Vijoy and I am a psychiatrist. I have MDD and was previously on Effexor XR 300mg daily and had severe visual problems after a few weeks, and switched to Cymbalta 60mg daily without any break. I have to say Cymbalta helps with certain residual symptoms of depression such as willingness to socialize and start new tasks.
A few days ago I stopped the Cymbalta (yes, from 60 to ZERO) because I am starting to have depressive episodes again. I have come to reason that Cymbalta is effective for short-term treatment... anything past 3 months seems INEFFECTIVE in my patients incl. myself. So why take medication if it's not going to help and reduce your life expectancy due to cardiac problems such as hypertension and tachycardia / arrythmias?
I feel terrible flu-like symptoms now however, including nausea, dizziness, SEVERE headaches that are not relieved by Tylenol, periods of "freeze" that feel like cataplexic attacks, etc. I feel even more depressed especially knowing that I am incapable right now of doing anything competently.
My advice is to bear with the withdrawl if you can and take a week off work if possible, like I am doing. I am going through what you are going through, I know, it SUCKS. IF you can get your family doctor to prescribe you clonidine ina very small dose it may help (for a few days) but beware of low blood pressure upon lying to standing. Clonidine is used for the flu like symptoms of heroin withdrawl and may be useful because your body is going through a sympathetic-parasympathetic mayhem right now (you may have noticed a swing-like state of symptoms). I would not recommend this but amphetamines may also help, although the insomnia will worsen. The periods of "freeze" are cataplexic attacks seen in narcolepsy. Ambien will help with insomnia by the way although I havent tried it recently.
Anyways I am a relatively new doctor who is just trying to relate and help out and hopefully one day publish more information on these psych drugs that many people know little about. I hope this was a little helpful, God bless. We learn from each other.
Yours,
Vijoy
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 24, 2005, at 10:25:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Angela11, posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
> My name is Vijoy and I am a psychiatrist.
Welcome! Could you contact me? I'd like to confirm that you're a doctor. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
> I have been off Cymbalta since Friday (6 days) and am so dizzy I can't leave the house. I went from 60 mg to 30 mg, then I just poured out 1/2 of each capsule (so I was taking 15 mg) for a few days, then stopped. I am so dizzy and I have dirrareah a lot. I feel like I'm going crazy - have to lie down a lot during the day (luckily I work from home). I am still so dizzy after 6 days of no Cymbalta in my system!! Does anyone have any advice - what can I take to stop spinning? I just feel horrible, but refuse to go back on even 1 mg of any antidepressant!!! I am better off on my own. Need advice to get rid of dizziness. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!
Some people have reported getting some relief by using Benadryl, an over-the-counter medication. I don't know what the mechanism is by which the dizziness is produced as a withdrawal symptom, so I don't know if a drug like Dramamine would be of any help. It might be worth looking into, though.It seems that the last 25% of the original dosage is the most difficult to discontinue from. That would be 15mg. In other words, jumping from 15mg to 0mg would very likely produce a severe reaction in vulnerable individuals, despite the gradual taper from 60mg to 15mg. Although inconvenient, using smaller and smaller percentages of opened capsules is still advisable to continue a taper below the 15mg dosage.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
Those also have been used to treat vertigo and inner ear balance issues and dizziness.
gg
Posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 19:59:16
In reply to Perhaps antivert or phenergan? » SLS, posted by gardenergirl on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:14
> Those also have been used to treat vertigo and inner ear balance issues and dizziness.
>
> gg
Thanks GG.What a great idea! Phernergan sounds like the perfect ameliorative for many of the symptoms of SRI withdrawal. I'm going to remember that one.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on September 25, 2005, at 3:46:49
In reply to Re: Perhaps antivert or phenergan? » gardenergirl, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 19:59:16
Ding ding ding!
GG gets a biscuit!
biscuit
biscuit
biscuit(I'm practicing...just ignore me.) ;)
gg
Posted by ed_uk on September 25, 2005, at 10:58:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
Hi Scott,
Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Dramamine is diphenhydramine teoclate (aka dimenhydrinate). I'd expect Dramamine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in a similar manner to Benadryl.
~Ed
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 25, 2005, at 12:17:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » SLS, posted by ed_uk on September 25, 2005, at 10:58:54
> Hi Scott,
>
> Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Dramamine is diphenhydramine teoclate (aka dimenhydrinate). I'd expect Dramamine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in a similar manner to Benadryl.
>
> ~EdYeah and personally I would go for the Benadryl esp. generic form its cheaper and equally effective, however, do not take the 50mg... 25mg should do just fine. Dramamine comes in 50mg diphen only.
About Dramamine... it also has a "less drowsy" forumlation I believe 25mg of meclizine which is also found in Antivert as 12.5mg, 25mg, and a (not recommended) 50mg.
I took 1 25mg benadryl yesterda when i was feeling dizzy and it really helped plus the drowsiness wasnt really noticable since i didnt take 2. But your body might not act the same as mine.
Just a thought.
Take care of yourself!
Vijoy
Posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 25, 2005, at 12:17:15
I am currently going off of Cymbalta. I have experienced this sort of withdrawal several years ago when I went off of Paxil. I can't tell which experience is worse... I'm currently going through the electic shock part. I can't move my head too fast because it seems as though I've got a strobe in my brain. I don't know if I feel dizzy--not like with the Paxil. I do, however, feel very dehydrated, and weak. I can't really stand for too long without wanting to lay back down, and I keep experiencing hot and cold flashes. I've seen people reccomend Benadryl for the dizziness and nausea, does anyone know if it is able to aid in the aleviation of the other symptoms i've described above? I feel wretched.
Thanks,
Claudine
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 26, 2005, at 19:02:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
As far as the dizziness and associated nausea, diphenhydramine or meclizine or whatever else was suggested.
As far as the hot/cold flashes, "electric shocks", possible irritability, etc... I havent tried anything for that just waited it out and ran the AC when I needed to... It is your body's autonomic instability that is causing this among other things that Im not sure about.
Ive been off the Cymbalta for a little over a week and feel much better though, minus the occcasional "electrc shocks", all I can suggest is that youre going through a cleansing, right... well why take another medication then and then have to deal with more problems... you can do it you gotta have faith and remember, for whatever reason youve stopped the cymbalta, you have to believe that you dont need this crutch anymore unless advised by your doctor or if you feel really bad, and you will bear through this and survive because you have empowered yourself.
Oh yeah DO NOT SMOKE during the withdrawl Ive noticed personally and in patients that withdrawl symptoms are worse and the "electric shocks" come on with the nicotine especially.
You can do it,
VijoyP.S. Those f**ks that came up with SSRIs should have made a bigger deal about this withdrawl stuff so that doctors dont go overboard with these SSRIs unless they have to. Once im working here in the US things are gonna change in regards to that if i have anything to do with it. (I just need to do my residency training here)
Later,
Vijoy
Posted by Howie on September 26, 2005, at 19:30:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
Hey, I've been off of Cymbalta for five days now, and if it weren't for the fact that I know I'm having withdrawals, I would think that I was going crazy.The shocks in my head along with the body spasisms are enough to make you....well I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.The only relief that I have gotten is from the fact that I take Tramadal for my lower back pain, and i also take Ambien to help me sleep. The Tramadal seems take the edge off for a while, but doesn't last for long, and that may be due to the fact that I've been on it for so long.I take one fifty milg, at noon and one at night around seven oclock.I take the Ambien about thirty minutes befor bed and I do seem to sleep ok although my wife says I do toss and turn a little more due to the withdrawals. I do hope this will help,I know what it is to go through this, my prayers are with anyone who has to deal with getting off of this drug. Good luck Howard
Posted by Overand on September 29, 2005, at 17:53:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Howie on September 26, 2005, at 19:30:20
Hey, you might want to take note of the fact that Tramadol has some SSRI properties in and of itself, and that it *is* a quasi-opiate and can be somewhat addictive regardless of what many docs may say. Also, (probably due to the SSRI properties) taking substantially more than the reccomended dosage of Tramadol can lead to siezures. Just be careful!
-Overand
> Hey, I've been off of Cymbalta for five days now, and if it weren't for the fact that I know I'm having withdrawals, I would think that I was going crazy.The shocks in my head along with the body spasisms are enough to make you....well I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.The only relief that I have gotten is from the fact that I take Tramadal for my lower back pain, and i also take Ambien to help me sleep. The Tramadal seems take the edge off for a while, but doesn't last for long, and that may be due to the fact that I've been on it for so long.I take one fifty milg, at noon and one at night around seven oclock.I take the Ambien about thirty minutes befor bed and I do seem to sleep ok although my wife says I do toss and turn a little more due to the withdrawals. I do hope this will help,I know what it is to go through this, my prayers are with anyone who has to deal with getting off of this drug. Good luck Howard
Posted by tatt on October 7, 2005, at 17:42:16
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
last week i cut back from 60mg to 30mg and this has been horrible - achy, tired, dizzy, suicidal at times, confused, headache, nauseous, depressed, anxious, seeing spots. I've never had this hard a time coming off an SSRI (been on zoloft, prozac, effexor, wellbutrin). I'm wondering if I should cut back to 20 for the next decrease, and then 10mg - will have to get the pharmacist to make them up but I don't care if I have to pay extra for that - this his horrendous! SSRI's only work for about 6 months and then things just get worse. My doctor has me starting on omega-3 supplaments - anyone try that yet? I've heard some good things.. So glad I found this thread - thought I was dying!
Posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2005, at 19:32:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tatt on October 7, 2005, at 17:42:16
Sorry you're struggling. I'm glad you found Babble helpful.
gg
Posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
In reply to Welcome tatt » tatt, posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2005, at 19:32:59
well, per my doctor's orders, i've had to go back up to 60mg until she can get the pharmacist to compound a batch of 10mg pills for me, so i can step down more slowly. this is really frustrating and is making me feel a little more depressed. i wish i had never started this stupid medication, and i should have followed my gut instinct which told me that SSRI's DONT WORK for more than a few months. i'd rather just deal with the depression other than having all the bad side effects of the meds.
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 9, 2005, at 0:45:52
In reply to Re: Welcome tatt, posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
Sorry to hear that you are stuggling with the Cymbalta, and going from one dose to another and back may be especially troubling. If you look at my earlier posts, I did mention that I have noticed that the SSRIs incl. Cymbalta and Effexor are only a temporary solution and really are effective for a few months. They should be used as a crutch.. see Prozac Nation, it mentions the use of SSRIs aas a crutch and not a life long therapy. It is the job of your doctor to alleviate your depression as much as possible medically but also NONMEDICALLY. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and that makes me angry.
I have gone thru the withdrawl and feel better now, I feel like i have found myself better and you know what, im happy with the moody jerk that i am rather than the pseudo-cheerful plastic-smile person that i was on the Cymbalta and prior to that, Effexor. However, the Cymbalta did help me in the short term since i was going down a very dark path.
This is a very nice thread we have going on, keep it up. Cymbalta is a fairly new drug and needs to be exposed for the good and the BAD it really is.
Final advice, you should still do what your doctor tells you to do, because depression is a pretty serious disease, I know, I have it. I know cymbalta may be bad in many ways, but it is going to lower the chance of suicide in the short term at least. I wish I had something more to say, im sorry, i hope this helps.
yours,
Dr. Vijoy
Posted by sam86 on October 11, 2005, at 14:55:46
In reply to Re: Welcome tatt, posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
A friend of mine forwarded this page to me after hearing my description of "misfires" and how I used process of elimination in determining it was my Cymbalta, if I missed a day by mid-afternoon the next day I had these electronic "misfires", my doctor thought I was nuts I'm sure, I also started having severe migraines (which I'd never had before) so now I'm on Topamax (another drug which requires weaning off to quit) I'm almost in tears reading all of these threads realizing I'm in for a double whammy quitting this stuff and realizing one probably caused the other. I don't know who I'm more angry with, me for not researching sooner or my doctor who should have known better. Thanks for the info everyone!!!
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 11, 2005, at 15:47:13
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by sam86 on October 11, 2005, at 14:55:46
The "electronic misfires" you mention... I know exactly what you mean, I wonder if they are transient cataplexic/narcoleptic attacks... whatever, I wonder if an EEG would show anything.
Lot of doctors dont understand this phenomenon youre talking about, because its not in the books and something that needs to be experienced. I can just see a doctor putting a patient on antipsychotics for that.
Anyways i forgot what i was going to type i had to go do something, well, hang in there and just remember youre not alone in your experiences. I wish there was a depression-anonymous support group setup like AA and NA in local communities. Just a thought
yours,
Dr. Vijoy
Posted by shelleyt on October 11, 2005, at 23:32:22
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by sam86 on October 11, 2005, at 14:55:46
I am so glad I found this site. My mom is suffering horribly. She has been on Cymbalta 60 for 4 months and the doctor took her off cold turkey Thurs. She is sooo sick. I just don't know what to do to help her. Her neurologist prescribed and took her off and he will do nothing to help her now. Her pcp finally called her in a prescription. I can't remember the name, but it said Dramamine II on the info packet. She developed tinnitus while on it and of course the doctor won't confirm that is why. She gained 30 pounds this summer on it. Now coming off Cymbalta and she is so depressed, crying, headaches, dizzy, insomnia, grumpy grumpy, not her self at all. I want my mom back. she is my best friend. To top it off I am on Celexa for depression and have been doing great up until now. I want to cry all the time too. Some one please help!
Shelley
Posted by claudine on October 11, 2005, at 23:47:50
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by shelleyt on October 11, 2005, at 23:32:22
> My mom is suffering horribly. She has been on Cymbalta 60 for 4 months and the doctor took her off cold turkey Thurs. She is sooo sick. I just don't know what to do to help her. Her neurologist prescribed and took her off and he will do nothing to help her now. Her pcp finally called her in a prescription. I can't remember the name, but it said Dramamine II on the info packet.
> ShelleyFirst off Shelly, I am so sorry that you have to see your mother going through this. Is there someone (another adult, father, aunt, uncle, etc) who is able to help out while she's ill?
Secondly, the doctor who took her off cold turkey is a complete incompetent, and should be addressed by this other adult. There is documented proof of cymbalta withdrawal, and to have someone cease medication cold turkey without any assistance could be cause for problems. I'm sure if legal actions were mentioned, this doctor would begin to take note.
Now, as for what you can do to help your mom. The person who prescribed the Dramamine did so (I imagine)to combat the dizzinness. I've heard this is a good remedy, as is a drug called antivert prescribed to treat veritgo. I was on 60 mg for a long time, and tried to wean to 20 for one week, then nothing. It was incredibly hard, and I couldn't go to work for one week. The worst part were the electical shocks felt in the brain. My doctor was able to prescribe a small amount of Prozac to help out with those--and it really worked. I was still feeling awful, but it gets better.
Sometimes it helps to know how the withdrawal progresses...and why. She should expect zaps, dizziness, fatigue, random bouts of crying, sweating...and the list goes on.
The worst was the first week. I felt like I was going to die, it helped to have support and love, and understanding--that you are not crazy. Reassure her that this will pass, and maybe show her this site?? If you have a laptop--it might help her.
This may be different for others, but for me...now that I'm off--I feel amazing. I mean, I still have some random things happen with my body, occasional anger for no reason...but it passes. The thing that I have noticed is CLARITY. It's like I can think clearly.
It's awfully wonderful that you have looked this up to help your mom out, maybe show it to her so she can post/read etc?
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 12, 2005, at 0:34:32
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by claudine on October 11, 2005, at 23:47:50
I agree with claudine, read through the thread it may help understand whats going on.
Going from 60 to ZERO is what i did, at my own free will of course, but it sucks.
Do the following:
1. Dramamine or Benadryl as recommended on the bottle only, use as needed gradually tapering off.
2. Abstain from smoking completely, nicotine makes the "shocks" much worse.
3. Tylenol for the headache, although relief may not be as prominent as with migraine medication, but then again, if youre trying to get away from a SSRI then migraine medication is a type of SSRI...
4. 24hr support, if in a hospital, suicide watch. The depression will resolve itself to some extent in a few weeks, but keep in mind that SSRIs are a temp. treatment for depression so now the patient is left without treatment, this can be rough and should be observed carefully.
5. Other things i must be forgettingh.Look, SSRIs are good for temp. treatment i think most of us agree. Dont listen to Tom Cruise and posse when they say that depression is not a disease and that psychiatry medication doesnt work... i mean , youre going through withdrawl so something mustve happened right?
We need to learn to function on, and OFF, the meds to truly handle our devastating illness. You have seen what it is like on both sides of the fence, now gain the strength to walk on top of the fence. If a person can live off the meds, that is the best thingk, but if you find yourself falling off the fence, temp treatment with ssris is extremely important.
With that said, any doctor who pulls you off a SSRI without any support is a completely a**hole and should be sued.
Yours,
Vijoy
Posted by shelleyt on October 12, 2005, at 6:28:22
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 12, 2005, at 0:34:32
Thank you for the reasurance. I live next door to my mom, so it is more convenient for me to help her. Besides the fact that I love her. My dad is there, but still works, and my sister lives with my grandmother and works and has a 4 year old also. I am a medical trans. and stay home and it is just easier for me to be the one to make the calls and take her to the doctor and so on. She is only 57 and has always had a fullfilling life up until last year. She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, DJD, Degenerative arthritis and so on. We have yet to find a phy. to actually help her. Her neuro who put on Cymbalta thinks she need psychotherapy. She was not crazy until she went on Cymbalta! Anyway I have babbled enough.
Posted by Cindy45 on October 17, 2005, at 22:44:51
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 11, 2005, at 15:47:13
Hi, my name is Cindy and I was just put on cymbalta 2 months ago, I just wondered if any of You had any of these symptoms WHILE you were taking the medication. I have severe sleepiness and fatigue, and weakness. I missed a week of work when the doctor changed my prescription to 60 mg. I went back to 30 and am still having a problem . I feel like i am losing my mind at times and don't want to do anything but sleep.. ohh and I was put on it for chronic pain Not depression.. any advice ?? thanks.
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 17, 2005, at 23:01:14
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by Cindy45 on October 17, 2005, at 22:44:51
The symptoms you are describing are typical with Cymbalta. If youre being treated for chronic pain, there are other medications with less side effects out there that can do the job. I am not sure what would be the best for chronic pain, but amitriptyline is the classic antidepressant for chronic pain that seems to work well. Even if you stay on the cymbalta, 60mg is too much. If your doctor argues that Cymablta is a newer drug and therefore better than amitriptyline, that is not true. Amitriptyline is a well established older drug, whereas cymbalta is very similar to the mechanism of amitriptyline but seems to be giving people more side effects than most drugs out there. It is also very expensive and therefore not a first resort as far as im concerned.
Regardless if youre seeing benefit than stick with it. As with any antyidepressant, if youre going to stop the drug without switching to a different drug, GRADUALLY taper the dose!
New is not always better.
Yours,
Vijoy
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