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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by paddlergal on January 18, 2006, at 18:59:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ang123 on January 17, 2006, at 7:29:52
I've been off Cymbalta for 9 days now, with all the symptoms everyone has described. It's horrible. My doc gave it to me about 10 months ago for joint pain, which it helped, but the insomnia and vivid dreams were getting worse, so I took myself off without consulting my MD.
I copy/pasted all the messages, and will give them to my doc tomorrow. I think he gave me this in good faith, and didn't know about the side effects.
But here's my main question: do all these cold turkey symptoms go away?
So far nobody has come out and said that I'll be back to normal. I'm not depressive, just getting old and creaky, and wanted to be able to be more active and get back to canoeing and sailing.
Are these awful symptoms going to going away, or stick with me for the rest of my life?
Thanks to all who shared their experiences.
Paddlergal
Posted by secretme on January 18, 2006, at 19:16:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by paddlergal on January 18, 2006, at 18:59:40
I have been thinking the same thing about getting back to normal, whatever that is. If there is any research about permanent changes in the brain, or brain damage, I'm sure the pharmaceutical company has it neatly tucked away somewhere. I've been thinking that I have Alzheimer's because my short term memory seems to have vanished. I ran my own business and was very successful. Now, six months after selling it, and one month after coming off Cymbalta, I can't remember the names of many of my clients or basic medical insurance terms, which were second nature to me. If this medication has a chemical affect on the brain, wouldn't it follow that it can make permanent changes that are adverse to a person's functioning? Maybe there needs to be a class action lawsuit by those of us who have come off this medication and still don't feel "right". I'd like to start looking for work and getting back to my former life, but I just don't feel competent enough to do it now. Is there anyone out there who has been off this medication for, say, a year and still doesn't feel right?
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 19, 2006, at 6:36:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by paddlergal on January 18, 2006, at 18:59:40
You will go back to normal except that of course you will get your joint pain back. I can't believe that you did it cold turkey. Cymbalta is a dirty drug in my opinion. The worse I've ever gone off of. I went off of it because it gave me very bad anxiety in the mornings but I'm finding that all the drugs that I take have this effect on me. Anxiety is just here to stay, it has never gone away unless I take medications for it.
> I've been off Cymbalta for 9 days now, with all the symptoms everyone has described. It's horrible. My doc gave it to me about 10 months ago for joint pain, which it helped, but the insomnia and vivid dreams were getting worse, so I took myself off without consulting my MD.
>
> I copy/pasted all the messages, and will give them to my doc tomorrow. I think he gave me this in good faith, and didn't know about the side effects.
>
> But here's my main question: do all these cold turkey symptoms go away?
>
> So far nobody has come out and said that I'll be back to normal. I'm not depressive, just getting old and creaky, and wanted to be able to be more active and get back to canoeing and sailing.
>
> Are these awful symptoms going to going away, or stick with me for the rest of my life?
>
> Thanks to all who shared their experiences.
>
> Paddlergal
>
>
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 29, 2006, at 15:43:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » paddlergal, posted by secretme on January 18, 2006, at 19:16:00
> I have been thinking the same thing about getting back to normal, whatever that is. If there is any research about permanent changes in the brain, or brain damage, I'm sure the pharmaceutical company has it neatly tucked away somewhere. I've been thinking that I have Alzheimer's because my short term memory seems to have vanished. I ran my own business and was very successful. Now, six months after selling it, and one month after coming off Cymbalta, I can't remember the names of many of my clients or basic medical insurance terms, which were second nature to me. If this medication has a chemical affect on the brain, wouldn't it follow that it can make permanent changes that are adverse to a person's functioning? Maybe there needs to be a class action lawsuit by those of us who have come off this medication and still don't feel "right". I'd like to start looking for work and getting back to my former life, but I just don't feel competent enough to do it now. Is there anyone out there who has been off this medication for, say, a year and still doesn't feel right?
I think all of the antidepressants cause some kind of brain damage. I've taken so many medications I wouldn't even know what ones caused my problems. I have trouble with memory also. Sometimes I go totally blank. Sometimes I will watch a episode of something on TV and not remember a thing about it. I just know it was the worse withdrawal I ever went through. I was throwing up and couldn't walk right. All my doctor said was that I was upset with him. He's not that powerful to make me throw up.
Posted by secretme on January 30, 2006, at 11:46:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 29, 2006, at 15:43:40
I recently sent a very carefully worded letter to my psychiatrist explaining how I have been feeling and included copies of some of the postings on this web site. (He could see them himself, but I know he wouldn't bother.) I have learned about myself from reading the comments of others who were suffering from the side effects of Cymbalta withdrawal. My doctor chose to ignore the letter and has not responded or even called me. I certainly encouraged him to contact me. When I was going through my worst episodes during the holidays and contacted him, he allowed me about three minutes of telephone time, then said he was running late for a Christmas party. During the four + years I have been seeing this man, I may have called his office about three times asking to speak with him about problems I was experiencing.
I would like to know if there are psychiatrists who can understand that some people cannot take anti-depressants and perhaps work with them on alternative measures. It appears to me that if there is not a pill to solve the issue, the majority of psychiatrists want nothing to do with you. I don't know of any other specialist not willing to listen to the patient and consider alternative methods of relief. I am beginning to think that internists can handle this type of prescription writing as well as psychiatrists. The profession needs a dramatic overhaul.
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 30, 2006, at 12:33:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on January 30, 2006, at 11:46:59
> I recently sent a very carefully worded letter to my psychiatrist explaining how I have been feeling and included copies of some of the postings on this web site. (He could see them himself, but I know he wouldn't bother.) I have learned about myself from reading the comments of others who were suffering from the side effects of Cymbalta withdrawal. My doctor chose to ignore the letter and has not responded or even called me. I certainly encouraged him to contact me. When I was going through my worst episodes during the holidays and contacted him, he allowed me about three minutes of telephone time, then said he was running late for a Christmas party. During the four + years I have been seeing this man, I may have called his office about three times asking to speak with him about problems I was experiencing.
>
> I would like to know if there are psychiatrists who can understand that some people cannot take anti-depressants and perhaps work with them on alternative measures. It appears to me that if there is not a pill to solve the issue, the majority of psychiatrists want nothing to do with you. I don't know of any other specialist not willing to listen to the patient and consider alternative methods of relief. I am beginning to think that internists can handle this type of prescription writing as well as psychiatrists. The profession needs a dramatic overhaul.Hi, I had the same problems with my psychiatrist except that he did call me when ever I left a message. He treated me for 3 years for depression, anxiety, and cutting. One day he said I needed to see a specialist because I was always having problems with the medications and I guess he got tired. I felt so abandoned by him after I shared so much of my life with him. He also was doing my therapy. I got to the point that I just wanted to go in for medication management when I was doing OK but he insisted I keep coming in. I had nothing to say so I would just sit there and just get angry so it wasn't helping me. You can get medications from your regular doctor, mine does this but I found a new new pdoc and she has changed some of my medications and put me back on one that my doctor took away because it was banded in Canada and I live in the USA. I also have ADD and was taking adderall. Now this new doctor won't call my insurance company to get aproval for twice a day dosing of 20mg. So I have to take only 30mg a day so I wait until the afternoon to take it. I just go back to bed in the morning. I would look for a therapist for yourself and maybe have a pdoc on the side. It's wrong of him not to call you and talk about your problems with the medication. I would get rid of him and shop around until you can find someone that will listen to you. I went to 3 other doctors before I settled for this one. I don't care much for her and she brushes off allot of things I try to tell her. She doesn't do therapy with me so she doesn't want to engage with me. Good therapists are hard to find also. I just got rid of the one I had. I was going through a crisis and she never called my doctor after I had signed a paper giving her permission to call. A week went by and I asked her if she called and she said it was on her list of things to do. Then asked me what my doctors name was after I had signed a paper the week before with my doctors name on it. I know how frustrated you are, I feel the same way. I am takeing 30mg of Lexapro, 100mg of Seroquel and klonopin when needed. I seem to be doing better, but I crash hard from the Adderall, it's suppose to last all day but it only last about 4 hours.
So shop around and see if you can find someone new that will listen to you or find a specialist like my doctor suggested I do. I said the hell with him because he just gave up on me and I'm not that messed up that I need a specialist. I agree with you that the profession needs a overhaul. Do you have insurance? See who is on their list for doctors. I'm paying almost full price for my medications now because my husband changed our insurance coverage. We now have a $4,000. deductible. I can find the medications cheaper on the internet but I don't know if my insurance company will apply that to the deductible.
Good Luck
Linda
Posted by secretme on January 30, 2006, at 13:12:56
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 30, 2006, at 12:33:26
Thanks for your insights on psychiatrists/therapists. A lot depends on where you live. Many areas of the country are backward, and it is hard to get a psychiatrist or therapist to take new patients. In my area, you have to find a doctor willing to take new patients, and there is no room to find one who may be "right" for me. I'm just concentrating on my breast cancer medication and leaving the other stuff out of my regimen right now. I felt like a toxic dump site until Cymbalta started to lose its grip on me.
Last year, I sold my business (employee benefits), so I am fairly up-to-date on medical insurance. So much depends on where the employer is located, whether the benefits plan is self-insured or fully insured, etc. There are medical plans without drug cards, but that means they are bare bones. Through my husband's employer we have a drug card with the following copays: $20 (generic) $40 (preferred brand) and $80 (nonpreferred brand)for a 30-day supply. So far, we haven't hit the $80 tier on our family's medications. Large employers (without a conscience) that are self-insured can remove drug cards, not pay for certain procedures, add high deductibles, etc. National healthcare is a necessity in this country, but it will take strength of leadership to get on that road. I can't imagine a $4,000 deductible, but then, our plan has a $1 million lifetime maximum benefit, which is not a lot these days.
Re your other points: my son has OCD and ADD. He was on Adderall, then Concerta,(8-hour duration) and when the Concerta wore off, he was so angry and argumentative, it was impossible to tolerate him. He is a college senior in good standing and began 60 mg. Strattera after stopping the Concerta. Strattera is not an "upper," or controlled substance, so the psychiatrist (same one that treated me!) said the Strattera probably wouldn't work as well for the ADD. My son seems to be doing fine and had no problem moving to the Strattera, even though he doesn't get the jump start every day as when he took the Concerta. On the positive side, he does not seem to have the anger and outbursts he had while on Concerta. He also takes 100 mg. of Zoloft every day, along with the Strattera.
I hope he will speak up if he has problems with the medication. He doesn't want to discuss any of this with me. When he graduates college, he does not intend to live in the area where we live now, so hopefully he will find a doctor in the northeast who will pick up on the treatment and make any necessary adjustments.
Good luck to all of us.
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 30, 2006, at 13:39:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on January 30, 2006, at 13:12:56
> Thanks for your insights on psychiatrists/therapists. A lot depends on where you live. Many areas of the country are backward, and it is hard to get a psychiatrist or therapist to take new patients. In my area, you have to find a doctor willing to take new patients, and there is no room to find one who may be "right" for me. I'm just concentrating on my breast cancer medication and leaving the other stuff out of my regimen right now. I felt like a toxic dump site until Cymbalta started to lose its grip on me.
>
> Last year, I sold my business (employee benefits), so I am fairly up-to-date on medical insurance. So much depends on where the employer is located, whether the benefits plan is self-insured or fully insured, etc. There are medical plans without drug cards, but that means they are bare bones. Through my husband's employer we have a drug card with the following copays: $20 (generic) $40 (preferred brand) and $80 (nonpreferred brand)for a 30-day supply. So far, we haven't hit the $80 tier on our family's medications. Large employers (without a conscience) that are self-insured can remove drug cards, not pay for certain procedures, add high deductibles, etc. National healthcare is a necessity in this country, but it will take strength of leadership to get on that road. I can't imagine a $4,000 deductible, but then, our plan has a $1 million lifetime maximum benefit, which is not a lot these days.
>
> Re your other points: my son has OCD and ADD. He was on Adderall, then Concerta,(8-hour duration) and when the Concerta wore off, he was so angry and argumentative, it was impossible to tolerate him. He is a college senior in good standing and began 60 mg. Strattera after stopping the Concerta. Strattera is not an "upper," or controlled substance, so the psychiatrist (same one that treated me!) said the Strattera probably wouldn't work as well for the ADD. My son seems to be doing fine and had no problem moving to the Strattera, even though he doesn't get the jump start every day as when he took the Concerta. On the positive side, he does not seem to have the anger and outbursts he had while on Concerta. He also takes 100 mg. of Zoloft every day, along with the Strattera.
>
> I hope he will speak up if he has problems with the medication. He doesn't want to discuss any of this with me. When he graduates college, he does not intend to live in the area where we live now, so hopefully he will find a doctor in the northeast who will pick up on the treatment and make any necessary adjustments.
>
> Good luck to all of us.I'm so sorry that your having to deal with breast cancer. My sister in law both sisters have it and now she has some kind of tumor growing in her uterus. I have been lucky so far, and cancer doesn't run in my family.
Is your son angry with you? You said he won't talk to you about these things. I tried the stattera and only took it for about 3 days. It made me feel so awful and dizzy and so tired. I have been on concerta and ritalin also. I just need the twice a day dosing of adderall. I'm going to ask my pdoc to call next time I see her. I did so much better on the twice a day dosing then I'm doing now. Plus the seroquel is interfering with the adderall so it's not working as well plus I have anxiety when I wake up and have to take klonopin. You know I got sober over 10 years ago and I thought my life would improve but it only got worse. The alcohol masked everything that was wrong with me.
My husband had a choice as to what insurance plan to pick, so he did this one. I feel quilty because I take 6 medications a month. I also take zocor and thythoid. The only good thing about the plan is after the $4,000. deductible is met, everything is at no cost including medications. So maybe in the end we will be saving money.
Take care of yourself
Linda
>
>
Posted by Mark23 on January 31, 2006, at 17:43:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 30, 2005, at 18:57:47
Hello, I'm glad all this info was out there! I was really wondering what was going on. I was only up to 40mg for 4 months, spent another month at 20mg and then 5, 20mg caps every other day. I believed the technical information that indicated that you had to take them whole. For some reason they don't want it to be released in the stomach, hence the high (relatively) pH requirement before the capsule dissolves. By breaking open capsules to get lower dosages I guess many of you have disproved the necessity for it to make it past the stomach before dissolving. While on Cymbalta I used 200mg or more caffeine to help both the tiredness and headaches.
Anyway, day 3 after the last pill the shocks (cataplexic attacks) began. After a couple more days I realized it was tied to eye movement (more by side to side than up and down). Knowing a little more will help me through what sounds like will be a few weeks. Hopefully closing your eyes or just staring straight ahead (without moving your head) helps someone else.
I know that light therapy has been around for a long time but didn't seem to help me, but now I've really upped the dose. I have a bank of 4, 4' fluorescent bulbs on the ceiling above my bed connected to a timer so it goes on the same time everyday. I stare at them for an hour. I drew some marks on them so I have something to focus on before moving my gaze to another mark. I started this a month ago, and It sure helps me. I might be in the minority, but setting up a couple shop lights would be worth an experiment for others.
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on February 1, 2006, at 13:06:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Mark23 on January 31, 2006, at 17:43:54
>Hello, I'm glad all this info was out there! I was really wondering what was going on. I was only up to 40mg for 4 months, spent another month at 20mg and then 5, 20mg caps every other day. I believed the technical information that indicated that you had to take them whole. For some reason they don't want it to be released in the stomach, hence the high (relatively) pH requirement before the capsule dissolves. By breaking open capsules to get lower dosages I guess many of you have disproved the necessity for it to make it past the stomach before dissolving. While on Cymbalta I used 200mg or more caffeine to help both the tiredness and headaches.
>
> Anyway, day 3 after the last pill the shocks (cataplexic attacks) began. After a couple more days I realized it was tied to eye movement (more by side to side than up and down). Knowing a little more will help me through what sounds like will be a few weeks. Hopefully closing your eyes or just staring straight ahead (without moving your head) helps someone else.
>
> I know that light therapy has been around for a long time but didn't seem to help me, but now I've really upped the dose. I have a bank of 4, 4' fluorescent bulbs on the ceiling above my bed connected to a timer so it goes on the same time everyday. I stare at them for an hour. I drew some marks on them so I have something to focus on before moving my gaze to another mark. I started this a month ago, and It sure helps me. I might be in the minority, but setting up a couple shop lights would be worth an experiment for others.I have heard of light therapy and it was even suggested by my doctor. I will read more about this. Are you off of the cymbalta now? Are you taking anything for your depression. I'm taking 30mg of lexapro right now. Plus seroquel 100mg and klonopin twice a day. I also take adderall 30mg or I would sleep all day. I have ADD and it does give me some focus and keeps me awake although I always go back to bed in the morning because of the after effects of the seroquel. The seroquel has helped allot with my depression and mood swings.
Thanks for the post
>
Posted by Mark23 on February 1, 2006, at 14:50:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on February 1, 2006, at 13:06:36
> I have heard of light therapy and it was even suggested by my doctor. I will read more about this. Are you off of the cymbalta now? Are you taking anything for your depression. I'm taking 30mg of lexapro right now. Plus seroquel 100mg and klonopin twice a day. I also take adderall 30mg or I would sleep all day. I have ADD and it does give me some focus and keeps me awake although I always go back to bed in the morning because of the after effects of the seroquel. The seroquel has helped allot with my depression and mood swings.
> Thanks for the post
> >
>
> I'm currently on mirtazapine (remeron) micro dose 7.5mg to help me sleep, planning to get off that too. It's amazing how much the light helps. I had some positive results from lexapro, but (ears ring, wake 3-5 am, headaches, flatulence, ibs, tmj) so crossed that one off.
Actually I had been unknowingly poisoning myself (two meds). The Cymbalta gave me bad headaches so I used muscle relaxants. Diazapan was one of them and because of my condition, it took me the longest time to determine that for me it greatly increased my depression. The other depressor I was on was my blood pressure drug atenolol. After figuring that out I discovered others had this problem. My never again list of meds is growing. My current bp med is licenopro and when I need a muscle relaxant I use cyclobenzaprine. Good luck
Posted by secretme on February 1, 2006, at 16:11:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Mark23 on February 1, 2006, at 14:50:50
Thanks for the information on the light therapy. Is there any possibility of harming the eyes by looking at fluorescent lights for long periods of time? How do you time yourself on this type of therapy? I have had floaters in the past while on Cymbalta, but they're gone, and I don't want them back.
I've taken Remeron, then on to Lexapro before Cymbalta. Remeron is horrific if you have IBS, and if you have a high enough dose, look for a lot of weight gain. Ditto for the Lexapro, and add the flatulence. When I mentioned this to my psychiatrist, he said he didn't know what I was talking about and should see a gastroenterologist.
I am on three BP medications, having gone through every family of these medications. Also went to a BP clinic and a renal specialist. Without HCTZ .25, none of the meds did much, so I've learned to live with a mild diuretic. The other two I take work to relax the smooth muscles in the arteries: Cardura (I use the generic.) and hydralazine. There can be some dizsziness with these, but this is the only combination keeping my BP under control.
Friday I go to the oncologist to see if it's tamoxifen, Arimidex or some other drug to keep the breast cancer away. Thank God I was able to get away from Cymbalta. I believe the loss of some short-term memory and tinitis are permanent. They really hit their stride as I weaned off the Cymbalta, and they have not gone away. However, all the other demons are gone and probably looking for another body to inhabit.
Good luck.
Posted by Mark23 on February 1, 2006, at 17:15:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on February 1, 2006, at 16:11:26
> Thanks for the information on the light therapy. Is there any possibility of harming the eyes by looking at fluorescent lights for long periods of time? How do you time yourself on this type of therapy? I have had floaters in the past while on Cymbalta, but they're gone, and I don't want them back.
I personally don't think I could hurt my eyes with the fluorescent lights, but it also takes several minutes for me to get used to them. It's probably 5 minutes before I can stare. I replaced my light switch with a timer ($20) so it's automatic. I can't imagine how it could cause floaters. If you try it, I hope it works; it does take a couple weeks.
Posted by gardenergirl on February 1, 2006, at 17:50:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Mark23 on February 1, 2006, at 17:15:21
I use light therapy, too, and both units I have specifically say NOT to stare directly into the light. Instead, you are supposed to sit about 2 ft. away and so that the light bathes your face, but not so you are looking directly into it.
Also, the research showing light therapy to be effective uses 10,000 lux and full spectrum light. Four fluorescent tubes, especially over your bed (at that distance from your face), are unlikely to reach that level of intensity.
Although if it works for you....
But I would think that staring directly into any light for an hour could only be bad for your eyes. I wouldn't recommend it.
gg
For more information:
http://alaskanorthernlights.com/
http://www.apollohealth.com/
http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/
http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/products_lamps.html
Posted by Mary O on February 5, 2006, at 21:05:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by bettyboop on November 30, 2005, at 21:32:46
I've looked through messages to find out if I am alone here...it's been two full weeks and I am still experiencing the weird facial shocks and headaches. Light seems to exaccerbate the problem as does the impact from my steps when I'm walking.
Anyway, I finally tapered down from 60mg to 30 mg every other day. That didn't work..I was trying too quickly to get off at that point.
So, I took the 60 mg and divided the little granules into three so that I was taking 20mg per night. I did this for a month. Then, I began taking 20mg every other night. I did this for two months. Finally, I tried taking 20mg every third day. This seemed to be working with regard to minimal withdrawl symptoms. So, I was only taking about 60-80 mg per week when I decided to only take them when the headaches and disorientation got really bad. I made it four days, then five, then six, then a week. Yay!But, now, 2 full weeks later, after taking such small doses and after not having taken a dose at all for a full week before that (so only 20mg for a week before quitting) I am STILL feeling the side effects.
Has anyone else experienced withdrawl symtoms after taking so little and for having not taken any for two full weeks?
Posted by secretme on February 6, 2006, at 11:57:44
In reply to Still Withdrawing after 2-Weeks!, posted by Mary O on February 5, 2006, at 21:05:57
For me, it took more than a month off Cymbalta before most of the withdrawal side effects were gone. I believe there are some side effects that never go away. I still have problems with my short-term memory, and the tinitis in my left ear is worse than before starting on Cymbalta. Some changes may be permanent, but nothing is as horrific as being on Cymbalta and then coming off. Give yourself more time, and don't take any dose of this medication, no matter how low or scattered.
Posted by Karla on February 14, 2006, at 16:10:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ang123 on January 17, 2006, at 7:29:52
I quit taking it cold turkey at the beginning of Jan. I was taking 30mg. I needed to stop taking it so I didn't have any drug interactions with narcotics and anastesia that I was getting for surgery on my rotator cuff. I had no problems stopping cymbalta and have had no withdrawls. My anxiety attacks stopped so I quit taking the xanax also. After hearing all the bad stuff about it I am not going back on it.
Posted by vlee on March 25, 2006, at 10:06:50
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I have been on 60mg Cymbalta for 18 days for headache and depression. Both have been getting progressively worse over the last 6 days. I want to get off Cymbalta and my question is: since I've been on it such a short time can I get off "cold turkey" or do I have to graduate off (ie. to 30mg for a week, then 30mg every other day for a week, then 30mg every third day for ?????). I've read some pretty scary stuff on Cymbalta - this site has been very informative. Thanks for any help.
vlee
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on March 25, 2006, at 12:08:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by vlee on March 25, 2006, at 10:06:50
> I have been on 60mg Cymbalta for 18 days for headache and depression. Both have been getting progressively worse over the last 6 days. I want to get off Cymbalta and my question is: since I've been on it such a short time can I get off "cold turkey" or do I have to graduate off (ie. to 30mg for a week, then 30mg every other day for a week, then 30mg every third day for ?????). I've read some pretty scary stuff on Cymbalta - this site has been very informative. Thanks for any help.
> vleeI would go slower than that. You can split the capsules and just wet your finger and put it in your mouth and wash it down with water. This was the hardest medication for me to get off of next to effexor. Do that for 5 days and then lower it again. I'm not sure if these come in 60mg capsule, but just split one of them and take the other one with it. If it's a 60mg, just leave 1/4 behind. Good luck. Sinus medication helps with the withdrawals.
Posted by SweetieGurl33 on March 26, 2006, at 19:01:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Karla on February 14, 2006, at 16:10:23
Who wants to file a lawsuit againt Eli Lilly with me? I've experienced all of these same withdrawl symptoms as you (trying cold turkey and graudally). I can't get off the drug because I'm in school now. It's horrible. Their 27 page "Perscription Information" manual does not suggest anything about these withdrawl symptoms...or I woudln't have started taking this awful pill! There have been similar lawsuits with Oxycontin and Effexor. Email me at ashleyt@gwu.edu if you're interested.
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 7:46:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by vlee on March 25, 2006, at 10:06:50
> I have been on 60mg Cymbalta for 18 days for headache and depression. Both have been getting progressively worse over the last 6 days. I want to get off Cymbalta and my question is: since I've been on it such a short time can I get off "cold turkey" or do I have to graduate off (ie. to 30mg for a week, then 30mg every other day for a week, then 30mg every third day for ?????). I've read some pretty scary stuff on Cymbalta - this site has been very informative. Thanks for any help.
> vleeDo not skip days. You need to take it everyday. Otherwise, you will be experience an extended period of withdrawal with fluctuating intensity.
It is better to take very small amounts of Cymbalta every day. You can even try taking it only when the withdrawal symptoms appear. You might end up taking it more than once a day. That's not a problem, as long as you continue to reduce the size of the doses. Try to remain flexible. You'll be using Cymbalta as a PRN only when needed almost like aspirin for a headache. It shouldn't take you more than a week to accomplish this.
If you elect to use another strategy, you can use Benadryl to reduce the withdrawal symptoms should they appear.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 7:50:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » vlee, posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 7:46:59
I failed to mention that you would need to split the pills into fractions to be able to take doses that are small enough to work with effectively.
- Scott
> > I have been on 60mg Cymbalta for 18 days for headache and depression. Both have been getting progressively worse over the last 6 days. I want to get off Cymbalta and my question is: since I've been on it such a short time can I get off "cold turkey" or do I have to graduate off (ie. to 30mg for a week, then 30mg every other day for a week, then 30mg every third day for ?????). I've read some pretty scary stuff on Cymbalta - this site has been very informative. Thanks for any help.
> > vlee
>
> Do not skip days. You need to take it everyday. Otherwise, you will be experience an extended period of withdrawal with fluctuating intensity.
>
> It is better to take very small amounts of Cymbalta every day. You can even try taking it only when the withdrawal symptoms appear. You might end up taking it more than once a day. That's not a problem, as long as you continue to reduce the size of the doses. Try to remain flexible. You'll be using Cymbalta as a PRN only when needed almost like aspirin for a headache. It shouldn't take you more than a week to accomplish this.
>
> If you elect to use another strategy, you can use Benadryl to reduce the withdrawal symptoms should they appear.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Karla on March 29, 2006, at 7:58:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by vlee on March 25, 2006, at 10:06:50
I was on 30 mg and just quit cold turkey but under the guidance of my pdoc. I had no problems quitting.
Posted by gapsgal on April 15, 2006, at 23:27:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
Hello,
I was on Effexor for quite a while and then was weaned off but onto Cymbalta, now the doc has added wellbutrin and decided that i didnt need the cymbalta. Well he prescribed cutting from 60 to 30 then to 30 every other day and then off...didnt work for me so I changed it to after 30 each day I divided the capsules and took 15 each day for a week then I divided again and took 7.5 each day and then yesterday I divided the 7.5, but decided that was just too much trouble...and besides I was only getting a little bit...well let me tell you that little bit made a huge difference....I am awful today...nausea, dizziness so bad and my pupils are so dilated...i feel sick, but not sure how to describe it really...
The Effexor was horrible to get off of, but the Cymbalta made it easier...now the wellbutrin just doesnt help with the withdrawal...my pharmacy told me to use dramamine...but that knocks me out cold.....I just cant believe that cutting down so slowly could just leave me with such horrible effects...
My head just feels strange like people i have heard who describe having high blood pressure...and mine is always extremely low...
Any suggestions Dr. Bob?
Donna
> > 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 SLS on April 16, 2006, at 7:57:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by gapsgal on April 15, 2006, at 23:27:08
I know this is going to sound too simple to work, but I have had success using very small amounts of the drug as a PRN. It would be like taking aspirin for a recurrent headache. Whenever the withdrawal symptoms would appear, I would take a tiny dose and wait until the symptoms reappear before taking any more. You might end up taking several doses a day, but with decreasing amounts or with a lengthening interdose period.
- Scott
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