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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 629 to 653 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by tennisplayer on October 14, 2007, at 8:03:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by anonymousfriend on October 13, 2007, at 21:22:52
You have made some really good points that will help a lot of people. Each individual may have a different response to a drug, and whatever makes you happier and have a fuller, more enjoyable life is the course to follow, whether it be to take the drug or not take it. From people who write in, it seems that those who remain on the low dose seem to either have the most benefit or at least do not have ill effects. In my individual case and from the hundreds of other posts I have seen from others who suffered the same severe problems on it, I would advise caution in dealing with it, and don't up the dose just because it doesn't seem to be doing anything or because the docor says "you need to be on the higher dose for it to be effective", or at least, if you do, watch closely for adverse effects. They don't show up right away, but develop over 3 or 4 months' time. It seemed relatively benign at first and I definitely was not bothered by many things, but eventually I was sleeping about 16 hours out of 24 and extremely apathetic to the point of becoming vegetable-like. Not everyone has those reactions, and it is probably wrong to say it should be taken off the market. As I have said before, it certainly has a place in times of crisis. And as we know, most of the people who are doing okay with it don't post on these boards; they are busily going about their lives. It is usually when you are having a severe problem with something that you seek informaton and help about it on the internet forums, and reaffirmation that you are not losing your mind. I am glad that it has been helpful to you. In my case my life is so much happier and I feel so much better physically off of Cymbalta that it is such an easy choice for me to make. Others may find themselves in a more gray area. The low dose and remaining at the low dose seems to be key. Also not staying on it for long periods of time seems to be a good idea. Most of the people who post favorably about it have one or both of those two factors going on, especailly the ones who have only been on it a month or two.
Posted by moesje on October 14, 2007, at 16:34:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » anonymousfriend, posted by tennisplayer on October 14, 2007, at 8:03:20
All very true points. The people posting here may be the very small point-oh-something percent who will never do well on or withdrawing from Cymbalta.
Moesje
> You have made some really good points that will help a lot of people. Each individual may have a different response to a drug, and whatever makes you happier and have a fuller, more enjoyable life is the course to follow, whether it be to take the drug or not take it. From people who write in, it seems that those who remain on the low dose seem to either have the most benefit or at least do not have ill effects. In my individual case and from the hundreds of other posts I have seen from others who suffered the same severe problems on it, I would advise caution in dealing with it, and don't up the dose just because it doesn't seem to be doing anything or because the docor says "you need to be on the higher dose for it to be effective", or at least, if you do, watch closely for adverse effects. They don't show up right away, but develop over 3 or 4 months' time. It seemed relatively benign at first and I definitely was not bothered by many things, but eventually I was sleeping about 16 hours out of 24 and extremely apathetic to the point of becoming vegetable-like. Not everyone has those reactions, and it is probably wrong to say it should be taken off the market. As I have said before, it certainly has a place in times of crisis. And as we know, most of the people who are doing okay with it don't post on these boards; they are busily going about their lives. It is usually when you are having a severe problem with something that you seek informaton and help about it on the internet forums, and reaffirmation that you are not losing your mind. I am glad that it has been helpful to you. In my case my life is so much happier and I feel so much better physically off of Cymbalta that it is such an easy choice for me to make. Others may find themselves in a more gray area. The low dose and remaining at the low dose seems to be key. Also not staying on it for long periods of time seems to be a good idea. Most of the people who post favorably about it have one or both of those two factors going on, especailly the ones who have only been on it a month or two.
Posted by Troy Tempest on October 15, 2007, at 13:00:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » tennisplayer, posted by moesje on October 14, 2007, at 16:34:28
To clarify - I do think that I benefited from being on Cymbalta. Out of Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine and Lithium, it seemed to be the only one that actually helped to get me through a major depressive illness.
I was on it for over 24 months, at maximum licensed dose for most of that period. I did not suffer any severe side-effects while taking it, and I was at work for almost the whole of that time, so it did not impact my ability to function (although I could have entered the sleep Olympics).
However, I had major withdrawal problems, despite reducing the dosage gradually over several months - as I have posted previously.
I don't necessarily believe that it should be withdrawn, but that the impact of using it (and coming off it) should be explained in much greater detail by the prescriber BEFORE anyone starts taking it.
TT
> All very true points. The people posting here may be the very small point-oh-something percent who will never do well on or withdrawing from Cymbalta.
>
> Moesje
Posted by moesje on October 15, 2007, at 14:19:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by Troy Tempest on October 15, 2007, at 13:00:05
Yes, I agree, especially on the telling people about the withdrawals.
I was on it for only 6 months, and I personally did not benefit from it. I spent most of the time being tired, as if I'd been up all night long; no energy and just didn't care about things. Only in an emergency did I appear capable of dealing with life - like when my 14 year old daughter was sexually assaulted. Other than that, no emotions, no disires . . .all the same symptoms of being depressed.
Bottom line, it didn't work for me. I agree that each of these drugs work differently for different people, and someone out there has gained all the benefits promoted. And I sincerely agree that those who did NOT have problems with it at all are NOT the ones here complaining. Only the ones with difficulties.
In fact, I believe you've stated my beliefs better than I could . . . if you need a drug, get on it. If you don't need it any more, get off it. But make sure you know ALL of the possible side effects, both of being on and getting off.
Moesje
> To clarify - I do think that I benefited from being on Cymbalta. Out of Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine and Lithium, it seemed to be the only one that actually helped to get me through a major depressive illness.
>
> I was on it for over 24 months, at maximum licensed dose for most of that period. I did not suffer any severe side-effects while taking it, and I was at work for almost the whole of that time, so it did not impact my ability to function (although I could have entered the sleep Olympics).
>
> However, I had major withdrawal problems, despite reducing the dosage gradually over several months - as I have posted previously.
>
> I don't necessarily believe that it should be withdrawn, but that the impact of using it (and coming off it) should be explained in much greater detail by the prescriber BEFORE anyone starts taking it.
>
> TT
Posted by dashizen on October 16, 2007, at 20:29:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Howie on September 26, 2005, at 19:30:20
I just found out I'm pregnant and my genius of a psychiatrist's brilliant suggestion is "cease any medication your on immediately". Well what a moron! I replied "uh- no, I don't think quitting Cymbalta cold turkey while I'm pregnant is a good idea". He responded with "oh- well then take 1/2 the dosage for a few days, then 1/2 of that for a few days and then quit it altogether". Um DUH! What a lacadasical approach this guy has had- and always has been this way with me. I am so annoyed with his lack of genuine concern. It's just straight LAZINESS on his part. UGH!
Anyhow- that was me venting. As everyone else has reported, I too am suffering with the constant vertigo / brain shock sensations and a general feeling of depression on top of being constantly nauseous from being in my first trimester of pregnancy. This sucks. I hate being pregnant, I hate being off Cymbalta- although I hate the fact that I was on it. It wasn't good for me anyway- it was a temporary quick-fix. Now I have to actually deal with life- and it freaking sucks right now! My last Cymbalta of approx. 15 mg was 2 days ago. I will let you know my progress later on.
-Tiff
Posted by Snap on October 16, 2007, at 22:46:47
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal and 7 weeks pregnant, posted by dashizen on October 16, 2007, at 20:29:49
Oh Doll -
I know how you feel and reading your post brought me right back there. I promise that it will pass. Being pregnant is hard enough - just know that your brain is zapping and your hormones are allover the place.
Keep talking about it...
and yummy chocolate :)
Posted by headaches r us on October 24, 2007, at 7:49:30
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I have a problem controlling my temper so my Doctor suggested I try Lexapro to help control the anger. I felt as though it was working but after being on it for 6 months I went from 230 lbs to 265 lbs while playing hockey and basketball 2 times a week. I talked to my doctor about this and he said it doesn't make you gain weight but said he would switch me over to Cymbalta as this was proven not to make you gain weight and was also so much better for you. WRONG MOVE I have been on Cymbalta for 9 months and blossemed up to 295 lbs. and my back started hurting alot more as well as pain in my knees. My wife said it was the weight the doctor thinks it is Arthritis I am only 44 years old so he recommended me going from 60 mg a day to 120 mg a day. I feel like crap from the 60 mg a day so there was no way I was going to increase to 120 mg a day. Well I originally started taking this to control my anger and it helped for a little while but has since become ineffective. I also got a new Job and relocated to Georgia while my wife and girls stayed in our home state to try and sell the house. I figured if I am not around her then my anger should not be hard to control, since it is only around her when I have a problem. Well on October 6th I stoppped taking the Cymbalta. I quit cold turkey and it has been rough but I think after 3 weeks of pure hell the posion in me is starting to wear off . I have had very bad dreams where I hurt people I care about chills, sweating, severe aches in all of my joints, I am nauseated constantly but slowly my body is starting to feel better and I am also losing a little weight. I cannot believe my doctor would put me on a medication with so many bad withdrawl symptoms. I have not told my wife about this as she would just go off on me and create more problems than what I am already dealing with. I cannot sleep at night but have no trouble sleeping at work which will probably get me fired eventually. I have no vacation time or sick time to use and there are certain days when I am so sick that I just wish I could stay home. If anyone has any suggestions to help me out I would sure appreciate them. By the way I am also taking Tricor for high cholesterol and Warafin for previous blood clots in my legs. I also have the factor five gene.
Posted by anonymousfriend on October 24, 2007, at 21:36:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by headaches r us on October 24, 2007, at 7:49:30
I asked my daughter's psychiatrist, and she said that she had never heard of any of those symptoms. (Needless to say, we are now looking for a new psych for her.) Afterward, I called my doctor, and he said symptoms last around three weeks. I had an allergy attack during my withdrawals and noticed that Benadryl helped with the "brain shock" feelings. Also, just in case anyone wondered, the withdrawals from the Cymbalta were a cake walk compared to the ones from Lexapro. I had taken Prozac when I was a teenager and don't remember experiencing anything like I have with either of these drugs. As far as controlling your anger, I don't know if it causes weight gain or not, but I hear Zoloft is wonderful for that....
Posted by tennisplayer on October 28, 2007, at 9:11:13
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by headaches r us on October 24, 2007, at 7:49:30
headaches r us: hang in there. It does get better eventually. I am now 2-2/3 months post my last dose of Cymbalta. Please, please do not let some doctor talk you into substituting another antidepressant. It is just more of the same toxic, debilitaing stuff. Tapering Cymbalta would have been better, but since you are now 3 weeks off of it completely, I would say keep going. A site that will help with tips on getting past withdrawal is www.antidepressantsfacts.com/reaction.htm. One of the tips they give is to avoid an abundance of contact with your loved ones and friends (not total isolation though!), because they will find it almost impossible to believe that a supposedly mild antidepressant could cause such horrible side effects and mood altering, personality altering withdrawal symptoms. As a result you begin to lose faith in them as well as vice versa. Eventually they will understand, when, after a month or two, you get back to a more reasonable, less hyper irritated personality. Mainly they suggest an alkaline type diet, non stimulating activities and positive, calming activities like a quiet walk, sauna or hot shower or tub soak, uplifting movies or reading, positive thoughts, flowers and other art objects of beauty. (I know you probably don't have time for a lot of this stuff if you are having to work a lot, but when you are off work do positive, sedating type things (but not zombie like). I hate that because I like the gory CSI type dramas on TV, but I see the reasoning behind it. Fortunately after two and a half months I have lost almost all of the withdrawal symptoms, including nightmares, night sweats, insomnia, agitated movement (akathisa), compulsion to talk non-stop, headaches, flu=like symptoms, gastrointestinal burping, indigestion, acid stomach, craving of carbohydrates to the point of binging on carbohydrates and wanting no other food group (my cholesterol also went up to 398, and my blood pressure went up to 168/95. It has always normally run 120/70 until I took this horrible Cymbalta. I lost weight (20 pounds while on Cymbalta, but gained about 10 the first two weeks or so I was off of it. I have had to do the Atkins diet to get that weight off and try to get my cholesterol down. Contrary to the old way of thinking, the Atkins diet does not increase cholesterol; it lowers it. Because they now know that it is carbohydrates that stimulate your own body to make cholesterol that accounts for the bulk of the cholesterol circulating in your blood--not the cholesterol you eat in your diet. All those weeks (about 8) that I was binging on carbohydrates no doubt ran my cholesterol way up--it used to be 270, which was bad enough. Lipitor and Zocar make my heart skip beats so I can't take them. Sorry to go on and on. Hang in there.
Posted by Troy Tempest on October 29, 2007, at 9:44:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by headaches r us on October 24, 2007, at 7:49:30
You are probably over the worst of the Cymbalta withdrawal effects now, so keep going!
It will take a couple of months to completely clear the effects - I've been off for 10 weeks and feel pretty clear.
Exercise really seems to help - and really helps with controlling weight gain as well! I'm now cycling 15 miles every day, and I've lost 18 pounds in the 10 weeks since stopping Cymbalta. Only another 42 to go!
Good luck.
Posted by withdrawing on November 17, 2007, at 3:59:25
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
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!
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
Posted by Jenny10 on January 19, 2008, at 1:19:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tennisplayer on November 17, 2007, at 9:53:48
Thank Goodness for this thread!!! I was only on Cymbalta 30mg for two months, after having been on Zoloft 100mg for six years. I switched, trying to get back the sex drive I'd lost the last six years. About a month after taking Cymbalta, my breasts started to enlarge and I felt like I could easily nurse ten newborns. I waited two weeks, until there was no doubt my body was trying to tell me something.
After calling my doctor, but only talking to his nurse, she told me to get off Cymbalta cold turkey and see what my boobs will do. I said, "are you sure, I've been on some kind of SSRI for over six years, is that such a good idea?" "Oh yeah, we need to see if the boobs are effected." Geez... three days later I'm losing my mind.
I have been on these medicines for anti-anxiety reasons. Come three days later, the clinic took some labs trying to figure out the boobs. The results were discouraging. The doctor called me in the evening saying my liver labs came back abnormal, that I need a follow-up lab four days from then (Monday morning) and an abdominal CT scan. Holy Moly! Doctor told me no Xanax, no advil, no tylenol, no nothing! (in order to get accurate test readings) Oh good, tell a panicky person that she has a liver problem and then tell her not to take anything for the anxiety!
Anyways, the withdrawals are terrible, like most of the posters, I too have had the dizziness, the nausea, the brain "glitches" (as I call them), and the sleeplessness. However, I can't take anything for these symptoms. I have atrial tachycardia and over the counter meds make my tachycardia flare up.
I have hope that this will be temporary. I do have some advice for those who are still on it or are going through withdrawals, it's never a bad thing to have your labs done through your doctor. Have them check liver function and thyroid, along with the basics.
Has anyone had a side effect of breast enlargement and tenderness?
Good luck to everyone going through this. I'm right there with you. Thank you for writing on this thread, as I have found great comfort in knowing I'm not going completely crazy.
I'll follow-up with the liver and breast info.
Take care, Jenny10
Posted by eclecnic on February 3, 2008, at 18:54:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jenny10 on January 19, 2008, at 1:19:33
REgarding the breast issue, i was on effexor in 1998 and my breast enlarged and I actually started lactating! Be very careful, it made me infertile until I got on a hormone for prolactin inhibition. It is not all SSRI's b/c i have taken prozac, zoloft, paxil...
Good luck to you. Try the benadryl for relief, it helped me with Effexor withdrawal
Nikki
Posted by Eileenkw on February 4, 2008, at 19:39:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Jenny10, posted by eclecnic on February 3, 2008, at 18:54:15
I switched from Zoloft 100mg to Cymbalta 60mg.
Stayed on Cymbalta for two months and developed a pretty fast heart rate. So I switched right back to Zoloft 100mg. I had no withdrawal symptoms at all doing it this way. And my heart condition corrected in about 3 days.
Posted by cg1973 on February 8, 2008, at 23:30:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by tennisplayer on October 8, 2007, at 9:12:55
> That is the site I was hoping to mention on here, www.antidepressantsfacts.com/taper posted by moesje, especially to the lady who posted recently, and had had a suicidal attempt caused by being on Cymbalta. They have some really good advice, and you don't have to buy this or that herb or whatever. It is a very good site in my opinion. I am 38 days completely off Cymbalta and have had most of my withdrawal symptoms either go away or lessen, but still have some. Has anyone there gone as long as three months before reaching normal state? Or do you think it probably takes about a full year to get back to complete normal state? In the USA today and other places I have seen recent lawsuits being filed against makers of Cymbalta. Anyone seen any detailed in fo on that. thanks,
I have been off Cymbalta for almost a year now and I'm still not sure everything has returned to "normal" after what that poision did to me. I can't believe it's still on the market.
Posted by Scooter1908 on February 11, 2008, at 17:24:35
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by withdrawing on November 17, 2007, at 3:59:25
I found this site while looking up Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms. At least now I know that I'm not going crazy like I thought I was. The brain zapping is the worst of my symptoms. Does anybody know how long it lasts? I'm now afraid to take another antidepressant. I'm depressed because I have chronic severe pain that will last the rest of my life. Do I just have to learn to live with the pain on my own? Why aren't there warnings about the withdrawal symptoms? I didn't have any side affects while taking the drug. I quit taking it because of money problems. I guess I just need to know that the brain zapping will go away.
Posted by tennisplayer on February 14, 2008, at 10:21:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Scooter1908 on February 11, 2008, at 17:24:35
> I found this site while looking up Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms. At least now I know that I'm not going crazy like I thought I was. The brain zapping is the worst of my symptoms. Does anybody know how long it lasts? I'm now afraid to take another antidepressant. I'm depressed because I have chronic severe pain that will last the rest of my life. Do I just have to learn to live with the pain on my own? Why aren't there warnings about the withdrawal symptoms? I didn't have any side affects while taking the drug. I quit taking it because of money problems. I guess I just need to know that the brain zapping will go away.
Scooter, Keep hanging in there. I also have severe chronic pain from interstitial cystitis, so I was interested in Cymbalta because it said it helped with pain as well as depression. Sadly it did not help me with either one, and had horrible sleeping-itis while on it, and nausea, insomnia etc. after trying to stop it. I have taken Zoloft (an antidepressant) in the past without severe side effects or withdrawal effects. It didn't seem to help much with my depression, however. Antidepressants and "psycho medications" are suspect in my mind after reading "Your Drug May be Your Problem". It is a really enlightening book. A lot of drug studies show that the placebo pill patients were given was just as effective as the antidepressant they were given, and the authors also argue that antidepressants are based on an unproven theory, which the drug companies tell us and our doctors is a fact--that of a chemical imbalance being the cause of depression. As far as the chronic pain, it is a really hard thing to deal with. Finding a doctor who specializes in pain management for people with severe chronic pain has really helped me. I also am trying some relaxation tapes by Dr. David Wise, whose relaxation methods are supposed to help all kinds of chronic pain, but his book focuses on pelvic pain and is called "A Headache in the Pelvis". It also has some good concrete measures to take to try to help ward off depression and help get us in a more hopeful state. Still, I have times when I feel like nothing is going to help and I can't go on, etc. Thankfully those usually pass and I find at least some good things out of each day of living that make it worthwhile. Good luck. Feel free to contact me at my email address lmagness@hotmail.com
Posted by 49er on February 19, 2008, at 14:59:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by cg1973 on February 8, 2008, at 23:30:09
Hi,
People on the Paxil Progress Boards have reported withdrawal symptoms lasting as long as two years before there was improvement. This is for people who either CT'd off the med or tapered way too fast.
If Paxil can do this, I assuming that people who engage in similar actions with Effexor will have a similar type experience.
Hang in there.
49er
Posted by deltmen on February 24, 2008, at 0:06:35
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » Troy Tempest, posted by moesje on October 15, 2007, at 14:19:36
1) This board needs an update. It seems it was made years ago...
I might suggest PHPBB: free, open source, and secure.I've been browsing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms for months now with this forum appearing on numerous occasions, and Ive finally been able to quit about a week ago.
Ill share my experience first, and then for those who might be interested go into some finer points about this drug, life, physcatrists, and drug manufactures.
I am currently about a week into my withdrawal, and from what I've read I can expect it to go on for at least 3 to 6 weeks. I had been on 90mg for about a year and a few months. I first tried (months ago) to go off on a rapid taper over 2 weeks. I had not really experienced withdrawal symptoms like this before. This is an extremely dangerous medication as far as I am concerned. After experiencing first hand the intense and sickening withdrawal side effects mentioned in so many of these posts about Cymbalta Withdrawal, I consulted my physiatrist again and agreed to go on a much more shallow taper. I seemed to be stable at 60mg after this initial taper, and so I began a long and arduous schedule involving a prescription of 20mgs. I went from 60 to 50 to 40 to 30 to 20 in six weeks. During this time I also went briefly back on wellbutrin (to quit smoking). I had been on wellbutrin before as an anti depression and had noticed first hand the smoking cessation side effect that it has. I successfully quit smoking and quit wellbutrin (it gave me severe anger issues, an extreme and unpleasant side effect of taking the drug that I did not have while taking Zoloft as well). I had been smoke free for about a 2 weeks when the timeline for my Cymbalta taper had come to the end. I attempted to quit at 20mg, and had the horrible side effects return, and after consulting with my phys once again I began another taper period. 20 mg to 10mg to 5 mg by splitting the 20mg caps by hand and pouring out however many dots I estimated for my dose.. One can do the applesauce thing as well. So for 1 week I went back to 20mg to stabilize, then for 2 weeks I poured out half the cap, and for another 2 weeks I discarded a good amount (leaving about 5mg for a dose). After two failed attempts, over 10 weeks, I was finally quit this at 5mg. While I had the side effects they were diminished, but still very real.
The first two days I was ok (in fact I was kind of hyper manic: I actually organized my entire possessions, changed my diet, and began an exercise program.) The third day I began to have extreme dizziness, mood swings, and faintness when standing. From day 3 to day 7 (now) Ive had a persistent dizzy spell when moving or standing still, looking left or right, and a general flu like sickness feeling (THAT DOESNT GO AWAY). Today I actually had a 4 hour period where I had extremely low energy (similar in my experience to a hypoglycemic reaction).
I would like to thank all those who have shared on this forum and elsewhere their experiences with this drug, it has helped me finally rid myself of it. To those searching this forum and suffering from the withdrawal side effects I urge you to
1) TAPER SLOWLY, take your time. Take 1 4 weeks between mg switches. DO NOT do the every other day thing, this is not tapering and is bad for you. DO feel free to open a capsule and swallow parts the white dots with milk, applesauce, whatever, if you have to get a lower dose than 20mg.
2) Do not despair. You will have side effects if you find your body chemistry is prone to the scary and sickening withdrawal side effects of Cymbalta.
3) Try to exercise when you are feeling down or flu like, I have found this can help. Drink water. It is not actually the flu that makes you feel bad, it is this drug. Exercise through the bad feeling, the chemicals you release through physical activity will help your body regain normalcy through natural healthy means.
4) Do take it easy when under Cymbalta withdraw as if you were actually sick with the flu or Cold (not just feeling sick). Over-stimulation can happen a lot easier and cause a lot more discomfort than you are used to. The drug has altered your body, and you are altering it back, take it easy on yourself and your body.
5) Keep a positive attitude, an open mind, and know that you are not alone in this struggle.Keep in mind I am NO DOCTOR, I am sharing what has helped me and what I have read has helped others. But you may also find, as I have, that physiatrists are baffling ignorant to the withdrawal symptoms of this drug.
By the way, the doctor that prescribed this for me I now realize was a complete (censored explicative(s) here), it was no wonder he was not covered by my medical insurance (yeah I paid out of pocket)
Onto crazed ravings
I found a site somewhere out there in internet world that expressed the anger, frustration, and general sickness I felt about this drug. These are blogs about Cymbalta.
http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/
This is my favorite from thebipolarview.wordpress.com:
http://thebipolarview.wordpress.com/2007/04/15/cymbalta-sucks-*ss-eli-lilly-executives-are-*ss*s/If these addresses do not work for whatever reason (if you are searching this forum in 2015 and find the addresses are outdated and 404) go to google.com and type in Cymbalta withdrawal sucks, you may find something out there.
Now. I am very, very, very, very, very, very pissed off after this experience. Thankfully it has made me stronger, and more informed as a patient, of which I should have been in the first place. I am off all antidepressant medications after 5 years of error I would say trial and error but in reality these medications are (in my opinion) just a giant mistake.
I have read that Eli Lilly sells some of their drugs to phys docs making them sign agreements that the doctors will not go over the withdrawal side effects with their patients and other bullshippot like that. Whether this is true or not, I dont care. I know from my experience, and many others I have found online, (and of course the dead who do not speak go ahead and Google Cymbalta test suicide, look for a story about a college woman under quick withdrawal) anyways from my experience I know that the doc that put me on this shet didnt know, or WAS NOT TELLING, about the social-political mud that surrounds this medication, or the withdrawal side effects. The doctor I quit this stuff with did not know about the elongated taper that is needed for some when coming off this drug. There is something very, very, wrong with this. Doctors prescribing medication they know little about.
I am surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit. I assume any hint of such a thing has been squashed by the money behind pharmaceuticals and their law firms. But Im mad: at the system, psychiatrists in general, pharmaceutical companies, and the government over this issue. Im not the only one.
If I was Eli Lilly, a bad Physiatrist, or a corrupt government agency that was meant to protect people, especially depressed or pained people at risk, from bad Physiatrists or Pharmaceutical companies, if I was any of those things: I would pray to the gods, (god) that a series of law suits held me responsible legally binding. I would pray that the effort I didnt spend making sure my drug or drug recommendation was a good one, would have been spent defending myself against those I harmed, and that that effort (call this Karma) would have been used up until nothing was left except a memory of what once was. I would pray for forgiveness from those I harmed because if that did not happen, an agony far worse would await me. This agony would not be monitored by the fines and jail times from a court of law. This agony would be from the billions of lives I harmed crying for justice in a world where no justice was given.
Of course Im still withdrawing from their drugs at the moment. All this can simply be considered an insane ranting by a poor anonymous internet ex drug junkie. But if Karma does exist, I hope we all get ours.
Posted by ethoma1 on February 26, 2008, at 8:12:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jenny10 on January 19, 2008, at 1:19:33
If I had known that Cymbalta was so addictive, I would never have started it. I was not depressed -I actually took it for anxiety, though now I think my hormones are just off-balance and anxiety was not an issue.
I have been on it for about 5 months. Once I tried to quit taking it because I didn't want to cough up the money to refill it. I got through about 4 days that time. I tried again and took my last pill last Saturday. Today makes the 10th day Cymbalta-free! Of course I ran into a couple of walls and even fell down in my boss's office while talking to him. :) I had the dizziness and terrible headaches. Some brain zaps, but not many. I think I refer to them as dizziness, though. I felt great this past Saturday and was out and about with my child. Yesterday and today I guess I have the itches I've read about. They do not really itch - it just feels like something is tickling my skin and I have to scratch. I am usually an insomniac, so I welcome the fatigue - I look forward to going to bed knowing I will get a full 8-9 hours of sleep! Though right now it seems that sleep is all I live for. :) I guess that will go away eventually.
I am glad I found this board and see that I am not in this alone.
Posted by EMTLADY on March 14, 2008, at 20:31:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jenny10 on January 19, 2008, at 1:19:33
I have been on cymbalta for a year and a half. They have moved me up to 120mg! I'm tired of the automatic push to a psychiatrist that I get when I go to see any new doctor or hospital, etc. It doesn't work anymore anyway so I'm going off of it. I've heard of the horrid withdraw, but have yet to see anyone on as high of a dose as I am on. I'm only 22, I'm not bipolar, I was only supposed to be on it temp after I had a really bad car wreck and became semi depressed. As I've read through the threads it's almost like I'm having some of the withdraw symptoms (that I was about about to be tested for MS for) and I haven't even gone off it yet, it makes you wonder. Any advise? I don't know if I should just do it, make my own capsules and then tell my doctor afterwards, or if I should tell her first.
Any suggestions on any of this?
Thanks
Posted by tennisplayer on March 15, 2008, at 15:50:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by EMTLADY on March 14, 2008, at 20:31:51
>I would say probably tell your doctor, but definitely start your getting off of it. It definitely is better to do it in a tapering fashion. On thing I read said you need to taper one month at least for every year you have been on it, but please get advice from a doctor who has tapered someone before if you can. I was at 60 mg, and sleeping almost round the clock when I was on mine. good luck.
> I have been on cymbalta for a year and a half. They have moved me up to 120mg! I'm tired of the automatic push to a psychiatrist that I get when I go to see any new doctor or hospital, etc. It doesn't work anymore anyway so I'm going off of it. I've heard of the horrid withdraw, but have yet to see anyone on as high of a dose as I am on. I'm only 22, I'm not bipolar, I was only supposed to be on it temp after I had a really bad car wreck and became semi depressed. As I've read through the threads it's almost like I'm having some of the withdraw symptoms (that I was about about to be tested for MS for) and I haven't even gone off it yet, it makes you wonder. Any advise? I don't know if I should just do it, make my own capsules and then tell my doctor afterwards, or if I should tell her first.
> Any suggestions on any of this?
> Thanks
>
Posted by Troy Tempest on March 16, 2008, at 14:40:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by EMTLADY on March 14, 2008, at 20:31:51
I was on Cymbalta for about 2 years, up to 90mg. I came down to 60 for 6 months, then 30 for 3 months, then 15 for a month. It was okay until I came right off it - a month of misery and almost 3 months before I really felt free of it.
Take it VERY slowly! You might be lucky and have mild or no withdrawal effects, but then again...
TT
> I have been on cymbalta for a year and a half. They have moved me up to 120mg! I'm tired of the automatic push to a psychiatrist that I get when I go to see any new doctor or hospital, etc. It doesn't work anymore anyway so I'm going off of it. I've heard of the horrid withdraw, but have yet to see anyone on as high of a dose as I am on. I'm only 22, I'm not bipolar, I was only supposed to be on it temp after I had a really bad car wreck and became semi depressed. As I've read through the threads it's almost like I'm having some of the withdraw symptoms (that I was about about to be tested for MS for) and I haven't even gone off it yet, it makes you wonder. Any advise? I don't know if I should just do it, make my own capsules and then tell my doctor afterwards, or if I should tell her first.
> Any suggestions on any of this?
> Thanks
>
Posted by tennisplayer on March 20, 2008, at 15:33:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Troy Tempest on March 16, 2008, at 14:40:01
> I was on Cymbalta for about 2 years, up to 90mg. I came down to 60 for 6 months, then 30 for 3 months, then 15 for a month. It was okay until I came right off it - a month of misery and almost 3 months before I really felt free of it.
>
> Take it VERY slowly! You might be lucky and have mild or no withdrawal effects, but then again...
>
> TT
>
>
> > I have been on cymbalta for a year and a half. They have moved me up to 120mg! I'm tired of the automatic push to a psychiatrist that I get when I go to see any new doctor or hospital, etc. It doesn't work anymore anyway so I'm going off of it. I've heard of the horrid withdraw, but have yet to see anyone on as high of a dose as I am on. I'm only 22, I'm not bipolar, I was only supposed to be on it temp after I had a really bad car wreck and became semi depressed. As I've read through the threads it's almost like I'm having some of the withdraw symptoms (that I was about about to be tested for MS for) and I haven't even gone off it yet, it makes you wonder. Any advise? I don't know if I should just do it, make my own capsules and then tell my doctor afterwards, or if I should tell her first.
> > Any suggestions on any of this?
> > Thanks
> >
>The slow, extended taper followed by Troy Tempest seems to be the safest thing to do. This is the only antidepressant or drug of any kind that has given me the severe withdrawal symptoms once I quit it completely, but they have been very severe. You will be able to make it through that time though. It is not unbearable, especially when you know you will get to the end of it. I am now free of those withdrawal symptoms completely. It took me 4-1/2 months once I completely quit the Cymbalta, and I had tapered over a two month period before that. What really surprised me was how much it affected appetite, blood pressure, cholesterol level, as well as the mental and emotional aberrations. I believe the antidepressants which not only inhibit serotonin reuptake but also inhibit norepinephrine reuptake cause the most severe physical and mental withdrawal problems. I think Effexor falls in this group, and possibly some others. Good luck. You will make it and you will be so glad. Not that I don't still have some problems, but at least I don't sleep 16 hrs a day like I did when I was on it, or interact hostilely with people and have sky high blood pressure like I did when I tried to come off it. Every day I see new ads for candidates to take experimental antidepressant drugs. I wonder if any new theory has been introduced or if they still operate on the chemical imbalance theory, which doesn't seem to be true, or at least the way that they are trying to change that imbalance doesnt work at this point any better than placebo tablets work.
>
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