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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 58 to 82 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by patkerash on November 29, 2005, at 15:10:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ang123 on November 29, 2005, at 8:07:49
I am currently on 30 mg of Cymbalta and have been told to go ahead up to 60mg but I am not going to do it..On Oct 23, 2005 I went into the er in withdrawal from effexor and methadone (given to me by the hospital pain clinic for spinal stenosis) I was on the psyche ward for 5 days..the effexor was by far the worst to come off of..it has taken me over a month to feel anything like "normal"..and that is with being on the cymbalta from the time of my hospitalization..I can't go through that again..it was by far the most terrifying, sickening experience of my life...I know now that I tried to get myself off the 2 drugs way to fast, but from what I have been reading in a book I got called The Road Back withdrawal has to be done in 5% to 10% increments..it sounds as if everyone has tried it way too fast..this book also recomends nutritional supplements which I am going to try as I want to come off the cymbalta also...I don't want to die, but how do you live with depression ?? I've started therapy again so I guess time will tell...good luck to us all....Pat
Posted by Rick Deckard on November 30, 2005, at 8:02:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by patkerash on November 29, 2005, at 15:10:44
I was on Cymbalta for about 7 months and decided to come off it because of sexual side-effects.
I have been off Cymbalta for almost a week, and feel like I could die on the spot!I was on 60mg a day. My GP (who I like and trust, by the way) 'weaned' me as follows: 30mg one day then 60mg the next, for 8 days;
30mg every day for 4 days;
skip a day, then 30mg;
skip a day, then 30mg;
then stop.Since I stopped I have had to take 1 day off work - I feel like I should take more but I can't afford it.
I am dizzy all the time, have difficulty with my coordination and speech, have HUGE pain in all my joints and muscles (legs feel like they won't do what my brain is asking), have had AMAZINGLY VIVID dreams (and the first nightmare that I can ever remember), feel groggy and thick and feel like my eyes are darting around and falling out of my head - they are really sore. I have to drive but last night felt that I shouldn't have been - whenever I looked in the mirror and back it felt like I got some sort of shock up through my whole body and felt like I should pull in or I would crash 'cos of blurring. Also very anxious.How long do these effects last? Is there anything, preferably natural, that I can take to help?
I have been on other anti-depressants (Prozac and something else that I can't recall the name of) over the years as I get very down about the way I feel with my (undiagnosed by a professional!) CFS/ME and have NEVER felt this bad, either while on the med or coming off them.
This is the only place I have found that has good discussions about Cymbalta withdrawal.
Thanks,
R
Posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Rick Deckard on November 30, 2005, at 8:02:59
Dear R,
I've been coming off of Cymablta for a month now, and still have the side effects you mention. Today I'm so dizzy I can barely walk, but yesterday it was less severe. All I can tell you is hang in there. My pshchiatrist told me to go see my doctor, because everything I'm going through can't be coming from the Cymbalta. I went to see my family doctor and he said all is well, but gave me medication for vertigo called Meclizine. It is worthless to stop the dizziness. I'm giving it another two weeks to see if all the syptoms finally go away from Cymbalta withdrawal, if not I'm going to see a attorney.
Take care,
David
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on November 30, 2005, at 15:44:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
I really know how you guys feel coming off the Cymbalta. I went through the withdrawl, unfortunately, my depression came back, so I went back on it. Im on 60mg now and I am adding Wellbutrin XL 150mg daily to it because my depression is still lingering.
If the withdrawl is too much to handle, you can try:
Meclizine or Diphenhydramine (benadryl) 2-3x day as needed for dizziness/nausea
Tylenol for headaches, although anti-migrane meds will work much better.Plenty of rest.
Please read through the entire chain of posts for a detailed discussion on withdrawl of this drug. Like I said, I went through the withdrawl it was very tough, however, I think i am better on the meds rather than off it so im back on it now and just feel helpless without it. I dont want to be on it, but without it io really think i will die.
By the way, i will be using a new handle in the future most likely vijoyp because i dont want any legal probs.
Anything i say is merely my own opinion and should not be substituted as medical advice.
Yours,
Vijoy
Posted by bettyboop on November 30, 2005, at 21:32:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
it's now been 8 days since i've been off the cymbalta. i am feeling slightly better - just really foggy. the mood swings are terrible! there have been times i want to just call life quits and get it over with - but i'm hanging in there. i'm afraid that once the withdrawal symptoms are finally gone i'll need something for all the turmoil around the house. i still have some of the dizziness and cold like symptoms. feverish with a headache. is that normal? i've tried taking 1/4 of an ativan during the day to take the edge off - and taking the benadryl and tylenol. all semms to help out some. all i can tell everyone is - HANG N THERE!!! be strong and PRAY. i know God hears all prayers and i have really been puting my situation into God's hands - for God's will!!! i will pray for each and every person on this list - pray that you are comforted and your pain is eased! don't give up - :) Beth
Posted by Rick Deckard on December 1, 2005, at 3:40:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by bettyboop on November 30, 2005, at 21:32:46
Thanks to you all. My withdrawal symptoms seem to come in waves - I felt much better yesterday and am now back to feeling terrible again. Today I can hardly breathe and feel on the verge of a panic attack all the time.
Sorry to keep going on. I have read all the posts here and know that a lot of other people have gone thru what I am going thru, but it's good to be able to 'talk' to people who know what you are on about.
Thanks again.
Posted by lorena on December 11, 2005, at 16:05:32
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on April 28, 2005, at 9:22:54
Hello everyone,
First of all, I am happy because I found this website, so I can share with everyone my experiences.First of all my personal opinion is that there is no pill to fix our problems, I think that medicine can help you, it can be a start, but it won't give you the peace of mind that we all need.
I move to the US because I married an American, before that I had a job and great friends in my native country, but I didn't get along with my family, my dad passed away and my beloved grandmother. When I got to the US, I was homesick, with no job, depression took over, and not only my husband had left to India for about 2 months due to work but also I had panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. I went to see a Dr. who didn't know anything of the situation and prescribe pills to sleep and send me to see the family physician that prescribed 30 mg of Cymbalta on a daily basis and told me I should take that during my whole life. When I was told that, I started wondering why I was having those issues; I researched on my family looking for people with some kind of mental illness but didn’t find anything. My biological dad is still alive and in good health, my mom has high blood pressure, but that’s it. I am an electronic engineer, I may not know that much about medicine, but I knew that I had gone thru a lot, somehow I had hopes of things getting better and that I was not going to be on medications forever, at least not for depression issues. I have to say I am catholic, I may not go to church every Sunday but I believe that there will always be someone out there with a good heart. My husband in the very beginning wasn't that supportive, because he was scared, he put a lot of pressure on me to follow the Dr.'s advice to take the medications. I agreed on taking Cymbalta after talking to some friends who took other kinds of Antidepressants for a month or two and then were able to move on with life without medication. But in my situation, I was way scare to stop taking it and to continue on it as well. With my husband gone my deepest fear was to die alone in a foreign country, not even having my husband by my side. I would tell him, I need to see people I need to go out, I miss home and my friends, but for him all that was hard to understand since he felt at home and he is not a social person. Time passed by as slow as it can be when things are not going as well as expected, and I continued to take 30mg of Cymbalta, at the beginning I didn't know if the side effects were because of the medication or because my anxiety and panics attack, I though I was going crazy. But deep inside I knew I was good, I never though on hurting someone or myself. At some point I wanted kind of disappear from the planet I felt that I wasn't myself, and that was a horrible feeling. But slowly I just got acceptance and started to interact with my in laws and made an effort to take one day at a time. And things got better, I went to a therapist not the best one I have to say, but that brought back to my life some sanity. So far I've been on Cymbalta for about 10 months, 30 mg daily, and then I decided it was time to get off the pill because I feel as a pill slave, whenever I forget taking it, I felt weird, weak, dizzy etc, Thanks God I decided to don't take pills to sleep, I told myself at some point my body will be tired and I will fall asleep. I talked to my family Dr., and told him about the sexual side effects, and the low or none libido I had. And he agreed that I should try to see how it goes without the medication now that my life has come to a more normal basis, I got a job, have a small support network (2 or 3 friends). I started taking Cymbalta on and off, (mon yes, tues no, wed yes thurs no etc..) It took my body a week to realize the new doses it would get. And then I was fine, I was doing that for a month, and then I decided that it was time to stop. I had a lot of stress on when it will happen, but I decide that I was to continue to focus on my daily activities and the day that I forget about it that was day I would start taking the pill. So far I've been off Cymbalta since Tuesday Dec 6th, the 9th my body realized it didn't get the 20mg, and the symptoms started. I feel little weak, but it comes as a wave that goes quickly and then I am normal I feel ok, but then there is again. I've had a little of diarrhea, I think it is more because I am kind of concern but really nothing that bad. I have to say at this moment my husband is traveling for work, out of the country, and I have to work and rely on myself and my closest friends for support. Every once in a while I would go online to check on the withdrawal symptoms of cymbalta but I decided not to do that often because sometimes we can find really bad stuff out there not necessary true or related to the side effects of the medication. I wanted to tell you all my background so you can have a better understanding of my particular case, and hopefully it will be helpful. At this moment I feel good, I am happy with life, and have a lot of goals that I look forward to accomplish. I am also aware that it was my decision to get off the medication. I know it hasn't been easy, but with positive thinking and peace of mind I think we all can move forward in life. My advice to anyone coming off of this medication or any other antidepressants medication is to take one day at a time, know that the easy way is just go back to the medication. But if we are looking for long lasting results, and we really want to take our body, we need to go through this withdrawal time as relaxed as possible, and looking forward for the long lasting results of coming out of the medication. I am also looking forward to go back to the gym, and continue to go out with friends and talk about silly stuffs and life and have a good time. I’ve read working out, and doing stuff that we enjoy increase help having the chemicals in our brain balanced, that along with a good diet. I think about all the people out there who have gone thru a lot in life but they didn't even have the money or the time to go and get a prescription of happy pills (refer to antidepressants) to be fixed, instead they had to fight and they still do to survive on a daily basis, to bring home food. I think that for all those people out there who besides their big time problems, still are willing to put up with it and make it happen somehow, we should be able to keep going and do the best that we can to handle these rough times, and finally get off antidepressants. May God bless you all, and I'll keep you posted on how I feel after 2 weeks off the medication.
Posted by nutty on December 27, 2005, at 18:00:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by dinky on October 25, 2005, at 22:46:32
HELP!! Four days ago I went to my doctor (AGAIN) complaining that Cymbalta was no longer working. I have been taking it since it came out on the market but have not been happy with it since about two weeks after I started taking it. Now that the doctor has finally decided that maybe I am right, and maybe I do know my body best (GASP!), he has decided to switch me from Cymbalta 60mg to Wellbutrin XL 150mg. No step down, no lower dosages, no week off in between, just one day I took Cymbalta and the next I took Wellbutrin. Now I feel like I am losing my mind. My face feels like it is "asleep" because it is numb and tingling, I am terribly dizzy, and I am EXTREMELY angered by the smallest thing. Is this all because of "withdrawal" from Cymbalta or is part of it from the new med Wellbutrin? How do I tell which symptoms are which? And, for God's sake, when will these symptoms quit? Think I would rather feel "crazy" or "depressed" every day for the rest of my life than feel like this.
Posted by buggy623 on December 28, 2005, at 7:38:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by nutty on December 27, 2005, at 18:00:23
to the person who just switched from cymbalta to wellbutrin...
i had side effects like these after taking wellbutrin, and ended up having an allergic reaction. if your throat starts toclose, or your ears start to ring, get to your doctor asap
Posted by runnerwdogs on December 29, 2005, at 16:07:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on November 30, 2005, at 15:44:26
Hello....I have been searching on the internet to see if everyone has the same side effects from Cymbalta withdrawal and was shocked as most. I had been taking 60 mg/daily and was fed up with the side effects-sick to stomach, sexual side effects, night sweats, etc. I was instructed to cut the dose in half for one week and then stop. Because I felt so-so I did a much quicker taper. The side effects were awful, nightmares, night sweats, headache, dizziness, difficult to remeber stuff, tingling in the brain, everything people mention. I am now on day 10 and feeling much, much better and my sex life has returned to normal. Not sure if this helped or what it was, but this is what I did: excersied daily, despite the excessive amount of sweating, very healthy eating (salads, proteins, very little carbs-i craved carbs on the med), yoga (I was very skeptical of this, but still did it) After tyring all of this I still was having some pretty intese side effects (burst into tears for no reason, general feeling of being off) but was regaining my memory, as it was super foggy. I then went to the store and got a internal cleansing (bunch of natural stuff)-this was the turning point for me, at least I think it was-I still kept up all the other things mentioned above. My ability to sleep without nightmare every night extended from 15 minutes to an hour, to now almost a full night. I still get waves of dizziness. All of my body funtions (things people not on the med take for granted) started to return to normal, very, very quickly. During the withdrawal I felt very bitter for being put on this med without knowing what would happen, I was just given other meds for the side effects (Klonopin, another anit histamine for sexual effects, etc) I made it through the last 10 days without the Klonopin. I tried the Benadryl once, but it made my legs real jumpy. As much as I hated it, I forced myself to get aerobic exercise when the symptoms were becoming too much (not when I was dizzy, but just angry, irritable, tearful). The other thing I did when I had a wave of side effects was to experience each one and soak it in, this seemed to give me the "fuel" to get off this med. I did not ignore them, but tried to pay close attention. I am curious if others have tried the natural clensing products and had any luck. I am still going through the withdrawal, but feel alive again. I too wanted to know exactly how long it would last, and saw no end in sight, but now it is just as if I am shaking a bad cold that is kind of hanging around. Hope this helps.
Posted by secretme on January 3, 2006, at 15:32:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by runnerwdogs on December 29, 2005, at 16:07:09
If I hadn't found this website, I would think I am losing my mind. I was on Cymbalta for more than a year after trying every SSRI on the market over a 12-year span. I simply cannot tolerate anti-depressants.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2005, and my psychiatrist increased the dose of Cymbalta to 90 mg. during the period of my radiation therapy. In adding the cancer medication, Aromasin, I thought I would die from the side effects of both medications. I need to take the cancer medication, but I will live much better without the Cymbalta.
My PCP said doctors will perceive me as a "crackpot" because so many medications cause serious side affects for me. Instead of helping me, I find that doctors get angry and want to wash their hands of the problem child.
I have been off Cymbalta for 7 days now. I went from 90 mg. to 60 mg. to 30 mg. in about a month's time. On Christmas day, I became so ill, I had to call my oncologist to find out what to do. I wan't sure which medication was causing the problems.
For those of you who have doctors who want to keep you hooked, here are some symptoms I have had -- all of which were WORSE during the Cymbalta withdrawal:
severe headaches
high blood pressure (I am on 3 medication for high BP!)
hot flashes/sweats
insomnia
joint pain
nausea
foggy memory and forgetfulness
buzzing and hissing in my ears
nightmares
worsening of irritable bowel symptomsI have improved in each category by as much as 75% since coming off the Cymbalta. I will not be told "YOU NEED AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT," when the "cure" is worse than the disorder.
I don't think there are any quick fixes out there, but Cymbalta is a demon that is losing its grip on me, and I will never take another anti-depressant again.
My family thinks I am brave for doing this, especially in light of my cancer treatments. I hope this will help someone else who needs encouragement to take control of his/her life. You will feel better, but unfortunately you will have to tough it out during the withdrawal.
Posted by struggle on January 3, 2006, at 20:31:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on January 3, 2006, at 15:32:05
My mom was recently hospitalized in order for her to go off of cymbalta. She seems to be doing well but I have my doubts. Time will tell.
I have been on Remeron for about 5 months and have decided to go off of it. I guess it seemed to kind of help me sleep but I'm suffering too much from side effects. It helped me to sleep and eat finally, but okay, enough already with the fat stomach and food cravings. Is this supposed to make me fat and more miserable? The strangest part is that i STILL DONT EAT and im gaining weight.
Leave my brain alone. Enough.
Posted by johnnyj on January 3, 2006, at 21:42:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta and Remeron withdrawal, posted by struggle on January 3, 2006, at 20:31:02
see remeron thread below.
Posted by tatt on January 4, 2006, at 8:51:01
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by tatt on October 18, 2005, at 8:43:42
well it's been about 3 months since i decided to come off cymbalta. it took me a month and a half to taper down the dosage to nothing, and the month following was ABSOLUTE HELL. i thought i had MS. i have had 2 MRIs (one for my brain, one for my spine), numerous blood tests, doctor visits, etc. i've missed probably a total of 2 weeks of work, have had to take 2 incompletes for courses i'm taking.
if you are coming off cymbalta and feel like you're dying, you're NOT CRAZY. this withdrawl is horrible and i'm only now starting to feel like i'm doing better, little by little.
hang in there. and don't let anyone tell you it's all in your head.
Posted by syntheticsoul on January 4, 2006, at 16:08:08
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I thought I would go ahead and share my experience since this is such a helpful thread.
I have been taking 60 mg for about 1 year. With my latest depressive episode gone, I decided that paying for the stuff wasn't necessary.
Well, I am on about day 12, 13, 14...not sure, I have lost count in the middle of this horrible mess.
To start with, I got the nausea, dizziness, and general feeling of yuck. Basically, it's like eating too much cotton candy, sitting in the sun for too long, riding too many spinning rides at the carnival. My body felt like a toxic dump. Sick, sick sick.
After the physical symptoms stopped, almost to the minute, the mental ones started. I felt caged, anxious, and restless. Like I needed to move but had no reason to move. I felt empty and unable to sit for any amount of time, but movement brought no relief. I had bad dreams and anxiety over just about everything.
Finally, I am starting to come out of this but still have some sensory issues. My vision is still off and I am still seeing spots. I will never never never never go back on this drug. I will try anything before giving Cymbalta a shot again.
Posted by elkat on January 6, 2006, at 9:20:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta and Remeron withdrawal, posted by struggle on January 3, 2006, at 20:31:02
I just quit Remeron a week ago and basically cut my eating in half. I went to the gym two days ago and found I had gained five pounds! It defies the laws of physics.
Posted by Male' on January 6, 2006, at 14:49:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta and Remeron withdrawal, posted by elkat on January 6, 2006, at 9:20:25
This is a first for me, doing this thread thing that is. I feel so strongly about this horrible experience with my withdrawl thay I believe it important enough to share. Here goes: I tried the cold turkey route with disasterous results, all the symptons mentioned prior but magnified, I think. I then followed my doctor's protocol and did the tapering off bit, 60mg for ten days and then 30mg for seven days , then stopped. The nasty withdrawl symptoms came back wihin two days, just as before. So bad that I am now home from work for the third straight day. I saw my doctor last night and , although I didn't like hearing what he thought I should do, I followed his direction. I am now taking 15mg just to ease the symptons and will attempt to wean myself off this crap over a longer period of time. I now feel mostly nausea, but the intense electrical, tingling-like sensations have subsided to a major degree as well as the sweats and headache. Maybe a 2 from a 10 rating. I still miss my libido, as does my spouse, and just want my life back. Unlike most of what I've read I was being treated for peripheral neuropothy with this "new experimental drug"(me being the guineau pig). Basically for some chronic pain in my lower leg, something surgery only made worse. This stuff worked after 90 mg, (30 and 60 didn't cut it!) but made me feel pseudo-nauseaus, headachey, aggressive,forgetful, and messed up my "sex life", which I quite enjoy, have you! I feel for all the other's here and can't believe a drug so viscious can be allowed on the market. What a country we live in, huh? Makes me so, so angry. I will let you know how I do after some time. Worse comes to worse I have made plans to "crash" in February during my vacation time. Wonderful! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS GARBAGE OF A DRUG. It meant a lot to me to see I am not alone. Peace....
Posted by secretme on January 6, 2006, at 15:13:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Male' on January 6, 2006, at 14:49:31
In response to Male, I have to add that my psychiatrist has pretty much washed his hands of me because I stopped the Cymbalta. As I have tried unsuccessfully all other SSRIs, Cymbalta was the last resort, before hitting other terrible medications, like Neurontin. He said (paraphrasing), "if you come off Cymbalta, I will have to refer you to another doctor." Actually, I am happy to get the brush-off so I don't have to dump him. In fact, I will not see another psychiatrist because it will simply be an issue of "try THIS drug!" Unfortunately, anti-depressants sometimes have "boomerang" effects for some people in the population, and I am one of them. In some instances, medication only exacerbates the depression, but it seems by the few psychiatrists who have treated me, they cannot accept that. After all, where would they get their patients?
My son takes an SSRI for his OCD, and it seems to work for him. I would not encourage him to do anything to jeopardize the success of the medication for OCD, but I cannot take any for my depression.
Eventually, you will not feel depressed because the side effects of the medication will go away, and you will have a new life. I'm still in the grips of Cymbalta withdrawal, and my oncologist said she will wait one more month for the Cymbalta side effects to go away before she reintroduces the cancer medication. Finally, she listened.
Posted by Male' on January 9, 2006, at 21:01:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by syntheticsoul on January 4, 2006, at 16:08:08
> I thought I would go ahead and share my experience since this is such a helpful thread.
>
> I have been taking 60 mg for about 1 year. With my latest depressive episode gone, I decided that paying for the stuff wasn't necessary.
>
> Well, I am on about day 12, 13, 14...not sure, I have lost count in the middle of this horrible mess.
>
> To start with, I got the nausea, dizziness, and general feeling of yuck. Basically, it's like eating too much cotton candy, sitting in the sun for too long, riding too many spinning rides at the carnival. My body felt like a toxic dump. Sick, sick sick.
>
> After the physical symptoms stopped, almost to the minute, the mental ones started. I felt caged, anxious, and restless. Like I needed to move but had no reason to move. I felt empty and unable to sit for any amount of time, but movement brought no relief. I had bad dreams and anxiety over just about everything.
>
> Finally, I am starting to come out of this but still have some sensory issues. My vision is still off and I am still seeing spots. I will never never never never go back on this drug. I will try anything before giving Cymbalta a shot again.
>
>
The spots may be due to oncoming migraine(my experience)Good luck there, good luck to us all. This stuff is poison to our systems.
Posted by Meghan J. on January 11, 2006, at 13:16:49
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I have never posted on a message board, but I'm so grateful that's it's here, because I feel like I can't trust my doctor anymore. I just don't believe she knows what to do about this. And I have to decide what to do TODAY.
In December I tapered off Zoloft and "ramped up" on Cymbalta over about three weeks. As soon as I was at full dosage, I got VERY depressed, weepy, panicked, totally irrational. So I called my doctor and she said that since it had only been three weeks, I could just stop taking it. Bad mistake, as I found out, but I figured I'd just grit my teeth and get through it.
That was about 8 days ago. I'm not depressed, mostly, but I'm dizzy, nauseous, all the same stuff that's been described. It gets a little better, then it gets worse. Yesterday I had to leave work--I teach school, and I was afraid my kids would think I was drunk. When my doctor called back last night, she said to take 20MG of the Cymbalta to see if that would help. And I did that. I can't tell if it's helping or not because I'm too scared to even try to get out of my chair.
Here's the thing: although nobody's come out and said this, it seems like NO amount of careful tapering off has actually helped anyone avoid the withdrawal symptoms. Several people have said that no matter how careful they were, reaching zero kicked off these awful reactions. So do I take the Cymbalta again tonight or not? I can't afford to be sick like this--I gotta go back to work sometime--but if all it's going to do is postpone the inevitable, I'd rather "get credit" for the misery I've been through so far and stick it out to the end. I don't want to start over.
Thanks for reading.
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 11, 2006, at 13:28:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Meghan J. on January 11, 2006, at 13:16:49
You need to split the capsules in half. Just put it on peanut butter or applesauce but don't chew. Or you can just wet your finger as I did and put it in your mouth and wash it down with water or juice. After about 5 days of that, split it in thirds for about 4 days, then 1/4 of the capsule for another 4 days, then split that. I think you will be OK if you do this and you will avoid the side effects. It is a horrible drug to come off of and I was so ill, it was I think the worse and I have come off of many medications.
Posted by secretme on January 11, 2006, at 13:41:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 11, 2006, at 13:28:07
It's day 17 for me, and I am still experiencing side effects. My oncologist has decided to wait until mid-February before she starts me on medication for my breast cancer because the Cymbalta withdrawal has been causing me so many problems. Unfortunately, Arimidex or Aromasin have similar side effects to the Cymbalta, but I want to keep the cancer from returning. Psychiatrists make money by prescribing drugs; have you ever seen the drug reps sitting in their waiting rooms? I am taking a Benadryl tablet everyday until I feel better. Right now, I am 75% improved; don't give up and don't give in.
Posted by davcuts on January 11, 2006, at 13:45:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Meghan J. on January 11, 2006, at 13:16:49
Hi,My psychiatrist tried to wean me off of Cymbalta for two months, and it was hell. It didn't seem to help at all that I kept going to a lower dosage. I decided to take matters into my hands, and just stop taking it. For a week it was utter torment, but finally the withdrawal side effects went away. I didn't work for that week, and I don't feel I could have, because I felt so sick. Taking a week off from work may not be an option for you. If so you can keep lowering the dosage, but that never worked for me.
Take care,
David
> I have never posted on a message board, but I'm so grateful that's it's here, because I feel like I can't trust my doctor anymore. I just don't believe she knows what to do about this. And I have to decide what to do TODAY.
>
> In December I tapered off Zoloft and "ramped up" on Cymbalta over about three weeks. As soon as I was at full dosage, I got VERY depressed, weepy, panicked, totally irrational. So I called my doctor and she said that since it had only been three weeks, I could just stop taking it. Bad mistake, as I found out, but I figured I'd just grit my teeth and get through it.
>
> That was about 8 days ago. I'm not depressed, mostly, but I'm dizzy, nauseous, all the same stuff that's been described. It gets a little better, then it gets worse. Yesterday I had to leave work--I teach school, and I was afraid my kids would think I was drunk. When my doctor called back last night, she said to take 20MG of the Cymbalta to see if that would help. And I did that. I can't tell if it's helping or not because I'm too scared to even try to get out of my chair.
>
> Here's the thing: although nobody's come out and said this, it seems like NO amount of careful tapering off has actually helped anyone avoid the withdrawal symptoms. Several people have said that no matter how careful they were, reaching zero kicked off these awful reactions. So do I take the Cymbalta again tonight or not? I can't afford to be sick like this--I gotta go back to work sometime--but if all it's going to do is postpone the inevitable, I'd rather "get credit" for the misery I've been through so far and stick it out to the end. I don't want to start over.
>
> Thanks for reading.
Posted by Meghan J. on January 11, 2006, at 13:54:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 11, 2006, at 13:28:07
So is that what worked for you, finally? 'Cause it sounds like you had a pretty bad time nonetheless. Is this what you did?
> You need to split the capsules in half. Just put it on peanut butter or applesauce but don't chew. Or you can just wet your finger as I did and put it in your mouth and wash it down with water or juice. After about 5 days of that, split it in thirds for about 4 days, then 1/4 of the capsule for another 4 days, then split that. I think you will be OK if you do this and you will avoid the side effects. It is a horrible drug to come off of and I was so ill, it was I think the worse and I have come off of many medications.
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on January 11, 2006, at 15:44:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » LinnieLoo55, posted by Meghan J. on January 11, 2006, at 13:54:04
> So is that what worked for you, finally? 'Cause it sounds like you had a pretty bad time nonetheless. Is this what you did?
>
> > You need to split the capsules in half. Just put it on peanut butter or applesauce but don't chew. Or you can just wet your finger as I did and put it in your mouth and wash it down with water or juice. After about 5 days of that, split it in thirds for about 4 days, then 1/4 of the capsule for another 4 days, then split that. I think you will be OK if you do this and you will avoid the side effects. It is a horrible drug to come off of and I was so ill, it was I think the worse and I have come off of many medications.
>
> Yes, this is how I wean off of all drugs. I have learned that the way the doctors tell you doesn't work for most people. I have been through so many withdrawals it isn't funny.
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