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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » mizloopy, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 4, 2007, at 12:55:57
It is not fun to come off this drug. I was taking 60mg daily along with .5mg xanax TID. Just found out I was prenant and went off everything. I have read that cymbalta and other drugs like it can cause pulmonary hyptendion in newborns.
I feel like my head is going to float away. Is it normal for me to feel vertigo even 4 days after I last took the drug? I know that you're not supposed to just stop; but I've been trying for so long to have a baby; I want everything to go well...
Posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 12:55:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
Hello,
Yes you will feel this and more for some time. I am not trying to be negative, but just truthful. You can read some of the previous posts and see what an animal this was.
Donna
Posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 14:27:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
Yes, I've read the thread since I posted that. Not looking foward to the next few weeks; but I really do feel better that I'm not the only one feeling this way.
I've never been pregnant either, so I didn't know if that was making me feel so lightheaded.
There has also been a lot of crying for no reason...just glad to know it's not just me!
Posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 15:17:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 14:27:44
I can say that probably most of that is coming from the withdrawal as before I tried the prozac to get off the Cymbalta I was fainting, had brain zaps and many sensory disturbances. When I was pregnant I was very sick to my stomach, but nothing I could not deal with, the withdrawal is much much worse for sure. I will be praying that you have an easy time as I know what it feels like to be in your shoes as we all do on here. The bad thing is that medical professionals pretend that this just does not exist and that they have not had any other patients complain with these symptoms. I say they must not have done very much research on the drug to be prescribing it like they do. Anyway good luck to you!
Donna
Posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 15:17:24
This is my 5th day after having to stop Cymbalta 60mg cold turkey because of interactions with Maxalt, my migraine medication.
3 nights of very disturbing nightmares, which thankfully I can't remember. Bad headache - another migraine, I believe, and some tingling in my fingers.If I hadn't been forced to stop taking it so abruptly, I might be a little more comfortable. But so far I feel pretty crummy.
As to which antidepressant I might be able to take that won't interfere with a triptan-type migraine drug (which is the only type of medication that has brought me true relief in 32 years of attacks); well, I haven't the faintest idea. I plan to try to get in to see a neurologist about that bit, maybe they'll be able to sort it out.
Scratchpad, a reluctant member of this club.
Posted by erinmarie on May 7, 2007, at 8:06:45
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
I get migraines sometimes, usually around the time I get my period. That's one of the reasons I was taking cymbalta. It did help, though.
Years ago I took zoloft, and when I came off that I never felt anything like this. It does make me wonder why they would give me this drug knowing we were trying to have a baby and that I'd have to come off it. I don't think anyone thought we'd ever get pregnant; so they probably figured what the heck? I would've asked for zoloft if I'd have known I was going to feel this way.
The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that there's a baby to think of now! I am quite happy; a true non-chemical happy for once. These spells of vertigo seem trivial when I consider what's at stake.
I'll NEVER take cymbalta again! Hopefully I won't need to; but if I do I'll ask for something different. Whether they're treating me for migraines or anxiety or both-there is no way I will EVER put myself through this again.
This is NOT a nice club to be in. But at least we're not alone. It's nice to know the REAL depth of one's insanity; and what better gauge than the life experiences of others?
Posted by gapsgal on May 7, 2007, at 17:14:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
Hello,
I also took maxalt for my migraines, but thankfully I no longer have to take that...but it would have been even worse I am sure to have to deal with that on top of everything else.
Posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by gapsgal on May 7, 2007, at 17:14:38
I managed to find a neurologist and secure an appointment this week (I just about fainted when a real person took me off perpetual hold when I called). I would really like to know what my other options are for migraine relief that won't interfere with an antidepressant.
I find it kind of hinky that the effects are intertwined. Like there is something fundamentally wrong with my brain.Nice to meet you, BTW.
best,Scratchpad
Posted by erinmarie on May 8, 2007, at 7:26:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » gapsgal, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
There are lots of ideas about what actually causes migraines; and there's probably more than one type or cause. Some people say they are vascular, while others insist neurological. I swear with my exp I think they've GOT to be hormonal.
I think there are a few options your doctor may present you with. I hope everything works out!!!
Posted by scratchpad on May 8, 2007, at 8:10:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 8, 2007, at 7:26:21
> There are lots of ideas about what actually causes migraines; and there's probably more than one type or cause. Some people say they are vascular, while others insist neurological. I swear with my exp I think they've GOT to be hormonal.
I'll take one of the above. My migraines have become worse depending on how stable my perimenopause symptoms are. My gyn told me that I'm "exquisitely" sensitive to hormonal changes.
Environmental triggers become more sensitive (wind, cold, heat, humidity, yada yada yada) when I'm vulnerable hormonally. That my body usually responds well to the triptan drugs, which work on the vascular system, just tells me instinctively that it's all related somehow.>
> I think there are a few options your doctor may present you with. I hope everything works out!!!Thanks, Erinmarie. And nice to meet you, too!
BTW this is my first morning without a headache in about 2 weeks. I'm pretty excited about that.
sp
Posted by erinmarie on May 8, 2007, at 8:39:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » erinmarie, posted by scratchpad on May 8, 2007, at 8:10:28
For years I have dealt with terrible headaches. Having never had a 'regular' period, it was difficult to tell when to expect them. As I got older I became more attuned to my body and the other symtoms that would manifest before my period.
I've been on Maxalt, Floricet, Imitrex. Cymbalta really helped, though; as much as I hate to admit it.
Since I've been pregnant I haven't had a headache. I just read that sometimes symptoms subside during pregnancy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Today is day 6 off the Cymbalta, I think. So far so good!
Nice to meet you too! You don't know what a relief it was for me to find this thread. I thought I was losing my mind all week with the dizziness and lightening bolts. For some reason it's comforting to know I'm not alone.
Posted by scratchpad on May 8, 2007, at 9:31:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 8, 2007, at 8:39:11
>
> Nice to meet you too! You don't know what a relief it was for me to find this thread. I thought I was losing my mind all week with the dizziness and lightening bolts. For some reason it's comforting to know I'm not alone.
>
>Yup, that's what babble is all about. Have a great day today,
sp
Posted by ELC on May 8, 2007, at 15:07:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 14:27:44
Quote
> There has also been a lot of crying for no reason...just glad to know it's not just me! End QuoteYep, I've been having the same thing.......and I'm not normally a crier....coming off this has been hard. However, I'm a week off of it now, and starting to feel better. The mood swings are leveling off and the brain zaps are getting fewer and fewer. I'm also sleeping so much better....
Posted by erinmarie on May 9, 2007, at 13:14:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » erinmarie, posted by ELC on May 8, 2007, at 15:07:43
I am a little over a week off Cymbalta now, too. I'm definately not as dizzy, though if I get up too fast the room still spins. No more lightning bolts(I guess you guys call them zaps).
I still cry though. A lot.
I always was a crybaby, though. And I'd forgotten how good I sleep after a deep, meaningless cry.
(A natural Ambien) Honestly, I was more worried about stopping the xanax; but I don't even care now. I just want to have a healthy baby.
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 15:04:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » gapsgal, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
Neurologist put me back on Cymbalta - slowish titration back up to 60mg. I think I have just fired my pdoc, but I don't think I'll bother telling him. Mostly this doctor addressed my migraine issues, but his opinion was that the abrupt pulling of Cymbalta was not necessary.
I look forward to feeling more stable soon.sp
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 11, 2007, at 17:50:50
In reply to Back into the fray, posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 15:04:07
I hope you start feeling more stable soon too.
I've always had migraines on the day of my cycle when the estrogen crashes and the progesterone goes way up. Like clockwork I get a bad headache, sometimes a real migraine.
pdoc told me that bipolar females are sensitive to hormones (I'm assuming he meant estrogen and progesterone). And that their symptoms can be very very bad when hormones are out of whack.
Of course, my hormones are out of whack. 45 days and no period. maybe I'm in menopause. lol
no seriously, I hope you get some relief from this and find a new pdoc and/or sympathetic neurologist to help you out.
another interesting tidbit is that a great proportion of neurologists and neuroscientists were motivated to specialize due to a family history of mental illness. Thus you may find neuro folks more simpatico. Just make sure that they know their stuff about psych drugs and possible interactions.
((((((neuro))))))
p.s. my cymbalta symptoms nearly gone
Still have brain zaps every day (it's been 8? 9? weeks. but they are mild. clumsiness and vertigo went away by week 4 o 5. and the crying. well, I went on lamictal which is working very well as an antidepressant for me.
Posted by sad mama on May 11, 2007, at 20:34:37
In reply to Re: Welcome tatt, posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
My daughter, only 20 at the time, went to a psychologist that I found for her. It is a hard age; still a child but handling a lot in the adult world. I went through that at that age and thought she could use some counseling. I was very surprised that he immediately had our physician prescribe Cymbalta, which I was clueless about. Trusting doctors, we complied. That was over a year ago. She quit taking it in November (noone warned us about withdrawals) and had all the symptoms everyone is talking about, but it was new to us and we didn't connect the dots. It was horrible and she went back on it. After reading up on this drug, I realize that she is on one of the higher dosages: 60mg. She now feels like she never needed a drug in the first place. I wonder how many people just need a person to purge to but end up on these drugs. That is not to say that many people don't need to be on medication, but in her case, not. She is going to go off of it this summer when she has a window of time. Now that we know what to expect and can benefit from this forum, I hope she will get through it alright. Thanks for any helpful replies.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 12, 2007, at 9:37:33
In reply to Re: cymbalta withdrawals, posted by sad mama on May 11, 2007, at 20:34:37
Nice to meet you, by the way. I'm sorry to hear of your daughter's struggles. I think you are doing the best job you can to get her some help through this rough patch. Don't be too hard on yourself that not everything works out the way that the anti-depressant ads on TV portray
> My daughter, only 20 at the time, went to a psychologist that I found for her. It is a hard age; still a child but handling a lot in the adult world. I went through that at that age and thought she could use some counseling. I was very surprised that he immediately had our physician prescribe Cymbalta, which I was clueless about. Trusting doctors, we complied. That was over a year ago. She quit taking it in November (noone warned us about withdrawals) and had all the symptoms everyone is talking about, but it was new to us and we didn't connect the dots. It was horrible and she went back on it. After reading up on this drug, I realize that she is on one of the higher dosages: 60mg. She now feels like she never needed a drug in the first place. I wonder how many people just need a person to purge to but end up on these drugs. That is not to say that many people don't need to be on medication, but in her case, not. She is going to go off of it this summer when she has a window of time. Now that we know what to expect and can benefit from this forum, I hope she will get through it alright. Thanks for any helpful replies.
I think that 60mg is the standard therapeutic dose for depression and other depressive disorders. I didn't get so much response at 60, and then went up to 90 and felt better. Some breakthrough depression a few months later had me up to 120.
First I tapered from 120 to 90 that took 2 weeks. then I went from 90 to 60 that took 2 weeks. (some of the withdrawal effects were happening during this time period) then I went from 60 to 30 and I was getting brain zaps every day and chilly feelings and other unpleasantries. Finally I was sick of the whole withdrawal thing and told my doc that I was ready to go off of it. I was prepared to feel bad. I had stocked up my fridge with OJ, and prepared a sick-bed where I could just be alone with myself until it passed.
I don't want to scare you with the next part. I think I picked an "okay" time to do my big withdrawal, but the fact is that I live alone.
About 3 days after going to zero I was in big trouble. I couldn't get out of bed. was so dizzy and I felt like absolute hell. I was prepared for dizzy and brain zaps and bad headache body ache etc. What I wasn't prepared for was the magnitude of self-destructive feelings. By the end of the week I had stopped eating and drinking and my therapist drove me to the hospital (where they tend to feed and water their patients). I felt really really suicidal, and it was sudden and scary.
I think your daughter is in a better place than I was at the time. For one, she has a mother who cares about her and is ready to help nurture her through that first week. Another thing is that there will probably not be as much life-stressors on her as there were on me (I am getting ready to graduate this semester).
And I think that doctors are only slowly learning about the withdrawal effects from cymbalta. There is VERY very scarce data on how this drug affects the system during withdrawal. My pdoc was surprised, and he is both active in research and clinical practice to develop and prescribe psychopharmacological interventions.
What ended up helping me was to go on a mood stabilizer (lamictal) since the doctors in the hospital were concerned about a family history of bipolar (manic-depressive) illness. It has helped greatly with my suicidal and self-destructive impulses and given me more strength to face the diffuculties of life.
You and your daughter deserve the very best during this difficult time. I hope everything goes well. My scenario was pretty extreme, but so were my psychological events at the time (writing a dissertation, living alone, delving into really icky stuff and working on it in therapy).
take good care,
-Ll
Posted by sad mama on May 12, 2007, at 10:28:52
In reply to Re: cymbalta withdrawals » sad mama, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 12, 2007, at 9:37:33
Thank you for your kind reply and more of what to expect, Ll.
She will have only about six weeks of down-time this summer, as she, too, is in college. She is a violinist who has been fortunate enough to be hired often and travel, but needs this down-time very badly.
I would like more feedback on people's experiences with the tapering. Most have said when they went from 60mg to 30mg, they still had withdrawal symptoms. She was considering doing this while still traveling in June but would it be risky if she is performing?> -Ll
Posted by gapsgal on May 12, 2007, at 15:08:31
In reply to Re: cymbalta withdrawals, posted by sad mama on May 12, 2007, at 10:28:52
I could never taper, it was always just too severe to do and live life at the same time. The thing that I did that finally rid me of this nightmare was prozac. I used it to replace the Cymbalta then quit taking the prozac with virtually no symptoms at all. The difference is that Prozac has a longer half life and therefore does a taper on its own with no withdrawal symptoms. Hope this helps...
Donna
Posted by lisalyn on May 12, 2007, at 22:29:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » gapsgal, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
I am so sorry to find that so many are having to endure the torture of withdrawing from this awful drug. It has been 4 weeks since my psychiatrist took me off Cymbalta "cold turkey" andI see no end in sight to the misery. Every time I think things might be improving, it rebounds and slaps me back down. I have experienced "brain shocks", severe muscle spasms, migraines, severe nausea, 15 lb weight loss, brain "fog", and electrolyte imbalance. I crashed so hard that I ended up in a locked psych ward for 8 days. My doctors are pointing their fingers at each other. My shrink is blaming me for my symptoms, saying a have conversion disorder or possibly somatization disorder. I have been out of work for the last 4 weeks because I have been unable to function. This drug is bad news. Good luck to all of you.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 20, 2007, at 14:32:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by lisalyn on May 12, 2007, at 22:29:03
since going off after 2 month long taper. been off it totally since the last week in March.
Finally I'm starting to NOT notice the symptoms (dizzy and headache and brain zaps) unless I'm completely fatigued.
unfortunately some of my other medications I suspect of making me sleepy.
when I had alcohol this weekend, for instance, I noticed the symptoms coming back.
zzzZZZzzz
This is the longest, oldest thread I've ever participated in!
Posted by moesje on May 23, 2007, at 20:43:05
In reply to returning from cymbalta undead, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 20, 2007, at 14:32:03
> since going off after 2 month long taper. been off it totally since the last week in March.
>
> Finally I'm starting to NOT notice the symptoms (dizzy and headache and brain zaps) unless I'm completely fatigued.
>
> unfortunately some of my other medications I suspect of making me sleepy.
>wow, thought it was all in my mind!! i was on 30 mg for 6 weeks and decided i didn't want to feel like a zombie any more. so doc said to dump out the contents of the capsule take half for a while. well, i went down to on fourth and guess what? the shocks, emotional imbalance, everything is the same as if i was taking 30. he tried telling me that most people get rid of the zombiness after 60, but i said no more, i want off.
i've taken a full regimine of vits for years, have added GABA, cal-mag mix (i get it at GNC), and will be trying the benadryl at night, and possibly cold meds with amphetaines during the day. not quite sure i want the amphetamines, but for sure the benadryl.
sorry if i sound rambling, i'm sure most of you understand this phase of the withdrawal. hubby is worried, i feel like slamming my body into a brick wall, teenage daughters KNOW for sure i have lost it completely.
i'll hang in there a bit longer, see if they commit me by the end of next month or something. :( please pray, this is not easy, and i'll pray for all on this site.
Posted by moesje on May 23, 2007, at 22:34:19
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by ELC on May 2, 2007, at 17:20:03
> You all are talking about brain zaps, and I'm having them (day 4 off of Cymbalta) I'm also having these "zaps" in my lips, tongue, fingers. Anyone else having these electrical shock/zaps anywhere besides the brain?>
throughout my whole body, and it doesn't take 4 days. i'm down to one fourth my dose and i didn't take a pill yesterday. after standing and fishing all day long i thought i'd be too tired to care . . . wrong, i'm ready to gnaw my ankles or throw my body against a brick wall!! the shocks are all day, and they hurt everywhere.
you are not alone.
Posted by moesje on May 24, 2007, at 8:53:45
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by moesje on May 23, 2007, at 22:34:19
okay, so i took tylenol PM last night, first thing in the morning, no shocks. my daughter was sick a month ago, and so i have benadryl strips of 12.5mg and will try those throughout the day. yes, they make you a little groggy, but if that's the price to pay to get rid of the shocks, i'll live with it. i work from home typing, i have to be able to type to get my work done and if the shocks are stopping me because of how much they hurt, then the benadryl is the small price i'll pay.
i have a list of the other vitamins to add to my regimine, but will hold off on those until i see how the benadryl works.
and get the cal-mag! it's calcium and magnesium in a citric base powder, when you add a little water to dissolve it fizzes like alka-seltzer. then you add enough water or juice to make 8 oz. these are minerals that your body needs. i had 2 glasses of it yesterday, and my body doesn't hurt as bad today. it can be a bit nasty to drink, but they have flavors now which mask the taste, but it's so worth it!!
oh, someone said something about losing electrolytes. i'm stopping at the store today to get something like pedialite to help with that! not sure what else would have the electrolytes for sure.
i'm SO glad i found this board! my daughters are 14.5 and 16, and they're wondering if i've completely lost my mind. i explained all the withdrawal stuff to them yesterday, and hopefully it will make me more accountable for my responses to them, and their outbursts to me overall.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. i will keep you posted.
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