![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ediejane on April 2, 2006, at 23:13:41
2 months ago I went on Cymbalta because my doctor felt that after 15 years, Prozac may have "pooped out." After one month I suffered severe dry mouth and excessive swelling in my feet, ankles, knees and hands. Not to mention that I didn't feel much different (emotionally) than before Cymbalta. Eight days ago I went back on Prozac. The dry mouth went away almost instantly, but it was almost 6 days before the swelling went down. However, for the past few days I have had so much joint pain in my legs and feet, and sometimes all over. I have also noticed feeling itchy. And tonight I have insomnia. Are these typical side effects of withdrawing from Cymbalta, and can anyone tell me how long before I feel normal again?
Posted by SLS on April 3, 2006, at 7:35:14
In reply to Effects of Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by ediejane on April 2, 2006, at 23:13:41
> 2 months ago I went on Cymbalta because my doctor felt that after 15 years, Prozac may have "pooped out." After one month I suffered severe dry mouth and excessive swelling in my feet, ankles, knees and hands. Not to mention that I didn't feel much different (emotionally) than before Cymbalta. Eight days ago I went back on Prozac. The dry mouth went away almost instantly, but it was almost 6 days before the swelling went down. However, for the past few days I have had so much joint pain in my legs and feet, and sometimes all over. I have also noticed feeling itchy. And tonight I have insomnia. Are these typical side effects of withdrawing from Cymbalta, and can anyone tell me how long before I feel normal again?
Your symptoms do fit a withdrawal syndrome. However, they can also represent startup side effects of Prozac. I would say that the itching and insomnia are more likely to be the result of Cymbalta withdrawal.
Under most circumstances, Prozac should prevent the withdrawal syndrome produced by the discontinuation of Cymbalta. However, it takes awhile for the levels of Prozac to accumulate because its long half-life requires a very gradual titration. Cymbalta is very potent. There might be a lag time between the discontinuation of Cymbalta and the accumulation of a sufficient amount of Prozac to prevent withdrawal symptoms from appearing.
My best guess is that the symptoms you describe will dissipate over the course of a few days.
How much Cymbalta were you taking?
How long had you been taking it?
How did you go about discontinuing it?
- Scott
Posted by ediejane on April 3, 2006, at 8:56:19
In reply to Re: Effects of Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by SLS on April 3, 2006, at 7:35:14
> > 2 months ago I went on Cymbalta because my doctor felt that after 15 years, Prozac may have "pooped out." After one month I suffered severe dry mouth and excessive swelling in my feet, ankles, knees and hands. Not to mention that I didn't feel much different (emotionally) than before Cymbalta. Eight days ago I went back on Prozac. The dry mouth went away almost instantly, but it was almost 6 days before the swelling went down. However, for the past few days I have had so much joint pain in my legs and feet, and sometimes all over. I have also noticed feeling itchy. And tonight I have insomnia. Are these typical side effects of withdrawing from Cymbalta, and can anyone tell me how long before I feel normal again?
>
> Your symptoms do fit a withdrawal syndrome. However, they can also represent startup side effects of Prozac. I would say that the itching and insomnia are more likely to be the result of Cymbalta withdrawal.
>
> Under most circumstances, Prozac should prevent the withdrawal syndrome produced by the discontinuation of Cymbalta. However, it takes awhile for the levels of Prozac to accumulate because its long half-life requires a very gradual titration. Cymbalta is very potent. There might be a lag time between the discontinuation of Cymbalta and the accumulation of a sufficient amount of Prozac to prevent withdrawal symptoms from appearing.
>
> My best guess is that the symptoms you describe will dissipate over the course of a few days.
>
> How much Cymbalta were you taking?
>
> How long had you been taking it?
>
> How did you go about discontinuing it?
>
>
> - Scott
>
Thanks Scott. To further answer your questions, I was talking 60mg Cymbalta. I took it for 2 months. There was no weaning off it. I am taking 40mg Prozac. Undoubtedly, this has been a horrible ordeal. I was prepared for the peaks and valleys of adjusting to a change in medication, but never the intense pain I am experiencing.
Posted by SLS on April 3, 2006, at 9:08:31
In reply to Re: Effects of Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by ediejane on April 3, 2006, at 8:56:19
> Thanks Scott. To further answer your questions, I was talking 60mg Cymbalta. I took it for 2 months. There was no weaning off it. I am taking 40mg Prozac. Undoubtedly, this has been a horrible ordeal. I was prepared for the peaks and valleys of adjusting to a change in medication, but never the intense pain I am experiencing.
It might be worth using small amounts of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to lessen the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. Many people report that it works quite well. I've never tried it.
I know it's a little late in the game, but discontinuing one of these SRI drugs (SSRIs + SNRIs) abruptly "cold turkey" produces and exaggerated withdrawal syndrome that lasts for a longer period of time. It would have been better for you to have cross-tapered the Cymbalta while titrating the Prozac.
I hope things get better for you soon.
Take care.
- Scott
Posted by gapsgal on April 26, 2006, at 16:11:35
In reply to Re: Effects of Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by SLS on April 3, 2006, at 7:35:14
Scott,
I am withdrawing from Cymbalta and taking wellbutrin and i am miserable. I have these strange swimmy head feelings hard to explain and nausea. The doctor wont believe that it is from withdrawing from Cymbalta and instead thinks I am having inner ear trouble...so he has given me antivert and some diuretic...I am at my wits end...could prozac help me? If so I may order it online at this point.
Donna
> > 2 months ago I went on Cymbalta because my doctor felt that after 15 years, Prozac may have "pooped out." After one month I suffered severe dry mouth and excessive swelling in my feet, ankles, knees and hands. Not to mention that I didn't feel much different (emotionally) than before Cymbalta. Eight days ago I went back on Prozac. The dry mouth went away almost instantly, but it was almost 6 days before the swelling went down. However, for the past few days I have had so much joint pain in my legs and feet, and sometimes all over. I have also noticed feeling itchy. And tonight I have insomnia. Are these typical side effects of withdrawing from Cymbalta, and can anyone tell me how long before I feel normal again?
>
> Your symptoms do fit a withdrawal syndrome. However, they can also represent startup side effects of Prozac. I would say that the itching and insomnia are more likely to be the result of Cymbalta withdrawal.
>
> Under most circumstances, Prozac should prevent the withdrawal syndrome produced by the discontinuation of Cymbalta. However, it takes awhile for the levels of Prozac to accumulate because its long half-life requires a very gradual titration. Cymbalta is very potent. There might be a lag time between the discontinuation of Cymbalta and the accumulation of a sufficient amount of Prozac to prevent withdrawal symptoms from appearing.
>
> My best guess is that the symptoms you describe will dissipate over the course of a few days.
>
> How much Cymbalta were you taking?
>
> How long had you been taking it?
>
> How did you go about discontinuing it?
>
>
> - Scott
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.