![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 259 to 283 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 19:05:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal vs Effexor, posted by kparis on May 28, 2006, at 16:38:38
> I'll tell you what. I'm just under 48 hours of stopping the Cymbalta and I am having a rough time.
How did you go about discontinuing Cymbalta?
The length of the withdrawal syndrome is variable. It can last for a few days or a few weeks. Some people report having residual symptoms for months. It seems to me that the syndrome is longest for those people who discontinue the drug abruptly - "cold-turkey". I would recommend tapering the dosage of Cymbalta gradually.
Sometimes, people cross over to Prozac temporarily. It is often easier to withdraw from Prozac because it has such a long half-life. Some people need to take the Prozac only a few times over a period of two weeks.
If you are against returning to an antidepressant, you might be able to mitigate the withdrawal symptoms using Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over-the-counter antihistamine. I have seen Phenergan suggested as an alternative. It might offer more relief than Benadryl, especially with nausea and anxiety. Certain anticonvulsants have been suggested.
Alternative remedies suggested include St. John's Wort and 5-HTP. I'll let others who know more about herbal and nutritional remedies describe them.
If it were me, I would first try using a flexible-dosing strategy to taper Cymbalta. It is unfortunate that there aren't doses smaller than 20mg. You will need to open the capsules and separate out fractions. Some people actually count pellets. I recommend taking very small amounts of Cymbalta several times a day. You can take a small dose whenever you feel the withdrawal symptoms beginning to reappear. Try to take an amount small enough such that it lasts for 6-8 hours. You can estimate. You don't need to be precise. However, you do need to wait until the withdrawal symptoms reappear before taking your next dose. You should find that you need smaller and smaller amounts of Cymbalta to prevent withdrawal symptoms for a given period.
I have been able to discontinue Effexor 300mg within two weeks using a flexible dosing strategy. It is not necessary to suffer for so long.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by gapsgal on May 28, 2006, at 19:14:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal vs Effexor, posted by gapsgal on May 28, 2006, at 15:44:59
Well I am stuck at 15 mgs. The symptoms are just too bad when I go any lower...so I think I am going to try the prozac solution that has been suggested. Since the couple of doctors I have been too think I am an idiot for having withdrawals and one told me that I could have a fatal syndrome if I took prozac...dummy didnt think that I would not still be taking cymbalta too...I will have to buy it online I assume.
This really stinks now I feel like a doper...
> It is hard to imagine anything being worse than cymbalta, but then there is effexor, it has an even shorter half-life. So after just an hour or so of missing a dose or being late the withdrawals begin...the cymbalta withdrawals are just as bad but take a bit longer to start.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > After all this talk about not even starting, I feel weird asking this, but this is real life...
> > >
> > > A friend of mine is considering starting on either Effexor or Cymbalta. He knows the possible withdrawal symptoms, but right now he has no life. He has tries a slew of SSRIs that gave hive horrible side-effects that you would expect from a neuroleptic - NOT from a mere SSRI. The doctor expects that an SSRI/Norepinephrine med may have the same effect, but not sure.
> > >
> > > He cannot afford meds, and can only take ones are given away as freebies. Which of these two is the lesser of two evils?
> > >
> > > He wants to know - which withdrawal is worse - Effexor or Cymbalta... so I am asking any of you who have suffered through withdrawal from both - which was worse?
> > >
> > > And a question for those of you who are adamantly against taking anything... WHAT therapy is available to train/restructure the brain to eliminate a severe anxiety disorder? I guess I ought to take that question to another board...
> > >
> > > -Jaspar
> >
> > Hi Jaspar,
> >
> > I originally went on Cymbalta for a severe daily panic attack disorder. It was the wonder "mind" drug. Little did I know how insidious it was. My BP was always on the low side. Suddenly it was high and I was put on BP meds. I never had belly fat. Suddenly I have more than my share along with an extra 25 pounds. My thyroid was tested and my meds were adjusted. I never had heart problems but started having my left arm going numb, tightness in my chest and shoulders, etc. I was sent for extensive tests and my heart is great. My skin started changing. Moles are arriving all over the place. I went to the dermatologist. She can't figure it out. Migraine headaches started. I'm now on my fourth day of cold turkey after a year and 1/2 on 60mg of Cymbalta. My symptoms of the above mentioned disorders have worsened ten fold (except for the panic and I'll get to that shortly). My body is so bloated my husband had to cut my wedding rings off. Not to mention how badly bloated my tummy is! My face and neck are swollen too (btw..this started several months ago and after being tested for mumps and seeing and ENT doc. Guess what!? I'm fine and they don't know what is causing this along with outside ear pain...). The headaches are horrible. The numbness and pain in my arm is worse than ever not to mention that all of my muscles in my body are screaming. Last night I had a dream that I was looking down at myself sleeping and I wasn't breathing. I had to tell myself to breath. I woke up and told my husband that I was either going to vomit or my heart was going to give out. Now, I'm one of the most optomistic people on the face of the earth and I have a wonderful life (finally after all that went down the past 3 years...death, a wonderful 20 year marriage abruptly ending, more death, losing my home, nearly losing my daughter, so much more and the reason for the panic attacks, but you get the picture). That being said, I know I'll get through it I just have to find a way to get my body back to what it was before Cymbalta. Long story for a relatively short answer. The withdrawal symptoms seem to be a magnification of the problems of the body that crop up while on the drug. The things that we and our doctors think are due to aging, etc. Anxiety & panic? My way out and what has worked for me was being mindful and seeing a hypnotherapist and having monthly body massage. Not the stage kind. This person worked on relaxation techniques while taping our sessions along with relaxation music. Everytime I listened to my tape/s while going to sleep I noticed something so profund that I had not noticed before. It's a beautiful thing. I also went for healing touch and that is also a very relaxing and a mindful thing to do. I've worked in the mental health field for 30 years and work for the largest non-profit mental health agency in VT. We promote trying to heal the body without drugs, with our own mind calming techniques. Nutrition is a big thing as well. But I'm sure we all know that.
> >
> > I don't know about Effexor as I've never been on an antidepressent/anti anxiety drug before this.
> >
> > Please ask you friend when he is having a panic attack to focus on something in the room and just smile, breath, and say, "I'm in the moment." It just may work. It has been my saving grace, so to speak.
> >
> > KParis
> >
> > ~ Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.
> > ~ Nicolas
> >
>
>
Posted by Jaspar on May 28, 2006, at 19:16:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal vs Effexor, posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 12:32:37
> What is your friend suffering with?
He has depression and generalized (but severe) anxiety - no panic attacks. Because of a life situation, his anxiety and depression has increased, and his motivation has decreased. I know the Cymbalta & Effexor can help the motivation issue. I don't understand how they can help the anxiety since norepinepherine is already supposed to be HIGH in anxiety.
> For depression, your friend might consider trying one of the older tricyclic antidepressants (TCA).
> Nortriptyline is one of the better ones. Side effects are relatively mild,
> and there is much less liability for it producing a withdrawal syndrome
> upon its discontination.Would that help anxiety and motivation?
> CBT and desensitization training are psychotherapeutic modalities
> often employed when treating anxiety disorders.
> It depends on which disorder is being treated.I wish these methods were covered by regular insurance. For pharmaceuticals only to be covered is a great American scam. Meds only work while being taken, and often do not work at all.
CBT, etc can work long-term.-Jaspar
Posted by foggy b on May 28, 2006, at 19:45:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - How long, posted by Jaspar on May 28, 2006, at 19:05:29
My experience has been that cold-turkey - the worst of the withdrawls is over 8 to 10 days after they began (2 to 3 days after stopping). I'm now 3 weeks out and still have occasional dizzyness - but it is so much better than a week and a half ago!
My joint pain is returning (unfortunately), but I feel alive again! I liken this experience to being shocked with a defibrulator (not that I've ever really had that experience - but I imagine that it's really not pleasant in and of itself). The end result being that you're alive again!
Hope this helps! Hang in there - it will get better, I just couldn't bear taking any more to help with the withdrawls - it felt like I was backtracking. It might not be the easiest way - but it does work. My kids survived (8,4,2,1); my hubby didn't take off of work - it's just like a really fun case of the flu with a few extra surprises. Keep your TV close and your remote even closer.
Posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 19:47:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs Effexor, posted by Jaspar on May 28, 2006, at 19:16:12
> > What is your friend suffering with?
> He has depression and generalized (but severe) anxiety - no panic attacks. Because of a life situation, his anxiety and depression has increased, and his motivation has decreased. I know the Cymbalta & Effexor can help the motivation issue. I don't understand how they can help the anxiety since norepinepherine is already supposed to be HIGH in anxiety.The brain is unimaginably complex. One must think in terms of circuits and signal routing in addition to neurotransmitters and receptors. Neurotransmitters perform different functions depending on the location of their receptors. The serotonergic effects of Effexor and Cymbalta are stronger than their effects on norepinephrine. Serotonin is very often an inhibitory neurotransmitter and can reduce anxiety if certain circuits are activated. Of course, too much serotonin in certain areas actually produces anxiety. Although nortriptyline and desipramine are both TCA drugs that favor norepinephrine, they are known to reduce anxiety in some people. It is so difficult to predict how any one person will respond to any one drug. Sometimes, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor will produce anxiety during the first few weeks of treatment which disappears and is replaced by an antidepressant and anti-anxiety effect. This often occurs with Lexapro and Prozac.
Effexor + Klonopin is a combination often used to treat comorbid depression and GAD. An alternative is to use Nardil. Nardil is a mono-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is a drug for which one must adhere to a special diet devoid of tyramine and avoid certain medications. It sounds scary, but it really isn't that difficult to manage. I wouldn't look to it as a first choice, though.
Psychotherapy makes for a great adjunct to medication and can help prevent future occurrences. As with medication, therapeutic modalities are chosen which are best suited to the condition to be treated. Also, as with medication, there are often debates as to which modalities are the most effective for any one condition. I like CBT and IPT.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 19:50:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta vs Effexor » Jaspar, posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 19:47:18
Sorry. I erred.
MAOI = monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
- Scott
Posted by musky on May 28, 2006, at 23:41:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by SLS on May 28, 2006, at 8:48:15
> >When you say mental illness of a biological nature and that it has been proven stucturally and functionally,, by Whom??? has it been proven?? the DRug companies??? So many people are diagnosed with major depressive disorder and bipolar , and it seems its just a very common diagnosis...
That to me is not realistic,,,if so then that means the human population is getting sicker not better... IF these conditions are treatable by medications then how come so MANY people keep having problems... its obvious that the number of years that these drugs have been on the market and NOT One of them has been a cure... proves that this is not the way to go...
intervention yes... butit has been proven by proper testing that cognitive therapy does work with people with bipolar or major depressive disorder... NOT just minor depressive illness.
Why deny the people of at least TRYING another method to help themselves?? And this will stay with them forever not the drugs which just add to the stew...Musky
Wow this thread is getting more interesting by the moment!!
>
> > you know if these damn drugs were ALL BANNED in the first place you would have alot of people much happier...
>
> > People MUST wake up and take hold of themselves and not be screwed up by meds... our society is going way outa control here... When people say they have a mental illness, unless they were born with a brain deformity... (that's extreme) , I think alot of your mental illnesses are excuses to get tough with yourself and get WELL on your own,,,, NOT self pity yourself and give your self a life sentence of negative self talk like "poor me ... I have to take an a/d forever."
>
>
> It is very possible that you never had the disorder that antidepressants were meant to treat.
>
> Perhaps the condition that you are treating is not a biologically-driven mental illness. If it is not, then you have the potential to change the way you feel by changing the way you think. However, when it comes to major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, this is often not the case. The operation of the brain in these conditions is abnormal. This has been demonstrated both functionally and structurally. These illnesses are serious, debilitating, and painful, and demand aggressive biological treatments.
>
> I don't think it is in the best interest of society to deny effective treatments to those who suffer from an otherwise intractable illness.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by musky on May 28, 2006, at 23:48:41
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by gapsgal on May 28, 2006, at 9:21:28
>I agree all these warnings must be on the packages.. and doctors need to inform their patients alot more than they do... they would rather write that Rx than to do the research.. they dont have the time...
There are so many preventable deaths from wrongly prescribed drugs... just check the emergency wards at hospitals..
Pretty sad that when one is going through depression that they now have a double whammy with side effects (which suicide itself is a big one on these meds) and withdrawl..
That is not the quality of life here..
Help the person as a WHOLE not just put a bandaid on it with horrific drugs.
Not all meds are totally bad, but ALOT are very dangerous... just ask the families of patients who died while taking vioxx.
HOw long do we wait to ban these meds.. when enough people have died or become homocidal because of the side effects??musky
Those warnings would be nice, it would also be nice if the physicians didnt treat us like crazy idiots when we mention this withdrawal. Eli Lilly should be forthright about all of this and the doctors need to listen. Even if Eli Lilly didnt, then the doctors should do a little research themselves before giving us the meds.
>
> A test for tolerance sounds like a great idea to me as well. Further I think they should have some type of tapering package so that we dont have to do the granule thing (that is hell in itself).
>
> Donna
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > it is apparent you do not wish to join with many of us who want Lilly and/or the
> > > FDA to get Cymbalta off the market.
> > > secretme
> >
> > No - Scott is just, like me, waiting to pass jufgement until all the facts are in. I also have not seen in any post a secret life-threatening danger emerging from the use of Cymbalta. Yes it has potential adverse side-effects listed, but so do Tylenol and Ibuprofen, and all my child's medications. In fact, Risk of DEATH IS listed as a possible side-effect of one of her medications, yet for HER, that risk is worth it since she would have died anyway.
> >
> > Depression is life-threatening, and even pain can cause a person to end his/her life.
> >
> > What Scott and I are BOTH suggesting is that unless an unexpected, clear life-threatening hazard emerges from the use of Cymbalta, asking the FDA to "ban it" is premature.
> >
> > What Scott and I are demanding is that the company CLEARLY WARN of the potential for SEVERE withdrawal that even tapering off with their manufactured capsule dosages will neither prevent nor alleviate. They should clearly state that it can take SIX MONTHS or more to withdraw from 60mg of Cymbalta, and that the paient may be having to decrease by 2 GRANULES every two days in order to not end up in the hospital suffering from severe vomiting and dehydration.
> >
> > I am, in addition, suggesting that the company come up with tests to determine in advance who should NOT start on Cymbalta because of severe withdrawal... and doctors and patients should be notified that this test must be done porior to taking the drug.
> >
> > Vioxx, on the other hand caused sudden, unexpected, irreversible DEATH. And now it is looking that the unexpected cardiovasular damage may be permanent to users of Vioxx who didn't even know that they may have suffered heart damage.
> >
> > We are allowed our opinions. I'd like it if we stopped this bickering.
> >
> > -Jaspar
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by SLS on May 29, 2006, at 9:44:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by musky on May 28, 2006, at 23:41:11
You ask some good questions. If you are interested in receiving some answers, you can ask them on the main Psycho-Babble board. I think you'll find people willing to answer them. These topics are discussed there all the time.
- Scott
> > >When you say mental illness of a biological nature and that it has been proven stucturally and functionally,, by Whom??? has it been proven?? the DRug companies??? So many people are diagnosed with major depressive disorder and bipolar , and it seems its just a very common diagnosis...
> That to me is not realistic,,,if so then that means the human population is getting sicker not better... IF these conditions are treatable by medications then how come so MANY people keep having problems... its obvious that the number of years that these drugs have been on the market and NOT One of them has been a cure... proves that this is not the way to go...
> intervention yes... butit has been proven by proper testing that cognitive therapy does work with people with bipolar or major depressive disorder... NOT just minor depressive illness.
> Why deny the people of at least TRYING another method to help themselves?? And this will stay with them forever not the drugs which just add to the stew...
>
> Musky
>
>
>
>
> Wow this thread is getting more interesting by the moment!!
> >
> > > you know if these damn drugs were ALL BANNED in the first place you would have alot of people much happier...
> >
> > > People MUST wake up and take hold of themselves and not be screwed up by meds... our society is going way outa control here... When people say they have a mental illness, unless they were born with a brain deformity... (that's extreme) , I think alot of your mental illnesses are excuses to get tough with yourself and get WELL on your own,,,, NOT self pity yourself and give your self a life sentence of negative self talk like "poor me ... I have to take an a/d forever."
> >
> >
> > It is very possible that you never had the disorder that antidepressants were meant to treat.
> >
> > Perhaps the condition that you are treating is not a biologically-driven mental illness. If it is not, then you have the potential to change the way you feel by changing the way you think. However, when it comes to major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, this is often not the case. The operation of the brain in these conditions is abnormal. This has been demonstrated both functionally and structurally. These illnesses are serious, debilitating, and painful, and demand aggressive biological treatments.
> >
> > I don't think it is in the best interest of society to deny effective treatments to those who suffer from an otherwise intractable illness.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
> >
>
>
Posted by Avalon on May 29, 2006, at 20:55:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal GOOD NEWS / Trying to HELP, posted by Avalon on May 25, 2006, at 15:56:09
KParis, I'm interested in hearing if you've had any withdrawal symptoms yet. I believe you've been off for 5 days now? Please update us if you have a moment. Hope all is well. Thanks.
Posted by kparis on May 29, 2006, at 21:08:24
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal - KParis, posted by Avalon on May 29, 2006, at 20:55:26
> KParis, I'm interested in hearing if you've had any withdrawal symptoms yet. I believe you've been off for 5 days now? Please update us if you have a moment. Hope all is well. Thanks.
I put a posting on yesterday:
I'll tell you what. I'm just under 48 hours of stopping the Cymbalta and I am having a rough time. Man! For someone who is usually so happy I feel like crap, strange, hollow and full all at the same time. My head doesn't seem to belong to me...I'm sad, angry, dizzy, blocked, nauseated, tingling, bloated, heavy-hearted, teary, leg cramps, just plain awful...not to mention the dreams...too strange. How long does this usually last? I mean the really bad withdrawal? HELP! I will never put Cymbalta into my body again.
Kparis
Today I feel better...some. I had a rough night last night and had to sleep sitting up on the couch as when I would lay in bed I would wake from what felt like not breathing, swollowing my tongue, dreams!! This AM I was okay for a little while then the tears came. I went to see my pharmasist and we had a chat about Cymbalta. He does not like the drug, feels it is over rated, has been promoted as a wonder drug and is extremely over prescribed. He has seen people who have gained weight with this drug lose it after stopping. I'm hoping. I went home and began building our house with my husband in the 85 degree weather, drank lots of water (I don't like the sun/heat) and bought lots of fruit and veggies to eat. I'm afraid to go to bed...perhaps that is why I'm going on. I apologize for that.I truly appreciate you asking about how I'm doing. It make me feel less alone!
Tomorrow will be better. I'm going to look at a puppy. I've got to keep the positive going. I'm glad I took the week off of work!
Kparis
Posted by Mark23 on May 30, 2006, at 12:22:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » gapsgal, posted by SLS on May 27, 2006, at 11:38:05
Unfortunately research has a LONG way to go. An interesting book "The Second Brain"
by Michael Gershon discusses what's going on in your stomach (a lot more serotonin activity than in your brain and the reason people have GI trouble taking SSRIs). That's one reason you start SSRIs at a low dose. After reading it I came to the conclusion that many medications treat symptoms and your body eventually overrides or at least diminishes the effect of the meds.For example if you take antacids for heartburn you stomach says "hey the pH is too high" and it pumps even more acid. The best thing would be to remove the stress that caused the heartburn. If it's cold outside and someone had set the thermostat too high, you don't open a window to cool the house, you turn down the thermostat! Opening a window might help for a while, but your house will not function properly and you heating bill will go up.
Similarly the body works hard to counteract the SSNRIs and in the meantime we suffer side effects. Until the pharmilogical industry learns how to turn down the thermostat instead of opening a window we will never be as helped as we could be.
>
> There is an incredible amount of research being conducted in this area. Neuroscience is a field exploding with investigation. Internet search engines should provide you with evidence as to how large in scope and depth this research is.
>
> > When addicts withdraw they have similiar symptoms and these are known to cause long-term damage to the brain...
>
> Which things are known to cause damage, the drugs themselves or the withdrawal process? I think both can produce changes that persist. Unfortuately, these treatments are not what we would like them to be.
>
> > anything that alters the brains way of working can permanently change things in the brain.
>
> How do you know this? That is a rather sweeping statement that I have not yet seen stated in medical literature.
>
> > Consider someone who is addicted to pain medicine, why? Because it has changed the way their brain works and chances are the change is permanent.
>
> I am not sure that the permanence of these changes has yet been ascertained in research.
>
> One thing that has not yet entered into this discussion is the impact mental illness has on one's ability to function and their quality of life. I feel that the degree to which these illnesses debilitate and cause pain is severe enough to be treated aggressively with drugs that are not yet perfect.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by Mark23 on May 30, 2006, at 14:18:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by Mark23 on May 30, 2006, at 12:22:01
Hmmmm that link didn't seem to work the book "The Second Brain
by Michael Gershon" is less than $11 at Amazon.
> Unfortunately research has a LONG way to go. An interesting book "The Second Brain"
> by Michael Gershon discusses what's going on in your stomach (a lot more serotonin activity than in your brain and the reason people have GI trouble taking SSRIs).
Posted by musky on May 31, 2006, at 0:25:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by Mark23 on May 30, 2006, at 12:22:01
>
Just reading this post... and thats just great.. now Im a little concerned about permanent changes the drug ive been on has done... I always thought that this is just temporary and that the brain will recover after stopping the med... I mean there is so much out there that peoples addictions and personal experiences of people that have overcome their addictions and are fine.
Unless you count people that have been on hard street drugs... Im hoping that a/d are not as severe as Heroin... gee Now i really really wish I hadnt taken this damn a/d!!!
I agree with your comment about turning down the thermostat... I believe this too be true ,,, get at the ROOT of the problem, not just mask it with meds..
Meds may be usful for short term... even then I have my doubts.. but certainly not for long term.. thats where cognitive retraining comes in.musky
Unfortunately research has a LONG way to go. An interesting book "The Second Brain"
> by Michael Gershon discusses what's going on in your stomach (a lot more serotonin activity than in your brain and the reason people have GI trouble taking SSRIs). That's one reason you start SSRIs at a low dose. After reading it I came to the conclusion that many medications treat symptoms and your body eventually overrides or at least diminishes the effect of the meds.
>
> For example if you take antacids for heartburn you stomach says "hey the pH is too high" and it pumps even more acid. The best thing would be to remove the stress that caused the heartburn. If it's cold outside and someone had set the thermostat too high, you don't open a window to cool the house, you turn down the thermostat! Opening a window might help for a while, but your house will not function properly and you heating bill will go up.
>
> Similarly the body works hard to counteract the SSNRIs and in the meantime we suffer side effects. Until the pharmilogical industry learns how to turn down the thermostat instead of opening a window we will never be as helped as we could be.
>
> >
> > There is an incredible amount of research being conducted in this area. Neuroscience is a field exploding with investigation. Internet search engines should provide you with evidence as to how large in scope and depth this research is.
> >
> > > When addicts withdraw they have similiar symptoms and these are known to cause long-term damage to the brain...
> >
> > Which things are known to cause damage, the drugs themselves or the withdrawal process? I think both can produce changes that persist. Unfortuately, these treatments are not what we would like them to be.
> >
> > > anything that alters the brains way of working can permanently change things in the brain.
> >
> > How do you know this? That is a rather sweeping statement that I have not yet seen stated in medical literature.
> >
> > > Consider someone who is addicted to pain medicine, why? Because it has changed the way their brain works and chances are the change is permanent.
> >
> > I am not sure that the permanence of these changes has yet been ascertained in research.
> >
> > One thing that has not yet entered into this discussion is the impact mental illness has on one's ability to function and their quality of life. I feel that the degree to which these illnesses debilitate and cause pain is severe enough to be treated aggressively with drugs that are not yet perfect.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
> >
>
>
Posted by elliemae on May 31, 2006, at 12:16:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by musky on May 31, 2006, at 0:25:03
How long do the withdrawal symptoms usually last? I stopped taking my Cymbalta 30mg 5 days ago (cold turkey) after being on the drug for 6 months. I've had dizziness, a constant headache and these weird "flashes" that are reminiscent of a head rush when you stand up too fast since Monday (three days).
I have Antivert but that doesn't seem to help at all. Does the Benedryl remedy that I've read about in these posts work?
Posted by Avalon on May 31, 2006, at 17:28:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by elliemae on May 31, 2006, at 12:16:16
Ellimae, sorry you're going through the crap that everyone else on here seems to be experiencing. I will let someone else who's been through this advise you on how long to expect symptoms. I had stopped for 4 days (after only being on 3 weeks and STILL having withdrawal symptoms) but was advised by someone on the boards here to go back on and taper off. I imagine at your stage, 5 days off, it would be pointless to do that. I've now been tapering for 2 weeks, taking the 30 mg caps every other day and dumping out an increasing # of granules each time. (Counting those granules is like counting grains of sand!) I still fear I will have nausea when I completely stop.
Posted by kparis on May 31, 2006, at 17:53:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by Avalon on May 31, 2006, at 17:28:05
Hi,
I have officially been off of Cymbalta for one week today!! I feel better than I did on the horrible 4th and 5th day. My only symptoms now are the horrible edema and my eyes feel as if they are separate entities within my head...head goes one way, eyes go the other and never seem to catch up with each other. My sleep is still STRANGE and muscles ache, but, considering what it was like and could still be like, I'd say I'm doing pretty darn well.I hope you have as much "luck" as I have had with removing this insidious drug from your system!
KParis
Posted by kparis on June 1, 2006, at 7:34:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by kparis on May 31, 2006, at 17:53:11
I guess I spoke too soon yesterday. I had a horrible panic attack. I also put a call in to my psychiatrist about the edema. She said she'd never heard of that as a side effect. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EXPERIENCED THE SEVERE EDEMA THING?! It is messed up.
Thanks and keep on keeping on...
kpairs
Posted by Nick K. on June 1, 2006, at 17:27:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by kparis on June 1, 2006, at 7:34:28
First things first: I'm just over 2 weeks into total abstinence from cymbalta now...The overwhelming intensity of the withdrawal experience has faded significantly and the "brain shocks" are no longer happening. However, I'm experiencing some of the old depressive symptoms such as: Exaggerated fear. Confusion. Difficulty focusing. Aggravation. Anxiety. Lack of self-confidence. Critical thinking about myself and my body.
I'm still keeping in mind that the withdrawal is probably the cause of these negative symptoms, which helps to put things in perspective. These thoughts and feelings ARE NOT REAL, they are generated by my own mind for reasons I don't understand. I don't believe in any particular god, but I force myself to pray for help several times a day... just in case there IS a higher power out there. it seems to be helping somehow. Also, trying to help somebody else is the most counter-intuitive thing for me to do in this condition, but it is an unbelievable relief.
Regarding the EDEMA issue:
I've noticed the same sort of thing in myself, but not to the serious degree that you (Ellimae) have described. I feel bloated, like I'm retaining water, or just not nearly as attractive as I was used to feeling before. I can't tell if this is my mind playing tricks on the way I perceive myself, or if I am actually suffering from physical symptoms. I forced myself to excercise yesterday for almost 2 hours, until I was completely exhausted. Coincidentally I slept well last night and I feel better today. I wouldn't be surprised if physical activity is a form of detox.My mind will try to convince me of some horrible things sometimes...
I refuse to become a victim of my own brain.At least, thats what I'm telling myself today.
-Nick
Posted by Nick K. on June 1, 2006, at 17:37:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by Nick K. on June 1, 2006, at 17:27:27
I meant to direct the edema issue to kparis, not ellimae... sorry!
-Nick
Posted by kparis on June 1, 2006, at 18:47:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by Nick K. on June 1, 2006, at 17:27:27
Hi Nick not a problem.
I spoke with my psychiatrist last evening about the edema and she told me to speak with my GP. I called him today and will see him tomorrow. I'll let you all know what he says.
I, too, use exercise as a form of detox. It does work. I also went out and bought tons of fresh fruits, veggies, and I drink 6-9 bottles of water per day. I think it helps. I also started taking 1000 mg of omega 3 vitamins and vit E. I read that that may help with the weight gain from the Cymbaltal and with the withdrawal in general. I hope so!
Congrats on your 2 weeks! I don't even know you and yet I'm proud of you! It's not easy to just stop and not give in to the temptation of just taking it again. Way to go!
Have a great evening and I hope you sleep well again.
Kparis
Posted by gapsgal on June 1, 2006, at 22:05:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by kparis on June 1, 2006, at 7:34:28
guys i was having the edema as well and i was just informed by my doctor that I need to see a specialist because I am experiencing kidney failure...hopefully all of this is just a coincidence...but just in case as your doctors to check your kidney function.
Donna
> I guess I spoke too soon yesterday. I had a horrible panic attack. I also put a call in to my psychiatrist about the edema. She said she'd never heard of that as a side effect. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE EXPERIENCED THE SEVERE EDEMA THING?! It is messed up.
>
> Thanks and keep on keeping on...
> kpairs
Posted by kparis on June 2, 2006, at 16:56:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by gapsgal on June 1, 2006, at 22:05:40
Hi All,
Day nine and counting!
I saw my GP today and he agreed that this is an evil drug to get off of. He also said that there were many more side effects than with most other drugs of its kind. My BP is high and I need to have a kidney function test done on Monday along with other tests. He said that I have to get my BP down and that will help with the edema. He does not feel that I will need to be on BP meds when I'm finished with the withdrawal. I feel like crap. A sausage about to pop. Blah.
Hope you're all doing well/better than yesterday/all that is good.
Kparis
Posted by Avalon on June 2, 2006, at 17:15:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by kparis on June 2, 2006, at 16:56:24
Kparis, that's great that you've made it 9 days but really discouraging that you're still having symptoms. I am now down to every other day, I dump increasing # of granules out each time so I'm probably down to about a 15 mg dose. And I already have waves of nausea here and there, and I'm not even completely off it yet. I'd like to stop after tomorrow's dose, but I'm so afraid. I am trying to get my house ready to sell so there's a lot of work to be done, and I can't afford to be sick....especially for an extended period of time!
Please keep us posted and hope you feel better soon.
Posted by gapsgal on June 3, 2006, at 11:07:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Ellimae, posted by kparis on June 2, 2006, at 16:56:24
I am down to 15 mg as well, i have been told that my kidneys are losing function and that I may have kidney disease, could this be a coincidence? Do you think our kidneys have been damaged by this drug? I have already lost 30 percent of my overal kidney function which should be at 90.
> Hi All,
> Day nine and counting!
> I saw my GP today and he agreed that this is an evil drug to get off of. He also said that there were many more side effects than with most other drugs of its kind. My BP is high and I need to have a kidney function test done on Monday along with other tests. He said that I have to get my BP down and that will help with the edema. He does not feel that I will need to be on BP meds when I'm finished with the withdrawal. I feel like crap. A sausage about to pop. Blah.
> Hope you're all doing well/better than yesterday/all that is good.
> Kparis
>
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