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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 2dzze on August 1, 2006, at 9:05:56
I would think I have gone crazy if I hadn't found this board! I have been off Cynbalta for 4 1/2 weeks and it is killing me. I have been to 2 specialists in the last week and they both say the way I am feeling (severe dizziness) can not be from going cold turkey off of cymbalta. Both doctors say they haven't had any complaints of patients coming off the meds and any withdrawals would not last more that 5 days. I am having a MRI on Tuesday. How long is this nightmare going to last?
Posted by silvercoin on August 1, 2006, at 9:05:57
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by 2dzze on July 31, 2006, at 10:40:12
> I would think I have gone crazy if I hadn't found this board! I have been off Cynbalta for 4 1/2 weeks and it is killing me. I have been to 2 specialists in the last week and they both say the way I am feeling (severe dizziness) can not be from going cold turkey off of cymbalta. Both doctors say they haven't had any complaints of patients coming off the meds and any withdrawals would not last more that 5 days. I am having a MRI on Tuesday. How long is this nightmare going to last?
I think Effexor is probably worse, but in withdrawing from that, I would typically suffer significant withdrawal symptoms for about a week, with lingering symptoms for weeks, particularly dizziness. I'm sure Cymbalta differs somewhat, but the 5 day period mentioned sounds ridiculous.Todd
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 9:35:08
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by 2dzze on July 31, 2006, at 10:40:12
> I would think I have gone crazy if I hadn't found this board! I have been off Cynbalta for 4 1/2 weeks and it is killing me.
How did you go about stopping Cymbalta? Did you taper it gradually or stop it all at once?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 10:15:40
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by 2dzze on July 31, 2006, at 10:40:12
> I have been to 2 specialists in the last week and they both say the way I am feeling (severe dizziness) can not be from going cold turkey off of cymbalta.
I'm sorry. I guess I didn't read your post closely enough.
You should never stop Cymbalta or Effexor abruptly - "cold turkey". I believe it produces a kindling reaction in the brain where the person suffers an extended withdrawal syndrome that can last for weeks or even months.
It is unfortunate that most doctors don't appreciate the seriousness of the withdrawal reactions these drugs produce upon their discontinuation.
I am not sure what I would do if I were in your situation. You are pretty far along. For now, you might consider using Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an over-the-counter antihistamine, to reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. It works, but some people find it sedating.
I am of the belief that certain anticonvulsants will be identified as being helpful to treat antidepressant discontinuation-induced withdrawal syndromes. Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough study to determine which are best. Depakote and Trileptal are being looked at for alcohol withdrawal, which might serve as a relevant model for kindling.
One thing you might consider is to take a short course of Prozac and taper. This is a well-known strategy for discontinuing SSRIs and SNRIs. It works because Prozac has such a long half-life. It is about a week, so it acts to gently reduce the level of the drug in the body and makes a smoother transition. Although this would surely help, I tend to thing you would still experience a withdrawal period of mild to moderate severity at the end because you have already provoked a kindling reaction from the "cold turkey" discontinuation. I might be wrong, though. This might be your best alternative.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. You might just have to ride this thing out and use some of the tips you receive from other posters. I would give the Benadryl a try.
If it were me, and the withdrawal symptoms were as severe now as they were at the beginning, I would reintroduce the Cymbalta and begin a gradual taper using a flexible-dosing strategy, taking very small doses several times a day if necessary. I might even use a low dosage of Depakote at the same time.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 12:18:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on August 1, 2006, at 10:15:40
You know, if dizziness is the only symptom you are experiencing, you could try taking either Benadryl or Dramamine. It probably wouldn't make sense to do anything more than that.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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