![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 671 to 695 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by tennisplayer on April 29, 2008, at 16:34:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by alycat on April 29, 2008, at 13:07:57
> Hi...Have been on 30mg for a little over a year now, went cold turkey about a week ago (thought I had another bottle, am disorganized and haven't sent in my mailorder scrip), and now I feel like crap. I have to laugh, cuz it's my own damn fault for not keeping on top of my med supply, not knowing abt. this w/drw business, and now realizing I don't want to be on this junk anymore. I have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Lexapro,and Cymbalta at different times over about a 15 year period, always with a "drug free" stint lasting up to 2 years before going on my next "fix". Never have I felt this lousy for this long coming off something. Driving is the worst for me, followed by moving my eyeballs too quickly...I know that sounds funny, but it's true. I do find exercise to be helpful, and I am hoping I can sweat this stuff out of my system quicker...is that possible? Also, I find my appetite to be insatiable...am I eating for comfort, or does my body really need it? So, I am at day 7...will this get worse, or better from here? It sure sounds like I have a long road ahead of me...ugh. I feel for everyone out there.
I had the same experience of the worst withdrawal I have ever had from anything. Somewhat like you I initially forgot to take the pills for a few days in a row and got horribly nauseous, but at the time I just thought I had a bug. I was also ravenous after quitting, and only for carbohydrates, tons of them, and when I say ravenous, I mean I would grab a whole half gallon of ice cream and couldn't get it down fast enough Needless to say I started gaining weight I don't think it is a comfort eating thing, I think Cymbalta and those things that inhibit reuptake of not only serotonin but also norepinephrine really cause a horrible chemically induced screw up in your digestive system. It does finally go away, but mine took about 4 months to go away completely, but it was getting better each week. My cholesterol and blood pressure went sky high too, and I have never had high blood pressure before. Also I had tons of gallstones form in my gallbladder. Now BP is back to normal. Hang in there.
Posted by tennisplayer on April 29, 2008, at 16:56:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » tennisplayer, posted by Bob on April 29, 2008, at 14:03:19
>
> > > Does the "sleeping-itis" mean that Cymbalta actually caused you to sleep too much? What dose did you get up to?
> >
> > Yes, when I was on the Cymbalta I started wanting to sleep all the time. Two hours after I got up I was crawling back in the bed, and just physically sleepy and yawning all the time. Not just the sleeping you sometimes do with depression. But neither the doctor nor I realized it ws the Cymbalta doing it. I have to take Lortabs for my severe chronic interstitial cystitis pain, so I was afraid maybe they had built up and were causing a sleepiness, but thankfully that was not the case. After I quit the Cymbalta I had a horrible period of withdrawal symptoms including nausea, insomnia, hyperactivity, hostility, non stop talking and pacing, etc. But it finally went away afer about 3 months and I settled back down to not being sleepy all the time but not being hyper either. I tried the neurostimulator implant for my I.C. pain, but it didn;t help much. I felt I had to try it though. So I still have to take Lortabs at daytime, and one oxycontin at nite. Thankfully the Lortabs don't make me sleepy or lethargic. At nite oxycontin does make me sleep but I don't mind it at night. I no longer trust any antidepressants, they don't seem to help with depression and they seem to have horrible side effects, especially the ones who claim to help with physical pain. They didn't help me with the pain either. Maybe there is some good in antidepresants for people who are suicidal or something, but generally I don't think staying on them long term is a good idea, and in my particular case I don't want to start using any of them at all ever again. I think exercise (I play a lot of tennis) which releases endorphins, helps my depression more than any antidepressant, as does meditation. And of course getting pain relief with the Lortabs helps a whole lot with keeping depression at bay. I just hate that I have to take a narcotic, and that I am no doubt addicted to it. Sometimes things become the lesser of two evils. Hang in there.
>
>
>
> What was the highest daily dose of Cymbalta that you were able to stabilize on?
>
> I stablized on 60 mg per day because my doctor thought 30 mg was not producing any antidepression effects and 60 mg might accomplish that. The 60 mg didn't help with my pain or depression either, but I thought maybe if I wasn't taking it things would be even worse than they were. I wasn't really all that depressed, but rather wanted the advertised relief from physical pain because of my interstitial cystitis. It didn't help on either count, but neither I nor my doctor realized it was what was making me so sleepy. I was also taking Lortabs and amitriptyline and we both thought one of those might be causing the sleepiness. It turned out it was the Cymbalta. When I got off of it I actually was hyper and insomniac for about two months and then finally got back to pre- Cymbalta state of alertness without hyperactivity and insomnia.
>
Posted by Scooter1908 on April 29, 2008, at 18:03:47
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by alycat on April 29, 2008, at 13:07:57
> Hi...Have been on 30mg for a little over a year now, went cold turkey about a week ago (thought I had another bottle, am disorganized and haven't sent in my mailorder scrip), and now I feel like crap. I have to laugh, cuz it's my own damn fault for not keeping on top of my med supply, not knowing abt. this w/drw business, and now realizing I don't want to be on this junk anymore. I have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Lexapro,and Cymbalta at different times over about a 15 year period, always with a "drug free" stint lasting up to 2 years before going on my next "fix". Never have I felt this lousy for this long coming off something. Driving is the worst for me, followed by moving my eyeballs too quickly...I know that sounds funny, but it's true. I do find exercise to be helpful, and I am hoping I can sweat this stuff out of my system quicker...is that possible? Also, I find my appetite to be insatiable...am I eating for comfort, or does my body really need it? So, I am at day 7...will this get worse, or better from here? It sure sounds like I have a long road ahead of me...ugh. I feel for everyone out there.
Hi Alycat, Don't give up. The symptoms do go away.I had horrible withdrawls for three months. The brain zapping was the worst. My problem is I'm still depressed. I'm going to have to learn to deal with it because anti depressants are too scarey. If my chronic pain would go away I wouldn't have to deal with as much depression. Two of my friends had just started taking Cymbalta and changed to something else after I told them what happened to me.
Posted by alycat on April 30, 2008, at 19:47:52
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Scooter1908 on April 29, 2008, at 18:03:47
I feel like a true junkie now. It's day 8 or 9 going cold turkey, and I broke down and filled half a month scrip. There I am in a parking lot rationing out Cymbalta beads in an old water bottle cap before meeting my husband and kids at soccer practice...what the hell? My husband sympathetically said I am looking "a little rough", so not only do I feel like an addict, I also look like one!! No more cold turkey for me. I am hoping to take 15mg for a week, then 8mg for a week, then 4...etc...could I go faster? Will I have any long term damage to my body? I am so afraid now of what I have done to myself. By the way, I was prescribed this by my Gen. Practitioner (not a Psych), so this is not his specialty, and I'd rather hear from those who have lived it. Please tell me this will all be over soon, and I can TRY to treat ME naturally, and not what Cymbalta has done.
Posted by tennisplayer on April 30, 2008, at 20:36:32
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by alycat on April 30, 2008, at 19:47:52
> I feel like a true junkie now. It's day 8 or 9 going cold turkey, and I broke down and filled half a month scrip. There I am in a parking lot rationing out Cymbalta beads in an old water bottle cap before meeting my husband and kids at soccer practice...what the hell? My husband sympathetically said I am looking "a little rough", so not only do I feel like an addict, I also look like one!! No more cold turkey for me. I am hoping to take 15mg for a week, then 8mg for a week, then 4...etc...could I go faster? Will I have any long term damage to my body? I am so afraid now of what I have done to myself. By the way, I was prescribed this by my Gen. Practitioner (not a Psych), so this is not his specialty, and I'd rather hear from those who have lived it. Please tell me this will all be over soon, and I can TRY to treat ME naturally, and not what Cymbalta has done.
Don't give up, alycat, but tapering is the best way to go. I tapered for 3 months. What dose are you at now? If you can do it, it would help to talk to a psychiatrist, to help you decide how slowly or quickly to taper off of it, I believe. I know that is epensive, and there may be some specific advice coming from some or the readers that will tell you how fast to go on the taper. It sounds like to me you are trying to do it too fast. I was on 60 mg, then went to 30 then went to 20 then 20 every other day, etc. Stopping cold turkey or trying to get off too fast will give you severe nausea and a lot of other things.
Posted by Scooter1908 on April 30, 2008, at 20:38:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by alycat on April 30, 2008, at 19:47:52
> I feel like a true junkie now. It's day 8 or 9 going cold turkey, and I broke down and filled half a month scrip. There I am in a parking lot rationing out Cymbalta beads in an old water bottle cap before meeting my husband and kids at soccer practice...what the hell? My husband sympathetically said I am looking "a little rough", so not only do I feel like an addict, I also look like one!! No more cold turkey for me. I am hoping to take 15mg for a week, then 8mg for a week, then 4...etc...could I go faster? Will I have any long term damage to my body? I am so afraid now of what I have done to myself. By the way, I was prescribed this by my Gen. Practitioner (not a Psych), so this is not his specialty, and I'd rather hear from those who have lived it. Please tell me this will all be over soon, and I can TRY to treat ME naturally, and not what Cymbalta has done.
Alycat, I think it is a great idea to wean yourself like you are doing. I wish I would of thought of that when I was quitting. All I did was take them every other day for the last month. It took three months to stop having symptoms after I took my last one. I don't know about long term affects, but I'm not having any problems right now. You are not an addict. This stuff is poison. Don't give up. If I can make it so can you.
Posted by tennisplayer on May 1, 2008, at 8:24:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » alycat, posted by Scooter1908 on April 30, 2008, at 20:38:04
> > I feel like a true junkie now. It's day 8 or 9 going cold turkey, and I broke down and filled half a month scrip. There I am in a parking lot rationing out Cymbalta beads in an old water bottle cap before meeting my husband and kids at soccer practice...what the hell? My husband sympathetically said I am looking "a little rough", so not only do I feel like an addict, I also look like one!! No more cold turkey for me. I am hoping to take 15mg for a week, then 8mg for a week, then 4...etc...could I go faster? Will I have any long term damage to my body? I am so afraid now of what I have done to myself. By the way, I was prescribed this by my Gen. Practitioner (not a Psych), so this is not his specialty, and I'd rather hear from those who have lived it. Please tell me this will all be over soon, and I can TRY to treat ME naturally, and not what Cymbalta has done.
>
> Alycat, I think it is a great idea to wean yourself like you are doing. I wish I would of thought of that when I was quitting. All I did was take them every other day for the last month. It took three months to stop having symptoms after I took my last one. I don't know about long term affects, but I'm not having any problems right now. You are not an addict. This stuff is poison. Don't give up. If I can make it so can you.
There is a really good website called AntidepressantsFacts that can tell you what to expect, how to taper and a lot of information that I found really helpful. It took me 3 months after the last pill I took to completely be rid of the withdrawal effects, also. Some of the things that website helps you with is non medicinal ways to deal with the hyperactivity and hyper anger etc. that develops during the withdrawal phase, and some other personality changes.
Posted by alycat on May 1, 2008, at 11:18:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tennisplayer on May 1, 2008, at 8:24:37
Thank you for your support. I started on 30mg/day, went cold turkey for a week (awful)and now am starting on 15mg/day for a week, and will continue to 1/2 the dose each week thereafter until I am done, done, done!! I actually feel better today (one dose of approx 15 mg last night), though the true test will be this afternoon and tonight, when it has typically been it's worst. I just don't want to feel crazy...looking back over the past week, I feel I have been quite manic, and possibly socially innappropriate (nothing too tragic, just maybe a bit boundary pushing)...thankfully I have forgiving family and friends :). I'll keep ya posted on the success of my weaning...I WILL succeed in eliminating this from my life!! Take care, and thank you.
Posted by Ave-babe on May 11, 2008, at 17:57:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Troy Tempest on March 16, 2008, at 14:40:01
Oh my God!!! I can't believe someone actually knows how I feel. My Doc won't give me a new script until I make an appt. and refuses to give me samples.... Man I do sound like a junkie.
I started taking my Valuim just to cover some of these crazy side effects. I feel so angry sometimes. I almost hit my husband and I have have all these brain type head shocks. I keep feeling like I am almost going to go into a sezure. I was put on this for anxiety and slight deoression 2 years ago. I weaned my self down for almost 3 weeks.
I feel like I am going insane. I cry when I shouldn't which is pretty much all the time. Believe me I would rather pull out all my teeth than shed a tear but None the less.
I just don't understand how My doctors could not have known about all these side effects and then the withdrawal symptoms on top of it.
I am really scared sometimes... Can these withdrawals be fatal???
Plese let me know.
Ave
Posted by sallgood on May 11, 2008, at 22:52:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tennisplayer on May 1, 2008, at 8:24:37
118 days off of Cymbalta. My old doctor told me I did not have to wean (a psychiatrist) and just stop taking it. So I did, from 30 mg to nothing. I have lived through this, but I did have to take a detour. After 45 days cold turkey I had improvement of about 50% so I found a new psychiatrist, because my old one kept telling me that what I felt did not exist.
Two things helped me: I was put on a low dose of Celexa (I know it is old but I am self employed with no prescription coverage) and I went to acupuncture. I weaned off of the Celexa in 5 weeks, after I did my first dose drop, I could feel my brain chemistry reactivate. This was about five days after I had started acupuncture. I will continue with the acupuncture and have treatments about every 6 weeks (the first month was once a week).
31 days off of antidepressants as of today, the "return" of the previous condition my former doctor told me I was having does not exist, I was on for situational depression and had worked through those issues.
Some of the valuable information on this site helped me immensely. Sorry I did not post while I was in the soup, so to say, but my post would have been pretty incoherent as I was in a mental blender.
I thought I was permanently damaged as well, but after coming through this, I am intact emotionally and physically. I do think that when it is time to discontinue your antidepressant, the best way is not to replace with another one, but for me, it was essential.
Weaning would be best, but as I said, my old psychiatrist told me it was not necessary when I asked him about it and foolishly I believed him.
I hope this helps some of you, you can get through and be yourself without drugs again. No disrespect meant to any individual who uses antidepressants at all, I know that they are essential to many people, there is nothing wrong with that!
Looking back (which is always easy to say, right?) I believe that I would have been fine had I done more talk therapy and given myself time to heal (situational depression due to bereavement from several friends and a family member, 5 in one year was the reason for the depression).
My best to all of you!
Posted by amandarebecca89 on July 6, 2008, at 21:23:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by syntheticsoul on January 4, 2006, at 16:08:08
for the past two weeks i was told to just stop taking my 30 mg of cymbalta because i was having extremly bad pains and issues. i just loss my feeling of everything and i couldnt sleep. my doctor took me off cymbalta as i said perviously a two weeks ago and its been hell. i dont know what to do. mind you, i am 19 and i just had my gall bladder removed two months ago - still having pain from that. i also have cysts that are growing day by day and pressing on my bladder. but i wanted to know if this is normal: i feel as though my body is always dizzy, i cannot explain the pain i am in constantly. i feel like my whole sense of balance is off. i actually broke down last week and took one pill of cymbalta, which now i am regretting. when i try to sleep my whole body goes paralyzed and i am not being dramatic. i cannot explain the creepiness of this, i thought my vocal cords and box were gone. when i try to sleep now my legs feel as though they arent there and i feel this constant falling. or not even. last night i thought i saw a man opening my door. then i thought i heard my dog come into my room, he's 7 pounds, he coudln't open my door. i also tried to say something and my voice wasn't there. my docotr has given me clonazepam to take in the morning and then 45 mins before bed. i forgot to take it yesterday and the day before, but only befoe bed. i feel as though worms are crawling in my body all the time. is this the normal hellish response i am supposed to get? i cannot get out of bed without feeling as though my body has tensed up. it feels like, if you were on a roller coster and youre about to drop. my stomch feels that way constantly. i am also going to the bathroom more. i feel sick all the time. and i am now in summer school. going to classes is not helping. i am crying constatnly.
i am though seeing my dcotor on tuesday but if there could be any help or relef that is avaible that i can do right now i'd really like it because this is so increadably scary. i am unable to really lay in bed without feeling as though my body is tightend up and there are worms.
sory for the bad spelling as well. i am SO tired, from this lack of sleepig,
Posted by tennisplayer on July 7, 2008, at 16:25:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by amandarebecca89 on July 6, 2008, at 21:23:23
> A lot of these symptoms do sound like the horrible things that happen when you stop Cymbalta--especially if you stop it cold turkey and don't taper off it. The extreme dizziness and paralyzed like feelings though, might indicate something else going on also. I am not sure, but if you recently had your gallbladder removed, is there any possibility of a complication from that. Also are you taking any other drugs that might be working in conjunction with the Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms? I guess you are discussing all this with your doctor, and if he is not a psychiatrist you might want him to recommend one for you, and also follow up with the internal medicine doctor who sent you to the surgeon to have your gallbladder removed. The psychiatrists can sometimes help with one end of the drug withdrawal problems and the internal medicine doctor or general practitioner type doctor can help with the other part of the withdrawal symptoms All of the instructions say not to just stop taking Cymbalta all at once. You should come off of it gradually, spendng one month of time tapering off of it for each year you have been on it. How long were you taking Cymbalta before you quit it? If only for a few months you still need to take about a month to taper off it. taking a smaller amount per day each week. The warnings also say that it should be watched very carefully in teen agers and young adults because of possible suicidal thoughts, etc. it should not be used by children at all.
Some of the other responders will write in who have had withdrawal symptoms more like yours. it takes a while for them to note your posting and get back, but they may have more specific advice. Mainly try to get with a new doctor who has read the precautions on the drug literature and will show you how to taper off it. I think you may have to go back on it for a little while just to taper off of it. Good luck and hang in there.
for the past two weeks i was told to just stop taking my 30 mg of cymbalta because i was having extremly bad pains and issues. i just loss my feeling of everything and i couldnt sleep. my doctor took me off cymbalta as i said perviously a two weeks ago and its been hell. i dont know what to do. mind you, i am 19 and i just had my gall bladder removed two months ago - still having pain from that. i also have cysts that are growing day by day and pressing on my bladder. but i wanted to know if this is normal: i feel as though my body is always dizzy, i cannot explain the pain i am in constantly. i feel like my whole sense of balance is off. i actually broke down last week and took one pill of cymbalta, which now i am regretting. when i try to sleep my whole body goes paralyzed and i am not being dramatic. i cannot explain the creepiness of this, i thought my vocal cords and box were gone. when i try to sleep now my legs feel as though they arent there and i feel this constant falling. or not even. last night i thought i saw a man opening my door. then i thought i heard my dog come into my room, he's 7 pounds, he coudln't open my door. i also tried to say something and my voice wasn't there. my docotr has given me clonazepam to take in the morning and then 45 mins before bed. i forgot to take it yesterday and the day before, but only befoe bed. i feel as though worms are crawling in my body all the time. is this the normal hellish response i am supposed to get? i cannot get out of bed without feeling as though my body has tensed up. it feels like, if you were on a roller coster and youre about to drop. my stomch feels that way constantly. i am also going to the bathroom more. i feel sick all the time. and i am now in summer school. going to classes is not helping. i am crying constatnly.
> i am though seeing my dcotor on tuesday but if there could be any help or relef that is avaible that i can do right now i'd really like it because this is so increadably scary. i am unable to really lay in bed without feeling as though my body is tightend up and there are worms.
> sory for the bad spelling as well. i am SO tired, from this lack of sleepig,
Posted by 49er on July 8, 2008, at 7:47:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by amandarebecca89 on July 6, 2008, at 21:23:23
Hi,
I can't say what I really think about doctor cold turkeying you off of 30mg Cymbalta because I don't want to get banned from these boards. But let's just say it isn't flattering and includes a bunch of curse words.
I am still muttering that I can't believe he did that. Even drug manufacturers caution that the drug needs to be tapered.
I hope you see this post before going to your doctor. This is what I would do.
Reinstitute the dose at the smallest amount possible. It looks like that is 20mg? Wait about 4 weeks. If you don't feel better, then go up to 30mg. Consult a doctor to fine tune this as I am not a medical professional.
While you are stabilizing, buy a digital scale in .001g denomination on Ebay. You are going to use this to weigh your doses.
Once you are stabalized after reinstituting your dose, taper 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. With Cymbalta, you may have to do it at 5% since it has a very short half live.
Open the capsule and take out a few granules. Since I have never take Cymbalta, I don't exactly what it looks like. Can someone on Cymbalta help here?
Weigh the dose and fiddle around with it until you get the right measurement.
I forgot - Before you take out anything, weigh the capsules so you know what to take 10% of or whatever measurement you use.
Stay on that reduced amount for at least 3 weeks. Do not make another cut until you feel relatively stable.
This sounds like a royal pain in the neck. But in the long run, you will have alot less problems doing it this way.
Good luck.
49er
Posted by grammy on July 20, 2008, at 20:17:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » adutchrose, posted by Troy Tempest on April 17, 2008, at 22:26:35
I remember when I first got on Cymbalta I had these strange side effects, so it stands to reason I would have them when I got off of it. The doc told me to hang in there then and he's telling me the same thing now. He only prescribes meds for psyc problems and he's an expert. I trust him. He told me to call him any time and I did 2 days after I got off Cymbalta. His nurse said EVERYONE has these side effects going off of Cymbalta. It's strange because I remember asking my p-doc when I went in for a followup one time if there were any side effects to withdrawal and he said no. I think they don't want you to know so you won't stress about going off of it.
Posted by ihatedrugs on August 12, 2008, at 18:53:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by deltmen on February 24, 2008, at 0:06:35
> 1) This board needs an update. It seems it was made years ago...
> I might suggest PHPBB: free, open source, and secure.
>
> I've been browsing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms for months now with this forum appearing on numerous occasions, and Ive finally been able to quit about a week ago.
>
> Ill share my experience first, and then for those who might be interested go into some finer points about this drug, life, physcatrists, and drug manufactures.
>
> I am currently about a week into my withdrawal, and from what I've read I can expect it to go on for at least 3 to 6 weeks. I had been on 90mg for about a year and a few months. I first tried (months ago) to go off on a rapid taper over 2 weeks. I had not really experienced withdrawal symptoms like this before. This is an extremely dangerous medication as far as I am concerned. After experiencing first hand the intense and sickening withdrawal side effects mentioned in so many of these posts about Cymbalta Withdrawal, I consulted my physiatrist again and agreed to go on a much more shallow taper. I seemed to be stable at 60mg after this initial taper, and so I began a long and arduous schedule involving a prescription of 20mgs. I went from 60 to 50 to 40 to 30 to 20 in six weeks. During this time I also went briefly back on wellbutrin (to quit smoking). I had been on wellbutrin before as an anti depression and had noticed first hand the smoking cessation side effect that it has. I successfully quit smoking and quit wellbutrin (it gave me severe anger issues, an extreme and unpleasant side effect of taking the drug that I did not have while taking Zoloft as well). I had been smoke free for about a 2 weeks when the timeline for my Cymbalta taper had come to the end. I attempted to quit at 20mg, and had the horrible side effects return, and after consulting with my phys once again I began another taper period. 20 mg to 10mg to 5 mg by splitting the 20mg caps by hand and pouring out however many dots I estimated for my dose.. One can do the applesauce thing as well. So for 1 week I went back to 20mg to stabilize, then for 2 weeks I poured out half the cap, and for another 2 weeks I discarded a good amount (leaving about 5mg for a dose). After two failed attempts, over 10 weeks, I was finally quit this at 5mg. While I had the side effects they were diminished, but still very real.
>
> The first two days I was ok (in fact I was kind of hyper manic: I actually organized my entire possessions, changed my diet, and began an exercise program.) The third day I began to have extreme dizziness, mood swings, and faintness when standing. From day 3 to day 7 (now) Ive had a persistent dizzy spell when moving or standing still, looking left or right, and a general flu like sickness feeling (THAT DOESNT GO AWAY). Today I actually had a 4 hour period where I had extremely low energy (similar in my experience to a hypoglycemic reaction).
>
> I would like to thank all those who have shared on this forum and elsewhere their experiences with this drug, it has helped me finally rid myself of it. To those searching this forum and suffering from the withdrawal side effects I urge you to
> 1) TAPER SLOWLY, take your time. Take 1 4 weeks between mg switches. DO NOT do the every other day thing, this is not tapering and is bad for you. DO feel free to open a capsule and swallow parts the white dots with milk, applesauce, whatever, if you have to get a lower dose than 20mg.
> 2) Do not despair. You will have side effects if you find your body chemistry is prone to the scary and sickening withdrawal side effects of Cymbalta.
> 3) Try to exercise when you are feeling down or flu like, I have found this can help. Drink water. It is not actually the flu that makes you feel bad, it is this drug. Exercise through the bad feeling, the chemicals you release through physical activity will help your body regain normalcy through natural healthy means.
> 4) Do take it easy when under Cymbalta withdraw as if you were actually sick with the flu or Cold (not just feeling sick). Over-stimulation can happen a lot easier and cause a lot more discomfort than you are used to. The drug has altered your body, and you are altering it back, take it easy on yourself and your body.
> 5) Keep a positive attitude, an open mind, and know that you are not alone in this struggle.
>
> Keep in mind I am NO DOCTOR, I am sharing what has helped me and what I have read has helped others. But you may also find, as I have, that physiatrists are baffling ignorant to the withdrawal symptoms of this drug.
>
> By the way, the doctor that prescribed this for me I now realize was a complete (censored explicative(s) here), it was no wonder he was not covered by my medical insurance (yeah I paid out of pocket)
>
> Onto crazed ravings
> I found a site somewhere out there in internet world that expressed the anger, frustration, and general sickness I felt about this drug. These are blogs about Cymbalta.
> http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/
>
> This is my favorite from thebipolarview.wordpress.com:
> http://thebipolarview.wordpress.com/2007/04/15/cymbalta-sucks-*ss-eli-lilly-executives-are-*ss*s/
>
> If these addresses do not work for whatever reason (if you are searching this forum in 2015 and find the addresses are outdated and 404) go to google.com and type in Cymbalta withdrawal sucks, you may find something out there.
>
> Now. I am very, very, very, very, very, very pissed off after this experience. Thankfully it has made me stronger, and more informed as a patient, of which I should have been in the first place. I am off all antidepressant medications after 5 years of error I would say trial and error but in reality these medications are (in my opinion) just a giant mistake.
>
> I have read that Eli Lilly sells some of their drugs to phys docs making them sign agreements that the doctors will not go over the withdrawal side effects with their patients and other bullshippot like that. Whether this is true or not, I dont care. I know from my experience, and many others I have found online, (and of course the dead who do not speak go ahead and Google Cymbalta test suicide, look for a story about a college woman under quick withdrawal) anyways from my experience I know that the doc that put me on this shet didnt know, or WAS NOT TELLING, about the social-political mud that surrounds this medication, or the withdrawal side effects. The doctor I quit this stuff with did not know about the elongated taper that is needed for some when coming off this drug. There is something very, very, wrong with this. Doctors prescribing medication they know little about.
>
> I am surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit. I assume any hint of such a thing has been squashed by the money behind pharmaceuticals and their law firms. But Im mad: at the system, psychiatrists in general, pharmaceutical companies, and the government over this issue. Im not the only one.
>
> If I was Eli Lilly, a bad Physiatrist, or a corrupt government agency that was meant to protect people, especially depressed or pained people at risk, from bad Physiatrists or Pharmaceutical companies, if I was any of those things: I would pray to the gods, (god) that a series of law suits held me responsible legally binding. I would pray that the effort I didnt spend making sure my drug or drug recommendation was a good one, would have been spent defending myself against those I harmed, and that that effort (call this Karma) would have been used up until nothing was left except a memory of what once was. I would pray for forgiveness from those I harmed because if that did not happen, an agony far worse would await me. This agony would not be monitored by the fines and jail times from a court of law. This agony would be from the billions of lives I harmed crying for justice in a world where no justice was given.
>
> Of course Im still withdrawing from their drugs at the moment. All this can simply be considered an insane ranting by a poor anonymous internet ex drug junkie. But if Karma does exist, I hope we all get ours.
>
I'm also trying to wean off Cymbalta and this is Hell. I am doing everything as per my Dr.'s instructions; tapering slowly, lowering dosages, etc. I'm even taking liquid Cymbalta in an attempt to help adjust my dosage as needed.
But I am MAD as hell for not knowing about this withdrawal effects... How dare these companies play with our health as they please for profit. I really hope someone out there squeeze the living daylights out of these companies and make them go through withdrawals symptoms after withdrawing millions for restitution. And even maybe some jail time to all those who kept crucial information from Drs. and the public at hand.
Posted by LeftCoastChick on August 28, 2008, at 1:53:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by ihatedrugs on August 12, 2008, at 18:53:04
Cymbalta can be a dangerous drug, especially if you aren't diagnosed correctly in the first place. I saw a pyschiatrist for 2 yrs, and said it was safe to use SSRI's/SNRI's.
I ended up in the psych emerg dept for sucicidal thoughts and anxiety. I was put onto Serequel, and dropped down to 30mgs from 60 of Cymbalta - initially it wasn't bad because I was given ativan as needed for anxiety. While in hospital I went into a serious manic phase, though no delusions. I started weaning off the drug 2 weeks ago, and went down to a few tiny grains every day. I stopped on Saturday and started on Lamactil on Monday.
I feel like death warmed over, barely able to get out of bed. My physical symptoms are like the flu, yet with those brain zaps the SNRI's are famous for and anxiety through the roof with the odd rage thoughts.. my poor cat.
Long story short I was diagnosed with rapid cycling BP, and glad I finally know what's wrong with me, I was a zombie for 10 yrs, and now from the Cymbalta or as an indirect result, manic.
My body aches, my head hurts and I am constantly sick to my stomach. I am going to call my doctor tommorow, but is this common? I feel absolutely like crap.. holy. I have heard great things about Lamactil - and wanted w/my doctor's suggestion, give this a try first.. but if this is something I am going to feel for a while, I am not sure if I can cope with this..
Posted by omgirl718 on September 22, 2008, at 8:59:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » ihatedrugs, posted by LeftCoastChick on August 28, 2008, at 1:53:58
I'm responding to the person who posted about going from Cymbalta to Lamictal. They are not the same class of drug. Lamictal is an anti-seizure medication and would be used in your case as a mood stabilizer. In general, having had chronic depression for 30 years now, and having been in therapy for 25, with 8 years on medication and the rest off, I'd have to say it's not really worth playing around with the meds unless you are a psychotic, schizophrenic, or bipolar I. I have been diagnosed as chronic depressive (unipolar), and now for the past five years as bipolar II (with second opinions). Apparently there is now an additional classification of bipolar III.
I have tried all the meds (including lamictal, topomax, and others in that class) and am now steadily coming off of my meds (Cymbalta 120 mg/day, Lithium 600 mg/day, Wellbutrin 300 mg/day, Klonopin 2 mg/night) without my doctor's support. In fact she said, NO psychiatrist would help me titrate off of my meds given the time of year (fall), my history of depression, and diagnosis. The reason I am coming off, is that I have been in a state of anhedonia for the past 2 years -- so basically not enjoying anything, and for the most part no longer feeling anything. My doctor has now diagnosed me as being in a "Borderline Rage" -- which is supposedly in part driving me to want to go off of my meds. In fact if you are bipolar anything, the desire to come of your meds is supposedly an indicator that you are in or entering a manic phase -- not that you might actually be in-tune with what your body needs.
I have come to the conclusion that mental illness is real and based in biochemistry, environment, lifestyle and triggers. I have also come to the conclusion that the medications don't really work for chronic forms of the illness. The medications represent hope which is why we take them and doctors prescribe them. However, the side effects are sometimes worse than the illness they are treating, and coming off of the drugs (especially those with a short half life, such as Cymbalta) is truly hell -- this is not something any psychiatrist has EVER told me. And I find it unbelievable that my current (now ex) psych is telling me that NO psychiatrist would be willing to help me with my effort to take a more holistic approach to treating my illness. I am surprised by the lack of curiosity psychs exhibit when it comes to developing treatments for their patients. Once a meds doc, always a meds doc. Admittedly being a meds doc and knowing all there is to know about the meds would make a doctor feel "in-control" of mental illnesses -- or would at least cause that person to believe they are using the finest medicine available to treat the illness. But that's a myth. Medicine in general is still in the stone ages -- not dark ages, as there are a number of bright spots on the horizon, but at present, most treatments for cancer, mental illness, and other illnesses are crude.
I truly understand how difficult trying med combinations can be and how difficult it is to live with depression or Bipolar whatever. I could go on and on, but here's the upshot based on my experience (keep in mind: EVERYONE is different. it's YOUR experience that really counts):
1. It's OK to have bad days
2. Learn more about coping mechanisms that do not involve drugs
3. Omega-3 (fish oil, or 3/6/9 oil) really does help depression an is good for your body overall
4. SSRI's (like Cymbalta) are messing with your serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates MANY bodily functions.
5. A lack of serotonin has never been determined to be the actual CAUSE of depression.
6. Serotonin does boost mood -- so SSRIs may be treating the cause of depression, or they may just be mitigating the effects of depression.
7. I have had success with Abilify as a mood stabilizer and anti-depressant/psychotic, but I do not believe the drug is weight neutral (as it claims to be). While taking it (for about a year) I put on 40 lbs, which put a dent in my work-outs, which put a dent in my serotonin levels. Net-net? Not worth it!
6. Lithium. It works as a mood stabilizer and has some anti-depressant qualities, but it has an incredible number of serious physical side effects. Expect to feel sick and super-neutral (not full of energy or with a positive outlook) if you take it.
7. Always look for the balance between your mood, physical health, and the side effects of the drug you are taking.
8. It takes from 4-8 weeks to successfully try any drug -- you have to titrate up, and then if you feel too sick, or you don't feel it's working, you have to titrate down. The process of trying drug after drug can take its toll. Better to try EVERY alternative to meds first.
9. If you are ever having a really bad episode there is always ECT. It has come a long way from the old days. It too has side effects, like the loss of some short-term memory for a couple of weeks, but at least you are not subjecting your brain and body to some serious chemicals on a daily basis, and you don't have to "withdraw" from ECT.
10. Don't get too caught up in a Bipolar II diagnosis. If you are a female and map it out, it might just correspond to the natural hormonal rhythms of your body with regard to your cycle.
11. People who are not diagnosed as depressed have about 3 "down" days each month.
12. Try to make peace with the state of your brain chemistry. Accept that you have an illness to deal with that there presently is no cure for. It's important to love yourself as you are.
13. There are NO drugs out there that will ultimately give you a better quality of life (all around) if you have chronic low-grade depression with the occasional severe episode (which does merit drugs) from time to time, or Bipolar I. Save your money, save your frustration, and save your brain and body by seeking alternative ways of handling your disorder until better drugs become available -- or until researchers get a better handle on what causes the disorder.
14. MOST IMPORTANT -- take charge of your treatment. Don't let doctors scare you, don't buy into their point of view until you understand the alternative points of view. Challenge their points of view. Read books. Go online. When shopping for a doctor for mental health purposes, be a knowledgeable consumer! Interview a few before settling on one. You will need to pay for each session as most doctors won't spend a half hour with you for free before you decide to buy their services (it's not a consumer-friendly industry).
15. Your meds and your doctor will not be effective if you don't believe in them. Getting better requires a sort of religious faith. If you believe that something helps your depression (chocolate, soy milk, not watching the news) then it will. So try believing in something other than meds.
16. One thing I only recently picked-up on, is that alleviating depression is closely aligned with alleviating stress. So focus as much on removing stress as you do on boosting your mood. Stress also has many biochemical factors. Try to keep yourself out of stressful situations, jobs, and so on. It's OK to be more sensitive, creative, emotional, or whatever than other people.
Posted by LeftCoastChick on September 22, 2008, at 12:39:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » LeftCoastChick, posted by omgirl718 on September 22, 2008, at 8:59:58
In some ways I am relieved to have the diagnosis, because look at past behaviors were hallmark BP, but I was in complete denial. I have been diagnosed BP Cyclothemic mixed episodes, which in a nutshell means that I can be hypomanic and irritable all in one go. I can and have had several mood swings at day. It's down right horrible at times.
I'm off the Cymbalta, and experienced withdrawals for about 2 weeks. Now I am off anti-depressants completely, though indirectly Lamactil is one, but I am on such a low dose of this drug, I don't feel anything. The Serequal really helps with the anxiety and irritability (well for the most part). I have had some serious suicidal moments, and I breathe through them, but it's hell on earth. I am looking into ECT, I'm off work right now, so it might be beneficial to try it until the lamactil titrates at the right levels, it's agony and pure hell. I see my pdoc once a week, and am very open with her, at least now if I need to go into the hospital, I have no shame about it. I totally agree with being proactive, and I'm trying my best to do so :)
Posted by overtheedge on September 29, 2008, at 20:05:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 27, 2005, at 22:55:31
Hi i have a question, i have been taken cymbalta now for about 4 weeks 30mgs, and after reading all these messages, i think i rather go back on my zoloft, never had a problem with it before even when i would stop it cold turkey, more then once is 4 weeks enough time not to get the withdrawls from it, or will i still get them?
Posted by tennisplayer on September 29, 2008, at 21:04:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by overtheedge on September 29, 2008, at 20:05:50
I am not certain but I think if you have only been taking Cymbalta four weeks if you taper it over a 3 or 4 week period you probably won't have bad withdrawal symptoms. I also took Zoloft before I took Cymbalta, and if i have to use an antidepressant again I would choose Zoloft. It didn't have bad side effects for me or any withdrawal effects. I think it is the drugs that combine Serotonin specific reuptake inhiition with Norepinephrine specific reuptake inhibition that cause the major digestive, blood pressure and mental function withdrawal symptoms. It seems to be the norepinephrine thing that causes so much trouble when withdrawing. i also did not have withdrawal symptoms when i stopped Lexapro.
Posted by Snap on September 30, 2008, at 1:55:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » overtheedge, posted by tennisplayer on September 29, 2008, at 21:04:14
I am making a documentary about antidepressants and how they interfere with everyday life.
Posted by Bob on September 30, 2008, at 19:03:20
In reply to Documentary, posted by Snap on September 30, 2008, at 1:55:25
> I am making a documentary about antidepressants and how they interfere with everyday life.
There ought to be plenty of material on that to cover.
Posted by jaclinhyde on October 15, 2008, at 15:32:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by deltmen on February 24, 2008, at 0:06:35
I am coming off of Cymbalta and have found that Vicodin has been a really big help. I posted about "V" somewhere else but thought it would be relevant here. About a week ago I ended up in the ER because of extreme foot pain. They took an xray and it was fine and they couldn't figure out what the problem was. Looking back I think it was an extreme reaction to Cymbalta withdrawal plus I was dehydrated but in any case they gave me Norco (Vicodin with a lower amount of tylenol) and not only is the extreme aches and pains gone my mood has stabilized as well a bit. I still feel like biting people's heads off but at least I am smiling while doing it, lol! Seriously I can feel the withdrawal symptom of extreme anger sitting in the background behind the sense of the feeling of everything is just great that V gives you. I am NOT advocating abuse of Vicodin, just that it might be a good drug to help get a person through Cymbalta (and maybe even Effexor) withdrawal. I am going to try Tramadol when the V wears out and see if it can get me through the end process of no Cymbalta.
Posted by manic666 on October 21, 2008, at 13:51:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity, posted by deltmen on February 24, 2008, at 0:06:35
hey deltmen, whe all that sh*t post about comming of cym balta , what would you have done without it at the time.sure you get withdrawls big deal you do on all meds cym is eaiser than most, an ive been on most cym i have been up the scale to 120mg waste of time sraight back down to 60mg no problem down to 40 easy im staying at 40mg i like it i have a sex life an am pain free . you subsi tute with other meds an antideppresants on the way down why not just ride it out then an only then blame the cymbalta. manic666
Posted by omgirl718 on January 31, 2009, at 9:23:36
In reply to Vicodin has helped me, posted by jaclinhyde on October 15, 2008, at 15:32:09
All I can say is: WOW! You are jumping from the frying pan into the fire by taking Vicodin. I know exactly how hard it is to dump Cymbalta, but Vicodin is NOT the answer. And if you have an addictive bone in your body, you WILL get into trouble with it. Read my other post about meds and coming off Cymbalta. I spent 6 months washing out Cymbalta + three other meds. By far and away the worst to come off of was/is Cymbalta. I went from 20mg to 0 mg around Dec 5, 2008, and have been seriously ill ever since. But, things are improving. Anyway, just wanted to mention that Vidocin is NOT the way got go on this one. Diet and exercise, exercise, exercise are. Benadryl also helps (not a great solution, but an OK stopgap). Good luck. My sincere sympathy is with you.
Go forward in 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.