22 replies to this topic

[Ritamae]

Hello All !
I am so happy to report that I have almost NO SYMPTOMS. I have not felt this good in well over a year. I can finally say, " I beat that da--ed cymbalta !". The symptoms are now limited to an occassional outburst of anger, and it happens seldomly. No more sweats, no chills, no nausea, or BRAIN Zaps. Or anything! All of you who are going through the hell I went through, PLEASE HANG IN THERE. IT DOES STOP. Really. Hooray for all of us!
I still have had no luck finding a lawyer. Any suggestions?
Rita

[schmb01]

Awesome news!!! I'm at day 30, and still having the minor zaps, so it is good to hear that they will stop! Thanks for sharing your news!!!

[jeff3298]

YAHOOOO FOR RITA

I am so glad to read a success! See Cymbalta can be beat! Kepp posting for us that are still in the front line battle zone.

And Rita, Take it one day at a time, if it pokes it's ugly head up, keep the faith and fight, we are all in this together!

Blessings
Jeff

[kelly]

Thank you so much for sharing the news!!!!!!! It really gives hope to all to keep up the fight and be positive.

Be well, be free.....

Kelly

[sylvester]

i too am off cymbalta i feel nausea,my brain feels weird,i get the shakes,sweats,my brain feels like its being zapped,tremendas headaches.i do take omega 3 and coq-10 vitiamins which help some one and b-6.i tried cutting down than my dr. switched me to celexis took 2 days was halucinating. got mad and just stopped all of it. feel sick all the time please tell me its not gonna last for ever. i pray every day god helps me through this. any advice would really help. ive been reading alot of peoples withdrawals and symptoms. but it does scare me.im not sure how bad there gonna get before there gone. it helps to know im not the only one going throufgh this by myself.thanks for just having someone to relate to.

thanks fran

[schmb01]

Hi Fran

How long have you been off of Cymbalta, and did you stop cold turkey or did you wean off of it? Also, when you had problems with the other med, and stopped taking it, did you tell your doctor? I ask because there are ways that your doctor can help you, and if Celexa didn't work, there may be something else, such as Prozac that may. Also, if you haven't been off that long, you may want to go back to your last dose, and then begin a slow taper back to zero.

I know it is scary, but keep telling yourself that the feelings you are having are induced by withdrawal. You are not crazy, though you may feel like it at times. It will get better.

Please also be sure that family and/or friends are aware of what you are doing, so that they can keep an eye on you too. I kept mine in the loop from the start, and I'm glad I did, because in the first few days, I ended up needing to have someone come and just sit with me.

We are here for you, and people pop in and out of here often, so please, answer the questions I posed to you, and also feel free to ask anything that comes to mind, and we will do our best to answer or point you in the right direction. You are not alone in this struggle.

Babby

[greeneyedlady]

I'm at about 30 days. I was OK for the first couple of weeks (a little emotional but that was all). But everything has become worse the last couple weeks - irritable, angry, crying, hanging up on people, short-tempered, depressed, headaches, an occasional brain zap, and i'm exercising, no alcohol...i'm back to where I was when I was on the stuff, wanting to sleep all the time. My doc wants me to go to a psychiatrist for more pharmacological assistance but I did that once years ago with dreadful results. Prozac didn't work for me so I won't even consider that. So I am just plain miserable. All I want to do is cry. It's a force to go to my workout classes, but I do go. Is there really some light at the end of the tunnel? Cymbalta also raised my blood pressure to unhealthy levels as did Effexor so I am just not wanting any medication again, EVER. Thanks for listening.

[Sarah J]

Greeneyedlady - I feel for you sister! A little bit uncomfortable with withdrawal is to be expected, but miserable is not acceptable. Days 30-45 for me were the worst, I cried, the only time I didn't cry was at my Pilates classes 2x a week.

My brain chemistry was not working at all. You know yourself and your body, miserable is not acceptable. You have to ask yourself, do I feel a little bit better each day or am I sliding down a slippery slope fast? Am I slightly uncomfortable or really not able to function?

I did two things: found a new doctor and started acupuncture. New doctor put me on a low dosage of Celexa (trust me, I did not want to take any other drug at all) and I felt much better the first day and pretty balanced after around 4 days. I took only enough of the Celexa for me to be able to function again. Acupuncture 1x/week for the past 5 weeks.

It is day 3 for me off Celexa, and I felt very slight withdrawal discomfort yesterday, but nothing like with Cymbalta. And, I am hesitant to report how great I feel today, as we all know with antidepressant withdrawal, a monster might rear up its ugly head, but I do not feel broken beyond repair, I feel alive for the first time in what seems like forever.

Will continue with the acupuncture. I have no idea if at day 45 off of Cymbalta if I was ready to turn a corner, and I will never know because I did seek alternate help. My business and life were suffering and so was I. Never wanted to take another antidepressant again so I understand where you are coming from.

Acupuncture I am willing to continue with, I was fortunate to find a great one with good experience. Be careful seeking alternate therapy if you choose something like that, many states do not require stringent requirements and I do believe there are quacks out there. I went to an acupuncturist that had helped a friend of mine with a different issue that two years of neurologists couldn't fix, and this acupuncture person helped my friend and now - me.

Let us know how you are doing, please. I understand that you don't want any more medical intervention, but if you continue to feel worse, like your brains aren't working, please don't suffer and seek some alternate help out. My thoughts are with you for a quick recovery.

[slant]

Hello everyone.......
Great visit with the psychiatrist ! What I ( and the rest of you) have experienced is very real and avoidable . AVOIDABLE. So here is his plan. No more cymbalta....NO MORE CYMBALTA !!!!! I switch to prozac today and continue with that for 21 days ! He says I will NOT continue to experience what I have been. He did caution me that my blood pressure might drop a good bit because prozac does not elevate the BP as cymbalta does. My crazy headaches and dizziness he said are in part due to the increase in BP.
I cried. I'm so excited with the idea that I won't have to feel this way for weeks or months !
I'll continue to update........

[Sarah J]

Slant - you are so lucky to have a progressive, knowledgeable doctor. So glad it was successful. Please, if this help you let others know so that they can benefit!!!

So glad for you.

[greeneyedlady]

Your stories are inspirational but the way i feel right now, i'll never be "normal" again. It's been years: Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta (i think i left one or two out). Celexa caused huge weight gain which I am still battling. So i would rather be in the soup than on drugs again. I have considered acupuncture and a hollistic specialist. i have referrals from friends. it's also a money issue. the drugs were expensive enough but all these other treatments... i wish i had unlimited financial resources but i'm single with no other means of support. and self-employed. so thank you all for your words of encouragement. i'm hoping things will level out soon. i see my doctor next week but she just wants to farm me out to a psychiatrist. i won't do that to myself again. the companies that make these drugs should be put out of business. i know not everyone has the same reaction as I have had and let's face it, they have saved lives. But this drug is lethal. I still have almost a full prescription of 20mg if anyone wants them...otherwise, they're in the toilet.

[schmb01]

Your stories are inspirational but the way i feel right now, i'll never be "normal" again. It's been years: Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta (i think i left one or two out). Celexa caused huge weight gain which I am still battling. So i would rather be in the soup than on drugs again. I have considered acupuncture and a hollistic specialist. i have referrals from friends. it's also a money issue. the drugs were expensive enough but all these other treatments... i wish i had unlimited financial resources but i'm single with no other means of support. and self-employed. so thank you all for your words of encouragement. i'm hoping things will level out soon. i see my doctor next week but she just wants to farm me out to a psychiatrist. i won't do that to myself again. the companies that make these drugs should be put out of business. i know not everyone has the same reaction as I have had and let's face it, they have saved lives. But this drug is lethal. I still have almost a full prescription of 20mg if anyone wants them...otherwise, they're in the toilet.

Oh, I understand how you feel, and I know you must be frustrated. I don't know how long you have been on meds, but I've been on them for around 6 years, St Johns Wort, Lexapro, Effexor then Cymbalta, and I too wonder what normal feels like. You may want to try taking a good Super Omega supplement, drink lots of water, eat as healthily as you can, and please keep someone close to you in the loop as to how you are feeling.

Addiction is addiction, whether it is narcotics or antidepressants, and it is tough to come out of it. All I can offer is what I'm doing, at day 45, which are the supplements. I also try to do mindless things, such as reading short stories, playing games on the computer, laundry, just whatever I can that won't make me feel overly emotional or stressed. I know these are only words when you feel awful, but the words I read here helped me through some very dark times, and still do today.

I know the last thing you want is more meds, and I do understand that, but don't discount that there are good caring doctors out there who could help you work through this. I won't push it, it is a personal decision, and at the very least, know that there are people here to listen.

I'm pulling for you dear, I really am.

[Ritamae]

Hello All,

I have been so excited to be drug free ! I can only say , hang in there. IT WILL PASS. I know it seems hopeless, I know it feels as if you will never be "normal" again, but if you stay with it, keep fighting, read the posts, AND STAY OFF OF THE DRUGS, YOU WILL BE FREE. REALLY! I promise. I never thought it would happen to me, but it has. IT"S REAL! I DO have an occasional brain zap, but it goes away almost as soon as it starts. Honest to God, I have been so blessed to get this far. But here I am ! AND IT IS WONDERFUL. Yes, I still have some depression, but I will deal with it. I know now that drugs are not the right choice for me. I am struggling with a painful knee (I need total knee replacement) and the stress of trying to sell my house, but HEY !!!! I CAN make it. I am stronger than whatever life throws at me. I am 58 years old. I can make it, and so can you. Stay focused on the progress of the w/d from the drug, talk to us, here on this blog, you can do it. The harder it is, the sweeter the VICTORY. I have faith in you. Keep up the hard journey you have started. Taking other drugs to replace Cymbalta is probably not the answer. Trust yourself to feel, to have hope, to believe in your own ability to kick this thing to the gutter. You don't need to take Cybalta. NO ONE DOES. It is the most wicked, vile, and horrible trick yet played on US since thalidomide.

Rita

[schmb01]

Rita, I'm so glad that you feel so good, and that you were able to do it without using any other meds! That is just awesome!

I would add a word of caution though, that some people may need medical intervention, and doing so is a very personal choice made between each of us and our doctors. Our reactions to not having this crap in our system varies so much, and is so indivudualized. So far, I've only used Omega 3 supplements and I'm coming up on almost 50 days. I will say though, if I had continued much beyond the 2-3 week mark of feeling like I did, I would have gotten something from my doctor, Celexa, Prozac or whatever, simply because I think that going that long with fried brains would not have been something I could have dealt with.

Again, we are all here to share what works, and to offer each other some comfort and guidance, and to celebrate the victories!!

[nomoredrugs]

Guess what? I went to an ortho surgeon to talk about back surgery last week, and he offered to do the surgery, but he sent me home with scripts for Cymbalta and Valuim. I am a no-drugs no-way kind of girl. But due to the pressure of my family, I thought I'd try the stuff.

I did the valuim for three nights, seemed to relax me - ok, make me a zombie. I took a Cymbalta about 20 min ago, called my mom to complain that "I feel like I've sold my soul by taking this stuff." Then I jumped on the internet and found you guys.

I drank a big glass of water...

Went into the bathroom...

And threw up the pill!

YES, your testimonies saved me. Hopefully none of the blasted stuff got into my system. I am also giving up the valuims.

Stupid Doctor. No wonder I never go.

Thank you all.

God Bless you all.

Lori[/color]

[Sarah J]

nomoredrugs - hope that there is something to help with your upcoming back surgery. It is all about research, now there is plenty of info about what Cymbalta can and can't do for people.

What on earth was the Cymbalta supposed to to to help with the upcoming surgery????

Best of luck to you, be safe and healthy.

[schmb01]

I'm with Sarah, what was the purpose of the Cymbalta????????????? Oh, this makes me so angry! It just shows you that many doctors are using it as a primary form of pain relief, and you are right about selling your soul! I've been taking either Vicodin or Oxycodone for 2 years for pain, and neither have EVER, EVER made me feel the way Cymbalta did.

I am so glad you read this and were able to puke that crap up! Honestly, I am appalled! Even if a little got into your system, you should be okay. I would just keep drinking a ton of water and keep on flushing yourself out. Talk about a close call!

[Ritamae]

Is PROBABLY not the best idea. That is what I said. Taking any kind of SSR or anti-depressive med has consequences beyond the mental ones. I have been on just about evey one of them since 1968. Not continuously , but yes, that is 40 years. I know of what I speak. But as I said, replacing one for another is probably not the best idea. I KNOW there are circumstances in which it may be clinically necessary, but there are so many drugs out there, it seems to be just a substitution of symptoms and side effects. MOST MD's. and Psych. Professionals tout the benefits of the drugs, but for those of us who cannot or will not continue to be pawns (read ; cash cows) of the insurance/pharmacutical/medical professions have been on two, three or 8 to 10 "wonder drugs" in our lives, and have not had the "benefits" extolled by their makers. My depression is very challenging at times. I have had depression on and off most of my life. I honestly can't say that there has been one drug that does what it's makers say it does. Do you think that if they could cure illness, they would? Where would the profit be in that ? Just don't be so sure that those of us who want to "kick the habit" and talk about it on this site, don't know the difference between having a "choice" and having a "clinical need" for these drugs. Why would a doctor prescribe Cymbalta before a surgery? Because surgery is scary. Because that doctor wants the patient to be realxed and not suffer from anxiety. Sounds great! The patient needs compassion, information, and a great anthestheiolgist. Why do we trust doctors so much that we will blindly take what they prescribe? DO YOUR HOMEWORK. If you have ANY doubt about any drug your dr. gives you, make him/ her JUSTIFY the rx. It is that simple. I am all for doctors taking care of patient's needs, but please let's not allow the folks with the "titles" to make the CHOICES for us. ASK! DEMAND! And if your doc won't tell you the "why" or what ALL of the side effects of the drug(S) they give you are , FIND another doctor. YOUR LIFE COULD DEPEND ON IT.
I hate Cymbalta. I suspect the drug trials were not as great as reported. Ely Lilly is making a FORTUNE from this drug. The trials state that there were a "few suicides" during the trials, BUT THE GUINEA PIGS WHO DID THE TRIALS WERE DEPRESSED, SO THEY MIGHT HAVE SUICIDED ANYWAY. That is what they said, not quite like that, but read the insert and you will see for yourself. Duh ! I am NOT advocating anything except being totally AWARE. IT IS YOUR LIFE, and the drug companies don't give a SHIT about you, they just want the money. And that is how I really feel about it.
I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. I don't need no stinking drugs. I pray for all of you to have strength. Have hope. IT DOES get better. I don't know how long it will take to be symptom free. I did not think a month ago that I would ever be "normal" again. But I feel as "normal" as I will likely ever be. The depression will come again. It always does. But there ARE alternatives to the pills from your local drug pusher, your doctor.
Educate yourself. Find the answers that work for you. Good luck and many blessings to you and yours.

[schmb01]

Rita, I really didn't mean to hit a nerve, and I'm afraid I did, and I'm sorry.

I completely agree with you, for myself, I will do everything that I can to NEVER take another psychotropic med again. Big pharmas make a ton of money on patients, and most doctors are more than happy to hand over a pill to cure the ill instead of taking the time to figure out what is really going on. The drug trials on Cymbalta were not complete, and one person that committed suicide was part of a test group testing for urinary incontinence, off label usage, and was not told of the withdrawal effects. Imagine this poor young woman, and how she must have felt, never having been depressed, and suddenly taken off of Cymbalta cold turkey at the end of the trial. Well, we don't have to imagine, the end result was her death.

Your point about it being the most dangerous drug since thalidomide was also a good one. This is some seriously scary stuff. And, that was my point. Some people really do/did need some medical help, and found compassionate, caring doctors that helped them.

I added the comment only to clarify that point for those that are new to withdrawal, and feeling frantic. I understand your passion about this, and I really wasn't trying to argue the point. I am glad that you have made it, and will pray that you continue feeling well.

[Sarah J]

Ritamae - congratulations on your victory. You will never know how many people that your story will help in the future. So glad that you are feeling better and that you were brave enough to post your story for others to benefit. When I started my journey off of Cymbalta, there were no success stories out there to be found, just frightening ones, and you and some others here have changed that! Thanks to you and the others who made it through.

I can honestly say that for my own individual needs, if I had not gone for additional help during the Cymbalta withdrawal, I shudder to think what would have happened to me. Going for additional medical help killed my pride, but it saved my life. I had never taken any antidepressant before Cymbalta. Coming off of Cymbalta, I certainly did not expect an easy ride, I had been taking a mind altering substance and knew it would take some time. Uncomfortable to a certain extent is to be expected when during withdrawal, and I was ready to take it on. I too, vowed to be a purist get off of Cymbalta on my own, but my story is successful, with a slight detour that unfortunately did require going to another drug to help me through. 91 Days off Cymbalta, 6 Days off of the Celexa that helped me get my brains back together, things look fabulous.

Three days into the withdrawal from Cymbalta, I knew that I would never put another one into my body. But there I was, rendered useless, confused and frightened, waiting for the magic day that I would be a functional person. I thank God that I am self employed because if I had a job where I worked daily in an office, no doubt I would have been fired. The ramifications of the first six weeks off of this drug also made me suffer by the lack of money I was able to make, self employed have no sick leave!

Through this website, reading everybody's stories, I knew that my case was a little different, I was positive and strong but emotionally and physically I was falling apart, and not functioning. I was going downhill fast seeing little improvement. I have no idea if at day 45 of cold turkey if I was close to turning a corner, but I was non-functional. Going to get that additional help saved me. Killed my pride, but I know it saved me. And I am 6 days off of the Celexa I was put on to get me through this. I feel alive and vital again.

Celebrate your accomplishment every day, you have made it through and have to feel incredible. Again, your success story will be seen by many others that will no doubt have that glimmer of hope that they will make it too. I am with you on trying to do it on your own, many people can and do come out to the other side, but some of us do need some additional medical support to help them through the withdrawal and I hope that they see no shame in that.

So many people come here that are new and say, I have been on Cymbalta and I also take drug X, Y and Z. I look up some of those drugs and find they are for some serious conditions that do need medication, those people are on drugs that if stopped, could be very dangerous for them! I don't think anybody should be on Cymbalta either! But there are some people out there that without their medications, society would not be safe!

I am so happy that there is now yours and others success stories for people to find and draw strength from.

Thank you Ritamae for your success story, you have no idea how many people your story will help in the future and please, come back and let everyone know how you are and support the new people coming on board. Bless you and Enjoy your new Freedom!

[BunnyLuv]

I am so happy to hear somebody beat the Cymbalta!! I have been wondering now for almost a year if I could do it or not. You don't know how much you have helped me just by saying you did it! Now I know, IT CAN BE DONE! What a relief!! Now I know, I can do it too! Thanks again!

[nomoredrugs]

He gave me Cymbalta because I told him I refuse to take things like Vicodan, Percocets, etc. So he says:

"There is this drug called 'Cymbalta' you can try it and see how you like it, and if you don't like it just stop taking it." I asked him if it was one of those that makes you crazy when you try to go off of it, and he said "NO." He said "It makes people really happy and helps with your pain."

Liar.

he gave it to me for pain only. I have no depression.

Thanks again to all, and I will be praying for you.

[tired08]

Rita, I am very happy to hear of your success story but I do agree some may need to cycle down by switching to another drug. I wish I would have earlier. I am afraid because my body was in such shock from the withdrawal that some permanent damage to might heart may have occurred. I have had severe anxiety, a racing heart and now high blood pressure, none of which I had before. I was trying to be strong and tough it out and did not want to put another drug in my body and feel just like you about the drug companies. I'm just praying it didn't cost me. I can't even seem to find a doctor that want's to address it. I'm almost 3 months out.

On another note, I think schmidt mentioned about the drug being tested for urinary incontinence. I thought that was interesting because I was always concerned about the amount of urine output while on this drug. I noticed it was alot less but never attributed to the drug. I was concerned that it was something wrong with my kidney because I also had blood in my urine that showed up on urine test. I've since had an adominal scan and so far so good.

This ordeal is taught me so much. I will never put so much trust in a doctor. My doctor has been my doctor for about 15 years and I had never had any problems with him, but I do think he was careless in putting me on this drug as well as taking me off of it. I had a friend tell me that her sister who is a pharmaceutical rep gets really frustrated with doctors because when they come in to educate them on the drugs that they don't take time to listen. They just tell them to drop them off and leave. We must all take a more proactive role in our healthcare.