[carilee]

Hi Janet:

These are the same questions I have. Im on the end of day 9 and feel much less "sedated" which is wonderful - but i also am very easily agitated over the smallest things. I can't remember if this was the way I was before - or if its withdrawal side effects that will eventually subside. Ive heard that generally 3-4 weeks is the tipping point for withdrawal symptoms become much more manageable if not mostly gone. Youre almost there! Hopefully the next couple weeks will have you finding out that it is just withdrawal symptoms lingering. Thats the hope im clinging to for now as well!

Janet, on 29 July 2010 - 08:23 AM, said:

Hello all,

I have been off Cymbalta completely for 19 days now. Good thing is I am much clearer in my head, I am not walking in a fog, and I seem to be less in a drug trance.

Bad things: I am having difficulty sleeping at night, get irritated very easily (short fuse), and in the evenign and over night only feel like I have the flu. Everything hurts and I get so cold that I have to put on my velure robe to try and warm up. I also feel anxious and actually had a full blown panic attack. The big question is this from withdrawing from Cymbalta or a panic disorder that was masked by the cymbalta? My claustraphoniz has raised it's head again. I have Sleep Apnea and I am pulling my maks off at night without me knowing it.

I went to see doc and he wants to put me on Effesor for the Generalized panic. He wanted Buspar first but it is not recommended because it can cause seizures and I am an epileptic on 600 mg. of phenotoin (Dilantin) but it's fully controlled. Haven't had a seizure since 1980.

Here's the question: are these sypmtoms withdrawals symtoms from the cymbalta or is there a panic disorder issue? The claustrophobia I had before. and should I be taking another drug that "covers panic disorders as well as depression one" I don't feelo depressed anymore. As a matter of fact it's really nice to feel period. I don't want to go into the non feeling stage.

I'm not entirely trusting my G.P. Psychatrist's are a long wait and Psychologist I'm only covered for 3 visits. Should I try to see a psychologist for a second opinion?

At 19 days without cymbalta am I over any withdrawal issues? If not how long do they last. I know that Cymbalta has a very short half life and that part would be out of my system long ago.

Thanks,
Janet

[cookie]

Dear Janet:

I am so glad your epilepsia is under control and you haven´t had a seizure since 1980. I am also glad that you are feeling again.

These have been symptoms I´ve had during weaning off of cymbalta:
-Insomnia (at night)
-Anger & Irritability
-Flu like symptoms
-Being extremely cold or extremely hot.
-Couldn´t breath during the day, and got worse at night (mimic sleep apnea)

Concerning the other 2 symptoms you mention, here are my comments. I´ve been on this site since april and I have read of people having -panic attacks- as withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor should be very careful to differentiate if this is withdrawal or is a panic/anxiety issue.

Taking into account that you are already quitting a medicine, it will be very sad, if you had to take another medicine (Effexor), to treat the withdrawal symptoms of the previous medicine.

Concerning Claustrophobia, I haven´t read about it as a withdrawal symptom. Although I have experienced new fears since diminishing dose, or returning of previous fears in a bigger intensity.

From what I know Psychiatrist are the ones who prescribe medicines. Psychologists are more for talk therapy. So maybe a psychologist won´t know about the med or withdrawal effects.

Concerning how long the withdrawals last, it is hard to give you an answer. It varies from person to person.

I am not a doctor. I agree with you that cymbalta is out of your system. However, I feel that the symptoms you are having are because of the lack of cymbalta, or the brain adapting and getting used to live without cymbalta

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