[MaureenV]

 Danika, on 29 January 2010 - 11:05 PM, said:

I can't believe I found this forum. I have been in torture for the last week. I was taking 60mg of Cymbalta for a year and a half. If I went over a day of missing a dose I would feel nauseated and have severe migraines. It got to the point where I would become terrified if I missed a dose for fear of the consequential withdrawals. My psychiatrist did the "half thing" and gave me three weeks worth of 30mg samples and said to finish them and I should be fine. Dead wrong. If I focus on anything for more than about 30 seconds and then look somewhere else, even the slightest movement of my eyes cause these horrible dizzy spells. I feel as if I'm on a carnival ride going upside down. My shoulders and neck feel numb and yet like the nerve endings are all inflamed as if on fire. Its hard to describe. I feel like closing my eyes and curling into a fetal position, but closing my eyes makes the dizziness worse. I have severe headaches and parts of my brain feel numb and tingly. What in the world is going on?! I feel like I'm crawling out of my skin! I don't want to take more Cymbalta to make it stop. Does the Benadryl actually help? What about non-drowsy Benadryl, does that have the same effect? Please help, anyone...I can't take much more of this feeling. The nausea is so bad I pray to throw up, but I never do, I just get the crashing waves of nauseating dizziness. I just want to make it stop.

Hi Danika,

I'm afraid the only effective way to make it stop is to start taking some Cymbalta again, then taper down slowly so your body has time to adjust to the lack of Cymbalta in your body. Some have found the Benadryl helps, but I haven't seen anyone say it solved their problem entirely. It's certainly worth a try if you're determined to not take any more Cymbalta. Don't know about the non-drowsy, but suspect it's the same ingredient which causes the drowsiness which is helping people cope (and sleep better). I found Mersyndol helped, but the 'day' version wouldn't have helped.

Were you o.k. on the 30mg?


maureen.

[Pattie]

Almost 6 weeks for me. Quit cold turkey about 6 weeks. Sicker than hell. Regular doctor doesn't believe in withdrawal. Gave me xanax XR. Had a paradoxical reaction to that, then went into hypomania. After over a week of that, i was on the verge of collapse. After hours doctor sat gave me knonopin, and told me to get to pdoc. Don't have one. Can't find one that's not a vacation, can see me soon enough, or out at who knows where which I can't drive to because i can't function. Went to the hospital emergency room today (just down the block from me). They took me blood pressure, temperature, plus and gave me an ekg. Then they gave me .5 ativan while there and a scrip for 8 pillls @ 2 per day with instructions to get to a Pdoc. Discharge papers listed diagnosis as 'anxiety, acute.' Actually, went across the street to a mental health clinic on the hospital premises next. They said I would have to see a counselor first and that the pdoc didn't have an opening untill next. Went home and made some calls. The pdoc I had seeb a few jobs wasn't in, (seldom is, and don't think ever had anyone for emergencies.) Made several calls. They're pretty booked up until next year. Called my health insurance company, and she made a few calls. The others who accepted my insured required intake with one or more counseling sessions, and would then see a pdoc in 2-3 weeks. What is f__k is a person supposed to do. My happy hypomania is starting to spiral down and I am getting very, very angry. Screamed like mad woman at one of my poor dogs. The main question everyone asks is 'do you have any thoughts of harming yourself?' Well, you know what, if I end up crashing big time, I'm not going after myself. I'll go after this whole frickin' society of sucky health care!! and medicine that's put out on the market while they hide the truth about it and pocket piles of gold into their own pockets.

Yesterday happy, to day ranting like a mad dog!

[Pattie]

If you go back on it again, look at all the postings to see more of what you'll be in for, starting from the beginning again. And, maybe the longer you take it, maybe the worst it gets. I don't know. I was only on 2 months of 30s and 2 months of 60s.