[eliza]

Hi Everyone,

My skin just started itching like crazy. I feel like things are crawling all over my body. Is this a symptom of withdrawal? What can I do to stop this? This is horrible. I knew about Cymbalta and side effects when I started the medicine due to Fibromyalgia, but I wasn't aware of withdrawl symptoms. I was a mental health counselor years ago and I remember addicts going through this from various drugs. Why is Cymbalta doing this? This stuff should be taken off the market. I hope no one else ever experiences what I'm experiencing. (Eliza)

[cookie]

eliza, on 10 July 2010 - 09:11 PM, said:

Hi Everyone,

My skin just started itching like crazy. I feel like things are crawling all over my body. Is this a symptom of withdrawal? What can I do to stop this? This is horrible. I knew about Cymbalta and side effects when I started the medicine due to Fibromyalgia, but I wasn't aware of withdrawl symptoms. I was a mental health counselor years ago and I remember addicts going through this from various drugs. Why is Cymbalta doing this? This stuff should be taken off the market. I hope no one else ever experiences what I'm experiencing. (Eliza)

Dear Eliza:
I have also experienced severe itching while weaning. After several weeks it went away.

Check this site http://www.elevatedl...et/symptoms.php
It says that when liver enzymes are high, one can have itchiness. I quote a paragraph from that site:

"Itching may occur, as the substances that are normally dealt with by the liver are not taken care of, and eventually build up inside the body. As they remain in the bood and skin, itching may appear as a symptoms. This is medically known as pruritis".

regards
Cookie

[jennyo1960]

cookie, on 10 July 2010 - 11:31 PM, said:

Dear Eliza:
I have also experienced severe itching while weaning. After several weeks it went away.

Check this site http://www.elevatedl...et/symptoms.php
It says that when liver enzymes are high, one can have itchiness. I quote a paragraph from that site:

"Itching may occur, as the substances that are normally dealt with by the liver are not taken care of, and eventually build up inside the body. As they remain in the bood and skin, itching may appear as a symptoms. This is medically known as pruritis".

regards
Cookie

i live in west virginiai just turned 50 in september and i think i may be slowly dieing from cymbalta i started taking it after yrs of depression unsuccessfully treated with other drugs ive taken it for 2 yrs after a hospital stay for the past yr ive been so nauseated and had right side rib pain my enzymes slowly went up my endocrenologist wanted to put me on colesterol meds but he had to do a sonogram first they did the sonogram i had gall stones a fatty pancreas and what they thought was a fatty liver well i had my gall bladder out the 25th of october he took pictures of my liver it turnes out i have CIRRHOSIS now and it took 2 and a half hours for me to wake from the anesthesia i could here everyone but couldnt talk or wake and my oxigen went real low all i think is i came close to death after that i went to my phyciatrist and told her i have to go off of this medicine the first 10 days i took 60 mg instead of 90 the next 10 days i took 30 mg instead of 60 the next 10 days i took 30mg every other day its driving me nuts i have horrible brain zaps i think some could be seizures im still nasuated from waking to sleep if i get any sleep im an insomniac now and im itching all over my body but no rash it may be my liver i fought for yrs to not be in this world from depression isaw my 16 yr old dead in bed had post tramatic syndrome lost my husband of 25 yrs to another woman but now i thought i was over the suicidal thoughts and was going to live but i dont kno how long i have with cirrhosis i cant believe it .i saw you on a discussion about cymbalta im looking for someone to fess up to the dangers of this terrible drug i cant work now and i only make 400 dollars ssi i cant hardly live like this i kno they have law suits reguarding cymbalta i may need a transplant i just wanted someone to kno my pleight i dont mind if you show this letter to anyone else this is the most i have typed in a long time my eyes r drifting as i get zapped while i type please if you could write me back id appriciate it sincerely virginia gue OH P.S. I DO NOT DRINK OR TAKE PAIN PILLS NOT EVEN GALLBLADDER SURGERY

[Nevergivingup]

Hi Eliza, I've been withdrawing from cymbalta for about 6 weeks & I'm now 4 days without taking any of them. I saw your problem with itch skin & thought oh my goodness someone else is having the same problem. It's driving me crazy. I thought I must have fleas. The only way I get any relief is having a shower using a body brush & soapfree body wash. I then moisturise my whole body. I've also suffered with sweats so it's probably a combination due to the skin to the toxins coming out of the body. If you have any ideas that have helped please tell. How long has it been for you, the itching? Are you taking any cymbalta at all? I'm hoping it will get better the longer it is that I'm no longer taking it. Awful drug. Cheers! M.

[SunnyM]

I too am having horrible itching problems. My neurologist put me on Cymbalta when I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome last April. He said at the time it was because it helps with neuropathic pain (which it does), but has since told me that he didn't want me to be "unhappy" during the long recovery period from GBS (about 18 months.) I began weaning off , from 60 to 30 mg a day, in August, then to 30 every other day in September. I quit it this month. Bouts of crying, lack of energy, wanting to sleep... but the worst is this itching, which started a week or so after I quit the stuff. I am so glad to know it will go away! I hope all of you who are struggling with getting off the medication will get better soon. Cymbalta is NOT a drug I'd recommend to anyone!

[lopezbe]

This is a terrible drug! I tried once before to get off but was not successful. I'm trying again. I know I'm very emotional because of the withdrawal but it brings tears to my eyes to read some of the postings on this blog. So many people suffering from this stupid drug. I have developed a red rash on my face. My entire body itches as if I had loose scalp hair all over it. I shower and scrub with antibacterial soap to no avail. I use expensive lotions. No success. Even my eyes itch! My lips feel as if I ate 2 bowls of highly salted popcorn. I have acne clusters all over my body. I was on 60mg of Cymbalta for 6 years! I started weaning in August 2011. went from 60 mg to 40 mg then 20 mg every other day. When I started 20mg every other day, the symptoms worsened. I can't work because I deal with the public and I don't want to lose my job because I "went off" on a customer. It was bad enough that I cried at work constantly. I came very close to divorce because I'm so edgy. I am a strong Christian woman and I know that God will heal me. I'm determined to stay off these drugs because they have started to damage my liver. Today, I contacted all the people I could from my church and just asked them to pray for me. I need to be saturated in prayer. One of the ladies from my church suggested I take Omega 3. I don't have any but I had purchased some vitamins for my severe dry eyes (another symptom). I took one of those vitamins today and the difference was immense! Really took the edge off. The itching is still there but I'm praying for that to subside soon. Even my eye lids itch!

[madbookworm]

Today has been my second full day of quitting cold turkey. So far, my worst symptom (and I don't even know if it IS a symptom) has been pretty nasty diarrhea.

But I have had the itching too, especially at night. And it's EVERYWHERE - the insides of your ears, your eyeballs, just unbelievable. I have used liquid Benadryl gelcaps for the itching and they have helped a LOT. I recommend them highly.

Good luck, everybody.

[wendyday25]

I too have severe itchy skin. there are big patchs broken out all over me. I just started coming off cymbalta this week. This is an intense reaction I believe from where it is leaving the nerves. I have neuropathy so, I know pain too. This is the worst drug that I have ever seen. Suicidal thoughts, and everything.

[wendyday25]

lopezbe, on 19 October 2011 - 09:19 PM, said:

This is a terrible drug! I tried once before to get off but was not successful. I'm trying again. I know I'm very emotional because of the withdrawal but it brings tears to my eyes to read some of the postings on this blog. So many people suffering from this stupid drug. I have developed a red rash on my face. My entire body itches as if I had loose scalp hair all over it. I shower and scrub with antibacterial soap to no avail. I use expensive lotions. No success. Even my eyes itch! My lips feel as if I ate 2 bowls of highly salted popcorn. I have acne clusters all over my body. I was on 60mg of Cymbalta for 6 years! I started weaning in August 2011. went from 60 mg to 40 mg then 20 mg every other day. When I started 20mg every other day, the symptoms worsened. I can't work because I deal with the public and I don't want to lose my job because I "went off" on a customer. It was bad enough that I cried at work constantly. I came very close to divorce because I'm so edgy. I am a strong Christian woman and I know that God will heal me. I'm determined to stay off these drugs because they have started to damage my liver. Today, I contacted all the people I could from my church and just asked them to pray for me. I need to be saturated in prayer. One of the ladies from my church suggested I take Omega 3. I don't have any but I had purchased some vitamins for my severe dry eyes (another symptom). I took one of those vitamins today and the difference was immense! Really took the edge off. The itching is still there but I'm praying for that to subside soon. Even my eye lids itch!

I too am a stronger believer in God. I have understand where you are coming from. I could not hardly attend church because of this drug. I would have outburst like you at church or the store. Please remember that we need to pray for each other to get healed. It does bring tears to my eyes reading this stories. yours is one that I can really relate too. I had severe suicidal thoughts while taking this drug. It is very dangerous. Everyday while on it I didnt want to live. However, I go to church too and I don't want to die or harm my self. So, I know it is this medicine.

[feelincrappy]

I am just reading this, I know it's been awhile since you posted, but my eye dr. told me the Omega 3 is good for dry itchy eyes. Also try Benadryl. That can also help you sleep if you have trouble.

[ESSIE]

Oh my gosh !I actually scratch so much I bleed .People look at me like I have bugs or something.Did not know cymbalta could cause this.I sympathize with you.Thanks for alerting me..... :rolleyes