[Dawnrn10]

Hi
I have been weaning off cymbalta for over 2 weeks now. I have been so ill. a couple days ago i had a spell that was like a TIA and my blood pressure was extremely high. I have been having extremely bad headaches that also cause both my jawas to ache terribly with dizzness and frequent cold sweats. I ended up in the emergency room where they diagnosed me with a "headache". Then went to my own doctors, NP actually, she agreed cymbalta has severe withdrawal symptoms, she is the first person in the medical profession who would listen to me about the possibility that weaning off cymbalta was causing this. Anyway i am wondering if anyone has had these types of side effects from cymbalta withdrawal.
Thank you,
Dawn

I am on day 4 or 5 now of stopping after weaning from 90, to 60, to 30mg. The withdrawal symptoms are worse than anything i have ever experienced in my life. The headaches seem to have subsided. but i am in such a fog i cannot think straight, so weak i can do almost nothing, continue to have brain zaps, irritability is off the charts at times, it will hit me and last a few hours where i feel like i truly am going crazy, i can't sit still, i want to pace, but i am dizzy, i want to scream, throw things and feel all these things while in a tremendous stupor. I get so angry at the drug company, oops lost my train of thought..again.....i am so tempted to take a cymbalta to ease these symptoms but i am holding strong. I want this poison out of my system so i can feel human again. I wish i know the physiology behind what this drug does to a persons brain....my doctor is being very understanding and actually agrees these symptoms are most likely from withdrawal from cymbalta. She told me to hold in there for a few more days and it should subside. she ordered xanax to help me over the hump but it does not touch my anxiety adn irritability.....i have lost over a weeks worth of work now...and there is still no way possible i could return....i don't even know how i will pay my mortgage....i am a hospice RN and drive from home to home to see people, i am so angry that this drug has caused me to lose the ability for me to do my job. i only pray it will be done soon. The real issue here is that the drug company, in my opionion, should pay for what it does to people wth all the misleading info.
I wanted to rant yesterday but did not have the energy...had a little spurt so went for it...
I am glad for this site so i can rant and rave and get some of this off my chest....

[Caroline]

Hi Dawn,
I have had what you described when I dropped mg too fast and when I tried cold turkey. The headache was horrible, the cold sweats, hot flashes, aches and pains were all unmanagable with any Tylenol, Advil etc. I have been tapering for the past 7 weeks dropping from 30 to 20 no problems, 20 to 15 not a problem, down to 7ish now and feeling great, no withdrawal effects at all. I do take supplements of Omega's, Vit E and G2 for the dehydrated feeling. I get that dry eye feeling on the first day or two after dropping a mg. I can't wait to be at 0mg for at least 2 weeks with no issues. Oh..forgot to mention the super short temper during cold turkey try!

Go slowly and take care of U,
C

[Caroline]

Hi Dawn,
I have had what you described when I dropped mg too fast and when I tried cold turkey. The headache was horrible, the cold sweats, hot flashes, aches and pains were all unmanagable with any Tylenol, Advil etc. I have been tapering for the past 7 weeks dropping from 30 to 20 no problems, 20 to 15 not a problem, down to 7ish now and feeling great, no withdrawal effects at all. I do take supplements of Omega's, Vit E and G2 for the dehydrated feeling. I get that dry eye feeling on the first day or two after dropping a mg. I can't wait to be at 0mg for at least 2 weeks with no issues. Oh..forgot to mention the super short temper during cold turkey try!

Go slowly and take care of U,
C

[Dawnrn10]

Caroline, on 23 September 2010 - 10:01 PM, said:

Hi Dawn,
I have had what you described when I dropped mg too fast and when I tried cold turkey. The headache was horrible, the cold sweats, hot flashes, aches and pains were all unmanagable with any Tylenol, Advil etc. I have been tapering for the past 7 weeks dropping from 30 to 20 no problems, 20 to 15 not a problem, down to 7ish now and feeling great, no withdrawal effects at all. I do take supplements of Omega's, Vit E and G2 for the dehydrated feeling. I get that dry eye feeling on the first day or two after dropping a mg. I can't wait to be at 0mg for at least 2 weeks with no issues. Oh..forgot to mention the super short temper during cold turkey try!

Go slowly and take care of U,
C

[Dawnrn10]

Caroline, on 23 September 2010 - 10:01 PM, said:

Hi Dawn,
I have had what you described when I dropped mg too fast and when I tried cold turkey. The headache was horrible, the cold sweats, hot flashes, aches and pains were all unmanagable with any Tylenol, Advil etc. I have been tapering for the past 7 weeks dropping from 30 to 20 no problems, 20 to 15 not a problem, down to 7ish now and feeling great, no withdrawal effects at all. I do take supplements of Omega's, Vit E and G2 for the dehydrated feeling. I get that dry eye feeling on the first day or two after dropping a mg. I can't wait to be at 0mg for at least 2 weeks with no issues. Oh..forgot to mention the super short temper during cold turkey try!

Go slowly and take care of U,
C

Thanks C.....i just cannot go back on that poison to make the withdrawal symptoms ease up, i am too far into not taking it at all.....i am happy it worked better for you but i really feel i need to tough this out so i can feel human again adn not have the side effects from being on it or the withdrawal symptoms...i do not want to prolong this .... i know i will feel better soon !!!!

I have to say as i was editing my original post i am realizing some things have improved...my headaches seem to be gone, no jaw pain, the cold sweats have decreased dramatically, my blood pressure has returned to normal, this gives me hope!!!!

[Karen]

Dawnrn10, on 24 September 2010 - 07:56 AM, said:

Thanks C.....i just cannot go back on that poison to make the withdrawal symptoms ease up, i am too far into not taking it at all.....i am happy it worked better for you but i really feel i need to tough this out so i can feel human again adn not have the side effects from being on it or the withdrawal symptoms...i do not want to prolong this .... i know i will feel better soon !!!!

I have to say as i was editing my original post i am realizing some things have improved...my headaches seem to be gone, no jaw pain, the cold sweats have decreased dramatically, my blood pressure has returned to normal, this gives me hope!!!!

[Karen]

keep up the great work!!

[Cat]

Caroline, on 23 September 2010 - 10:01 PM, said:

Hi Dawn,
I have had what you described when I dropped mg too fast and when I tried cold turkey. The headache was horrible, the cold sweats, hot flashes, aches and pains were all unmanagable with any Tylenol, Advil etc. I have been tapering for the past 7 weeks dropping from 30 to 20 no problems, 20 to 15 not a problem, down to 7ish now and feeling great, no withdrawal effects at all. I do take supplements of Omega's, Vit E and G2 for the dehydrated feeling. I get that dry eye feeling on the first day or two after dropping a mg. I can't wait to be at 0mg for at least 2 weeks with no issues. Oh..forgot to mention the super short temper during cold turkey try!

Go slowly and take care of U,
C

Don't drop so quickly. I went from 120 mg a day (almost 2 yrs at this level) plus 150 mg of Wellbutrin to 60 mg of Cymbalta. I was at 60 mg for 3 wks then went on 30 mg and found a new doctor..a neurologist/psychiatrist. I took him by the scruff of the neck, almost literally, and told him what I was doing and what was going to happen with or without his help. He helped. I was on 30 mg for 5 wks and at that point I started opening the capsules and winging it to get down to 20 mg. One day it was the 30 mg then I adjusted it. Then I was on 30 mg for 2 days and then adjusted the amt etc etc. Tapering down slowly. I have been on 20 mg pills for only 3 days and am sooooo tired. I know the routine and side effects when dropping to a lower dosage. We still cannot touch the Wellbutrin till I am off the Cymbalta ...3 months. I am lucky to have not had a heart attack or brain zap that killed me and esp glad I have a new dr that gives a damn. Of coursre, if I had someone like me in their office I would do anything she said! A feisty one but I can't wait for the day I can turn around and say I told you so and f*ck you to Cymbalta, Eli Lilly and those so-called friends and family that doubted and walked.
xo Cat
jerikasteele@comcast.net

[Caroline]

Hey Dawn,
How are you doing? Are you almost thru the withdrawal symptoms? Glad to hear that sum have eased up for you!
I am down to 5mg, really weird thing is I have moved from 9mg to 5mg with no effects. I too am ready to be free of this stuff. I feel so good with so little in my system I guess you could say I feel!!!

Take Care,
C