[Nancyk329]

I decided to stop taking Cymbalta after being on in for about a year because it wasn't really working for me, and I really don't want to be on any drugs if they aren't needed. I went cold turkey because weaning would have only taken longer. I must say though, I feel horrible. I have brain zaps on a constant basis(to me, this is the worst and most annoying symptom of them all) and I am hoping that they aren't a permament issue; I have hot and cold sweats like a menopausal woman; I have diarrhea; I also go from being happy to sad to angry in about 5 seconds flat, so much so that I am wondering if I am bi-polar. I have read some of the other posts and I am glad to see that I am not the only one, but sad to see us all having to deal with this. I know that everyone is different, and it will all affect us in different ways. But Lord help me if I have to deal with this for more than a month or so. This is torture, and it makes me wonder if I did the right thing. How long does this drug usually take to get out of one's system? ugggggg......

[shortstuff]

Hello to the two people who are saying they've gone cold turkey off Cymbalta,

I think what you're doing is really unnecessary and unhealthy. You are intentionally putting yourself through living hell...for what? When you go off a drug like Cymbalta, you need to do it slowly and then your withdrawal symptoms aren't as bad. This is the way it works, whether you like it or not.

A Year ago I went from 60mg to 40mg. In the summer, I went from 40mg to 20mg, and at the beginning of December I dropped off it completely. I had about 2 weeks of fairly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

I don't know how much you just went cold turkey on, but if your symptoms are making you too uncomfortable, I would suggest going back on and reducing the amount slowly. I know you want to be off the drug and you want to do it as soon as possible but do it in a smart fashion, be kind and caring to yourself while you do it, otherwise is seems to me like you're creating suffering in your life for no reason.

Just my two cents, take it or leave it.
Shortstuff

[rach2424]

To the two of you who just went cold turkey.....although I would never recommend that, you already did it, so now move forward. I would NOT recommend that you go back on just to wean off. Just keep going with the decision you made. The only thing that helped me through my withdrawl was exercise. Even if it is just going for a walk, walking around the mall, or shoveling the driveway (im from Michigan, so LOTS of shoveling here!). Any way you can get up and moving is good. If you allow yourself to sit on the couch and isolate, you will feel like CRAP!!!! Also, drink LOTS of water. I hope these suggestions help you out a little. I have been off completely for a little over 3 weeks now, but I weaned off prior to that. I hate to tell you, but I still suffer from most of the symptoms. I have heard that around 4-6 weeks most people feel quite a bit better.