[angel]

Hi, This is my first post. I have a couple questions. I was on Cymbalta 60 mg for about 4 years prescribed to me for anxiety. Over those 4 years, I have gained a lot of weight. I have been tired all the time, and I didn't feel my anxiety getting any better. I switched physicians recently, and he decided to switch me to another medication, Lexapro. I asked him if there would be any withdrawal symptoms from the Cymbalta especially since I had been on it for so long. He said, no. He said that withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta are "very rare." (After reading all your posts though, I wonder if he really knows the truth). He weaned me off of Cymbalta in less than 1 week. I went from 60 mg, to 30 mg x2 days, then 20 mg x2 days, then 10 mg x2 days, then stopped. The last 2 days of taking the Cymbalta, he had me add the Lexapro.

I do not feel well though, and I was wondering if my symptoms are from Cymbalta withdrawal or side effects of Lexapro. I am not a very talkative person, but some days I rattle on and on at a million miles an hour (I sound like I have had 100 cups of coffee or something). I feel more anxious than ever. I have had dizzy spells. I am very, very destractable. I just can't focus my mind on things. I am not sleeping well at night. I know this one sounds weird, but sometimes I feel as though I have a seashell up to my ear (I hear like a roaring sound). I also sometimes think I see things that are not there - nothing major - just something will startle me because I think I see something out of the corner of my eye, but nothing is there.

Has anyone ever had symptoms like these, or am I just nuts?

[cookie]

Hello Angel:
I was also prescribed cymbalta 60mg 5 years ago. I also gained a LOT of weight. I didn´t feel my depression was getting any better.
It is important that you ask your doctor the advantages of Lexapro over your actual medication, side effects and withdrawal effects. To me most psychotropic medications are more or less the same. Weaning in one week, sounds like almost going cold turkey. It has taken me a whole year to taper slowly starting from 60mg. I am still taking 5mg. During tapering I have also had dizzy spells, increasing anxiety, and my ears/sounds felt weird.


 

[thankgodforthissite]

When I switched from Cymbalta to Lexapro I didnt have any withdrawal symptoms.

[thankgodforthissite]

I've been off for 5 days and share these symptoms plus more -I am very, very destractable. I just can't focus my mind on things. I am not sleeping well at night. I also sometimes think I see things that are not there - nothing major - just something will startle me because I think I see something out of the corner of my eye, but nothing is there.

[gotcha]

angel, on 05 July 2011 - 11:06 PM, said:

Hi, This is my first post. I have a couple questions. I was on Cymbalta 60 mg for about 4 years prescribed to me for anxiety. Over those 4 years, I have gained a lot of weight. I have been tired all the time, and I didn't feel my anxiety getting any better. I switched physicians recently, and he decided to switch me to another medication, Lexapro. I asked him if there would be any withdrawal symptoms from the Cymbalta especially since I had been on it for so long. He said, no. He said that withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta are "very rare." (After reading all your posts though, I wonder if he really knows the truth). He weaned me off of Cymbalta in less than 1 week. I went from 60 mg, to 30 mg x2 days, then 20 mg x2 days, then 10 mg x2 days, then stopped. The last 2 days of taking the Cymbalta, he had me add the Lexapro.

I do not feel well though, and I was wondering if my symptoms are from Cymbalta withdrawal or side effects of Lexapro. I am not a very talkative person, but some days I rattle on and on at a million miles an hour (I sound like I have had 100 cups of coffee or something). I feel more anxious than ever. I have had dizzy spells. I am very, very destractable. I just can't focus my mind on things. I am not sleeping well at night. I know this one sounds weird, but sometimes I feel as though I have a seashell up to my ear (I hear like a roaring sound). I also sometimes think I see things that are not there - nothing major - just something will startle me because I think I see something out of the corner of my eye, but nothing is there.

Has anyone ever had symptoms like these, or am I just nuts?

You are not nuts, I sometime see things that are not there, once I was standing in my kitchen and I thought I saw someone pass the entry from the kitchen. I was on 60 mg twice a day, and now I am weening myself, am on 30 mg once a day, soon I will be taking one three times a day, then 1 30 mg two times a day.....ans so on. I can't wait until this feeling goes away. You are not alone.

[mjr]

This site has helped me a lot in knowing what to expect. Also, I have benefitted by reading the wat the symtoms are described because frankly, this is so bizarre, I wasn't able to articulate waht was happening to me. I am tired of hearing my doc and lots of people say that I would have these sides effects from any antidepressant withdrawal. God help us. This is my 8th day with zero intake of Cymbalta after tappering down for 30 days. I have never been so debilatated since the flu. I want to get my arms around how long to expect the many aspects of my disorientation? I too am being startled by things that are not there, and staring at something like the rug, it eventually "breaths" or moves back and forth.

I read from others that Omega-3, chamomille tea, B vitamines, and hydration help. It's hard to tell but they can't hurt.
My family doc who put me on this many years ago seems to be taking the withdrawal lightly and lumps it with all others in its class of drugs. Is there any entity that really understand this ordeal we are in? IS it a pdoc? Is it a neurologist? Has anyone ever talked with thier local Eli Lilly rep who drops those samples off to learn what they know? I wish xomeone somewhere could tell me how long to expect these symptoms. I could deal better.

I'll do whatever I need to do.Can you help me?

[Unfathomable]

I can't imagine any medical professional 'understanding' what it is to suffer Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms.

Simply put, if one has not experienced the physiological suffering first-hand then they've no means by which to comprehend or appreciate the terror manifest.

We can only trust the anecdotal evidence of anonymous peers who have been through, or are currently going through, a similar discontinuation process.

For this reason I am am very thankful that this forum exists, and I consider myself indebted to those who contribute. This is, and we are, the only frame for informed support.

[cookie]

All of your experiences have been very valuable information. I have learned so much through this site.

[jamief]

I feel the same way. I started on 60s for 2 years and I went down to 30s for about 2 weeks. I am now doing 15 every other day but actually think I need them every day for a little while. I have all the symptomes on this site but especially the brain zaps and the chills. I feel nausea and I am starting to forget words and have trouble having conversations. It is very scary. A few weeks ago, I thought I was having a panic attack and went to the ER. Its horrible. I only hope it stops soon.