[kd0085]

Hi All,

Only a few weeks ago i came onto this website desperately trying to seek answers.
I am currently traveling at the moment and decided i had no reason to be on these drugs anymore, so i decided to go and see a doctor. This particular doctor told me to start taking my 60mg every second day for 2 weeks, then on a Tuesday and Saturday for the following 2 weeks. Let me say, PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS METHOD. It was horrible. The 2nd week it started to get worse, head spins, brain zaps, vertigo, sleeplessness, nausea it all hit me! My poor husband had to deal with my mood swings and crying every 5 minutes! I decided that i just couldn't cope with it. I went to see a different doctor who had even agreed that this method was not a good one. Your brain go's into shock every 2nd day. He suggested that i try cutting down to 30mg for week, then 20mg for the following then 10mg for the 3rd week, then nothing. Now, because i couldn't get 10mg capsules i had to open up the 20mg capsules and halve them and put them into capsules i had left over from the 60mg (obviously emptying out what was in the 60mg and replacing it with the half from the 20mg) I hope this all makes sense! I had tried this over the next few weeks. It wasn't easy, i was still having the side effect but i tried to manage them. The things i found were helpful was to exercise regularly (even half an hour a day or every second day) and also trying to cut out as much fatty food as possible, not eating ay fast food & also taking fish oil. Fish oil is great for brain function, so i guess this is why it helps.
Now all of this doesn't mean the withdrawal go's away, i just found it helped with it. I was also subscribed Xanax, which helped with my sleeping, but also just relaxed me when i was feeling as though i couldn't cope. They do make you feel a bit sleepy, but who cares when you compare it to the other symptoms!
After stopping it all together, i was still getting the brain zaps, the swooshing feeling in my brain and a few other symptoms, i felt like it was never going to end! I was so miserable because i thought i'd have to just get use to it for the rest of my life! But guess what? It gets better! after about a week and a half i noticed i wasn't having the heads spins as frequently, then after 2 weeks, i had a day where i couldn't recall having any head spins. From then on it has been 95% better then what it was. I notice when i haven't been very active for the day it can sometimes happen, but a lot less severe! I'm starting to sleep better and feel a lot more positive. I just wanted you all to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I know everyone is different and your all on different dosages, but it was the best solution for me and i'm sure for many others.
Don't give up, and make sure you have someone you can lean on and talk to about what your going through!
Good luck to you all, i wish you all the best

[Wanttofeelbetter]

you think there's hope? I'm scared

What do you guys think about this?
.I was on 90 mgs of cymbalta and I weaned myself off. I had been on it for over 3 yrs and I wanted to see how life would be without it (plus i saw a scary documentary about how anti-depressants can reduce your brain's ability to make serotonin-silly, i know =)
My withdraw symptoms were being nauseous-all the time and the worst thing was that I was more depressed than I already normally ~! I mean extremely depressed w/some angry nasty outbursts and sometimes suicidal-thinking I should be dead on a daily basis- (even on a 2 wk cruise!). This went on for 3-4 wks - then I couldn't do it anymore

I started taking 30 mgs again and, well, the suicidal depression and daily breakdowns stopped. I thought I was just one of those people that had to be on this stuff forever. But- now, out of no where I can't have an orgasm at all and this was NEVER EVER, never ever a problem in the past 3 yrs I was on it. But now, on a much lower dosage, this is what I get-no satisfaction. I cant understand it. So, I think I have to try and stop taking it again. I also gained 40-45 lbs when I started taking it and well, if I knew I would lose some weight just by stopping this med, that would be great incentive as well-how long does it actually take to lose the weight anyway?

Anyway, I am scared to feel that way again. It sucked. It was like having the worst PMS every f'in day. I wanted know if any of you felt extra depressed when you stopped, and if so, how long did it take ....b/c I am not sure I could handle another 3-4 wks of that - should I just keep taking it and have an orgasmless life?
Also, what the heck should I do now-any advice? Just leave well enough alone? switch to another one?
Any suggestions are so greatly appreciated~!! Nicole

[lex]

I'm coming off Cymbalta. I was on 120 mg per day. I did my own quick taper program. Do not do this. I had vertigo for two days after my last dose. It was tough. My mind was a mess. Now, my main complaint today is a thumping noise in my head. I wouldn't call it a zap but it is an iritating head sound and it started right after my last Cymbalta capsule. I've been 8 days off Cymbalta and think things are returning to somewhat normal. I'm encouraged by the posts that report the brain noises will go away. I hope mine do. Thanks to all.

[deano]

yes, brain zaps do go away. mmine took about 2 weeks.

[LadyJ]

I don't understand why doctors recommend doing an "every other day" regimen. If the capsule is a 24-hour release then you are going to TOTALLY mess up your brain and body by essentially going cold turkey every other day. I'm doing very well counting beads and have gone from 30mg to 14mg with only "minor" side effects (minor compared to what a lot of other people experience).

[wolfmoon2682]

The zaps absolutely do disapate after a week or so. They are quite scary and i had one or two in particular that just exploded my whole brain! I don't know how else to explain it really. I lost all thought. And felt extremely drugged for about ten seconds. There is hope! Stick to it! I weaned for 4 months guys! One bead at a time! I just stoped completely 3 days ago and am dizzy,disconnected and numb all over. But whatever! I can do this! It gets better by the day! It is a fight,that's for sure but you have to tell yourself it's okay! Your not going crazy or having a stroke! You my friends have tiger blood!