[deano]

Hi there, I quit Cymbalta on the 15th August, effectively 1 month ago having taken it since June 2005. It worked mircales for me and whilst the 60mg was great, it made me feel calm, etc, I totally lost my sex drive. I used to frequently drop to the 30mg which made me more alert but a little more anxious. However, in late 2010 I tapered off and got off for 10 days, although it was Winter in the UK (cold and grey) and I went back on with the view to coming off in the summer. I did this and tapered again in the summer and with the help of summer holidays have managed to get off the medication.

I am feeling for the most part great and certainly not depressed. However, I undertake a lot of exercise (have done for years) and have found that for some reason I feel incredibly weak, not feeble but proper weak like someone has halfed my muscles. Also I feel less fit having stopeed taken the drug. Also I feel a little dizzy still and my memory is shot.

My question is that after the initial zaps and feeling awful had gone I felt great but recently my memory is appalling and I feel a bit weird.

Comments would be welcome.

[cookie]

Hello Deano:
Maybe I am not the right person to answer because I am still on the medication. However during tapering I have also felt weak, and have difficulty finding words.
Which withdrawal symptoms did you have? How long did they last? How was your tapering plan?

[chami]

Yes to the weakness and shot memory. Anyone can beat me at chess now, it is so humiliating! I am hoping that it will improve with time...I went off cold turkey 2 weeks ago. And the nausea....oh, man....

[deano]

cookie, on 14 September 2011 - 09:35 PM, said:

Hello Deano:
Maybe I am not the right person to answer because I am still on the medication. However during tapering I have also felt weak, and have difficulty finding words.
Which withdrawal symptoms did you have? How long did they last? How was your tapering plan?

I had the classic brain zaps and the intense irritable feeling. I took lots of Omega 3 and something in the UK called Berocca which is basically a high dose of Vitamins B,c and most other vits.

My tapering was over a period of a month as last time I did it I got bored and just wanted to get off the drug.

The brain zaps have gone, I think and I generally feel ok most of the time apart from feeling a bit spaced out. Definitely got my old wit back which I had missed but very forgetful

[cookie]

I have also taken Berocca and fish oil. Seems that withdrawal wasn´t that bad for you. I have also had the irritability and also space out once in a while.

[deano]

cookie, on 15 September 2011 - 04:58 PM, said:

I have also taken Berocca and fish oil. Seems that withdrawal wasn´t that bad for you. I have also had the irritability and also space out once in a while.

how long did it last? My memory is poor and my motivation seems shot to pieces which is annoying. Definitely not back to my old self and just wondering how long this malaise can go on for. It is not the depressed me or the anxious me but a kind of monged out me. Answers on a post card anyone?

[chami]

I know. I feel like my IQ has dropped by about 50 points. But I am hoping that as my brain starts to rebuild things, which will take a few months, it may get better....

[cookie]

It comes and goes. There are stages in which I am fine, and then it reappears.

[Wanttofeelbetter]

I am terrified of how long it will take to get off of this drug

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

[deano]

Nicole

I know the feeling, is it better to feel kind of normal but live a sexless life.....

Having been rather down last week I am kind of having an ok week, have been off for 6 1/2 weeks now although I have taken my focus off work, so no stress and the weather in the UK is sunny which always makes me feel better.

I am going to give it until xmas before I go back to see the doc...