[Cooper2210]

My boyfriend decided to quit taking cymbalta on his own. Not even telling his doctor. When he used to accidently miss a dose he'd talk about the physical side effects everyone is describing. I believe he's having a mental breakdown. He won't leave his house, he unplugged all cables and wires and has weird writing on pieces of paper. I don't know what to do. I've tried getting in contact with his family with no response... I'm desperate, I don't know what to do. Are there psychological responses like this to withdrawal? He is not aggressive with me at all but I'm being conscious. Please help

[autimom4ever]

Cooper2210, on 26 November 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:

My boyfriend decided to quit taking cymbalta on his own. Not even telling his doctor. When he used to accidently miss a dose he'd talk about the physical side effects everyone is describing. I believe he's having a mental breakdown. He won't leave his house, he unplugged all cables and wires and has weird writing on pieces of paper. I don't know what to do. I've tried getting in contact with his family with no response... I'm desperate, I don't know what to do. Are there psychological responses like this to withdrawal? He is not aggressive with me at all but I'm being conscious. Please help

DRAMAMINE!!!

Get the one that says Dimenhydrinate

Only take it as directed on package insert

[Pixi]

Yep. Quitting just like that can cause pretty severe psych problems in some of us. The worst being the sudden, almost irresistable urge to suicide violently. Eli Lilly know it causes this, so why risk giving it to the vulnerable in the first place? You cannot think nor feel. During my withdrawal of 7 months I shut myself away even more as Cymbalta had turned me into a total hermit for over 2 years anyway. I unplugged phones etc and because I had gone a few grains too fast with my weaning, I got in my car & headed for the nearest big tree at high speed on a lonely stretch of country road. I swerved at the very last moment and stopped when I realised I had my dog in the car with me (who I love and would never want to leave, let alone kill or maim along with me). Thank God she was there. It was extremely frightening to be overcome by that urge and it was so strong. Things like just walking somewhere and u get the urge to just throw yourself off a building or into traffic, no questions asked. It's horrific. The urge is definitely very violent, not a planned peaceful way to end the frustration & misery of being trapped inside this drug which often deepens depression rather than helps it. He must wean slowly & stick with it. It's the only way. Contact his local Mental Health care team - don't handle this alone if his family are not responding. I didn't write weird notes, but I did write reams of crap for hours on the laptop & then hit delete. It was like a therapy in some way but exhausting. I also had bouts of DID/MPD from Cymbalta & lost any sense of identity. I'd be up & down moment to moment with rapid cycling. I was alone thru all this with zero support. He's a lucky guy to have ur care. Look after yourself too - it'd take its toll...

[Foggytop]

How is it going? Trying to function or forcing functional activity, etc. is totally necessary. Stewing in his own juices is not the way forward but is really dangerous. He needs a task, a goal, anything. Walk 5 miles today, clean the house, anything but a decision based activity. Work out, write it down on large sheets of paper, go to a movie or a live event somewhere, get OUT! Volunteer at a shelter, feed the homeless, meet the homeless. Do some good even if its hazy and then write about it so you can remember what you've done and celebrate accomplishing it when the fog lifts.....

If it all does not work, and you are REALLY scared. Call 911 and do not beat yourself up about it or get talked out of it.

[Foggytop]

Woops, I forgot (because I am withdrawing now) I actually get some mild relief from popping a couple of advil. It takes the edge off, just like body aches and sore muscle relief.