When Will This End?

#1 cahincks27

Newbie

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 23-January 12

Posted 23 January 2012 - 06:13 PM

Hi All! I can't even begin to say how happy I am to have found this site. I have never participated in any type of forum and this is my first post. So please bear with me! About 3-4 weeks ago, I went to my doctor and told her I couldn't continue with Cymbalta any longer. I had been taking 60 mg for the past 4 years. I will admit, it certainly helped with my depression. However, I think the reason it did so was that it took away any human emotion and feeling I knew I was capable of having. But, because at first it was better than the depressed feelings, I kept on taking it. But, finally, I realized this wasn't the life to be living. I couldn't cry, rarely laughed (normally a very outgoing person), had NO sex drive, and felt like a big lump of nothingness. My doctor was more than willing to take me off. We started weening me off slowly (while starting another med....I boarder on bi-polar so I have found I need to be on something). I had the "brain shortages" s bit, that I have always felt if I missed a pill. But, other than that, I was feeling better than ever....productive, loving, energetic. I couldn't believe it. Then, last Wednesday was my last Cymbalta dose. By the end of Thursday, I was an absolute mess and progressively getting worse. I am hateful to my husband, I cry at EVERYTHING (cried when I found this site, almost lost it when the Parriots got intercepted last night, cried reading a Birhday card...), I have no patience for my "furry kids" who I love more than anything, and find myself not wanting to go to bed at night because I don't want to wake up and go through it all again. The physical side effects are like nothing I have ever experienced; brain shortages, severe vertigo, chills that are right down to my bones, twitching, shaking, runny nose, headache, acid reflux....I could go on and on! I am beyond thankful to have a husband who is an RN and understands these things....even so, I wouldn't blame him if he dropped me off at the local mental hospital. I am currently in school and couldn't go to class tonight and missed a presentation (never have I done that in all my college years). It's my birthday today and I didn't even shower.....how long is this going to last? Should I be going to my dr's? I don't want her to put me back on it but a not sure if there is anything else she could do. Any advice would be more than appreciated

#2 zmr

Newbie

Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: 21-December 11

Posted 23 January 2012 - 07:55 PM

Hi! You need to at least give it a month. My last pill Watson December 12(ish) and I can say I am 90 percent better. It was a nightmare. You need to go and get some Dramamine and some fish oil....it does help. This is an awful drug. My Dr. put me on it duo the loss of my son. I do believe he thought he was doing the right thing,but I would never recommend this drug to anyone. Also, get you some vitamins and exercise your little heart out. You will get through this and come out better on the other side. There is a list of vitamins on this site under nutritional support, I think. Keep your chin up, this will pass! Becky

#3 Marcia

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 17
Joined: 22-December 11

Posted 24 January 2012 - 07:26 AM

First of all Happy Birthday... I am in a similar boat right now coming off of cymbalta after about 4 + years. Hopefully you will find the support you need here within this forum. My doctor was going to use another med, Luvox I think to get me off the cymbalta. I opted not to take the other drug because it would cause the serotonin discontinuation syndrome as well. As your husband will tell you, it is always better to follow your doctor's orders. I am an RN as well and would never recommend anything but. Anyway... On my journey I am a few days off cymbalta and have the brain zaps, inc tinnitus, aches and pains, chills. I know it is not the flu as it has been going on for almost 2 months. (came down from 90mg last month). My problems was that my doctor did not "believe" I would have withdrawal from coming down from 90-60mg which does not make sense as withdrawals from 60-30mg was... Go figure. I am finding that self hypnosis, exercise, drinking lots of water and eating healtyh are helping. A bit of distraction has helped as well. I wish there was some secret I could pass on but it is different for everyone. Some of it I am trying to "grin and bear it". Once or twice I took valium 5mg when restlessness interrupted ability to sleep. I have also journaled a bit just to document what is going on. Yes, you should keep your Doctor in the loop and let her know what is going on for you. She may have suggestions or at least information that may help you along. I am trying to take a day at a time approach. I am not in school but work a full time job, dealing with people so I need to be on top of things. I can understand how frustrating this can be for you. I hope it gets easier for you and that you find the answers that you need. Take care of yourself first and foremost and maybe in a few weeks you will feel better! and it would not hurt if the Patriots win the Super Bowl either

#4 cahincks27

Newbie

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 23-January 12

Posted 24 January 2012 - 06:46 PM

zmr, on 23 January 2012 - 07:55 PM, said:

Thank you for your post! I too feel as though my doctor thought she was doing the best for me. I wish I had someone to blame, but really, I guess that isn't going to help anyone! I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your son, but glad for you that you are to a point where you felt as though you could get off it.

I plan on exercising a lot to get through it. I was going to go to yoga this evening, but for some reason my symptoms get worse in the evening. So, by the time 6:30 rolled around, I didn't even feel like it was safe for me to drive with my disorientation and was worried I would vomit in class. So, I didn't go to yoga or class. Did you have a lot of emotional side effects? I am feeling like I just can't get a grip!

#5 cahincks27

Newbie

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 23-January 12

Posted 24 January 2012 - 06:50 PM

Marcia, on 24 January 2012 - 07:26 AM, said:

Thank you for the birthday wishes, Marcia! I can't imagine how hard this must be for you in your profession; although I am struggling with school and missing some classes, I can't even imagine have to deal with the public in your position and feeling like I do. No one would want me for their nurse right now. I would probably either throw up on their shoes or start crying on their shoulder. Yes, I think a Super Bowl win would help things a lot! Hmmmm....maybe we should write a joint letter to Tom. I sincerely hope you feel better soon!

#6 Jenni

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 25
Joined: 12-January 12

Posted 30 January 2012 - 12:34 PM

I weaned off over a period of 3 months. This is my 14th day at zero. Most of my physical symptoms have gone. I did have: nausea, dizziness, headaches, sinus issues, stomach upsets, pins & needles, numbness, crazy rage, loss of motor skills. About day 7 was the worst because I felt that I was never going to get better. Still a bit weepy at anything vaguely sad and having to work hard to control outbursts of rage. A little bit of a pity-party at times. Feel that I am almost better.

I have been on doses between 90mg and 120mg since spring 2005 and I was on Effexor before that (didn't cure my depression) so it has been a long time since I could go to bed at night without having medicine to take.