[The Bear]

My name is Shaun and I live in the Midlands in the UK. I am 45 years old, run a successful web company and live alone having separated from my wife in January 2008. I have 2 sons aged 12 and 9 who I see at least twice a week. I have always been seen as a tall, strong, outgoing guy who people would never believe would have issues that involve taking drugs to help fix.

I developed depression late in 2007 and I won’t bore you with the details, safe to say in January 2008 I was proscribed Cymbalta after refusing to take a prozac type of anti-depressant.

I made the decision to come off them about a month ago and this is my progress report:

This is difficult, bloody difficult. Frankly had I known what you go through on withdrawal when I started on them, well I would have not started to take them.

As I type I am feeling: dizzy, nauseous, dizzy, nervous, stomach cramps, dizzy, emotional (up and down) at the most annoying times, dizzy, distracted, unable to concentrate, sweating profusely, oh and have I mentioned dizzy?

The bottom line is that these tablets should be banned, they are causing far more trouble now that I have actually stopped taking them - than the way I felt before I started, I know how strong that statement is but I stand by it.

I had been taking 60mg through most of my course and I went to my local GP to get help about coming off. She proscribed 30mg to halve the dose and this I took for about 2 weeks. On Thursday last (11th September 2008) I took my last one and haven’t had one since. Within 1 day I was practically knocked off my feet.

On both the Saturday and Sunday following I spent most of both days in bed with abject tiredness. And of course the totally debilitating dizziness. I thought that the weekend would be enough to get through it, but alas I was wrong. This is Wednesday and I am still dizzy, and still prone to strange outbursts of emotion, devastating tiredness lurks round every corner – or so it seems. At the moment it feels like my blood pressure is off the charts.

Please please don’t come off these without someone to help you and watch over you, if I did it again I would have booked time off work as I drive a lot and meet clients etc. Being tired and dizzy is not good in either case.

I will let you guys know how the next few days pans out. Sorry if I have rambled, love to all - Shaun.:oops: (The smiley says it all lol)

[The Bear]

Lol, when I came across this forum I was amazed just how many people have been experiencing problems. I thought it was just me but I guess it is some comfort to know that others are having problems as well.

Goes to show that doctors have absolutely no idea of what they are proscribing us plebeians.

I look forward to the massive law suit in the years to come when we get some recompense for the misery that many of the contributors are suffering.

All the best, Shaun.

[dtrmnd]

My story - short version:

I have a mild case of GAD (who doesn't?) and my doctor and I have a philosophical difference of opinion. I would rather take a pill (Xanax) on occasion vs. taking a pill every day. Well, the doctor would not give me the Xanax script, but recommended Cymbalta instead. He told me it was a better way to treat my anxiety (and again, it's mild). He didn't want me to get addicted to the Xanax. Now, mind you, I have been taking Xanax off/on (more off) for over 10 years with no problems.

Shame on me for not doing due diligence. I was on 60 mg. of Cymbalta for 11 months when I had some routine blood work which showed a slightly elevated liver count. I did some research and made the decision to come off of Cymbalta (and find a new doctor). The new doctor agreed with me and cut my dosage in half. I took 30 mg. for two weeks with no problems; went back to doctor and he cut it again to every other day. Again, short version - I would feel great one day, lousy the next - just a real vicious cycle and it didn't make sense to me. So I bit the bullet and stopped completely. Today is day five - how do I feel? Same as you - dizzy, dizzy, dizzy and somewhat confused at times. I actually had to concentrate in order to button my pants this morning and I write that with a smile on face because it's so ridiculous!!

I am taking it day by day and know I'll feel better soon. So thankful that I have a great support system and I can laugh about it all. It's absurd when I think of how quick doctors are to dole out drugs to those, like me, who really don't need them and how quickly we take them.

My message is not geared towards people who have been diagnosed with depression or other more serious forms of mental illness. I do believe there are great drugs out there for people who really need them.

Hang in there - you will be fine!! Best of luck to you.

[doviine]

Hi - I can certainly empathize. I am at around the 9-10 week point of withdrawal and I keep forgetting I may still be experiencing symptoms. I've been getting hot flashes back to back all day for over a week now - I am going to be 46 and I kept thinking it was related to "change of life." I've been having severe mood swings - extreme anger and anxiety, depression and emptiness - I was thinking I was finally really losing my mind - I've been having a hard time expressing myself writing... trouble thinking of words I want - forgetting things I know like the name of my last employer!!!!! I was thinking I was getting some form of dementia - I've been obsessed with death for the past 2 weeks, I seem to feel it all around me -- I thought it was some kind of omen I was really going to die --------- finally it dawned on me, at roughly two months into withdrawal from being on 120mg (yes 120) of cymbalta for approx 6 months, I may still be experiencing symptoms.

I haven't called my Dr. because I don't trust him. When after being on 60 mg (never was on 30) for a month I told him I was
more depressed to the point of s-ideation, he told me the drug doesn't do that (I had the insert and pharm info in my purse)
and suggested I double the dose. Well, it actually worked. I stopped crying all day - felt stronger and became strangely talkative. So, after telling him he was "right," I didn't even want to tell him I was stopping the med.

Also, my vision is getting worse.. the constipation is still lingering - does anyone have an idea how long these seemingly acute withdrawal symptoms last? Best wishes to all.

[tkdallen88]

I am really struggling. Thank God I have only been taking 30 mg cymbalta, seems that the withdrawal symptoms are much worse coming off of 60 mg, but....am so nervous, irritable, anxious, can't sleep, cry at the drop of a hat, headaches, can't stand NOISE. I have FMS and RA, and apparently the cymbalta provided some pain relief because the pain levels have been ratcheted up since I started weaning off.

First I took my Dr's advice and took one every other day. That made me so angry and emotionally unstable I just wasn't willing to keep doing it. The Dr said if I took one every other day for 2 wks, after that I wouldn't need it any more. That makes absolutely no sense to me! Seems like doing that would just be totally confusing my brain...."ok, today, you get the brain chemicals, tomorrow you don't". Was this Dr trying to get me put in the hospital???

Anyway, I've been taking 1/2 cymbalta every day for a week now. At first I felt much better than I did when I was taking 1 every other day. But in the last few days my mind has definitely been a bad neighborhood! Been having thoughts that no one loves me or likes me or cares about me...pathetic self pity thoughts like that....crying....

Really want to get off this because of the side effects! I suppose my plan is to keep taking 1/2 every day for another week then take 1/2 every other day for a week....

But am debating taking lexapro starting today. But then I have to wean off of that??? Any advice???

[dtrmnd]

Today is day six for me and what you are experiencing is totally normal. I have the same symptoms - crying (and I'm not a cryer!) aches/joint pain, totally dizzy & disoriented. Please know that my symptoms are getting better every day and yours will too! Hang in there and just remember that you will have some really lousy days but chin up, it's not in your head and what you're going through is very very normal!! Your brain/body is out of whack and trying to readjust...you'll be ok!!!

Take care,
Debbie

[katet]

My name is Kate. I'm 50 and was perfectly healthy until I hit 49 and was diagnosed with breast cancer...4 months after my mom was diagnosed with stage 3c of ovarian cancer. After a number of surgeries I am cancer free, my mom died 3 months ago. I ended up at my doctor's thinking the pain I was feeling was from the surgeries, but discovered it was really a result of depression and fibromyalgia. I was put on 60 mg. of Cymbalta and celebrex. Honestly, within days I felt the joint aches and severe pain go away and thought it was a miracle. I went off the celebrex no problem but this week went off the cymbalta...and wow... Everything I've read from people I identify with as the symptoms with dizzyness and nausea, headaches and total exhaustion are very apparent, along with these crazy vivid dreams. I'm just hoping within the next few weeks they'll go away. I'd rather deal with a little day to day pain right now than go back on that crazy drug.

[nossri4me]

I cannot believe the number of people who have really suffered at coming off this drug, me included. I posted my symptons in a seprate thread- Weaning off Cymbalta,60 mg, cold turkey. Check it out and you will see what you are going through is common for this medication. Awful, but common. I just passed the three week mark off my cold turkey quit and I feel pretty good. Be reassured, you will get there too. Meanwhile, time is on your side, tough it out as best you can.
Nossri4me

[lisamac61]

Thank you all--Without hearing that I am not the only one suffering, I would have thought it WAS all in my head!
After "weaning" myself off my poison for 2 weeks, I suffered...well...you know, read ALL the previous posts. EVERY FRIGGING one of those symptoms.
Now, I am NOT a complainer!! I called my Dr (well, my Dr's nurse. Who really gets to talk to their doctor anymore-especially when you quit your job at their clinic?) And asked if after a week of being totally off my Cymbalta, could I be suffering from withdrawal or do I have a bug? "Oh no! you must have a bug. You would have seen symptoms of withdrawal before this!" So here I was, with a "bug" and being a whiny complainer to my family while I couldn't get out of bed, my head was spinning, sweating profusly (Oh mom's going through menopause!) falling off my feet with dizziness and buzzing going through my head and flashing through my eyes while I ran to the bathroom with horrendous cramps and diarrhea and couldn't eat for the GERD, chest pains, nausea and vomiting. A bug like this might only last a day or two!
I should be so lucky!!! No--three weeks into this whole withdrawal thing and still I'm suffering. I could have been on better drugs--had a better time---enjoyed myself more!! NO--I just got to live through a depression. But maybe there is a good side to all of this! Maybe I'll loose some of those 40 pounds I put on so quickly when I started this FU@#*NG POISON!
To All Of You--BE WELL-That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger!? We've made it this far--let's keep up the good work and we can kick Eli Lilly's ass with a whopping lawsuit. Those Bastards! They should only suffer this pain!

[iliao93]

I'm sorry you've been so sick,lisamac ! You will get through this. Please look around the nutritoinal area and read more of other posts here...might I suggest several good folks posts...do a search on Graybeard and Attorney_Victim. There are a lot of good suggestions here and else where on otc things you can try that just may make your journey a bit easier. It does get better..you hang in there

[jennygirl]

Take lots of vitamin supplements!! that has seemed to help some..still dizzy as hell this morning but I think I am going to make it...It is day 4 of no cymbalta..I have been on 30 mg for 3 months and decided to get off after being an emotional zombie for long enough..I was put on it for "pre-menopausal" symptoms..anyway lets try and spread the word to everyone about what an unhealthy and unstable drug this is! I shudder to think of the long term effects this drug may have on your brain...I mean I almost fell down in the shower this morning I was so dizzy..had to hold on to the wall the entire time I was in there..anyhoo hang in there people..getting off this evil drug is the RIGHT thing to do!!!

[dtrmnd]

Quick update - day 10 and I feel really good! Dizziness is virtually gone, aches are barely noticeable, never had the dreaded 'brain zaps', but am confident I'm through the worst of it.

Again, hang in there if you're going through withdrawal - it gets better!!

[jennygirl]

Sooo glad to hear by day 10 you are feeling so much better...I have felt worse as the day progresses..brain zaps like crazy, so dizzy every time I stand up it makes me sick to my stomach...was wondering if it was going to last for weeks..I can handle 10 days tho, thanks for the encouragement!!!

[jennygirl]

Thank you Greybeard! I will def try the dramamine..I feel no better today. :cry: had a horrible nite, kept waking up my husband because I had such frightening dreams.I am at work today.(in body only)..I am trying not to miss because Ihave missed so much in the last 6 months. Am so thankful I stumbled on this website...

[dtrmnd]

Be careful taking dramamine during the day - it knocks me out! Don't get me wrong - by the end of the day, I was a walking zombie but it seriously got better for me each day. I had weird, freaky dreams, too! Unbelievable. You will be ok - I would definitely take the benadryl at night as it will let you sleep comfortably.

Stay strong!!

[doviine]

Just about six days after my first post and tonight it finally got better. This morning and early afternoon and the previous 5 days
were worse. I got worse. Very achy, then weaker... then disoriented and totally distracted. At work had to hide it the best I could.
Today was the 2nd to worse day - yesterday it was the fog.. today it was a weakness I can't describe. I felt ok generally but my muscles weren't working. Even my handbag made me falter in lifting it.... weird. And the concentration was so bad... no focus... yet needed total focus to do even the simplest tasks... every single action became an issue - would forget steps in what I needed to do.. forgot my system of things at work - yikes. I forced myself to eat a lot today and I think it may have helped. We'll see if the lull in symptoms
becomes permanent - I sure hope so. Best to all....

[jennygirl]

I feel better today!!! WOOO HOOO!! still some dizzy and a few brain shocks but nothing like yesterday..I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...hang in everyone! its day 6...I am looking forward to the weekend for the first time in months! I am sobbing as I write this so yeah I am still very emotional but it is happy sobbing...

[iliao93]

jennygirl, I'm so happy for you.... I don't want to be a downer....honestly...really enjoy the moments! Be ready for anything, try to keep in mind the withdrawal symptoms pendulum has a tendency to swing back and forth. Usually when it swings to the "no symptoms" side it dosen't go so far to the "have symptoms" swing as before. Your system is beginning to center itself again and a lot of us have experienced this pendulum effect. It can be disheartening when your not ready for it.
When you know what's going on it makes it easier to handle "if" you have any symptoms again. You may be one of the lucky ones to be over them quickly...I sincerely hope you are If not you will soon be free and looking forward to living without suffering. I have learned patience from the Cymbalta experience, I always thought I was before this but discovered I had more to learn
I'll be checking with interest to see how your doing.

[jennygirl]

Thank you Bobbie for the kind reply....Have a bit of a headache this morning and mildly dizzy but...I can feel my body getting better. (affirmative thinking) I also do not have the strong desire to drink a cocktail the minute I get home from work as I have for the past several months..I dont know if anyone else had this experience, but for me it was NOT GOOD..I have always been a social drinker but when I got on cymbalta I found myself wanting to drink a glass or two ..( or three or four) of wine every afternoon. Needless to say my family was becoming concerned which put me on the defensive big time..anyway I have hope of becoming a better and healthier person for the first time in a long time..
I know that the pendulum may swing back and knock me on my ass, but I will be ready for it, thanks to the information and encouragement from this site!! The gloves are on and I am ready!!

[iliao93]

Good for you jennygirl, that's just the attitude that will help you beat this thing! One thing I'm noticing is even when I'm feeling good and having a nearly "normal" kind of day, when I start getting tired irritability sneaks up behind me and tries to take over without my even realizing ! As I've ben tying to take my own & others advice I have been doing my due diligence and started to recognize it and cut it off at the beginning. I try to mentally do a little mantra in my head..."it's nasty Cymbalta trying to take you unawares....I won't let it...I won't be irritable...I'm getting better...I'm getting better...I'm happier than I've been in a long time. That is just a sample, example...I think you know what I'm getting at...
Keep your gloves on and your antenna's up. Your winning and better times are near!