[Jillebean25]

Okay, So I was taking cymbalta for migraine preventative. I started taking cymbalta in June 2008, at 30mg once a day and eventually increased it until my dose was 120mg a day. I thought that I was feeling "out of it" so I talked to my doc and decided that we should decrease my dose. I also have gained 15 pounds since starting the medication. I slowly weaned to 90mg, stayed there for about 3 weeks, then went to 60mg for 3 weeks, then decreased to 30mg. I had been on 30mg for a month and on Friday I decided that I was going to do my final taper and stop taking it. I felt completely normal on Saturday, and I was suprised. Sunday eveing I had a slight stomachache and was a little dizzy. I am a labor and delivery nurse and was at work so I just dealt with it. Well, Monday was awful. I tried to go for a run...got super dizzy. I felt super anxious, tired and just out of it. Then on Monday evening I tried to go to hot yoga class which I do 3-4 times a week. What a nightmare that was. I ended up laying on my mat the entire class and left crying, not understanding what the heck my body is doing to me. Today is now Wednesday, so day 5 without cymbalta and I am a disaster. I am so dizzy, everytime I move my head the room spins. I am having hot flashes, nausea and heart palpatations. I feel like my brain is going to explode. I have tried taking benedryl, I am taking 25-50mg every 4 to 6 hours. I ended up taking .25mg of xanax tonight as well.

I am normally such a put together person and I feel like my life is falling apart at the seams. I cannot be a good mom (i have a 5 year old daughter), a good wife, a good friend or a good nurse. Tonight I had a complete emotional breakdown and called one of my best friends. I don't want people to know what I am dealing with, or do I want to be a burden to them. One of my good friends is a doctor (ob/gyn) and she called, and I opened up to her. I have a doc appt tomorrow with my pcp for advice.

I guess I just need to know that there is an end in site. Just when will it be here? When does this end? I need answers. If anyone can help me...please.

Thanks in Advance,
Jill

[LaurieHart]

Hi.
I can only tell you what I went through and what worked and didn't. A little history: I am female, registered nurse, 44 y/o.
I was on Effexor 150 for about 6 years. Then swtiched to Cymbalta 60 mg about 3 years ago because of 'over heating' and dizziness and I loved it. Anyway, because of a new job where I needed to be on my game and memory and concentration issues I decided to get off it. Went cold turkey. It was NOT easy. I did it that way because I would personally prefer to feel terrible for one week than icky-gross for 4.
So I stopped without weaning and survived by taking Dramamine and Benadryl regularly, as often as safe for about 10 days. I also cut out most caffeine (which was enough to kill me in and of itself) This made a HUGE difference with withdrawal sympotms. I took Advil as often as I needed and drank a ton of water.
Basically it went like this. Days 1-3 were gross and built up in intensity. By day 3 I was pretty sick, nauseous, dizzier than can be, etc. That is when I started having the take dramamine and Benadryl. Day 4-7 were really bad. I had to leave work early twice and it was difficult but the dramamine, Benadryl and Advil definitely helped. I also ate a lot of carbs but now I am thinking that either did not help or maybe even made it worse...hard to say. I was so goofy I couldn't tell what was helping. Caffiene DEFINITELY made it worse though.
By day 8 I was thinking this was never going to end and was seriously considering taking a little Cymbalta. I took Xanax to take the edge off and help me sleep (which was SO bizarre. I could NOT stay asleep and was SO jumpy in bed). By day 10-12 I was feeling a LOT better and having those weird brain zaps and eye draggin after your body things a lot less.
It's been 16 days now and other than an occasional brain zap and tingly tongue feeling I am great. I can definitely see improvement in my ability to concentrate and remember things. I am more productive at work and 'get' things faster. A lot more irritable than before but I am trying to eliminate some stressors and exercise. The drug was definitely dampering my frustration/stress/emotions. I have cried every day since going off it but I will deal with that. It was the physical stuff that was so hard for me. And every day even that gets a little better. I am hoping that by this time next week I will be golden.
Hope this helps.
L

[Houdi]

Jill:

You will get through this...promise. You will be a better Mother, wife, friend, and nurse. It can be a tough withdrawal. Some folks do better with an short time prescription of Prozac or other anti-depressants. It has helped others through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. But you are in the medical field, you know we all are different. I wish I could give you some really hard time lines, but I can't.

I quit Cymbalta June '08. I feel so much better. Sure, there is lots I have to deal with, but I really like who I am now. The Cymbalta really made me apathetic and a little compulsive about spending. Hummm, what do you suppose that is about? Oh well, handling it and I really like learning to deal with my emotions again.

Other things that have helped with withdrawal symptoms; water, water, water; no caffeine or cigarettes; mega omega 3's and super b complex; benadryl; dramamine; pepcid, imodium, advil. Use as meds as the symptoms warrant.

I'm not a medical professional and just giving you some ideas from what I and others have tried during withdrawal. I think it is a great idea you phoned a friend, it is really important to have emotional support right now.

Keep posting and I wish you all the best. This forum was my life line. So was my hubby, but sometimes I just didn't want to burden him.

Best of luck,
Houdi

[StephanieLR]

I feel just the same! I was on Cymbalta (60mg) for fibromyalgia. I've been taking it for three years. My weight has gone up and down..mostly up. I don't have any patience and I feel like there is a machine gun going off in my chest. I have only been off the medication for a week and have never felt this bad in my life! There is no symptom of fibromyaglia that can compare to the intense loss of control feeling that these withdrawal symptoms have given me. Although it breaks my heart to see so many others going through the same thing I am, it gives me a small piece of my sanity back. Knowing that this isn't all in my head has given me great comfort.

As for controlling the physical symptoms of withdrawal I have found that potassium and B6 help with the heart palpitations. However there is a fine balance with using those vitamins and minerals because too much potassium can cause the heart to become even more irregular and could further damage.

I continue to take this one day at a time (If I may borrow from AA) and am trying to keep in mind that every day forward is another day off of the Cymbalta behind me.

Good luck to you and hang in there,
Stephanie