Welcome, Joe and Shawna. It's hard to believe that I stumbled upon this forum only about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I feel like I've been here much longer. There are so many helpful and insightful people here. I'm sure you will find some information that will be helpful to you.
I can only speak for my own experiences (every situation is unique). I was taking 60 mg of Cymbalta and decided to come off of it for similar reasons to you, Shawna. I was taking it for neuropathic pain related to cervical discectomy I had 2 years ago. I had tried everything from Ibuprofen to Lyrica to Hydrocodone...etc. My doctor finally had me take Cymbalta. I didn't really notice much improvement, but I figured I would give it time. I was on it for less than a year (60 mg/day). It was like I had become a completely different person. All I wanted to do was avoid the world and hide. I work in medical sales, so I have to be out and about all day. I was always sweating - even when it was freezing. It was like the inside of my body was on fire and I couldn't cool down. I had started getting dizzy and always walked around in (what felt like) a daze.
So...my doctor started me on the reduction by dropping me from 60 mg to 30 mg. I was fine for about the first 4 days, then I started getting a mild headache which quickly turned into what was the worst combination of symptoms I have ever experienced. My head felt like it was going to explode, I had horrible vertigo (that was a new experience for me), and I felt so dizzy that I could hardly move without feeling nauseous. I don't know how I got through work that week. Shawn, you description of your head being full of shells is a unique description. I never thought of it that way, but I sure felt like my head was moving on it's own (inside and outside). Then I started having those bizarre electrical-like pulses through my head that would come out of nowhere. That's when I started searching online and found this forum.
I know that there is only a small percentage of people who experience these severe side effects (I believe the statistics say about 5%). But for those that have them, it can be awful. Immediately, I took the advice of some of the folks here of using the "bead counting" method. I thought it was a bit crazy, but I was desperate. I immediately went back to the 60 mg from the 30 mg (by that time I had been taking it about 7 days) and began to try the bead-reduction process. Within 24 hours, I felt great. Well...I felt like I did before I started coming off of Cymbalta, anyway. Throughout the process, I experimented with taking out more beads per day, but when I got down to about 30 beads, I had to slow down to removing only 1 bead per day. I am now down to 28.
So...I share all of that because both of your experiences sound extremely familiar (to mine and several other people). I am no doctor, but as a fellow "Cymbaltite," I would recommend that both of you consider tapering off of this medication much more slowly. Joe, I understand that there is a generic version of Cymbalta that is much less expensive. If you are wanting to continue taking it, you might ask. I have heard mixed reviews and understand that the beads do not have the enteric coating which can impact your stomach/digestive tract. Regardless, of which choice either of you makes, I certainly extend my empathy. Listen to what some of the other members have to say. I wanted to share my experience and advice. Hopefully, you will find a solution quickly. I know how paralyzing this experience can be.
The good news, is that I haven't missed a day of work through this whole process. It only took 1 day to get back on track. It's been a slower process than I would have wished, but with the encouragement from people here who understand, it's a manageable and hopeful journey.
Again, welcome to the group. We are all here for you if you need any support.
