Jump to content



Photo

Why Were You Taking Cymbalta And When Did You Stop?


  • Please log in to reply
16 replies to this topic

#1 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 21 November 2014 - 09:20 PM

I was taking 60 mg for approximately 4 years following the death of my daughter.  It was given to me for depression and since I also suffer from Fibromyalgia, I believe my Dr. thought that this would be helpful for both.

 

About the 3rd week in January, 2014, I decided that this was not doing anything for me any more and it was also so costly, it was  putting me in the "doughnut hole" with Medicare by August of each year.

 

Being medication ignorant, I had no idea that there would be any withdrawal associated with this.  I did not discuss this with my Dr, and just quit taking it.  I know this sounds stupid, but that was the way it was.  I did not find this forum until I was about 2 weeks into the cold turkey and it was another week or 2 when I found out about the bead counting.  Needless to say, I just forged ahead with the cold turkey and would never recommend this approach to anyone!

 

I learned so much from the helpful and caring people here and they really helped me through this trip to Hell. 

 

It has now been almost 11 months off this poison and I still have some sleep issues and short term memory problems.  I know it's over whenever it's over and am doing the best I can to just accept what I am left with and realize that this may be as good as it gets.  Only time will tell but I am able to function.

 

I really don't know what I was like before the poison drug, so have no idea what I will be like as time goes on...  we never remain the same, regardless.

 

Just thought I would put this down in a new forum and I feel that many of our members might like to add to this and read about our experiences.  Of course, questions are welcome if they arise!  I just hope that many of you will post here so that we don't have to continually ask each other how long we have been off this crap!

 

I wish all of you the best, no matter where you are in this withdrawal/discontinuation process.

 

Liz


#2 DoneWithCrap

DoneWithCrap

    Like a Family Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 640 posts
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • why_joining:
    I have been a zombie of too long.
    I want a life!

Posted 21 November 2014 - 10:23 PM

I have suffered with depression since early childhood. I began therapy and antidepressants in my early 20s. Around 6 or 7 years ago I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. My psych med prescriber put me on Cymbalta to help with both problems. Through the years I had taken many different antidepressants and have been hospitalized over a dozen times for depression. including a year in a state institution. I was so heavily medicated that I gained 80 pounds (I'm 5'1") and was basically non-functional.

After I got out of the institution, I began to do yard work and gardening to help me with my depression and PTSD. This is when I was diagnosed with the fibro. If the sun was out, I was working outside. I would forget to eat and overworked my body. I lost all the weight that I gained and then some. I got down to 97 pounds and was afraid I was dying.

The Cymbalta seemed to help at first. I was taking 80mg a day plus Abilify. I stopped taking the Abillify due to migraines. I decreased the Cymbalta to 60mg because my insurance company would only fill it at 60mg and 20mg which meant $60 co-pay X2.

At some point I noticed the withdrawal symptoms if I missed a dose. It was at that point that I realized I didn't want to take such a toxic medication. I tried to decrease my dose but became too depressed and went back to the 60mg. It was a trap that I couldn't get out of. I found this forum and against my prescriber's advice, decided to taper off.

Before I started tapering off this crap, I was taking 14 Rx medications every day. I'm 48 years old and I have no reason to be on so much medication. Each time I went to the doctor, I was given a new Rx to counter act the side affects of the other Rx drugs I was on.

I now have a new rheumatologist that has changed my fibromyalgia Dx to Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. I have chronic sinusitis even though I had surgery to open my passages. I have high cholesterol that is hereditary that I take an Rx for. I have asthma and COPD that I use inhalers for and I have low potassium, cause unknown. I'm down to 11 Rx meds a day. Still too much in my opinion but I'm working on reducing it further.

 

I have been Cymbalta free for 8 days now. I tapered slowly enough so that I don't have the brain zaps but I have been very depressed and easily overwhelmed.

 

I'm surprised that I was able to complete this post. :) 

 

My son just come home from collage for the weekend and he will drive us to the football game this Sunday that I have been stressing about.


#3 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 21 November 2014 - 11:22 PM

Great post, Renee!

 

So glad your son came home - things have a way of working out!  Hang in there - you'll be OK!

 

You're doing a great job and so happy to hear that you did the tapering - smart you!! :D

 

Love, hugs and prayers for you,

Liz :hug:


#4 DoneWithCrap

DoneWithCrap

    Like a Family Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 640 posts
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • why_joining:
    I have been a zombie of too long.
    I want a life!

Posted 21 November 2014 - 11:43 PM

Thank you Liz  :hug:

Things are looking up  :wub:


#5 brzghoff

brzghoff

    Like a Family Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 859 posts
  • Locationjust south of sanity

Posted 22 November 2014 - 12:01 AM

Ladies,

 

you are doing better than you think.

 

TFL, you said "It has now been almost 11 months off this poison and I still have some sleep issues and short term memory problems.  I know it's over whenever it's over and am doing the best I can to just accept what I am left with and realize that this may be as good as it gets.  Only time will tell but I am able to function."

 

that sounds pretty good to me! do you remember how it was 4-5 months ago? as i understand it, your anxiety has dropped considerably. i know that symptoms can ebb and flo, but don't sell yourself short - you've come a long way and there's no evidence to suggest that momentum won't continue - however, as you said "we never remain the same, regardless" and to that i say amen!

 

Renee, that was a very coherent, thoughtful and articulate post. I have been reading your recent posts and recognize that this struggle has been difficult for you, even without considering cymbalta and it's withdrawal as an added "bonus". you have taken on a huge undertaking in trying to get off drugs and youve reduced it from 14 to 11 - congratualtions! i admire your pursuit - this is an incredible challenge. hats off to you!

 

why was i on cymbalta? depression. C was the 4th, and last, in a line of anti-d's i took in the ever popuar psychiatric game of med trial and error that i went through starting at age 36. i was 44 when i started the C and i stopped in may of this year at age 54. i quit because 1) i didn't think i needed it anymore 2) hated the side effects of weight gain, high BP, high cholesterol(weight gain induced) and a constricted bladder 3) couldn't afford it since my new insurance woldn't cover it until i reached my $6000 deductable. been off it for just over 6 months. i am seeing the light. anxiety still an issue, but as reflected in other posts i am fighting it and i am winning. aching muscles and joints is still a lingering struggle -  but i can live with it. i can still hike, backpack, bike and canoe - although i grimmace more ;-) i lost over 20 pounds since may and now teetering on the edge of being underweight. my cholesterol is below 200 and my blood pressure is so low that i may be able to go off BP meds altogether. some days it goes too low. i take clonidine to help knock down the anxiety when i go to bed but i am even cutting that in half to a .05 dose. if all goes well, in another 6-12 months i plan on weaning off my only remaining drug, lamictal/lamotrigine a mood stabilizer that i don't think i need either. 


#6 gail

gail

    Site Partners

  • Site Supporter
  • 6,016 posts
  • LocationSherbrooke, PQ
  • why_joining:
    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 22 November 2014 - 08:47 AM

I was in a relationship that I knew was not good for me. Going against my better judgment, I stayed in it.

I broke it at least 10 times and did not have the strength to say no every time he came back. I began to feel anxiety during this time.

We did not have the same values. Deep conversations were inexistant.
I was nine years older than him. I felt that I needed to be perfect body wise, no wrinkles etc. I became obsessed with this.

This brought me to depression and big time anxiety.

I crashed in February 2013. Refusing ad. In may, could no longer take this state of mind and was put on lexapro for four months. Nothing. Crossed over to shibalta for 5 months at 30mg.

On the fourth month, I was worse than before, each time that I swallowed this shit, anxiety would go sky high.

Went to 15 for one month then zero.

Before all this, I was taking 1.25 ativan. Went up to 3mg on it.

This was not supposed to happen as it was prescribed for anxiety and depressive moods.

9 months off today. Tapering the Valium (switched from ativan to Valium in June) am at 14 mg and going slowly down. Was given seroquel two months ago. Nightmares on it, so backed down to 50xr, it helps.

And of course no more relationship in the last five or six months.

Still good days and hard ones when I make the Valium drop, so I think.

#7 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 22 November 2014 - 10:30 AM

Brz,

 

Congratulations on being 6 months off!  That anxiety and the aches and pains should start to fade soon...   and you only have 1 med left!  Wow - that's wonderful!  You have really done a great job!

 

Gail,

 

Today is your 9 month anniversary!  Wooohoooo!!!  Those bad days should be fading soon - it's getting to that point!  Hopefully you will be able to cut out that Benadryl soon - and don't go too fast getting off that Valium - fishinghat, indeed!

 

Thanks to all of you for sharing!

 

Liz :hug:


#8 gail

gail

    Site Partners

  • Site Supporter
  • 6,016 posts
  • LocationSherbrooke, PQ
  • why_joining:
    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 22 November 2014 - 05:01 PM

Thank you Liz for the encouragement and starting this post.

Résumés

Renee off 8 days
Brz. Off 6 months
Tfl. Off 11 months
Gail. Off 9 months

This will prevent me from asking myself how long off.

#9 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 22 November 2014 - 07:01 PM

Gail,

 

Great idea!!  Easier to keep track! :D


#10 kathyms3150

kathyms3150

    Great Friend

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 233 posts
  • LocationPennsylvania
  • why_joining:
    Trying to cope with withdrawal/discontinuation. Have depression and anxiety since my teens.

Posted 24 November 2014 - 01:25 PM

I've struggled with depression and anxiety since my mid teens. My childhood was happy, depression runs in my family. In my late teens I began going to therapy and for quite a few years continued with a few different therapists. I never found therapy to be helpful. In my mid twenties I started trying different antidepressants and combinations of meds, but none of them helped. Somehow I struggled through the years, my first marriage was awful, he had borderline personality disorder. I was at a pretty good point and wanted children and even though I had infertility problems I was able to have my precious Katelyn. There were times when taking care of her was difficult but she brought me so much joy and a real purpose to my life. It's still hard to believe but I lost her in a car accident almost 6 years ago. Her father and I divorced about 13 years ago and a couple years later I got remarried. In 2004 (I think) the doctor I was seeing put me on Cymbalta. It was the only medication that ever helped me, I was also on Wellbutrin. About a year ago I noticed it wasn't working very well and in January of this year I tried to get off of it. Of course my doctor had me taper off quickly and I felt so awful that I went back on it for a few weeks, then decided to try again. I was finally able to get off of it in June. The withdrawal was hell. Now my main problems are depression and anxiety. I just don't know how much of what I'm feeling is from the Cymbalta or my original condition. My depression is severe and I don't want to be on meds but I have no quality of life. Of course finding a med to help me isn't going to be easy. I'm on Pamelor which is an older med. Also Klonopin and Ambien for sleep. I've been on the Pamelor for about 3 weeks, so far it's not helping. I know that I'll always grieve for my daughter, but this depression is different from the grief.


#11 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 24 November 2014 - 01:35 PM

Kathy,

 

Thanks so much for your post.  I am so sorry that you are still suffering so.  You have been off the poison for about 5 months, then?

 

 

Remember, as TM always said - it is about the quality of life, not meds or no meds, that counts.  No need to feel badly about anything you need to do to accomplish this!

 

Be well and God Bless,

 

Liz 


#12 FiveNotions

FiveNotions

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,686 posts
  • LocationUS, East Coast
  • why_joining:
    I want my life back!

Posted 24 November 2014 - 07:19 PM

great topic, TFL !

 

I was put on crapalta to "glue me back together" after I had a Teva generic bupropion (wellbutrin) induced psychotic episode that landed me in the "snake farm" .... about 8 or 9 years ago ... I actually have no real memories left from that period of time ... the docs (of course) refused to believe me that it was caused by the generic wellbutrin .... and it took until Fall 2013 for me to be "vindicated" .... when the Teva generic was finally taken off the market ...

 

I never should have been put on Cymbalta, I never should have stayed on it ... but I believed the shrink(s) when they said I'd have to be on it "for life" ....

 

And I ended up quitting cold turkey, unintentionally but all for the good, last December 4th, when my shrink at the time prescribed generic Cymbalta for me ... I took one capsule of it, and almost immediately started to go into a psychotic episode ... just like happened with the generic wellbutrin ... I called the shrink's office and left a frantic message that he had to get the insurance company to authorize the brand, or just call in the brand Rx for me and I'd pay "full freight" for it .... but he never called me back, and he never called the insurance co or the pharmacy ... so, I went cold turkey ... and spent the next 4 months in hard withdrawal hell, then gradually started getting a bit better ... :unsure: :wacko: :blink:

 

I found this forum when I was about 2 weeks into cold turkey ... and it was / is a total Saving Grace for me ... I had found a place where what I was experiencing was understood, I was understood and accepted, and I started to learn what was happening to me and how to deal with each and every symptom and issue ... :)

 

this December 4th will be my 1 year anniversary ... I truly cannot believe it's been 12 months ... I look back ... and remember oh so clearly every single month of this past year ... but I still can't really remember the years that I was on the shit ... it took away my memories ... or, maybe, it's that it didn't allow me to form memories? IDK ... let's just say there are some "black holes" for the crapalta years .....


#13 ittybittysmitty

ittybittysmitty

    Good Friend

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 162 posts
  • LocationMinnesota
  • why_joining:
    I am here to gain support and support others

Posted 05 December 2014 - 10:26 AM

My depression and anxiety are hereditary. Throughout my childhood, i was mom's support system when she had panic attacks and was rushed to the ER on several occasions. She was hospitalized multiple times...Needless to say, my childhood was traumatic!!

 

In my early teens I became anorexic and landed in a hospital for 6 months...I was physically assaulted on two occasions. My roommate tried to drown me and a few some kids beat me up.

 

i continued to be treated for depression in high school and college and was hospitalized several times with nervous breakdowns.

 

Hmmm...Perhaps I have PTSD and was never officially diagnosed....

 

However, i am thrilled to say that I haven't been hospitalized since 2007.

 

In May of this year, I switched from Paxil to 60 mg Cymbalta to treat my fibro pain and it worked wonders but the horrible side effects were enough to start tapering down the end of Mayr. My suffering landed me in bed for days at a time. My psychiatrist never discussed the side effects or the possibility of withdrawal

 

The trip to withdrawal began May 28th when I tapered to 30 mg. Looking back at my notes, I am functioning much better than a few months ago.

 

My last bead of crapalta was on October 29th. Thankfully, I am no longer having zaps but lately I have been extremely irritable and my fibro pain comes and goes.

 

The withdrawal has diminished my ability to think clearly and put words down on paper that make sense and that bothers me!! I feel so STUPID...I find it difficult to plan my day...it's like being high or something...

 

One day at a time as they say in Alanon :wub:


#14 Amybc7

Amybc7

    Advanced Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 81 posts
  • LocationVermont

Posted 08 December 2014 - 07:55 PM

I started Cymbalta in 2008 - 30mg a day for just over 5 years.  Previously I had taken Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Effexor.  

 

I began to taper at the end of May of this year.  Took my last bead mid-October.  Next week I will be two months Cymbalta free.

 

Next week will also mark two months on hydroxzine (for anxiety), one month on sertraline (for depression), and one month in counseling.

 

Bottom line - I am better than I was but not where I want to be yet.


#15 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 08 December 2014 - 08:15 PM

Amy - Bravo !!

 

Congratulations on almost 2 months off the poison!!  You are proof positive that taking things slowly produce great results!  And good for you - counseling, as well!

 

Are you feeling any symptoms at this point in your discontinuation?  Not a problem with your other meds....    remember ThisMoment talking about your quality of life, not whether you are on meds or not.  Do you feel that you are slowly getting there?  Are you beginning to feel better about yourself?

 

I am still taking Alprazolam (Xanax) after almost a year off and I still (and probably will always) take Hydrocodone for the pain of fibro and arthritis.  I saw my PCP today and she is putting me on a low dosage of Prozac - I am so tired of feeling sad and the occasional crying. I am finally giving in and going to try this to see if it helps.  She knows that I was on Cymbalta (not prescribed by her) and my therapist recommended that I talk to her about what I consider to be mild depression and she knows how I feel about meds.  She suggested I try the Prozac and felt that it might be just what I need to have some quality of life - at this point I have none.

 

I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished, Amy - give yourself a big "pat on the back" ! :D 

 

Please keep us posted - wishing you the best!

 

Be well

 

Liz :hug:


#16 Amybc7

Amybc7

    Advanced Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 81 posts
  • LocationVermont

Posted 09 December 2014 - 10:19 AM

I'm getting there.  I found that once the Cymbalta was gone there were changes to my body and my mind.  

 

My blood pressure has come down - which is awesome!

 

My thyroid levels continue to slowly increase - so was it the Cymbalta or was it me?  Who knows!?!

 

The anxiety is my biggest struggle.  I had very mild situational anxiety historically, but now it's out of the blue.  Is it from withdrawal?  Is it just me?  Again, I don't know but it's a new hurdle to deal with it and learn to move through it.  The people I've seen for it don't give a lot of credit to the Cymbalta ending, but it popped up when I was taking only a few beads a day and escalated when I stopped completely.  I think there is a link, but that's my gut talking.

 

I feel better.  Sleep is still hard in finding a balance.  I can feel again - I got to the point with Cymbalta that I was either angry, annoyed, or nothing.  

 

Like anything else, it's a process.  


#17 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 09 December 2014 - 08:40 PM

Amy, I don't know of anyone who has gone through this without suffering some anxiety - some more than others.  Since we are all different, it varies, like everything else.  Mine was the "frozen" type, where I was unable to do anything - this lasted for a couple of months when I was about 5 months off.

 

I used Alprazolam and sometimes took up to 3 mg/day.  The anxiety was the worst thing for me.  It does gradually fade - for me it was so gradual that one day I realized that it was gone!  Haven't been bothered with it for almost 3 months now.

 

Unfortunately, sleep issues are also a part of this whole trip...

 

Congratulations on your blood pressure and thyroid!  See - some things are already improving! :)

 

Hang in there - you'll be OK!!   Please come back to ask questions or rant if you need to!  Please keep us posted as to your progress!





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users