11 replies to this topic

[JAH2014]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the group and have reviewed many posts so definitely feel I am in the right place. I was started on cymbalta in September and weaned off wellbutrin which seemed to be increasing my anxiety, was continued on celexa and ativan for my severe anxiety and depression. Initially, it seemed to be helping and my constant worry and negative self talk decreased and I started thinking of some things I would maybe enjoy doing again which was a HUGE deal as I have been going through a rough time health wise the last 2 years on top of my chronic issues with depression and anxiety while trying to work, raise a family, you know the drill.

I got to 90mg by end of October and side effects seemed to start outweighing benefits with extreme fatigue, crying often -even more than my usual crying often, poor memory and concentration especially at work. I essentially slept through family being at my home Thanksgiving even with a nap before they came and my kids, husband doing most the work, the day was a haze. That night I was so out of it it totally scared me and I took only 60 mg the next day (Friday) the fevers started, increased body aches, chills, sweating through 3 pairs of PJs (these except fevers are actually all kind of normal for me to a lesser degree due to my other health crap -CVID with ILD that I get monthly IVIG and occasional IV rituxan) and nothing helps reduce my fever or pain -I have Norco and ativan that usual helps.

My doctors thought all related to my IVIG or recent Rituxan, but my CTs looked clear and blood cultures negative. I was off work for 2 weeks and trying to find information on the internet and started reading about cymbalta withdrawal and serotonin syndrome and it sure seems to fit this. I sent a message to my psychiatrist who thought not related and if was thought I would have felt better not worse decreasing and shuffled my to my primary who knows nothing. I asked psych to at least tell me a better way to taper off and she said by 20g per week. I am so sick of the fevers and chills that last week I went from the 60 to 30mg and was literally falling asleep at my desk, got the chills and fever at work, had to miss Friday and slept all day. Last night was the 1st night I did not sweat through the night but did have a mild fever this morning and feel a little shaky. . .

1. I just really needed to write all this to people who may believe me and relate and who can tell me it gets better when my doctors seem to be not listening
2. Have others experienced the chills and fevers while tapering? -very flu like but going into my 3 rd week and cannot miss any more work
3. What should I do now? I am on 30 mg capsule of Cymbalta
4. Thank you so much, I am almost crying again just writing this. . . .I feel so out of control, not myself. ..

JAH

[Laurahokie]

JAH-
I have had extreme sweating but oddly no fevers. At night I can wake up with wet hair from sweating.

I am sure others will be able to relate to this specific set of side effects. However, I can tell you, YOU ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP!

I will let those successfully off the drug answer your questions as I am just starting. I am confident that you will figure it out and this will pass.

[JAH2014]

Thanks, I feel sooooo out of control and alone and really need some help and support. ..

[JAH2014]

Is this the correct place to post for help?

[TryinginFL]

Welcome JAH!

 

We're so happy that you have found us!

 

Yes, the sweating is part of the withdrawal - many of the members here can relate to that, but that is one thing I didn't have!  There are some dreadful stories..

 

Just so you know you are in the right place, I will post this now and then continue...

[TryinginFL]

Hi - I'm back again!

 

I am a cold turkey survivor of almost a year now, and went from 60mg to 0 - and don't recommend it!

 

There is a forum on " bead counting - how to do it' under the topic Are You New Here - I suggest strongly that you check that out.  If you have any questions, just ask!  This is a method that keeps you in control - you can wean off at your own pace and control the withdrawal.  Wish I had known about this - I was 2 weeks into the cold turkey when I found this forum!  I don't know what I would have done without these wonderful people to help me through this trip to Hell.

 

There is also a forum on Nutritional Support that you may find of help.  I'm sure that you will need the help of a benzo - I used Alprazolam (Xanax), but you already have one, so that will be invaluable in dealing with the anxiety that unfortunately comes along with the withdrawal/discontinuation.  I still use the Alprazolam for sleep issues - don't know whether that will ever be gone!

 

I also have fibro and arthritis - another thing to deal with!

 

Please post often to keep us updated and you can cry, vent, whatever - this is SAFE place and no one will judge you - we have all been there!

 

I wish you the best...

 

Liz 

[gail]

JAh,welcome to the forum,

As I can see, you have a few things working against you.
Done a bit of research here, as I did not know what Cvid or ild or ivig stand for.

I saw that ivig shots can induce fever. Rare side effect.
Trying to separate one thing from another. I see mixed symptoms with mixed medicine.

I can imagine your confusion as what is causing what. I am also confused.

Chills, got that a lot. Fever, no, I think it is due to those shots or infection.

I am wondering here, are you still on celexa and cymbalta plus ativan?

If so, celexa will help with the cymbalta tapering.

You are on 30 mg cymbalta, since when? Important here for us to guide you. Are you on generic?
How many beads in the 30mg capsule?

Don't forget to check the box, on your upper right Follow this topic, you will receive an immediate notice in your e mail.

Hang on my dear, we will help you through this. And you are at the right place JAH, see you!

[JAH2014]

Deep, slow breath, thank you all so much!
I'm feeling a little spark of hope. My husband, doctors and kids really don't seem to know what to do with me and I'm not able to "fake it" well under these conditions. .

To answer questions and hopefully clarify: I'm still on celexa 40 mg and have Ativan as needed. It's the generic cymbalta, I went down to 30mg last Wednesday, so 12/10/14, about 2 wks after my initial decrease from 90 to 60 mgs.

I've been getting iv meds (IVIG) for my CVID for 6 years and the iv rituxan this was my 3rd round and neither have caused this extreme fever, flu like feeling like I'm getting now, similar but not the same. The last rituxan was 11/17 and last IVIG was 11/24 and both do cause similar body aches, head aches, fatigue, sweating but what started my crazier making was how extreme everything got the day after I initially reduced my dose 11/27 from 90 to 60 because I could barely stay awake and then my cymbalta weaning journey began I guess, on top of whatever size effects I was having from the Iv meds I had received. ..ack and I do another ivig infusion tomorrow, it's essentially an infusion of other people's antibodies since I don't make my own well.

Just opened a capsule and there's at least 100 little pills. And side effects in having that I have not had before from my iv meds are light headed, I feel a bit wobbly at times while walking, a kind of weird head rush feeling that comes and goes, quick to anger and cry..weeee

thank you all for sharing your experience! Just to know that you all have made it off this gives me hope! JAH

[TryinginFL]

JAH,

 

I'm sorry to tell you that I think that you are reducing your Cymbalta much too quickly and putting yourself into cold turkey withdrawal.  Cymbalta only has a half life of 12 hrs, so your drop from 90 to 60 was way too fast - and now you are at only 30?  Oy, no wonder you are experiencing these symptoms!  Can you reinstate to 60 and see if you feel stable (no withdrawal symptoms) and if so, then slowly bead count your way down from there.  There is no time line here - the object is to remain as comfortable as possible as you slowly wean yourself off this poison.

 

We had one member who could only increase the count by 1 bead/day, but she did it and has been off the crap for over 6 months now!!  If you need more info, please ask! 

 

The weird "head rush" feeling you are talking about is what is referred to as "brain zaps" - I didn't have them, but many of our members have talked about them.  They will go away - believe me!  Just please slow down in your tapering - there is no need to feel all this stuff!

 

Everything you have mentioned is cold turkey withdrawal - you don't need that!

 

Please come back to let us know how you are doing and remember to SLOW DOWN.... 

[ZappAlta]

Jah its all withdrawal s/e's --I'd say the drop in dose is harsh -you could tough it out or cross taper with a different Snri --like prozac or zoloft-  using an- as- need anti anxiety med will also help.  it is your journey and know that we all here are at different stages of the journey too.  We are here for you

[gail]

Jaw,

You could reinstate to 60 and get stable on this.

I don't know about cross tapering with Zoloft here
because you are already on Celexa.

100 beads in a sixty or thirty?

The important thing is to get as stable as you can. You have a lot going in your plate here besides cymbalta. Try reinstating to 60 for a couple of days and see how goes. That is what I would do, no easy way out here, and use that benzo to help you through.

Keep posting, we are here for you.

[iammiserable2014]

Welcome Jah...
I definitely relate with your symptoms. I had the chills, the extreme sweating, flu like.. fatigued, extreme nausea, dizziness. I was on 60mg for a year and a half and I've only been completely off for about 5 weeks now...so I'm definitely still going through all this.
I don't have lots of advice, just wanted to let you know your not alone in what your feeling.
I know when I first started going through it, I was terrified..definitely thought I was losing my mind and going crazy. Somehow, I happened on to this forum and I'm so glad I did because I was instantly welcomed and knew there were others out there that had been right where I was ...which helped a lot just knowing that. Good luck and keep reading everyone's posts because it does help to hear what others are going through. : )