I have been on Cymbalta (generic) 60 mg. for 12 years. Worked great at first. Really helped with muscle spasms and general symptoms of fibromyalgia. My mom had just passed away and I felt (and still feel) that this medication might have saved my life. 6 years into taking this med, I became extremely depressed again. Those of you who know depression know that heavy, dense, oppressive, absolutely horrible feeling. Not once did I, or my doctor (internist) consider that it might possibly be the Cymbalta. I also have a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. My doctor added Wellbutrin and I did feel better. Earlier this year, I awoke one morning and knew that I needed to get off these drugs and start over with something else (or perhaps nothing). I began researching Cymbalta and OH MY, was I ever shocked to learn the consequences of taking this drug. I have also discovered that most doctors (in my world anyway) do not know a thing about the withdrawal consequences.
In late June, I went cold turkey without Cymbalta. Within 12 hours I had a suicide inclination" so severe that I showed up unannounced at my doctor's office (it was that or the ER). I was crying, extremely high anxiety and was honest with him about my visions of how I was going to commit suicide. I told him I felt I needed hospitalization immediately. He basically patted me on the back and told me to go home and that he would call me before the day was out with the time for me to go to a psychiatrist's office.
I did not hear from him. I did not talk with him until my next physical 3 months later. It was only mentioned because when he was reading over my records he saw the notes made prior. He asked me how I was doing. I handle my own medical care anyway. I did ask him what we could possibly add to help with the withdrawal process. He said he had not heard of any problems with withdrawal and he had many patients taking Cymbalta.
So, being a professional legal researcher by trade, and having a best girlfriend who is a researcher by trade, we began absorbing information and developed a plan.
My capsules (60 mg) contain 300 little white beads. On July 1st, I began taking 3 beads out a day. There have been days which I have just felt horrible and I have stayed level with a particular dosage for days or weeks. I've experienced days where I felt I had the REAL flu, body aches, headaches. There have been weeks where my myasthenia symptoms have kept me in bed (fortunately no tongue or throat problems). I live alone and at times have felt that I simply could not take care of myself. In any way. I have changed many sheets when awakening in the mornings. I've experienced several major rage incidents. Once, I tried to literally fight a neighbor. Anger is not a characteristic of my personality at all. I am a spiritual seeker. I actively meditate, but not now.
I continued the withdrawal and am now taking 210 beads from the 300. I have been on this dosage for 10 days. The last few days I have felt overwhelmingly depressed and alone. I DO have a small network of true friends who support and love me. For that I am extremely grateful.
I have one adult daughter. She doesn't like me now and has nothing to do with me. She has blocked me for all forms of communication. Her son, my adult grandson, is the star light of my life and he's not returning my calls right now. I have no other family.
I increased back up to 200 beads this morning, which is at 20 mg. I plan on staying there, perhaps forever.
THANK you so very much for having a place where I can vent. In my life I have learned to keep things positive. Like, if you cant' say anything positive, say nothing at all. This forum is appreciated.