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Finished Wean - Withdrawal Symptoms Worse


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#1 qwertykeyboard

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Posted 08 November 2016 - 12:18 AM

Hey guys! I've been weaning off after being on just 20mg.  I've gone down about 2 beads per day (started with about 100) for about 2.5 months (I'd hold stable at a few points).  So two days ago, I finished down to 0 beads - yay!! I had some mild symptoms while weaning down, like increased anxiety, insomnia, and sometimes irritability.  However, my symptoms got pretty bad after my last bead.  I'm talking about all the head stuff - feeling dizzy, out of it, brain buzzes, suicidal.  I really didn't think that I would get more symptoms after getting to my last bead or that they would get worse like this!!

 

My question is, for those weaning off, did you notice that your symptoms got worse after your last bead?  How long did these withdrawal symptoms last?


#2 fishinghat

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Posted 08 November 2016 - 09:32 AM

Welcome Qwerty

 

Very typical. Those last few beads often take a week or more to come off of. The symptoms USUALLY last 6 to 12 weeks before they start to fade. In your case I am a little more optimistic as you were on a lower dose in the first place however you are very sensitive and it is always hard to tell exactly how long it will go on. You can use some Benadryl from time to time to get some relief (not for constant use) or you can talk to your dr about clonidine and/or hydroxyzine to help with the symptoms until things let up. Neither have withdrawal.


#3 sk8mom

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Posted 13 November 2016 - 09:25 AM

hello

I'm an old member who hasn't been on for a while... I went down from 60 to 30 mg in a year (2013) although I then stopped tapering because i went through a divorce... I started weaning again this year... taking about 2-3 beads a day... I am now down to taking about 65 beads now to this day.  This weaning is going very smooth for me, no symptoms at all ( I am still on remeron 15mg though and was hoping to tackle that one after).

although I have not had any withdrawal symptoms, I am getting worried reading qwerty's post, I didn't think there could be symptoms that strong after taking only one bead a day... this medication is unreal !!!  and scary :(  I do not want to go back to the darkness yet i want to get rid of this poison.


#4 fishinghat

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Posted 13 November 2016 - 09:32 AM

It is so good to hear from you. You are doing well and I am hopeful you will continue to do so. If you need to take a break for a while and let your b0dy adjust. Also, I would like to say sorry about the divorce. That sure doesn't help the stress levels.


#5 sk8mom

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Posted 13 November 2016 - 11:18 AM

hello fishingthat

great to hear from you also... I am doing quite well actually yes... considering the full time job and full time single mom of a teenager and a tween... I workout every day which helps a lot and i eat properly, no alcohol and also started reiki... I noticed since reiki i have been able to wean way easier (not sure if it is a coincidence or not but anything helps)... since I am already taking about 215 beads out of my 30mg capsules, I am left with about 65...  and if I continue to go down about 2 per day that leaves me only about a month before I am at zero.... that might be too fast at one point but I am listening to my body and as long as there is no symptoms I am continuing this way... hopefully I am one of the lucky ones who gets out without too much pain... I have been on cymbalta since 2009... way too long ... I know I will be very scared when I end up with zero... fingers crossed ...

take care, hope you are doing well :)


#6 Ahnalou

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Posted 22 December 2016 - 01:15 PM

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.


#7 gail

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Posted 22 December 2016 - 02:07 PM

Hello Ahnalou,

Welcome to the forum. You have come a long way. It's a shame that some doctors don't know any better when it comes to Cymbalta withdrawal. Many have suffered like you have because of that.

You have done a great thing by going back on 20mg. You can stay put for a while at that dosage. There is no hurry. Time and patience is the moto on the forum. You will hear that very often for sure.

I am sorry about your family, and you are so not alone like this! So many.

Ahnalou, do come by anytime you wish to talk, to vent or whatever. There is always someone here to listen. We are here for you!

#8 TryinginFL

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Posted 22 December 2016 - 04:28 PM

Hi Ahnalou!

 

I am a cold turkey survivor - please DO NOT do any more of this!  I have been off this poison almost 3 years now, but the memories of what went on w/my mind and body are all too clear...I might add that I went off of generic Lyrica at the same time.  I had no idea about withdrawal but sure learned fast!  Thanks to these wonderful people here on this forum, I made it through, but it was one hell of a year.  It is said that older people have a harder time getting off this stuff - ya think???

 

I still feel that I have been left some gifts from this evil drug but there is nothing that can be done now - perhaps it had to do w/the cold turkey.

 

You are very wise to go back on the 20mg and I suggest that you stay there for as long as it takes to feel "stable", meaning almost normall

 

Don't ever feel alone as we are always here for you!!

 

Liz


#9 90milesnorth

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Posted 18 February 2017 - 07:53 PM

I'm one month out and my brain simply won't stop tingling.  How long do these side effects last?  I am taking so many multi vitamins to help ease the withdrawal, but I'm wondering if I'm still suffering from some sort of withdrawal.  


#10 fishinghat

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Posted 19 February 2017 - 08:40 AM

The brain tingling and zaps can last for a couple months but usually less. You might try 2000 mg/day of omega 3. It helps some people deal with it. You know that multivitamin poisoning is fairly common and can even put you in the hospital. I suggest you do some reading on the subject and discuss it with your dr.

 

Just to let you know, my wife is allergic to selenium. One Centrum Silver tablet landed her in the hospital. I on the other hand am sensitive to vit E and the B vitamins. Massive stomach issues. Not uncommon.


#11 90milesnorth

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Posted 20 February 2017 - 05:25 PM

Thank you fishinghat!  I am also very sensitive to multivitamins so I know immediately if something isn't right.  This medication, on-the-other-hand, almost killed me and my doc thought it was just the depression and kept on up'ing my dose.  I had every possible adverse reaction to this med and there she was just up'ing the dosage.  I'll do some reading on the vitamins. 





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