3 replies to this topic

[kelsey138]

Okay, so, I know, I'm a terrible patient and didn't listen to my doctor about tapering off Cymbalta because I was SO incredibly tired of not sleeping and having brain zaps. Ironically, now that I've been off of it for a week (and started taking 10mg of lexapro) I'm sleeping like a baby but I feel like complete shit. Every withdrawal symptom l've read about, I'm getting--brain zaps, nausea, body pain, itchiness, vertigo... the list goes on. Hindsight is 20/20, I suppose--but if this website is any indication, it sounds like withdrawal symptoms would have been awful even if I tapered off as suggested. So, I guess what I'm asking--and I'm sure that it's written somwhere on this site, but my concentration is shot and my head is foggy--what on earth can help these symptoms and how long can I expect to feel like this? I took cymbalta for about six months, one month on 20 (two times a day) then moved up to 60 mg once a day. I am still managing to go to work, but I'm miserable. I've found some comfort in this site, just knowing people made it through the withdrawal. But, I was seriously considering going back on it just to stop feeling this way--but I'm not willing to start back at square one. So, any help would be so, so appreciated. 

 

<3 

[fishinghat]

Welcome Kelsey

Lack of patience in coming of this medicine can be a disaster. Luckily for you the dr has started you on Lexapro. Usually a good choice. It takes Lexapro about 4 weeks to kick in and don't be surprised if the dr winds up raising the dose to 20 mg, sort of typical. I recommend 2000 mg of omega 3 per day, 500 mg of vit c per day and stay very hydrated. These won't cure it but can help some. Probably your best shot would to be to take 50 mg of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) whenever things get too emotional. This usually helps calm you down but can make you drowsy too so be careful. Do not take it all the time as your body gets use to it and it will stop working so just a dose here and there as things get too bad.

 

Also clonidine and/or hydroxyzine can also do a good job on the withdrawal symptoms for many people. This is by prescription only. Neither has a withdrawal. Hydroxyzine is a antihistamine as is Benadryl so don't take both.

 

As far as how long can the symptoms last 2 to 3 months to start to see periods of improvement and 6 months to feel so so and a year to 2 years for full recovery BUT....with you being put on Lexapro it should just be a matter of letting it kick in. Like I said before, if that 10 mg isn't strong enough to take care of all the symptoms the dr may kick it up to 20 mg.

[gail]

Hi Kelsey,

Why not take 30mg of Cymbalta to ease things off? It should be enough to calm you down.
My opinion is different from Fishinghat, I know.

I would stabilize there then bead count from there while ramping up on Lexapro.

Keep us posted!

[fishinghat]

Kelsey

 

Gail's choice should work too. One of the issues is things work for one person and not another. The choice is yours but whatever you choose we are here to support you.