Hi All,
I was put on Cymbalta to help combat a major depressive episode in August 2016. It's my personal feeling that the episode was most likely an acute depression due to withdrawl from pain medication (Hydrocodone) I had been prescribed for 18 months that I took myself off of because the pain lessened and became bearable without them. It wasn't until after I had been on Cymbalta for a couple months that i realized depression was a very common side effect of opiate withdrawal. Unfortunately for me, my family doctor was quick to write me a script for Cymbalta and my first mention of the depression.
I'm currently taking 120mb per day. I was started at 60mg and then increased to 120mg when the depression didn't respond. While I can happily say I no longer have any issues with depression, I have a hunch the Cymbalta did nothing for it, and it probably naturally resolved as my body reconfigured itself to life without opiates. While my doctor has told me she recommends simply continuing use of Cymbalta as she doesn't seen a downside to doing so, my life for the last 2 months tells a different story. If I happen to forget to take my 60mg morning dose of Duloxetine, within HOURS I start to get this really awful feeling when I move my eyes from one thing to another. As best I can describe it, for about a half second after my eyes move, I get a feeling that's sort of a blend between a zap, dizziness, and loss of eye focus. Within a split second after the feeling hits me, it fades. Moving my eyes again causes the cycle to repeat itself. As I go longer throughout the day without getting to my meds, the zaps when I move my eyes become more frequent, and much stronger. A couple days ago I got to work and about 10am I started feeling the zaps starting to slowly manifest. What really sucked for me was I forgot my laptop bag when I came to work, which is where my Cymbalta was. So I knew I'd have to go until 6pm without anything, but I figured since my job is mostly sedentary sitting at a computer I'd be able to get through it. Boy was I wrong! By about 2pm the zaps had become so bad that simply moving my eye gaze between small areas of my computer screen would trigger the zap, a much louder ringing in my ears, and intense vertigo -- all of which lasted a brief second and then were gone until the next eye movement. I got really concerned about the thought of having to drive the 30 mile commute home, so I called my doctor. She was able to call me in a small refill to a prescription right down the street from my office. Within about an hour after taking a dose, the zaps were gone!
I know, I know.. I'm an idiot for leaving my meds at home. But, missing a dose of medication by mere hours should not cause my life to turn into sheer chaos where I can barely function physically. The thought that never forgetting to have Cymbalta with me -- everywhere I go -- for the rest of my life -- has me really wanting to get off this stuff. However, I'm really worried about how I'll be able to do so given just missing a dose almost makes me puke when I move my eyes!
I've found some other threads online where people have reported this, and where their doctor found it to be "A latent sensory response between the eyes and the vestibular network" due to lack of seratonin in their system. Ok, fine, that makes perfect sense. My question is, how the heck do I overcome it? How long does that symptom last after stopping Cymbalta, or does it remain forever as a permanent reminder of what an awful drug my doctor put me on? Lastly, are there any supplements or other medications that I can use to combat it while I taper off?
Thanks so much everyone, it is amazingly comforting to find this forum and hopefully be able to talk to others who have fought this battle before!
-Nick
