[cruser28]

Hi, I'm in a pickle. I am on Cymbalta for fybromyalgia and depression and anxiety. I have been on it about 40 years going from 20 mg to 120 mg each day. My doc keeps upping my dose everytime I go into withdrawal. I have been on 60 mg twice a day for about two months. This past week, I started having nightmares, irrational anger and irritability, brain zaps and feeling depressed. My thinking is shot, my short term memory is going, I am afraid I am loosing my mind. I went into counseling with my spouse and now she thinks my behavior is deliberate and I can control it. Maybe I can? She says I am mean. I think maybe I am and don't like it very much. Anybody out there have a similar experience? I want to be able to give my doctor facts so she will listen to me instead of just increasing the dose.
Thanks,
cruzer 28

[Cecile]

Oh my gosh dont increase ur dosage if u ever want to get off this drug it will be soooo had for u to come off of it, ur an adult tell them to stop drugging you and keep it at a mg that is good for u, cause u r eventually like me is going to be tired of this drug and want off. and its going to be espeacilly hard to do that with a high mg...Good luck and u need another shrink tell her to go on this website.

[Junior]

OMG cruser. Find another Dr. One who will LISTEN to you.

http://www.antidepre....com/index.html this is a good site. I recently found out that the owner of the site has made a recovery from Prozac withdrawal but that it took him several years.

http://prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm this is another good one.

If you have been on this drug for 40 years, I would suggest a very slow taper. Maybe just drop 5mg at a time? But I am not a Dr.

Good luck :)

[nursedeborah]

Cruzer,
Is that a typo for the length of time you have been on Cymbalta. It has not been around for 40 years.
Or were you talking about another drug? I am going through withdrawls, and it's really just how you
said aout everything that's going on with you.

Even on this drug I was not myself! I acted in ways that were really strange. Please do find another
Shrink!!!! Also look at those sites, they will help you so much!!!!

I just read all the withdraw symptoms again last night, as I still am suffering from so many of them.
Not being very nice to my friend, and so many other. Just fell so crazy at times.

I have been on 60 m for 3 1/ 2 years, and now I am at 40 mg for a while. I will take as long as I need
to get off this, as I am the one who has to live some kind of a life!!! There is no hurry for me.

Don't get me worng I want off if now, but it just doesn't work that way, and I am not going to make
myself suffer like a did a week ago when I dropped down way to much to soon.

Good luck,
Debbie

[cruser28]

Thanks for your support all. I did make a typo. I have been on it 4 years. I am going to give my doc one last shot at it using your advice and direct her to the websites.
Thanks so much!!!

[nursedeborah]

cruzer,
Just wondering what's going on, and how your doing? What happened at the doctor's.
I do hope your going to do a slow wean, and just be kind to yourself, there is no
hurry, and just go at what is confortable for you. Everyone is different, as are
their withdrawls. Your the one who has to go through them, no one else.

Debbie

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
Haven't been to the doctor's yet. My appointment isn't until next week. I will keep you updated. How far r u with withdrawing? I am scared to start. I was off for about 3 weeks two years ago when I have massive clots to my lungs and heart, I thought I had clots in my brain too. They scanned me and the only reason they could come up with was nothing. Doctors are so stupid when they don't look at the whole picture. It wasn't until I go back home, that it dawned on me I was in Cymbalta withdrawal. I went back on it because I was so mean to everyone.
Best regards,

[Junior]

I have come to the conclusion that Western Medicine is very disconnected. While withdrawing from Cymbalta I had severe upper abdo pain. I told my GP that it could be withdrawal but we had it investigated anyway. When I went for a gastroscopy, I asked my gastroenterologist if he thought it could be due to wdl and he didn't think so. Then I got to thinking, why would he know about psychotropic drugs? He specialises in the digestive system!

I've also come to the conclusion that my body is addicted to SSRIs - specifically Aropax (Paxil). Seems that if I want to come off them permanently, I'm going to have to withdraw very very slowly. Apparently the long term effect is down regulation of serotonin receptors and it can take a very long time (years in some people) for them to return to their normal state.

All I know is that I have NOT been able to sleep without melatonin, aropax and sleeping tabs all combined and that it's not healthy :-I

Good luck Cruser and sorry, didn't want to scare you. Just wanted you to know that the withdrawal process could be quite protracted.

[nursedeborah]

Cruzer,
Well I sent you a message, but now that I finally have my internet back on again just wanted to touch base with you.

I was teffified to go off this stuff in the begining too! I can see the difference now since Aug 31 as I just go down very, very slowly at my own pace. I am the one who has to do life daily, and need not to add anything that will make it harder for me to do so.

I know it's going to take me a long itme to get off this crap, but who cares, it's a goal that's all.

I was on 60 mg, and I am down to 40 mg minus 20 little beads times four days.
I still have the electrical shocks through my teeth, abd pain, cramping, can't go to the
bathroom, cranky, hyper, but that I don't mind, anxiety does come along with it when I get too hyper, and can't clam down. My skim looks like someone beat the crap out of me, and also I look like a snake shedding it's skin. It is the strangest thing to see.

Please let me know what is going on with you ok??

Debbie

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
Thanks for caring. I accidentally found out what was causing me to go into withdrawal even taking the 60 mg bid. I have been visiting my daughter out of state and I couldn't pack my liquid vitamin. All week I have been without the vit. and no withdrawal symptoms. Yeah. I wonder what is in it that makes the Cymbalta be used up faster than it should be? My next dr appt is in a couple of weeks. I am going to tell her and maybe it was the vit. that is the culpret and I then can actually start a real withdrawal from Cymbalta instead of keep going up. I can't wait to tell her. In the mean time I am going to do some research. Have you heard of this before?

Warm regards,
Cruser

[nursedeborah]

Cruser,
Sorry to hear your having such a hard time. Have you checked out the withdrawl symptom site?
http://prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm

You should read alll the symptoms as it would really blow you away, but also help you too. So
much of what you going through is just the withdrawl symptoms returning again!! Not every-
one stops having them right away, or they do come back after it seems like they have gotten better.

Also each time I even do a small decrease, like 20 beads, I am a mess all over again, and think it will
never stop being like this. This is just one of those drugs that is the hardest to get off of in my
opinion, and I was a drug addict years , and years ago.

I just saw my doc yesterday, and asked him about Prozac, and starting me on it to help with the
withdrawls. This is day 2, so I don't know yet, I do feel better, but I also just went down from
40 mg minus 35 beads to 30 mg.

Good luck at the doc's. Please read the withdrawl symptoms so you will better understand what is
going on with you, and I think you will see why the vit did what they did.

Always here,
Debbie

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
You may have just saved me. In the last 24 hours I have only taken 6omg of Cymbalta instead of the usual 120mg with no ill effects. had thought it strange that after I took my vitamins, the withdrawal would set in. I figured since my liquid vitamins have been flushing so much out, I may not have to start withdrawal until I get to a lower dose. I am in DC now, visiting my children and my daughter is a nurse. I told her what I am doing, so she will be watching with me for withdrawal symptoms. We both read the cite you suggested. I am also taking a handout of it it with me to my next dr appt.

Hope with me that I can start the real withdrawal now.

SO MANY HUGS, you will have had your quota for the year. lol,

Cruser

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
This time I want to focus on you. You are so brave to attempt your withdrawal and I admire you very much. You are awesome! I am sorry you are having to go through so much pain. When I used to whine to my granny, she would say, "if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger". I don't think she ever had to face Cymbalta withdrawal. lol

May all of the healers of the Cosmos guide you through this with the best possible outcome,
Cruser

[nursedeborah]

Cruzer,
I really cn't thank you enough for what kind words you have said to me. I do hope that having the
list of withdrawls form that site will help you while you start to have the withdrawls. Just keep
going back to the list, and saying to your head when it gets really negative, this is just the withdrawls.

Dropping your dose in half? How many days has it been> Also the vit are only to help with the withdrawls
they do not stop them. Like taking Evening of Primrose is for the sweatimg, each is for a symptom.

I don't think your daughter will notice anything really other than you might be irritable, or just strat getting
angry for no reason at all. Also you could just star laughing or crying for no reason too. Are you havimg any-
thing that is hard to deal with at all? No brain zaps , slepp problems, nightmares. Mine didn't start until the
6 th day of my withdrawl, maybe you will just be one of the lucky ones, and won't have a hard time with it at
all.

Let's just think positive for you, ok?

I started teh Prozac 3 edays ago, and also decreased my Cymbalta from 40 mg minus 35 beads, to 30 mg 2
days ago. So far I think the Prozac is helping with the withdrawls. I just want to get off the Cymbalta, and
I won't havee been on the Proxac that long so I will stop that too when I am done.

We will make it Kiddo, just hag close! Your reallly good for me.

Debbie

[cruser28]

HI Debbie,
There is something in my liquid vitamins that was flushing the Cymbalta out of my system. That is why I have have been in daily withdrawal for several years. Everytime I complained to the doctor that I was having brain zaps, she would increase the Cymbalta. This gradually repeated itself until I got to 120 mg. Prior to starting the vitamins, I had been really stable on 30mg for about 2-3 years. Normally I am very sensative to drugs. But I figured out that the culpret was the liquid vitamin. I stopped having brain zaps since I stopped the vitamin and thus was able to cut back the Cymbalta by half for the last two days. I am in day 2 and no return of the daily brain zaps, my urine is turning clear instead of amber. I haven't noticed if my muscle cramping is any less. I am not as quite as thirsty all of the time. I have some memory issues and I haven't noticed any differenece yet. It may not be do to the Cymbalta, but the Fibromyalgia. It is hard for me to tell what is from Fibro and what is from Cymbalta because some of the symptoms are similar. The Cymbalta is for the chronic pain. for years I have been a crabby jerk. I haven't learned yet how to deal with my pain. Someday I hope to. I can't keep taking out my crap on those I love. It tears me up. It is not the real me to be a jerk or maybe it is and I have been in denial.

You have worked so hard and I hope other's have noticed besides me. You deserve lots of adulation.

Warm fuzzies,
Cruser

[nursedeborah]

Cruzer,
Remember to look at the list of withdrawl symptoms!!! They can do things to you muscles, vision,
you name it.
That's so weird about the vit! I do know that Paxil caused Brain Zaps, it happened to me when I was
on it, and I thought I was going insane. I also think being that Cymbalta has such a short half life
that that may have been why you were gettting the brain zaps at the lower dose. They are considering
this drug as addictive to the brain, and it needs more in time, UGH! I know that my doc increased it to
120 mg, but for some reason I ididn't keep taking that massive dose. I was already such a mess by then
from just being on the 60 mg.

I do think that all your being cranky is just the withdrawls, it is on the withdrawl symptoms, I doubt that
you not a wonderful guy. You are always saying such sweet thing to me, and being so very supportive, and
caring too.

I am glad that I did get the Prozac as I can tell it has helped with the withdrawls and also my mental status.
That stuff had me so mental, add the withdrawls I just was not able to do it that way. I had seen that Prozac
did in fact help very much with the withdrawls so I just decided it was time to be kind to muself as I have
suffered now for 4 years due to this crap.

Well let me know how your doing, and remember that when you decreae it does take time for the new withdrawls
to kick in, and they are usually not as bad, or as long as the last time, so the others are experiencing. I just
happen to be extra sensitive to drugs. I can start a new one, and within a few hours know if it will cause me
trouble. With the Cymbalta, well I had something else going on at that time in my life, so I was not able to tell
oneway or the other.

Warm Hugs,
Debbie

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
It is easier to be nice to the people who don't live with you. lol. I try to be nice to my family, but I keep screwing up. My wife doesn't believe it is the Cymbalta. I had her read the symptoms too. She says the proof is in my actions, not my promises to change. I have changed for the better, but not enough. I am working as fast as I can to be good for me and my wife, kids and grandkids. We started counseling this past summer. The counselor is good, but doesn't know enough about Cymbalta or Fybromyalgia. I am educating him and my doc at the same time. Social Security recognizes me as diabled, and I need time to adjust to me not working. I think I was laid off from my last job because of Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms. Previously, I have been successfully employed for many years. This is really hard in many ways.

I also think that you assumed I was a man because of my name. I am gay and have known since my late 30's. I am now 62. I was raised Catholic and was in denial many years. At least that part of me feels whole. My wife and I were legally married in Canada. We have been together for over 21 years.

I have had a few brain zaps today, but I still have less than when I was on 120mg and taking the liquid vitamin.

I wish you lots of success and keep rooting for you. It is so nice to have a friendly voice encouraging me.

HANG IN THERE,

Cruser

[MaureenV]

Hi Cruser,


Catholic guilt eh?

I'm not gay* but I can identify with the guilt bit with other aspects of my life (I'm 57 so same era).

(* Although I did have that vivid dream the other night, where I did change sides....)

Hang in there.

I'm only going from a low dose; was trying to alternate 30mg every second day, which led me to this site. After that I tried 15mg every day, and the difference was astonishing (although I was then quite depressed, so increased the dose to 20mg before dropping back to 15mg again); the withdrawal symptoms whet way, which goes to show that for me at least (so presumably there are others) the same dose taken differently had a dramatically different outcome.


Don't beat yourself up either about feeling as though you should be able to do better reducing doses.

I've noticed a subtle increase in symptoms just dropping 5mg at a time.

take care, Maureen.

[cruser28]

Hi Maureen,
Hang in there! Is the withdrawal getting worse? I am still at 60 mg AM. I am so happy that I am not at 120mg. I will not go any lower until I get back to my home.

Right now I am visiting grandkids. And feel into the Potomic River. It was pretty funny. I then went to another state to visit my Mom and my shoes (the only ones I can walk in without pain) were still wet. I sogged through the Reagan Int. Airport is soggy shoes. I walk like I am drunk any way and then loss my ID between the check-in counter and security. After going through my pockets, purse and wallet 3 times, neither I or security could find it. My stupid brain! Finally someone turned it in. I almost didn't make my plane. It was to leave at 11:15 and I sat in my seat at 11:15. There was a delay on the runway that saved me.

As long as

[MaureenV]

cruser28 said:

Hi Maureen,
Hang in there! Is the withdrawal getting worse? I am still at 60 mg AM. I am so happy that I am not at 120mg. I will not go any lower until I get back to my home.

Right now I am visiting grandkids. And feel into the Potomic River. It was pretty funny. I then went to another state to visit my Mom and my shoes (the only ones I can walk in without pain) were still wet. I sogged through the Reagan Int. Airport is soggy shoes. I walk like I am drunk any way and then loss my ID between the check-in counter and security. After going through my pockets, purse and wallet 3 times, neither I or security could find it. My stupid brain! Finally someone turned it in. I almost didn't make my plane. It was to leave at 11:15 and I sat in my seat at 11:15. There was a delay on the runway that saved me.

As long as

As long as what ... ? Have you fallen into that river again????


I'm trying for the record for the slowest taper. No, the withdrawal effects were very much under control, till even no brain zaps on my last day (the fifth) of 10mg (I went from 20 to 15 to 12.5 to 10, each for up to a week), so decided to split the last 10 into two fives, but the brain zaps, balance, fogginess etc all re-appeared with a vengeance, so am back taking 7.5 for a week before going down to five.

I can identify with your day - just glad I wasn't at the airport!

cheers, Maureen.

[cruser28]

I forgot what I was talking about. I have brain fog with Fybromyalgia. I wish I could figure out a better way to manage my pain than using drugs.

bye,

Cruser

[nursedeborah]

Cruzer,
Yes the name did make me think that, but that's what I get. I also had thought it was odd a guy
having Fibro!!!!

I just now found your message, and so wanted to write to you straight away so you didn't think I was
homophobic, because I am far from it! I just love, and care about people!!!! Practice Random Acts Of
Kindness, that's one of my favorite quotes, also Helpful to Some Harmful to None.

So anyway how are you doing, please let me know, if nothing else send me a private message so I don't miss
your messages.

Love,
Debbie

[cruser28]

Hi Debbie,
I am happy you replied. You have really helped me. I haven't tried any more withdrawal since I have been visiting relatives out of state. I thought it is tough enough to manage without that stress. I am holding at 60mg. How about you? I hope you are feeling great. I will try to send a private note. I have never done it before.
Smiles,
Cruser