Cymbalta Withdrawal

After 3 1/2 weeks of being sick, I think I and my doctor may be finally starting to unravel the mystery. It seems that I am dealing with the perfect storm of contracting a "bug" while I was beginning to wean off of Cymbalta. I was on 60 mg. The initial wean off plan was to go to 30 mg for 2 weeks then stop. Days 1 - 3 were sore throat, body aches, fatigue, very sleepy...probaly just a bug. Then the nausea set in followed by a slight congestion, constant headache, occasional shosrtness of breath, and a jittery sensation. After 2 weeks, I went to the dr. but only mentioned the constant sever headache as a complaint becuase the other sysmtoms were so itermittent. He prescribed an antiobitoic for a sinus infection since there was some congestion and the location of my headache with symtomatic of sinus isssues. Then, the antiobotic caused diarrea and stomach cramping, so I stopped it. However, the jitters, shortness of breath, frequnet clammy sweats, knots and tightening in my stomach continued PLUS I have just felt so "sick". Yesterday, I went back to the doctor and when I presented all my symptoms, he suspects the culprit is most likely cymbalta withdrawal, perhaps combined with the bug. He suggested I try 20 mg for a month and see what happens with the side effects.

Today I decided to go online and found this site to me the most rational and helpful. I have been treated on and (thankfully mostly off) for depression for about 8 years. I have taken light does of prozac and lexapro with absolutely no side effects from withdrawal. My dr. descsribed the jitters, shrotness of breath and sweats as "anxiety attacks". I find it interesting that the withdrawals from this drug have created symtoms that I never experienced with untreated depression.

I would also like to mention that my daughter has suffered from deep depression and major anxiety for 12 years, begining at age 16. She has been om meds the entire time. We have been through a lot but I will not bore you with the details. Except to say, that I want my daughter back! Her life is like a dialtone. She has no interests, can't hold down a job, is lazy, unmotivated, sleeps all the time and I now beleive that these meds are impairing her judgement. Next week, we are going to see a homeopath to seek alternative treatment to these oppresive drugs (curently paxil, lexapro, zanax). If you like I will keep you posted.

I wish each of you all the best in dealing with your depression and withdrawl from Cymbalta.

I took Lexapro for about 6 months. When I switched to a new MD, and at our second meeting, she told me that I seemed to be lifeless and flat, and that she suspected Lexapro. I will say, I didn't feel any stress while on it, in fact, she hit it right on the head; I felt almost nothing. Once I quit taking it, and changed to something else, I felt better. Maybe that is part of your daughter's problem. I only have mild to moderate depression, and had I known what Effexor, and then Cymbalta would do to me, I would have called it good when I quit the Lexapro.

Today is day 1 without any Cymbalta for me. Good Luck to you, and yes, please keep posting to update on what you are doing, and how it is going. I'm trying to do that as well, as I think it is so helpful to others. I was so relieved to know other people had the brain zaps that I am getting. Not that I wish them on anyone else, but it made me realize I wasn't losing my mind.

"I find it interesting that the withdrawals from this drug have created symtoms that I never experienced with untreated depression." This statement also really hit home with me! I was just saying the same thing to a family member!

I appreciate your input. May I ask for clarification of "maybe that is part of your daughter's problem"?