Hello. Thank you so much for this website, which has provided me with a lot of useful information. A few facts about my husband:
- Was on 30 mg for approx. 4-1/2 years. Prescribed for chronic pain.
- Could not tolerate generic when it first came out a couple years ago (severe nightmares) and went back to brand-name as soon as insurance approved it.
- Did approx. a 2-month taper by bead-counting this past fall. Last day for any beads at all was December 10, 2015
- Reason for taper was severe jerking and twitching during sleep, which I read could be caused by Cymbalta. Jerking, twitching are much better now, but are still present at a lower level. He was also having a lot of nightmares, which have also eased, but not completely gone away.
- Taper went reasonably well, with side effects mainly of irritability and anxiety each time the dose was stepped down.
So now, more than a month later, my husband has the following symptoms:
- Waves of heat/hot flashes, but temperature is normal when I take it. This is the symptom that he finds most bothersome. It makes him feel weak and debilitated.
- Intermittent nausea. Was worse at first, but is better the last couple of days. Still happening, though.
- No appetite. Losing weight because of that.
- Headaches. Better yesterday. Not sure how he is today (still sleeping). I think headaches were more connected with a sinus infection than anything else (treating that now), but certainly could be the Cymbalta withdrawal.
- Intermittent mild abdominal pain.
- Lots of gas, belching, etc.
- No energy whatsoever. Sleeping a lot.
- Irritable.
- Sensitivity to noise, even to a mildly raised voice.
- Sense of smell is very acute.
He says he has not felt well for even one day since he stopped the drug. My observation is that his symptoms are either new or worse now that he is completely off the drug than they were when he was tapering.
Question: Has anyone had similar symptoms 4 weeks out from finishing a taper? How long did the symptoms last? I think if I can give my husband some hope he will get better, he can deal with this a little better. But right now, he is feeling pretty desperate.
Thank you so much for your kindness and for this website!