3 replies to this topic

[3daughters]

I've been taking Cymbalta for almost two years. Decided to wean myself off slowly, then quit taking altogether about a week ago. Feel like I have the flu, but the cold sweats are the worst. Can anybody tell me how long this part takes? I've been loading up on the vitamins and supplements. Got to go to work tomorrow, worried about breaking out in awful sweats. This is the worst think I've ever gone through. Might as well been addicted to really bad illegal drugs instead of one that was prescribed.

[Junior]

Hi 3daughters

Welcome to the forum but sorry you have to be here (if you know what I mean).

You didn't say what dose you were on or how slowly you weaned. What I can tell you is that many people here have found that slow weaning is the best way to go. By that I mean 1mg at a time if necessary. I believe the drug companies themselves recommend drops no greater than 10% at a time. How long one needs to stay on a dose before reducing further can differ, as we are all different, but 3 weeks to a month seems to be common. The symptoms you have described .. well it just sounds like you may have weaned a little too quickly for you. It may even be worth going back on a low dose and weaning more slowly.

Another option could be Prozac. Prozac has a longer half life than Cymbalta is said to be easier to get off. Additionally, Prozac only works on serotonin while Cymbalta alters both serotonin and norepinephrine, which means that Prozac can ease the serotonin withdrawal while allowing your body to get used to functioning without the added norepinephrine. Does that make sense?

Good luck
Junior

[3daughters]

Thanks for your reply. I just really really don't want to go on any other type of chemical. I was on 60 mg for almost 2 years. I'm sure I weaned off too quickly but feel that since I've gone this far, I might as well just keep going and fight through it. Sleeping at night is good, thankfully, but with the help of Tylenol PM. The worst part is the cold sweats, other than that I could probably deal ok. Any idea how much longer this will take or if there's more bad stuff to come?

[nursedeborah]

Thanks for your reply. I just really really don't want to go on any other type of chemical. I was on 60 mg for almost 2 years. I'm sure I weaned off too quickly but feel that since I've gone this far, I might as well just keep going and fight through it. Sleeping at night is good, thankfully, but with  the help of Tylenol PM. The worst part is the cold sweats, other than that I could probably deal ok. Any idea how much longer this will take or if there's more bad stuff to come?

3daughters,I didn't want to take anything ever again either, nit after what happened to me withthe Cymbalta. My case is a really bad one with this drug, it ruined everything in mylife mentally/physically. I am glad I did go for the Prozac, just for me, as it wasn'tuntil the 6 th day when all hell really broke loose for me as far as the withdrawls.The thing with the withdrawls, and remember we are all different, they can last 6 mo. to 2years, for some even longer.I do know there are many withdrawls that people have, here's the site so you will know
what is going on with you if you do start to feel something. http://prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm

I just hope to God that's all you get, and you don't end up like some of us do.

Good luck,
Debbie