9 replies to this topic

[CarolinaGuy29401]

Ok. First, have to say this site has helped me over the past few weeks to at least anticipate what I would be experiencing. Long story short, I have been weening myself off of Cymbalta for the past 6 weeks or so. I went from 90mg to 60 mg for about two weeks, to 30mg for about 2 weeks then to none about a week ago. This past week has been nightmarish - as I have had the withdrawal side effects plus the tail end of a nasty bug that has been going around.

Friends do not always believe the experience I am describing and say it is all in my head. Well I can certainly say it is not all in my head as my body has been experiencing real withdrawal symptoms. Today is 3/11 (my 38th birthday too) and I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to be drug free by my 38th. I have been on some type of anti-med for 10 years and had forgotten I think who I am or was or can be. I switched every so often as there was a new drug out there. Finally last August I went to my Dr. and switched from Effexor to Cymbalta. Had I done my due diligence and read about all of the potential withdrawal side effects I do not thing I would have ever gone on it and would have tried to get off anything back then. As I increased my dosage over the first few months, I was losing a sense of self and as I have read on other sites began to blackout if I had any alcohol. A mere glass or two of wine and I would not remember anything. I was also not liking the person I was becoming once I settled into my 90mg a day. Maybe that was way too much to begin with. It truly seems that the last 6 to 9 months since starting Cymbalta has just been a fuzzy dream - I am hoping it will be like that episode of Dallas where Bobby is back on the show and in the shower and the past year was simply a dream for Pamela. And yes I am certainly showing my age with that reference!!!

I know I am rambling a bit but just feels good to be able to share some of my experiences with those who have either already gone through it or with those who may go through it. Must admit that after my first tapering, I DREADED the day when I would taper down further as the withdrawal side effects were equally as severe for me each time. A week + 1 day of no Cymbalta and not to jinx myself but am at least a little less fuzzy today than I have been for the past 6 weeks. I tried to stay away from friends and family too as I was becoming increasingly cranky and not the nicest of people. I am settling back into myself I think. What helped me the most was simply exercising each day and getting out in the sun. I did try the Benadryl trick and that did seem to help as well. I just did not want to get in the habit of just taking another drug to replace or diminish the side effects of the one I am trying to quit. But there were certain days where it was just nearly impossible to make it through it felt. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and am excited to begin to know me again - sans all the medicine. My depresseion-anxiety was more mild than severe for sure so I can say that I think Cymbalta was never ever the right drug for me.

Best of luck to all those who are trying or contemplating getting off of the drug. And if anyone reads this prior to starting, please carefully carefully read and consider what the side effects are while on the drug and when and if you ever want to come off of it. Ok, will stop writing as there are truly a world of emotions and feelings to convey for what I have been through the past few weeks.

[Sarah J]

Happy Birthday!

8 days of no Cymbalta is a great accomplishment. Hope that you feel more like yourself again really soon.

I never made it past 60 mg. My old doctor tried me at 90 and I felt like it was going to blow my head off. I took it for 3.5 years. Been off for 57 days now, but unfortunately, I had to get the help of another anti-depressant, I could not stop crying. Very low dose that I hope to be off of soon. Prior to Cymbalta, I had never taken an anti-depressant before. Plus, the bad withdrawal information was not out there then, and I went by my old doctors advice who said it was "easy" to stop.

Remember, your experience is not going to be what somebody else's is or was. I hope that yours goes as gently as possible.

[schmb01]

Yes, Happy Birthday!

As Sarah said, each person's experience is different, yet with so many of the same componants. I was lucky not to even vomit or have stomach problems, but I do at times feel very achy all over. When your family and friends say "it's all in your head" you can say, "YES, IT IS!!! MY BRAIN HAS BEEN REWIRED ON CYMBALTA, AND NOW IT IS MISFIRING TRYING TO GET BACK TO NORMAL!!!!!" I sure hope you have some type of positive support while you deal with this.

I think the physical activity and sunshine are great, and you might want to look into an Omega 3 supplement. (a good one) I know that is what is helping me, along with a good protein drink each day.

Just know that we are all here too, so vent when you need to, and good luck!

[CarolinaGuy29401]

Hi. I am replying to my original post to give an update. As of yesterday, it was 5 weeks since I was totally off of Cymbalta. It took nearly 4 weeks for the symptoms to go away - they did decrease with each week. But it feels good (and right for me I should add) to be off of it all for now. Best of luck and wishes to anyone who is trying to do the same thing. I picked up some good tips and tricks on here that were very helpful. Thanks to everyone for their advice!

[schmb01]

Great news! Please if you think of it, pop in now and then to offer support to any new members that are struggling. Stories such as yours offer hope during some pretty dark times. I am so happy for you!

[bristen]

I am having a terrible time after being on Cymbalta - 30mg for 2 weeks, after that I was upped to 60. After TWO days I could not stand for more than 10 minutes at at time. That has been a week ago and I am doing terrible! My pulse while standing is 160. I am exausted and can't even go into work. I have some kind of tremor from my head to my shoulders when I shift my eyes or head that started yesterday. Sitting my pulse is around 120 - still wearing me out - I sleep most of the day. I wake up in sweats, I have been having the chills, brain fog (that is what I call it) - what a nighmare! How long will this last?????

[Sarah J]

bristen - everybody here has some pretty unique experiences, but in the past few days, many people have been posting that they feel better. There is no magic number of days of how long it will last.

Please get to your doctor, walk in facility or emergency room if your standing pulse is still really high.

I am no doctor, but your high pulse sitting and standing might be indicative of a more serious problem other than withdrawal from Cymbalta and other things should be ruled out.

[Sarah J]

Bristen - my old doctor made me feel like I was the only one. When he told me that the way I felt during withdrawal was the the way I felt before Cymbalta, I found a new doctor, fortunately, one who listens.

Sorry you woke up today with bad symptoms. What help/advice has your doctor given to you to help you through this? I hope your doctor work with you and take your very real experiences seriously, especially with the pulse thing.

I posted a link to a forum user who weaned off of Cymbalta by using Prozac - there are some others who this worked for also, but just taking the one dose, but I can't remember where there posts are.
https://www.cymbalta...c.php?f=15&t=88

And another link to a guideline that states that one dose of prozac can help some people through the worst of withdrawal.
http://depression.ab.../withdrawal.htm

[bristen]

That is what I was switched from..Prozac to Cymbalta. As far as my doctor - just told me to take it easy!- my doctor is very popular and always way overbooked. I did post a new headline under "What a nighmare" that explains my whole story. Thank you for talking to me but I would love to be prescription free. The prozac to help sounds good (I have some in my cabinet) but I am terrified to add anything! Thank you a bunch!

[Sarah J]

I understand about wanting to be prescription free. Completely and totally. It was devastating for me to have to take something else to get over the Cymbalta withdrawal. I had never taken an antidepressant before Cymbalta, and did not want to take one to get over the Cymbalta withdrawals, but for me I had to, I am self-employed and was not able to get any work done (right now I am suffering from empty wallet syndrome thanks to Cymbalta withdrawal brain scrambling).

I just hope that you don't have to needlessly suffer and hope that you have some peace and get through this gently and quickly.