4 replies to this topic

[chronophobe]

Hi, quick intro maybe?
I'm only 16, and I've been on various anti-depressants/mood stabilizers since I was 14 years old. I've been on (was on?) cymbalta for about a year before I recently (about a month ago) decided I didn't want to take medication anymore. Last Tuesday (March 5th?) I finished weaning off of Cymbalta and well this is what's happened so far. :/

A little over a week later and I've since seemed to have grown out of the physical pains and now am just incredibly moody/iritable/unstable/you name it. I yelled at my younger brother the other morning for trying to use the bathroom, which was ridiculous. Anyways, getting to my point, has anyone else has this? I've stopped having the headaches/body chills/hot flashes/cold sweats/stomach pains so much, with a lot of help from advil, but now I'm really moody and having trouble concentrating for any length of time.
It's nice to be able to stand up straight again without feeling sea-sick, but the moodiness is really getting to me.

Any thoughts/advice/comments?

[Sarah J]

Hey chronophobe, How much were you taking each day when you were weaning? What was your last dose mg?
Some people need to do a really long wean to come off of the Cymbalta successfully, but since you haven't taken any for over a week, Cymbalta technically has left your body, your brain chemistry is trying to readjust.

I can't stress enough that you need to make sure you have a good doctor to talk over your individual symptoms with about how you are feeling. That and your family so they can look over you and make sure you are doing well and support you.

Glad to hear the physical stuff is less with the help of Advil. Cymbalta worked for me for about 9 months really well (took for 3.5 years), so it sounds like at the year point for you, it may have stopped doing the job of helping you. I understand completly not wanting to take medication, but for some people, it is essential. Only you in conjuction with your doctor can decide this.

Yes, I do believe that most of us here experience the moodiness and poor concentration coming off of Cymballta and unfortunately there is no magic number of days to tell you that you will feel better. My doctor says that if you have successfully weaned that you should feel relief the first week and even more the second.

Please be safe, there are many people here who are happy to answer your questions, but please, make sure your doctor and family are aware and there to support you through this.

[schmb01]

Sarah makes a very good point; please be sure that your doctor and family are aware that you have weaned off of this. People under 25 seem to be more sensitive to some of the effects, and it is good to have someone keeping an eye on you. I'm almost 48, and I made sure that my parents, daughter, sisters and nieces, (people I talk to frequently) were aware so that if something seems off, and I didn't notice it, that they would.

The mood swings can be very strange too, because for the time on Cymbalta, our emotions seemed numbed or for me, almost dead. Now that they are waking up, they almost feel like they are in a frenzy! I'm kind of stuck on crabby right now. Just tell yourself when you feel them fluctuating, that it is the DRUG leaving your body, and your brain trying to get back to normal. If it feels really awful, call someone to talk on the phone, or watch something light on TV until it passes. I use an Omega 3 supplement, and it helps too.

Above all, be safe, and if you need medical intervention, get it. You have to do whatever it takes to be safe, and get back to your self.

Sending healing thoughts to you, and please come here when you feel you need to. That has been one of the biggest helps to me, and everyone here is supportive.

[hopeful]

oh yes I feel the same! yesterday I hit my elbow on the wall when I went around the corner and I turned around adn hit the wall back...like it did it on purpose, like hitting the wall would help, like hitting ever helps anything :twisted: :oops: ...and yet I have stomped or pounded at least 6 times today just so overwhelmed with frustration and anxiety. I am on day 9 and like you, the physical is gone but the emotoinal is insane. I was hyper days 6-8, got all spring cleaning done, finally felt better to do things and couldn't sleep, and now day 9 I couldn't quit crying all AM. Went to my therapist who had to calm me down with Lifespan Integration http://www.lifespanintegration.com and I finally could see straight when I left and have been fine the rest of the day. I am fighting with darly hubby every minute for stupid things and sobbing in front of my kid. NOT OKAY!! I am off to see the DR tomorrow to complain and see what else to do. I do feel better than last week physically but oh my...I will do LI again next week and weekly until I settle down. I wouldn't have made it through today if I didn't talk to therapist. :shock:

[schmb01]

oh yes I feel the same! yesterday I hit my elbow on the wall when I went around the corner and I turned around adn hit the wall back...like it did it on purpose, like hitting the wall would help, like hitting ever helps anything :twisted: :oops: ...and yet I have stomped or pounded at least 6 times today just so overwhelmed with frustration and anxiety. I am on day 9 and like you, the physical is gone but the emotoinal is insane. I was hyper days 6-8, got all spring cleaning done, finally felt better to do things and couldn't sleep, and now day 9 I couldn't quit crying all AM. Went to my therapist who had to calm me down with Lifespan Integration http://www.lifespanintegration.com and I finally could see straight when I left and have been fine the rest of the day. I am fighting with darly hubby every minute for stupid things and sobbing in front of my kid. NOT OKAY!! I am off to see the DR tomorrow to complain and see what else to do. I do feel better than last week physically but oh my...I will do LI again next week and weekly until I settle down. I wouldn't have made it through today if I didn't talk to therapist. :shock:

Oh, I know what you mean about the emotions! My poor, poor dog, who is my very best friend, (yes, I'm one of "those" crazy people, LOL) got into the garbage, ate who knows what, and part of a cigarette, which is NOT good! First, I shrieked and chased her around the house, kicked her behind, then whacked her with a shoe! Then, I took her outside and forced peroxide down her throat, (no, I'm not an abuser, this was to make her vomit up the tobacco) and made her stay outside until she finished yakking up everything in her tummy! Ughh, I feel so HORRIBLE!!!! I've spent the rest of the night babying her and feeling so guilty! Seriously, it is a good thing I don't have small children, or I would never be able to do this, or they would have to go away for 2 months! These emotional swings, and the immediate rage is very scary! I just didn't realize how dead my emotions were before, but now it is like they are hyper-sensitive!

I'm glad you are working with a therapist, and have you tried taking an Omega 3 supplement? Although, given my description of my night I have to question if it is working! Between your therapist, and being able to come here to vent, I hope that offers you some comfort. Since we are on the same time frame in weaning it will be interesting to compare notes!

Good Luck!~