21 replies to this topic

[MaureenV]

Im a 30 y.o female. I had been on Cymbalta 60mg for 5 months and was experiencing episodes of irritability and eventually verbally abusing and rage towards my partner. The most recent episode scared the sh.. out of me as I felt like I was possessed. I subsequently took myself off Cymbalta cold turkey. Ive since read all these horror stories and realised this was not a smart move. Im now at day 6 off it and have been fairly well bed ridden with intense migraine style head pain, confusion, drowsyness but cant sleep, and nausea.
Ive seen my doc, who wanted to put me back on it to wean me off, but I figured its too late for that. He has given me Valium to cope, but Im worried about forming a dependancy and then having withdrawals from that too.

Does any one have any suggestions (preferably natural) to cope with the head pain, and how long it lasts?

It's nowhere near too late to take Cymbalta again, and wean off slowly. As your body has now become partly adjusted (at your expense) to the lack of the drug in your system, you may only need 30mg to feel o.k., which you will, very quickly. Once you've adjusted on that dose, you can then wean down slowly, dropping (say) one or two mg at a time, to avoid the symptoms.


regards, Maureen.

[Junior]

I agree with Maureen. Six days off Cymbalta is not long. It takes longer than that to undo the chemical changes it has made to your brain's way of functioning. Going back on it and weaning more slowly is actually the best option.

Regards
Junior

[Ms_M]

After just about 18 mos., I tapered off Cymbalta the way my doctor advised me to. Although as I have read here - it was probably too fast. I went from 60 mg/day to 30 mg/day in one day. That was May 6th. On the 7th I began to experience digestive problems. By the 9th I had a headache that no OTC med would even touch. On the 10th (the day I found this site) I truly thought I was having a stroke or something.

By reading this site - I realized I wasn't having a stroke just the w/d. I have taken many different anti-depressants since 1994. The only other one that was tough to get off of was Paxil and even it wasn't this bad. My symptoms continued to get worse. To really add a little something extra to the week, my bf lost his job on Wednesday (May 12th). Now I believe that was a gift from God (or a higher power-how ever you wish to view it). My symptoms on Thursday (the first full day w/o any Cymbalta) were the worst. I became bedridden. Friday was just as bad. If my bf had been at work, I do not know how I would've survived it.

The good news - since Friday, every day has been a little better. I still get dizzy when I stand up too quickly (I had equilibrium issues before, but this is still unusual for me). My digestion is still messed up. Hey, I'll just say it - I am constipated. Not a very comfortable feeling. The horrific headaches are gone. The bad news I still cannot sleep well. At the same time my doc took me off Cymbalta we changed my sleep meds from Klonopin to Restoril. I don't know if the new sleep med isn't working because of the Cymbalta or it just isn't working with my system. I've tried Melatonin. If I get 3 hours in a row - it is a miracle!

I didn't mention the nightmares... God almighty - those are awful. One of the first docs I had that prescribed anti-depressants said that you have "vivid dreams" when you are getting on, on, and getting off of those meds. I have had vivid dreams for years. Usually they scare me, but I forget them within minutes of waking up. Not with these w/d nightmares... Those are sticking with me - if anyone has ideas on lessening those - I'm all ears.

Anyway, sorry for the long post - but I want people to know it will get better - there is hope. It seems that the amount of time it takes is different. With support here and with friends/family, we can do this.

I hope one day soon I will wake up after a good night's sleep and realize I no longer have any of these symptoms. Thanks for reading.

[MaureenV]

After just about 18 mos., I tapered off Cymbalta the way my doctor advised me to. Although as I have read here - it was probably too fast. I went from 60 mg/day to 30 mg/day in one day. That was May 6th. On the 7th I began to experience digestive problems. By the 9th I had a headache that no OTC med would even touch. On the 10th (the day I found this site) I truly thought I was having a stroke or something.

By reading this site - I realized I wasn't having a stroke just the w/d. I have taken many different anti-depressants since 1994. The only other one that was tough to get off of was Paxil and even it wasn't this bad. My symptoms continued to get worse. To really add a little something extra to the week, my bf lost his job on Wednesday (May 12th). Now I believe that was a gift from God (or a higher power-how ever you wish to view it). My symptoms on Thursday (the first full day w/o any Cymbalta) were the worst. I became bedridden. Friday was just as bad. If my bf had been at work, I do not know how I would've survived it.

The good news - since Friday, every day has been a little better. I still get dizzy when I stand up too quickly (I had equilibrium issues before, but this is still unusual for me). My digestion is still messed up. Hey, I'll just say it - I am constipated. Not a very comfortable feeling. The horrific headaches are gone. The bad news I still cannot sleep well. At the same time my doc took me off Cymbalta we changed my sleep meds from Klonopin to Restoril. I don't know if the new sleep med isn't working because of the Cymbalta or it just isn't working with my system. I've tried Melatonin. If I get 3 hours in a row - it is a miracle!

I didn't mention the nightmares... God almighty - those are awful. One of the first docs I had that prescribed anti-depressants said that you have "vivid dreams" when you are getting on, on, and getting off of those meds. I have had vivid dreams for years. Usually they scare me, but I forget them within minutes of waking up. Not with these w/d nightmares... Those are sticking with me - if anyone has ideas on lessening those - I'm all ears.

Anyway, sorry for the long post - but I want people to know it will get better - there is hope. It seems that the amount of time it takes is different. With support here and with friends/family, we can do this.

I hope one day soon I will wake up after a good night's sleep and realize I no longer have any of these symptoms. Thanks for reading.

Good on you for hanging in there. I think I'd have been back on the 60mg within seconds of realizing it was withdrawal symptoms. Many people who nevertheless have problems getting off completely can actually get down to 30mg without too many problems, and my theory is that they're the ones for whom the first 30mg was doing most of the 'work', ie 30mg was all they would have needed to feel o.k. and the rest wasn't doing much within their system. Just a mad theory.

Yeah, the nightmares are a huge pain. I was on Lexapro and it worked really well for me, but the nightmares were really bad. As you say, most 'bad' dreams disappear fairly quickly, but my Lexapro (and 60mg Cymbalta ones) I could remember chapter and verse for the rest of the day. Some are like me, they're a side effect and go away during weaning, others (more likely, it seems from my reading here) are like you, and they get worse during weaning, but they WILL go away eventually.

As you've suffered so much so far, don't even contemplate any further withdrawal until you're feeling perfectly well on 30mg.

You CAN come of the 30mg of Cymbalta without too many further withdrawal symptoms, but it will mean dropping by no more than 10% at a time (easy to do)and waiting until all (hopefully mild) withdrawal symptoms disappear before dropping again.

If your doctor tells you to take it every second day, beware. For anyone one here who's already suffered withdrawal symptoms this does not, ever, work. All you're doing is taking the drug one day, withdrawing the next. Cymbalta has a short half life, and you can;t 'stretch' it's effectiveness to cover 48 hours.

Read lots of posts here and you'll see how others have done it.


regards, Maureen.

[Ms_M]

I just wanted to offer my help. I had to get off the cymbalta do to financial difficulties. I fould the best way to get off was to taperdown, and also I reaad some other forums on benadryl helping. The benadryl, especially taking it at night time, really helped me. I had such bad vertigo I was falling, and I was sweating like crazy, and crying..alot. It was worse than getting off painkillers when I had back surgery. It took about three months for the intense symptoms to go away, but 9 months to feel like a real person again. If I had a choice I would go back on the meds if I had to, the helped with bad bad nerve pain that I had, BUT I would have rather been informed to a higher level so I would have know what was to come in the form of withdrawl, because honestly..I thought I was having a stroke at the time, and it scared me to death.

I so agree with the part in bold above. I would've still done it, but geez, what ever happened to forewarned is forearmed? I had NO idea what I was in for.

PS - Thanks, Maureen, for your thoughts. I wish I'd known more about the w/d before I went to my doctor. He gave me a week's worth of samples to taper with. I definitely would've asked for some additional help. Especially since his staff is set up to run interference and keeps you from talking to the doctor directly.
At this point, my symptoms are down to the sweating, vertigo/nausea, and crying. The crying seems to have gotten worse in the last few days. It is annoying, but certainly not as difficult as other symptoms.

[div div]

So its been 28 days now cold turkey.

Head aches have gone, I am out of bed and trying to get back into life. I feel like Ive woken from a coma. The symptoms are all but gone, just the occasional "brain zap". Im really sruggling with anxiety but thats why I was put on the damn drugs, so I dont know if its withdrawal related or not. I feel like a guinea pig in some kind of cruel mind game. I just hope things pick up soon.

28 days that totally rocks. Someone finally on here is making a bold move to cold turkey quit. I have to admit that 30 to 0 is way harder than 120 to the mere 30 every other day. Brain zaps only happen durring day. Did you have that problem as well?

[MaureenV]

28 days that totally rocks. Someone finally on here is making a bold move to cold turkey quit. I have to admit that 30 to 0 is way harder than 120 to the mere 30 every other day. Brain zaps only happen durring day. Did you have that problem as well?

Finally??? This board is full of posts from people who've stopped cold turkey. You can't have looked very far.

All the evidence points to those who weaned off slowly being better off six months down the track than those who didn't. Even Eli Lilly themselves advise against cold turkey. It's not a bold move, it's a silly move. Good on those who want to try it, and I'm full of admiration for those who do, but it's unwise, whichever way you look at it.

Many have no alternative, unfortunately.

If you've only had brain zaps during the day, you're perhaps one of the lucky ones who don't suffer too many withdrawal symptoms - they DO exist.

Good luck with the rest of the journey.

regards, Maureen.

[Doob]

Finally??? This board is full of posts from people who've stopped cold turkey. You can't have looked very far.

All the evidence points to those who weaned off slowly being better off six months down the track than those who didn't. Even Eli Lilly themselves advise against cold turkey. It's not a bold move, it's a silly move. Good on those who want to try it, and I'm full of admiration for those who do, but it's unwise, whichever way you look at it.

Many have no alternative, unfortunately.

If you've only had brain zaps during the day, you're perhaps one of the lucky ones who don't suffer too many withdrawal symptoms - they DO exist.

Good luck with the rest of the journey.

regards, Maureen.

I believe you are right about "many not having an alternative".
More and more everyday.
I know I would have tried to ween off vice cold turkey.

Peace
Doob

[Bon Bon 54]

Yesterday was bad for me and benedryl helped alot. took the edge off and helped with sleep. Today I didn't take any. I didn't have the patience to even think of counting the beads in the cymbalta capsules. I am sure the safest and most painless way is to wean off real slowly. Everyone is different. I have always been the type that I have to get it done and get it done now kind of person.
Good luck with your journey.
Hang tough, you can do it.
Bon bon

[beanpoleon]

To paraphrase Lloyd Bridges from Airplane "Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up cymbalta." In school, trying to find a job, potential interviews. Stopped all brain meds last week, from 15 mg to zero. Not wise I know, but if things became unbearable I would take a few milligrams to counter the adverse reactions. For me, and we all react differently, it just never got that bad. Very zappy the first few days, emotional ups and downs, periods of very loud tinnitus and trouble concentrating but nothing overwhelming. Strangely I feel more confidence and joy now, things I never felt on cymbalta. It just made me feel numb. I've got the GAD, SAD and EGADS (exaggerated flair for the dramatic).

[Ms_M]

Beanpolean - I do not mean to laugh but the Lloyd Bridges paraphrase is spot on! Thanks for a little chuckle. All the best in your continued journey.

[beanpoleon]

Thanks for the response Ms_M. How long does it go on for? For me to drop from 60mg to zero took about five weeks. I still have the occasional brain zap and headache but overall most of the symptoms have disappeared. I am in the "not extremely sensitive" group and dropped from 60mg to 30mg without any symptoms. 30 to 15 was harder than 15 to zero.

One strange thing that can be disconcerting is after the drug leaves the body but before the brain readjusts itself is the unpredictability of the withdrawal symptoms. There's no progressive recovery to speak of, some days are much better or worse than others. Day 5 might have you convinced it's over then day 7 kicks you in the nards. One of the links here, and I agree with it, says that cymbalta is not so much a mood altering drug as a mind altering drug.

[Ms_M]

Sadly, Beanpolean, there isn't a hard, fast rule about how long it takes. I took Cymbalta for 18 mos. I went from 60 mg. to 30 mg. a day. I took that for a week, and then nothing else. I had about 4 or 5 really BAD days. Since then, I have felt increasingly better. I am still struggling with sleep issues and dizziness. Also, the sudden rage has come on in the last few days - along with the random crying. Although, I am working through some issues in therapy right now that could be bringing either of those on.

Anyway, so far, it seems the best thing to do is treat symptoms as best you can and ride it out. I wish there was better news for all of us.

[NewPath]

Hello Everyone! I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for 15 months. June 1st I reduced to 30 mg. Friday June 4th I became irritable and left work 1.5 hours early. I work in a high stress environment and good communication is extremely important. After reading the posts I've realized some of the symptoms I have been experiencing. I thought I have an upper respiratory infection with fever and went to the MD monday for a steroid pack and antibiotic. I got a note for work to go back thursday 6-10-10(unpaid sick days) but am a bit apprehensive.a..so many symptoms ...which are withdrawal and about how I will do back at work??? To top it off, my psych doctor wanted me to go cold turkey and I had to beg the nurse for 30mg samples for a month. I've been asking to wean off for at least 6 months...thanks for the heads up guys! The pharmacy was state sponsored and lost funding last month. A lot of things happening at work, financial etc. all at once! Oh well, I can handle it but, I'm sure glad to find this site so I can wean off with more insight.
Mostly, flashes of irritability and then calm. night sweat last night. low grade headache. Thoughts of old history. Lots of leg and back pain. Whew...! I feel better already, thanks for reading. <smile>.

[beanpoleon]

Hello NewPath. "Thoughts of old history". Ah yes, the vivid memories. They can be intense at times, almost like reliving them. They make their way into the dreams as well.

I'm in the same situation as you BigKatt. It's been 20 days since my last cymbalta fix and it seems like the symptoms are never ending. I've been on and off several other antidepressants before but this is unfamiliar territory; by far the hardest withdrawal of any AD. Still zapping with head aches, no rage but damned touchy. I feel like my heart is made of stone one minute then all treacly the next. This may go on for several more weeks, maybe longer. I also feel worse now than I did a week or two ago when I thought it was about over.

[MaureenV]

Hello Everyone! I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for 15 months. June 1st I reduced to 30 mg. Friday June 4th I became irritable and left work 1.5 hours early. I work in a high stress environment and good communication is extremely important. After reading the posts I've realized some of the symptoms I have been experiencing. I thought I have an upper respiratory infection with fever and went to the MD monday for a steroid pack and antibiotic. I got a note for work to go back thursday 6-10-10(unpaid sick days) but am a bit apprehensive.a..so many symptoms ...which are withdrawal and about how I will do back at work??? To top it off, my psych doctor wanted me to go cold turkey and I had to beg the nurse for 30mg samples for a month. I've been asking to wean off for at least 6 months...thanks for the heads up guys! The pharmacy was state sponsored and lost funding last month. A lot of things happening at work, financial etc. all at once! Oh well, I can handle it but, I'm sure glad to find this site so I can wean off with more insight.
Mostly, flashes of irritability and then calm. night sweat last night. low grade headache. Thoughts of old history. Lots of leg and back pain. Whew...! I feel better already, thanks for reading. <smile>.

Hi Newpath,


If you think you have enough Cymbalta, make sure you stay on the 30mg until all the withdrawal symptoms have gone. If you've had this problem getting from 60 to 30 (many don't find that bit too hard) you are going to have to take it slowly and wean down from 30mg once you feel better.

Stay in touch here, too.


regards, Maureen.

[Kimble]

I spent my today the ER, trying to determine if I was having a heart attack, stroke, gall stones....or something worse. I was feeling so horrible-lying on by bed shaking-burning hot then freezing, nauseous, dizziness, light headed, horrible stomach pain, etc. I called my sister to come check on me, we went & had my vitals checked & I was taken to the ER in an ambulance!!! Later when the tests were okay-I did have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat, which I have never had-and after IVs of fluid-I came home, still feeling badly-and remembered I had recently gone off Cymbalta!!! My doctor switched me to another med, but only tapered me for a month off the Cymbalta. I started last week on the new meds (which I love) without any Cymblata. She did not think I would have any withdrawal!!! I had some withdrawals another time, when I could not get the Pharmacists to fill my RX and I thought I was going to die in the drug store! Finally after I was doubled over in pain, crying and dripping wet, they let me have 2 until I could get back to my doctor!

I am still feeling horrible and cannot reach my doctor until Monday. Does anybody have any suggestions that can help me overcome theses dreadful withdrawal symptoms?? I have a bottle of the 60 mg Cymbalta, but I would rather not take one. My doctor weaned me for a month on either 30 or 20mg, but I am obviously NOT weaned enough!I have a wedding tomorrow night that is VERY important, work, etc. and want to find soemthing that will help ease this! I cannot sleep, eat, etc.

I would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, comments!!! Many, many thanks!!!

[MaureenV]

I spent my today the ER, trying to determine if I was having a heart attack, stroke, gall stones....or something worse. I was feeling so horrible-lying on by bed shaking-burning hot then freezing, nauseous, dizziness, light headed, horrible stomach pain, etc. I called my sister to come check on me, we went & had my vitals checked & I was taken to the ER in an ambulance!!! Later when the tests were okay-I did have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat, which I have never had-and after IVs of fluid-I came home, still feeling badly-and remembered I had recently gone off Cymbalta!!! My doctor switched me to another med, but only tapered me for a month off the Cymbalta. I started last week on the new meds (which I love) without any Cymblata. She did not think I would have any withdrawal!!! I had some withdrawals another time, when I could not get the Pharmacists to fill my RX and I thought I was going to die in the drug store! Finally after I was doubled over in pain, crying and dripping wet, they let me have 2 until I could get back to my doctor!

I am still feeling horrible and cannot reach my doctor until Monday. Does anybody have any suggestions that can help me overcome theses dreadful withdrawal symptoms?? I have a bottle of the 60 mg Cymbalta, but I would rather not take one. My doctor weaned me for a month on either 30 or 20mg, but I am obviously NOT weaned enough!I have a wedding tomorrow night that is VERY important, work, etc. and want to find soemthing that will help ease this! I cannot sleep, eat, etc.

I would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, comments!!! Many, many thanks!!!

Hi Kimble,


what's the name of the new drug?

There are some you can take at the same time as Cymbalta, and some you can't.

You can check out interactions first if you wish on the 'check interactions' section of www.drugs.com (thanks to Cookie!)


regards, Maureen.

[Junior]

I spent my today the ER, trying to determine if I was having a heart attack, stroke, gall stones....or something worse. I was feeling so horrible-lying on by bed shaking-burning hot then freezing, nauseous, dizziness, light headed, horrible stomach pain, etc. I called my sister to come check on me, we went & had my vitals checked & I was taken to the ER in an ambulance!!! Later when the tests were okay-I did have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat, which I have never had-and after IVs of fluid-I came home, still feeling badly-and remembered I had recently gone off Cymbalta!!! My doctor switched me to another med, but only tapered me for a month off the Cymbalta. I started last week on the new meds (which I love) without any Cymblata. She did not think I would have any withdrawal!!! I had some withdrawals another time, when I could not get the Pharmacists to fill my RX and I thought I was going to die in the drug store! Finally after I was doubled over in pain, crying and dripping wet, they let me have 2 until I could get back to my doctor!

I am still feeling horrible and cannot reach my doctor until Monday. Does anybody have any suggestions that can help me overcome theses dreadful withdrawal symptoms?? I have a bottle of the 60 mg Cymbalta, but I would rather not take one. My doctor weaned me for a month on either 30 or 20mg, but I am obviously NOT weaned enough!I have a wedding tomorrow night that is VERY important, work, etc. and want to find soemthing that will help ease this! I cannot sleep, eat, etc.

I would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, comments!!! Many, many thanks!!!

Hi Kimble

Sounds like you are having horrible withdrawals and are sensitive to the withdrawal process. Cymbalta is not an easy drug to get off. I know you said you would rather not take any more but I urge you to reconsider. This is not like detoxing off an opiate. This is about your brain function having been chemically altered and NOT coping at this point without the drug. That's not to say that you cannot get off Cymbalta. Just that you need to go very slowly.

I should point out that most doctors seem to be ignorant about the difficulty many people have in getting off a/ds. They think it should be no problem or just take a short time. Some can do this but many cannot.

Please think about going back on the dose you were on before stopping and giving yourself a chance to stabilise before weaning more slowly.

Cheers
Junior

[MaureenV]

Hi Kimble

I am on day 6 of Cymbalta withdraw. After reading these posts I feel very lucky. I have a few flu like symptoms and dizziness. But I have been on 20 mg for 10 months and have decided to cold turkey.

One of the posts I have read to reduce slowly is:

As I am on 20 mg and you can not get 10 mg Cymbalta you can open the capsule into a glass of orange juice. Let sit for 10-15 minutes-stir and only drink 1/2 the juice. Do this for 2-3 days, then only start only drinking 1/3 of the juice every day for 2-3 days, then 1/4 of the juice for a week.

This will give you 1/2 the dose you are on, 1/3 the dose you are on and then 1/4 of the dose for a week- and you can see how you feel from there.

Unconventional I know, but it is sure worth the try.

Good luck to all!

I can't tell you how strongly I would advise AGAINST this.

The Cymbalta beads are slow release. Even if you open the capsule and take the beads on their own, provided they're not damaged on the way down, they're still releasing the drug into your system over a period of time.

By taking the beads dissolved into liquid you're introducing the drug to your system much more rapidly which is crazy with a drug with such a short half life.

regards, Maureen.

[Ms_M]

Your post was more similar to my symptoms than any I have read. I am so glad I found this site as I was having fear that I should go make a Dr's appointment. I am weaning off Cymbalta, and I am having vertigo. I feel like I am on a boat in the ocean all the time. Of course this feeling is making me nauseous too. I try to ignore it but while doing things around my house I have run into walls slightly and cannot maintain my balance completely. Sometimes during driving I have to stop because I am spinning so bad. I can't tell if I am spinning or something around me is spinning. Thank you for this post as it relieves fear of other matters and makes me see this must be withdraw related. I agree that this medication should come with a warning about these problems.

Emily - I don't know if you have seen the suggestion, but Dramamine is great for the vertigo and nausea. It saved me on many occasions during the worst of the w/d.

Good luck.

Michelle

[june43]

Hi Kimble

I am on day 6 of Cymbalta withdraw. After reading these posts I feel very lucky. I have a few flu like symptoms and dizziness. But I have been on 20 mg for 10 months and have decided to cold turkey.

One of the posts I have read to reduce slowly is:

As I am on 20 mg and you can not get 10 mg Cymbalta you can open the capsule into a glass of orange juice. Let sit for 10-15 minutes-stir and only drink 1/2 the juice. Do this for 2-3 days, then only start only drinking 1/3 of the juice every day for 2-3 days, then 1/4 of the juice for a week.

This will give you 1/2 the dose you are on, 1/3 the dose you are on and then 1/4 of the dose for a week- and you can see how you feel from there.

Unconventional I know, but it is sure worth the try.

Good luck to all!

I really don't think that taking the beads out of the capsule is a very good idea. It is an extended release capsule for a reason and the capsule dissolves slowly in your stomach and disperses the medication throughout the day. Drinking it in a glass of juice puts it all into your system too quickly and it probably is out of your system too quickly as well.

Just a thought! ; )
June