4 replies to this topic

[ratdog]

Hi,
Three days ago my doc told me to stop taking Cymbalta 30mg and switched me to Bupropion HCL XL 300 mg. I have not had hardly any sleep since then, I feel upset and angry, or almost ready to cry! I am a 44 yr old male. I dont think I can stand much more, I gave in and took one of my Cybalta pills 30 min ago. When I do sleep, its crazy dreams, I seem to live in the bathroom now. Last night I took 100mg of Benedryl and still almost no sleep. My legs feel twitchy, like I would enjoy kicking a wall or something. My hands are shaking. I just want to calm down, relax, and sleep. Thanks for listening.

[schmb01]

First, you may want to let your doctor know how you are feeling, and talk to him about doing a slower wean from Cymbalta. It is made in 20 mg caps, but you can also empty portions of the 30 mg out, and kind of eye ball it at a 1/3 at a time. Stay at each lower dose for a week or until you feel less agitated, then reduce again. But, be sure your doc is looped in.

Second, I took Wellbutrin and it made me feel jittery, so that, in conjunction with the withdrawal you are experiencing can be a nasty combination. Take a look at some of the other posts here, regarding what others have done to help them wean off of Cymbalta.

Third, benedryl worked well for many people, but you may be one, like I am, that gets agitated instead of sleepy on it. I tried to use it the first few days, and I think it actually made me feel worse, regarding heart palpitations and general anxiety.

Your doctor is your best advocate if you have a good relationship with him. Please let him know that you took the full 30 mg in addition to the Wellbutrin, to make sure that it is medically safe to take them both. I don't know much about what drug cocktails are okay and not okay.

[lhaines1012]

I am 7 days cold turkey from 90 mg Cymbalta after about 3 years I am taking 10 mg Lexepro. Everyday has been an adventure, body aches, crawling skin, what I call "fishbowl head" my head feels full of water and like my eyes are floating around and I get dizzy when I move them. I know it will get better because I am a 43 yo female and have been doing this with the antidepressants since I was 19, so hang in there, don't give up and it will get better.

[schmb01]

I am 7 days cold turkey from 90 mg Cymbalta after about 3 years I am taking 10 mg Lexepro. Everyday has been an adventure, body aches, crawling skin, what I call "fishbowl head" my head feels full of water and like my eyes are floating around and I get dizzy when I move them. I know it will get better because I am a 43 yo female and have been doing this with the antidepressants since I was 19, so hang in there, don't give up and it will get better.

Oh, cold turkey from 90 mg is a big jump, so please, please be very careful! I did that in a week, and thought I was fine, only to have a huge crash and burn. It sounds like you've some expereince with this, so you won't be surprised, but just know that the physical ramifications can be very nasty. I thought I was having a heart attack and a nervous break down all at once! So, just my 2 cents worth of caution!

Babby

[jeff3298]

Ratdog,
Talk to your doctor now and tell him/her what is going on and what to do about it. Remember it is not you, it is this drug that is causing this and causing these thoughts and actions. I am 49 and I understand what you are going through, hang in there and keep coming back here and posting and reading others post and replies.

You are NOT alone in this.
It is NOT you, it is this drug!