14 replies to this topic

[Help123]

Hey guys! This is my first post and after going through quite a few of the other posts I didn't see much help other than finding people in the same predicaments I was in and negative postings that weren't really what I was looking for. I've been off Cymbalta for 6 days now. Here's my story on it (skip down to the juicy stuff if you're short on time):

My story: I had an anxiety attack for the first time in my life on March 27th, 2009. I didn't know what the hell it was and thought my body was telling me it was turning in its notice and was quitting. I ended up in hospital where they told me all I was having was an anxiety attack. I told them that was bullshit. I am the classic "macho" business guy that takes care of things and works even when he's not working. Apparently that was my problem. I ended up hitting a brick wall I didn't see coming. I went to 7 doctors in 5 days searching for answers; all the while the severe anxiety would not subside. Aside from family members driving me to doctors, I stayed indoors shaking uncontrollably at the unknown for a week straight. I ended up with 1 therapist, two GP's and 1 psychiatrist all working from different angles but with the ultimate conclusion of me needing to be put on Cymbalta with a side of daily Klonapin. What a diet! I spent the next year rediscovering myself. My goal was to find out all the what, why and how's of me and my mind. The therapist turned out to be just someone to give me a hug every week and take my money. Pretty much useless. I lucked out with a really intelligent psychiatrist though and tapped him for everything I could. I saw him once a week but wanted more. The stimulating conversations about life and why I felt the way I felt about situations amazed me. So many metaphors were used during those sessions that I think we could write a book about them and be loaded! An hour a week wasn't enough but with all the money I was already spending, I took it upon myself to just expand on our discussions in-between. I figured out that after all these years, I never REALLY knew me. All the little things in my life that affected me and how I control myself, it was all alien to me until now. One day it was like a light bulb turned on: I understand why I was anxious/depressed in the first place and there was no need for it. Now cymbalta is my crutch and there is no need for that either. I asked to come off of it and he agreed I was ready. I guess this is where I must make the disclosure that I was “anti drugs” to start with and wanted off them as soon as I started them which prolonged my therapy. I had to accept being on them first, figure myself out, and then get the hell off them as quick as possible.
Juicy Stuff:
So here was the game plan: I was on 60mg daily dose for about a year, then went down to 40mg for 1 month, then 20mg for 1 month and now to 0. I was on, and still take, 0.5mg klonapin and topomax daily but that will be done in 3 weeks (per my plan we agreed to). I had to take my meds at night because I have an incredibly demanding job so my last dose was taken Monday night.

The Side Effects: I starting feeling the side effects by Wednesday morning (Day 1.5). It started out with a dizzy feeling. It was bearable for the day but I ran into a wall or two at the office. By the end of Wednesday I was having trouble concentrating on spreadsheets and the dizzy feeling was getting far worse. I should actually preface this with the fact that I had experienced occasional dizziness during the tapering down process but it wouldn't last long at all. I was becoming irritable and impatient with people at this point too.

Thursday (Day 3) I couldn't even drive to work (45 minutes away). The brain zaps had started. I can describe the whole dizziness and brain zaps as the feeling of having 3 drinks too many but being 100% aware of your loss in coordination and not enjoying it followed by a very low grade tazer gun being shot in the back of my head every 5-15 seconds. It worried me enough to go to my GP to get a full blood work up, quick heart check, blood pressure, etc. I figured better be safe than sorry. I knew I would experience withdrawals but didn't expect the complete lack of being able to walk straight. Everything checked out well with the exception of my cholesterol being a tad high for the first time in my life. No biggie there.

Friday (Day 4) I went to work but took the back roads and drove REALLY slow. I should have stayed at home but like I said, I have a demanding job and apparently I’m an idiot for risking my life on the road and everyone else. I am very disappointed that I didn’t work out an alternative to getting to work because I could have really hurt myself or worse, hurt someone else. In any case, coordination was off all day and I was highly and easily aggravated with people. My aggression was scaring even me. I reacted quick to tell someone they were wrong or an idiot and then by the end of the day I found myself crying in my office on my own for absolutely no reason. Ladies and gents, I don't cry! What the hell!

Saturday (Day 5), no change in the brain zaps or dizziness at all. Emotional state was still a little off. I probably could have cried if I saw a leaf drop off a tree and then turned around and put a guy’s head through a wall for not opening a car door for his wife. Yes, that much of an emotional swing. Fun times. It wore down through the day though. I made the discovery of the week though at this point: HAPPY THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS MADE THE SYMPTOMS SUBSIDE. I'm not joking about this guys. I looked at my lab puppy and he warmed my heart as he curled up next to me with a playful look on his face and everything cleared for a minute. I took that bit of enlightenment and expanded on it. I took him over to my friend’s house who also has a dog and socialized for the night and played with the dogs. I felt great. All symptoms subsided to near nothing!!

Sunday (Day 6) I woke up this morning back with the withdrawal symptoms but a little less than they have in previous days. Now I'm taking the time to plan my week out because I'm confident that I am going to be over this completely within a couple more days. Even if I'm not, then I will be telling myself it will only be a couple days more after that. It's not the end of the world and there are people with far bigger problems than what I am dealing with right now. I’m sticking with this whole “keeping positive thoughts and doing things I love” thing going on and it is really helping in coping with the withdrawal symptoms instead of sitting on the couch and feeling sorry for myself.

The light at the end of the tunnel for me right now is worth huge sacrifices so I keep reminding myself of that. I want to get back to being ME and get on with my life without drugs dictating how the chemicals in my brain should be working. The mind is incredibly powerful. I respect mine and learn from my experiences to keep growing as a person. I will continue to see my psych doc for a short time more just for what I'm gaining from the psychotherapy sessions (I hate that term-it makes it sound so bad).

In any case, I will post up a better summary once I'm done including weight issues and how they had changed pre and post cymbalta as well as social interactions and self esteem. More people need to do this because I went into this whole roller coaster ride blind and if someone would have been there to be a guiding light and let me know it's not the end of the world, I would have been back on my feet far quicker. It's hard to always trust and have faith in what is said coming from a doc who is in the business of having sick people around. They do have the medical knowledge of what is supposed to do what but we have the experience.
Great website!!!

[Brandie]

Hi Mike,

I have been off this for 3 days now and feel like I am going to die. The dizziness is awful. Makes me have a horrible stomach ache and all I want to do is sleep. How long will this shit last??!!! My gosh I'm sorry you're going through this too, but happy to see Im not the only one. Good to see that at day 6 it does seem to get a bit better. Had I known this would happen I never would have taken this from the get go. Best of luck to you.

Thanks!
Brandie

[Ms_M]

It will/does get better. It may take longer for some, but it gets better. I thought I was "over" it only to have a relapse. I will say this about the relapse - not nearly as severe as the first round. Just hang in!!

[necessary824]

I'm readin this and crying. First, because I'm not alone! What a great feeling. I thought I was! Second, because I'm on day 7 and I'm an emotional roller coaster too. I'm so glad I found this site! Please keep posting your daily progress.

Stephanie

[Ms_M]

Things are still ok here - I have had a bout with a stomach virus. It was so random and sudden, I don't think it was Cymbalta. Seems more likely dinner didn't agree with me... Anyway, other than that, I feel good. Every day it gets a little better. Keep hangin' in and be strong!

[Marie]

Hi Mike
How are you doing? It sounded like you were going to make it. And it is so encouraging. Let us know.
I am on to my second try of getting off this evil drug. I am sick and dizzy and hoping that in a few days things will be better.
Best wishes.
Marie

[nomorecymbalta]

I am going to see my Doctor today and ask how to get off this drug. If she tries and talk me out of it I am going to try it on my own any way. I guess I will start to cut down slowly. I have found when I missed a dose which I try to never do, i have very bad dreams all night and feel like crap all day at work the next day.

I am really scared on how this is going to effect my job next week and I am wondering if I should ask for a week off for medical reasons.

I went to the health store yesterday and talked to some of the ladies there that really seemed to know their stuff. One of them suggested I try a natural product that enhanses the mood, she said she used it all the time ( that could just be a sales pitch who knows) but my friend bought a bottle. I was afraid to start on something until I got off the Cymbalta because they could effect each other. The natural product was something (basil)can not quiet remember the name. Which is not unusual for me since going on Cymbalta, I forget things and that has really impacted my job, I joke and say oh I am getting old but I am just turning 50 and should not be this forgettful, so i have had enough of these medications, i am getting clean off them and start a healty diet with excerise. I think the Doctors are prescribing these medications way to easy, no testing, no questions, just oh here you go this will help every thing.


So I will keep you posted, hopefully i will be able to cope.

[MaureenV]

I am going to see my Doctor today and ask how to get off this drug. If she tries and talk me out of it I am going to try it on my own any way. I guess I will start to cut down slowly. I have found when I missed a dose which I try to never do, i have very bad dreams all night and feel like crap all day at work the next day.

I am really scared on how this is going to effect my job next week and I am wondering if I should ask for a week off for medical reasons.

I went to the health store yesterday and talked to some of the ladies there that really seemed to know their stuff. One of them suggested I try a natural product that enhanses the mood, she said she used it all the time ( that could just be a sales pitch who knows) but my friend bought a bottle. I was afraid to start on something until I got off the Cymbalta because they could effect each other. The natural product was something (basil)can not quiet remember the name. Which is not unusual for me since going on Cymbalta, I forget things and that has really impacted my job, I joke and say oh I am getting old but I am just turning 50 and should not be this forgettful, so i have had enough of these medications, i am getting clean off them and start a healty diet with excerise. I think the Doctors are prescribing these medications way to easy, no testing, no questions, just oh here you go this will help every thing.


So I will keep you posted, hopefully i will be able to cope.

Just be aware that many doctors have only the info from the drug comanies to go by, and in this case, Eli Lilly do not offer them adequate information on how difficult withdrawal can be for SOME people. Many doctors have had several patients come off Cymbalta without difficulty, so also take that into account. If you're one for whom missing a day was problematic, it's wise to do what you're going to do, and come off slowly.

You can go as slow as you like. Some people have taken a year to get off so that they had no withdrawal symptoms.

And stay in touch here, regards, maureen.

[Help123]

Well folks, I'm back with great news. All is well and great!! Here is some more news on my progress:

Day 7: I woke up feeling amazing! There was slight dizziness but the brain zaps were barely there which made me really happy. My energy levels had increased tenfold. I took it easy and didn't get back into the gym right away but did work out at home that evening for the first time in 7 days and felt great.

Day 8: I'm a new man! Dizziness is the only thing left and it is very rare. It only hits me for a second when I walk into a different room with a much cooler temperature. It doesn't even bother me. The emotional swings have subsided as well as the aggressive behavior. I'm FAR more outgoing and excited about just about anything. This is the feeling I have been looking forward to for so long! I went to have dinner and drinks with some friends and did find out I am a cheap drunk all of a sudden it took less than half of what I would normally drink while on the meds to get a buzz. I took the safe route and stopped while I was ahead until I know I'm completely out of the woods.

Day 9-10: Same deal...No relapses of symptoms of any sort. My workouts have been better than anytime while being on the medication. I can socialize better than I have ever before too without a bit of anxiety. I can literally go on CNN and talk about something I have no idea about and be comfortable with it. That's how great I feel.

Day 11-12(today): The "high" of coming off the medicine is coming down a bit and I'm getting back to being productive and getting things done in my life that need tending to. I'm incredibly productive. No more wanting to take a nap in the middle of the day anymore and I sleep hard every night. It's refreshing. I continue to see my psychiatrist weekly to monitor my progress and get things off my chest. It's a critical part for me in my progress and I firmly believe in it.

My biggest suggestion to all those folks out there that have just been thrown on this medication by GP's, see a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy (psychoanalysis) is far more effective than attempting to go at it on your own or researching things on the internet. A good psychiatrist will get to the bottom of things for you and come up with game plans to face your fears, overcome them, discover youself, structure your lifestyle, etc. all for the better of your mind and life. I won't lie, it's cost me a pretty penny over time but so has the meds. My co-pays were $40 and I went 4 times a month. However, I was also on $100/month of medicine which was insane. Now all that money is going to things that are going to get me out in the world and back into the social arenas I love with sports and activities.

Keep with it guys. It's rough coming off of it but make sure you have some close friends/family that know what you are doing so they can support you through it. One other thing that I did, especially during the first 7 days was I had a family member agree to allow me to text them on every thing I did so they knew where I was at all times. It took some of the edge off of thinking "what if my body gives in again during this withdrawal process". It was a good psychological approach that worked for me. Plus my family member liked it because obviously they care for me and wanted to be sure I was safe at all times.

Let me know if anyone needs anymore advice.

[Help123]

More worth mentioning: It's was really important for me to focus on the positive side of everything. I would recognize the negatives and deal with them as needed but made sure not to dwell on them. I kept telling myself that I cannot feel sorry for myself in any way, shape or form during this process. My brain and body are going through a reset type of process and it needs these bumps. I took all the positive sides of things and focused on them as much as possible. Working out helped out too. Even if you aren't an active person, get a stationary bike off of craigslist for $50 and sit in front of the TV at night and just peddle for 20-30 minutes while you're watching your favorite show. You'll feel so much better afterwards. While you're at it, take the opportunity to change your diet, focusing on a new lifestyle completely will really help in pushing you forward. I'm coming up with new recipes and cooking healthy meals all the time which occupies my mind and time. I don't have time to think of anything negative.

[QtKira]

Hey Mike,

Sounds like you are doing amazing. This is very encouraging. I too am focusing on the positive. Even though I feel a bit weird right now, it is nothing compared to what others are going through. The only thing I am really doing "wrong" at this point is that I have not tole anyone that I ran out of my meds. I belive I can get through this tough time and the last thing I need is my family (although I love them) telling me how I really should be taking Cymbalta. Keep up the good work!

[Help123]

Best of luck to you QtKira!

[Help123]

Update:

Day 13-16 I grouped them together because it's pretty much singing the same tune all 4 days. My energy levels have come down a bit more but I have had a really full plate with work and physical activities so I'm chalking it up to those two. My outlook is still positive and I'm still able to maintain focus and get things done. I've lost 4 pounds so far which is also encouraging. The brain zaps (the worst part of the whole process in my opinion) have definitely not returned and my sleep continues to be better than ever. The aggressive behavior (being an ass) has subsided to next to nothing.

[Rarod]

Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress! I'm on Day 1 of no Cymbalta. My dr. had me take 2 prozac (20 mg) along w my 30 mg Cymbalta daily for 3-4 days, then stop Cymbalta & take just 2 prozac for 3-4 days, then take 1 prozac for 5-7 days then stop. I sure hope this works! Once I forgot to take mine for 3 days and felt like all have expierenced on here....it was horrible! This time I feel better prepared as in what to expect and my hubby is aware of it as well. I'm so thankful to have found this forum!

[Lundeliz]

Rarod, Please let us know how it goes. I'll be very interested to see how this

works for you. How long were you on Cymbalta? I wish you best of luck,

and hope it's smooth sailing.