3 replies to this topic

[chelsax]

I lost my job a while back and with it, my insurance. I stopped taking Cymbalta because I cannot afford it any longer. I'm on day four and feel like I'd rather go without food in order to refill my Cymbalta prescription. I've had the following symptoms: horrible dizziness, night sweats, aching shoulders, roller coaster emotions, and many more. This morning, I cooked myself breakfast and left the burner on for three hours. When I move my eyes quickly, I hear noises (I can't even describe) and feel like throwing up and falling down. I'm constantly sweating but freezing at the same time and my hands will just start shaking for no reason. One minute I'm fine emotionally, the next minute, I'm crying uncontrollably.

Because I do not have insurance, I really do not have the means to seek medical help with the withdrawl symptoms. Does anyone have any suggestions? At this point, I'd like to crawl into bed and sleep for the next few months until I feel better. Unfortunately, however, I'm not even sleeping at this point because of the aches and the night sweats. Help!!

[barney59]

I lost my job a while back and with it, my insurance. I stopped taking Cymbalta because I cannot afford it any longer. I'm on day four and feel like I'd rather go without food in order to refill my Cymbalta prescription. I've had the following symptoms: horrible dizziness, night sweats, aching shoulders, roller coaster emotions, and many more. This morning, I cooked myself breakfast and left the burner on for three hours. When I move my eyes quickly, I hear noises (I can't even describe) and feel like throwing up and falling down. I'm constantly sweating but freezing at the same time and my hands will just start shaking for no reason. One minute I'm fine emotionally, the next minute, I'm crying uncontrollably.

Because I do not have insurance, I really do not have the means to seek medical help with the withdrawl symptoms. Does anyone have any suggestions? At this point, I'd like to crawl into bed and sleep for the next few months until I feel better. Unfortunately, however, I'm not even sleeping at this point because of the aches and the night sweats. Help!!

Chelsax,

I'm sorry for what you are going thru. Since you are on day 4 without, if you can, I would try to make it on thru this and not go back on it. You can look at my past posts(from Sept. & Oct. of last year) and also I recently posted "Life after Cymbalta, One Year Later", on this thread. You don't mention how long you were taking this drug, but unfortunately, it seems not to matter. Some have only been on it a few weeks, others like me, a few years, but we have all suffered the withdrawal effects. It is a very tough ride. As I have said before, this web-site was my God-send. It made me realize I was not alone, nor was I crazy. What you are going thru is very real. Everyone here has or is going thru the samething. There is alot of great advice within these pages. Take and use what you think will best help you. It has been almost 1 year for me. My last Cymbalta was taken on Sept 18, 2009 and 2 days later I was in full withdrawals. Please remain strong. A good support system (family,friends,doctors)will help you get thru this. The length of time it takes to get thru this varies from person to person. Since you are new to this site, please take the time to read through some of the posts. It will definitely help! You are not alone! Best of luck & stay strong!
Barney59

[SEA - MO]

So sorry you are in this difficult (and common) position, I am also having some issues with the drug, but if you do want to stay on the prescription, Lilly Corp has a program for low income people called Lilly Cares. I had to fill out a small form, provide the latest tax filing showing the income, and have my doctor confirm my prescription and dosage. Your doctor can fax the form and I literally was approved within a week. It allows for 4 months free at a time and you just let your doctor know when you need more and they send it - it has been a lifesaver for me. If you go to search on "Lilly Cares" it is a real easy process and is approved a year at a time.

Best of luck in your journeys - hope this helps a little!
SEA

[kathyl]

I lost my job a while back and with it, my insurance. I stopped taking Cymbalta because I cannot afford it any longer. I'm on day four and feel like I'd rather go without food in order to refill my Cymbalta prescription. I've had the following symptoms: horrible dizziness, night sweats, aching shoulders, roller coaster emotions, and many more. This morning, I cooked myself breakfast and left the burner on for three hours. When I move my eyes quickly, I hear noises (I can't even describe) and feel like throwing up and falling down. I'm constantly sweating but freezing at the same time and my hands will just start shaking for no reason. One minute I'm fine emotionally, the next minute, I'm crying uncontrollably.

Because I do not have insurance, I really do not have the means to seek medical help with the withdrawl symptoms. Does anyone have any suggestions? At this point, I'd like to crawl into bed and sleep for the next few months until I feel better. Unfortunately, however, I'm not even sleeping at this point because of the aches and the night sweats. Help!!

Hello, you will make it through this and you will never forget.
I too had these horrible withdrawals. The brain Zaps were the worst. I also didn't have the RX coverage anymore and eventually had to go off Cymbalta cold turkey. I will not tell you to go off of it or take it. I can only tell you what works for me.
I am on day 13 of cold turkey and follow a very strict daily regiment. I can say that I only get slight sheadaches once in a while and no brain ZAPS!

Here is what I take:
in the morning, I drink Apple Cider, fresh from the produce dept, or I get it right from a farm. This helps detoxify my body.
25mg of meclizine (you can buy over the counter for about $6.00. This helps with the dizzyness. Makes me a little tired in the morning, but I perk up in the afternoon.
12.5mg promethazine ( you need an RX for this, i paid $9.00) This helps with the nausea.
20mg Citalpram (to replace the Cymbalta) I paid $4.00 you need an RX for this.

At night I take : Vitamin E-400 (over the counter) and Fish Oil 1000mg (over the counter)this tells the brain to get rid of the cymbalta.
25mg of meclizine and 12.5mg of Promethazine.

For 13 days since on this mixture of meds and vitimans, I have NOT had one BRAIN ZAP, no nausea , no confusion, no dizzyness.
I have a few bouts of hot flashes (which I can live with) and slight headaches once in a while.

I was willing to try anything after being sooooo sick.
Try this and let me know how you feel.

Heres to health, Kathy