Jump to content



Photo

List Of Symptoms


  • Please log in to reply
19 replies to this topic

#1 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 26 September 2010 - 09:30 PM

I started weaning slowly 5 months ago. Started at 60mg, now I am down to 11mg. These have been my symptoms. Some have been frequent, some have appeared a few times or only once or twice.

EMOTIONAL:
-Mood Swings. I´ll describe the ups and downs.
-Downs: Feeling depressed, dark , helpless, worthless, lack of motivation to do anything
-Ups: Happiness, calmness, laughing more, enjoying things more, more sociable and talkative. Super energized couldn´t stop cleaning and organizing things.
-Anxiety: (agitation, anguish, racing thoughts, palpitations). Also social anxiety
-Uncontrolable laughter, anger and crying spells.
-Overwhelmed by emotions. More vulnerable. (Example watching a movie)
-Hypochondria: thoughts that I wouldn´t be able to walk, hear.
-Weird thoughts: someone is putting poison on my drink
-PMS worsen symptoms
-Insomnia
-Vivid dreams
-Depersonalization
-Suicide thoughts/images (not frequent)

BRAIN FUNCTIONING:
-Difficulty finding words to talk. Hard to remember names of people and places.
-Lightheadedness (disconnected feeling, weightless brain)
-Mind goes blank.
-Seizures
-Sounds. Ex: bell ringing
-Sensitivity to noises and light
-Mind feels more clear

PHYSICAL:
-Electrical sensations throughout the body (head, arms, leg, neck, spinal cord, back)
-Itchiness, numbness in hands. Needles sensation in head and body
-Breathlessness/Shortness of breath. Lungs feel cold and soar.
-Stabbing nausea and stomach pain (when waking up), diahrrea, wanting to vomit.
-Changes in appetite. Extreme appetite at night. Extremely thirsty
-High blood pressure (middle of the night, mornings)
-Flu like symptoms
-Lack of energy, weakness
-Sleepiness
-Headaches (at night)
-Dizziness
-Excessive sweating, feeling extremely hot, chills (at night)
-Extreme hair loss
-Clenching my jaw
-Excessive bleeding during period
-Sensitive skin (feet), easily bleeds.
-Redness on face
-Blurry visión

#2 Riley

Riley

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
  • why_joining:
    I am withdrawing from Cymbalta. :(

Posted 27 September 2010 - 01:04 PM

Thank you for this list of your symptoms!!!

#3 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 03 October 2010 - 10:07 PM

Thanks for the symptom list! I didn't know what was going on, for me, had hot flashes, increased heart rate with little activity, fatigue, no energy, and mostly nausea, heartburn, pains in abdomen, diarrhea. No depression, a little anxiety as I am ready to wean off of the Cymbalta. I just opened capsule and emptied half of my 30mg dose, and am on my 2nd week. Been taking for 1 year, last 7 months on 30mg. Psychiatrist recommended opening capsule to wean, and emptying 1/2 the contents out, but I don't measure amount. It's about the same by where it sits in the capsule with each emptying. I knew the symptoms were from weaning, they couldn't be anything else. Hope it doesn't stay like this, yikes, it's not as bad as others, yet anyway. If there are any further recommendations, please offer advise, and thanks again.



Dear Deb:
The only recomendation I have is nutrition and exercise. Eating healthy is very important to guarantee that the body receives all the nutrients. I am also taking a multivitamin that contains B-complex. I try not to take additional medicines for the withdrawal symptoms, because if I do, I won´t know what exactly is causing the symptoms, if the lack of cymbalta, the new medicine or the combination of both.

#4 Nannyfor3

Nannyfor3

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
  • why_joining:
    Went off cymbalta over oct-nov and had/still having horrible side effects

Posted 07 December 2010 - 03:39 PM

Thanks for listing your symptoms!! I am 5 weeks off of cymbalta. I had been having extremely high blood pressure and rapid heart rate...all of my tests have been normal in trying to figure out the cause. After reading all these posts I am convinced it's because of the cymbalta! My blood pressure was high in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning too! And my pulse will sometimes be racing when I'm just sitting still...as right now!!
Are you just riding out your symptoms or what are you doing?

#5 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 08 December 2010 - 12:33 AM

Thanks for listing your symptoms!! I am 5 weeks off of cymbalta. I had been having extremely high blood pressure and rapid heart rate...all of my tests have been normal in trying to figure out the cause. After reading all these posts I am convinced it's because of the cymbalta! My blood pressure was high in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning too! And my pulse will sometimes be racing when I'm just sitting still...as right now!!
Are you just riding out your symptoms or what are you doing?



Dear Nanny:
I am not completely off the medication. I am still on 4mg weaning very slowly. I am not taking any other medication to treat withdrawal symptoms. All I do is watch out my nutrition and exercise. I only take a multivitamin and eat super healthy. Since I started weaning I´ve noticed rapid heart rate.

#6 Nannyfor3

Nannyfor3

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
  • why_joining:
    Went off cymbalta over oct-nov and had/still having horrible side effects

Posted 08 December 2010 - 11:21 AM

I weaned for two months then completely stopped two weeks before I had surgery nov 18. Still having high blood pressure and rapid heart rate.

#7 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 09 December 2010 - 06:03 PM

I weaned for two months then completely stopped two weeks before I had surgery nov 18. Still having high blood pressure and rapid heart rate.


Norepinephrine is related to heart beat rate. I am also still having rapid heart rate. I don´t want to add any new pills to treat symptoms. But I do not know if there is any danger in not treating the high blood pressure???

#8 Nannyfor3

Nannyfor3

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 9 posts
  • why_joining:
    Went off cymbalta over oct-nov and had/still having horrible side effects

Posted 09 December 2010 - 08:06 PM

Norepinephrine is related to heart beat rate. I am also still having rapid heart rate. I don´t want to add any new pills to treat symptoms. But I do not know if there is any danger in not treating the high blood pressure???


My heart rate and blood pressure seem to be coming back down. I think it depends on how high your blood pressure is and maybe for how long. I think if it gets up to stroke level you can have a stroke even if it hasn't been that high for that long. I don't think my Dr knew about these side effects of the coming off cymbalta. He seemed to acknowledge that high blood pressure could be a cause of stopping suddenly as I did. I was focused on getting it down so I coudl have a surgery I was already prepared for. So I did go on a med to make it come down. Today my anxiety finally seems to be lowering. It has been uncontrolable and extreme....I am still having some issues but it seems more to be in spurts instead of all the time. Like before I would just think something like 'oh I need to get to bed'...and then my heart would start pounding...pulse would go to like 130...it was crazy! I'm glad my other symptoms have all gone away for the most part. I was having some dizziness today but nothing like the first two weeks I stopped.

#9 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 09 December 2010 - 08:57 PM

My heart rate and blood pressure seem to be coming back down. I think it depends on how high your blood pressure is and maybe for how long. I think if it gets up to stroke level you can have a stroke even if it hasn't been that high for that long. I don't think my Dr knew about these side effects of the coming off cymbalta. He seemed to acknowledge that high blood pressure could be a cause of stopping suddenly as I did. I was focused on getting it down so I coudl have a surgery I was already prepared for. So I did go on a med to make it come down. Today my anxiety finally seems to be lowering. It has been uncontrolable and extreme....I am still having some issues but it seems more to be in spurts instead of all the time. Like before I would just think something like 'oh I need to get to bed'...and then my heart would start pounding...pulse would go to like 130...it was crazy! I'm glad my other symptoms have all gone away for the most part. I was having some dizziness today but nothing like the first two weeks I stopped.



Nanny:
Thank you for your response. I am glad your anxiety and dizziness are getting better.

#10 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 13 December 2010 - 01:12 AM

Hi Cookie
It is me - Serendipity, I cannot remember my password, hence logging on as a guest. I hope you are doing ok Cookie.
Here is an update from me: I am now down to 5mg. I have decided to start taking it later and later in the day, so I am getting used to not taking it in the morning now. By about 3.30pm I start going stir crazy so take the 5mg then. I was planning on stopping taking it all together the end of this week, but I don't know if I can handle that. I am usually a quick witted and smart person, but some weird things have happened recently, like, I went to tell someone the words Monday - Friday, but I said January and February instead. My brain function is slower. I hope this does not affect my job which is very data based. I feel very spaced out quite alot of the time. I swore at my partner yesterday which I never do and my patience is terrible.

All I can say is thank god I knit. Because the knitting is helping me take my mind of what is happening within my body. I don't think I have knitted as much as I have done over the last few months, ever in my life!!

If I remember my calculations correctly, you muct be down to 35 beads now cookie?




Hi Serendipity:

Nice to hear from you

I see that your strategy has been to start taking the pill later and later in the day. I read that you wanted to stop taking it all together at the end of this week. However I´ve read that when one is at lower dosages the hardest the drops. I am down to 4mg (35 beads) and plan to go super slow, making very tiny drops.

Yes I´ve also had problems with language, mixing words, not remembering names of people or places. I also spaced out a lot. I do not have patience either, I am very irritable.

Good that you knit.

You are really lucky to have a job.

Hugs




#11 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 13 December 2010 - 09:59 PM

Dear Serendipity:
I take the beads in its original capsule. Yes, I know it is such a waste not to use the rest of the beads.
One of the symptoms that bothers me the most are mood swings. I never know how I am going to feel the next day or hours.

#12 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 16 December 2010 - 11:04 PM

Dear Serendipity:
I had a good week in general. I got my period. When I get my period I usually feel better emotionaly. Exercise helps me so much with anxiety and depression.
I am stopping the dosage decrease, for christmas holidays. Then I will keep on diminishing super slow. I rather do small drops than having to updose for going fast.
Keep me updated on your progress!

#13 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 17 December 2010 - 07:44 PM

Hello Serendipity
I see that you are in day to without the medication. I hope everything goes well for you. About the
antihistimene. Try the page www.drugs.com to see if they provide the name of the brand sold in Australia. Maybe you can try to look for the active ingredient.

I think it is great that you are walking twice a day, plus the 20 minute workout. Actually exercise is the only tool I have to overcome the dosage reduction.

Please keep me posted on your symptoms. This way I will be prepared and know what to expect.

Today I had a good day. However I do not know if I should be worried, but I´ve had unusual "highs" that I never had. I feel this sense of happiness, everything looks bright, everything seems to be at proper place. I feel that this "highs" are also part of withdrawal and they are not real happiness. (remember I took the medication for major depression, and my mood was always low). I do enjoy these highs, however, they scare me because, then I have extreme lows. I just want my balance.

#14 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 19 December 2010 - 11:19 PM

Dear Serendipity:
I see that you are day 4 without the medication.
After reading your manic episodes, it seems that my good mood is a manic episode too. I have all this energy and cannot stop cleaning the house (which is so unlike me). I am also very creative during those episodes. I also try to take advantage of them. My family gets happy because they think I am getting better concerning my major depression, but at the bottom I know they are part of withdrawals.
I am so sorry that at 9:30pm you felt very sick and your body was shaking.

Yes, when I get weird symptoms I also try to tell myself it is just my brain re-adjusting and piecing itself together.

However, there is hope. Yesterday I read on this site, about someone who got over withdrawals after 2 months. I know it is a bit long, but she said she is symptom free!.

Take care

#15 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 21 December 2010 - 08:20 PM

Hi Posted Image

I'm brand new here. I was thinking about taking Cymbalta, but haven't wanted to because I am, one, afraid of the withdrawals, and two, doubt it would really help me My husband thinks it might be a good idea for me to start taking Cymbalta. I have struggled for years with depression and anxiety, and chronic pain. First I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1997, then I fell off a cliff in 2005. When I fell off the cliff, 40 feet, I hurt my neck, back, and hips (other stuff too, but the other stuff healed up reasonably well).

So, anyway...During the last 16 plus years I have taken 19 different anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety meds. I have been taking 60mg. a day of Celexa for 13 years. 26 months ago I started tapering the Celexa. I tapered as quickly as possible, without causing myself to too have much in the withdrawal department. I am now down to 5-10 mg. per day. I alternate, mostly 5's now, maybe 2 days of 5mg. and 1 day of 10mg.

I get horrible withdrawals from the Celexa. I actually went cold turkey after having taken it for 5 years, and I had the most terrible withdrawals, that honestly, got worse and worse as time went on. The withdrawals were much like the withdrawals described here at the top of this conversation. The electric shocks were one of the most bothersome symptoms for me. After 8 weeks of no Celexa I was hearing my eyeballs so loudly that it was 100% debilitating. Once I couldn't hear anything but my eyeballs I went right back on Celexa.

Has anyone else taken Celexa and gotten withdrawals, then Cymbalta and gotten withdrawals??? I'm guessing that if I am having this much trouble getting off the Celexa, that Cymbalta may be just as bad or worse. What do you guys think?

I appriciate anyone's advice! I feel desperate, but also, I'm scared to take Cymbalta.

Thank You!!!!!

Stacey Posted Image



Dear Stacey:

I have also struggled with Depression and Anxiety for a long time. When I was hit by major Depression I couldn´t wake up, eat, relate to others, felt dark, depressed, would have crying fits. Cymb helped me in one of the worst moments of my life. It worked for a couple of years, but then it didn´t work as before. I had different side effects: headaches, excessive weight gain, loss of libido, I didn´t care for anything.

After 5 years I began weaning slowly, and then I started to regret having ever taking this drug. I´ve had a long list of emotional and physical symptoms (the physical are all new to me). I am having new pains (knee) and former pains are back (neck, lower back). Hair loss, Shortness of breath, nausea, high blood pressure, flu like symptoms, excessive sweating, earache, etc

You mentioned you have been taking antidepressants for 16 years. 19 different antidepressant sounds like a huge number of drugs.



It is hard to give advice, because everybody is different. Some drugs work on some people and some not. Withdrawals vary from person to person. I do not know Celexa. You do not mention why you tapered from Celexa???? It is important that you talk to your doctor about pros and cons of the drug, to make a decision




#16 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 06 January 2011 - 10:30 PM

Dear Serendipity:
I am so glad you do not feel the zaps anymore.
My holidays were good. I stayed at same dosage during holidays because I had family gatherings and visitors.

I am now down to 3mg. I have a cold, runny nose. It seems like it is a real cold, and not the flu-like symptoms of withdrawals.
I recently started getting crazy dreams (a symptom frequently described on this site). Last night I had the strangest dream ever. It was not only the theme of the dream, but the images were so real, the emotions that I felt were so intense.

In general I am feeling more. Memories are coming back. It seems the drug had blocked my memories and emotions

Please keep in touch

#17 cookie

cookie

    God-like

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,050 posts
  • why_joining:
    In the future I would like to stop cymbalta

Posted 07 January 2011 - 10:48 PM

Dear Serendipity:
I am going very slow from now on. I have the hope that if I diminish very slowly and doing very small drops, withdrawals will be "lighter".

Concerning weight, I gained weight during holidays, but I think it was due to xmas holidays, dinners, and lunchs.

Things started to get difficult today. Because of the flu, I haven´t been able to exercise, that is the only thing (besides vitamins) that was helping.
I hope you are ok

#18 Red.Headed.Blonde

Red.Headed.Blonde

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 14 posts
  • LocationTN
  • why_joining:
    Interested in titrating off Cymbalta.

Posted 09 January 2011 - 08:02 PM

Hi Cookie
It is me - Serendipity, I cannot remember my password, hence logging on as a guest. I hope you are doing ok Cookie.
Here is an update from me: I am now down to 5mg. I have decided to start taking it later and later in the day, so I am getting used to not taking it in the morning now. By about 3.30pm I start going stir crazy so take the 5mg then. I was planning on stopping taking it all together the end of this week, but I don't know if I can handle that. I am usually a quick witted and smart person, but some weird things have happened recently, like, I went to tell someone the words Monday - Friday, but I said January and February instead. My brain function is slower. I hope this does not affect my job which is very data based. I feel very spaced out quite alot of the time. I swore at my partner yesterday which I never do and my patience is terrible.

All I can say is thank god I knit. Because the knitting is helping me take my mind of what is happening within my body. I don't think I have knitted as much as I have done over the last few months, ever in my life!!

If I remember my calculations correctly, you muct be down to 35 beads now cookie?


Sure wish I could knit. I might have more hair.

#19 pamela

pamela

    Great Friend

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 204 posts
  • why_joining:
    trying to get this toxin out of my body!

Posted 09 January 2011 - 09:44 PM

Sure wish I could knit. I might have more hair.



Red.Headed.Blonde...
not to be too inquisitive but aren't there some anti-anxiety meds that would be better suited to your OCD symtoms than Cymbalta?

I know you mentioned Serzone in one thread but there are some other meds out there that could take the edge off, at least I would think.

#20 pamela

pamela

    Great Friend

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 204 posts
  • why_joining:
    trying to get this toxin out of my body!

Posted 09 January 2011 - 09:48 PM

I too had weird dreams cookie, as though I was right there for real. When I woke up it was a big surprise.
I have started to lose weight, but I am not sure if that is my exercise regime kicking in finally, or the cymbalta being out of my system. I have gained over 10 kilos in the last year since taking cymbalta.

I will most certainly stay in touch and keep in touch with you cookie. I want to be here to congratulate you when you have stopping taking cymbalta altogether.

I am glad you are coping ok and decreasing when you feel you are ready to.



Lucky for you dropping weight.....it has to be from the cymbalta because I do hard core cardio and weights 6 days a week and that damn scale isn't budging. I have been doing this routine since May and have lost 6 pounds, 6 flipping pounds :angry:



0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users