17 replies to this topic

[pnutmusic]

I have been on 120mg of cymbalta for over 2 years. My doctor told me this amount was safe but in reseaching I noticed that 60mg typically the most prescribed.

i am going off cymbalta, there are insurance issues and I cannot get anymore. I am experiencing may side effects. I can't think straight, i don't know what day it is, i am horribly sick to my stomach, it is just a mess. i don't feel like i am in my own body at all.

please help me. will this get better? i have had too take 2 days off of work so far and have had numerous freak outs at home, crying bouts, etc. i don't feel like myself at all.

[gettingthroughit]

I highly advise you NOT to stop cold turkey!! If you are out of medication, contact your doctor and see if they can give you samples to wean you off. Read up on this sight to find advice on how to do a slow taper. Best of luck to you!

[pnutmusic]

I highly advise you NOT to stop cold turkey!! If you are out of medication, contact your doctor and see if they can give you samples to wean you off. Read up on this sight to find advice on how to do a slow taper. Best of luck to you!

I have a little left but my primary care won't give me any because my insurance makes me go through a state mandated program to get cymbalta. They can't get me in for 2 months so I had no choice. I have called and asked for help but I have been left out to dry. It is an awful feeling. I have read up on everything and am scared to death but i don't have any other choices.

[gettingthroughit]

What about urgent care? If I were you I would be calling the prescribing doctor and tell them the severity of your symptoms. If that does not work I would go to the emergency room. This drug is nothing to mess with! I know you feel bad, all of us on this forum have been there. Slow weaning is the best method. Keep fighting until someone will listen. How long have you gone without the Cymbalta so far?

[kathyj]

If you go off it cold turkey, you will never know what the effects will be and you will never know how long they last. I have been off the med cold turkey for almost 1 month. And I was only taking 60mg, which was considered a "high dose" by my pharmacy. I have done all the stuff you have done and worse. I'm hoping you feel better. I wish I could help you. Let me know if I can. Kathy

[scooter74]

I to was on 120 for 2 yrs. Quit cold turkey, no ins. now. No choice. Im Dizzy, nauseated, shakey, headaches, body hurts all over and my head feels like scrambled eggs...i cant think straight or think rational. Im going through a tough time on top of that, so last night, being i felt i couldnt take it anymore, the only way to solve my ;problems and make everyone around me happy was to go get my nice new knife set and slash my wrists open. I invisioned it, thought it out. Told my boyfriend how i felt and he was as supportive as a guy could be, bless his heart. Im a mess. How long will my head be scrambled eggs? I get irritated sooooo quickly, i cant handle anything right now!

[kathyj]

I to was on 120 for 2 yrs. Quit cold turkey, no ins. now. No choice. Im Dizzy, nauseated, shakey, headaches, body hurts all over and my head feels like scrambled eggs...i cant think straight or think rational. Im going through a tough time on top of that, so last night, being i felt i couldnt take it anymore, the only way to solve my ;problems and make everyone around me happy was to go get my nice new knife set and slash my wrists open. I invisioned it, thought it out. Told my boyfriend how i felt and he was as supportive as a guy could be, bless his heart. Im a mess. How long will my head be scrambled eggs? I get irritated sooooo quickly, i cant handle anything right now!

Scooter74, I'm right here with you. I've been off Cymbalta cold turkey for almost a month after taking 60mg for 6 years. Every morning I wake up with this feeling like I have been on a boat, all wobbly. I also have dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, head and body aches, even the bottom of my feet hurt. I can't stand sound. I have been trying so hard not to be negative and snappy to people, basically because I feel like I could rip someones head off. ((Irritability)) I also feel like I can't handle anything right now. One day I am fine, the next day I am filing for a divorce after 27 years of marriage. I got into it at work with my boss, she was trying to pull a stunt involving me that was totally against my works ethics policy. I left work and now I am on short term disability. Why I couldn't handle her being a witch that day vs every other day I do not know. I haven't envisioned knives, they are far too ineffective. But I've had fleeting suicidal thoughts. I'm not going to hurt myself or anyone else and I know it. I start crying and it usually lasts about 4-5 hours. I can't eat, I can't sleep. I am having hallucinations, terrible night mares. I can't concentrate. All this after a month??? I can't tell you when it will end or if it will end. My dr wants to put me on ANOTHER medication, but I won't do it. She also wants to put me in a psych hospital but I won't do it. I can see me now, in a straight jacket in some nice little padded cell. No thanks, I'll just hang out here. Last night I finally told my husband WHY I have been being like I have. I don't know if he understands. The day before I was telling him he needed to get away from me that I didn't want to be in the same house with him. I am very confused and so is everyone around me. Good luck. We are all going to need it.

[Cat]

I have been on 120mg of cymbalta for over 2 years. My doctor told me this amount was safe but in reseaching I noticed that 60mg typically the most prescribed.

i am going off cymbalta, there are insurance issues and I cannot get anymore. I am experiencing may side effects. I can't think straight, i don't know what day it is, i am horribly sick to my stomach, it is just a mess. i don't feel like i am in my own body at all.

please help me. will this get better? i have had too take 2 days off of work so far and have had numerous freak outs at home, crying bouts, etc. i don't feel like myself at all.

You have got to wean off and I am you. I was on 120 of Cymbalta, dangerous level, and 150 of Wellbutrin. I fired my dr, dropped to 60 mg for 3 wks, then opened the caps and eyballed it in half to go down to 30...found a neurologist, told him what I was doing and that I was in control of my own health and body. Either work with me to get me off or I will do it myself! You do the timetable but I am now on a pres. of 20mg for 2 wks and in December I go back to continue the drop and then address the Wellbutrin. What u r experiencing is normal for what the drug does.....I have lost people that I never dreamed would walk, no one understands and they can't. Those people that stay by your side are truly your friends. I have been thru hell and back, good days and then I go down so far I can't see up. I did try to kill myself which is why I fired my dr and said screw this. Go to www.brocovich.com Erin B now has Cymbalta on her site, we are working to get off the market but need people to speak up.
You can reach me if u need to talk at my pers email I have on my profile,
luv
Cat

[mom9903]

I have been on 120mg of cymbalta for over 2 years. My doctor told me this amount was safe but in reseaching I noticed that 60mg typically the most prescribed.

i am going off cymbalta, there are insurance issues and I cannot get anymore. I am experiencing may side effects. I can't think straight, i don't know what day it is, i am horribly sick to my stomach, it is just a mess. i don't feel like i am in my own body at all.

please help me. will this get better? i have had too take 2 days off of work so far and have had numerous freak outs at home, crying bouts, etc. i don't feel like myself at all.

Hang in there. The only thing I can suggest is using dromomine for the sickness. I have been off Cymbalta for 15 days now cold turkey. I took it for 6 years started at 30 went up to 120 and down to 60. My insurance also refused to pay for it. I payed the 100's of dollars out of pocket. I tried a year ago to stop cold turkey I lasted 5 days before I was so sick and yelling at everyone in my life that I went back on it. In the end I was experiencing about 80% of the side effects from Cymbalta and only 20% of the benefit. I didn't see the point in paying the money when it wasn't helping. I remebered the withdrawals last time, the electric shocks in my face, turning to fast and feeling like I left my head behind. The extreme naseau, insomnia screaming screaming crying anger hateing the list goes on. So I sat down with my husband ask for support and sympathy and started on my journey through withdrawals. I went to wal-mart bought motion sickness pills it's supposed to help restore equilibrium. Took them every four hours whether I thought I needed it or not. After a week I only had to take two in the morning and this morning was the first time I haven't taken any. I feel ok a little moody but not sick. Thank god. As for the emotions not to sure what to tell you. I read, clean clean clean, talk to anyone that answers their phone NOT about what I'm feeling but wherever the conversation takes us. The key is to breathe and take your mind off of the anxities. Sing dance whatever you usually did when you were on Cymbalta. I still felt anxieties when I was on Cymbalta. I had an anxiety attack this morning and reminded myself it's not because I stopped Cymbalta because I would still have them even when I was on it. Good luck hope this helps

[pnutmusic]

I went to my doctor Who said there are NO withdrawal symptoms for cymbalta. I should be feeling fine. There are no side effects from not taking cymbalta. I don't have a choice in My doctor so I feel totally helpless and like there is no point to life

[conbon]

How long do the brain zaps last?

[pnutmusic]

[quote name='conbon' date='15 October 2010 - 07:25 AM' timestamp='1287152752' post='16155']
How long do the brain zaps last?
[/quot

Xr
I don't know. I'm experiencing everything still even though my doc says I should feel fine because there are no withdrawal symptoms

[gettingthroughit]

[quote name='pnutmusic' date='15 October 2010 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1287169963' post='16164']
[quote name='conbon' date='15 October 2010 - 07:25 AM' timestamp='1287152752' post='16155']
How long do the brain zaps last?
[/quot

Xr
I don't know. I'm experiencing everything still even though my doc says I should feel fine because there are no withdrawal symptoms
[/quote]

[gettingthroughit]

Go get yourself a really good quality Omega 3 supplement. I use Barlean's brand. Take 2 with each meal. It seriously takes away the brain zaps... at least it worked for me. Hope that helps!!

[pnutmusic]

Ok thank you I will add that to my supplements

[cookie]

Dear pnutmusic:

I am not a Doctor, just a cymbalta user and severe depression sufferer. I have been reading this site for a while and have learned through my own experience and other people´s experiences.

One of the things I´ve learned is to listen to my body, I´ve learn to feel and to write down what I feel. I think each person knows her body very well, and can tell if something is unusual. (Even though the doctors tell you, you “should feel” fine)

You mention that you are on 120mg but I still have some questions:
-Why was cymbalta prescribed in the first place? (Fibromyalgia or Depression)
-How did you quit cymbalta? (cold turkey, weaning)
-How long ago did you quit cymbalta?

From what I´ve read on this site, there are other people who have taken 120mg. So it seems it is safe. Each person needs a different dosage. I took 60mg for 5 years. There was a period of time in which my dosage was increased to 90mg. I didn´t get additional benefits from that dosage, all I got was additional side effects. The dosage in which I felt the best was at 20mg. Which made me ask myself why I had been on such unnecessary high dosages for such a long time

You are definitely not alone. diarrhea, body pain, mental disturbances, crying bouts have been withdrawal symptoms I´ve had. I also feel that my brain is not functioning properly and it plays “tricks” on me. When you mention that “I can't even place at times where I am or what I am doing” it reminds me one day I was watching a TV program I watch –everyday- and suddenly I didn´t know where I was, who I was, what program I was watching.

Since you say you quit cymbalta for insurance reasons and from the severity of your symptoms I assume you quit cold turkey or you went too fast on your weaning.

I have weaned slowly for 5 months doing small drops. I came down to 10mg from 60mg. I´ve also had withdrawal symptoms but I have been able to function.
If you quit cold turkey from 120mg it explains the severity of your symptoms.

Again I am not a doctor, but I would go back to a certain dosage of cymbalta in which you feel well and then start weaning slowly from there. The ideal thing would be to have your doctors support and supervision through this process

One of the problems of society nowadays is that one has to put an image of perfection and strenght the whole time. But it is OK to feel weak sometimes. It is important that you find support from a family member or friend that you trust: To be free, to show you your weakness during this period.

Please keep me updated on your progress
Hugs
Cookie

[notme]

Oh man I feel everyones pain. I am in my 4th week cold turkey I can handle everything Cymbalta has thrown at me except for the anger and frustration. I have NO NO NO patients and am so angry at everyone for no reason. I keep going to bed praying I will wake up and will at least be a bit better. I feel like I really don't want to live anymore because I am not this person I have become. Can anyone give me some insight in to when I could feel a little bit of releaf??? I really am beginning to think I am crazy!!! I am really thinking maybe I needs something to take the edge off but so sont want to put another drug in my body. I have been on a deprssent for at least 16 yrs and Cymbalta for 4. I needed something to help me get throught the death of a child when I started 16 yrs. ago I can honesty tell you even with the depression I had I have never felt anything like this.

Notme

[Joyce]

You have got to wean off and I am you. I was on 120 of Cymbalta, dangerous level, and 150 of Wellbutrin. I fired my dr, dropped to 60 mg for 3 wks, then opened the caps and eyballed it in half to go down to 30...found a neurologist, told him what I was doing and that I was in control of my own health and body. Either work with me to get me off or I will do it myself! You do the timetable but I am now on a pres. of 20mg for 2 wks and in December I go back to continue the drop and then address the Wellbutrin. What u r experiencing is normal for what the drug does.....I have lost people that I never dreamed would walk, no one understands and they can't. Those people that stay by your side are truly your friends. I have been thru hell and back, good days and then I go down so far I can't see up. I did try to kill myself which is why I fired my dr and said screw this. Go to www.brocovich.com Erin B now has Cymbalta on her site, we are working to get off the market but need people to speak up.
You can reach me if u need to talk at my pers email I have on my profile,
luv
Cat

Hi Cat,
You are so right. I haven't lost anyone close to me...YET. I don't even recognize myself anymore, most of the time. I go from having a screaming fit to a sobbing situation where I am sobbing uncontrollably often to the point of crying so hard I begin to gag and then end up throwing up. Last Sunday morning I spent the entire time while I was sitting in a worship service at our church... plotting how I could kill myself without hurting my sons and mother. They are grown up and married and mom is elderly and would not like not having me around. I kept trying to shake myself out of it and just concentrate on the beautiful day and the wonderful friends and family seated nearby but I kept going back to the same thing.......... how to die without upsetting anyone. I've been off the Cymbalta 60 now for about 5 days and did wean off of them over about a 2 week period. Still, I find myself hating life and angry at the world and sure it can't be fixed. I have the brain zaps and am so dizzy I can barely stand up sometimes. If I lean over or turn my head it feels that my head may fall off. It's like I'm moving in slow motion all the time and can't catch up with myself. I've also gained about 40 lbs and never have been large especially in the midsection of my body. Now, I have a thick middle with a belly I am having trouble getting rid of even with hard exercise and walking 3 to 5 miles a day.
Not sure what to do but hoping and praying I'm over the worst of it now. My mom just tries to deal with me but I hurt her a lot and tonight she just said she was hanging up the phone because I was in a really rotten mood and I obviously didn't want to talk to her. I'm 56, mom is 85. Nobody understands how demon possessed this feels unless they've felt it. I'm so glad I found this forum. Heavens knows we all need a place to go... Dr Phil's soft place to fall... maybe this group can be that for us and other sufferers.
Joyce