10 replies to this topic

[victoriasue]

Hi. This will be long. I'm just going to throw my story out there, but I really do want advice, so please read as much as you can.

I am 22 years old and was on Cymbalta for just under a year for "moderate depression" related to stress/money/winter time during college. I knew I didn't want to be on an antidepressant forever. Over the summer I felt peachy keen and decided to start taking the steps to get off of Cymbalta. Had I (or my doctor) only known that coming off of this drug would be infinitely worse than the slight depression that preceded it...

I went to my doctor to tell her that I wanted to get off of cymbalta. I was on 60mg, she told me to go down to 30mg for 2 weeks and if I felt fine, to just stop completely. I felt perfectly fine (aside from extreme night sweats, which is a really awful side effect of being ON cymbalta) after the 2 weeks, so stopped as my doctor said. Not even two days after I stopped I noticed the "Brain Zaps." I was exceedingly exhausted and dizzy. I had no idea what was wrong with me... I was nearly convinced I had mono again when Boyfriend (with whom I live) suggested it might be because I got off this drug. That's when I found this website and realized that I wasn't the only one experiencing these weird symptoms.

For about 3 days, I was unable to function and had extreme mood swings, threw things, cried, screamed, etc. I couldn't drive. I had to miss a day of work. I went back to the doctor and she basically had no idea what to do. I told her that some people on here seemed to use prozac right after quitting cymbalta and that they had fewer withdrawal symptoms, so she told me to try that. I went back on cymbalta in order to function and stayed on 20mg of cymbalta throughout the christmas holiday and on the 28th, went from cymbalta to prozac. Well, now I know that it takes about 2 weeks for prozac to do anything and that that idea wouldn't work... so my cymbalta withdrawal was at an all-time high. On New Year's Eve, I lost it. I was getting frustrated about not being able to concentrate on filling out graduate school applications and upset because no one knew what to do and didn't understand that what I was feeling isn't "normal" depression, but withdrawal from a serious drug. I was afraid cymbalta had forever broken my brain.

I threw my cell phone and a few dishes and was screaming and flipping out (NOT like me - I sometimes throw things when I'm angry but I don't break stuff and I am generally a fairly calm person). My boyfriend had to wrestle me to the ground to keep me from destroying anything else and accidentally gave me a pretty decent shiner on my left eye (his shoulder hit my eye). My mom, whom I had been talking to when I threw the phone, came to my house from two hours away to take me to the emergency room. The whole night felt like an out-of-body experience. The social worker at the emergency room told me to see a psychiatrist. She didnt seem to understand the withdrawal and wondered why I wanted to get off of cymbalta. she didnt seem to understand not wanting to be on ANY antidepressant. My mom asked about taking Fish Oil and if that helped. She said to stay away from anything herbal because it can react with whatever I end up taking (I told her I'd like to take something in order to be functional, but NOT cymbalta or anything remotely addictive).

Right now I have a prescription for .5mg of ativan in case I feel like I'm going to flip out. I took one and didnt like it too much. I only have five of them. I want to stay away from drugs because I know ativan is also highly addictive, however I need to be able to function. I am seriously afraid of losing my job. Right now I'm at my parents' house where things are relatively unstressful. I still have the brain zaps, extreme fatigue, headaches, extreme mood swings, and I kinda feel like a zombie. I feel like I could lose my temper and start crying and screaming at the slightest thing. I work with children in my job and will probably get a doctor's note to at least get a few days off until I can talk to a psychiatrist to make me functional. So... that's where I'm at after 6 days without cymbalta. I wish I had never seen this drug and just medicated myself with something else for the initial depression a year ago. I feel like my life has done a total 180.

Any advice? Thoughts? Has anyone else had any experience with ativan? Should I be taking supplements?? Has anyone else dealt with a psychiatrist and trying to convince them that this isn't just depression?? I will appreciate any advice. thank you, and happy new year. <3

[cookie]

DearVictoriaSue:

I am so sorry to hear your story and that you are going through tough time during holidays.

I totally agree on withdrawals being worse than the original depression.

I do not know what to tell you. Maybe you can go back to cymbalta and start weaning slowly from there. Quitting from 30mg seems no real weaning for me. You went practically cold turkey. Remember there is a 20mg presentation of cymbalta.

If you are refused to go back on medication. Then you have to be aware that withdrawals might take a long time to dissapear and you mentioned it is important for you to be able to work.

All the best for you

[victoriasue]

Thank you for your comments, cookie. I really appreciate it. I did got on the 20mg of cymbalta for about 3 weeks, and then ended with it on the 28th. The brain zaps are not as severe as they were when I went off from the 30mg, but every thing else seems to be in full force. Does anybody know how long the withdrawal symptoms will last? I've heard anything from 1 week to months on this and several other forums. I just need to know when I will be able to function relatively normally again - and what I can potentially do to make that point come faster.

[pamela]

VictoriaSue,

I agree with Cookie that weaning more slowly may be the way to go. Although I have been told that 20mg isn't even a therapeutic dose it does seem enough to take the edge off of withdrawals. Funny how a dose that isn't deemed strong enough to provide any benefit certainly can cause a whole lot of havoc when it's missed.

There's 2 ways to get off this drug. Weaning or Cold Turkey.....either way isn't fun.

There is a lot of support and understanding on this board. We all know how you feel.

[cookie]

Thank you for your comments, cookie. I really appreciate it. I did got on the 20mg of cymbalta for about 3 weeks, and then ended with it on the 28th. The brain zaps are not as severe as they were when I went off from the 30mg, but every thing else seems to be in full force. Does anybody know how long the withdrawal symptoms will last? I've heard anything from 1 week to months on this and several other forums. I just need to know when I will be able to function relatively normally again - and what I can potentially do to make that point come faster.

From what I´ve read on this site, it takes different timing for withdrawals to dissapear depending on the person. Everyone is different

[freedom]

Dear concerned,
I am glad I visited this site as hopefully I can share with you to help you. Please ignore that the grammer is not perfect. I believe it is more important that I get my point across to you as soon as possible since you have no time to waste. Your life and situation is more important than taking the time to edit this to make myself look good.

To qualify what I say: I am a sufferer of depression, I have been on many anti-depressants, I have a MBA and BBA so I am no dummy.

Chills went threw my body as I read what you wrote. I am currently trying to get off of cymbalta 30mg. The brian zaps you speak of are VERY REAL. You are not crazy. This is a withdrawal effect that I have experienced before when I slowly got off paxil. These zaps lasted for me 2-3 weeks and are very scary. I told my doctor about the withdrawals I was having and he told me he knew nothing about such things and I felt like he was implying that I was crazy. The unfortunate fact that I had to suffer to learn is that the withdrawal from anti-depressants is severe and some of the symptoms resemble the depression symptoms I had prior to taking the drugs. I took the drugs to be relieved of these symptoms and as I felt I had become better and gradually came off of the drugs the symptoms came back. The doctor felt that I was having a relapse and put me back on drugs. Just like it takes 2 weeks to see if there is any change when you begin taking the drugs there is at least 2 weeks before you will find out if the symptoms you are having are a relapse or actually withdrawal from the drug. Some may say that what I am about to say is controversial but It must be said. NEVER FORGET that most doctors prescribe drugs based on what pharm reps tell them. Pharm reps are salesmen and are trained to point out the positives and not mention the negatives. They are biased due to their financial gain and the pressure the company puts on them. No matter what anyone says this is the fact. Pharm reps and shrinks do not make any money if we stop taking the drugs. I am currently stopping the cymbalta because ultimately they are not fixing anything. It is simply a mask put over the problem but fixes nothing. Please view the cymbalta website and other sites like this and look for yourself. Only in the past few years have they been testing to see how cymbalta PHYSIOLOGICALLY changes the brain. How can any one prescribe a drug that can effect our brains in such a manner if they do not have long term studies done. Shame on drug companies and shame on the FDA for passing this. How can a shrink prescribe a medicine if they are not educated on the withdrawal effects? Ask your shrink exactly what he is doing for you? Most importantly, the withdrawals, from someone who has EXPERIENCED them and is EXPERIENCING them, do go away. There is nothing you can do. But know this: they will go away, you are not crazy. Shame, shame, shame on your shrink for not being educated on a drug he/she prescribed you. That is their job. Show them this then fire them - they are either to busy for you or they are in it for the money, either way this is your life - not a means to an end for someones professional career. Allow your family to read this so they understand too. Be strong, hang in there, remember school is stressful so of course you will have some issues but you will get through them. Stay the course for yourself because it is your life and no-one will care for it as much as you can. the zaps may get worse b4 they get better but THEY WILL SUBSIDE!

[BrendaG]

Thank you for your comments, cookie. I really appreciate it. I did got on the 20mg of cymbalta for about 3 weeks, and then ended with it on the 28th. The brain zaps are not as severe as they were when I went off from the 30mg, but every thing else seems to be in full force. Does anybody know how long the withdrawal symptoms will last? I've heard anything from 1 week to months on this and several other forums. I just need to know when I will be able to function relatively normally again - and what I can potentially do to make that point come faster.

[BrendaG]

I have also gone from 20mg to nothing. I am having dizziness whenever I turn my head or shift my eyes and metallic brain zaps. I do not want to go back on this since it has taken me a long time to wean down to this, but it is very hard to function and I cannot afford to "not function". What an awful drug. Anyone have thoughts on how long this will last??

[cookie]

I have also gone from 20mg to nothing. I am having dizziness whenever I turn my head or shift my eyes and metallic brain zaps. I do not want to go back on this since it has taken me a long time to wean down to this, but it is very hard to function and I cannot afford to "not function". What an awful drug. Anyone have thoughts on how long this will last??

Dear Brenda:
How long did it take to go from 20mg to nothing????

[cookie]

Dear concerned,
I am glad I visited this site as hopefully I can share with you to help you. Please ignore that the grammer is not perfect. I believe it is more important that I get my point across to you as soon as possible since you have no time to waste. Your life and situation is more important than taking the time to edit this to make myself look good.

To qualify what I say: I am a sufferer of depression, I have been on many anti-depressants, I have a MBA and BBA so I am no dummy.

Chills went threw my body as I read what you wrote. I am currently trying to get off of cymbalta 30mg. The brian zaps you speak of are VERY REAL. You are not crazy. This is a withdrawal effect that I have experienced before when I slowly got off paxil. These zaps lasted for me 2-3 weeks and are very scary. I told my doctor about the withdrawals I was having and he told me he knew nothing about such things and I felt like he was implying that I was crazy. The unfortunate fact that I had to suffer to learn is that the withdrawal from anti-depressants is severe and some of the symptoms resemble the depression symptoms I had prior to taking the drugs. I took the drugs to be relieved of these symptoms and as I felt I had become better and gradually came off of the drugs the symptoms came back. The doctor felt that I was having a relapse and put me back on drugs. Just like it takes 2 weeks to see if there is any change when you begin taking the drugs there is at least 2 weeks before you will find out if the symptoms you are having are a relapse or actually withdrawal from the drug. Some may say that what I am about to say is controversial but It must be said. NEVER FORGET that most doctors prescribe drugs based on what pharm reps tell them. Pharm reps are salesmen and are trained to point out the positives and not mention the negatives. They are biased due to their financial gain and the pressure the company puts on them. No matter what anyone says this is the fact. Pharm reps and shrinks do not make any money if we stop taking the drugs. I am currently stopping the cymbalta because ultimately they are not fixing anything. It is simply a mask put over the problem but fixes nothing. Please view the cymbalta website and other sites like this and look for yourself. Only in the past few years have they been testing to see how cymbalta PHYSIOLOGICALLY changes the brain. How can any one prescribe a drug that can effect our brains in such a manner if they do not have long term studies done. Shame on drug companies and shame on the FDA for passing this. How can a shrink prescribe a medicine if they are not educated on the withdrawal effects? Ask your shrink exactly what he is doing for you? Most importantly, the withdrawals, from someone who has EXPERIENCED them and is EXPERIENCING them, do go away. There is nothing you can do. But know this: they will go away, you are not crazy. Shame, shame, shame on your shrink for not being educated on a drug he/she prescribed you. That is their job. Show them this then fire them - they are either to busy for you or they are in it for the money, either way this is your life - not a means to an end for someones professional career. Allow your family to read this so they understand too. Be strong, hang in there, remember school is stressful so of course you will have some issues but you will get through them. Stay the course for yourself because it is your life and no-one will care for it as much as you can. the zaps may get worse b4 they get better but THEY WILL SUBSIDE!

Dear Freedom

My doctor never told me about withdrawals.

It is important not to confuse withdrawals with relapse Depression.

I learned to do my own research before taking any pill. <BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">

[RickWC]

Victoria Sue,

I appreciate you taking the time to describe what you are feeling. Most of the people on this forum either know what you are going through or have a friend or loved one going through the same thing. Just the emotional support of knowing that somebody out there gets it seems to help. The medical profession doesn't seem to understand withdrawal symptoms and many pretend that they don't exist.

I have been on Cymbal ta for nerve pain for many years. 3 years ago I went through a cold turkey withdrawal due to running out of the medication. The same horrible symptoms that you have experienced. Brain zaps, anger, rage, and all the other horrible feelings. Although I was taking Cymbal ta for nerve pain, stopping the drug created a depression worse then I had ever felt before.

Recently I have decided to quit again but there was a certain amount of fear because I never wanted to feel the way I did last time. My doctor seems more supportive this time. He subscribed Prozac for me as well and set up a weaning program for me. The first step was to go from 60mg per day to 30mg a day for 2 weeks and take 20mg Prozac daily. After the first week at 30mg, the anxiety started getting bad so the doctor upped the Prozac to 40mg per day.

A few days later and I hurt myself and ended up with a bulging disk in my back. Most people don't mention this but a withdrawal symptom from Cymbalta for me is increased pain. The pain in my back was so bad that I went back to 60mg a day and decided to continue taking Cymbalta until I got the pain under control.

To make a long story short, my doctor now has me on Methadone for the back pain, Neutronic for nerve pain, and Prozac for depression/withdrawal symptoms. I know that this sounds like over medication but it is working and I plan to continue until I'm completely free of Cymbalta. I am using the method of skipping days. For example, 1 period of 30mg every 2 days, then 30mg every 3 days, then 30mg every 4 days. Today I just started day 1 of 30mg every 5 days. I'll see what I feel like after 4 days at 0 and then decide what to do next.

With all the other drugs I am on, my Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms have been mild and that't the way I like it. I haven't even had any brain zaps which I hate. Good luck. Sorry to talk so much.

Rick