5 replies to this topic

[mezz]

I will add to the reports of withdrawal symptoms. I started on a relatively low dose (40 mg/day) and carefully tapered over the course of 3 months. I experienced brain zaps in the transition from 40 mg/day to 30 mg/day and from the 30 mg/day to 20 mg/day steps. From there I tapered more gradually. In the last stage I took about 6 mg/day (I was dividing the contents of a 20 mg capsule into thirds) for about 3 weeks. Then four days ago I stopped completely. The withdrawal symptoms hit hard within 2 days. Night sweats, extreme mood swings and sensitivity, mental fog, suicidal thoughts, and my very least favorite: "micturition urgency" (suddenly needing to pee and not being able to hold it, and if you're in the wrong place this can have disastrous consequences). i never expected to have this last symptom -- i've certainly never experienced it before in my life. it has been a distressing week. i pray that it will get better from here, because if it gets worse i don't know how i'll handle it. i guess the lesson is that even slow tapering can't eliminate withdrawal effects completely, so be prepared.

[Sarah J]

i never expected to have this last symptom -- i've certainly never experienced it before in my life. it has been a distressing week. i pray that it will get better from here, because if it gets worse i don't know how i'll handle it. i guess the lesson is that even slow tapering can't eliminate withdrawal effects completely, so be prepared.

Hope that this is over with quickly for you and thanks for posting your experience. Before it was "approved" for depression/pain issues, Cymbalta was being used in Europe for uriniary incontinence. Get with your doctor about this and make sure you don't have some type of bladder infection.

Be well.

[kevin71246]

Regarding the "break open a pill and divide it to get 6mg per day" method - isn't that a really bad idea given these pills are time released capsules?! I would think that would possibly cause overdose in a time of trying to wean off the medicine.

Anyone know how long withdrawal typically lasts, or at least a range? 1week? 1 month?

[sera]

Add "micturition urgency" to the growing list of withdrawal side effects that have taken me by surprise. Yesterday I had a very strong urge on the way home from the grocery store, and as I walked in the door I could feel myself peeing in my pants! It was the weirdest feeling as if I had absolutely no control. Damn!

I'm Cymbalta-free for 13 days, and my major symptoms now are extreme agitation, especially in the morning for some reason, along with headaches and mild nausea.

[kevin71246]

Greybeard - curious how/why you are on this post if you never had withdrawal symptoms. My thoughts are that the only people that even felt the urge to research/search the Internet for fixes or other people with these issues are those that are in fact suffering. And conversely I would think those without these issues would never even think to look into this as they didn't know it existed. Anyways, glad you're hear - I like your posts especially the one about the histimines.

I just got back from my arrogant doctor and everyone is completely right. Like I said I stopped cold turkey because I had no idea of withdrawal (he never told me) then I felt this at about day 5,6,7, then I found you guys on the Internet and actually gave me some relief knowing I'm not completely crazy! So I displayed my concern to him and he said it's not bad at all (maybe he forgot that I told him I already felt this for 3 days and went back on to avoid any permanant side affects and so I was prepared when I actaully did decide to stop the second time around). He said split my capsules in 1/2 (15mg) and take them for 3 days then stop and I'll be fine. He said the only side effects were minor confusion - lol.

I'm doing it my own way - I figure since it takes 4-5 days to get side effects, I'll go in 1/2 every 4 or 5 days until I'm at maybe 3mg/day for a few days then stop (5 days of 15mg, 5 days of 7mg, 5 days of 3mg, then stop).

I did notice the fishoil complex capsule (omega 3,6, and 9) + B50(all the B vitamins at 50mg) seem to help, but then again maybe I'm nuts

[kevin71246]

Greybeard,

Looking back, my last post to your was mostly a rant due to misunderstanding (curious how you found this site). When you said "I never net one" in your post above, I thought that meant you never had any withdrawal symptoms! lol I blame it on the Cymbalta!!! Your experience seems pretty harsh, glad you made it through (and hope mine isn't that bad!).

I have some great info I'm going to post in the "Nutritional Support" -> "Benadryl and Dramamine - does it help?" section as it's related to that. Check it out when you get a chance.