4 replies to this topic

[Blindsided]

For months, I had endeavored to come off of the 60mg dose as prescribed by my doctor. I could not stand the side effects that I had. He quit his practice in December of 2007, and I found a new doctor. While going through some seriously heavy personal issues, I made a determination that the 60mg dose was too much so I began skipping to every other day. That did not work, so I requested a lower dose that I could use every day. The new doc drop me to 30mg. Everything was doing okay and I worked towards weaning off the 30 (by taking one every other day) I began to feel some really weird sensations in a big way. I wanted to lower the dose gradually by removing a few granules from the 30mg and take less. Then the pharmacist informed me of the 20mg. That is where I am now. I have reached a point of 20mg every other day. But my goodness, the effects are miserable. All I can hope for is that someone will read this before even starting that drug. It may not be what they need to use.

Cymbalta caused heavy sweating 24/7 for me. It was nothing to get out of bed in the middle of the night and need a shower and fresh bed linen. What I see are lightning like spots in my vision that appear as if a small piece of white lightning was piercing through whatever object I am looking at. Like a electric hole in my vision. If I go beyond an hour of my medication due time, all the real withdrawl symtoms begin. Sensations of needles being driven into my skull. The feeling of my brain floating separately from my skull. When I would turn to look at something, my vision could not catch up with the rest of me fast enough. The pain that jolts throughout my body is as if I were having uncontrolled spasms. The worse comes at night when I seem to be just at the point of sleep and my own voice comes popping into my head as if someone were talking right in my ear. I have literally sat up and answered myself. I know it is the medication ... I live alone and I am not crazy by any means. I am mad as all get out because the doctors throw meds out like a clown in a parade. I regret ever starting taking it.

I am at the lowest dose, 20 mg, and take it once every other day and I am having one heck of a time getting past the withdrawl. It does not change in duration or strength regardless of what dosage I am on. I am afraid I will have a seizure. The uncontrolled body shakes make me look like I have Parkinson's Disease. My life is slowing down even more because of this medication. So ends my day.

[Lolita]

Your so not alone, feel free to pm me any time you want.

I do know exactly how you feel just last night i kept jolting/twitching in bed.. i didnt even realise until my partner said. Its a truely horrid drug, i seriously dont understand why they cant just tell us, i would of said no.

Best of luck, i recommend that you read everything thing on here.. it helped me understand alot.

Hope you get well soon.

[Blindsided]

This site is quite the eye opener and thank you for you kind response.

[schmb01]

Every other day weaning does NOT work for Cymbalta, due to it's very short half life in your system. What you are doing is putting yourself in and out of withdrawal every other day. You must stay on a determined dose, whatever that may be for you, say 30 mg, then when you feel stable, empty some of the granules out and keep weaning down from there.

Please take some time to read others posts here about what worked for them. Weaning slowly is your best bet. You will probably still feel some discomfort, but keep reminding yourself that it is the drug and not you.

Also, check out some of the nutritional support ideas, as they really do help. Omega 3 supplements worked well for me, as did eating foods rich in it.

It makes me sad to see that some doctors are advising people to wean every other day, because it just prolongs your discomfort.

Just remember that we are all here for you, as we have been or are still there. It can be done, and the support you will get here wil help alot. Also, it is a good idea to keep family in the loop, if you can, so that they can be there for you too.

[bellajar]

it makes one wonder why they started in the first place, doesn't it? Don't ever think you are alone~I too thought I was alone in all of this.