55 replies to this topic

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 18...Tired. As I mentioned yesterday, I stopped the Prozac. Today is Day 3 without any anti-depressants. After I posted on here last night, I experienced the shivering cold w/ muscle contractions in my chest again, but it wasn't near as severe as it had been.

Yesterday and today I have experienced many of the withdrawal symptoms I had during the first few days w/out Cymbalta. However, the severity was much less. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst), my symptoms this time are about a 1...they were a 10+ during those really bad days I had over July 4th. My guess is that the Prozac was still helping with the withdrawal symptoms, so when I stopped that, they returned. However, they are not too bad, so I will stay off the anti-ds for now. My main complaints now are the sinus issues and being really tired again.

Even though I am tired, I still feel that my overall energy level is much higher now than it was while I was on Cymbalta. Even though some of my symptoms have reappeared, I still have the ability to think with a clear head and stay focused on a task. Since the symptoms are minimal, I am able to function pretty well. During my worst days of withdrawal symptoms, I could not function at all other than to go to the bathroom and eat. I really think the worst is over for me. Only time will tell, but I have a positive outlook now.

It's hard to believe I feel this much better in just a few short weeks. It does get better!!

[Genealogizer]

Very glad to hear that your symptoms continue to diminish. I agree wholeheartedly about the sensory perceptions coming back; I notice the same thing, and this is day...um...23 without Cymbalta, but with Prozac. I have begun a very slow Prozac taper, which should culminate in about five weeks; I will be aware of the symptoms if they present as before. My ability to focus and concentrate continues to improve, or at least I think so. Word puzzles and crosswords and such are easier; I can work on them longer without drifting away. In retrospect, life under Cymbalta was Short Attention Span time. Emotional responses seem appropriate, but with no work stresses (I am retired, reasonably healthy and happy except for a war against my back yard smilax) it's hard to judge.

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 19...Yuck. The morning was okay, but by this afternoon the withdrawal symptoms were flaring up. Today, I've had multiple brain zaps, chills, headace, bad nausea, and I've been very tired. Although most of my original withdrawal symptoms have returned since I stopped the Prozac, they are much less severe than in the beginning. I can tolerate this. I thought I would be okay without the Prozac, but now I'm having second thoughts.

The Prozac really seemed to help, I felt better while taking it. I may start taking it again tomorrow. Decisions, decisions...I can always restart the Prozac and stop it later on.

I wonder...did the Prozac just prolong my withdrawal or did it truly help with the severity of my symptoms?? I guess I'll never know for sure. But, I would like to hear from others who took Prozac during the withdrawal, and at what point did you stop taking it? I know everyone is different, but I'd like to hear from others what their individual experiences are.

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 20...Mostly Tired. After posting last night, I decided to restart the Prozac for now. I felt so much better overall when I took it. My withdrawal symptoms are already a lot better, but I still feel tired. It will probably take a few days back on the Prozac before I start feeling better.

FYI: Over 100 new members have joined this site in the last 10 days...and I think this is just the "tip of the iceberg" that will sink Cymbalta!! If that many people are finding this site, just think about how many other victims are suffering alone (many people still don't have access to the internet). It baffles me that all of the official statistics say that only a tiny percent of patients are having negative effects!? I want to know how many MedWatch reports have been filed about Cymbalta.

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 21...Better. I didn't feel quite as tired today. Of course, I am back on the Prozac, so hopefully that will help me feel even better. Although I didn't have a lot of energy, I did take my oldest nephew to see "Indiana Jones" today. We had a good time and he really enjoyed the movie.

During the movie, he was sitting on my lap, and he turned to me and said "I love you Sissy." That just made my day!!

[redhead]

Hi all,

I was started on 120mgs of Cymbalta last Sept and am currently down to 30mgs-I've used the tapering method for the last month or 6 weeks. Woz back with my doc last week and he said to take the 30mgs for 2 weeks and then stop..... I said no way-that I was slowly tapering like I had been doing and he said that was fine as it seems to have worked for me so far. I'm also taking lots of fish oil and Vit B complex each day and it seems to help. I'm hoping that by tapering like this (reducing few mgs each week) that the withdrawals will be less severe when the time comes to come off it completely. Not having nightmares at all since I went on lower doses thank God, and feeling tired which I don't mind as had terrible insomnia at higher doses.

I came off Effexor before without tapering-think I went to 37.5 or something to nothing and side effects were bad so hopefully having gone thru dat I can get thru this as Iam weaning a lot slower.......Has anyone used the tapering method and experienced withdrawals that are tolerable?

Keep the faith everyone.....please God nothing else will be so hard again..

[Genealogizer]

Attorney_Victim:
Re Prozac and tapering... I too am finding that Prozac makes life bearable; I have a tentative timeframe for tapering off Prozac, but I am not going to start it until I am reasonably certain that I am over the Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome. Currently at 15 mg of Prozac, and in five days I will go to 10 mg, stay there a week, then 5 mg for a week, then off. Since I have effectively no stressors in life right now, I think I'm as close to a 'control' as anyone. Essentially this will be a SSRI taper of three to four months. Energy is returning, but it's easy to overdo, since I have been mostly inactive for several months, or really two-three years. I wonder if any readers have experience with activity levels changing while coming off Cymbalta. I mean that immobility is self-perpetrating, and as the drug clears out, I would like to know whether users are finding more energy, which gets them moving, which produces endorphins etc. I don't think that I have seen any gym rats on here; certainly I never had aspirations that way. However, in the last three weeks, since about five weeks off Cymbalta, I have been catching up with long-overdue gardening, and had a good clear out of my pantry, and just last weekend I did a round of cleaning in one room that involved moving furniture. Since it has been three years since I last moved it, this was a major chore - but I finished it. Like you, I would like to hear detailed exeriences about energy levels.

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 22...Not Great. Woke up in a "bad mood" then had a tough morning at work. I have felt agitated, grumpy, and edgy all day today. I really had to be careful not to "snap" at work today. By the end of the work day, I was extremely tired! Part of the problem is that my allergies are acting up and that can make me grumpy and lethargic...so, at this point, I don't kow how much of my symptoms are withdrawal related and how much might be allergy problems.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be better. I just have to take one day at a time right now!

[Lori]

Keep hanging in there, AV. I admire you for keeping your job. Withdrawal for me was almost impossible, or so I felt at the time.....but I had lost my job due to the Cymbalta, BEFORE I went off of it. I can not imagine what it must be like for you, to go to a job each day. I stayed in bed for the most part. When I was awake I caused too many problems for everyone, including going to my boyfriends job site and causing him problems. I commend you. I admire you. Thank you so much for sharing your days with us. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lori.......Day 101 Cymbalta FREE!!!!!!!!
Day 14 Cigarette Free!!!!!

[Attorney_Victim]

Lori,
I'm very thankful to still have my job!! As I wrote earlier, I came very closing to losing it or quitting it while in the Cymbalta Fog.

[Attorney_Victim]

Hi Irish,
Glad you found this site, but sorry to hear you are suffering! By any chance, have you posted on another site regarding Cymbalta?? Just wondering, because I found a site the other day and encouraged people to find this board. Regardless of how you found us, we are here to offer support and encouragement to those who need it during Cymbalta side effects and/or withdrawal. Read as many posts as you can...there is lots of valuable info on this board!!
Remember...you will get through this...it does get better!!

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 23...Agitated and Tired. The agitation I felt yesterday was worse today. It took every bit of mental and physical strength I had to survive work today. I had to ask my boss to handle one matter for me today because I was feeling too overwhelmed. He did it without question, thank goodness!!

I'm feeling down today because I don't feel very good at all. Although my head is still clear, my energy level is very low, almost as low as when I was on Cymbalta. I definitely do not feel as good as I did when the Prozac first kicked in. But, considering Prozac stopped working on my depression in the past, it may have already plateaued.

Any thoughts??

[Attorney_Victim]

GB,
I do need to improve my diet...I'm a junk food junkie!! I still haven't felt the Prozac "kick back in"...but, I don't think it was a good idea to stop it when I did. I think I just manged to confuse my body more. I'm going to start a multi-vitamin to help with the diet issue, that may help increase my energy level. I have "food issues" (though not Anorexia or Bulemia thank goodnes) so I also plan to address my poor diet habits in therapy. Thanks for your thoughts!

[redhead]

Hi everyone,

Just a question for Irish-if you don't mind me asking was it for depression you took the Cymbalta?
I'm currently down to 30mgs as well and from what I can see you are currently down to about 4mgs. Well done to you-what sort of side effects did you have-I reduced from 35mgs to 30mgs since last Thurs and could defo feel the withdrawals-waking during the night, bit low, decreased appetite, losing weight I had gained from it-YES, also lots of kinda boils on my scalp and around the hairline. I will stay on 30mgs for another while but think I will start reducing slower than previously as know it will be hard. Came off Effexor 2 years ago from lowest capsule and it was horrendous so hoping that by tapering this time it will be somewhat easier!!!

Thanks

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 24...Bad. I feel very tired today and overall, I just feel "bad." I had to come home from work early. I went to bed a little earlier last night, and took my Ambien, so I slept well. But, I still woke up tired. I remembered today that my doc told me I could increase the Prozac dosage if I needed to, so I did increase it today. I'm hoping that will help boost my energy level some.

[Attorney_Victim]

Day 25...Better. Today was much better than yesterday. I had a lot more energy, but I did feel more agitated. Overall though, today was better. Again today, I took the 2 Prozac, so that higher dose might be kicking in.

I decided to transition my daily "health journal" offline. So, I will not be journaling my daily progress on the site anymore. However, I will definitely keep reading and posting!

The people on this site have been a tremendous help in my ongoing struggle with Cymbalta, and I truly thank you all! I might not be alive if I hadn't found this site when I did. We must all continue to take good care of ourselves and provide support for others who are fighting to rid themselves of this Cymbalta poison! Also, we must do everything we can to make the public aware of Eli Lilly's disregard for public safety regarding Cymbalta side effects and withdrawal.

[Attorney_Victim]

Thanks Houdi! I will definitely stay in touch on here!

I just hope my experience can help someone out there. Most of us find this site when we are at our darkest hour, so if my story saves someone else, then I'm glad to share!

[Attorney_Victim]

I am experiencing some new issues. As of yesterday afternoon, the Prozac seems to have kicked back in. I did increase the dose to 40mg a few days ago like my doc told me I could. But, now I've gone from having no energy to having way too much energy!! I am extremely manic (my diagnosis is not bi-polar). I would not have slept last night except that I took Ambien. But, I went to sleep "wired" and I woke up "wired".

Also yesterday afternoon and evening I experienced heart palpatations. They were pretty intense and it happened several different times...although no one "episode" lasted more than a couple minutes. But then later last night, I sort of turned into a "raving lunatic" while talking to my sister. I started talking about some paranoia type stuff...I recognized I was doing it, but I couldn't seem to control it. I even told her that I knew I sounded crazy. I just really wasn't making any sense (to myself or her).

I'm going to give it a couple more days, but if I don't stabilize by then, I'm going back to the dr and getting off the Prozac too. This is crazy!! I'm very glad to be off the Cymbalta, but now it's a constant roller coaster of emotions and symptoms. And I don't know whether it's the withdrawal or the Prozac causing my current issues.

[Attorney_Victim]

GB, I had read others reports about the "drugged" person and "normal" person phenomenon, but hadn't experienced it personally until last night. I'll have to watch out for that. That goodness it happened with my sister at home, rather than at work!

Starting today, I did step back down to 20mg of Prozac (only took the 40mg a couple days). Maybe if I can get that leveled out, it will help. I know that the changing of doses isn't good for me, so now I will stay with 20mg until my doc advises otherwise.

[Attorney_Victim]

Yesterday (Day 28) was very weird. Woke up and felt okay, posted here and then went to my nephew's birthday party. Then @ 4:00 p.m. I got a really bad headache. I came home and lay down because I felt really sleepy. I ended up staying in bed until about 9. But I still felt tired and "out of it." So I took my 1/2 Ambien and went to bed. Slept until 9 this morning. Today, I have felt really good. Don't know what happened yesterday, but I just couldn't function yesterday evening. Hope that doesn't happen again!

[Lori]

AV, in my life, any time there is a bit more stress, it seems to really wipe me out even now. It is getting alot better, though. I would feel great for most of the day but when we would have family gatherings and we have alot of those, I would start getting irritable and withdrawn from everyone and all I would want to do is get home fast. I would get a few brain zaps, but now its more of a headache or anxiety, but irritability is always there when I have overdone it. When I say overdone it, I dont mean the way I USED TO BE, but overdoing it, according to the way I am now. I am doing great, considering what I have been through and me not smoking but at day 109 Cymbalta free I am doing pretty good. My anxiety is still a factor, but I am still praying about it, I will not take anything for it again, not prescribed or natural. I am aware of it, and am dealing with it on a daily basis.

To all of you who are just starting the withdrawal, please know you will get through the nightmare, you have my word on that, and to all of you, you are on my mind and in my prayers.

Lori

[Attorney_Victim]

I haven't posted any updates to this thread in a while, but I'm feeling so good now, that I wanted to update it. I don't know how many days it's been now, I lost track a while ago. I'm about 6-7 weeks off Cymbalta. For about 5 weeks, I used 20 mgs Prozac to help, then I stopped that also. I'm now about 2.5 weeks antidepressant free. I feel good!

I stopped all antidepressants, with the permission of my dr, to get a baseline for my depression. It had been almost 8 yrs since I started taking them, and I wanted to know how I felt without them. So far, so good. I know it is still very early in the process, but I'm hopeful. If I start feeling depressed again, I am willing to take something (after researching it). But, I will always stay away from drugs that are new to the market.

After my Cymbalta experience, I have done a lot of research, and I have learned that the FDA approves new drugs and medical devices very quickly!! As long as the drug company says it is okay, the FDA takes their word for it! Then, a few years down the road, after patients have reported all the bad effects, the FDA might take a second look at the product! I don't have much faith in the FDA since they continue to approve Cymbalta for new uses! Scary, but true!! So...I will no longer rely on my doctors and the FDA to protect me. I will rely on my own research. When lots of other people report the same negative effects about a product, that is a huge red flag!!

The important thing is, I feel good! My life is not perfect by any means, but at least I face each day with a clear head. For those of you who are suffering through the worst of withdrawal...hang in there!! It does get better!!

[marbles]

Just saw this post and wanted to make a comment about prozac.I tried it when I was about your age.I only remember that I felt keyed up and stayed up late because I could not sleep..But anyway,I tried it several weeks and I told the MD to take me off and the MD put me on zoloft. Even though they are in the same family of drugs, Prozac,just wasn`t for me.I am glad you are trying it without anything .That is a long term goal for me. I also want to feel what its like to see what I feel like without a pill,but if that doesn`t happen,then it will somehow be ok. At least you will know there is something if you do need it....good luck...shirl

[iliao93]

Oh Graybeard, what ya tryin to do .... give me really scary nightmares I know your not and it is within the realm of possability :twisted: I watched a youtube video of a girl ranting how nasty getting off Cymbalta was & then she actually seemed to brag on how she had flushed it down the toilet :roll: Where do people think that stuff goes, another planet...to the enemy :shock: No wonder some of us need saving from ourselves not to mention others! :cry:
Be Well,
Bobbie

[Attorney_Victim]

Update on my progress...Today is Day 60 for me, hard to believe!! But, I had an ugly reminder today that I'm not completley out of the woods yet. Out of nowhere today, I had a mild brain zap accompanied immediately by an intense dizzy feeling. Luckily, this whole experience only lasted a few seconds. But it occurred out of nowhere as I was walking down the hall at work. It has been 3 weeks since I stopped taking Prozac, so I thought I was safe...obviously, not! After that incident at work, I have had several other quick dizzy spells this evening. I really think this symptoms are flaring up because things have been really stressful at work this week, my allergy/asthma went haywire this week (and I had to go on steroids, which led to an ugly "roid rage" at work against a defense attorney), and I haven't been getting enough sleep this week. This is probably just the left over withdrawal making one last valiant effort to destroy me now that the Prozac is completely out of my system. I will not be defeated!!

[jeniferhudson]

CYMBALTA IS A KILLER!!!!! My father started taking it and began to have suicidal thoughts he was hospitalized....then he was released. A few weeks later he tried again... they doubled his dose and then he was released and his third and final attempt he was down to 130lbs and was not his self by a long shot. Cymbalta must be stopped and money is al eli lilyy thinks about not how many lifes it has taken!!!!!! please contact me if u have anty legal advice!!!!