3 replies to this topic

[Hannah]

My name is Hannah, I'm eighteen years old, and have been on Cymbalta for about two years now. I was initially prescribed the medication for depression, but was encouraged to increase the dosage once my fibromyalgia became a huge problem for me in daily life. Unfortunately, my run on Cymbalta has been a nightmare. I can't lose weight, I am lethargic and slow, I can't miss a dosage or else I'll go into withdrawal, and I haven't had a normal or pleasurable dream since I started taking the medication. I'm currently on 90mg, and I want off of it as soon as possible, with or without help from my psychiatrist, who has proven to be resistant to stopping medication in the past. I used to take Zoloft and had to wean off due to emotional crisis-related issues, and honestly, I would take that over the Cymbalta these days. The only thing hindering me from stopping is the concept of withdrawal. I've gone through it many times, just from taking my meds as little as a few hours too late. If I don't take them, I can't even function. I get unbearable brain zaps, painful headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, uncontrollable shaking, cold sweats, chills, and I become short of breath with a rapid heart rate. It's like detoxing from an extensive heroin addiction, and from what I've heard, getting off of it isn't much different. A heroin addict takes methadone to stop, and a Cymbalta "addict" takes Prozac and/or Benadryl to get off of it. The only problem is that I don't want to just trade in one drug for another. I'm done with medication; I am very, very resistant to start taking Prozac so that I can get off of this medication, because I don't want a similar problem. Maybe I'm just posting this topic because I'm frustrated and need to get it out of my system, or maybe something helpful can come from it. I'm terrified to stop, but I can't go on taking these pills from Satan. If anyone has anything positive to tell me, please do.

[theascheffect]

Don;t be afraid. If you don't want to take these pills anymore, DO NOT TAKE THEM. Make a choice and stick with it I took it for a month and it didn't help me, so I stopped taking them. I am having pretty bad withdrawal symptoms, as most people on here are. I thought it was my new medication but doc said its the cymbalta. I don't see the point of taking medication is it isn't helping you.

However, I will say, if the cymbalta does help you, stick with it. I was on and off medication when I was younger because I couldn't admit I had a problem, but turns out hte medications I was taking werent actually helping me in teh first place haha

You can try weaning under the supervision of your doctor. You can see if there is an alternative to Prozac. Just ask questions before you make a decision so you are well informed.

You have to weigh the pros and cons. If taking them is just super bad that you want to get off, you know there are withdrawal symptoms... are they worth it? I think so. THey won't last forever versus taking a pills forever that makes you feel awful. You'll have to get off it sometime, right?

I have found forums with people who go through what you go through help so much. I found this forum today and it made me feel so happy that I wasn't going crazy from these symptoms! You can do it! whatever decision you make *hugs*

[theascheffect]

P.S. I also took Zoloft, which I would take over Cymbalta any day! I was prescribed Cymbalta for my spine disease which causes me pain on a daily bases. *Sorry for your pain, I understand how tough it is* I am 3 days into cold turkey off Cymbalta, and I dont want to wean.. think I'm just going to keep it up cold. Not worth starting over. It's very tough. I can't drive. Not saying others cannot drive, but I personally don't feel healthy or focused enough to drive. The worst part, besides the weird brain feeling is the nausea, in my situation. Just remember going through withdrawal, if you decide to, is that you are strong enough and you're getting that nasty pill out of your system and it will be worth it in the end!

[ShannonB538]

Hi Hannah. It is hard. It also depends on why you went on it in the first place. I was on it for 6 years for anxiety. I did not realize it had been that long until I decided to go off it. It is hard. My main withdrawal issues are the "brain zaps", bouts of depression and extreme anger. I did not know that the feelings I was/am having were because I was trying to come down off this stuff. I have never in my 38 years ever been through withdrawals. Please don't do it on your own unless you are a very strong person. The withdrawals will definately be hard. I would also be very hesitant on a Dr telling you that you will need to go on other meds just to get you off these. Unfortunately, it seems that we non-doctors need to know more than the doctors that prescribe this stuff. Lean on your support system. Try to work through the pain. I just found this site yesterday and now that I know all this, I am going to fight to not let it control me.
Good luck and God Bless.
I will keep you in my prayers and I have faith you can get through it.