8 replies to this topic

[Jennie0384]

Hi, I'm new to this and honestly tonight I've been bombarded with so much information and I'm a little freaked out. I knew the withdrawals were awful from when I'd accidentally miss a day. Now that I'm trying to go off completely, I went from 60mg to 30mg and I've felt horrible every day for almost a week now. I could never find the right words to describe how I felt until I did research tonight and found an overwhelming population out there who's experiencing the same thing. I feel nauseous, dizzy, shaky, feverish and my body hurts. I think I may know what these "brain zaps" are all about too. Also - a horrible time to catch a bad cold. For a couple days I thought I might have the flu until I realized it was just the Cymbalta giving me those flu-like feelings.

Anyway, I've been trying to research how long these symptoms usually last and it's been really hard to sort through everything that's out there to answer this. I'm also desperate for any kind of natural relief. So far, I've heard green tea helps so I'll try that. Wasn't sure if there was any other remedies that anyone has found successful.

One last thing - I've been taking Cymbalta for a little over a year now for fibromyalgia, so I don't really need another anti-depressant. I really want to be completely off any kind of meds (I was diagnosed bipolar at 16 and took Lithium, Depakote, Celexa, Wellbuterin, Geodon, etc. and that was Hell). I believe with a very healthy and active lifestyle I can conquer the issues that I'm facing now.

I just need to get through this last process of getting off Cymbalta. Had no idea it would be so gruesome. Any advice would be so appreciated.

[alicat]

good luck to you. I'm also new to this...on day one without cymbalta. I'm scared to death of what's to come. already experiencing the emotional rollercoaster. I also done any to be off everything. I thing we are in for a long nightmare. but hopefully it will pay off in the end. better to get it over with. I can't seem to find any timeline either. I've read about people still going thru withdrawals after 30+ days. I guess all there is to do is be prepared & let everyone around you know what's going on to eliminate any outside stress to the situation. best of luck to you

[lauragwyn]

Seems like my husband should know about theses withdraw side effects he is the one who ask doctor to try me on it for fribromytglia I hate the way I feel I even snap at my husband daughter and my dad Lord knows I don't mean to I have ttyed to tell them all how I feel my husband just looks at me like I'm crazy like I'm missing my minded hello I am or at lest I feel like it. My daughter just waifs oh mom my so sorry you having to go though this ill pray for you and then she hugs me. And it helps when she does that and there is times she just gets tired of it and tells me off I know she doesn't understand but my husband should and other time he would be on inferential looking the side effects or what ever but this time he has left me on my on with the side effects I'm having to deal with it all on my on I get scare cause I really don't know what is happen to me and I feel very lonely I would not wish this on nobody. Has anybody felt like there heart stops and then starts back????????

[Jennie0384]

I strongly suggest trying a low dosage of Prozac to help the withdrawals. Just by taking 10mg of Prozac, I felt 90% better. Hang in there...

[Cacongdon]

I really don't want to take another drug. However, I am on day 21 without cymbalta and it may be the worst yet. I am exercising daily and taking fish oil, but the zaps are out of control... Does anyone know how to stop them?

[Lazydaizy]

I really don't want to take another drug. However, I am on day 21 without cymbalta and it may be the worst yet. I am exercising daily and taking fish oil, but the zaps are out of control... Does anyone know how to stop them?

How are you keeping now? Hope you're doing well XXX

[mrsmoe95]

Hi Everyone, I am new to this website and am also suffering from withdrawal. I was just glad to find out I wasn't going crazy. It's been about 3 1/2 weeks and the withdrawal symptoms are still as strong as ever. I was put on Cymbalta and gabapentin 4 years ago for fibromyalgia after weaning off Lyrica. I weaned off the Lyrica due to a 56-pound weight gain. I didn't know where the weight gain would stop, and as I have severe DJD in my spine and knees, it was completely counterproductive and just couldn't deal with it anymore. Since being on Cymbalta I had had to give up working, am in the middle of a disability claim, and have had more negative than positive benefits. I would go in and out of depression regularly, was completely lifeless, was totally apathetic about everything, slept constantly,isolated myself, stopped driving and stopped having sex with my husband. There are other effects as well, almost too numerous to count, and I was told they were ALL attributed to fibromyalgia. About 2 months ago I went into my worst depression of all in which I had suicidal ideation, which had never happened to me before and scared the bejesus out of me. I had suffered from depression on and off all my life, but had never even remotely felt that despairing. EVER. I happened to talk to a friend whose daughter had recently been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. ( Everything happens for a reason!) The symptoms she had experienced sounded suspiciously familiar so I researched it and it described my whole life. Who knew?? I also read that taking Cymbalta with bipolar disorder could cause suicidal ideation. Well, that's all it took to convince me to quit. Cold turkey. I know, a terrible idea, but I am so afraid to put that poison in my body even for one more day, even if it means that it will help with withdrawal. I have never had suicidal thoughts put into my head before--and that's exactly what it felt like. It felt like someone was whispering in my brain. So, in the meantime, I have experienced just about every withdrawal symptom (with the exception of migraines--thank God!) that everyone else is experiencing. I found this site and could have wept. Maybe I did--I can't remember:) I am both encouraged and discouraged (someone posted it could take 6 months to 2 years???!) but I can say that I for one am happy to have my emotions back--for good or bad. I know a lot of times right now my emotions run towards intense irritation and/or rage, but they're PRESENT. After having them taken from me for 4+ years, it feels good! I am seeing my PCP on Tuesday to discuss all this and will ask for a referral to a psychiatrist to deal with what I am convinced is bipolar disorder, and in the meantime, will continue to take one day at a time. I just want to say that this website is invaluable, and I'd like to know if anyone knows if a class action lawsuit has been issued? I don't know how that works, but surely there should be one? In the meantime, I am taking fish oil and Rescue Remedy with seems to help with the nervousness and irritability. I am still taking gabapentin, but it is my goal to ultimately come off of that too. I will discuss that with my pain doctor. I want to start from ground zero and that way, armed with the knowledge I know now, I can better evaluate what any new drug is actually doing for or to me. I used to blindly trust doctors and medications, but now I know better. I wish everyone the best of luck on our road to better health off of Cymbalta! XOXO

[Lazydaizy]

Hi Everyone, I am new to this website and am also suffering from withdrawal. I was just glad to find out I wasn't going crazy. It's been about 3 1/2 weeks and the withdrawal symptoms are still as strong as ever. I was put on Cymbalta and gabapentin 4 years ago for fibromyalgia after weaning off Lyrica. I weaned off the Lyrica due to a 56-pound weight gain. I didn't know where the weight gain would stop, and as I have severe DJD in my spine and knees, it was completely counterproductive and just couldn't deal with it anymore. Since being on Cymbalta I had had to give up working, am in the middle of a disability claim, and have had more negative than positive benefits. I would go in and out of depression regularly, was completely lifeless, was totally apathetic about everything, slept constantly,isolated myself, stopped driving and stopped having sex with my husband. There are other effects as well, almost too numerous to count, and I was told they were ALL attributed to fibromyalgia. About 2 months ago I went into my worst depression of all in which I had suicidal ideation, which had never happened to me before and scared the bejesus out of me. I had suffered from depression on and off all my life, but had never even remotely felt that despairing. EVER. I happened to talk to a friend whose daughter had recently been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. ( Everything happens for a reason!) The symptoms she had experienced sounded suspiciously familiar so I researched it and it described my whole life. Who knew?? I also read that taking Cymbalta with bipolar disorder could cause suicidal ideation. Well, that's all it took to convince me to quit. Cold turkey. I know, a terrible idea, but I am so afraid to put that poison in my body even for one more day, even if it means that it will help with withdrawal. I have never had suicidal thoughts put into my head before--and that's exactly what it felt like. It felt like someone was whispering in my brain. So, in the meantime, I have experienced just about every withdrawal symptom (with the exception of migraines--thank God!) that everyone else is experiencing. I found this site and could have wept. Maybe I did--I can't remember:) I am both encouraged and discouraged (someone posted it could take 6 months to 2 years???!) but I can say that I for one am happy to have my emotions back--for good or bad. I know a lot of times right now my emotions run towards intense irritation and/or rage, but they're PRESENT. After having them taken from me for 4+ years, it feels good! I am seeing my PCP on Tuesday to discuss all this and will ask for a referral to a psychiatrist to deal with what I am convinced is bipolar disorder, and in the meantime, will continue to take one day at a time. I just want to say that this website is invaluable, and I'd like to know if anyone knows if a class action lawsuit has been issued? I don't know how that works, but surely there should be one? In the meantime, I am taking fish oil and Rescue Remedy with seems to help with the nervousness and irritability. I am still taking gabapentin, but it is my goal to ultimately come off of that too. I will discuss that with my pain doctor. I want to start from ground zero and that way, armed with the knowledge I know now, I can better evaluate what any new drug is actually doing for or to me. I used to blindly trust doctors and medications, but now I know better. I wish everyone the best of luck on our road to better health off of Cymbalta! XOXO

Hi there
I'm on Day 12 free of Cymbalta. My anxiety is through the roof, and my mood is low, but the brain zaps and dizziness are gone.
I am struggling hard to get through each minute, never mind each day, but I have faith from what other posters say that it will pass.
I'm using st john's wort, flax seed oil, vitB/mineral complex plus have radically reduced caffeine and alcohol. I also try meditation and exercise when I can fit it in around the kids. We have to stay strong together x

[Lulu]

I am in the same boat. I am 56 and have been on Cymbalta for about a year for fibromyalgia. I gained 25 lbs as did a friend of mine on Cymbalta. It did help with the fibro, but I can't handle the weight gain. Doc cut me from 60mg a day to 30mg a day on the 10th of July. Symptoms are: a few nasty headaches (which I rarely get) I hurt all over (some of it is the fibro flaring back up..bad.. and that bums me out) already lost 5 lbs (appetite more normal) terribly sleepy during the day (hate that) I either have a lot of ambition or absolutely NONE. I am on small dose of Prozac as I wean off.... to help and I guess it does because I have not had all the problems described in these forums. I see the doctor on the 9th and want to drop to the 20mg for a month. I am also seeing a holistic Dr. on the 3rd to start back with a healthy diet and possible a cleanse when I am all the way weaned. I also have terrible restless leg, which I take Mirapex for... and it works well if I take it early enough in the evening. The scary thing is that my mom had Parkinson's...late onset. My friend warned me about the Cymbalta, but my fibro was getting worse and I trust my Doctor so I let him talk me into it. IT DID HELP the fibro. Hate being so sleepy all the time and hate the apathetic attitude I get when I should be doing something constructive. I have mild OCD, which usually keeps me very busy. The forums have helped. I was wondering if there are many out there that take this for fibro and how they are doing? Did any of you gain weight?
Thanks, and best wishes to all trying to get off this stuff.
LB