19 replies to this topic

[vsung]

I am on day 4 of cymbalta withdrawal and I feel like I'm dying!! I am constantly having the brain zaps, nightmares, nausea, diarrhea, severe mood swings, the feeling like electricity is flowing from my brain to my hands and feet, the pain, omg the pain, the feeling like I cannot get out of bed to get dressed!! I have to put on my shirt then take a break, then try again to get up to put on my pants. I have never experienced anything like this in my life!! The vertigo!! I already had taken 2 months off on disability and now I have to travel 45 mins each way to and from work. I cannot lose my job, but I also cannot lose my life or hurt anyone else for that matter. How much longer should I expect this ride to be? I feel like I cannot take it any longer!! I was taking Cymbalta since Sept 2010 for depression and have been on 60mg for awhile.

[UsedToSellCymbalta]

I cannot believe that I used to sell this drug. I have been on the drug for 4 years. I apologize for all that are going through this. I am going through the awful withdrawals and it's only day 3!! I can't work, sleep, stand up, drive, turn my head this is the worst withdrawal I have ever heard of.
As a rep for the company we were never told about the withdrawals! Ever!!! If I was, you better believe I wouldn't have started this drug, sold it or put my family and friends on it. We only knew about the initial side effects when you start the drug.....not when you discontinue it! When doctors asked us sales reps how to discontinue we HAD TO SAY "thats up to your clinical judgment." This is seriously the worst I have ever felt in my life. I asked a psychologist what she reccomending for getting off the drug and she said to taper off. I did this...3 months of 30mg, 3 weeks of 15mg, and then after a week of 7.5 mg (and feeling awful!) I quit. It's been the wort 3 days of my life. I can handle the emotional problems (crying for no reason, angry for no reason, etc) but the brain zaps that go through my body and the dizziness is more than I can bear! The company says "contact your doctor if you discontinue." this doesn't help anyone!!! They need to change their PI and help all of us who are experiencing the pain and suffering of discontinuing Cymbalta.

[adrienneluv]

UsedToSellCymbalta,

I have nothing but empathy for your plight...but wow to actually meet someone who not only pushed this stuff but got PAID to do so! Wow talk about karma! People in your profession make me sick! I wouldn't wish the withdrawl symptoms on anyone...but wow...I can't say you didn't get what was coming to you. Sorry but it's true.

[Heartfeathers]

Usedtosellcymbalta, Please don't take the "you deserve it" posts to heart. It is just the Cymbalta withdrawls talking, I'm sure. You don't deserve it anymore than we do. The Executives and stock holders of Eli Lily DO deserve it however lol

[sparklegma]

I am on day 7 of NO Cymbalta and have had minimal amount of withdrawal symptoms. I did the bead counting and weaned myself from 60mg a day to 10mg over a 6 week period. Went to the doctor and she gave me 10mg of prozac to take with the 10mg of Cymbalta for the last 2 weeks. This is the only way to go - I am thankful that my doctor understands the withdrawal symptoms. I have not missed a day of work and the brain zaps and vertigo that I am experiencing are minor. A few mood swings but manageable.

[Shelly]

I agree, don't take it personal. You honestly didn't know. You were honest in your post. we're all here to help each other.

I hope you continue to post, and maybe even give us some insight to how this poison is passed out like frickin candy!??

[silverseed71]

It has been a couple of months for me. I was weened off of Cymbalta down to 1 every other day for a week. It was absolutely horrible and very dangerous to drive. I think this week has been the best week for me in a while. It gets better or at least it has for me.

Also, being a drug rep does not make one the maker.

To UsedToSellCymbalta, it was a job, the better folks on here do not wish bad things on you.

[markwillplay]

hang on. It was a good 6 weeks for me and hell all the way....times I would feel better, then..crash. I still have some burning of skin, allergy feeling skin things happening...but I think it is due to my hashimotos more than withdrawal. I hve been off for about4 months. But for 2 months, I believe I was still experiencing withdrawal. I have known others who got off relatively easy so it depends on the person.

[plezhelp]

hang on. It was a good 6 weeks for me and hell all the way....times I would feel better, then..crash. I still have some burning of skin, allergy feeling skin things happening...but I think it is due to my hashimotos more than withdrawal. I hve been off for about4 months. But for 2 months, I believe I was still experiencing withdrawal. I have known others who got off relatively easy so it depends on the person.

@markwillplay - when were you diagnosed with hashimotos...before or during or after cymbalta? it definately sounds like we have been putting poison in our bodies to be still experiencing symptoms months later. that is a fear of mine w/ loosing the weight after getting off the drug...a lot of toxins are stored in fat. i was wondering if anyone else has/is experiencing that loosing weight after cymbalta?

[adrienneluv]

UsedToSellCymbalta ok sorry I guess that we all make mistakes and I don't mean you any ill will. We're cool.

[Cacongdon]

I am on day seven without it. I have terrible zaps, mouth sores, and nausea. How long does this last?

[freeme2]

I read it takes about 19 to 20 days to get out of your system. The article cymbalta discontinual sydrome explains it much more in detail.

[juju]

UsedToSellCymbalta,

I have nothing but empathy for your plight...but wow to actually meet someone who not only pushed this stuff but got PAID to do so! Wow talk about karma! People in your profession make me sick! I wouldn't wish the withdrawl symptoms on anyone...but wow...I can't say you didn't get what was coming to you. Sorry but it's true.

Noone deserves to feel this pain...that's pretty cruel

[adrienneluv]

Noone deserves to feel this pain...that's pretty cruel

I said sorry.

[juju]

I said sorry.

Yes, you did! My bad..so...SORRY!

[adrienneluv]

Juju,

That's ok! I haven't seen that member post hope she/he didn't take my comment seriously. Hope they're doing ok. Maybe they'll repost to let us know how they've been doing. Hopefully better!

[Kit]

Is there ever an end? I finally figured out that my increase in pain, sleeplessness, etc wenent from the fibro that my Dr had prescribed the cymbalta for when i also started itching each night when i took it. When i went online and saw they were side effects of the cymbalta (my Dr had been increasing my samples for the symptoms) he cut me off cold turkey. After a week i was in such bad shape i was told to go to the walkin clinic where i was told i was in withdrawl but not to worry cause it would only last another day or two. That was 6 weeks ago. I can barely walk, can't work, am seeing a neurologist to find out why. I'm waiting for the results of my mri - is it myasthenia gravis - I've heard that's been linked and my dr had mentioned the possibility. Or will it be another negative with no answer. feel totally worthless. Can barely feed and dress myself. Are there any answers? Is there anyone out there doing anything to stop this? If you have any phone numbers, websites, anything, please - i need something to make going on worthwhile of just ttyl stop this from happening to someone else. I had a life.

[marcy1]

I also wish I would have never taken this drug! I was on Cymbalta for about 9-10 months and quit cold turkey a month ago. However, I was also taking Lyrica for about 3 months (another one to stay far away from!). I am not sure which one is worse? The combination is almost disabling.

I am still having awful withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, headache, agitation and itching. I feel like I have lost my mind, and can't remember where it is. I am forgetting things all the time and just plain out of it.

I too was like a zombie on this and was going to kill myself or someone else (not suicidal). I have a 45 minute drive to and from work. I would have to call my husband and he would have to talk to me until I got home so I would not fall asleep. I came home from work hit the sofa out cold until bedtime I would go to bed if my husband could wake me up and sleep until morning. No matter how long a slept I never felt refreshed. That is why I stopped cold turkey. Who can live like that?

So it is one month and no relief in sight! I have been to my doctor and the only thing she says is "I cannot believe you’re still having symptoms." How is that to help me? By the way she told me she did not blame me for stopping them, she would not take either Cymbalta or Lyrica. What does that tell you? Why don’t they warn you before?

I feel so depressed and not from lack of meds I only feel depressed about not having any answers! I have Fibromyalgia and I felt worse physically on that stuff mainly because I did not move. Physically I feel better if these side effects would just go away.

How much longer?? Has anyone tried anything herbal with a positive outcome? SAMe?
I work in the medical field and a word of advice, be your own advocate because no one else is looking out for you and don’t trust what the doctor tells you Research! Research! everything first!! I have learned the hard way I guess.

[Liza]

I'd agree that the executives need to be held accountable BY THE STOCKHOLDERS. I'm going to check my stock portfolio to see if I have any Lily. If I don't I'll buy some just so I can be a vocal citizen at the next stockholders' meeting. The executives often defend their callous, even immoral, decisions with the excuse that the stockholders demand profit at any cost. This isn't true. Too many of us investors forget that we HIRE the executives and we can fire them if they don't run the company the way we want them too. Until stockholders step up to their responsibility to monitor the management of their companies corporate irresponsibility will continue to run roughshod over all of us.

[Imasurvivor]

Please hang in there. As I have said before I slowly weaned myself down to 20 mg over a yr n a half and then quite by accident went cold turkey from 2mg but day 24 I'm so much better. Symptoms are far less n most of my day I'm feeling good, yes I said GOOD. I developed a lot of pain going thru w/d. Joint, heel, back n head and I'm getting by w Tylenol or Advil when needed. Be aware of your diet too coz many foods can effect you too. This whole thing has been a wake up call for me. Main thing is stay positive that things will improve gradually, snail's pace and please know you aren't crazy. But I'm starting to think maybe those who prescribe this and then act surprised how difficult stopping it is are the loons! Be kind to yourself and take it slow.