I'm new to this site and am wondering if others have experienced possible long-term withdrawal symptoms and if so, what they did and how long it took to get better. I was on cymbalta for over 7 years because of depression and anxiety; I had few side effects and it really did help me through a tough period in my life (young kids, stressful marriage etc..). While still on the cymbalta I got divorced, started working-full time and began a joint custody arrangment with my ex. Because I was handling things so well, and felt stronger, about 6 months ago, with the help of my doctor, I weaned myself off. I had many of the symptoms I've read about here, but probably pretty mild. Then about 6 weeks ago, I went into a depression/anxiety period (difficulty sleeping and handling daily life, racing heartbeat) and I'm still trying to pull myself out. I'm taking St. John's wort, an omega-3 supplement, B vitamins, and magnesium. I've definitely improved, but some days (like today) are still pretty bad. I'm also focusing on developing more of a spiritual life and trying to meditate.
I've heard that it can sometimes take 4 to 6 months to get all the medication out of one's system, especially after taking for long periods. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks for your help.
long-term withdrawal
Started by mshannon1961, Sep 17 2008 12:38 PM
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#2
Attorney_Victim
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Posted 17 September 2008 - 01:35 PM
Some people have reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms for 6 months or more. So, it is very possible that your recent symptoms are related to the Cymbalta withdrawal. However, these symptoms are not being caused because the medicine is still "in your system (body)." In fact, Cymbalta is physically out of your system within a few days of your last dose. The lingering effects come from your body still trying to readjust to normal levels of the chemicals Cymbalta affected. So, although we still call them "withdrawal" symptoms, these long term effects might be better described as "long term effects."
Unfortunately, no one knows exactly how Cymbalta (or any antidepressant) works. Doctors just know that "whatever it does" helps (theoretically) depression symptoms (and sometimes other symptoms); although they do not know exactly how the chemical interactions accomplish those results. (They do know some of the processes that are affected, but much is unknown.) With Cymbalta, it seems that the drug has a very powerful effect on the chemical processes in the brain, an effect stronger (or different) than most other antidepressants. Because it has such a powerful effect on the processes of the brain, a body can be affected long after the drug has left the body.
Also, since Cymbalta has only been FDA approved since 2004, it hasn't been on the market long enough for anyone to know the true long term effects of the drug. I have done a lot of research in the medical journals, and I haven't found any studies that address the possible long term (or even permanent) effects of Cymbalta.
Out of curiosity, how did you get a prescription for Cymbalta before it was FDA approved?? I am guessing that your doctor was employed by Eli Lilly or was paid to research for Lilly. Your case is very interesting because you are the only person I have ever heard of that was on Cymbalta for that long.
If you haven't already, please file a MedWatch report with the FDA about your recent problems. As I said, your case is very interesting because you were on the drug for so long, and your situation might provide valuable info to researchers. You can find the MedWatch link on the FDA's home page.
Unfortunately, no one knows exactly how Cymbalta (or any antidepressant) works. Doctors just know that "whatever it does" helps (theoretically) depression symptoms (and sometimes other symptoms); although they do not know exactly how the chemical interactions accomplish those results. (They do know some of the processes that are affected, but much is unknown.) With Cymbalta, it seems that the drug has a very powerful effect on the chemical processes in the brain, an effect stronger (or different) than most other antidepressants. Because it has such a powerful effect on the processes of the brain, a body can be affected long after the drug has left the body.
Also, since Cymbalta has only been FDA approved since 2004, it hasn't been on the market long enough for anyone to know the true long term effects of the drug. I have done a lot of research in the medical journals, and I haven't found any studies that address the possible long term (or even permanent) effects of Cymbalta.
Out of curiosity, how did you get a prescription for Cymbalta before it was FDA approved?? I am guessing that your doctor was employed by Eli Lilly or was paid to research for Lilly. Your case is very interesting because you are the only person I have ever heard of that was on Cymbalta for that long.
If you haven't already, please file a MedWatch report with the FDA about your recent problems. As I said, your case is very interesting because you were on the drug for so long, and your situation might provide valuable info to researchers. You can find the MedWatch link on the FDA's home page.
#3
mshannon1961
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Posted 17 September 2008 - 02:05 PM
Thanks so much for the information. I realized as I was responding to you that I unintentionally misrepresented my situation. I had forgotten that I was on effexor first (perhaps 3 to 4 years) and the last few years I was on cymbalta (probably after FDA approval). I was perscribed the effexor/cymbalta by a nurse practitioner that worked with both Eastern and Western medical practitioners, so I tried herbs and acupuncture first. My extended family has a fairly extensive history of mental illness, so perhaps because of my family situation and family history, we went the medication route.
I have been surprised about how little information is published about the after effects of taking these medications and the withdrawal symptoms. Can you recommend any books/articles I might read about long-terms effects (this is a better description)? Again, thanks.
I have been surprised about how little information is published about the after effects of taking these medications and the withdrawal symptoms. Can you recommend any books/articles I might read about long-terms effects (this is a better description)? Again, thanks.
#4
mshannon1961
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Posted 17 September 2008 - 02:17 PM
Oh, one other thing. The nurse practioner that originally perscribed the medication died, a few years ago, and my regular family doctor recommended the "weaning" procedure that I followed. So, different medical professionals were involved. Thanks
#5
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Posted 19 September 2008 - 06:43 PM
mshannon1961,
Thanks for clarifying! I also took Effexor, for about 2 yrs, before switching to Cymbalta. Effexor is associated with bad withdrawal problems too. In fact, my psychiatrist told me that one of the reasons I probably had such a severe withdrawal reaction was because I had been on Effexor for so long and then straight to Cymbalta. Although, I personally just think that the Cymbalta alone caused my problems!
Anyway, to answer your question about books, articles, etc. there is not much out there yet about the long term effects of these drugs. The reason is this: the drug manufacturer usually pays for the majority (if not all) of the clinical studies. Even if the researchers are not directly employed by the manuf., they are usually receiving all of their research funding from the manuf. Therefore, the research is usually limited to topics that put the drugs in a positive light, and when negative effects occur, they are ignored or downplayed through statistical mumbo jumbo. Eventually, an independent researcher (one not paid for by the manuf.) might come along and investigate a drug for its' negative effects, but these studies are rare.
I suggest you visit the website of Dr. Peter Breggin, a Harvard trained psychiatrist, who has researched and written extensively about antidepressants and their negative effects. I do not know if he has specifically addressed Cymbalta in his research, but he has published several articles and books about the evils of antidepressants in general. I just found his website, and I plan to start reading some of his stuff soon.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for clarifying! I also took Effexor, for about 2 yrs, before switching to Cymbalta. Effexor is associated with bad withdrawal problems too. In fact, my psychiatrist told me that one of the reasons I probably had such a severe withdrawal reaction was because I had been on Effexor for so long and then straight to Cymbalta. Although, I personally just think that the Cymbalta alone caused my problems!
Anyway, to answer your question about books, articles, etc. there is not much out there yet about the long term effects of these drugs. The reason is this: the drug manufacturer usually pays for the majority (if not all) of the clinical studies. Even if the researchers are not directly employed by the manuf., they are usually receiving all of their research funding from the manuf. Therefore, the research is usually limited to topics that put the drugs in a positive light, and when negative effects occur, they are ignored or downplayed through statistical mumbo jumbo. Eventually, an independent researcher (one not paid for by the manuf.) might come along and investigate a drug for its' negative effects, but these studies are rare.
I suggest you visit the website of Dr. Peter Breggin, a Harvard trained psychiatrist, who has researched and written extensively about antidepressants and their negative effects. I do not know if he has specifically addressed Cymbalta in his research, but he has published several articles and books about the evils of antidepressants in general. I just found his website, and I plan to start reading some of his stuff soon.
Good luck to you!
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