8 replies to this topic

[PacificTreeFrog]

How many of us had equally intense withdrawal symptoms after just a short time and/or low dose? This is very troubling to me. Been off for 2+ years, still seem to be experiencing long term residual psychological and physical stuff, wonder about long-term/permanent brain or neurological changes. Would very much like to hear from others.

 

Thanks.

[lady2882Nancy]

I was on 30mg for 5 days then up to 60mg for 5 weeks. I went from 60mg to 30mg and knew right away I was in trouble as I had severe side effects or Cymptoms. I tapered off from 30mg but have been living this hell since the second week that I was on 60mg.

 

I am now 40 days off but still having side effects - brain zaps when tired, dizziness if I move too quick, headaches, light and sound sensitive, anxiety is my constant companion, and no libido.

 

They say it can take 4 to 12 weeks so I still have hope but wondering if this will ever end.

 

My doctor says that I shouldn't be having side effects but then he figures I should have toughed it out and stayed on the Crap even though it made me depressed and suicidal. I was given it for chronic pain and it didn't help with that either.

 

Take care

[Bellasunshine68]

I Started 20 mg on April 9th, the doc said I could take 2 a day if needed. For the most part things have been fine. Joint aches stopped, have arthritis. Some days took one pill in morning and one pill in the afternoon. Saturday I missed my first dose. Was so busy all day, I just forgot, but felt ok. By Sunday afternoon I thought I was coming down with the flu. I felt dizzy every time I stood up and nauseous. Didn't take my pill that day either because I felt I was going to vomit any second. By Sunday night I was having severe hot flashes, I am 44, and I only felt good when I was laying down. Then I would get cold, then sweat to the point i thought i needed to call 911. My brain felt funny, I can't explain it. I almost thought my sugar dropped, but I don't have a sugar problem. Monday morning I was better. Ate breakfast and went to the bank. Barely made it home. I realized that maybe I was feeling this way because I didn't take my meds, but I kept felt like vomiting. I took the cymbalta about 11:00 am yesterday. 40 mg. felt good for maybe and hour. Again started with hot flashes, nausea, dizziness. Stayed in bed all day, slept off and on. 6:00 pm had to take the kids to church. Was a 6 minute round trip. I felt bad when I got up but thought I was okay enough to take them. When I reached back home I vomited everywhere. Started hot flashes, profuse sweating, then freezing cold. Went to bed for the night. Got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Thought I was okay, then felt faint in the bathroom. Started hot flashes, sweating and went back to bed. Now I am writing this on Tuesday at 9:00 am. Mild headache, a little dizzy, stomach upset, but not as bad as yesterday. After reading all these forums, I don't know if I should tough it out and come off of the meds now. I do have some celexa left over (a months) worth, I could take. I am not working right now, but I'm worried that if I continue the cymbalta and get a job later, if I ever come off of cymbalta, it will be a 100 x worse, when I have only been taking it for a month now. But I'm worried severely over what has just happened in the last few days. I couldn't imagine how it will be if I stay on it a year or two. It did help the severe depression, but now I can't do anything.

[lady2882Nancy]

What you are experiencing is a the combined side effects of starting  this drug and also side effects that you get from stopping it due to missing the dose.

My advice is to stop now. Once you are over the 4 week period you will suffer long withdrawals and it will be 100X worse.

So take some omega 3 and drink lots of water for the next few days and once it is out of your system you will start to feel better.

Eat lots of fruit and veggies to help your liver detox your body.

Let us know how you do.

Take care

[Bellasunshine68]

Thanks, I have been debating back and forth. And I didn't realize the dose was 30mg not 20mg (I was thinking celexa). This year my dog died, my father died, and then I lost my job. So if it were not for the cymbalta, I wouldn't be here to write this. But I probably needed this time off that I wouldn't have got otherwise. I am disappointed about the cymbalta, because it seemed to be working good. But if missing a dose could cause so much issues, I can't take a chance when I find a job. The last thing I need is to be up and down. I really wanted to try to exercise as I have been paying for a gym for four months that I haven't went to, due to these back to back life events. Not to mention the friends who I have pushed away. It's like I am a black cloud and contagious. And old coworkers who suddenly for got me in a month after working together for years. I just want to feel better. I hate that people desert you at the time you need them the most, and if you were thinking clearly, you might not have pushed them away. I get sick of hearing people say, stay positive. I managed a fake smile at work and in public for four months now, and it has not changed anything. I showed up and did my job, but still lost it. I am taking a multi vitamin and fishoil. I can only even tolerate the Internet so long with this nausea. But I plan on looking on the Internet for anything homeopathic I can do. And as soon as I don't feel sick and dizzy I am going to go to the gym. Why can't people understand, if I could flip a switch to feel better, I would.

[lady2882Nancy]

Don't wait to feel better to get some exercise as the exercise will make you feel better.

 

Get something for the nausea, fill a bottle with water and then go out for a walk, put on music and dance, anything to get moving and it will help.

 

You haven't been on long enough for the symptoms to last very long so you can get off this.

If you are really sick and just can't handle it then take one 30mg pill and see what happens. Do not take two. That is why it made you sick as your body can't handle 60mg all at once yet.

.

Good friends do not forget you when you are going through a rough time. When you push them away they will still be waiting to be there for you. The trick is to figure out which ones you can actually ask for help.

 

L-theanine (suntheanine) is a natural product that helps with the mood swings etc. Lemon Balm is good for sleeping and anxiety.

I'm anti drugs after this one so am finding natural remedies for my ailments.

 

Take care

[Bellasunshine68]

Well I got up and cleaned some and did a load of laundry. Then I felt sick and had to sit down. When I said felt better, I meant that I didn't get physically sick or dizzy. No matter how my head feels I know I need to move and exercise, and that is what is frustrating. Thank you for the info. I tried to drive unsuccessfully yesterday. Maybe I'll try tomorrow. I'll try to order that stuff on line. I am with you on natural elements. No amount of medicine is ever going to give me back what I lost. I know I would never have any intent on staying long term on any meds, so there is no point but to try homeopathic remedies that will help me feel better.

[lady2882Nancy]

I know it is really rough to start with and its not like we sit down and plan this out although I guess we really should have set up a plan to start with.

 

Depending on what country you live in, when you order online make sure it is from a good company as not all supplement companies are the same. Make sure the L-theanine is suntheanine. Lemon Balm can be bought as an herb or in tea bag form.

I use Sangsters but then I am in Canada and there are stores even in small towns and not sure what options you have.

 

Take care

[mgpam]

BellaSunshine -

 

Hugs to you.  I just lost my father as well a few weeks ago.