13 replies to this topic

[girlcat]

I've been reading some posts.  I've only been off the cursed stuff for nine days.  But I had been weaning off it for quite a while.  I took 30mg for 18 months for pain of fibromyalgia, and was down to 20mg every third day.  I went off all articial sweeteners and the pain has gone away. The anxiety is very bad sometimes, and it's off and on all day along with all the other symptoms mentioned.  Does anyone know if it helps to take something for anxiety like xanax or something I don't know about.  I've never taken xanax, but know friends who have.  Now that I know where all this is coming from, I feel better and think that will help to tolerate the withdrawal, all except the anxiety.  I was blaming all this on side effects of a new blood pressure med I started ten days ago.  Thanks in advance for any help you can give, and thanks for sharing.

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi girlcat

Yes the anxiety is a common temporary side effect from stopping cymbalta. For most people it goes away fairly quickly.

You might try hydroxyzine for the short term as it worked well for me for the initial anxiety and although it may make you a little sleepy it does help prevent the periods of anxiety. Xanax works too but is only something you take at the time you are having the anxiety and is not used to prevent anxiety. You would need to talk to your doctor as both these meds need a prescription.

Depending on what blood pressure med you are on, it could be adding to the anxiety too.

Hang in there dear. it will get better.

Take care

[girlcat]

Thank you so much, lady2882Nancy.  I have an appt with doctor tomorrow morning and will ask about hydroxyzine.

 

A few more questions about symptoms:  I seem to get nauseated if I don't eat, and then if I eat, afterward become nauseated.  Last night I awoke with pain in my lower stomach that felt like labor pains, many hours after I'd eaten.  I don't want to leave the house, because I'm afraid I will break down and cry over nothing or explode in anger at someone.  I yelled at my poor old cat this morning.  Are these withdrawal symptoms also?

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi Girlcat

Yes those are all withdrawal symptoms.

The mood swings are very common and last about 2 to 3 weeks. The anger can last a little longer. I used L-theanine (suntheanine) which is a natural supplement you can get at a Health food/supplement store. 200mg first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. You can take another 200mg just before supper if you are experiencing evening anger or moodiness as well.

At for the meals I found that I had to eat something every 3 to 4 hours so make sure my stomach never got really empty and I could not each a full sized meal at all or I had a terrible stomach ache and/or nausea. 6 or 7 small meals over the day works much better and seems to be easier on the stomach.

You are about 1/2 way through the worst of it so hang it there it will get better.

Take care

[fishinghat]

I fully agree with Nancy. What level of cymbalta are you on now or are you completely off?

[girlcat]

I was on 30mg for most of the year and was weaned down to a pill every three days.  A month ago I went to 20mg and also took that every two days, then every three.  I've been off altogher for 10 days. I did have a very stressful weelend as a guest in someone's home and drove 900 miles.  I wonder if stress and exhaustion brought all this on?  I am also 67, and otherwise is faily good health.  My other meds are blood pressure and levothyroxine.  I also take vitamins and supplements.  My doc had just told me to stop taking a multi vitamin, because I am a vegetarian and eat organic foods.  She also took me off magnesium, vitamin c, turmeric and COQ10. I drink probably a gallon of water daily  --  a carry over from having Graves disease 20 years ago.  Craving water is one of the symptons.  I also exercise in a pool 3x weekly.  I had to give up walking temporarily, because it is so hot and humid here, and I was sweating so badly.

[fishinghat]

10 days into it can be the rough part. I hope you hang in there. You should start feeling better in 7 to 10 days (usually!!). Good luck and keep us posted.

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi Girlcat

I would take the multivitamin while suffering from side effects as it can really help balance the brain.

Exhaustion does increase the side effects so getting enough rest will be important to get back on track.

The sweating is normal when discontinuing and the heat makes it much worse.

Since you are vegetarian you will be getting your liver detoxed but make sure you are eating foods to help balance the brain.

As long as you are eating enough fruit you should be getting enough trace minerals.

Try not to let yourself get too tired again as it can really add to the time it takes to get over the side effects.

Take care

[girlcat]

I thought I was getting better, then I got hit with a double whammy today.  The symptoms started all over again:  high anxiety, very high BP, then fast drop in BP, nausea, dizziness, severe memory problems.  I lost my car keys twice today.  Fortunately I carry a spare.  I feel like I'm losing my mind again, and maybe going to have a stroke or heart attack.  It's probably my fault.  I started going about business as usual at home, in the garden, running errands. 

[girlcat]

If I didn't know this was coming from withdrawal from cymbalta, I would think I was dying.

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi Girlcat

Let see you should be about 15 days off now so that is not unusual at the point you are at now.

It's like the Crapalta has to let us know that it is still there.

Very disheartening I know, but it means that in a few days you will start to feel better again and then it is easier with the side effects slowly fading away.

 

Hang in there you can do it. 

Make sure you are still drinking lots of water and you will be okay. 

Take care

[girlcat]

Thank you for your support.  I just had a bout of heavy vomiting.  My body goes to great lengths to avoid throwing up.  I don't think I've thrown up ten times in my life.  I thought about callling the doctor tomorrow, but I don't really think there is anything they can do to ease this process.  I usually just try to tough things out.  As a retired teacher, I am so disgustingly patient.

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi Girlcat

I had nausea at that point but luckily did not actually vomit. If it doesn't stop then I would suspect that you may have picked up a bug or eaten something that is not agreeing with your stomach. I have found that once stopping the Crapalta that there were alot of things that affected my entire GI system much worse than it did before I ever took it. I'm like you in that I rarely vomit but it was a close thing when having withdrawals.

This is the nastiest drug I have even had to discontinue.

You will feel better soon, just be careful not to do too much, tire yourself or get dehydrated.

Take care of you

[girlcat]

I did do too much that day.  I thought I was better and worked in the garden in the heat.  I won't do that again.  And it was the clonodine that caused the vomiting.  I have a hard time doing nothing unless I'm really sick.  Oh well, another day under my belt.  I do not want any new Rxs. Thanks again for your support.

 

How are you feeling now?  Has your health improved?