I was on 60 mg. Cymbalta for a little over three months. Needless to say, the withdrawal has felt worse than coming off opiates, which I have experienced. I weaned for a few weeks to 30 mg, then went cold turkey 5 days ago. I planned my "detox", even sending my 2-year-old to my sister in law's as my husband had to work and told my 16 year old to plan on getting rides to work.
Here was my detox regimen: I pretty much spent all 5 days in bed. It was awful. I drank a ton of water and some salty broth, watched stupid movies, avoided caffeine and sugar, took Zofran in the morning and Phenergan at night for the nausea/dizziness, and popped a sliver each day of Lexapro I had prior to the Cymbalta (and I mean a sliver--probably 2.5 mg). Today, the dizziness subsided enough so I went to the YMCA and exercised a little to get this crap out of my system. I plan on doing the same tomorrow and the next day (I have a rare pancreatic/biliary disorder, so I am disabled and don't work). I still have brain zaps, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, screaming ringing in my ears, and cried today for the first time in months. But, I am grateful to be done with this poison once and for all! I don't care if I get slammed again with bed-ridden symptoms. I refuse to ever take this again!
My primary care doctor thought it would be a great idea to try me on Cymbalta for my severe small fiber neuropathy. Well, it backfired. Not only did it do NOTHING for the pain, it made me psychologically and physically addicted. This drug should be a controlled substance. Funny how my doctor had a continually plentiful supply of samples from the pharmaceutical reps. Reminds me of the Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch of the West, "Better to get you hooked on my dear..."
