23 replies to this topic

[softpetals]

If you are reading this, it is probably out of desperation, looking for a connection in a story that sounds like yours, so that no, you are not going crazy….

You are maybe in the first few days of kicking this noxious drug or several days into it, wondering just what is happening to you and when, by the grace of God, is it going to end?!?!!!

I came back to tell my story – so that you may get a sense of hope that the way you are feeling will eventually work its way out of you, that your system will take over, and if you treat it well, will reset itself, maybe even better than before you started taking the drug.

Here’s my story –

Just like so many others…..
I started taking 60mgs of Cymbalta after being diagnosed with Fibromyalsia this year. I actually asked my Doctor to put me on it after an allergic reaction to Lyrica, and seeing the TV ads touting it’s great results for Fibro patients. Big mistake. Not really noticing a difference for 2 months my new Doctor doubled my dosage. Another Big Mistake. I spent the ensuing month getting sicker by the day and since a lot of the side affects of Cymbalta mimic Fibro symptoms I thought I was having a bad “flare”. But when I starting having body tremors and parts of me were twitching when they shouldn’t be, I knew something was way up. I was also having the most violent nightmares of my life (when I could sleep) sweating profusely, feeling cold, and just down right out of it. I would look in the mirror and not recognize myself. I dragged myself to work and finally one day I couldn’t keep anything down or in. I spent my day off on the toilet, with a bag on my lap. I remember thinking I tasted acidic “medicine” when I was puking, finding bits of the Cymbalta capsule in it (gross I know) - I look back and realize my body had finally flat-out rejected the drug. After going over and trying to decipher the ginormous ridiculously small printed pamphlet that comes with the drug, and realizing that I could check off all but two of the ‘adverse side affects’, I called my Doctor, told her exactly that and she said to stop taking it immediately. I did.

Cold Turkey.

The following is my journey off Cymbalta. Off all prescribed medicines actually. Today, I feel it, even look it – like my old self again. Funny thing – I don’t have any symptoms of the Fibro left at all…..I hope this reaches someone and helps….

Thursday, April 2, 2009
Day #1: Horrible day of puking and diarrhea. Called my Doctor she told me to stop taking it.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Day #2: Did not sleep last night, but I feel much better, I do think it was the Cymbalta that was making me feel so sh*#ty.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day #3: No sleep. So tired. Glad I am off that friggin’ Cymbalta. That stuff is nasty.
Sunday, April 4, 2009
Day #4: Felt like sh#t at work. Nauseous. Funky. Feels almost like I am on a rolling fishing boat. Feel surreal. Sweaty. Yuck. And then later..... horrible shakes, anxiety, sweats, body jerks, mouth is numb and tingling, head feels like it is going to pop off. I feel so funky. What is this????? My boyfriend had to crawl into bed and hold me – felt like I was going to spin right off the earth. Wow, this is not good.

Day #5: Had my friend Ash come over to keep a watch on me. No sleep and I feel out of body. Spacey, sea sick. Literally laid on the floor, scratching my skin and rocking. Trying to find a second of peace within myself. What in the hell is going on with me? Head is zapping and my vision keeps shuttering like a camera stuck on a piece of film. It makes me want to throw up every time it happens. Ash took one look at me and blurted “Do I need to take you to emergency?!” This from a woman who won’t take an aspirin for a headache. I can see the fright on her face. I can feel it bubbling in me too. Whatever this is, it is not normal and I can feel it’s insidious grip on my brain. I do not like this feeling, I do not like feeling out of control. I handed my good friend the Cymbalta pamphlet and crawled to my PC and Googled ‘Cymbalta withdrawal’. I found this very web site in a few short clicks and once I started to read what others were and had experienced withdrawing off Cymbalta I have to say – I was both relieved and alarmed. This drug was no picnic, on or off of it, and I realized there was nothing I could do but ride it out. Later: Doctor finally returned my frantic call from this a.m. – sounding unconcerned and rational – she tells me that what I am feeling is not the side affects of the drug, that I can’t believe everything I read on the internet, and she’ll see me tomorrow at two.


Day #6
Can’t sleep, can barely stand being in my bed – must have broken a record by all the tossing and turning I did just trying to get comfortable for 5 seconds. (HINT!!!!: If you have another bed or mattress/couch to go to while detoxing – I highly recommend it – Sucks to have your bed become the enemy – and it will during this process….) Have all the symptoms as others on line – including the brain zaps, these bother me the most out of all the symptoms, followed by the endless vertigo (ugh), can’t seem to feel normal, feel heavily “drugged” and I am not taking anything. I am spacey, wired, and feel my stomach has a washing machine in it.
Later: Saw Dr T – most concerned about me – didn’t even recognize me in the waiting area, I was so out of it, so exhausted yet so anxious that I couldn’t fight her, so I didn’t. I may write her some day and give her this diary. It definitely is the drug. No one will be able to convince me otherwise……

Day #7
OMG. I quit my job. Couldn’t handle it. Stupid to do in this economy and I think I will regret this – but would have had to call in sick for this anyway. I could not imagine being at my job and functioning properly. No way. Spent the day just trying to feel a sense of normalcy. It alludes me – and like a long distance lover, haunts me. I want my old self BACK.

HINT!!!!! During this I found myself craving really healthy foods (when I did get hungry) watch your intake of sugar, caffeine and carbs – they just make your body work harder and it needs all the help it can get. I took vitamins, calcium and magnesium. Drank a boat load of water. Used a lot of deep breathing and healthy visualizations. (Not kidding it really helped). Kept a journal, got fresh air when ever possible – get in the sun- just 15 minutes a day – no sun block.

Day #7
No sleep, feel the same as yesterday – tracking some other’s progress on line – I am a couple of days behind…. comparing symptoms, counting down the minutes – the seconds really and my mantra?.....Everyday in everyway I am getting better and better. All I keep reminding myself is that I am not taking it anymore. That eventually it has to be out of my system. That there is an end to this torture.

Day #8-Day #12
Pretty much the same. Wishing I could sleep, feel like I have the worst flu of my life…. with brain zaps. Just horrendous. Did a lot of research on the web regarding this drug – for the first time of my life registered a complaint with the FDA. Found out while talking to my friend in MI, her husband and sister-in-law were also put on Cymbalta – two different Doctors – 2 different reasons – same results – both were sick on it and coming off – same symptoms. What are the chances of this? I am beginning to feel that there is really a big problem here. How do we as consumers get some attention paid to this and get it off the market? I wouldn’t wish this nightmare on anyone.

Day #13
Interviewed and got a new job prospect this morning. Let’s just say the effort it took to drive there, act normal and drive home was intense. Spent the rest of the afternoon trying to focus, move around without feeling sick and just feel ‘normal’. Afraid of starting a job right now – I feel so shitty. Not sure if I can get through it. Symptoms have subsided somewhat, but they are hovering. Still have brain zaps and feel spacey. God help me it sucks.

Day #14
New job called me in a day early and I went of course – got the job by the end of the shift – barely made it 4 hours though– felt so exhausted and sick when I got in the car that I was grateful to make it home in one piece. Still no sleep – Still struggling to get my footing. Keep looking at the calendar wondering when my time will come…. When will I wake up and feel good again?

Day #15 - #16
Well, it appears that the worst is over. Was beginning to think that this was EVER going to happen – especially towards the end here. But I looked into the mirror today and saw my old self looking back. I slept Ok the other night and last night was a successful 8 hour baby. I still feel drained, a little more than relieved and glad to have a snow day to just relax and enjoy the feeling of being me again. No drugs, no helpless feelings regarding the loss of control in my brain and body functions. I have very very slight brain zaps, but they do not make me want to hurl as they have the past 14 days.

Day #17
Did not sleep all the way through – but slept, and woke feeling pretty decent. I have been waiting, hoping, praying for this morning, this feeling of having my head connected to my body and working together for me. Finally. Now to figure out how to spread the word…….


Day #18
Good night’s sleep – actually went back at 10 and slept ‘til 12. I feel pretty decent. I still am having little head zaps. They usually occur when looking into light or when light has a flickering affect. TV can bother me. Other than feeling a bit drained and weak, I am much better.


DAY #19
Went to bed at 8. woke around 11:30 went back ?? but I woke this morning – feel pretty good. Brain zaps seem to be under control today. Do not feel as spacey or funky.

Day #20
Had a decent night’s sleep – 8 hours I think – hard to say as I am not trying to focus on time. Feel pretty good, though my hands are ice cold and it makes them not as flexible. Have a bit of the brain zap thing happening – more of a pressure now. But I still have those funky eye-jitters occasionally that make me feel like hurling. I guess my body is righting itself as I am sleeping with no more than a melatonin pill and my energy has come back.

Day #21
STILL having weird brain zaps. Feel as though I am still not 100%. Energy is decent and I feel better than I did.

Day #22
Feel the best yet. Slept like a log – feel much better overall. A couple more days and I will be better than new. I haven’t felt like this in a long, long time.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Just know that you will get through this, no matter how you feel at this moment, and you will feel better.

WE NEED TO BAND TOGETHER AND GET CYMBALTA OFF THE MARKET.... go to the FDA website and COMPLAIN!!!!!

Good luck, remember it get’s better every second, every second that goes by means the drug is leaving and your body is fighting to right itself. Give yourself time, love and understanding. Most of all....Take care of yourself.

Peace & Health.

[pnorman813]

I had to go cold-turkey off of my 60MG dosage of Cymbalta due to financial reasons (no healthcare coverage and no finances to pay for drug w/o insurance). I have to say the last 5 days have been living hell. My head constantly throbs, my vision is warped, indigestion...i cannot think. I have tried taking naps but just wake up with the same throbbing brain. Reading through some of these posts is giving me hope.

Does exercise help?

[Houdi]

pnorman813:

Yes, exercise helps. Be gentle, don't get dehydrated or overheated.

If you are able, the otc gerd medication will help with your indigestion. For the vision issues and the whooshing sounds, I would lay down with a cover over my eyes for 10-15 min. Seemed to help my brain reset. The issues would come back, but I would get longer and longer relief. Also, no mutli-tasking...visually, emotionally, or physically. I had to take one thing at a time. No busy tv, couldn't really read, and computer work had to be limited. Take breaks...often. Start with 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off, the 10 minutes on, 5 minutes off. Try stretching during your off time and closing your eyes after.

You must take this one moment at a time. Then you can move to one day at a time. And don't get discouraged...ever. I had set back days after I started feeling better and I was crushed. Hopefully that won't happen to you, but if it does, it too shall pass.

There is lots of info on supplements and diet here. Try a few things. Along with the otc gerd medication, I also found Benadryl helped me for the fullness in my sinuses and dramamine helped some of the movement issues. Benadryl and dramamine make me tired, so I had to be very careful when I took them. Driving is an issue on meds and when you have vertigo. I stopped driving for a while.... My kids carted me around 'cuz my vertigo was so bad.

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you have to be here. Ask any questions, they are welcome.

Best of wishes....Houdi

[luvaniner]

Hi, I’m new to this blogging business, so bear with me. Here is my Cymbalta story. I first went on Cymbalta in early November 2008 because of a very difficult time in my life. My MD first gave me 30 mg and I went back in 2 weeks. I felt more depressed during that time, and told him so, though I did not feel suicidal or feel like I wanted to harm myself or someone else. He was very adamant about asking me about this. He jacked me up to 60 mg. After my life got back together (or at least I thought so) approximately 4 months later, I told him I wanted to go off of it. He told me to continue to take the 60 mg daily until I felt ready, then decrease to 30 mg for a week, and I should be okay. Of course I’d already heard about the withdrawal symptoms having done my research when I went on it to begin with, so was very apprehensive. So I did as he suggested, decreased to 30 for a week. After the first day of the decrease I thought I had to go to the ER, that maybe I was having a stroke. The brain zaps, as others have appropriately named them, were so severe I thought I was losing my mind, and just try to explain it to someone!! The accompanying stomach “thing” (diarrhea, gurgling, etc.) was more than I’d anticipated. I also missed a period (even though by now I was no longer sexually active I STILL took a pregnancy test)and was totally exhausted to the point I felt if I didn’t sit down I was going to fall down! I also felt very depressed, and though I had never had a problem with depression before I could have cried at the drop of a hat; was very antsy and would fly off the handle very easily. Let’s not forget our friends the brain zaps which were so bad there were nights I would just go to bed early, figuring if I could sleep through them I didn’t have to deal with them for that time. There were days I literally would just grit my teeth to get trough them! 3 weeks of that and I’m back to the doctor. I tried to explain the ‘zaps’ to him and he looked at me like I was crazy. He actually seems very understanding so I don’t really think he thought I was crazy. He said he had only one other patient who had Cymbalta withdrawal “issues” but nothing like what I was describing. He told me he originally thought it was a little early for me to be off of them, that they prefer people to be on them for 1 – 1-1/2 years. Also, because of my age, 48, he thought the period thing could have been a pre-menopausal issue. So because I was feeling depressed, I really thought that maybe I hadn’t fully dealt with the issues in my life, so I agreed to go back on the Cymbalta.

Fast forward to August 2009. I started weaning myself by decreasing to 30 mg one day, 60 the next, or 30 one day nothing the next, back to 60, etc. I don’t know if this was healthy or not, but who really knows if Cymbalta is either? Today is day 11 and this time the withdrawal doesn’t seem to be as bad as the first time, but I don’t know if it has to do with the way I did it. The exhaustion is pretty bad – I can come home from work at 4:00 – sleep for 3 or 4 hours, stay up for 3 hours, go back to bed, sleep all night and still not be able to get up in the morning! My bouts of what I call just feeling very down seem to just come out of nowhere, and I also feel very antsy or jittery again. There are days I feel like I have ADD – as if I’m here physically but not mentally – hard to explain. I figure this too shall pass. And the brain zaps –they seem worse during the day than at night. I’m wondering if it has to do with the fluorescent lighting in the office?

I’m determined to beat the blues and when they kick in I make myself get busy. At work I get up from my desk frequently and walk around the building, inside or out, and get out with my coworkers at lunch for our daily walk. Also I try to keep busy with my friends or errands right after work instead of giving in to the desire to go home and go to bed. Also have a neighbor who likes to walk at night so I do that a lot. On the weekends though, when that exhaustion kicks in, I just go with it – take a nap and who cares – it’s the weekend!

Like I said, withdrawal doesn’t seem as bad this time around, not to minimize it by any means, but I’m guessing there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am determined to stay off this crap -- I will never go back to the relationship that put me on Cymbalta, and I will, God willing, never be on Cymbalta again. Now…..if I can just quit the smoking (also fallout from the relationship) :<

[mbme]

The Veterans Administration finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and I got put on Cymbalta. As if I didn't have enough horrible withdrawal with Welbutrin. I just returned today from viewing a bodybuilding and figure contest near my home and mourning the fact that I feel like I will never lose the pain in my body OR these withdrawal symptoms. I ran out of Cymbalta last week and I am now having atrocious withdrawal symptoms.

I spent 22 yrs in the Marines (female) and physical fitness is part of my life. I was working out with my son at the gym and making major gains....and things were going fine with Cymbalta and then I had what I think was a horrendous "flare" of pain in joints and ligaments. One that literally has taken me out of the gym for the last 2 weeks. This coincided with the non-refill of my cymbalta which didn't seem to make me feel better anyway.

It's been about a week since I took cymbalta and I still can't recreate events up to this point correctly. I feel "brain zaps", pain up and down the spine, feel like crying, have no hope of recovery (damned depression) and I have told the VA constantly that if I did not have this horrible pain in my joints and ligaments I wouldn't BE depressed! Just take my pain away and I will be good to go!

Yeah, my dreams were horrible "B" Movie Hollywood Wish I Could Write a Book About It Dreams.....mine would be best selling books and Academy Award winners in the Horror Division. Really scary, with all types of psychological warps and really off the wall. Can't sleep well at all. But Semper Fi, I will get through this. I feel like I have no mind left, no self-confidence, that I am a total loser; I keep looking back and not forward and counting my past mistakes and taking all the blame about everything in my life.....yeah guys......I feel like I am cracking up!

I was on Welbutrin too, holy God, I remember waking up and not recognizing my bedroom and having a major pull between God and the Devil. Got through that also. Now the big prescription awaiting me from the VA is Lyrica but I think I will tell them to shove it and get cortisone shots in all my joints.

Before I accept the Lyrica prescription from the VA I am googling it and seeing if there's any hope. Y'all take care!
It was great to see all your posts, I know what you are going through....persevere! We will get through it!
One positive note, I have a lot more sexual dreams and I got my GROOVE back!

[vaia72]

I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have found this site. I am on my third week of weaning off Cymbalta and I've about had ENOUGH! Although, I know I have to stay strong, be patient and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I recently swtiched from Celexa to 60mg of Cymbalta. I was ok with it at first, but after a couple months, I found myself becoming more and more tired during the day. I was losing interest in exercising and desperately needing to nap mid-day. I have three children (ages 6,4, and 2) and was very frustrated at how my energy level could never keep up with theirs. Generally, I am an active person who loves to keep busy. Cymbalta made this really hard to do.

Sooo...I made the decision to stop the medication. I began by skipping one day, then two, three and so on. I did not reduce the actual dose as I only have the 60mg capsules and am not sure how to do this. I think I'm on day 5 with nothing at all, but am at a loss. Should I see my doctor and have her give me the lower dosage capsule for a few weeks??? Or just tough it out and let my body detox? HELP! The withdrawal symptoms are typicl...vertigo, brain tingling, nausea, sweating, etc. All I want to do is drink water and sleep it off, but I do have a family who needs me as well.

Once all this is better (SOON, HOPEFULLY) I plan to implement methods of controlling anxiety through Dr. Henry Emmons' book The Chemistry of Joy. This book explains a three step approach to overcoming anxiety and depression through both western and eastern sciences/wisdom. He takes an alternative approach which includes diet change, vitamins, supplements, etc.

I am open to any advice at this point. I just want these crappy feelings to pass so that I may feel like my "normal" self again!

[luvaniner]

Personally i would go to my MD and get some 30 mgs tablets. My first time around my doctor gave me 30 mgs to start the weaning process. I think weaning from 60 to 30 is a good idea, although i didn't do that my second time around. I think it may "lessen" (!!!) the withdrawal symptoms. I believe there is also a 20 mg out there - think i read that on this site -though I didn't have them. Wish I did - I think it would have been great to go from 60 to 30 to 20. Keep in mind it's been, I think, 5 weks for me and I still get an occasional head zap. My fatigue and feeling down both seem to be a little better. I think it just takes TIME! Weather is beautiful here in Upsatte NY so I am forcing myself to get out and enjoy it and I think that helps. Besides, we know it will be snowing before we know it !!!:< Good luck and I am going to look into the book you suggested, so thanks for that idea! Keep us "posted."

[nursedeborah]

Hope your doing better. What is going on with you now?

Debbie

[jenster]

I think your story has helped me just a little todays only day for cold turkey off cymbolta and at this moment i feel as if i need to go to hospital.. I have been on cymbolta for 5 yrs 60mg i started at lower dose and still had anxiety so they upped it my whole life still have been feeling horrible and i think its all due to the cymbolta.. i feel shaky way depressed like i wish i was dead right now,sweating, liking im going to jump out of my skin everything is irritating me!!,werid sensations in my body tingling and my mouth even has werid tingling and taste....i dont know how much longer i can deal with this... if i were to go back in life i would never ever take this pill again!!!!

[nursedeborah]

jenster,
How many days have you been off the Cymbalta? I know how you feel as I am still going through terrible withdrawls and I am on day 20.

I started my decrease on Sept 31, 2009 to 50-45mg, and by the 11 th day I saw that I had somehow gone done to about 23-30 mg. This is day 4 at 40 mg, and boy I am better than
I was.

I couln't even do this dropping to that amount as I just felt so insane.

I felt like I was back on the full dose of the stuff again.

I totally think that all that was wrong with me was the Cymbalta, and I still have so many
withdrawl symptoms, which are just the same as being on the stuff.

I too have had thoughts at times before I went back up a little bit og going in to the nut house. I just didn't think I could make it through the withdrawls.

I went to the other site that junior posted, and some people take up to a year to get off this crap!!! I will do what ever I have to, but I won't give it a year of my life!!!

It has taken so much already from me. Just the past few days I have been able to do things.
I never thought I would ever be able to function again. I have been cleaning a much needed
filthlt house that I was unable to clean due to no motivation at all.

I am seeing the improvement, yet I am stilll having lots of withdrawl symptoms.
I haate that I am so snappy at my friends, and the pain in my stomach, well there is more,
memory, lol who knows what I have said already two or three times.

Please be good to yourself, don't let yourself suffer!!!

Love,
Debbie

[Cecile]

I read this almost every nite!!! your a real strong person!!! and you got off cold turkey, the same as me right now..I'm on day 7 and yes it felt the same as you said!!

Cecile

[satishbhawra32]

You are maybe in the first few days of kicking this noxious drug or several days into it, wondering just what is happening to you and when, by the grace of God, is it going to end?!?!!!

[nursedeborah]

Jenster,
Have not heard from you, and was just wondering how you were doing?
I finally had to get on Prozac as I just couldn't take the withdrawls, or
the mental part of it all was the worst for me.

Cymbalta ruin me, and my life. My entire chemistry is a mess, but at
least I know what is wrong with me, and it's not the things that my
doc kept trying to tell me either.

Doctors just don't know the degree of suffering we all have to go
through to get off this crap, or even to go down a small amount
for some of us is really very brutal.

I just hope you will check in, and let me know how you are doing.

Debbie

[Junior]

Debbie,

I know what you mean when you say that your 'entire chemistry is a mess'. My nervous system is still up the pole but improving slowly, thanks to both the Aropax (Paxil) (which seems to be working as it used to, thank god) and all the pills my naturopath has me taking. I think now that I'm beginning to deal with the emotional side of it all. Plus, starting a new job has raised a whole other lot of emotional issues, ones I didn't expect to feel. Long story, but it has been 20 yrs since I've been in the workforce and let's just say that I have a LOT of adjusting to do!

I'm glad that Prozac is helping you. I really am. You have had a harder time with coming off Cymbalta than I did. It basically only took me two week.. BUT.. the fact that I'd been on SSRI's for so long before that (over 10 years) meant that my brain / body chemistry was working hard to try to regain its natural equilibrium. I was going to try to ride that out but after not being able to sleep - extreme insomnia - I had to do something. I wanted my life back! And now, even though things are tough at the moment (with so much to deal with / adjust to), I think I'm going to get there. I have a sense that everything is going to be ok - can't explain why really - but it's there. With the Aropax stabilising my mood, I think it's that I'm gaining a sense of control over myself again. At least I hope so! It has been a really scary ride. I want it to be over ASAP!

I hope everything goes smoothly for you from now on. You've been through a lot, judging from some of your posts on here, and you deserve peace.

[cardgirl1]

Hi Everyone,

I'm on about day 6 of withdrawing and I was wondering how everyone else was doing around that time? I'm incredibly tired, have uncontrollable crying, scared, anxious, nauseated, body tremors, hate being alone, and want to lay in bed all day. Did anyone else have this?? Is it normal?? Can I hope to be out of the woods soon? If I could go back, I would have never went on this drug!

Please share any solutions, help, or inspiration. I feel so lost. I just want to feel better!

[barney59]

Cardgirl1

I am day 9 of withdrawals. everything you say you are going through I am also experiencing, along with brain zaps and diarrhea, severe body aches...the list goes on for me. You are NOT ALONE. This site has helped me with reassurance and support. I also saw my dr who didn't understand until he saw me. Talking with him also helped me. DO you have a real good doc who you can talk to B

[kykymommy]

ok really these electrical brain impulses are rediculus why do the doctors advise of these reactions when coming off the meds? How long will they last each day seem actually seems worse then the day before? I was not on these meds for long maybe 6 months? This is crazy makes people not want to get help because of what might happen when they come off the meds

[MaureenV]

ok really these electrical brain impulses are rediculus why do the doctors advise of these reactions when coming off the meds? How long will they last each day seem actually seems worse then the day before? I was not on these meds for long maybe 6 months? This is crazy makes people not want to get help because of what might happen when they come off the meds

The doctors don't advise of the reactions because the only information they have comes from the drug companies, who claim that we're a tiny minority and that the majority are not affected - which is bollocks of course.

No one can say how long they'll last for you. i wasn't on a high dose (30mg) and after unsuccessfully trying to take it alternate days, discovered this site and changed to 20mg per day and found a huge difference; since then I've gone to 15, 12.5 & 10mg, staying on each for about a week, and STILL having stopped Cymbalta last Saturday am getting the brain zaps back.

Maureen.

[cardgirl1]

I don't know. I called his office and my pharmacy and was speaking about my side effects and they didn't really have much to say. I hope it gets better. I keep thinking it is and then I get sick again, or cry, or feel scared. My doctor seems to think that since I was on Cymbalta since March 2009 I quote, "should feel better now." He then diagnosed me with dysthymic disorder-didn't tell me anything about it and left the office. I feel like he is really wanting to numb my feelings-he gave zanxax but I hate taking that because it is so addictive. I feel like if I tell him these things he will think that I'm just "too sad" and I don't want him to put me on it again.

[libbyloo]

great post with diary of withdrawals. i am on my 3rd day cold turkey. started on them 6 weeks ago at 60 mg. had suicidial idealisations and uncontrollable crying, told doc no more he talked me into staying on them, i lasted a day. that was 4 days ago i stopped taking them. i dont feel too bad and am sleeping the best i have for ages. although after reading over and over the same pattern of withdrawal symptoms i am expecting the worse to come. but that is ok because i flatly refuse to put another one of those things in my body. i have supports in place to ride the storm and i say bring it on. i cannot believe that this drug is allowed to be prescribed to anyone for anything. well done it was great and inspiring to read your story. i maintain hope. thank you for sharing libbylooo

[nursedeborah]

Libby,
What ever you decide that's your choice, but most of us have found that doing it
cold turkey is so very brutal, and doing a decrease at your own pace is so much
kinder to youeself.

You could be one of the luckyone's and not have any problem, that's rare to find.
This drug is addictive to the brain, it is also compared to getting off of Oxycotin.

The only thing there is that only takes 7-10 days for the withdrawls to be done, and
with this drug no ones knows. Some it takes up to two years to stop having the
withdrawl symptoms. No one even knows if there will be permanate damage. I
do have a friend I just met on another form that still has the Brain Zaps, and it's
been two years since she stopped Cymbalta.

Please read many posts, and see what some have done like opening the caps, and
dumping some out, then waiting, and repeating this process again in about 2 weeks.
You can go back up a few beads if your not tolerating the decrease, as some can only
do a 2.5 mg decrease at a time. There is no race, just a goal of getting of this crap.

I wish you the best, and hope that you can find out what works best for you so you
don't have to go through hell to get off this med, because there is an easier way to
do so.

Good luck with wntever you do decide, we will all be here to support you!

Try this site too, it save my butt, http:prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm


That gives all the withdrawls symotoms so you do know you not crazy, but just
having withdrawls.

In your corner,
Debbie

[rap64]

Have tried weaning, no difference. Sick of no sleep, tired aching muscles, sore jaw from grinding my teeth, irritable to the point of being obnoxious, and treating the people that love me like crap.

Cold turkey Day 6, feel like my brain is being sucked out of my head, but the 35 degree heat, doesnt help. Havent slept for so long, just waiting for a deep sleep, and not getting up to pee 65 times a night.

Not banned in Australia, thought it was pretty good to start with, did help, but just felt worse and worse after 6 months.

[nursedeborah]

Try our slow wean, it works.
Don't know what you tried, but this
way works.

Debbie

[Junior]

Hi RAP64

From all reports, Cymbalta is one of the hardest of the anti-d's to get off. I understand that because it is an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine) rather than an SSRI (just serotonin) it needs to be weaned more slowly. Effexor is the same.

What was your weaning schedule? Would it be worth going back on a low dose and tapering very very slowly?

Cheers
Junior