27 replies to this topic

[KennySilvers]

Hi - I was on Cymbalta for about 5 years . For Fibro and for bad back pain . I never really researched anything . And assumed

this was like anything else . I quit the Cymbalta 1.5 years ago . I went through intense Psychological meltdown . Which I had never

experienced . Now , I seem to have contracted a Neurotic "Fear of Commitment" , or even simply a fear of "Dealing with People".

It feels like the anxiety is SLOWLY decreasing . At least I do have on/off days . Has anyone dealt with this sort of thing . I've been

on other sites where people quit the drug with no problems . I'm a little skeptical about that . Cymbalta is really strong and takes

your mind to places it should not be . Can anyone lend some advice ? I find if I talk about it , or get more info - That it will help.

I think the problem will go away someday . But at this point the symptoms control me . I cannot control them . Thanks - John

 

 

 

[equuswoman]

Welcome to the Cymbalta forum. I have been on this drug for 18 months. Prescribed to me for LBP due to osteoarthritis. The SE are just more than I can handle anymore. I tried to stop it trying the instructions my pain physician gave me. That didn't work. I was so glad that I found this support forum! I am determined to get off Cymbalta. I am doing this using the bead counting method that I discovered here. The ppl here on this site are great at supporting each other. Please check out the topic listings. Again glad that you are here. We will make it through this. Hope & Prayers for you. TheEquusWoman

[thismoment]

Hi - I was on Cymbalta for about 5 years . For Fibro and for bad back pain . I never really researched anything . And assumed
this was like anything else . I quit the Cymbalta 1.5 years ago . I went through intense Psychological meltdown . Which I had never
experienced . Now , I seem to have contracted a Neurotic "Fear of Commitment" , or even simply a fear of "Dealing with People".
It feels like the anxiety is SLOWLY decreasing . At least I do have on/off days . Has anyone dealt with this sort of thing . I've been
on other sites where people quit the drug with no problems . I'm a little skeptical about that . Cymbalta is really strong and takes
your mind to places it should not be . Can anyone lend some advice ? I find if I talk about it , or get more info - That it will help.
I think the problem will go away someday . But at this point the symptoms control me . I cannot control them . Thanks - John

Hi KennySilvers
It takes a while to recover after weaning off the powerful mind-changing drug that is Cymbalta. I'm clean now 15 months, and I still am feeling subtle improvements in my brain, and, I still have a couple of lingering (though tolerable) symptoms.

I think that while we deal with the 'recovery' aspect of this experience, we also have to seriously address the 'adapting' aspect. Our brains are changed by both the experience on the drug and the difficult process of withdrawing from it: clearly, we have to learn to live with some of the lingering symptoms that just may be permanent. We have to adapt. Few injuries or experiences that change the body ever heal totally- talk to any mature athlete. Talk to any combat veteran.

Yes, most of the symptoms will go away, and you will be okay. And things seem to get better and better for me even this far out from taking the last bead in August of 2012. Get on with living and loving, and when you remember to look at your recovery status, you'll notice that indeed things have improved. I am convinced that much of the healing is proactive and you have to do it by living.

Best wishes!

[thismoment]

Weccome to the Cymbalta forum. I have been on this drug for 18 months. Prescribed to me for LBP due to osteoarthritis. The SE are just more than I can handle anymore. I tried to stop it trying the instructions my pain physician gave me. That didn't work. I was so glad that I found this support forum! I am determined to get off Cymbalta. I am doing this using the bead counting method that I discovered here. The ppl here on this site are great at supporting each other. Please check out the topic listings. Again glad that you are here. We will make it through this. Hope & Prayers for you. TheEquusWoman

Hi Equuswoman

I am so happy for you! Keep up the good work!

 

So many folks have been prescribed Cymbalta for pain. It's my humble opinion that many folks would have been far better off to have been prescribed opiates.

 

For those who have lived with pain, we know that nothing changes the brain like pain, nothing alters character like pain, nothing evaporates hope like pain, and nothing drives loved ones away like the person we become when we live in pain!

 

Of course the argument  against opiates (morphine, heroine, oxycontin etc.) is the fact that they are addictive. And there is definitely some long-standing cultural stigma and ethical recoil from the notion of medicating with narcotics; perhaps that sends the physician to the cupboard to find some less controversial (but also less appropriate) medication, like Cymbalta.

 

Well, addictive really means dick to somebody who has lived with pain!  Deal with my pain, but don't mess with my brain! 

 

And for some reason I can't fathom, there's a crowd of righteously-indignant folks out there that think there's something wrong with taking a medication that alleviates your pain, and also puts a smile on your face. Frankly, I don't see the problem.

 

Best wishes!

[Lad]

Welcome Kennysilvers:

 

Yep, places your mind shouldn't be sounds familiar!

 

We are not md's here but have pretty much all been negatively touched by this chemical. After a year and a half of suffering I think I would be back in the medical treatment providers office trying to come up with another plan of attack. Not that I would ever want to go on another antidepressant but there are many here who do so to get beyond the crapalta.

Fishinghat seems to be very knowledgeable about the options and may chime in if you ask nicely lol. After this amount of time there would be absolutely NO shame in putting another tool in your belt. Even if you chose not to take that route this is a good place to find a listening ear to talk it out.

Apparently the withdrawals do not affect everyone. About 20% of us are blessed with this pleasure and an even smaller group, to which you seem to belong, get the extended version of the Crapalta withdrawals.

Good luck and I hope you get beyond this soon!

 

Lad

[fishinghat]

KennySilvers, welcome to the site. UNluckily your story is a common one. After 5 years of usage I quit cymbalta in Feb and also had a severe meltdown. I had been taking it for severe anxiety. I had fear and crying 24/7 after coming off the cymbalta.  I tried to stick it for 4 months but just couldn't handle it any more. I went on a different ssri (a family of antidepressants) There are really 3 good choices; lexapro, prozac and zoloft. All are weaker ssris and have a much longer half-life in the blood stream then cymbalta . This makes them easier to come off of. The idea is to get on one of these, give your body several month to adapt to being without cymbalta and then try to wean off the replacement ssri. Cymbalta is the second strongest ssri and it is also a snri. By switching to one of the other drugs you are not only dealing with a weaker ssri but they are not snris and it gives your body a chance to recover from that effect. Just incase you don't know it ssri's control seratonin a strong neurotransmitter and mood adjuster. A snri controls norepinephrine, which your body changes to adrenaline.

 

I wish you the best. We all here have experienced at least some life in cymbalta hell. Hang in there.

[Kindorf]

Hi Kenny and welcome. The people you find on this forum are the best. They will give you support and the answers you get will come from their experiences.

If I can answer anything I will try my best. If I can't I will still be there for support. There is a lot of good information on here. Just pick a time when you feel up to reading.

Good luck with getting right after ingesting this poison. Anything we can help with just ask.

[fishinghat]

By the way KennySilvers, that fear of going into public or dealing with social situations is called agoraphobia and is a common withdrawal symptom and especially ocurs with people who exhibit fear or panic.

[KennySilvers]

Weccome to the Cymbalta forum. I have been on this drug for 18 months. Prescribed to me for LBP due to osteoarthritis. The SE are just more than I can handle anymore. I tried to stop it trying the instructions my pain physician gave me. That didn't work. I was so glad that I found this support forum! I am determined to get off Cymbalta. I am doing this using the bead counting method that I discovered here. The ppl here on this site are great at supporting each other. Please check out the topic listings. Again glad that you are here. We will make it through this. Hope & Prayers for you. TheEquusWoman

Hello - Thanks for your reply . I never really had negative side effects from using it . It actually worked well . It's when I started to decrease the dose . Even then , I did not think it was a big deal . I think Men think like that in general . Who would have known ? Thanks again for your nice message . BTW : A inversion table may help you with pain . 

[KennySilvers]

Hi KennySilvers

It takes a while to recover after weaning off the powerful mind-changing drug that is Cymbalta. I'm clean now 15 months, and I still am feeling subtle improvements in my brain, and, I still have a couple of lingering (though tolerable) symptoms. 

 

I think that while we deal with the 'recovery' aspect of this experience, we also have to seriously address the 'adapting' aspect. Our brains are changed by both the experience on the drug and the difficult process of withdrawing from it: clearly, we have to learn to live with some of the lingering symptoms that just may be permanent.  We have to adapt. Few injuries or experiences that change the body ever heal totally- talk to any mature athlete. Talk to any combat veteran. 

 

Yes, most of the symptoms will go away, and you will be okay. And things seem to get better and better for me even this far out from taking the last bead in August of 2012. Get on with living and loving, and when you remember to look at your recovery status, you'll notice that indeed things have improved: much of the healing is proactive, you have to do it by living.

 

Best wishes!

Hi Thanks - I have quite a few replys . That's great . Sounds like you and I are at about the same stage . The really bad stuff is gone . To be honest , the drug did open up my mind in a positive way . I thought about all the bad things I had done to people over the years . And the bad things people had done to me . It was like a built in Psychiatrist . 

 

The only left over symptom left over is the dealing and meeting with people . It's decreased . So , I hope that's a good sign . Thanks again for your reply - John 

[KennySilvers]

KennySilvers, welcome to the site. UNluckily your story is a common one. After 5 years of usage I quit cymbalta in Feb and also had a severe meltdown. I had been taking it for severe anxiety. I had fear and crying 24/7 after coming off the cymbalta.  I tried to stick it for 4 months but just couldn't handle it any more. I went on a different ssri (a family of antidepressants) There are really 3 good choices; lexapro, prozac and zoloft. All are weaker ssris and have a much longer half-life in the blood stream then cymbalta . This makes them easier to come off of. The idea is to get on one of these, give your body several month to adapt to being without cymbalta and then try to wean off the replacement ssri. Cymbalta is the second strongest ssri and it is also a snri. By switching to one of the other drugs you are not only dealing with a weaker ssri but they are not snris and it gives your body a chance to recover from that effect. Just incase you don't know it ssri's control seratonin a strong neurotransmitter and mood adjuster. A snri controls norepinephrine, which your body changes to adrenaline.

 

I wish you the best. We all here have experienced at least some life in cymbalta hell. Hang in there.

Unfortunately , I know what you are talking about . Prior to Cymbalta . I would get a tight chest when a girl broke up with me or something normal like that . For me , I developed the problem first out of insomnia . I feared that I would not to get the sleep , and I could not deal with the people I was to meet the next day . Sleep recovered

but I still have the anxiety dealing with people.I have three friends at my house . I'm always around people . Which was even more confusing . They never bothered me . Only

"stranger" or occasional vistors/meet ups . I decided to ask my Doctor for something to help . At this point the anxiety comes and goes . You can't out think it . The only thing that works for me is a positive distraction . Thanks again for the response . It sounds like you are doing well .  BTW : My meltdown had a little crying . But more , my hands were shaking , weakness  and the classic "Twitch" ... Boy that was fun ! I thought I'd contracted "Tourettes" or something (!!!)

[KennySilvers]

Hi Kenny and welcome. The people you find on this forum are the best. They will give you support and the answers you get will come from their experiences.

If I can answer anything I will try my best. If I can't I will still be there for support. There is a lot of good information on here. Just pick a time when you feel up to reading.

Good luck with getting right after ingesting this poison. Anything we can help with just ask.

Hi Thanks - That's a lot of support for one day . Feels good . The only thing really is the Social Anxiety . Which , I can tell is going away . It's still here , but it's better

than a year ago . Thanks again for your help and support ! 

[KennySilvers]

By the way KennySilvers, that fear of going into public or dealing with social situations is called agoraphobia and is a common withdrawal symptom and especially ocurs with people who exhibit fear or panic.

Thanks for the info . I will be looking forward to this . That's my deal . Although , it's highly complicated , confusing , and does not make much sense . I think I may have had these problems "lightly" . The Cymbalta withdraw must has amplified and triggered the anxiety . Take Care - John

[equuswoman]

Hello - Thanks for your reply . I never really had negative side effects from using it . It actually worked well . It's when I started to decrease the dose . Even then , I did not think it was a big deal . I think Men think like that in general . Who would have known ? Thanks again for your nice message . BTW : A inversion table may help you with pain . 

Hi Kenny. Do U use an inversion table? Does it help? I had thought of that. Thx TheEquusWoman

[equuswoman]

Hi Equuswoman

I am so happy for you! Keep up the good work!

 

So many folks have been prescribed Cymbalta for pain. It's my humble opinion that many folks would have been far better off to have been prescribed opiates.

 

For those who have lived with pain, we know that nothing changes the brain like pain, nothing alters character like pain, nothing evaporates hope like pain, and nothing drives loved ones away like the person we become when we live in pain!

 

Of course the argument  against opiates (morphine, heroine, oxycontin etc.) is the fact that they are addictive. And there is definitely some long-standing cultural stigma and ethical recoil from the notion of medicating with narcotics; perhaps that sends the physician to the cupboard to find some less controversial (but also less appropriate) medication, like Cymbalta.

 

Well, addictive really means dick to somebody who has lived with pain!  Deal with my pain, but don't mess with my brain! 

 

And for some reason I can't fathom, there's a crowd of righteously-indignant folks out there that think there's something wrong with taking a medication that alleviates your pain, and also puts a smile on your face. Frankly, I don't see the problem.

 

Best wishes!

thismoment: Thank you for this post. I am a nurse/retired and also on narcotic for my LBP. I guess the pain specialist thought the Cymbalta 'could' help. Maybe it has. But I can't live w/the SE. I found out the hard way about the withdrawals from hell. I am blessed in that I found this forum and you ppl here. I am so thankful for this. It helps me so much in my process of bead counting. Prayers for all of us here! 

[Clara]

Hi Kenny silvers, and welcome! Hopefully you social anxieties will diminish as you come off the med. I found myself, after being on it for a few years, withdrawing, isolating, checking out, etc! Being med free for a short period now, I hope I can be a little more "in touch" with myself and my surroundings, and people I have "shut out", somewhat unknowingly. That may not make a lot of sense, but hey, that's just one doggone more side effect of w/drawal... trying to make sense! Hang in there, keep putting forth your best efforts, and don't worry about life's junk too awfully much until you get your head together! You have come to a great place! Peeps here will listen with open, non judgemental hearts and offer support and help any way they can!!! prayers and support for you!! clara

[thatstheoldme]

..

[fishinghat]

You know Nattsie you bring up a good ubject. I have kept a "Health Log" ever since I started dhaving anxiety problems. It has been a real help. When I go back to look at side effects, reactions to drugs, symptoms, etc it really helps a lot. My memory is nothing compared to a log. I would recommend it to anyone starting out on this journey.

[thismoment]

Fishinghat-

 

I agree. I kept a log of my withdrawal, so I know on what day I got a particular symptom, and how long it lasted. I've had to refer to it a lot, because otherwise looking back would be more of a historical stew, which isn't much help.

 

How are you doing? Your exercise regimen is robust! I think that is great. 

 

Best wishes.

[fishinghat]

Thanks for asking thismoment. The zoloft takes the edge off the panic and agitation but that is about all. I still have about 2 weeks until it takes full effect. We will find out in time.

[Clara]

Thanks friends for continuing your supportive, informative posts! And many thanks fh for the pep talk! =me today! Just reading everyone's posts has helped to settle my overactive brain and the relentless need just to have a big old ugly face cry! Hubby asleep, old dog asleep, old cat asleep, it's just me , hangin' in, hangin' on, and hangin' out on this gloomy day in the south. Hugs to all! clara

[Clara]

"Historical stew" ... love that analogy, this moment! I def need to settle myself enough to start journaling! Did that eons ago! Not even sure who that person was and sure don't know who this is yet!!!

[thismoment]

Sounds like a great day for a walk in the rain.

[Clara]

Is your leg long enough for a swift kick in the butt through cyberspace, thismoment? I need it!!! Reaching deep for some humor!!!

[thismoment]

Inertia is the most powerful state in the universe! It lives solely to keep on doing what it's doing- and truly, an external force is needed to alter that state! 

 

However, I can reach through cyberspace with a kind of force- a thought, an idea. And with a little luck it will resonate with your brain and you will spontaneously, seemingly miraculously start moving!

 

Let's try it. Here's the thought: All of your past unfolded via cause and effect and randomness; you didn't 'create' any of it, and therefore you're not responsible for its storyline- you didn't build your own mind. But you can change the direction of the past- where it seems to be going.

 

You can affect the future by actions you consciously take right now!  The future is a living blank page awaiting the content you will write upon it. Your current inertia is leading you toward future A; if you got dressed, put on your slicker and Wellingtons and headed out into the rain for an hour, that would lead you toward future B or C or D- something completely different.

 

And Clara, you can write.

[Clara]

Thanks so much! Don't even know what Wellingtons are! LOL! Mud boots???? Made some chili today! Laundry done, house clean, really wanted to get into craft projects waiting in the craft room, but the creative factor just would not show up here!! Dang it! I have even dabbled in the Bob Ross oil painting, taken a class or two.. the post Cymbalta funk just ain't allowing much creativity!!!!! But hey, I am thinking positively at "this moment" and tomorrow is a new day! God bless you, dear this moment!!! clara

[Clara]

BTW... how are you, this moment,. I NEVER want to be just a "taker" here!!!  I'm here to give whatever minute knowledge, wisdom, loving support I can offer! Too, equuswoman, let us know how u r!!!!

[thismoment]

Clara

 

I am doing fine! Thank you. It took the better part of a year for my muse to come around after weaning off Zombalta. 2 years on the stuff left me kind of vacant, out of sorts, out of ideas, out of town. 

 

Somel months ago I came to a plateau in my recovery- I kind of levelled off, stopped improving. But some vigorous exercise got it going again. Interesting, but not surprising I guess.

 

I took my last bead more than 14 months ago, and I am doing great!

 

You are plenty busy!! That's great!! Take care.