7 replies to this topic

[bkasml]

Hi, I'm glad I found this board...it both cheers and scares me!  Long story short - I started taking Cymbalta eight years ago.  There was a lot of drama and stress and I ended with a diagnosis of chronic depression compounded by PTSD.  It was ugly.  I spent over a year in therapy before I decided to take the plunge for extra help and started taking 60mg of Cymbalta.  It pretty much saved my life and has been wonderful to me ever since. 

 

From what I've read the only side effect I dealt with was night sweats.  However, I'm also on schedule with my sisters / family history so that has always been blamed on pre-menopause and was never thought of as a side effect.  If I missed a pill I knew it within 12 hours because my brain would start zapping.  Kind of sadly, I am SO glad to see that as a regular issue on here.  It was/is very strange.

 

So, 8 years later my world is a better place.  All the variables that led to the troubles have become a part of the past and my life has become manageable.  I've been considering going off Cymbalta for a long while.  I discussed it with my doctor late last October and, while she was fully supportative, she recommended I wait until AFTER the holiday season as that tended to be a more stressful than average time.    Smart lady.

 

Almost three weeks ago I started decreasing.  Her recommendation was to drop to 30mg pills for two weeks and then drop to one pill every other day until I was out of 30mg pills (30 pill supply to start) and then stop. 

 

WIth my experiences from missing a dose periodically, I didn't like the sound of that.  Taking a pill every other day seemed like asking for brain zaps and other problems.  So, I didn't exactly listen to her, took 30 mg pills for 15 days and then just stopped.

 

Wow, this is very strange.  This board has also kind of freaked me out for fear that they may never go away.  Overall, I feel really good.  I'm positive and feeling energetic and I keep trying to view the brain zaps as a roller coaster ride.   I'm also scared though.  I've kept it a secret from most everyone - going off the medication that is.  I have a couple of sisters who (I love them but) are going to give me a lot of trouble about it.  They've always been against it and I'm not ready to hear their "I told you" and "So, what, you're just cured now?" sort of comments.  Plus, I might be wrong and what if I DO still need cymbalta?  8 years ago I wouldn't/couldn't walk out my door and now I'm living life again. 

 

I'm sorry - I'm babbling...Thanks for this group to letting me do so.....

 

 

[bkasml]

Oh, and the brain zaps.  Those are so hard to describe and some of the other descriptions here have really helped with that.  My best example has always been The Bionic Woman and The 6 Million Dollar man....it's like when they were using their bionic powers.  That "duh duh duh duh duh" as they moved.  Kind of a stuttering slow motion where I could feel every connection my brain made as it moved.  That example didn't really work with anyone under 30.

[Timbo]

Welcome bkasml!  Welcome to the forum.   It sounds as if you may be one of the lucky folks out there who has minimal side effects from stopping Cymbalta.  The limited research indicates that we are in the minority (about 5%).  Of course, anyone who stops taking any drug from this class of drugs (SSRI's and SNRI's) is probably going to have SOME symptoms such as the brain zaps, headaches, vertigo, etc.    Don't let our experiences scare you.   There are so many different variables involved for each of us that could impact how our journey evolves.  

 

If after 15 days you are handling things as well as you are, I would be optimistic that you are going to be ok.  That's my hope for you, anyway.   

 

My reason for getting off of Cymbalta was (primarily) the intense sweating all of the time.  I used to joke that I was going through menopause (I am a man, so...).   Regardless, I HATE being hot.  And I was tired of managing my health with a chemical (neuropathic pain - post cervical discectomy).    My doctor gave me the same plan as you - drop to 30 mg, then every other day after 2 weeks.   Within 6 days, I was SICK.   That is when I came desperately searching for help online and found this forum.  I am one of the people weaning off of the Cymbalta by bead-counting.    

 

Your description of the roller coaster ride was exactly how I described my symptoms at the beginning (first 3 or 4 days).   I used to say, "it's like walking on a moving roller coaster with a migraine headache."  So true.   But it appears that your roller coaster may allow you to keep seated!  :-)  

 

Anyway, I wish you the best on your journey.   If you ever do get into a pinch, there are some amazing people here that are extremely helpful and wise.  Let's hope you are not going to need that help, though!  Keep us apprised of your experience.   

[Timbo]

Oh, and the brain zaps.  Those are so hard to describe and some of the other descriptions here have really helped with that.  My best example has always been The Bionic Woman and The 6 Million Dollar man....it's like when they were using their bionic powers.  That "duh duh duh duh duh" as they moved.  Kind of a stuttering slow motion where I could feel every connection my brain made as it moved.  That example didn't really work with anyone under 30.

Haha...great description!  I have had a difficult time describing those as well...that's it!  It's like there's a "delay" in what my eyes are seeing and what my brain is experiencing.  I always have to kind of stop moving for a second to regain my sense of balance.  

[bkasml]

Hi TImbo!  Thanks for the support!  I hate that it made you so sick.    I wish I had heard of bead counting before I started the process.  It really never occured to me that you could do that and it sounds like a much smarter way to do it than just cold turkey.  I couldn't convince myself that going every other day would be a smart.  That sounded like asking for brain zaps to me!

[Timbo]

Thanks!  I'll be ok...this process if cumbersome, but it seems to be working for me.   Actually, I would still try the process you tried - as long as it worked.   In your case, it seems to have worked.    I'm not sure what I think about the "pulsing" of the drug (every other day).    While the half-life is very short, over a period of time, that still results in gradually higher level of the medication in our systems.  Every other day wouldn't cause TOO much of a variation as you might think.    I do think, however, that a drop from 60 mg to 30 mg is too much for anyone.   I am no doctor, but I would think something like a drop of 10-15 mg every 2 weeks with "pulsing" during the last 2 weeks at the lowest dose.   But...that's just wishful thinking!  So...bead counting I will do!  ;-) 

[equuswoman]

 

bkasma, Hi and welcome to the Cymbalta forum. I am glad to hear that taking Cymbalta helped you get your life back. I have been on Cymbalta 60mg daily for 20 months. I was prescribed this for LBP. I decided I no longer wanted to deal with the SE of this drug. I felt it probably was not helping me. I followed my physician's instructions just as you did. The drop from 60 to 30 was great 'until' I reached day 10. I found myself knocking of hells door. Needless to say I swallowed my 60 mg capsule asap...

 

I then was fortunate enough to find this forum filled with wonderful supportive ppl. Ppl who had gone thru the withdrawal process and made it out on the other side. It was here that I learned to bead count. I am now taking 53 beads today. I am slowly making my way though this process of weaning off Cymbalta. The day can't come to soon. But I have learned to be patient. I have to as the w/d symptoms have been really difficult for me. Even at dropping only 1 bead per day.

 

I will make it, I am determined. I am glad that you have done quite well coming off this medication. My best wishes and prayers are with you.

 

TheEquusWoman

[bkasml]

Hang in there TheEquusWoman!  We will get through this!