Hello - I am new here, although I have been reading through all of the forums and posts here pretty much non-stop for the past few days and I have found so much great information. It is truly such a relief to have found this site and others who can relate to what I am feeling and going through.
I was on Cymbalta 60 mg for about 4-4.5 years. Before that, Lexapro, Effexor, Paxil, Prozac and Wellbutrin over the course of about 20 years for depression. After experiencing what I am now physically, mentally and emotionally - as well as reading what I have been reading, I am so angry with myself for ever going on these drugs. I know there is nothing I can do about it now and I am trying not to dwell on what I cannot change in the past.
I started weaning off the Cymbalta in August 2013 by removing the beads (per the advice from my Naturopathic doctor). It went well.....and then I got impatient and was not consistent on the amount of beads I was removing from day to day, and then I started taking the pills every other day.....or every 2-3 days and then I quit cold turkey . I still, to this day, do not know why I did not just be patient and wean slowly as my ND advised.
I have not taken any Cymbalta since around mid-November. I did go through the brain zaps, some pretty bad emotional melt downs, agitation, insomnia, rage, anxiety (worse than ever) and so many other of the horrible side effects that others have listed within this site. My ND put me on an all natural mood support - 3X a day and Vitamin D3. He also had my blood work run (this was in late Dec). When I went back to see him in Jan, we reviewed the results and he also put me on a Thyroid supplement, Vitamins B, A, DHEA based on the results of the lab work which he said was not too bad.
I'm still experiencing the insomnia - not full blown, but only sleeping a few hours a night, the anxiety/panic attacks are so bad. The brai fogginess and lack of mental clarity is so taxing and frustrating. I feel like I cannot think of or retrieve the right words to even hold a
simple conversation. I have been putting on weight and it just adds to my anxiety.
Fast forward to last Monday. I started feeling a weird.....buzzing....on the left side of my head, slightly above my left ear. There was no pain associated with it and it pretty much came and went on and off.....until I really started focusing on it. Now it has sent me into a panic (it does not take much these days). I have definitely not felt well since going off Cymbalta due to the horrid side effects. Over the past couple of days I have started to feel as though I just stopped taking it. The nausea & dizziness
- not to mention the buzzing on the side of my head (not a brain zap - just a really...weird...feeling). I have myself worked up in a panic. I am TERRIFIED something is wrong with me. I am terrified at the thought of an MRI.
I have read that some on here have experienced cyclical withdrawal. I guess, in an effort to ease the panic I am feeling, I'm just looking for some words from those who may have experienced or are experiencing the same thing. Is this all just part of the withdrawal process? I know no one can say if we'll ever be back to normal (whatever that is), but my mind is racing thinking I have a tumor or something since it's been since mid Nov since my last pill.
Any advise or words of encouragement are both welcome and most appreciated.
Thank you so much -
Mari