7 replies to this topic

[cmw128]

Where to begin...I was put on this crap (cymbalta) 60mg once a day...for chronic pain. Along with skelaxin 3x daily(muscle relaxer), gabapentin 1200mg(anti-ceasure med they wanted me to take for nerves) and ambien 10mg cause I just couldn't sleep.

Anyway...getting to the good stuff...I decided enough was enough. The meds were not helping and I was tired of being a zombie. Cymbalta was the last med I stopped because I had heard it was rough to come off of.

I did something really dumb and forgot to take it three days in a row...then I figured since it had already been three days I might as well just stop taking it. I felt fine for the first two days (probably because it was still built up in my system) then it happened...the brain zaps, stomach cramps, no appetite, dizzy as hell...just miserable.

SO...HERE IS WHAT I'M DOING TO FIGHT THIS WITHDRAWL

Lactobillus Acidophilus...(Ultra Flora Plus DF Capsules) 15 billion live organisms per capsule. It is a pro-biotic that my accupuncturist told me to start taking. This is my 2nd day on it (this is day 7 cymbalta free) stomach cramps are GONE!!!! I feel hungry again and eating feels great!

I started a dietary cleanse 4 days ago thinking it would get all the rest of the cymbalta out of my system....just a cheap $20 one from local grocery store. I pooped water for like two days! But I tell ya...the brain zaps are less and less every day! And I am not dizzy anymore!!!!!

I am also taking fish oil...cause it's great for brains (I'm a neurology student...I make my kids take a different type, even my dog takes fish oil...this stuff rocks)

St John's wart...cause I figured my emotions would be out of wack...I have noticed that I am very quick tempered this week. My accupuncturist wants me to switch this to 5HTP with B6...she says that HTP is in st. john's wart but I need something more potent. I ordered some but I haven't gotten it yet.

Vitamin C....cause my immune system is all kinds of funky right now

and a multi-vitamin.

I know it seems like a lot, or maybe like I just traded one medical discipline for another...but I have my brain back!!!!! This is the most awake I have felt in months.

My back pain is the same as it was when I was on all the meds. Nothing has really changed as far as the fact that there is pain and hypersensitivity in my right shoulder, neck and upper back....but the difference is that the constant ache is gone. It only hurts if I am too active or if I press on it.

I'll keep you updated....from what I have read on this site, I haven't heard of anyone beating the withdrawl in less than three or four weeks. Lets see what I can do.

[cmw128]

So here it is day 10 of not having any cymbalta. The brain zaps are so mild today that they are barely even noteworthy!

I still haven't gotten the 5HTP I ordered but I did finish off the 5 day cleanse that I bought at the grocery store. I am a little more gassy than usual but my stomach feels great, no more diharria, not dizzy at all.

I am taking fish oil three times a day, the asidophilis probiotic that I mentioned before, a multi-vitamin and some vitamin c. My emotions are stabilized and I am very happy to report that my sex drive is back to normal. =)

I also did one round of accupuncture....which I am not willing to say did anything for me chemically but it was very nice and relaxing. Not to mention being reassured that I was taking the correct suppliments.

Good Luck

[Houdi]

Awesome news cmw128! You are a warrior! Houdi

[cmw128]

Got my 5HTP w/ B6....started taking it a couple days ago...the brain zaps are gone!!!!!!!! Not like mild or whatever....but GONE!!!!! whoot whooot!!!! I am going for another round of accupuncture today and I think she said there is one other suppliment she wants me to take...rosathin? rosa-somethin....I'll let ya know.

My back pain has been extra annoying lately, but it is still not as bad as it was when I was on all the crazy meds.

Western medicine...eat my shorts!

[Houdi]

Wow, what wonderful news!!!!

I have asked my friends, neighbors and facebook peeps for a recommendation for a great acupuncturist. You have motivated me to get an appointment ASAP.

Best of health and happiness....Houdi

[ElaineB]

Interesting because I have also been thinking about acupuncture. I really appreciate the mention of the probiotic. I am definitely going to look into that. I tried 5-HTP years ago but I don't think I gave it long enough. I am planning on trying it again.

I never thought I would get through this Cymbalta hell but with the help of the people on this board, I am certain the worst is over!
EB

[cmw128]

So just an update...

With Breakfast I take 1 extra strength fish oil 647 mg EPA and 253mg DHA
1 5 htp with vitamin b-6 100mg
1 vitamin c 500mg
2 Inflavoniod (by Metagenics)
1 Ultra Flora Plus DF (this is the probiotic) 15 billion organisms per capsule (metagenics)
1 cal apatite plus (also by metagenics)
1 Kaprex (Metagenics)

With Lunch I take 1 5htp
1 fish oil
1 kaprex
2 inflavoniod

with dinner I taker 1 5 htp
1 fish oil
2 inflavonoid
1 kaprex

then at bed I take 2 more cal apatite plus

let me explain why...

The fish oil helps with brain function and inflamation, the 5htp is the active ingredient in st.johns wart and has evened out my moods, the kaprex and inflavonoid I got from my accupuncturist and those have relieved my back pain! The cal apatite plus took care of the brain zaps. The probiotic (which I also got from my accupunturist) took care of all the stomach issues, and the vitamin C I just take because it helps the immune system.

It seems like a lot but I tell ya...I have been symptom free for so long now...I almost forgot to go on here and post what I was doing so that maybe some of you could benefit from what I did. I'd say I got rid of all my withdrawl symptoms in 5 weeks! After going cold turkey. And since this was a trial and error kinda thing...had I known prior I think I could've beating this thing in even less time. Which is what i now hope for someone out there reading this...that my formula might help you.

Not all suppliments and not all accupuncturists are created equal...I highly recommend this test...if you do not feel comfortable enough to be emotional in front of your accupuncturist...find another one! If you don't have a cession where you can't help balling your eyes out for no reason...find another one.

I went to another accupuncturist for a year and a half...never cried...never got much results to ease my back pain. Then I was at a fundraiser and this lady used only 4 needles and in less than a minute I was sobbing uncontrollablely!!!! She is the best accupuncturist I have ever encountered and I know tons of people who swear by her. Plus she has extensive knowledge of suppliments and led me to this regimen.

Good Luck
-CMW

[ic3p1ck]

So just an update...

With Breakfast I take 1 extra strength fish oil 647 mg EPA and 253mg DHA
1 5 htp with vitamin b-6 100mg
1 vitamin c 500mg
2 Inflavoniod (by Metagenics)
1 Ultra Flora Plus DF (this is the probiotic) 15 billion organisms per capsule (metagenics)
1 cal apatite plus (also by metagenics)
1 Kaprex (Metagenics)

With Lunch I take 1 5htp
1 fish oil
1 kaprex
2 inflavoniod

with dinner I taker 1 5 htp
1 fish oil
2 inflavonoid
1 kaprex

Thank you so much for this advice. Im taking exactly the same and its only getting easier. Its been about 2 weeks, and I'm outside again - not crawled up in a ball at home withering in my own solace.
My withdrawal troubles wreaked havoc on my digestive system. I lost around 12 kilos in the last 4 months, struggled to eat anything, and had such bad cramping (toppled with dizzyness, fatigue, and those god aweful head shocks).

Was on Cymbalta for about 2.5 years and noticed many changes in me while I was on it:

1. My tummy ran a lot - usually first thing in the morn. (after reading about, I believe cymbalta is absorbed via the intestine - I have a semi sensitive tummy already!)
2. I ate. A lot. I didnt know when to stop eating. So I picked up about 10-15 kilos over the first 2 years.
3. Mood swings. Odd feelings of rage inside for no logical reason.
4. Sex drive was there, but it took much longer to orgasm than usual
5. I slept too much. Luckily I only work half day, But still I could just sleep. Id wake up, shower, eat breakfast, and go back to bed.

When I asked my local Dr if I could come off, he said he would help wean me off. However, I doubt he (nor I) understood the complications surrounding this.
That day I left the Dr, I went from 60mg to 30mg. And in the course of 4 weeks, I was taking 30mg once every 3 days, then 4 days, then 5 days and so on, until I was taking one every 2 weeks. Then I just stopped and thought I'd gotten through the worst part successfully.

About 3 weeks later (still getting minor head shocks), I started getting the worst pain in my abdomen. Pinching, excessive gurgling, stabbing, at random intervals - as if my body was trying to tell me its not getting what its so used to.
Most of the time, it felt like my tummy was full... if not swollen even if I hadnt eaten a meal in 2 days. I initially wrote this off as bad digestion, crappy food choice etc. And then it became more frequenet. Once every few days, to once a day, to all day. Until I was stuck at home not willing to leave for fear of the pain. I started visiting a Gastroenterologist, and local GP, and some other specialist in an effort to figure this problem out. Neither knew what was wrong, nor could either give me a clear indiciation as to what I should do - I was just given more and more pills. Laxattives, sedatives, muscle relaxants, you name it!
Went for an endoscope, colonoscope, biopsies, blood tests, cat scan etc (all these meds bills I wil be paying off for the remainder of the year).

I mentioned to each Dr some history, ie what pill ive been on, but no one put the puzzle pieces together. Which had me convinced that there was something seriously wrong with my tummy. At the end of all the tests the Dr's found nothing. And I almost lost hope. Then I began reasearching online after a conversation with my GF wrt cymbalta.

Im too glad there is a support group for this. This pill screws people up.

The withdrawal clearly effected my stomach more than anything.

Thanks so much cmw128 for this. I found your post when I was looking for something to relieve this pain, and your solution is working. I take all of the above like you, just without the back pain remedies.

And Im eating food again! Tummy is strengthening. And the shocks are next to none.