16 replies to this topic

[bella82]

Hello, I'm new to this forum (or any forum actually) so apologize if I don't do things the right way! I appreciate that I am asking a question that technically does not have a definitive answer, as everyone is different but if anybody has a similar experience to mine or knows someone who has, it would be lovely to have some info/reassurance. Basically I have stopped taking cymbalta 5 days ago after being on 60mg for 6 weeks (30mg for the first 2 weeks). I am nauseous, dizzy and getting the weird brain shivers and I feel like I'm permanently hungover The worst thing is feeling no end in sight and I am wondering whether to get back on the meds or try and stick it out. Does anyone have an idea of a time frame? Most people seem to have been on the drug for years rather than months (my heart goes out to anyone feeling this bad for more than an hour!). Any help is appreciated, thank you in advance..

[fishinghat]

Welcome Bella82. Cold turkey withdrawal is not recommended as it can be very overpowering. The first 3 or 4 weeks of withdrawal are the worse with some slow, and I mean slow improvements after that. By the 8th to 12th week usually see signs of good days followed by bad days but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. Now that is the average. I have known people who actually quit cold turkey without a symptom. And others where the withdrawal last 6 months to over a year but these are rare. Some research shows that around 7% experience withdrawal of 6 months or more.

 

Bead counting is the best method This is where you open the cymbalta capsule each day and remove a few beads, usually 2 or 3. So the first day you remove 3 beads, the next day 6 beads, the next 9 beads etc. This provides for a slow steady withdrawal. If symptoms get to bad you just hold at that dosage for a while until you stabilize. Then start dropping again. Be aware that for most the last few beads give the worse withdrawal. Be prepared to slow down when you get to the very end. Now this is just an example. Some can only remove 1 bead a day and others 7 or 8 beads a day. You will have to play with it a little bit to find what works for you. This doesn't mean you won't have withdrawal but it will be lighter and you will have some control over it. Now there is a complication. The generic usually only have a few beads inside so dropping one bead can be like a 5 to 10% drop. Where as with the brand name there can be over 200 tiny beads. It is possible to do a slower drop with the Brand name.

 

Others will be jumping in here soon to give you there opinions. Remember we are always here is you need us.

[ShadyLady]

Hi Bella, welcome;) I don't think there is a wrong or 'right way' when it comes to this forum, just a great group of compassionate people reaching out to help one another who have been affected by the Cymcrap!

Couple of questions;
Why were you prescribed the Cymbalta and for what reason?
Why did you stop taking it after being on it for 6 weeks?
Does the doctor who prescribed it know that you stopped taking it 5 days ago?

FishingHat has given, always does;), excellent advice for you to consider. If I were you, I would go back on the last dose of 60mg or at least the 30mg if you still have some left. Then start the bead counting method. I quit after dropping from 120mg to 30mg over a two month period and then jumped off the cliff at the 30mg as I didn't know about bead counting until I found this forum...14 weeks into the discontinuation phase I am still struggling daily with a host of problems:(

You will soon be welcomed by others here that will offer you their experiences and wisdom far better than me:) I hope you stay with us...the members here really do care and want to help you get through this.

Take care

[TryinginFL]

Welcome, Bella!

 

So happy you have found us all...  you will receive all the help and support you need from these wonderful people!

 

I see that fishinghat has given his excellent advice and CymSik, like myself, went off the crap cold turkey - NOT recommended!

 

I am now off 8 1/2 months but still have some issues - mostly sleep-related and now (finally - only) occasional anxiety.  It was horrible for a long time when I first stopped taking the crapalta. (Forum name for the poison!) Those of us that have suffered through this hell strongly recommend a slow taper - since you have not been on it that long, the symptoms will probably be light.  I was on it over 4 years and others here have taken it much longer.  Also, those over the age of 50 have a more difficult withdrawal, it seems.

 

Are you taking the name brand or generic?  It makes a difference in how you taper and I think a slow taper will give you very slight problems - please consider fishinghat's advice!

 

Best of luck and please keep us posted as to your progress!

[bella82]

Thank you all so much for your responses! It is nice to know there are people who care
I will give some background and answer some of the questions...
I gave suffered with clinical depression for as long as I can remember. I don't know what it is like to be without it. I'm 32 years old. I have only recently heard of disthemia and after reading about it seems very likely that this is what I have.
I have taken several kinds of SSRI's and SNRI's at various points in my life but never for longer than 3 months. I have always made the decision to stop, always cold turkey, as I do not feel they work for me and don't like the way I feel when I take them. I have never experienced physical side effects and never had any withdrawal symptoms. This is a first.
I am temporarily living in Canada, staying with my sister and the reason I was prescribed cymbalta was that my family were worried about me as i have been going through a very bad patch and ultimately it boils down to the fact that I wanted to pacify them I guess, and show that I was doing something about it.
I don't have insurance which means I went to a walk in clinic to get the prescription and means I have to pay for the meds- something I'm not used to being from the U.K.
So I don't have my 'own' doctor here, although the medical staff I have seen so far have been very nice.
I stopped the meds cold turkey because I wanted to save money and deep down I don't want to be on them. Also having never suffered withdrawal in the past I did not even consider it as a factor.
I desperately want to be free of medication which is why I have been resisting going back on but it seems as if the only way to do it is to taper off slowly.
My parents arrive in a few days and we are all going to spend 6 weeks traveling Canada in an RV before going home to the U.K. Something I should be looking forward to but now I'm terrified of feeling this way and ruining the experience for myself and others.
It seems that I need to try the tapering method. I have 41 60mg capsules left. I can get to the docs on Friday for another prescription. I guess I am wondering now whether I begin the bead removal process straight away with the capsules I have here and continue doing so with another 6 weeks worth of 60mg capsules. Or do I try moving straight to 30mg capsules with the new prescription. I am taking cymbalta so that is the brand I guess and means more beads.
I'm sorry for the very long winded post and really do appreciate people taking the time to read and respond. Unfortunately I am needing things spelled out for me at the moment, difficulty concentrating etc.
Again, thank you for your time and patience and kindness... x

[bella82]

*** should say I have 4 × 60mg capsules left, NOT 41! :/

[fishinghat]

Bella82, Four capsules is not enough to begin with. Alot of people come on this site with similar stories as your and wonder if they should go back up to 60 or would 30 be enough. I can tell you it veries from person to person. Just my opinion but if you were on the cymbalta for 6 weeks then it reached full strenth in your system and it probably would be necessary to go back up to 60 but that is just a guess. I wish I could give you a specific cut and dry answer but I can't. Sorry.

[bella82]

Thank you fishinghat, I know it's difficult, I appreciate the information you've given me so far I will see doc tomorrow and I will try the bead thing and see how it goes..

[fishinghat]

Good luck Bella.

[ShadyLady]

Hi, Bella...With your family coming in a few days and you hitting the road with your family in an RV for 6 weeks, I would definitely get your script filled tomorrow! Are you going to ask for 30mg or 60mg capsules? Maybe if you start with the 30mgs your withdrawal symptoms will subside and you can stay at that dose for the trip and begin the bead counting method when you get back? That is close quarters in an RV under the best of circumstances and you do not want to be miserable with the side effects of withdrawal or even take that chance, IMHO:)

Let us know how the doc appointment goes tomorrow and though it may be pointless, I would tell him about your symptoms and the trip you are taking and see what he/she says. The cost of the drug may be priceless compared to the possibility of being on the road for 6 weeks without it and the accompanying withdrawal effects continuing. Just something to think about.

Be well and take care of yourself

[FiveNotions]

Well said, Cym ... this is good advice, Bella!

[bella82]

Thanks guys, so nice to have you here!
Ok so last night and this morning were horrible and so this morning I took a full 60mg capsule. I wanted to wait til after the doctor or maybe for more advice but I couldn't bear it!
My intention now is to get another 60mg script and start the bead counting sooner rather than later. I understand what you are saying though CymSik and I'm torn between wanting to get off them as soon as possible and wanting to not be sick as a dog on the trip with my family. I think I will take another 60mg tomorrow and then see what the doc has to say. He/she may have something helpful for me - stranger things have happened eh?
I shall come back after my appt and feedback and doubtless have more questions for you all!
Thank you so much ♥

[ShadyLady]

Good for you, Bella! I think you did a smart thing taking the dose. How are you feeling? Did it help alleviate some symptoms? Let us know, for sure;), after your appointment tomorrow.

Take good care of yourself, you deserve the best!

[dlmj]

Just wanted to chime in, all great advice to consider. GO slow... I'm a long time user 10 years plus.. and in the over 50 crowd... It took me over a year to come off 60 mgs... it was hell.  I took the final push about 4 months ago as I had to leave work for other health issues.. I could not do it while working.. for me even with going VERY slow I was miserable.. So I agree with the others that you should consider going back on and weening slowly...  Also My Dr.'s suggestions for coming off was way to fast... she didn't seem to know what to offer.. So don't be discouraged if you don't get much from your DR.. and he/she may discourage you from doing the bead removal method.. I never knew how horrible this drug was till I started trying to come off on my own only to have to retreat back on to be able to function.. I was amazed that there were so many folks out there suffering because of this drug.. AND was happy I found folks that I related to.. I'd rather see you feel good for your family adventure.. Good luck and I pray your symptoms are mild as you go through this. As it's not fun.... I'm so happy I'm off now and looking forward to less and less symptoms... <3

[bella82]

Hi folks, just thought I would update you.
so as I said Thursday I woke up and took a full 60mg. Within 4 or 5 hours I felt significantly better. However anxiety symptoms ramped up again so my sleep was poor. Yesterday took another 60mg and went to doctor. I didn't mention bead counting only that I wanted to wean off. I have ended up with 14 days worth of 30mg.
This morning I took a 60mg with what I estimated was a quarter of the beads removed. Although I felt dreadful this morning ( headache and a bit of nausea) I took some ibuprofen and a multi vitamin and have been feeling ok for the last 3 hours or so.
my plan is to take the last 60mg tomorrow with roughly half the beads removed then move onto the 30mg with a view to removing beads every day and getting myself off them in 3 weeks.
That is the PLAN anyway. I am taking a chance I know as I have not taken anything you've all said lightly and too fast a withdrawal could mess me up but I feel I have to try. Maybe it's sheer pig headedness!
I will let you know if it works! !!
Much love and thanks x

[ShadyLady]

Well, Bella, you gotta do what you gotta do, I suppose...I am just concerned about your stability or instability with the ups and downs of your Cymbalta dosing particularly with your 6 week family trip traveling in an RV. Maybe I am misunderstanding your situation, I get confused easily:/Help me out here if I am...You were on the stuff for 6weeks, 30mg for 2 weeks then 60mg for 4 weeks, total six weeks, then stopped cold turkey a few days and took 60 mg the last two days? You said you felt better somewhat, yes, because you stopped the cold turkey withdrawal effects. I don't understand why you got 14 days worth of 30mg...what is your plan with that as you will be traveling for 6 weeks? You were on 60mg, albeit a short time of 1 month, but the withdrawal symptoms are going to be there as you are dropping the dose in half from 60mg to 30mg and then planning to cold turkey, basically, with 'bead counting' with only 14 capsules?

Please explain so we can better help you. Why did you get 30mg instead of the 60mg caps you were taking before stopping cold turkey? Why only 14 days worth? Can you get 60mg? Are you taking generic or brand? Is cost the reason you only got 14 days worth of meds? Can your parents or someone else help you with the cost if that is the reason you only got 14 days worth?

Unless I am missing something in your posts, you are going to have one helluva tough time on this 6 week trip with this huge drop in dose and then bead counting with 14 capsules, right? Maybe the symptoms of withdrawal are more manageable for you than I am reading and your family is very supportive. Under ideal circumstances, weaning, much less cold turkey, is a bitch and makes life pretty unbearable with the physical & emotional side effects that are a beast with this drug. I have taken every ssri on the market over the years and one other snri, Effexor (was switched to the Ccrap) and never experienced any withdrawal effects that came even close to the ones I experienced stopping the shit and am still suffering at 15weeks off!

If you want help or just a place to feel safe, that's what we are all here for;) Be kind to yourself and I do hope you will share what's happening with the C situation with your sister & your parents before you 'hit the road!'

Blessing, Rebecca

[FiveNotions]

Bella, I'm with Cym on this one ... you've short-changed yourself on the dosing ... and, if you get sick with withdrawal while away, which is highly likely given how you reacted to your first attempt to drop by such a large dose ... you're going to have no where to go to get a 60 mg Rx, no doc to call, etc.... unless you can drive the RV to an ER somewhere ... I think you are guaranteeing yourself a hellish vacation ... and guaranteeing that it will be spilling over onto your family ... RV's are pretty tiny spaces ...

 

It's totally your call, but I think you should have stayed at the 60 mg, and gotten completely stable, then bead counted down.

 

If you still want to give your current plan a try, just remember to stay in touch with us. You can change plans any time you want (assuming you've got enuf of the Cymbalta to do so), and start bead counting.

 

Just listen to your body. You'll know when it's screaming "enough" !