10 replies to this topic

[Mach1]

Greetings All;
Some background about me: I am male, age 42. I was prescribed Cymbalta after a terrible panic attack (my first and only one) during the first semester of my PhD program. This event was the culmination of a number of issues on top of and in addition to my course work. I was in a very bad place and, although I am generally opposed to chemical solutions to problems, began taking Cymbalta in the hope that it would provide me with the clarity that I needed to move forward from that point. I had no intention of relying on it long-term. I told my doctor this during our first meetings.
After nine months of it, I've had enough. I missed a dose—once—and suffered a barrage of what are termed on this site as "brain zaps." General anxiety and sleeplessness were also issues. I'm almost off of it after a gradual month-long step-down in dosage. All was well until I recently hit the 20mg level. Now I'm having withdrawal symptoms again. Not as bad as the missed dose, but very uncomfortable nonetheless.
My dosage was 80mg (reached by taking four 20mg capsules). When I stepped down to 60mg I experienced little to no side effects. When I stepped down to 40mg I actually felt better. Each reduction in dosage was approximately ten days long. I recently stepped down to 20mg. That's when the trouble started. I'm having "brain zaps," my stomach burns, I'm hungry all the time but don't want to eat, I'm dizzy and feeling distant and out of touch.
So here are my questions: How does this end? Is there no option other than to suffer through the withdrawal symptoms (as most of you are)? Are there any strategies, supplements, anything that can ease this process? How long until a person regains some semblance of normalcy?
Thank you in advance for any help that you can provide.

[starryblue]

Hi there, today's my first day off Cymbalta for a few yrs (I went on it as soon as it became FDA-approved). I've been tapering for eight weeks from a whopping 120mg and took my last 30mg 36 hrs ago. I have no idea how this ends, either; I can't quite tease out what is depression and what is withdrawal. So like you, I have mostly questions, but until finding this site ten minutes ago, I didn't even know I was in this much (un)celebrated club. Good luck to you.

[Junior]

Mach1, I don't think anyone has the answer to that at this point. All these SSRI and SNRI drugs were thought to be wonder drugs when they first came on the market and doctors were told there was no evidence that they were addictive. They basically replaced Valium and its benzodiazepine relatives. It's only now, years down the track that these withdrawal problems are coming to light. I guess people who still have access to uni databases (I will when I get around to joining my old uni library as an Alumni :D) could do a literature search but I tend to think that people like us, who suffer from various psychiatric disorders, are just guinea pigs at the moment. When I was first put on Aropax in 1997, my GP told me there was no evidence to suggest that it was addictive. A few months ago I was told that it is one of the hardest of the SSRI's to come off!!

When I successfully withdraw from Cymbalta - I was only on it for 19 days so hopefully it won't take long - I'm going to try this 5HTP that I read about earlier today. There is a naturopath just a couple of doors down the road so I might enlist her help :) Apparently it is a natural product that is the precursor to Serotonin and, hopefully, can be consumed without all the problems associated with prescribed drugs.

[renee]

That was a great question.
Day 4 of alternating 60mg/day.
No Cymbalta yesterday and none so far today ~but I think I'd better stick to my tapering off plan. Am having sweats the brain buz, feeling sad hopeless and alone. I feel like I'm a bad person and I don't want people to be angry with me.
Sick huh?
That's how I feel right now.
Good luck.
I'll have to remember to come back to this site to help people after this icky period fades.
When will that be?

[Houdi]

renee:

I am a little confused how you are taking cymbalta...when and how much. Based on my experience and lots of the posters to this forum and another I participate, maybe you could try a little different discontinuation schedule.
We've learned that taking Cymbalta every other day is really hard on us. So taper down really slowly and lower the dose but don't alternate days. So, if you take 60 mg all at once, try taking 30 mg twice a day. Do this until you feel ok. Then try taking 30 mg am and 20 mg pm. Do that until you know you feel ok. Then take 20 mg morning and 20 mg pm. Do that until you know you feel ok. Then try taking 30 mg once a day. Do that until you know you feel ok. Then taper to 20 mg once a day.
From there, you can try to reduce you dose by 'filling' your own doses by using empty gel capsules you get at a nutrition store. Or ask you pharmacist if he/she will make you custom dosages. Slowly reduce the amount you are taking once a day.
Or you can ask you MD if he/she will prescribe you a support prescription of a longer fast life antidepressant to get you through the withdrawal after you taper. Lots of forum members have had great success with this program.

renee, there is nothing wrong with you or bad about you. There is nothing that will make anyone angry. I'm afraid if you are alternating days while on 60 mgs you are experiencing depression from withdrawal. This is a really tough withdrawal for some of us. Go slowly, you'll have a better chance and hopefully not feel anywhere near as bad. It does take time, but golly, better time than feeling so badly.

Take the best of care....Houdi

[renee]

houdie,
Thanks.
I can open the caps?
I will, I will...
I'll remove a little of the med and close um back up.
I wasn't sure if this was safe.
Thank you.
I'll keep you posted....
Renee

[Houdi]

renee:

Make sure you don't crush the medication, it is time-released and if you crush...not good. Also, don't dispose of the medication, let the pharmacy dispose. Don't want it in our water, soil...you know list.

Feel better soon. Go easy.

Houdi

[renee]

Houdie,
Thank you. Will do.
How did you get involved in this?
I feel ok today. How much does the tapering and weaning slowly, help with withdrawal symptoms? So far it's not so bad at all. I can do this.
You are great.
Don't go away.
Renee

[Houdi]

renee:

I'm not going anywhere. I may not always be on the forum, but I can always...did I say ALWAYS...be available via PM. I am getting my kids settled in college. Youngest first; I'm almost done here in FL. Oldest in Mass; on to his college move in next week. Then, big 14 hour drive home. So long story short, not always on line.

How I got involved...honey, I went cold turkey from Cymbalta just over a year ago. OMG, horrid awful withdrawal. Was prescribed for chronic pain. WTF moment by middle of the night day 4 cold turkey. OK get up and google 'Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms.' What did I find, yes.. you know, this forum. A boat load of us were withdrawing. It was an awesome forum support system. Then the spam hit and no support from the forum owner, so a few members spum off a 'sister' forum...www.cymbaltasurvivors.com. But I still try to come back here when cymbalta withdrawal forum members need a little support.

K? So I am so happy you feel better today. If you get a set back day or two, please don't be surprised or upset. It happened to me and I was totally thrown for a loop. It happens and it doesn't last long unless you don't know that it may happen. I don't know about tapering slowly, I went cold turkey and it was awful. The forum members that tapered slowly while I went cold turkey did SOOOOOO much better than I. And the members that got a support prescription of Prozac or another longer half life antidepressant to withdraw from Cymbalta did SOOO much better than I did. I am not a fan of COLD turkey. It was long and painful.

I am glad you feel you can do this. Stay on a path that works for you. Take the supplements and diet that works for you. The rest of us can suggest helpful hints, but ultimately, you have to use what your body and brain responds. And that is just fine. It is perfect for YOU.

Renee, you are doing absolutely fine. I love that you are corresponding with other forum members and supporting everyone you feel you can help. You will be better off because of this and the others will benefit from your experience. Afterall, we are all just a big aftermath of our own experiences. And oh boy, are we a plethora of experiences? Yah, me too!

Hugs...Houdi

[MaureenV]

Hey Houdi, you're a genius!!!!!!!!!!



I've just read this thread. It's the first time I've seen a post suggesting NOT taking the last doses every second day, which is what I'm doing and not very successfully.


In the last half day, I'm getting lots of withdrawal symptoms, then after taking 30mg C, feel quite sick for several hours, along with a bad headache. Also feeling very, very groggy on the morning when the next dose is due.


Grrrrr. I've just taken today's dose.

The capsules are a doddle to open, so for the next week I shall be taking daily doses of 15mg..


HOORAY!!


regards, Maureen.

[Houdi]

MaureenV:

Ohhhh, I love being called a genius! Yeah!1! But, I'm not the genius, just been around for a Lonnnnggg time and have heard it all when it comes to Cymbalta withdrawal. I'm like the reference guide for the past withdrawal forum members for the last year. I retain some info...some not so much.

Good luck on the new plan. Take it slow and easy on yourself my dear. And, always here to help if I can.

O, supplements can make me nauseous too, so I take otc pepcid and it seems to work ASAP.

Genius Houdi...hahahahaha, don't I wish?