23 replies to this topic

[jrich]

I'm a 40 year old male who has had CONSTANT chronic lightheadedness and tiredness for 3 years after a really stressful weekend at my job. I'm unable to focus most of the time. I've tried multiple anxiety/depression prescriptions over that time. Nothing has helped.

 

Anyways have you guys felt this and did quitting Cymbalta help or hurt you? I'd appreciate any feedback as I feel like I'm on a island most of the time with this condition. Any ideas how I can get rid of the horrible lightheadedness?

 

Thanks,

Jason

[TryinginFL]

Welcome, Jason!

 

We're happy that you have found this forum with many helpful, caring and supportive people to help you!

 

First, are you currently or have you recently taken Cymbalta?  We need more information in order to help you.  If you were/are taking it, what is the dosage?  For how long and for what reason?  Are you taking any other meds? 

 

Cymbalta can help at first, but this is a forum for withdrawal - what we all have gone/are going through getting off of this poison.  There are many more symptoms related to getting off this crap, believe me!

 

Please give us more details - we want to help!

[jrich]

Thanks so much! I have been taking it for 6 months because all the other meds didn't work for my lightheadedness. I ran out yesterday and am so tired of being lightheaded and tired with zero energy. I was thinking going cold turkey off of it but it seems like my issues are worse.

 

I'm taking 60mg currently. The doctor says I have depression and anxiety. No other meds.

 

I'm a father of 3 and am just so tired of feeling this way. I can't give my kids all the attention they need and am always just exhausted and lightheaded! I'm just so frigging fed up with this. I can sleep for 10 hours and still feel tired. I went and got a sleep study about a year ago and found out I had sleep apnea. I got a CPAP machine thinking that can fix it.. nope!

 

This all started about 3 years ago during a very stressful time at work where I was working over 36 hours straight, managing a software issue. I haven't been right since. I went to the ER, my BP was 180/130 so they did some test and didn't find anything crazy serious. I went to multiple doctors and they said I have anxiety issues.

 

I do apologize if I was in the wrong forum but I just want to get better somehow! I thought getting off these pills might help me long term. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated by my family..

[TryinginFL]

Thanks for your reply!  I will try to start at the beginning...

 

I am a cold turkey survivor of over 10 months now and still have some anxiety and sleep issues.  I was on 60 mg for approx. 4 yrs, but we have members here who have been on this crap for 10 yrs or so.  I DO NOT RECOMMEND going off this stuff cold turkey!  Please refill your RX and begin a much more gentle withdrawal called bead counting.  You will find this under the forum on the home page "Are you new here" -- click on that and then look down on the left and you will find the forum "Bead Counting - How to Do It".  This will give you invaluable info.  Sorry, but I am no techy or I would give you the link!

 

If you read through the forums here you will find horror stories from those who have done the cold turkey thing.  Yes, it can be done, but it is no picnic!   I was 2 weeks into it before I found this forum so I forged on and it was horrible!!  I went from 60 mg to 0 in 1 day - sort of like jumping off a cliff and not knowing what was coming.

 

Thankfully, you have your age going for you (it is hardest for those over 50) and you have the support of your family.  Please be as gentle to yourself as possible - listen to what your body is telling you.  As you bead count down, your body will let you know if you are going too quickly.  This is the most gentle way and you are in control  -  you can keep the withdrawal from consuming you.  Should you ask a Dr. about this, they know nothing  -  only what the drug reps tell them.  They don't feel there is much withdrawal if any.  If you follow their directions, you will be in and out of cold turkey withdrawal every other day - DON'T DO IT !

 

The tiredness, sleeping a lot and lightheadedness are typical side effects when taking this poison.

 

Do you have any benzo (Xanax, Valium, etc.) to use while you get off this stuff?  You will find it one of the most valuable things you can use.  Please read through the bead counting and come back with any questions you may have.

 

We want to help!

 

Liz

[jrich]

Liz,

 

You're the best, thanks. I'll check that out and go to the Dr. to get a new RX. I don't have any Xanax or valium.

 

My lightheadedness started over 3 years ago without any RX. Can this still RX still contributing to it?

 

Thanks,

Jason

[TryinginFL]

Jason,

 

Just taking something for the anxiety might be enough for you.  Just remember the Dr.s aren't gods - they only think they are and they get really testy when you tell them what you have found out about a certain drug!  You can look it up on the internet as well...

[gail]

Hello Jason,

Just saw your posts, the first thing that came to my mind, is have you had medical tests, blood tests recently?

Just to be sure and eliminate physical causes. The symptoms you describe seem like something else than depression. Something that may cause those symptoms. Like anemia, mono, blood pressure, heart condition etc.

And the sleep apnea that is not helped with the machine.

Just really wondering here if the doc missed something.

Keep us informed, I love your name by the way, I would, my son is named Jayson with a y.

[jrich]

Gail,

 

Yes ma'am. I've had a blood test in the last year and they didn't see anything out of whack. I do have high blood pressure most of the time. When I went into the ER 3 years ago they did a EKG or whatever to monitor my heart and said it was fine.

 

Thanks so much for your concern!

 

Jason

[jrich]

Wish me luck and prayers... new doctor today at 1pm. I don't expect any miracles after 3 years of this but we will see.

[gail]

Jason, thanks for clearing this out.

Miracles do happen, hope it is your lucky day.

Please keep us informed about your visit to the doc.

I, myself have been juggling with anxiety and depression for the last two years or so. Tried this and that and so on. Trial and error here.

Sure hope for you to find whatever it is that you need to have a better quality of life.

[jrich]

Well of course they prescribed more Cymbalta. I have to go to Cardiologist next week but did a ECG and it looked fine. I really want to get off the Cymbalta. They ran more blood work as well.

 

We'll see...

[gail]

Jason, having all the tests, great.

Cymbalta can wait a bit, wait for the results, then we can talk business.

Yes, we will see...keep us posted Jason, we are here for you.

[TryinginFL]

Jason,

 

Glad you saw your new Dr.  Cymbalta?  But of course!   You should have plenty should you decide to start bead counting!  Did you get a RX for any benzo?

[jrich]

I did get one for Xanax. Will that work helping me get off this stuff?

[TryinginFL]

Jason,

 

I used Xanax (Alprazolam) during the entire time and still do when occasional anxiety strikes. It worked great for me, and only hope that it works as well for you!

 

Good luck!!

[gail]

Jason,

It will help, I believe that you are a newbie to benzo. There are more solutions to be added if the xanax is not enough. We will help you through this, and keep in mind that your age is playing in your favor.

Hope that you won't do that cold turkey.

What are your plans to get off?

Bead counting? Do not make the mistake to take it every other day.
A big no no. You will be yoyoing in withdrawal hell.

Keep posting Jason, you can do this, you are not alone.

You will see that I like repeating myself, a flaw perhaps.
But I just love your name!

[jrich]

You guys are the best! I hope I can get some relief. I started taking it yesterday as soon as I got the prescription. I'm going to start looking into the bead counting. I did do the take one and then not the next.... I'll stop that!

 

I think I'm going to wait until I get all my results to start the bead counting..

 

Jason

[gail]

Jason, wise decision, wait for the lab result.

Caught you in time, no no for every other day.

No hurry, it can wait for lab result, a week or two won't make any difference.

Did you see a difference with Xanax?

[jrich]

HA! NO! It makes me exhausted! I can't take a whole one for sure. Tired as heck and could sleep all day,

[TryinginFL]

Hopefully the tiredness will fade soon, Jason.  Try taking only 1/2 tablet at a time - are they 1 mg each?  That's what I have and often 1/2 is enough...

[jrich]

Yes, it's 1mg. I'm only taking 1/2 from now on. hahah!

[jrich]

Ok, I got my results in and my liver test came back high. They are running some more blood work. I also found out I had low T (score of 219). So today I got a shot in the rear end. We'll see what happens!

 

Jason

[TryinginFL]

Jason,

 

Thanks so much for keeping us posted.  I'm glad that you're getting all these things checked out to rule out other causes.  (Did you know that Cymbalta likes to hang out in the liver?)  Don't know that you've been on it long enough for it to be a problem, though.

 

I wish the best for you and please do keep posting!

 

Liz  

[gail]

Jason,

Same here, glad you are having the tests.

Perhaps, this way, they will find the culprit and you can be treated with somtething else than ad.

Keep us informed, this may be something that can help other male members.

See you, Gail