9 replies to this topic

[scaredconfusedtx]

Two weeks in after having toxicshock syndrome due to this crap and migraine meds feeling scared and so confused.. don't know what else to expect my whole body aches I can't think or even attempt to explain what im feelings brain fog, electric shocks, nausea, heavy sweating in combination with chills horribly anxiety afraid to call my doctor with fear that she's going to attempt on convincing me to go back on that crap.. what's next and for long will I be this miserable?

[thismoment]

Hi scaredconfusedtx

 

How long on Cymbalta?

What doseage?

Brand name or generic?

What other drugs are you on?

Do you have an anti-anxiety med?

 

Thanks.

[scaredconfusedtx]

On brand name Cymbalta 120mg for 4 yrs, also on brand synthroid 88mg and generic Imatrix 100mg as needed for migraines. I never been on anti-anxiety meds... thanks for the fast reply today I been throwing up all day horrible body aches and zapps Are worse then ever.

[thismoment]

Hi SCTX

As you know, you are in full-blown cold-turkey withdrawal. What you describe is fairly typical.
Did your doctor take you off duloxetine due to toxic shock-- in other words, was this cold-turkey withdrawal prescribed?

If feasible, it would be best to re-instate as soon as possible and become stable, then wean off slowly to minimize the kind of horrendous symptoms you are currently experiencing. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it could become to successfully re-instate. If you re-instate, once you are stable-- consider weaning off at 1% per day over 100 days. If symptoms become difficult, slow down the weaning and stretch it out.

If you must continue cold-turkey, it will likely be a somewhat protracted discontinuation-- but you can do it-- many on this forum have done this successfully. Considering your 4-year length of exposure, cold-turkey could be difficult for 6-8 weeks before symptoms noticeably begin to subside. In the following few months there will be some improvement, with the most palpable fresh air coming after 6 months. However, some folks get through cold-turkey discontinuation sooner, but some do go longer. Hopefully your discontinuation will be short and sweet!

If you are able to re-instate, the brand name Cymbalta is best for weaning because each capsule contains many beads, and that enables tiny dosage reductions.

Sometimes people 'piggyback' off Cymbalta by uploading a long half-life SSRI like fluoxetine (Prozac). After uploading the Prozac for a month or so, the Cymbalta is weaned off over 6 weeks or so. After some months on Prozac, it too is weaned off over a couple of months.

Talk it over with your doctor.

Take care.

[ZappAlta]

Were you disgnosed with toxic shock syndrome from the cymbalta and on Dr's order to stop it immediately?  That is the max dose perscribed at 120 mg and will be  a difficult discontinuation.  You could ask if it is safe for you to cross taper temporarily with a different med like prozac -zoloft. 

[scaredconfusedtx]

Zappalta,
My Dr is an "imbusol" I just meet with her Friday after going cold turkey for almost a month after speaking to me like a 10 year old she wrote me a script for "effexor er" wtf I simply had a few questions for her about the withdrawal symptoms nasty zapps, nausea, and body aches I knew I was going thru withdrawals just needed more information on how long I would feel like this and the after affects of this head zapping feeling my vision started being a problem and that scared me. And what does she do write me a script for drug just as bad... did she even look at my charts!! I never taken "effexor" dumb me though she was giving me a script to help with anxiety or nausea. Either way after the way she spoke to me her words exactly "your withdrawals are over max are 3 weeks there's something else going on" just didn't feel write. I been scared to go online and do research with fear of what else I'm going to find out about this CRAPdrug besides emails this site is all I have been on in the past week. My pharmacies told me effexor is a similar class as Cymbalta. WTF anywho I still don't have an answer could these head zapps cause long therm affects??

[scaredconfusedtx]

Zappalta,
My Dr is an "imbusol" I just meet with her Friday after going cold turkey for almost a month after speaking to me like a 10 year old she wrote me a script for "effexor er" wtf I simply had a few questions for her about the withdrawal symptoms nasty zapps, nausea, and body aches I knew I was going thru withdrawals just needed more information on how long I would feel like this and the after affects of this head zapping feeling my vision started being a problem and that scared me. And what does she do write me a script for drug just as bad... did she even look at my charts!! I never taken "effexor" dumb me though she was giving me a script to help with anxiety or nausea. Either way after the way she spoke to me her words exactly "your withdrawals are over max are 3 weeks there's something else going on" just didn't feel write. I been scared to go online and do research with fear of what else I'm going to find out about this CRAPdrug besides emails this site is all I have been on in the past week. My pharmacies told me effexor is a similar class as Cymbalta. WTF anywho I still don't have an answer could these head zapps cause long therm affects??

[scaredconfusedtx]

Thismoment,

Thanks for your help yes I have several Cymbalta capsules left but as crappie as I have felt i still think I wanna ride it out. Diarrhea, body shakes, And Heavy Sweating Seen To Be Under Control no issues with that for the few days now. At the moment my biggest concerned is the head "brain" like zapps I'm scared if it may cause longterm damage what can you tell me about that? on a more positive note this nausea and vomiting has cause me to lose just about 9 lbs. Lol

[thismoment]

SCTX

It's frustrating I know. Your visit to the doctor was frighteningly typical: "Withdrawal only lasts three weeks max-- this must be a new condition-- here's a prescription for something stronger-- go home."

There's pitiful little science on withdrawal and discontinuation from AD's. Brain damage isn't likely with withdrawal, but brain alteration is how these drugs work-- but even that isn't clear. There are thousands of clinics for withdrawal from opiates, opioids, and alcohol-- but not a single one dedicated to Antidepressants!!! Wow! We are essentially on our own with the Internet.

Hang in there kiddo!! It takes a few months to see some light, but it will happen. You will start to feel better. Find something to distract your attention in the meantime.

Take care.

[fishinghat]

I have read a lot of medical info on the brain zaps and as of this time there is no indication of any permanent damage but none of the research was looking for that specifically.