6 replies to this topic

[miraliae]

Hi everyone,

 

My name is Beth Ann and I am new to this site. I'm a healthy 23-year-old graduate student with GAD. Honestly, I don't know what else to do except to post on this forum. Here's a little background:

 

Three years ago, I first tried Celexa. Doctor kept upping my dosage until I said "enough." Then we tried Lexapro, which worked wonders other than the INSANE dreams. I was always tired. So then we tried Cymbalta 60mg about 10 months ago. I had never experienced withdrawal or new symptoms from any medicine until now. And this is why I am here.

 

First of all, I had NO IDEA that Cymbalta was so powerful until I started feeling the withdrawal symptoms about a week ago. No one bothered to tell me. Secondly, I did not have a single problem with Cymbalta until about two months ago when the morning nausea started. Really wasn't that bad, but I figured hey this shouldn't be happening, and with a nonexistent libido and the cost per month, no way. I figured getting off Cymbalta would be like Celexa and Lexapro (simple for me other than a dull headache), so of course I asked for another option. My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin. It took about a week to get off Cymbalta and transition into 150mg of Wellbutrin, and now I have been Cymbalta-free for a week.

 

The brain zaps are constant. Not just when I turn my head quickly, but even normal eye movement is extremely uncomfortable. I don't have much of an appetite because of nausea from the zaps. I am a tutor for at-risk college athletes (aka I am needed and loved at work each day) and I cannot even focus on my kids!! I am not myself at all. I am also very emotional (cried twice today.......I never cry) and easily irritated, which is simply not me (my boyfriend is patient but did say I snapped at him this weekend many many times).

 

What the hell do I do.

[fishinghat]

Welcome Beth Ann

 

That is the classic Cymbalta withdrawal you are experiencing. I am sure that without the Wellbutrin it would be much worse. It does take Wellbutrin 6 to 8 weeks to fully kick in so it will probably get worse before it gets better. 150 mg is the minimum effective dosage. Is your dr looking to increase the dosage later? Also the drs usually take 4 to 6 weeks to wean a person off the Cymbalta and on to Wellbutrin. This lessens the withdrawal severity and gives the Wellbutrin more time to take effect.

 

I always recommend 500 mg of vitamin C at 500 mg/day, 3000 mg omega 3 per day and to stay very hydrated. This won't cure it but it usually helps some.

 

Please keep us posted on your condition and how it changes.

[miraliae]

Welcome Beth Ann

 

That is the classic Cymbalta withdrawal you are experiencing. I am sure that without the Wellbutrin it would be much worse. It does take Wellbutrin 6 to 8 weeks to fully kick in so it will probably get worse before it gets better. 150 mg is the minimum effective dosage. Is your dr looking to increase the dosage later? Also the drs usually take 4 to 6 weeks to wean a person off the Cymbalta and on to Wellbutrin. This lessens the withdrawal severity and gives the Wellbutrin more time to take effect.

 

I always recommend 500 mg of vitamin C at 500 mg/day, 3000 mg omega 3 per day and to stay very hydrated. This won't cure it but it usually helps some.

 

Please keep us posted on your condition and how it changes.

 

Thank you so much for replying! Even though it is a little bit discouraging to hear, I need to figure this out.

 

So, I have a month's worth of 30 mg Cymbalta capsules. I have been reading about opening the capsules, dividing the insides, and putting a half amount into a capsule from a health foods store. Is this ever advised to someone like me- cold turkey off Cymbalta 30mg for about five days, who needs to come back on the Cymbalta at a low dose due to withdrawal symptoms? I did go off it quickly, and my psychiatrist briefly said I could do a month of weaning or a week...obviously I chose the week because I had never experienced bad symptoms before! She did not tell me about the severity of Cymbalta withdrawal! Which is frustrating.

 

Thank you again

[TryinginFL]

Welcome Beth Ann!

 

We're happy that you have found us!

 

If you have only been off the poison drug for 5 days, you could go back on the 30 mg until you feel stable.  Keep taking the Wellbutrin (I am on this).  When you stabilize then you can start reducing the beads.  This method is covered in "Are You New Here?".  Should you have any questions, please ask.

 

As FH said, it takes 6-8 weeks for the Wellbutrin to take effect, so you can continue weaning off the C during this time.  This will definitely keep the withdrawal at a minimum.

 

No surprise that you weren't told about this nasty withdrawal!  Most Dr.s don't know squat about it.  I am now very picky when it comes to Dr.s.  It's a shame that we have to train them or move on...

 

Liz 

[gail]

Hello Beth Ann and the welcome to the forum,

I would reinstate for sure since the adverse effect from Cymbalta was mild.

Get stabilized on the 30, if you can. Taking the Wellbutrin at the same time. The Wellbutrin will have a chance to ramp up.

I would not bead count until I were stable. This could mean,perhaps, a bit more than the 30 capsules left. This is my point of view.

Any question, feel free to write anytime.

[fishinghat]

The girls have a good plan for you. Be sure to save the beads you take out as they may be needed later as you wean and run short of Cymbalta.

[miraliae]

Thank you to everyone!! I felt so alone just a few hours ago and now I don't at all. I will update later!