Jump to content



Photo

New Here....


  • Please log in to reply
5 replies to this topic

#1 JellyBean

JellyBean

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 1 posts

Posted 28 April 2016 - 08:50 AM

Really glad I found this forum. It's been a huge help already.

I've taken Cymbalta for over a year now for depression. It worked, for that at least, but the side effects drove me nuts... constant muscle spasms was the worst of it but it was enough for me to want to let it go.

I tried weaning off myself using methods I found online. I cut down over several weeks but once I stopped, I only made it three days before I had what I can only think of as a "break down." I lost my temper but is was worse than that, I was raging mad. It scared my eight year old son and I felt so terrible that I couldn't stop crying afterwards, like I literally could not stop. Luckily my boy is crazy smart and he seems to understand quite well that Mommy has bad days, that he understood early from my chronic migraines.

So I called my doctor saying I wanted off this stuff, I knew something wasn't right. I've been on/off anti-depressants since I was a kid, I'm thirty-five now. Nothing ever made me feel like Cymbalta has when going through withdrawals. It scared me. Still scares me.

My doctor refused to e-mail me a plan to wean off Cymbalta as she had in the past with other anti-depressants I'd tried. Instead I get a call from a nurse saying, "I absolutely must make an appointment because getting off this particular medication is a difficult process." This sparked my searching the Web for more info. That's when I found out about Cymbalta Discontinuation Syndrome, the lawsuits, the horror stories, and information perfectly detailing my own withdrawal symptoms to a T. So now I'm angry.... why didn't my doctor warn me about this?

I made the appointment and my doctor placed me on a six week plan to wean off these nasty pills. I took my last pill this morning.... this last week I've taken 30mg every three days, but even a couple days without and I start feeling terrible. Now I'm really worried but I'm doing my best to stay positive. Right now and most of this week and last, I've been experiencing a prickly, almost burning sensation that feels like it's inside my head, headaches, muscle spasms, dizziness, and I can't seem to stay asleep at night. My irritability has hit an all time high.

I think what scares me most though is that the people closest to me, though they know that I may not feel well for a few months, will not be as understanding if things get bad. If I lose my temper, cry uncontrollably, or simply wish to be left alone in my agony. I'm already hearing, "It's all in your head," when I complain about my head feeling off or aches and pains. It makes me feel worse if that makes any sense.

Crossing fingers that these symptoms won't last too long, but from what I'm reading, it seems as though I'm about to go through hell and it certainly is beginning to feel that way too.

#2 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,869 posts
  • LocationMissouri

Posted 28 April 2016 - 09:01 AM

Welcome JellyBean

 

Hang in there it can be a rough ride. I normally suggest a 3 to 4 month taper by counting the beads inside the capsule. Even with that slow a taper it can still be vey rough. Keep us posted on how you are doing.


#3 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 28 April 2016 - 09:41 AM

Welcome, JellyBean!

 

If it has only been the past week that you have been taking 30mg every 3 days, I suggest that you go back on it until you feel stable. This drug has a half life of only 12 hrs so you were putting yourself in and out of withdrawal.  There is no need for this.

 

Please go to "Are You New Here?" and move down to the topic "Bead Counting - How to Do It".  This will give you very detailed instructions.  Then please come back with any questions you may have.  This is the best way to be in control and keep the withdrawal to a minimum.  Everything you have described is definitely the withdrawal - rage, crying, aches and pains and it goes on.

 

I strongly suggest that you take another 30mg right now!

 

Liz


#4 Shelly78

Shelly78

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 1 posts

Posted 09 May 2016 - 06:34 PM

Hi Liz

I am new to this forum and hoping to find some help. I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for 7 years or more for fibro mylagia symptoms in my right foot.  I had my physical last month and discussed weaning off of Cymbalta. She wrote me a new prescription for 30mg. About 4 days ago I finished my last 60 mg of Cymbalta and started my new dose of 30 mg. I feel TERRIBLE!!!! I noticed you had posted a topic about "bead-counting". I am wondering if this would be better than trying to go from 60-30mg? What are your thoughts? I couldn't find the bead-counting post. 

 

Thank you for your time 

 

Shelly


#5 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 09 May 2016 - 08:09 PM

Welcome Shelly!

 

 

So happy that you found us!

 

I have tried to copy and paste the link to the Bead Counting topic but it wouldn't work for me, so here is how I found it.  Go to the search box in the upper right corner and type Bead Counting and click on forum when the box pops up.  Go to the 2nd page and continue to move down - it is near the bottom!  Sorry I couldn't make it any easier but I think that you will find it :)

 

Unfortunately you are putting yourself into withdrawal immediately by jumping down 30mg -  this poison drug only has a half life of 12 hours so you are in withdrawal the first day you take the 30mg. 

 

I suggest you go back up to your 60mg immediately and I guarantee you will feel better very quickly! It has not been that long so you will be fine!  Please read about the bead counting and come back with any questions you may have.

 

We are always here for you!

 

Liz


#6 lady2882Nancy

lady2882Nancy

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,271 posts
  • LocationSaskatchewan, Canada
  • why_joining:
    I need help and I know I will feel better if I can offer help to others

Posted 09 May 2016 - 11:06 PM

To find out how to do the bead counting way

 

Click on 'Forums' at the top of the page

 

Click on the 'Are you new here?' category

 

'Beading counting - How to do it' is about half way down the page click on it and you will see a detailed instruction





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users