12 replies to this topic

[ninaw1968]

ive been on antidepressants for 8 years, you name it ive been on it.  had to change for various reasons.  Ive been taking cymbalta for about a year.  Been on 60mg from day 1.  I also take diazepam now and again for anxiety.  I also take amitriptylene to help me sleep, but have cut these down to 1 a night from 4.  I am on my 3rd day without cymbalta and have decided to go cold turkey.  Has anyone been successful in this method and what can i expect from doing so?  Also will i be able to carry on working.  I only work weekends.  Any help would be gratefully received.  Thank you in advance

[fishinghat]

Welcome Ninaw

 

Current research indicates that around 20% have no or little withdrawal but even the manufacturer cautions against sudden withdrawal as seizures, suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety can occur. There are some members on here that have went cold turkey and most, but not all, have said it was the worse hell they have ever been through. I am sure they will chime in. I am sure they will chime in soon. I would strongly recommend you consider bead counting.

 

As far as what to expect....Nausea, diarrhea, fear, anxiety, panic, insomnia, wild mood swings, body aches, anger and much more. These symptoms are at there worse for the first 2 to 3 months before any real break occurs and it can take over 1 year for them to subside completely although 6 to 8 months is more common. Obviously these are just averages/trends. Each individual is different.

[Runni]

Hi Ninaw,

I just joined recently as well. I have not withdrawn off cymbalta yet but I have gone cold turkey wiht other meds and it was not really great. I got shakes , sweats, nausea and dizziness that did not subside. Most of the people I know withdraw slowly. I got good advice from Fishinghat may look at some of his posts. In the end you have to do what you feel your body needs. I can only suggest not ot be afraid, you are on control but if you can at all talk to your doctor. I have found that it is good to have support as you withdraw. I talk to my primary carer more than the psychiatrist as she knows me better. Also, are you working wiht a psychologist? Some CBT and Mindfulness based interventions really help as well. Good luck and keep asking as there are great people on this site who are very much helping me

Take care Ninaw, and well done on the brave decision to lean less on meds. Do try to talk with your medical team though, it is good and safer for your not to be alone on this journey. As good as a forum is it will not replace someone who knows you and your path to wellness.  

[Vinpin]

Hi Ninaw,

 

I would suggest you consider Fishinghat's recommendation, and wean yourself off Cymbalta via bead counting.

 

Just two weeks ago, I went off Cymbalta cold turkey. Up to Day 5, I felt OK. Then some weird things started to happen - frequent disorientation, very intense tinnitus, and worst of all, brain "zaps" and "swooshes" (as if someone administered frequent electrical shocks/jolts to my head.....). By Day 10, the zaps were unbearable, I couldn't sleep and I thought I was going to have a seizure. Feel free to check out my recent thread under the "Weaning Off Of Cymbalta" thread for more details. I am back on Cymbalta now (just to stabilize myself), but plan on starting bead counting (weaning off) this coming Sunday.

 

I don't mean to scare you into not going cold turkey - obviously you need to do what you feel is best. I just wanted to emphasize that just because you've gotten through Day 3 with no withdrawal symptoms doesn't mean your out of the woods yet - I can attest to that.

 

BTW ... if you change over to the "weaning off" method (which almost everyone on this forum recommends), I would turn to Fishinghat's method of bead counting that have been documented in numerous posts throughout this forum.

 

Very best of luck to you -

 

-Vinpin

[ninaw1968]

Thanks everyone.  I felt really ill yesterday.  Bit hard to explain...my head felt sort of muffled and was very tired.  Feel rather good today but that might be because i look after my grand daughter on thursdays and she not well with teething so was quite distracted.  I will see how i go and if the symptoms become too much where i cant function or go to work then i will resort to the bead counting.  Why cant they make them like normal pills?.  It looks a great site with lots of support so i will continue to use it.  Im due to see my doctor on monday so i will talk to her also.  Thank you all again for your replies its gratefully appreciated.  Take care 

 

Nina

[fishinghat]

Good luck Nina and keep us posted.

[BobbieBoop]

Ninaw,

 

Listen to Fishinghat at do the bead counting.  It was to late or me to go back on when I found this forum.  I wasn't on that poison as long as most but I guess that doesn't matter.  I went through terrible symptoms.  I'm in my 8th week and still have many of the symptoms that I started with.  They're getting better but some days I feel this will never end.  Bead counting is the way to go.

[ninaw1968]

omg i cant cope.  Im only on day 6 and feel so ill.  I can only describe it as feeling permanently drunk, vomiting and flu symptoms.  Cant even walk without banging into something.  Feel ok first think in a morning then around lunch time all the symptoms start together. Heres me thinking ill be fine no problem i can handle this.  Will the symptoms go away if i start taking them again?  

[fishinghat]

Yes Ninaw they should get better. If you are still wanting to get off the med I might suggest occasional short doses of Cymbalta. Take around 5 mg and this should give you temporary relief. Don't rely on it to cure you only take the edge off. With time the doses will be needed less often and in less amount. Also don't forget your supplements, Omega 3, Vit C and stay hydrated. A little Benadryl from time to time may help with any anxiety also.

[ninaw1968]

thank you so much.  Im due to see my doctor on monday for other things so will get some advice

[Pittbullmomma]

Best of luck!! Stay Strong!

[emoothart]

Ninaw, what did your doctor say?  And how are you feeling?  Keep us posted - we're all in your corner!

[Pittbullmomma]

Checking in to c what your doc said... Hope all is well!!