18 replies to this topic

[admaly01]

Been taking cymbalta for 4 or 5 months. Tapered off for a few days and now Ive been going cold turkey for about a week. I understand the dangers of cold turkey, but I do not wish to put any more poison in my body.

I'm having marathon nitemares, brain zaps and extreme mood swings along with pretty much all of the regular side effects to some extent. Oh and HORRIBLE itchyness.

My question is, will I be able to stop feeling the symptoms all together?

Has anyone successfully gotten completely off the drug?

So far I can easily handle all of the symptoms. I just want to make sure this isn't all for naught.

Is it generally a month or two to get completely off. I could handle that. also when does it peak for most folks?

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[admaly01]

well i read a lot of the horror stories on here and now I'm pretty worried. i wasn't on it for long so hopefully i dont have any permanent symptoms.
I'm glad i quit when I did.
also I'm a male so I don't know if that makes a huge difference.

[gail]

Admaly, hello and welcome,

Even though you were on it for a five month period, not long but plenty enough to get withdrawal symptoms.

Male or female, the same. As you know, we never advise to go cold turkey. Even though you don't wish to reinstate, I strongly advise that you do.

What was your dosage? 60? If so, go down straight to 30 and see what gives. Then bead count your way down from there.

Should you decide to continue cold turkey, lots of water, fish oil, vit C. And possibly a mast to tie yourself on to.

This being said, about 30% go through hell withdrawal, 30% have no symptoms and the other 30% go to purgatory withdrawal. Take the time to see what's in stock for the next few days then
You can decide which way you want to go.

[fishinghat]

Gail hit it on the head. This can last 2 or 3 months or it can last 8 to 12 months. If things get too bad let us know as there is meds that can help you get through. try Benadryl for the itching by the way. It will help with the anxiety as well .

[admaly01]

not putting one more bead of that crap in my body. even if I'm 95 percent normal after, I'm calling that a win.

I like to stay positive. I'm done hearing the negative. I spent hours last night researching . I understand the negative.
Just as long as it will get better eventually, or even go away completely, no matter how long it takes. I'll take some comfort in that.

thanks for the response. also i have no idea what withdrawal purgatory is. haha

[admaly01]

oh sorry i was on 60 and then 90 but i was not in any way consistent. i missed days. took 60, or 30. so i really cant say. on average i would say I took 60 or 70 about 5 or 6 times a week.
the one benefit of the withdrawal is holy crap can you think of some crazy music to make. feel like kurt kobain or something

[gail]

Admaly,

Good sense of humor! We'll stand by you whichever way. And yes, it will end for sure.

Create, create and create. Music sounds like a good way to transcend all this. Just hearing you, you may not need a mast after all!

Would be nice of you to update. By the way, you made me smile. I believe that purgatory is between hell and heaven. Lol! Do come back anytime.

[fishinghat]

Admaly, you will make it. Just do everything you can to reduce your stress and make yourself happy.  Keep us posted.

[coastgirl]

There aren't permanent effects from this withdrawal are there?

[fishinghat]

With you being on it such a short time it is very unlikely. A very few have been left with tinnitus, residual anxiety but nothing like the symptoms you experience in withdrawal. I think you will be coming out of it fine though.

[admaly01]

i already had tinnitus. now it is like a strobing sound and a little stronger. i will be sure to post later. a little dizzy and nausea too. i know my withdrawals are not as bad as others. so far anyway. i think im around a weekish without it in my system at all.
I'll let you all know when i come out the other side.

[gail]

Yes, please do update us of the outcome Admaly. Enjoy your music, I wish that I could hear it unless it's heavy metal.

Coastgirl, lucky you, such a short time on this. Always interesting for us to read about your updates. This is useful for many guests and members, thank you!

[admaly01]

update: Tinitus strong as ever. Irritability high amongst friends and family.
The other symptoms have largely faded away.
although i have this weird sensation that feels like my brain turns off for a split second. like almost like im nodding off and catching myself before i hit the ground.

also my anxiety is high, im so tense that I'm constantly biting my lip and clinching my jaw.

May have something to do with being off everything. might just start taking my klonopin again but I'm deathly afraid of all prescription medication after what I've been through.

I'm better but boy is it a slow process.

the 1 millimeter fuse to explosive white hot anger is the worst.

any tips. how yall doing also?

[fishinghat]

Benadryl helps with the emotions but it can make you sleepy. There are two prescription medicines that can help a lot. Clonidine and Hydroxyzine. Neither are addictive and neither have a withdrawal.

[JessicaP]

Fishinghat,

 

I researched Clonidine.  Here is what it said:

 

The Catapres brand of clonidine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The Kapvay brand is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

 

So which one is the one you would recommend?  And do you know what the difference is between brands?

[fishinghat]

Both brands are the same. Clonidine works by reacting with adrenaline receptors in the pons area of the brain. It "fools" the brain into thinking there is too much adrenaline in the body and the brain reduces the signal to produce adrenaline. This relaxes the patient and lowers blood pressure. The FDA has approved clonidine for use on ADHD, hypotension, Panic Attacks and PTSD (both are forms of anxiety). Is is one of the most commonly used drug for anxiety.

 

Be aware that Catapres (original brand) is also available in a patch that provides a stread dose of clonidine but it is much more expensive and is usually not covered by insurance.

[JessicaP]

Thanks Fishinghat.  That had confused me saying that different brands were used based on diagnosis.  Right now my withdrawal symptoms are manageable (for now) , but good to know that these meds are an option if it gets bad.  Although I don't know if i can take clonidine.  I have low blood pressure, brought even lower due to metoprolol prescribed for heart palpatations. 

[fishinghat]

You are probably right although I was on clonidine and a beta blocker at the same time for several years but there must be a dose adjustment in order to do that.

 

Something to consider JP, metoprolol is a beta adrenergic blocker used for bp control and heart palpitations. Beta blockers are also used for anxiety control. The most effective of the beta blockers for anxiety is atenolol. You may want to speak to your dr about switching from metoprolol to atenolol to help with your anxiety. Atenolol is the best beta blocker for anxiety and palpitations.

[admaly01]

update. i think most everything is gone except the anxiety i had in the first place. maybe a bit irratible still.