Jump to content



Photo

Headaches And Dizziness Increasing After 3 Months Of Dosage Drop: Withdrawal Or Something Else?


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 Ereinion

Ereinion

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 7 posts

Posted 24 August 2017 - 12:16 PM

Hello all, I was amazed to find this forum: as many here have already shared, I thought I was the only one! I took 60 mg of Cymbalta for depression, anxiety, and potential fibromyalgia. However, the withdrawal effects after missing a dose by only a matter of hours meant that I decided I wanted to at least reduce my dosage, if not eventually stop using it completely. 

 

After taking 60 mg for about 6 months, my psychiatrist and I reduced the dosage to 30 mg. Since I already knew I had severe withdrawal symptoms after missing a single dose, I expected things to be pretty rough for several days. The way we "weaned" me off was alternating between 60 mg and 30 mg every day for about a week, and then increasing the number of days in a row I took 30 instead of 60 for several weeks. After reading some of the other posts on this site, that was still a pretty dramatic drop, but thankfully it was much more gradual than a "cold-turkey" drop or completely ceasing. I started this process in early May of this year.

 

The symptoms I experienced did get more severe for several weeks, but seemed to fade away after about 6 weeks. Here's the problem: I keep having recurrent headaches and occasional dizziness, but what is odd is that they seem to be getting worse (particularly the headaches) rather than fading slowly. I am trying to figure out if this is still a withdrawal symptom, after over 3 months, or if it is something else that I should have my doctor check out. 

 

Here is a list of the symptoms I have had after dropping my Cymbalta dose, and I also noted which ones seem to be persisting or increasing:

 

Withdrawal Symtpoms:
General headache (especially in the front and top of my head): increasing in frequency and severity

Exercise/Exertion headaches: increasing in frequency and severity
Brain “zaps”: decreasing in frequency
Dizziness: decreasing for the first two weeks, now coming and going periodically
Sinus pain: increasing in frequency, but could be hay fever related
Sore/Raw throat: no change in frequency since decreasing dose
Alternating between feeling hot and cold: no change in frequency
Mood Swings: decreased frequency, but still problematic at times
Depression: comes and goes periodically
Memory problems: no change in frequency
Concentration problems: slight decrease over first 4 weeks, now remaining constant

Mental confusion: never extremely high, but ebb and flow remaining constant
Anxiety: remains high, with high spikes every few weeks

Abdominal pain at night: increasing in frequency (possibly an ulcer from increased anxiety? ibuprofen helps my headaches most, but have been limiting use to once or twice weekly)

 

Again, I don't know if these are all withdrawal symptoms, but they are symptoms that I first noticed around the time I decreased my Cymbalta dose. Does it sound like I should see my general care physician about this?

 

There are three major things that make me wonder if it is something other than withdrawal:

1. The exertion headaches: A new symptom for me, but seems to be unusual in the list of withdrawal symptoms I have seen.

2. The increasing severity and frequency of headaches and several other symptoms not reducing: even if withdrawal symptoms last a very long time, it wouldn't be normal for them to increase, would it?

3. The time elapsed. My early and acute withdrawal symptoms receded relatively quickly over the first few weeks, so it seems unusual that the reduction of symptoms would slow down, stop, or even reverse after more than 3 months. 

 

What do you all think?

 

 


#2 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

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

Posted 24 August 2017 - 01:58 PM

Welcome Ereinion

 

Those are pretty classic symptoms that you experiences. Your dr made things worse by the every other day thing. You take a capsule one morning and by the next morning you are at 25% of the dose still in your system (12 hour half life) then another 24 hours later you are at 6% of your dose and what do you do? You take an other pill which jacks your Cymbalta levels back up. This yoyo effect has the results of stimulating your nerves over and over making them more sensitive. The FDA and the manufacturer have recommended against this procedure in favor of a slow controlled wean. In addition, the symptoms you listed from 'brain zaps' down to 'hot and cold are some of the first ones to fade. Those symptoms listed below that can last an extended period of time.

 

Many on here have had considerable problems with headaches and other pain  during withdrawal. It has been the tendency that those taking if for fibro, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, etc have the most issue with pain when coming off this monster.

 

If you are concerned about if it is from Cymbalta or not there is one sure way to tell. I am assuming you are currently at 30 mg. You might try taking 40 mg for 2 days and see if the headaches go away. If it is from withdrawal they should completely subside or nearly so. You can make a 40 mg capsule by taking any extra 60 mg capsules, pouring out the little beads inside and counting them. Return 2/3 back to the capsule and tale it. So if the capsule contains 300 beads then put 200 beads back in the capsule and it should contain 40 mg.

 

Abdominal pain and bloating are a common symptom of Cymbalta withdrawal. Drinking warm water helps to relax the stomach walls and lessen the discomfort with time. It is just like putting hot towels on a sore muscle helps it relax. Matter of fact many of our members have reported putting a warming pad on their stomach helps.

 

Keep us posted on how you are doing and give yourself plenty of time to recover before you drop any further. Patience is required for this experience.

 

God Bless


#3 Ereinion

Ereinion

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 7 posts

Posted 24 August 2017 - 02:37 PM

Fishinghat,

Thank you so much for your detailed and thorough response; it was very helpful!

 

I didn't realize that the jumping back and forth between different doses could do more harm than good, although it does make sense once you explained it. A slight increase in the dosage for one or two days should be enough to take care of the symptoms, if withdrawal is causing them? If 40 mgs doesn't make a difference, should I try a slightly higher dose, or assume it is something else?

 

I am a bit afraid of "losing progress" toward withdrawal by increasing the dosage, but I suppose knowing for sure what is causing the symptoms is better than wondering. Thanks again for your input! I appreciate your help.


#4 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

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

Posted 24 August 2017 - 03:55 PM

'A slight increase in the dosage for one or two days should be enough to take care of the symptoms, if withdrawal is causing them? If 40 mgs doesn't make a difference, should I try a slightly higher dose, or assume it is something else?'

 

Normally that type of dose increase would be enough to see if it is withdrawal BUT we are all different. It is a hard call. It really is up to you. In one hand you don't want to step back up in dose and  in the other hand the headaches are bothering you and you worry about what is causing the pain. The fact the pain has been escalating doesn't surprise me from what I have seen from others and they sometimes can last a long time.  

 

I am going to look back at some of the old posts and see if I can get any clarity from those. I will be back soon.


#5 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

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

Posted 24 August 2017 - 04:22 PM

Well, here is what I noticed.

1) Most reported headaches lasting 2 to 4 months, a few 2 weeks and some 6 months to 2 years. Most complained they varied in intensity up and down like a yoyo.

2) Several said they had luck treating the headaches by forcing fluids (Cymbalta withdrawal is famous for dehydration).

3) Several had success with products containing meclizine (an over the counter dizziness medicine).

 

I hope this helps you get them under control.

 

Anytime you need anything please feel free to stop by to update, ask questions or just complain. That is what we are here for.


#6 Ereinion

Ereinion

    Newbie

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 7 posts

Posted 28 August 2017 - 05:56 PM

Thanks again for "listening" and for your helpful advice, as well as for doing research! 

 

I did go up to 40mg for one day, and here is what I noticed: the headache and dizziness symptoms DID seem to fade a bit, although they were still there. Also, I had trouble sleeping and had several hours of a flu-like or fever-like feeling, which is different from the "hot flashes" I have been having due to withdrawal. So, it seems my body doesn't like the withdrawal, but doesn't like an increased dose either. This must be some tricky medication!

 

I did forget to mention that I have been incredibly thirsty as well; I can never seem to drink enough fluids. Usually my urine is fairly clear (except for on awakening in the morning), and I still feel thirsty. So maybe drinking even more will help.

 

Too bad the symptoms can even get worse over time; I suppose there is no way to know how long it will all last?

 

And even the exertion/exercise headaches could be caused by withdrawal?


#7 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

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

Posted 29 August 2017 - 09:06 AM

Yes, extreme thirst can be part of this as the withdrawal causes dehydration. We usually recommend drinking lots of fluid. I will pass along some comments from past members.

 

1) Several people mentioned that Lime Gatorade helped with not only the dehydration but also the headaches.

 

2) Many people develop low blood sugar during withdrawal )a known side effect of Cymbalta) and found that eating some sweets helped with the headaches. Obviously if you are diabetic this could be a problem. Not sure these will help but you never know.

 

Indeed it is tricky medicine. Causes great suffering and no real way to treat it that works for all.

 

It can last 6 weeks or 2 years after finishing your last dose. Most take around 8 to 12 weeks to start to improve. One just never knows.

 

Exercise usually helps with the withdrawal symptoms and members have consistently noted light exercise only. Walks, stretching, etc and avoid heavy exercise as it is more stressful on the body and could contribute to the dehydration.

 

I have been working to put together a detailed pot on the research and member recommendation and experiences . It is under "Medical Support" and the thread is called "And the answer to the question is..."   I would suggest you read this and see if you can get any ideas from it that might improve your situation .





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users