25 replies to this topic

[Elizabeth187]

Okay, so I can deal with the crazy mood swings, I can even deal with the brain zaps (mine aren't too bad, actually), but the thing that has me actually scared is what is going on with my heart. I know others have had the same kinds of issues: when do they stop? I would go to my doctor, but...I'm feeling pretty paranoid. Also, I don't even know if there's anything that can be done about it. I'm getting in my Omega 3 -- is there anything that can be taken for the heart problems? Does anyone even know *why* the heart starts getting so jumpy?

[MaureenV]

Hi elizabeth,

I've had some heart palpitations with withdrawal and can understand that it's scary if you've never had it before.



I had them consistently for 20 years due to low potassium, and was told by an internal medicine specialist that it's so common it's almost normal. I'm assuming you just mean your heart 'skips' every 10 or 20 beats, or that every now & then it gives a little hiccup ??? If it's more consistent or worst than that I'd be straight to the doctor - they can order a 24 hour monitor which would put your mind at rest.

Have you gone cold turkey or are you tapering from a dose?


Maureen.

[nursedeborah]

Elizabeth,
I would go to the doctor for a EKG, that way the doctor can rule out any medical problems.
If you go to the withdrawl site http://prozactruth.com/cymbalta.htm
you will be able to see all the symptoms, and this will help you when ever you have anything
your not sure of.

Always have things with your heart cheacked, but also know all the withdrawl symptoms too!

I am a nurse, I don't practice medicine here, but I do think seeing your doc is a good idea.
I get chest pains, and had a EKG just to make sure, nothing was wrong, but at least I know
for sure my heart is fine.

Debbie

[mamablue23]

Hi there,
You mentioned heart hiccups or skipping beats. I experience heart fluttering with cymbalta withdrawls- where it just seems like the heart can't quite figure out how to beat right. Quick flutters, then prolonged beats. I have to cough to get it back to normal. Strange, but that is my experience. Always good to get the heart checked out though, make sure it's OK.

[Cecile]

I'm weaning off my meds and yes it makes you anxious and makes ur heart beat fast from the anxiety it's common in people trying to get off Cymb.

[nursedeborah]

Anxiety and your heart beating faster is not the same as heart flutter, and palpitations.

Please get you heart checked, an EKG is so easy, and fast. You will know the answer in two minutes.

That's worth the peace of mind!

Debbie

[Cecile]

Yes, I have got my heart checked and had a Ecogram on my heart at the Hospital. My heart is fine!! it's the coming off the cymb that's making anxious..

[nursedeborah]

ceicel,
Good for you.

I had left the message for who had posted it, and she was having something way different than what you were talking about.

Anxiety is onething altogether, and what happens to your hear rate, = making it beat really fast. What she is talking about is much more seriuos!!!!!!

I am glad that your ok.

Debbie

[Cecile]

Thanks!! yes, my heart beats fast too it's like a anxiety attack from coming off this Cymb..I get all sweaty and a hott feeling up my back and you just feel like ur going to die!! and ur hearts starts to race and u can not breath like ur chest is caving in..it's a horrible feeling.... : ( but yeah if it's not anxiety it must be something else..

nite nite deb

[nursedeborah]

Hey Ceic,
It's just my nursin that comes into play when I hear things that people say as I don't
want someone to not get the right information. That is why I explained the difference
between the anxiety thing with the heart, and what the woman was talking about.
They were so very different, and I wanted to make sure she saw the doctor that's all.


Hope all is well with you, how it going?

Deb

[grace12489]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I have a heart history, so when I started having chest pains I went to my cardiologist. To be safe, we did the ekg, echo cardiogram, nuclear stress test...the whole deal. I am fine... What had changed? I just stopped taking my cymbalta when i ran out. I went cold turkey which was wrong... just wanted to say even though I FELT symptoms and FELT something was wrong with my heart, and my heart was feeling like it was skipping and just felt TIRED, I checked out fine. It's always better to check.

[Cecile]

Oh yea, I'm totally ok with it that..I'm sure your older and wiser and know more about that stuff then i do..I just know how anxiety feels like and anxiety attacks because i have been through them... today is day 24 on my weaning system and i was feeling sick this morning, but for some reason i have trouble swallowing my food..like it dosn't want to go down that's when the panic sets in and i try not to have a attck...

Cece

[nursedeborah]

Grace,
I am so glad that you had all that checked out. I always do that, rule out the medical so I know what
I am left with to deaL with.

For me having the list of all the withdrawls has helped me, well when I get really bad no I forget to
go and read them. I just know all that I am going through right now is this stupid drug, but it still
makes it so hard for me.

I just want to get off of it, see what I am really like after 3 years of hell it has caused me from being
on it. It touched every area of m y life, and ruined it!!

Good Luck with where you are, and it does get better.

Debbie

[Cecile]

My dr. is makin me go cold turkey now...So i dunno how i quiet feel about that now...Kinda scared I guess.....feel like i'm the only one that's doing that..everyone else is tapering here..except for me!! :(

[Houdi]

Cecile:

Why did the MD decide you must go cold turkey now? From what dose?

When I quit, I had issues with swallowing. I found if I drank chocolate milk or ate yogurt first, then I could eat and swallow easier. Like I had to coax my body to get into the mood for swallowing....???? It lasted a while too, maybe 2 months?

Hang in there....Houdi

BTW, I went cold turkey from Cymbalta over a year ago.

[nursedeborah]

Cecile,
Why are you letting the doctor do that to you. Docotrs don't make that decision unlesss they are
really a bad doctor, and don't listen to the patient. I have been a nurse for over 35 years, and I
have never heard of such a thing. I would tell him that I can't do this, and that I need to come off this
slowly. I am sure he will help you, and if not find another doctor who will.

I am so sorry this is going on,
Debbie

[mamablue23]

Hi Deb,
I guess what I experience is a little strange. I've felt it every so often for years it didn't occur to me that it could be significant. Figured it was anxiety- I'm going to the doc next week for an annual physical. I'll talk to her about it and get things checked out. thanks! -MB

[jenn]

I have times when my heartbeat is very rapid and times when it is just pounding really hard, but not especially fast. It's a scary feeling.

[Cecile]

-Houdi-

I can't drink dairy products i'm lactouse intolerent : ( and it's breads, tortillas, grains, etc.. i have trouble swallowing with its hard and wont go down!!?? I hate it!! but when it goes away it feels soo much better like i can breath!! not chocking..I do drink Silk milk and I love it!! it's very good and healthy for u.

Debbie i was waning off for almost 4 weeks and now the dr. wants me to go cold turkey...it's hard right now...and the nasea, brain zaps, feeling like i want to die!!! is very hard right now...i hope it goes away soon!!! how long do u think i will last?????????

Cece

[Elizabeth187]

Hi, thanks for the response. The weird heart stuff stopped and I felt like I had the flu for a few days, and now I just kinda feel crappy, which is a good thing, I guess XD

[nursedeborah]

Ceic,
I would never go to a doctor who would make me go cold turkey off this stuff, or
not be listening to what I was saying.

I just have been a nuurse way to long to allow that kind of crap. I would find
another doc that was more caring, and heard what I was saying, also willing
to work with my needs, and not go by what he thinks, or what the company
or rep says.

That's abusive, and I refuse to allow that. I am having a hard enough time as
it is, and then to have my doc not be there for me when I really need him!!

Find another one!
Debbie

[Firefighter1042]

Hi Elizabeth, Debbie, Maureen and anyone else I may have missed

I felt as if I was having palpitations too and/or missing beats. I actually hooked myself up to the EKG machine at work and ran it for an hour. It did not show any irregularities. When I have my zaps, it feels as if I am getting kicked in the chest by a mule. (not just a lil baby mule either, I am talking one pissed off PMS'ing mama mule) Anyhow, I am in no way suggesting you dont see your doctor, I am just trying to offer peace of mind. I am still learning more and more about this everyday from people I talk to on here, and how my own body reacts.

Lets get better people!

Trent (and if I ever find that mule...dinner at my house, mule burgers!)

[MaureenV]

Hi Elizabeth, Debbie, Maureen and anyone else I may have missed

I felt as if I was having palpitations too and/or missing beats. I actually hooked myself up to the EKG machine at work and ran it for an hour. It did not show any irregularities. When I have my zaps, it feels as if I am getting kicked in the chest by a mule. (not just a lil baby mule either, I am talking one pissed off PMS'ing mama mule) Anyhow, I am in no way suggesting you dont see your doctor, I am just trying to offer peace of mind. I am still learning more and more about this everyday from people I talk to on here, and how my own body reacts.

Lets get better people!

Trent (and if I ever find that mule...dinner at my house, mule burgers!)

er ... can I be vegetarian ... just for the night?? Mule sounds a bit tough.

It actually suddenly struck me the other day (I can be a bit slow ... ) that the effect inside my head was the same as when your heart skips - like that thump of blood flow. It's all buried so much inside the 'noise' (like the tinnitus is suddenly magnified by 10 momentarily) it's actually hard to tell, so I'm glad a pro has found it necessary to use a machine. :)

I've realized I'm also super sensitive to noise at those times, whereas increased tinnitus would normally drown it out a bit.

I find myself saying 'stop shouting!' to my family, and get puzzled looks.

I won't say 'glad to have you on board' (best day will be when no one has to google cymbalta withdrawal) but I will say good to see you've retained your sense of humour.

Maureen. (56 yo - Australia)

[Firefighter1042]

Hi Maureen,

Well, obviously you have never had my mule because it is absolutely delicious. Anyhow I am lucky in the sense that I dont have tinnitus. Whenever I get hit with the "zaps", its always a double tap type sensation. It happens twice in less than a .5 second period, and when they do hit, I hear what I can only say is a slight "wush" of air, but fortunatley no tinnitus.

And as I said, I am lucky enough to have a EKG machine on our trucks, so I could sit and toss off my shirt, throw some stickers on and record my results. (correction, I saw when I ready my last post, I said I did the EKG for an hour, it was for 1 minute) However, during the course of that minute I was able to voluntarily make the "zaps" fire with rapid eye movements, etc. and my results were normal, showing no palpitations or missed beats.

I just want to re-emphasize this one last time. In no way I am saying this is a reason to ignore your palpitation/skipped beat symptoms. You should definately see your doc and get it checked out. It is always possible it could be a condition not even related to the Cymbalta withdrawl. As I said, I put it out there more for peace of mind.

Here is too a lil mule on the barbie!!!

[MaureenV]

Hi Trent,


thanks for the reminder re the palpitations, but I'm o.k. on that front now; I had a bad 20 years with what turned out to be an adrenal tumor, causing mind boggling hypertension (240/130 the day my daughter was born, after an elective caesar because of the risk), as well as the chronic low potassium hyperaldosteronism causes giving me untold grief in all sorts of way, one of the lesser problems being palpitations. I've had all the tests in the past - stress, echocardiograms etc. Had the pesky little adrenal removed over two years ago and have not looked back.

Re the brain zaps: this is how I know mine are not as bad as other people's, because I don't get them from movement, although come to think of it they're worst when sitting at the computer, so perhaps the eye movement aggravates them. They also manage to stay within my head - so have to be grateful for small mercies.

I'm increasingly seeing that whatever underlying 'weaknesses' people have, cymbalta seems to target.

I also didn't have the level of muscle pain others have experienced, I DID get pain, but in places that have been injured in the past, such as a muscle damaged in a motorbike accident in 1978!

Interesting that you're a firefighter AND paramedic - there's been discussion about the usefulness of that in Australia, and a bit of argy bargy going on between the two groups as to whether or not it's a good idea.

Take care, Maureen.

[Firefighter1042]

If you folks down under needed a full time firefighter/paramedic too come down and help teach, I'd move there in a heartbeat and teach or eithher work as one!! Would love that!!