8 replies to this topic

[YourNameHere]

Hi all

Just joined this group.  I was looking for something to help with my anxiety/depression.  Doc reccomended Zoloft first so i was on it for about 6 months.  it worked well however I couldn't deal with the extreme sweating of my hands and feet.  Spoke to my doc about it and decided to switch to Cymbalta.  What a mistake.  I didnt think it worked as well as the Zoloft but i went with it.  Then the insane sweat started again.  It's very uncomfortable and embarrassing.  Anyway, had to get off it.  Spoke to my doc and we tapered.  Not removing beads however. I was on 90mg when down to 60mg for 2 weeks, 30 for 2 weeks, then 30 every other day for 2 weeks.  I have been completely off Cymbalta since 11/2.  And now am too skeptical about taking another SSRI or SNRI so I started on Wellbutrin on 10/30.  The withdrawal has been torture for 3 weeks.  Brain zaps, still sweating, agitation, irritable, foggy brain, anxiety.  One minute i'm hanging with my wife and kids and the next i'm screaming at them.  I have been taking either .25 or .50 of Xanax to try to take the edge off.  Helps a bit but I only take it at night because it puts me to sleep.  Then all I read is it takes forever for these things to go away.  Some talk about it going away and returning.  Can anyone shine a positive light on this situation? Please.

Thank you

[invalidusername]

Hi there and welcome to the site....

 

Sorry to hear about all the issues you have faced because of the AD's. The withdrawal you used to come off the Cymbalta would have put you in a right state, so yes, the bad news is that you will have a bit of a tough time ahead, but the good news is that it is the withdrawal making you feel like this. How long were you on the Cymbalta for?

 

So if you have been off for around three weeks, you do have the option of taking a few beads to make things a little easier if things are THAT bad, or you could try a number of supplements to help you go through things better. A third option is to do a short time on Prozac to help, but the down side is that this will take between 8-12 weeks to kick in, so you would still have a fair bit of crap to get through. I know you said "positive light", but there is no point in sugar-coating the truth!! But it WILL pass. Quite how quickly I cannot be sure, but if you can tell us how long you were on it, we can give you a better idea based on the experiences we have dealt with here over the months and years. 

 

The anger stage is very common - a lot of us had that. I nearly lost work clients for loosing my temper, my friend Fishing Hat here has a number of dents in his boat courtesy of his anger trials of withdrawal... it will go...

 

If you can list the symptoms you are having and the severity, we will be able to suggest further remedies. But hang in there... you are at the right place now my friend...

 

IUN

[fishinghat]

First of all welcome to the site. It is my hope that the Wellbutrin kicks in soon. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to take effect so it could be as long as until Christmas to get some relief from it. As far as the length of time for Cymbalta withdrawal. Some never get withdrawal and others have it last a year or more but the average is 6 to 8 months. I know that is not the answer you wanted to hear, sorry. There have been a few members that have switched to Wellbutrin with success so lets hope you are one of them.

[YourNameHere]

Hey all

Really appreciate the replies and for being as "positive" as possible.  Keep trying to tell myself that a lot of this is the withdrawal but it's real hard.  I was on the cymbalta for about 5 months.  Not that long. I'm on the lowest dose of Wellbutrin for now so who knows if it will do anything.  

Brain zaps are constant.  Usually a minimal amount in the am and it gets worse as the day goes on.  Much like you guys, I need to go to work and I need to function as an adult.

The sweating hasn't stopped since I was on Zoloft.  Kind of feels like sweating is now my life

And really the foggy head and anxiousness is constant.  Just always uncomfortable and that i'm missing something. A feeling i used to get but not always

The irritability and anger is also tough though i've been trying to stay in my head and remind myself to just walk away and chill.  

This all sucks and i'm pissed at myself for not finding these issues before starting this pill since i'm usually big into research.

Lastly, thanks again for the responses, really is appreciated and makes me feel better knowing that others have been in or are in the same situation.

bye for now

[fishinghat]

A couple things for you YNH. Omega 3 high in epa and dha at around 3000 mg/day have helped many with the brain fog and brain zaps. Also, many have used a light dose of diphenhydramine )Benadryl) for the anxiety. Usually around 25 to 50 mg. Not too much or it might make you sleepy. If these don't help let us know and there are other things you can try.

[invalidusername]

Hat has covered that - and yes, omega 3 is great for the head issues. Has helped so many - you may be fine on 2000 epa/dha, but more is fine if needed. I know just how horrible the relentless brain zaps can be, so you have my sympathies.

 

Just to add to the Benadryl, you can also try Dramamine (I use Equate as it is very similar stuff but much cheaper!). 50mg of this has helped me a lot before but it does make you a bit drowsy. But don't go for the "non-drowsy" formula (use the original formula) as a number of members have reported that this does not work nearly as well.

 

For more information, download our eBook from here;

 

https://www.cymbalta...tion-the-ebook/

 

Lots of good information and tips from members.

[YourNameHere]

Good Stuff.  Really appreciate the help.  going to try these things out.

[invalidusername]

Good man.. or woman (!)

 

Let us know how it goes, and if you would like any more help

[Lovey]

Hi ynh! Just adding my support! I'm on a slow taper myself. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow evening. I am going to ask when my original Rx for Cymbalta was. I think I have been taking it 3 years. I relate to the anger and discomfort you describe. I feel rage in fact. I am going to go smash some tennis balls across the court when I get the chance. Hopefully that may help. I'm on relatively low to medium energy still as I'm healing from this Cymbalta stuffand a few other health challenges. This forum is a life changer. People here really care. Praying for you!-H