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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Jaspar on May 16, 2006, at 13:06:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by Avalon on May 16, 2006, at 9:04:59
> Just curious as to whether it relieved your pain while you were on it.
Yes, actually. It completely relieved the nerve pain I have. It also made me feel more motivated than on a previous SSRI I had been on for depression. So - other than the severe itching (hives), the Cymbalta made me feel pretty darn good.
But still... if I had known what would happen when I tried to get off of it, I NEVER would have taken that first pill.
-Jaspar
Posted by Jaspar on May 16, 2006, at 13:38:55
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by secretme on May 16, 2006, at 9:39:14
> However, herbal supplements have to be regulated carefully by an holistic doctor
Not necessarily just an "holistic" doctor anymore! Many "traditional" GPs, and MDs into "alternative", "integrative" and "anti-aging" medicine are now knowledgeable about herbal and nutritional supplements.
In addition, with a good science background, and enough research, a person can learn enough to do a better job than some of these doctors that I refer to as doing "drive-through doctoring". HMOs love them - they spend about 5 minutes per patient. I had one like that once. I once tried for a MONTH to get him to call in a prescription.
As for sources - there are reputable sources... I know GNC is a good source of at least some supplements, and I also trust the Life Extension Foundation (LEF).
-Jaspar
Posted by secretme on May 16, 2006, at 14:06:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by Jaspar on May 16, 2006, at 13:38:55
Your point is well taken; however, the doctors I have come across at major teaching facilities (Sloan-K, Columbia Presbyterian, Wake Forest, Duke, and more)go only so far in their knowledge and treatment of conditions with herbal remedies. I think some PCPs and specialists may have taken a course or two in med school about alternative medicine and further supplement it with self-study. This, to me, is not enough, especially with pharmaceutical company reps banging down their doors everyday, peddaling some new concoction -- like Cymbalta. My meeting with the holistic doctor at Sloan put everything into perspective. I have worked in benefits for 15 years and spent enormous amounts of time helping my clients get resolution to their problems of receiving competent care. I made sure to offer the employer the best possible choices of medical plans without restrictions on what their employees can and cannot do. Unfortunately, the way companies (especially large ones and some local governments) insure their employees (via self-insured plans, off-shore companies, etc.), they are allowed to build in restrictions to benefits that smaller state-mandated plans cannot do. There is no protection for employees when a large employer decides who an employee can see and what the restrictions are in the benefits plan. Okay, I'm off the subject, but it's more the employers than the HMOs that are destroying our healthcare system. As our former healthcare carrier once said to me in a dispute over charges, "your husband's company tells us what to do." Without some form of national healthcare -- where mental and nervous are always considered MEDICAL conditions and treated as such, people who have problems with depression, OCD, ADD, etc., will never get proper treatment. This issue is far deeper than any of us knows, including me.
secretme
Posted by Jaspar on May 16, 2006, at 14:07:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on May 15, 2006, at 16:04:28
> Let us know how you're feeling the next couple C-word-free days.
I feel pretty good, but I have this lingering brief vertigo feeling just sometimes when I move my head. It is very very brief, but it is enough to give me brief queaziness in the pit of my stomach each time it happens which is frequently.
I HOPE this does not last too long. It has taken me about 6 months to come off of 60mg of the "C-word". It is not like I can be accused of coming off it too quickly.
Someone I know is about to start on it. I understand why. I will just pray that she won't go through this hell if/when she has to come off it. And at least I can give her advice on coming off of it real slowly.
-Jaspar
Posted by foggy b on May 17, 2006, at 0:48:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by secretme on May 16, 2006, at 9:39:14
In my experience, the benefits were not enough to overcome the side-effects. I'd rather just feel a bit of pain and know I'm alive than feel a bit of pain and not experience emotions, have no sex-drive at all, and really not care. Over the last couple of days, I've cried for the first time in at least 6 months! Yes, I have the negative feelings, but I have positive ones too. Sex-drive is back and that has made this withdrawl worth it to me!
Today I saw that Cymbalta commercial and got so mad! How can they do this to us? I feel like my doctor and pharmacist are so uniformed about this! Because of the irregular heart beat (at least thats what it feels like) I called the pharmacist last week asking about withdrawl symptoms (just before I found this thread!) He said they should be really mild - maybe a couple of days of disorientation but nothing to really comment on. Nice. Really uniformed!
Posted by Avalon on May 17, 2006, at 8:41:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by foggy b on May 17, 2006, at 0:48:24
Foggy, I agree the medical professionals seem to be uninformed on this. When I asked my pharmacist if my nausea could be caused by going off Cymbalta, she said she didn't think so ... not AFTER going off. Called the doctor's office (pain management specialist), the nurse got back to me and said the doctor said "you shouldn't be having withdrawal symptoms". I told her that I definitely am, and that I found a website where there are hundreds of messages from people going through the same thing. She seemed really surprised. On the Cymbalta website under Prescribing Information, there are clear warnings about abrupt discontinuation of treatment (describes all the symptoms we're all having) but implies that a gradual reduction will usually prevent that. (Which we know is not true in all cases.) I'm not sure why anyone prescribing this would not be aware of the risks. Unless we are the only ones having problems? Are we all super-sensitive? (I, for one, know that I am.) Are there others that have gone off it with no problems, so maybe that's why the doctors aren't aware of it if they haven't had a patient who's experienced the withdrawal from h*** that we're going through?
Posted by gapsgal on May 17, 2006, at 9:17:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, opinions, posted by Avalon on May 17, 2006, at 8:41:15
Foggy,That could not be so true...they are clueless for some reason...i am back on it now because I was going through absolute hell and I had my wedding this past Sunday and so many things going on otherwise...not sure what to do from here except find another doctor and go from there...
> Foggy, I agree the medical professionals seem to be uninformed on this. When I asked my pharmacist if my nausea could be caused by going off Cymbalta, she said she didn't think so ... not AFTER going off. Called the doctor's office (pain management specialist), the nurse got back to me and said the doctor said "you shouldn't be having withdrawal symptoms". I told her that I definitely am, and that I found a website where there are hundreds of messages from people going through the same thing. She seemed really surprised. On the Cymbalta website under Prescribing Information, there are clear warnings about abrupt discontinuation of treatment (describes all the symptoms we're all having) but implies that a gradual reduction will usually prevent that. (Which we know is not true in all cases.) I'm not sure why anyone prescribing this would not be aware of the risks. Unless we are the only ones having problems? Are we all super-sensitive? (I, for one, know that I am.) Are there others that have gone off it with no problems, so maybe that's why the doctors aren't aware of it if they haven't had a patient who's experienced the withdrawal from h*** that we're going through?
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 18, 2006, at 23:23:50
In reply to Re: double double quotes, posted by mseasons on May 9, 2006, at 13:19:30
Posted by sabrinassecret on May 21, 2006, at 17:19:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jaspar on April 28, 2006, at 16:31:06
I am so thankful I found this website. First I thought I had food poisoning, then the flu, then just going crazy.
I started taking Cymbalta for neuropathic pain. To anybody who is thinking of doing the same---don't do it! It doesn't work as well as other drugs (amitryptiline, Lyrica) and has worse side effects--no libido, extreme thirst, feelings "buzzed". And, trying to get off of it is hell---the "shocks", upset stomachs, vomiting, vertigo, headaches, insomnia. It just doesn't work well enough to justify any of it.
Posted by Never Again on May 22, 2006, at 13:00:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by sabrinassecret on May 21, 2006, at 17:19:26
I gotta tell ya after this withdrawal experience, I don't know that I'll ever try anti-depressants again. Today is officially 30 days Cymbalta-free. Thank you Lord!!!! I'm feeling like my old self, in a good way. Hang in there! I wish I knew how to report these adverse effects to someone. I know I did it the hard way - cold turkey - but still folks should know before they consider being treated with Cymbalta, that it could get hairy down the road when it's time to come off.
Posted by Jaspar on May 22, 2006, at 16:07:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by sabrinassecret on May 21, 2006, at 17:19:26
> I started taking Cymbalta for neuropathic again. To anybody who is thinking of doing the
> same---don't do it! It doesn't work as well as other drugs (amitryptiline, Lyrica) and has
> worse side effects--no libido, extreme thirst, feelings "buzzed".I did not have those side-effects, but I did have one and it was a "deal-breaker". I had tried Amitryptiline, but I rapidly gain FORTY pounds on it, which I am still working at losing. I haven't tried Lyrica, and my GP wants me to try gabapentin, but at this point, I don't want anything... but that may change. Now I can hardly walk because the nerve pain came back which set my back muscles into spasm.
The Cymbalta DID work as promised me - it was just the side-effect that made me get off :-(
They need a test to know in advance who it WILL work for, and who should NOT take it!
>And, trying to get off of it is hell---the "shocks", upset stomachs, vomiting, vertigo,
> headaches, insomnia.That is what I have experienced. I have now been completely C-free for about a week. The symptoms are less. I tapered off for 6 MONTHS!
> It just doesn't work well enough to justify any of it.
For some people, it does, but it is like playing Russian Roulette.
-Jaspar
Posted by Jaspar on May 22, 2006, at 16:10:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Never Again on May 22, 2006, at 13:00:29
> I wish I knew how to report these adverse effects to someone.
Report it to the FDA's MEDWATCH program at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/
-Jaspar
Posted by SLS on May 23, 2006, at 9:23:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jaspar on May 22, 2006, at 16:10:26
> > I wish I knew how to report these adverse effects to someone.
>
> Report it to the FDA's MEDWATCH program at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/
>
> -Jaspar
The drug manufacturer does include a precautionary statement regarding the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms upon the discontinuation of Cymbalta. I'm not sure why this information is not being offered to patients on a regular basis. I guess it's time for doctors to read the label.http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cymbalta_wcp.htm
- Scott
Posted by Nick K. on May 23, 2006, at 18:38:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on May 23, 2006, at 9:23:31
This may be wildly inappropriate in that I'm probably not qualified to be suggesting advice on this topic, however...
I'm about 7 days into withdrawing "cold turkey" from Cymbalta 60mg. It's a pretty gnarly experience as stated previously in this forum thread. After some research, I did find 2 relatively inexpensive supplements that have helped me tremendously to ease the symptoms of withdrawal:
"5-HTP" and "St. Johns Wort" are both OTC herbal extracts that affect serotonin production and/or mechanics. Apparently, they work somewhat synergistically when taken together. Some people have even successfully replaced prescription medication with this combination (for mild to moderate depression). As with any decision in life, do research before taking action.
It has been my experience that depression is characterised by internal negativity resulting from delusional thinking and irrational judgement. In my case, this has all spawned essentially from extreme self-centeredness and egotism which has disguised itself within me. The most effective treatment I have received in my whole life, comes from a 12 step recovery program that encourages introspection, acceptance, and a number of other "emotional/spiritual" practices that I had previously contempted because I did not understand how helpful they actually were.
My opinion is that fundamental personal transformation and courageous self-discovery are vital for long-term recovery and true satisfaction, medication should be used, perhaps, as a tool to enable this process, rather than as a direct solution.
Just something to think about.
-Nick
Posted by secretme on May 23, 2006, at 22:45:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Never Again on May 12, 2006, at 15:53:49
On the 5/23 home page of MSN is a top-of-the-page ad for Cymbalta. It has lovely photos and a calming audio. Under side effects: dry mouth, constipation, decreased appetite, fatigue, sleepiness, increased sweating. "Most people were not bothered enough by nausea or these side effects to stop taking Cymbalta. Your doctor may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta. You should not stop taking Cymbalta without talking to your doctor." (As we know, this does a lot of good!)
Only six common side effects? Then why does your doctor need to take your blood pressure? (Probably to prevent you from having a stroke.)
If "Lilly Cares," then why don't we let Lilly know what Cymbalta has done to us? There's also a way to "sign up for Cymbalta updates." I'm sure none of us wants to miss those.....
secretme
Posted by Avalon on May 23, 2006, at 23:50:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by secretme on May 23, 2006, at 22:45:09
Secretme, I normally try not to even read the side effects ahead of time because I don't want to psych myself out and maybe not give the medication a sufficient trial run. (I do read the drug interactions and warnings, however.) Whenever I do read the side effects, I feel like they are worst-case scenario and probably don't affect the majority of patients that way, including hopefully me. So, with that said, I found the information below on the Cymbalta.com website under "Prescribing Information". It lists the possible risks of "abrupt" discontinuation of treatment. It pretty much describes the symptoms we're all having. If I were reading this before taking the med, I would think a gradual reduction would prevent this -- in fact, it pretty much says that. As we all know, that is NOT the case. This warning needs to be much more specific about the serious withdrawal risks, gradual or not gradual. Here's what it says:
Discontinuation of Treatment with Cymbalta — Discontinuation symptoms have been
systematically evaluated in patients taking Cymbalta. Following abrupt discontinuation in MDD
placebo-controlled clinical trials of up to 9-weeks duration, the following symptoms occurred at
a rate greater than or equal to 2% and at a significantly higher rate in Cymbalta-treated patients
compared to those discontinuing from placebo: dizziness; nausea; headache; paresthesia;
vomiting; irritability; and nightmare.
During marketing of other SSRIs and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon
discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric
10
mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric
shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia,
hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. Although these events are generally self-limiting, some have
been reported to be severe.
Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment with Cymbalta.
A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible.
If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of
treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the
physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate (see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION).
Posted by Nick K. on May 24, 2006, at 1:15:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on May 23, 2006, at 23:50:17
There should be an obvious warning ON THE BOTTLE regarding the complications of withdrawal from Cymbalta. Something like: "DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICATION ABRUPTLY" I'm looking at the bottle right now... there is a warning "do not drink alcoholic beverages", "may cause dizziness", "may cause drowsiness". Nothing about withdrawal. Even missing one days dose by accident can cause near hypopsychosis. Psychiatrists and prescribers should be forced to warn patients of the severity of withdrawal symptoms. It sounds like most people abstaining from this medication had no idea what they were in for. Many of us should be awarded compensation for our unwitting suffering.
Posted by Avalon on May 24, 2006, at 10:24:35
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Nick K. on May 24, 2006, at 1:15:49
Nick, I agree. My doctor was surprised to hear I had ANY withdrawal symptoms. He told me in advance about the potential side effects, but no mention of withdrawal. If I had been warned about this in advance, I never would've started on it. I would be curious to know if there are ANY people who've gone off Cymbalta without withdrawal symptoms. I'd be curious to know whether anyone has been warned by their doctor in advance about the withdrawal. I do not think we should let this issue die -- this is serious stuff that needs to be known by the public who are seeing those d*** "where does depression hurt" commercials! I was only on it 3 weeks and got completely nauseous after tapering it down for 3 days and then being off it 3 days. I have been on other anti-depressants in the past and have never experienced anything like this!
Posted by Nick K. on May 24, 2006, at 19:32:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on May 24, 2006, at 10:24:35
I'm not an attorney and I don't know much about law, but it would be interesting to hear if a legitimate lawyer thinks we have a case or not. I think we have more than enough compelling testimony for a successful law suit. It may be sort of a lost cause to go up against a pharmaceutical giant like Lilly. I'm pretty sure these sorts of cases cost a lot of time and money, and theres no guaranteed positive outcome.
I'm interested in learning/hearing more about this.
Posted by secretme on May 25, 2006, at 8:28:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Nick K. on May 24, 2006, at 19:32:09
I asked the same question several months ago, but there was no response. One person offered something along the lines that we all take so many other medications, how can we pin it on Cymbalta? Then why are we going through this exercise with each other? I don't have any experience with the law, but I think a class action lawsuit might be possible with all the people who have poured their hearts out on this website. These are not isolated incidents, and there are many more of "us" out there who need to do something about this for ourselves and for those unsuspecting patients who see the TV, Internet and prints ads and just can't wait to try Cymbalta! Yesterday, when I accompanied my son for a visit to the head of the neurosciences department at a major teaching hospital, this doctor mentioned alternate medications for my son's OCD, and one of them is Cymbalta! He got an earfull from me, although he probably thought I needed to be committed.
secretme
Posted by Doccybear on May 25, 2006, at 12:13:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jaspar on April 26, 2006, at 13:20:37
Hello I just wanted any one to know who's having problems with cymbalta withdrawal;
I was on 60 mg and had horrible withdrawal if I took it more than an hour later than scheduled;
However GOOD NEWS: Switch to an SSRI, and there is virtually no withdrawal symptoms (as noro-epinephrine does not create withdrawal.)
I personally used Lexapro, my old stand-by; and I went right to 15mg (not recomending this, I know by my own experience I can tolerate higher levels of this one but some people get very stimulated at 5mg.) Any way I used this amount (even though my doctor gave me 10mg) to account for the serotonin levels @ 60mg Cymbalta.
Im just writing to help b/c I know it's torture to come off these meds but you really can switch from one to another fairly easily with your doctors aproval. I am a good judge on that b/c I am sosososososoosos incredibly sensitive to SSRI and SNRI withdrawal.
If you have any questions for me I will check back the posts everyonce in a while (don't wanna leave my email in case there's any creepy folk scoping the internet)
God Bless you all,
Most sincerely,Amanda S.
Posted by Jaspar on May 25, 2006, at 14:06:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on May 23, 2006, at 9:23:31
> The drug manufacturer does include a precautionary statement regarding the occurrence
> of withdrawal symptoms upon the discontinuation of Cymbalta. I'm not sure why
> this information is not being offered to patients on a regular basis. I guess it's time
> for doctors to read the label.Yes, the doctor didn't tell me, but even the warning does not suffice, because it says to taper off... and the tapering needed for some people (such as myself) is IMPOSSIBLE and ridiculous, especially given the dosages Cymbalta comes in.
Like the idea of a Cymbalta withdrawal kit. A month of counting down granuls from about 10 mg was necessary for some of us.
-Jaspar
Posted by Jaspar on May 25, 2006, at 14:13:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Nick K. on May 24, 2006, at 1:15:49
> Even missing one days dose by accident can cause near hypopsychosis.
> Psychiatrists and prescribers should be forced to warn patients of the
> severity of withdrawal symptoms.Oh this is SO TRUE! I would get so ill within 16 hours of a single missed dose. I understood people going to a pharmacy and holding it up in order to get their drug! Yes - it was THAT BAD!
And Yes, if I HAD KNOWN how bad the withdrawal could be, I would NEVER NEVER NEVER have taken that first pill. It would not have been worth it to me to even try - there was a lot else I could have tried so it wasn't like it HAD to be Cymbalta.
-Jaspar
Posted by gapsgal on May 25, 2006, at 15:01:24
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal GOOD NEWS / Trying to HELP, posted by Doccybear on May 25, 2006, at 12:13:05
Amanda,
My doctor told me it could cause some syndrome that is potentially fatal to switch before I am completely off of the Cymbalta. The doctors are oh so amazed that I am having withdrawals at all.
> Hello I just wanted any one to know who's having problems with cymbalta withdrawal;
>
> I was on 60 mg and had horrible withdrawal if I took it more than an hour later than scheduled;
>
> However GOOD NEWS: Switch to an SSRI, and there is virtually no withdrawal symptoms (as noro-epinephrine does not create withdrawal.)
>
> I personally used Lexapro, my old stand-by; and I went right to 15mg (not recomending this, I know by my own experience I can tolerate higher levels of this one but some people get very stimulated at 5mg.) Any way I used this amount (even though my doctor gave me 10mg) to account for the serotonin levels @ 60mg Cymbalta.
>
> Im just writing to help b/c I know it's torture to come off these meds but you really can switch from one to another fairly easily with your doctors aproval. I am a good judge on that b/c I am sosososososoosos incredibly sensitive to SSRI and SNRI withdrawal.
>
> If you have any questions for me I will check back the posts everyonce in a while (don't wanna leave my email in case there's any creepy folk scoping the internet)
>
> God Bless you all,
> Most sincerely,
>
> Amanda S.
Posted by kparis on May 25, 2006, at 15:23:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal GOOD NEWS / Trying to HELP, posted by gapsgal on May 25, 2006, at 15:01:24
I'm stopping my Cymbalta today. I was on 60mg for over a year, the last month on 30mg (with no side effects whatsoever) and now cold turkey. My doc said that it wouldn't be easy and if it got bad to let her know and a single dose of prozac should do the job as it has a 1/2 life of about 3 weeks. I'm a bit nervous about this, but I'm willing to do it as I want my body to be clean of all drugs. I'm feeling so great being on a lower dose. I'm also hoping that getting off of this drug will help me lose the weight I put on while on the drug. Any thoughts from anyone? Thanks!
Kparis
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