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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by moesje on July 21, 2007, at 18:23:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 21, 2007, at 17:32:48
I agree with all that Snap says here! The whole withdrawal experience made me feel as if my nerves were constantly jangled raw, and blinking my eyes could bring it on or keep it going. I just imagined that it was my nerve endings coming back to life, and kept away from anything that might cause me to explode. Thankfully my 2 teenage daughters and my husband were quite supportive of me getting off.
Also she's very right about what each person requires to suffer through this. Some could just get through it alone, others needed vitamins, exercise or chocolate.
I had read somewhere that coming off anti-d was rough because if you didn't have things in place to handle the stress, whatever put you on the anit-d's would come back and bite you harder. It still feels like that, and I'm having to find my way out of the bag and figure out what works with my emotions. Add to that, I'm at the beginning stages of menopause, and you've got hell on wheels most of the time. I dont sleep well, I wake up at either 3 or 6 am and then sleep well for 3 or 4 hours. Not enough, so thankfully I work at home and can take a nap when I need it.
Anyway, just keep hanging in there, you can get through this!!
Moesje
> Hi there,
>
> I really feel for you and I’m right there with you. It's a little over 3 weeks for me. I can tell you that the brain zaps are getting better. I still have motion sickness and take a homeopathic supplement for that. I try to exercise every day. It seems that when I sit still the withdrawal symptoms get worse. I need to work as well and get into a lot of fear about it, however, I know that ONE DAY I will be myself again. I respect that this a medical forum, but I also wanted to share that I am clean from drugs and alcohol for almost 6 years. I have been on Cymbalta for 5 1/2 years of my sobriety. So needless to say - I am REALLY feeling everything and it's not fun. The good news is that I feel everything. Okay I know I'm off on a tangent here, but I swear there is a point. I have been so uncomfortable with how I feel that I almost resorted to a drink - it's been that bad. However, I have not nor have I taken other meds to soften the blow of this detox - not that that's a bad thing - I just really want to be done with this.
>
> I share this with you to express how much I understand how you feel. Chocolate has helped me. Now I'm not suggesting it, but I deserve a little prize. No?
>
> I'm pretty much a raw nerve and wonder if that's one of the reasons I went on Cymbalta in the first place. My friends and I call it Gumball just for laughs. I'm making an effort not to make Gumball or the doc that prescribed it the enemies. It did work for a while.
>
> I hope that you feel better.
>
> PS. Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao or higher is the Sh*t!
>
> Snap
>
Posted by bornfree on July 22, 2007, at 5:03:19
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Snap, posted by moesje on July 21, 2007, at 18:23:36
Hi there friends. I don't really get it i missed my cymbalta on days when i didn't recall if i had took it or not, I guess it must make you forget. But i didn't really get any side effects. Anyway i went to my GP who wasn't my reg GP and he was rubbish to put a kind word on it. I told him i needed to come off them for a test i was going for and he didn't say anything about it apart from take 1 every other day, i dont get it no bedside mannor im sure. Anyway that was wednesday i think, so i guess that you could say i have been withdrawing since then. I was on 60mg its been 5 days today. The sad thing is i dont know what's these meds and not as for a week i felt poo, iv had headaces,feeling sick and weird head. I'v not had head shock, have i them to come and when (i cant wait im sure). Oh and i did have a wierd heart pain and iv got weird bowel movmnets. Im starting to get weird eye sight too and scared to go far at the house. Oh has anyone heard of the ROAD BACK PROG
Posted by moesje on July 22, 2007, at 11:00:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by bornfree on July 22, 2007, at 5:03:19
I found that and it's expensive, but some of the things I did for my withdrawal I took from there (vitamins and such) and they helped.
>Oh has anyone heard of the ROAD BACK PROG<
Posted by bornfree on July 23, 2007, at 8:26:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » bornfree, posted by moesje on July 22, 2007, at 11:00:33
Well last night i was so fed up that i put the rest of my Cymalta down the loo. Yes may not have been a wise thing to do, but i'v had a belly full of them. So today it my 6th day but 1st day of stopping all togeteher. I'v had this headace weird feeling now for 3 weeks getting worse not better and nothing seems to move it. So i guesss wasn't the best time for me to stop this medication oh well too late now. Im starting to feel sick again today. Wish i could lie down and go to sleep untill it's all over. The brain is amzaing thing so we do need to look after it well. I'v heard that this can last months, oh here we go brain shock happening. i think i better have a lie down for i bit boo hoo.
Posted by moesje on July 23, 2007, at 10:21:13
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by bornfree on July 23, 2007, at 8:26:00
You only regret it while the pain is happening. Later, you'll be happy.
Get on some vitamins, lots of water, real food like fruit and chocholate it that helps :)
And keep checking in. The first few days you need to vent and this is the best place for it.
> Well last night i was so fed up that i put the rest of my Cymalta down the loo. Yes may not have been a wise thing to do, but i'v had a belly full of them. So today it my 6th day but 1st day of stopping all togeteher. I'v had this headace weird feeling now for 3 weeks getting worse not better and nothing seems to move it. So i guesss wasn't the best time for me to stop this medication oh well too late now. Im starting to feel sick again today. Wish i could lie down and go to sleep untill it's all over. The brain is amzaing thing so we do need to look after it well. I'v heard that this can last months, oh here we go brain shock happening. i think i better have a lie down for i bit boo hoo.
Posted by ClearSkies on July 28, 2007, at 7:55:26
In reply to Re: Weight Gain?, posted by Snap on July 17, 2007, at 10:22:02
> Please let me know how you do on Remeron. I heard about it for the first time last week.
>
>I don't know if the Remeron helped with the withdrawal but after 2 weeks at 30mg, last night I missed my dose of Cymbalta and was only just a wee bit cranky. AND I slept (too much, still).
Feel kind of fluttery today, but no head throbbing yet.Hope lives on.
ClearSkies
(I changed back from Scratchpad last week because I'm feeling so much better)
Posted by ShannelG on July 29, 2007, at 9:51:58
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I am on day 4 of quiting cymbalta cold turkey... It is HORRIBLE!! But I found something that HELPS!!! I started taking Dramamine- motion sickness medicine. It has helped sooo much. My brain zaps were so bad, all I could do was cry. I couldn't even shower because everytime I made any movements I would get zapped. It is like an electrical shock is sent from my brain down to me fingertips! It hurts and makes me sick. It is almost like my brain has to re-program everytime it happens. The only thing I could do was sleep and cry. I tried Dramamine and within 30 min. my brain zaps were entirely gone!!! If you are members on any other sites, please post this. There is HOPE!! It will be ok!! My muscles still ache and I am in a very bad mood, but I can function now! I hope this provides help to someone out there. First comes PRAYER and then DRAMAMINE... You can do this!!!!!
Posted by tamara999 on July 29, 2007, at 11:18:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShannelG on July 29, 2007, at 9:51:58
Im happy to hear people are getting off this drug.......I think its not a good medication. I have been off it totally for 3 weeks.....and still experience some vertigo and dizziness. I also am moody and achey but it is better and getting better every day. Just hang in there everyone, we will all eventually get through this. But remember the "good" side effect....great sex drive. Something to fill your bad days with....:)
tamara
Posted by moesje on July 29, 2007, at 11:51:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShannelG on July 29, 2007, at 9:51:58
Yeah! Another way of fighting the zaps! Good job, because one thing will for some and not for others . . . as for the muscles, solid but gentle exercise is good for them. The drug is leaving your body, that includes muscles, so they need to be worked and drink water or other liquid to hydrate them and help the process along. In my opinion, I'm not a medic in any way!
Good luck and glad to hear of your great progress.
> I am on day 4 of quiting cymbalta cold turkey... It is HORRIBLE!! But I found something that HELPS!!! I started taking Dramamine- motion sickness medicine. It has helped sooo much. My brain zaps were so bad, all I could do was cry. I couldn't even shower because everytime I made any movements I would get zapped. It is like an electrical shock is sent from my brain down to me fingertips! It hurts and makes me sick. It is almost like my brain has to re-program everytime it happens. The only thing I could do was sleep and cry. I tried Dramamine and within 30 min. my brain zaps were entirely gone!!! If you are members on any other sites, please post this. There is HOPE!! It will be ok!! My muscles still ache and I am in a very bad mood, but I can function now! I hope this provides help to someone out there. First comes PRAYER and then DRAMAMINE... You can do this!!!!!
Posted by ClearSkies on July 29, 2007, at 14:39:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » ShannelG, posted by moesje on July 29, 2007, at 11:51:37
I'm on my 3rd day without any Cymbalta and in such a foul mood! It's awful. I have a scowl on my face all the time. Luckily the Remeron is making me sleep 12 hours at a stretch so the days aren't so long, but this is nasty, nasty.
And my teeth don't feel clean, no matter how many times I brush them. I just feel ultra ugly and flobby and flabby and bloated.
I imagine my teeth are wearing little sweaters and there is steam coming out of my ears. And I have permanent bed-hair. Lovely!
Yuck. Even chocolate is no friend at the moment.
ClearSkies, formerly Scratchpad
Posted by GREG TARMINSKI on July 30, 2007, at 12:25:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tamara999 on July 21, 2007, at 8:59:22
5th day of cold turkey off 60mg cymbalta.
brain shocks are bad but not dibilitating.
dreams are intense. sleep less. more energy.
No mood swings yet. Headache in middle of head daily nothing helps with that.
Results of taking this drug are as many have stated. first 2 to 3 months everything seems to be good. Then slow slide down. ZERO sex drive
Lethargic and little interest.
I would not reccomend to my worst enemy.
Glad I found this site. Thanks to everyone
Posted by ShannelG on July 30, 2007, at 19:37:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » ShannelG, posted by moesje on July 29, 2007, at 11:51:37
I am on day 6 of quitting now. Things are starting to get a little better. These are some things that helped my get through, without this I would not have made it: Prayer, Dramamine(no more then 8 a day), Omegga-3 pills, Whey Protien shakes (100%, not generic kind), lots of water, small walks outside, sleep, and support and understanding from my husband. If you can, please invest in the Dramamine, Omegga-3 pills, and the Whey protein, it has helped sooo much with the zaps, aches, dizzyness, and sour stomache. If you do not have good support from family members, remember you are doing this for YOU. For your health and happiness. You can do it, it does get better, it just takes time. God Bless
Posted by Aya on July 31, 2007, at 10:55:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal- helpful tips, posted by ShannelG on July 30, 2007, at 19:37:12
Hey everyone. Thanks so much for your posts. It's so wonderful to know I'm not going through this alone. I want to share my experience with you because hopefully it'll help.
Don't quit cold turkey! I tried that about a year ago and experienced the worse feelings of my life. What I did this time was get those empty gel capsules and split my 60 mg tablets into 28-30 mg, 28-15 mg, and 12-5 mg, although I'm probably going to make more of the 5 mg (just did this with elementary school division and good-ol' eyeballing!). I decided to ween off very slowly so my body didn't go through such shock.
Still on week 3 of the 30 mg but I have had very minimal side effects so far. I think it's because I've been eating really healthy. This may sound dumb, but I figured my body is already going through so much I should do what I can to help it through. I know it's making a difference because one day I had 3 cookies and felt like I was drunk! It was crazy, and I got all spinny. I'm not a doctor or nutritionist or anything, but that sure reaffirmed my belief that how I'm eating is affecting my withdrawal symptoms. Try it!! Plus for those of you worried about weight gain coming off of cymbalta, I've actually lost weight due to this type of eating. Whenever I crave sweets, I have to debate whether I want to feel like complete crap the rest of the night and it's usually a good deterrant.
Hang in there guys! You're not alone! (Whoever created this drug should be forced to go on it so they can experience the withdrawal symptoms they're putting people through!!)
Posted by GodessAnnie on August 1, 2007, at 8:29:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » tamara999, posted by GREG TARMINSKI on July 30, 2007, at 12:25:53
Help,
I am now on day 6 and still walking into walls, crying, eating to combat the nausea,sleeping constantly due to fatigue and an almost constant headache-much like a migraine-sensitive to light and noise.
personally I think this drug is a POISON..
makes you wonder if the drug company knows just how awful this withdrawl thing is, and if so do they not care as it will be likely to keep people on it???
if anyone has Any words of wisdom for me I can be contacted at godessannie@yahoo.com .
those of us that have been poisoned need to scream it to the world, we may save another from this nightmare!
Annie
Posted by moesje on August 1, 2007, at 12:24:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by GodessAnnie on August 1, 2007, at 8:29:37
Hey all, I sent a report to the FDA, this is insane.
Goddessannie, please hang in there, it DOES get better. It just takes time to get this poison out of your system. Drink lots of liquid just as if you are sick with a cold - it helps pass the drug out of your system. It's not perfect, but it helps. VItamins, exercise if you can but very gently because the urge to throw yourself against a wall is so great!
I get the brain zaps now only when I've stayed up too late and gotten up too early - not enough rest. Other than that, life is returning to normal.
> Help,
> I am now on day 6 and still walking into walls, crying, eating to combat the nausea,sleeping constantly due to fatigue and an almost constant headache-much like a migraine-sensitive to light and noise.
> personally I think this drug is a POISON..
> makes you wonder if the drug company knows just how awful this withdrawl thing is, and if so do they not care as it will be likely to keep people on it???
> if anyone has Any words of wisdom for me I can be contacted at godessannie@yahoo.com .
> those of us that have been poisoned need to scream it to the world, we may save another from this nightmare!
> Annie
Posted by Aya on August 1, 2007, at 17:02:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » GodessAnnie, posted by moesje on August 1, 2007, at 12:24:05
Hey all.
Just wanted to let you know that I started taking the vitamins that everyone is recommending on this site. Monday I took them in the morning and felt extra nauseous all day (even though I took them with food!). Same thing on Tuesday. Today I didn't take them (I'm going to take them before I go to bed) and I haven't had a problem with nausea at all. If you're taking vitamins and have a lot of nausea, try taking them before you go to bed instead and see if that helps.
Hang in there! Everyone on this message board is my personal hero!
Aya
Posted by ShannelG on August 2, 2007, at 20:12:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by GodessAnnie on August 1, 2007, at 8:29:37
Wasn't able to write the other day, I thought i was going to have to check my self into the hospital because I felt like I was going to die from how bad the zaps were. I wasn't sure if I might actually have a siezure from it. I can deal with the muscle aches, the about to vomit, the mood swings, the horrible headache. But this electrical shock is what's killing me. I went to urgent care and told the doctor that i needed help with this withdrawal that I didn't know if i could survive another hour. Ya know what he did? Perscribed me PROZAC for my anxiety I was having!! I just through it in the garbage. I never want to look at another anti-dression pill as long as I live. This has been the worst thing I have ever gone through! HERES THE GOOD NEWS: I went to a chiropractor... before you cringe... He gave me a NATURAL supplemt called CAL-AMO... they give it to older people for heat stroke and such. It calms your brain down... stops it from fireing so rapidly. I CAN BREATHE AGAIN! It has helped me sooo much. I am still taking my Omega-3 pills, dramamine, whey protein... but this CAL-AMO has helped me sooo much. Today I even got out of the house and was able to get some house work done! The Chiroprator told me to tell you all that you can get this from a naturalistic doctor, or chiroprator that does this stuff... please try!!! It is worth it!! If you have any questions or need help my email is ShannelG@insight.rr.com WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS... and we won't look back!!
Posted by moesje on August 2, 2007, at 21:11:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShannelG on August 2, 2007, at 20:12:31
What's in it? Calcium and what? Because I used a magnesium drink that you can get at GNC which helped.
> HERES THE GOOD NEWS: I went to a chiropractor... before you cringe... He gave me a NATURAL supplemt called CAL-AMO... they give it to older people for heat stroke and such. It calms your brain down... stops it from fireing so rapidly. I CAN BREATHE AGAIN! It has helped me sooo much. I am still taking my Omega-3 pills, dramamine, whey protein... but this CAL-AMO has helped me sooo much. Today I even got out of the house and was able to get some house work done! The Chiroprator told me to tell you all that you can get this from a naturalistic doctor, or chiroprator that does this stuff... please try!!! It is worth it!! If you have any questions or need help my email is ShannelG@insight.rr.com WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS... and we won't look back!!
Posted by tamara999 on August 3, 2007, at 8:07:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShannelG on August 2, 2007, at 20:12:31
Im so happy you found something that helped!!!! Ive been off for almost 4 weeks....and I STILL have some of the vertigo and odd sensations. It is not as frequent, but still there. I cant believe how long it hangs on. This thread has been terrific and Im so happy to see so many people getting off this drug and moving on with their life. (I feel like a cheerleader...GO TEAM !! ) LOL
Tamara
Posted by un4givn on August 3, 2007, at 13:11:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tamara999 on August 3, 2007, at 8:07:22
I am so glad I found this board. I have been on cymbalta for a year for fibromyalgia and depression. Recently had back surgery and could not afford to refill prescription due to cost and being out of work. So I quit the day of surgery and have felt fuzzy headed,nauseous,dizzy,emotional, etc. At first I thought It was just post op stuff but then realized it was the cymbalta withdrawl.
Knowing I'm not alone has really helped. Thanks all.
Posted by CallmeKathy on August 5, 2007, at 2:19:01
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to post a message . . . you have helped me so much by letting me know what you've experienced and that I'm not alone. When I began to have physical symptoms while withdrawing from Cymbalta, I thought I was pregnant or had food poisoning. Also, I now realize the severe eye twitching I had (for over a month!) started when I went from 90 mg to 60 mg. I didn't even realize what was causing it until I logged on and read all of the symptoms others have experienced. I first reduced my dosage of Cymbalta from 90 mg to 60 mg for about two weeks, then went to 30 mg for about three days before stopping completely. One day later the dizziness, nausea, and severe gastrointestinal symptoms began. I've also had intense and what I would call "psychadelic" dreams for two nights, hypersensitivity to light, and trouble getting to sleep. Have had all of these symptoms for about 3-4 days and I'm praying they subside soon (nausea and dizziness are making it hard to function). I'm so angry my doctor didn't warn me and I will be educating her about this to hopefully save others from this experience. I started taking Cymbalta because I am emotional and it was impacting my life at work. People are so unforgiving and unaccepting of emotional displays in the workplace, so I figured I better find a way to lighten up. I'll never take another prescription medication unless my life depends on it. When I told my doctor I was weening myself off the Cymbalta, she didn't even ask if I was experiencing any problems. I told her I decided to quit taking it because it wasn't helping me control my emotions and it wasn't worth the side effects of fogginess, dry mouth, bad breath, constipation, nausea, hot flashes, and sweating. I told her my joints ached and I wasn't feeling good (I was still taking 60 mg on the day of my last appt.), but she didn't comment. Doctors need to read what's on the intranet before they prescribe drugs, I certainly wish I had done some research instead of trusting my doctor!!! Good luck to those of you who are struggling with your original reason for taking this drug and now the withdrawal effects of it. Thank you for bringing me some relief, because at least now I know what's wrong with me.
Posted by Aya on August 7, 2007, at 9:10:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by CallmeKathy on August 5, 2007, at 2:19:01
I can't say enough...don't ween so fast!!!!! I know exactly how you all feel and this time around I'm doing it a month at a time. I've had some symptoms but overall I feel okay and very functional. I'm begging you guys to go slowly. I know it's tempting to just get this horrible chemical out of your body, but I also wonder what's happening to our bodies from the stress of it all.
Hahaha, like I know what I'm talking about though. I'm not a doctor. Just be careful! I'm worried about everyone on this board!
Posted by Snap on August 7, 2007, at 13:06:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by Aya on August 7, 2007, at 9:10:44
tell me about it. I thought that I was scott free after a month off cymbalta - but the vertigo inner ear thing is back.
Hold on tight folks - this is gonna be a bumpy ride.......
Posted by Aya on August 7, 2007, at 13:58:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by Snap on August 7, 2007, at 13:06:05
> tell me about it. I thought that I was scott free after a month off cymbalta - but the vertigo inner ear thing is back.
>
> Hold on tight folks - this is gonna be a bumpy ride.......Argh!!! And here I thought that I'd be done when I was done! Grrr!
Has anyone had symptoms on their skin? I kept feeling like there was a hair on my arm or something else that was tickling me. I asked my coworker to look, like 8 times and she swore there was nothing there. Am I crazy or is this a withdrawal symptom?
Posted by Raisin on August 8, 2007, at 16:13:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by Aya on August 7, 2007, at 13:58:44
I was on Cymbalta for about 2 months last year and had to stop taking it because of unbearable itching. After I stopped (cold turkey) the itching was worse than ever. While I was taking Cymbalta, I experienced VERY DEPRESSING thoughts, and I was so tired that I started taking 2 1/2 to 3 hour naps every day. For me, my depression became worse on the drug instead of better.
After being off for about 13 months, I still have occasional brain zaps. I wouldn't advise going off cold turkey like I did, but I couldn't bear the itching! Also, I am having a very hard time taking off the 20 lb. I gained.
Good luck to all in getting off this horrible drug. Don't give up.
Lisa
>
> Has anyone had symptoms on their skin? I kept feeling like there was a hair on my arm or something else that was tickling me. I asked my coworker to look, like 8 times and she swore there was nothing there. Am I crazy or is this a withdrawal symptom?
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