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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by mizloopy on April 18, 2007, at 1:11:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Kfroggy on April 17, 2007, at 9:15:11
Hi all
I'm finally off cymbalta and symptom free, I thought I would never get to write that sentence. I was on cymbalta for almost 3 years and had tried to get off it twice and it was too hellish to handle in the past. I did do this with a doctors help and I went on 10 mg of prozac , (I took it in liquid form because it is easier to change your dosage that way, it was disgusting to taste, but I learned to hold my nose and eat a spoonful of peanut butter afterwards which helped mask the taste)So my first week i was on the 10 mg of prozac taste and went down from 30mgs of cymbalta to 20 mgs for two weeks i stayed at that level (I expierenced some mania but I'm bi-polar and nothing dangerous happened)after two weeks I stayed on prozac the 10 mg still and pulled apart the cymbalta capsule and took half the powder balls inside it and decided that was about 10ish mgs of cymbalta I did that for 10 days, the cymbalta withdrawal was mild compared to the times i had tried without the aid of prozac(apparently they have used prozac for the discontinuation symptoms from effexor) I then stayed on the 10 mg of prozac for another 10 days without cymbalta, I have to say the first 4 days were hard and i had some withdrawal: upset stomach, neck pain, dizzyness, headaches. I actually got to four days twice and went back to 10ish mgs of cymbalta while staying on the prozac. my third try I just pushed forward and felt yucky.after that i took prozac for 6 days without cymbalta and then discontined the prozac. So now after about 6-7 weeks I'm no longer on cymbalta or prozac, you don't get witrhdrawal from prozac it has a half life of 4 weeks. I would definitely talk your psych doctor about this approach. (unfortunately while you're on the prozac with cymbalta the sweating and hot flashes seem worse but it's a temporary thing)so I wish all you hope getting off of cymbalta, I'm not sorry I was on it, it did help me with depression.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 18, 2007, at 11:38:56
In reply to cymbalta withdrawal - but I'm now off cymbalta, posted by mizloopy on April 18, 2007, at 1:11:03
I was on 120mg cymbalta for about 8 months. Then I was on 60 mg for about 3 weeks and had some side effects like mild brain zaps. Then I went down to 30 mg for about 6 weeks and experienced the zaps every day about 22 hours after my dose. I would get nauseous and dizzy and super brain zappy every single evening for 6 weeks. Finally I told the pdoc that I was ready to go off of the drug. I quit cold turkey. He said to be prepared for "flu-like" symptoms. I felt like my head was going to explode. Every time I moved my eyes or head or shifted my internal focus of attention I got massive brain shocks all the way to my dorsal fin. from crown to fingertips to tailbone. and some convulsions too. I had a headache.
I was prepared to feel like sh*t. That's why I had stocked up on smoothie supplies and juice and frozen dinners and set up a place where I could just lie around and doodle and play on the internet if my eyes permitted.
What I wasn't prepared for was the intense bad feelings. Some of the strongest suicidal thoughts I ever had. That combined with stress from my life and the physical misery was enough to send me to the hospital for my first ever visit to the psych ward. I was not prepared to have so many demons enter my fragile consciousness at once each demanding the attention of my zapping brain.
I told T I had a plan for ending my misery and she told me that I needed to go to the hospital.
I rode out the worst of it using klonopin. I was on wellbutrin for about 4 days. That was horrible. I was seriously sitting by the toilet or the vomit basin for hours every day with heaves but no barfy.
pdoc's verdict. Clearly wellbutrin's not your friend. So we decided to do slow taper of lamictal. Problem is that I still have brain zaps and intense suicidal ideation nearly every day. Therapy has helped me reframe some of my ideation. Also I really feel like the lamictal has helped with some of the helpless hopelessness of my moods.
But the headaches and the brain zaps continue, and it's been 4 weeks since I quit the drug. Dizzyness. and they happen all at once every day in the afternoon and evening. I try to do my important stuff in the morning, when my symptoms are limited to drowsiness and headache. By early-late afternoon my brain is good for nothing but waiting and riding out a wave of suicidal thinking.
I have plenty of whey protein. It's high quality. I haven't taken it in a while because I'm not in a body-building phase right now. But I made a smoothie this morning and I haven't had to take a painkiller for my headache yet. I have also accellerated my lamictal taper which is helping to cut my depressive symptoms down by about 50%.
I was already eating diet high in omega 3 because I put ground flax seed in everything and eat sardines and take fish oil. It helps me keep my skin supple and radiant, according to "Dr." Perricone.
I hope that this helps people understand. Withdrawal can be very serious. please make sure that you have all your resources close by when you decide to reduce or eliminate these drugs from your system.
would I take cymbalta again? yes I would, because it was a good ad for me. I had to come off of it because of sexual side effects. But I think I will be okay on lamictal.
best to you all,
-Ll
Posted by RockDoc on April 23, 2007, at 11:11:36
In reply to Re: cymbalta withdrawal - but I'm now off cymbalta » mizloopy, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 18, 2007, at 11:38:56
Wow! I sure wish I did a search for Cymbalta a long time ago so I knew what I was getting into. I've been on wellbutrin, paxil, effexor, zoloft, and now cymbalta (each one by itself--never more than one at a time). Each drug would work for a while then wear off (something the Doc just happened to not tell me). I would then switch to another drug or up the dosage so I never really had the withdrawals. The side effects of this class of drugs are bad enough.
I had:
extreme fatigue
dizziness
moodiness
apathy
sexual side effectsBut now I've decided that drugs are not the answer (especially SSRIs) and I am tapering my cymbalta dose down from 120mg/day (I will never again ask this particular "doc" for help). What I am doing is I basically cut the dose in half, don't take any more until the "brain shocks" start up, then take half again--repeat. I'm now down to about 8-10mg every couple days. The withdrawals while doing this are horrible:
Extreme joint/bone pain (the worst symptom for me) especially in the tail-bone/lower back and legs--so painful sometimes its hard to stand or walk
Dizziness (kinda always there)
"Brain Shocks" (electrical discharges in my head--they come and go)
irritability (I can get moody and moods can swing very fast)
migraines (rare)
nausea (mild)The weird thing is that when I went from 120mg to 60mg I had a tremendous improvement in mood, outlook, activity level, etc. Even though the physical pain was there, I was in a great mood! Now my mood isn't as great (still better than when on 120mg) and the physical pain is increasing. Anyone else experience this?
Been 3 days now with no cymbalta and so far--tolerable. I'm hoping I'm at the end of this hell. Good luck to all of you going though this! You can and will beat it!
Posted by morbidfascination on April 23, 2007, at 20:35:08
In reply to Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by RockDoc on April 23, 2007, at 11:11:36
I can't believe how rotten i feel ..i'm disgusted with myself for ever taking this drug . Can someone please tell me when these fits of rage will end . And please can someone tell me is it normal to gain a ton of weight .I look like a Macy's Thanksgiving float especially around my waistline and lower abdomen . I'm so depressed about this . I'm having a really hard time dealing with weight gain .It's had an erratic impact on me .Is there something i can do to jump start my metabolism and try to get my life back ..I hate this drug ! i would never suggest anyone EVER take it ..It's pure EVIL ! Thanx for letting me vent once again .
Posted by Kfroggy on April 24, 2007, at 8:21:17
In reply to Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by RockDoc on April 23, 2007, at 11:11:36
Hang in there! What you are saying is what I have heard from a lot of people. I have been off Cymbalta cold turkey (no decrease in dosage) now for maybe 10 weeks, and the physical effects are almost all gone. I am still really moody, but at least I am not nauseaed. This drug is horrible. And, my doc didn't tell me about the drug stopping working after 3 months or so either! He just kept increasing the dose. I was up to 60 mg in the morning and 60 at night. It is hell. Read my thread from last week. The vitamins really helped! And, for all I know, made the symptoms end faster. I sure seemed like it. Please hang in there; it will end.
Posted by not alone on April 27, 2007, at 19:21:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » RockDoc, posted by Kfroggy on April 24, 2007, at 8:21:17
I thought I was going crazy! Now I am sitting here crying over how awful this experience is and I dont feel like there is any end in site.
I have been cutting down my dosage on my own and it doesnt seem to be doing anything for me. I go cold turkey until I am so sick I cant take it anymore and then I break down and take a 60mg.
Then I feel guilty for not being strong enough to hold out.
How can a medicine that is supposed to help you, make you feel so awful?
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on April 27, 2007, at 19:26:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » RockDoc, posted by Kfroggy on April 24, 2007, at 8:21:17
10 weeks. wow. That's a long time.
I am already feeling a lot better after 5 weeks, but I suspect that much of my improvement comes from starting to take lamictal. That has helped so much with the depression that returned after I stopped cymbalta. Also with the irritablility and mood swings.
Posted by gapsgal on April 27, 2007, at 20:09:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by not alone on April 27, 2007, at 19:21:23
Cymbalta was horrible, but Effexor was worse if you can believe it...I used Cymbalta to come off of Effexor and then prozac to come off of Cymbalta...I went through hell, and the ER a few times before I finally convinced a doctor to give me prozac...I stopped taking it without any decrease in dosage and I am completely fine and feeling great...that is the way to go...prozac acts just like the others, but has a longer half-life and stays in your system much longer...it tapers itself...and you have no bad withdrawal.
Posted by ELC on May 2, 2007, at 17:20:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by gapsgal on April 27, 2007, at 20:09:06
You all are talking about brain zaps, and I'm having them (day 4 off of Cymbalta) I'm also having these "zaps" in my lips, tongue, fingers. Anyone else having these electrical shock/zaps anywhere besides the brain?
Posted by gapsgal on May 2, 2007, at 17:27:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by ELC on May 2, 2007, at 17:20:03
Hello,
I had many sensory disturbances and the brain zaps when I stopped the Effexor and Cymbalta, but when I replaced it with Prozac and then stopped it I did not have any of those horrid withdrawals.
Donna
Posted by Kfroggy on May 3, 2007, at 8:09:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by ELC on May 2, 2007, at 17:20:03
Yes; I had them going down my arm and my finger tips. I have been off cymbalta cold turkey now for about three months. This has been my first week where I can take a breath and relax. My symptoms seem to be gone. So, everyone, hang in there!!
Posted by morbidfascination on May 4, 2007, at 7:31:41
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by Kfroggy on May 3, 2007, at 8:09:17
ok ..today is 4 weeks cold turkey from Cymbalta. I was starting to worry about myself big time ! My temper was out of control . I could see myself becoming violent .i had never had so much rage . And it took nothing to set me off, any small thing could contribute to my anger . I hated like hell to go back to the doctor but i had no choice . He prescribed Clonazepam 0.5 mg. twice a day to help with the anxiety . But i'm telling you the bi*ch still comes through . I'm totally void of all emotions and yet still have the potential to fly off the handle at any second . God knows this is not who i am ..Does anybody else ever feel this way and how long till i have some control over my life agin ..I can't stress enough how much this drug has screwed up my life!unresolved anger is wearing me down i don't what else to do . It's consuming me and i'm doing my best to not let it affect the ones i love . I'm just so drained.
Posted by Kfroggy on May 4, 2007, at 7:57:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by morbidfascination on May 4, 2007, at 7:31:41
The anger only lasted me a week or two. I was the same way. I have read just about every thread here, and the consensus is that Prozac seems to really help when reducing the cymbalta and does not have side effects. I never heard of the one you are on now. Just search online for those side effects. You don't want to start up another drug that will take another couple of months to come off of again. Also, try exercising. I am a total couch potato, but vigorously running down the street (yes, it sounds funny, but I don't have the $ for equipment or gyms) got me out of the spot when I was feeling crummy. Exercise really boosts those good, natural chemicals in the body. And, hang in there! It is hell for a couple of months. At times you will feel like you are going to lose it or that you are crazy. (I know I did.)
IT DOES END! I am soooooo glad I stuck it out. I am never putting anything in my body like that again! I was done with the withdrawal completely after 3 months, and I went cold turkey. No gradual reducing or anything. Faith really helped me, too. Don't knock it til you try it. Think about it....anything is possible.
Posted by morbidfascination on May 4, 2007, at 8:57:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by Kfroggy on May 4, 2007, at 7:57:50
believe you me ..i exercise like mad .. and listen to music ..the second i become inactive my mind starts racing at the same time i feel sluggish and like crap ..i don't understand all these mixed emotions ..my coping skills are still null n void .. But i'm hangin in ..thanx fot the Encouragement .I'm a cancer survivor and want to cherish everyday but cymbalta has come between me and my lust for life .Grrrrr
Posted by mizloopy on May 4, 2007, at 11:25:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by morbidfascination on May 4, 2007, at 8:57:28
Once again i have to say go back to your psychiatrist and ask to be put on a low does of prozac. I used 10mg of prozac for 4 weeks and the anger and rage weren't an issue for me anymore. And I tried twice before to get off cymbalta without the aid of prozac and it was a total nightmare.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 4, 2007, at 12:55:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by mizloopy on May 4, 2007, at 11:25:04
I'm doing well (moodwise) on lamictal. As far as physiological side effects, 6 weeks after going down from 30 mg to zero on cymbalta (my highest dose was 120mg) I'm still experiencing mild zaps and shocks. mostly in the evening or as I'm going to bed. Seem to happen when I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed.
The whey powder helped, but the following day I felt SOOOO sleepy. Had a hard time getting out of bed.
best to you all,
Ll
Posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » mizloopy, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on May 4, 2007, at 12:55:57
It is not fun to come off this drug. I was taking 60mg daily along with .5mg xanax TID. Just found out I was prenant and went off everything. I have read that cymbalta and other drugs like it can cause pulmonary hyptendion in newborns.
I feel like my head is going to float away. Is it normal for me to feel vertigo even 4 days after I last took the drug? I know that you're not supposed to just stop; but I've been trying for so long to have a baby; I want everything to go well...
Posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 12:55:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
Hello,
Yes you will feel this and more for some time. I am not trying to be negative, but just truthful. You can read some of the previous posts and see what an animal this was.
Donna
Posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 14:27:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 12:45:18
Yes, I've read the thread since I posted that. Not looking foward to the next few weeks; but I really do feel better that I'm not the only one feeling this way.
I've never been pregnant either, so I didn't know if that was making me feel so lightheaded.
There has also been a lot of crying for no reason...just glad to know it's not just me!
Posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 15:17:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by erinmarie on May 6, 2007, at 14:27:44
I can say that probably most of that is coming from the withdrawal as before I tried the prozac to get off the Cymbalta I was fainting, had brain zaps and many sensory disturbances. When I was pregnant I was very sick to my stomach, but nothing I could not deal with, the withdrawal is much much worse for sure. I will be praying that you have an easy time as I know what it feels like to be in your shoes as we all do on here. The bad thing is that medical professionals pretend that this just does not exist and that they have not had any other patients complain with these symptoms. I say they must not have done very much research on the drug to be prescribing it like they do. Anyway good luck to you!
Donna
Posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by gapsgal on May 6, 2007, at 15:17:24
This is my 5th day after having to stop Cymbalta 60mg cold turkey because of interactions with Maxalt, my migraine medication.
3 nights of very disturbing nightmares, which thankfully I can't remember. Bad headache - another migraine, I believe, and some tingling in my fingers.If I hadn't been forced to stop taking it so abruptly, I might be a little more comfortable. But so far I feel pretty crummy.
As to which antidepressant I might be able to take that won't interfere with a triptan-type migraine drug (which is the only type of medication that has brought me true relief in 32 years of attacks); well, I haven't the faintest idea. I plan to try to get in to see a neurologist about that bit, maybe they'll be able to sort it out.
Scratchpad, a reluctant member of this club.
Posted by erinmarie on May 7, 2007, at 8:06:45
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
I get migraines sometimes, usually around the time I get my period. That's one of the reasons I was taking cymbalta. It did help, though.
Years ago I took zoloft, and when I came off that I never felt anything like this. It does make me wonder why they would give me this drug knowing we were trying to have a baby and that I'd have to come off it. I don't think anyone thought we'd ever get pregnant; so they probably figured what the heck? I would've asked for zoloft if I'd have known I was going to feel this way.
The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that there's a baby to think of now! I am quite happy; a true non-chemical happy for once. These spells of vertigo seem trivial when I consider what's at stake.
I'll NEVER take cymbalta again! Hopefully I won't need to; but if I do I'll ask for something different. Whether they're treating me for migraines or anxiety or both-there is no way I will EVER put myself through this again.
This is NOT a nice club to be in. But at least we're not alone. It's nice to know the REAL depth of one's insanity; and what better gauge than the life experiences of others?
Posted by gapsgal on May 7, 2007, at 17:14:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 7:29:48
Hello,
I also took maxalt for my migraines, but thankfully I no longer have to take that...but it would have been even worse I am sure to have to deal with that on top of everything else.
Posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell, posted by gapsgal on May 7, 2007, at 17:14:38
I managed to find a neurologist and secure an appointment this week (I just about fainted when a real person took me off perpetual hold when I called). I would really like to know what my other options are for migraine relief that won't interfere with an antidepressant.
I find it kind of hinky that the effects are intertwined. Like there is something fundamentally wrong with my brain.Nice to meet you, BTW.
best,Scratchpad
Posted by erinmarie on May 8, 2007, at 7:26:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal Hell » gapsgal, posted by scratchpad on May 7, 2007, at 19:58:43
There are lots of ideas about what actually causes migraines; and there's probably more than one type or cause. Some people say they are vascular, while others insist neurological. I swear with my exp I think they've GOT to be hormonal.
I think there are a few options your doctor may present you with. I hope everything works out!!!
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