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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 38 to 62 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 26, 2005, at 22:33:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by redgold on October 26, 2005, at 20:38:36
Hello,
I was reading the last couple of posts and I can understand what you guys are going through (read the whole thread, pretty informative). You know what's terrible about the lack of sexual desire? You have it when youre depressed, and you have it on the meds. Definitely not a win-win situation. Also, somebody mentioned the semen that comes out with urination... yes, it is retrograde ejaculation... basically the time before when you may have had sex or masturbated, some semen went the wrong way and into the urinary bladder... so that now when youre peeing there is something at the end of your urine stream ... that lost semen! There you are, I was wondering where you guys went!!! How embarrasing I know, so how to avoid the problem... no sex and masturbation in the first place. Now that is probably impossible so what to do; unfortunately there is nothing to do, except stop the meds and it will go away but then, things may worsen with the mood.
It is really a roller coaster of an issue, the withdrawl is tough, and most likely you will be on and off the meds forever; my only recommendation is if you can find someone who will perform ECT for you a few times it is definitely better than these meds.
I dont know what else to say Im going through the same thing myself and it hurts to see this sort of thing especially while going through it yourself. My solution im trying for myself? Well I know that I need the meds because im depressed otherwise, but i cant stand being on max dose meds. So im starting cymbalta back up at 20mg once daily , to move up to no more than 30 mg once daily. This for 3 months followed by 2 week cut back from 30 to 20, then 1.5 month break, and back again. I am also going to combine with the lowest dosage of Adderall twice daily to augment the therapy and bring back the sexual desire which i long for so much. Now the addition of Adderall to SSRI/SNRI Rx is experimental , however, being done in the UK... there they are using Selegeline (I forget the trade name) which is an antiparkinsonism drug but has an active metabolite which is essentially Adderall...
To make a long story short, the treatment of depression is still evolving but I think the doctors in UK may have it figured out more than we do here.
Whatever I mentioned here is my opinion and should not be used in real life without the consult of your physician.
Ive gone on long enough. And if youre feeling anger, depression, tearful after abruptly stopping Cymbalta, keep in mind these are signs of major depression and that you need to be observed by a loved one for the 2-4 weeks you go through this, otherwise go back to your doctor and have him try something different. And if your think Cymbalta is the only drug to have these side effects, I guarantee you that almost all the effective meds seem to have the same side effects such as Effexor and Paxil and Prozac, etc.
Take care,
Dr. Vijoy
Posted by davcuts on October 27, 2005, at 11:25:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 26, 2005, at 22:33:39
"basically the time before when you may have had sex or masturbated, some semen went the wrong way and into the urinary bladder... so that now when youre peeing there is something at the end of your urine stream ... that lost semen!"I'm not having sex, or masturbating. My doctor told me it was happening because I'm diabetic. Semen and urine can mix with diabetes, but regardless it never happened until I started taken Cymbalta. Not only that my diabetes went dangerously low after I started taking Cymbalta. Despite the fact I was eating regularly. That made me shake, and everyone kept asking if I was having a nervous break down. I also had a lot of the symptoms mentioned above, including consistent headaches, and stomachaches (be sure you take Cymbalta with milk or something to eat, even that didn't keep me from getting stomachaches.)
"I switched over to Cymbalta. The side effects were lessened, but since I have been off the Cymbalta for a few days I have been having the most sexually charged dreams, it is ridiculous. Yet I still have no interest in having sex. Definitely feel like I am going crazy. I feel what you are going through, have you thought about Wellbutrin? "
It's funny you say this, the only time I can get an erection with Cymbalta is when I'm dreaming. When I'm awake there is no sexual desire, and no erections "when I try." I had the same side effects with Paxil. My depression went away with Paxil and I felt great for seven years. Unfortunately Paxil isn't the best medication for someone who is bipolar. It made me manic all the time. No wonder it made me feel good. I went on a lot of shopping sprees while on Paxil. I went on a three week vacation to Europe, and bought a brand new Audi. Which would have been okay IF I HAD A JOB. Now I have credit card bills I can't pay off. I didn't go on any more shopping sprees till I started Cymbalta seven months ago. I bought a Yamaha rack system, a HDTV Sony TV and stand. Forty DVD movies, and 150 CD's in that time. I have a job now, but I went through all my savings that I needed to pay off my credit cards with. I hate Cymbalta for what it has done to me. I hate my doctor for putting me on it. He called me today to make sure I see him on Monday. Until then he wants me to take 30mgs of Cymbalta ever other day. I am also on Wellbutrin XL, and Klonopin, Buspar, and Lamictal. I went on Cymbalta because Wellbutrin wasn't helping my depression.
Take care,
David
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 27, 2005, at 14:14:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on October 27, 2005, at 11:25:39
Hey,
Sorry to hear that Cymbalta is aggravating your diabetes, it is always tough to treat psychiatric illness with underlying medical illness. SSRIs in fact can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and therefore complicate hypertension or diabetes. You definitely require close medical supervision while on the psych meds.
I didnt mean to implicate that you may be sexually active or masturbating, I was just stating that for many people who are on Effexor or Cymbalta, the retrograde ejaculation is a problamatic complaint that may be embarrasing to report and therefore is a side effect many physicians may not recognize. I could imagine the embarrasment submitting a urine sample to a lab with semen in it... at least i was embarassed when i had to submit my random urine tests at my previous job and they kept telling me my samples were contaminated. I guess your doctor could be a problem with diabetes, however, SSRIs will definitely make the problem more prominent.
Your list of meds seem to contain a very good bipolar medication Lamictal, a sedative-hypnotic Buspar (buspirone) which is rather useful for sleep, but then youre on 3 other meds incl. Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and one other which seems to be for seizures and bipolar i forgot what it was... anyways Im sure your doctor knows you best but in my opinion it may be too many meds, at least the last 3 I mentioned I would not use initially. However, polypharmacy is practiced commonly in psychiatry where something like 2 or more drugs are used to treat something where 1 would theoretically work. MY only concern is that youre already on Welbutrin which is atypical SSRI and then youre taking cymbalta which is more of the same. I think your physician should revise your meds especially since youre having problems on them.
My comments are only opinions and should not be taken as real medical advice.
Take care.
Vijoy
Posted by sam86 on October 27, 2005, at 22:36:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 27, 2005, at 14:14:20
I'm starting the weaning process(60 to 30mg)this weekend and I'm dreading it. If I miss a dose I usually have a migraine type headache by mid-afternoon the next day and Topamax doesn't touch it. Any suggestions? Also, I have a nurse friend who is strongly encouraging me to get on a different anti-depressant. On my worst days I have lack of drive to do much and bouts of anger (nothing too severe, just a pain in the butt for my family.) She has mentioned Zoloft or Wellbutrin but I'm afraid of a repeat of the Cymbalta nightmare plus I'm tired of the lack of sex drive, any suggestions?
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 27, 2005, at 22:55:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by sam86 on October 27, 2005, at 22:36:51
Youre going to get the widthdrawl effects when discontinuning any of the antidepressants, but you need to understand that SSRIs like Prozac and Paxil act just on serotonin whereas Zoloft, Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin act on norepinephrine also. Therefore, withdrawl is worse for antidepressants acting on multiple neurotransmitters, however, the efficacy is better when working on serotonin and norepinephrine both.
Given this, if you switch to Wellbutrin or Zoloft you probably will have the same problem as Cymbalta, but your insurance company will like you more since those drugs are less costly.
Since your withdrawl symptoms sound normal and not exaggerated, I would probably just go ahead and do what youre doing in terms of cutting the dose and then going back up when you need to, as per your doctor's advice. The headache may respond to migraine medication since they work on serotonin kind of like cymbalta is working on. Let me give you an example... if you have an alcohol withdrawl, sometimes people take a little benzodiazepine like Valium to substitute for the depressant effects of alcohol and therefore lessen the widhdrawl. So if you cant bear the headaches, ask your doctor for an antimigraine medication it may help but just remember youre substituting one drug for another , in essence.
Your nurse friend may have good advice and may know firsthand about which drugs have less side effects, etc, since they work with many patients, but from my point of view I wouldnt expect any miracles if you switch over.
Take care.
V
Posted by mizloopy on October 28, 2005, at 0:48:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by sam86 on October 27, 2005, at 22:36:51
wellbutrin supposly has less sexual side effects than most other anti-depressant and the withdrawal was not memorable for me with either of those.i have been off cymbalta 9 days and i feel awful. physically and mentally and i weaned from 60 to 30 for 2 weeks. this is the worst i have ever withdrew from.
Posted by KittyBoo288 on October 30, 2005, at 5:14:47
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by claudine on October 11, 2005, at 23:47:50
I have been trying to "wean" myself off the 60mg of cymbalta I have been on for the past 8 months, like many of the posts I have read, the cymbalta worked as a crutch for a few months but then the depression re occured and I thought, why take drugs that are doing nothing for me anymore and started to wean myself off. I tried one day on, one day off but suffered with the shocks and also terrible night sweats and nightmares, I then cut down to 40mg per day, and then gradually went to 15mg. This worked well , although some days were a dazy, with shocks, nausea and severe dizzyness. I have now been 2 days without any, I have the dizzyness, shocks etc quite bad, and feel like my brain is being squeezed. Would anyone recommend I just persevere or should I go back to 15mg for a while?? I really want to be free, I was hoping I would wake up in a couple more days feeling ok??
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 30, 2005, at 11:06:14
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by KittyBoo288 on October 30, 2005, at 5:14:47
I dont think that you should go back on the 15mg cymnbalta if youve already been off for 2 days, in other words, keep with it for about 1-2 weeks and the worst of the withdrawl should be over. Remember, if a SSRI takes 2-3 weeks to work, then you can expect it to take 2-3 weeks to come off of. Now, as far as being med-free, that is something you need to decide with your doctor. Of course it is better to handle this disease without any meds IF YOU CAN, but if you need the "crutch", as I came to the conclusion that I did (I stopped cymbalta over a month ago but I think i need to start another med, perhaps Wellbutrin, but NOT cymbalta), then your psychiatrist will decide. In other words, keep your psych appointments and let your psych know what youre doing... he/she will support you, but will also point out if you may need to start back on meds.
Take care of yourself, and remember, your own strong will to fight this disease will get you very far, you can do it!
Yours,
V
Posted by mizloopy on October 30, 2005, at 11:36:25
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » KittyBoo288, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 30, 2005, at 11:06:14
i went through the withdrawal for 11 days. i have tried every anti-depressant since 1989. cymbalta was the worst withdrawal i had ever beeen through. unfortuantly by day 7 , i was suicidal and couldn't stop crying. not sure if that was withdrawal or the disease (bi-polar) because by day 5 i was starting to rapidly cycle, and even became manic. during the 11 months i took cymbalta i never felt it helped my depression, but it did help something,.
so as of day 11 i went back on it. and i not sure if it was a coincidense or not but for the last 2 days the of just being on 30mg the sucidalness has disappeared.
i have worked as a conselor in the mental health field and really despise the word "crutch". diabectic people do not call insulin a crutch, so why should we. so for people who have read the withdrawl off cymbalta and now are scared to take it. yeah i agree it was the worst of the worst withdrawal ever, but the medicine does have the ability to work for some. and given i really feel nothing else has worked for me. i would give it a try.
i'm one of those people who despises side effects and remember when i was so depressed this year on cymbalta ( i thought this crap isn't working), but hen after 9 months something changed and i felt so good that i thought maybe i don't need an anti-depressant. i was wrong. and i'm greatful that cymbalta is still a choice.
Posted by mizloopy on October 30, 2005, at 18:34:12
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by KittyBoo288 on October 30, 2005, at 5:14:47
> I have been trying to "wean" myself off the 60mg of cymbalta I have been on for the past 8 months, like many of the posts I have read, the cymbalta worked as a crutch for a few months but then the depression re occured and I thought, why take drugs that are doing nothing for me anymore and started to wean myself off. I tried one day on, one day off but suffered with the shocks and also terrible night sweats and nightmares, I then cut down to 40mg per day, and then gradually went to 15mg. This worked well , although some days were a dazy, with shocks, nausea and severe dizzyness. I have now been 2 days without any, I have the dizzyness, shocks etc quite bad, and feel like my brain is being squeezed. Would anyone recommend I just persevere or should I go back to 15mg for a while?? I really want to be free, I was hoping I would wake up in a couple more days feeling ok??
what are the shocks?
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 30, 2005, at 18:57:47
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by mizloopy on October 28, 2005, at 0:48:31
I like to think of antidepressants as a "crutch" at least for me, and I think others out there may agree or disagree, but I try to use them when I feel depressed, to get back to a functioning point in my life, and then I try to do without when i think i can do it. This gives me self-empowerment and less feelings of helplessness, and really makes me feel better. I do not agree with the thinking by popular groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. that we are powerless over our diseases; instead I feel that we are only powerless at specific times in our lives and must turn to medication or others for help. Even diseases like diabetes have been shown to respond favorably to self-motivation and willingness to do better, and some people have even discontinued insulin after beeing on it for years. This thinking has worked for me, and I like to pass on this self-empowerment to my patients.
By the way, the shocks are short intermittent cataplexic attacks, the kind seen in narcolepsy. It is not advisable to drive or operate heavy machinery during this period.
My opinions are just that, my opinions, and shouldnt be used as medical advice.
Yours,
V
Posted by KittyBoo288 on October 31, 2005, at 8:35:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 30, 2005, at 18:57:47
> I like to think of antidepressants as a "crutch" at least for me, and I think others out there may agree or disagree, but I try to use them when I feel depressed, to get back to a functioning point in my life, and then I try to do without when i think i can do it. This gives me self-empowerment and less feelings of helplessness, and really makes me feel better. I do not agree with the thinking by popular groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. that we are powerless over our diseases; instead I feel that we are only powerless at specific times in our lives and must turn to medication or others for help. Even diseases like diabetes have been shown to respond favorably to self-motivation and willingness to do better, and some people have even discontinued insulin after beeing on it for years. This thinking has worked for me, and I like to pass on this self-empowerment to my patients.
>
> By the way, the shocks are short intermittent cataplexic attacks, the kind seen in narcolepsy. It is not advisable to drive or operate heavy machinery during this period.
>
> My opinions are just that, my opinions, and shouldnt be used as medical advice.
>
> Yours,
> V
Thankyou for your advice. I have perservered and not gone back on the 15mg, the dizzxyness, shocks and nausea do not seem as extreme today, I have however had horrendous mood swings and "flipped" out on a couple of family members that I dont feel I have received any understanding or support from and spent a lot of time feeling very sad, I do however feel I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and can tell myself that the sadness and angry feelings im having are just the withdrawal of the cymbalta, which I feel is a very positive thing to be able to distiguish. Im just glad I found this site to hear of other peoples experiences, and know what i am going through is normal. I certainly do feel the cymbalta was a "crutch" to me and certainly helped me through a very difficult time.
Posted by CWeber on October 31, 2005, at 8:54:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by KittyBoo288 on October 31, 2005, at 8:35:21
I, too, am having bouts with dizziness after stopping Cymbata a week ago. The side effects just aren't worth it. Weight gain, sweating, loss of sexual desire. I've tried Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Effexor and Cymbalt. My depression is not chronic. It's just been since I discovered my son is a heroin addict. I'm trying to change the way I look at this whole mess. You know: it's not my fault, he makes his own choices, I did everything I could to help him. It's just still difficult sometimes to deal with lack of sleep, crying spells, no desire to get out of bed. I guess if I'm going to feel like crap anyways, I'm choosing the lesser of 2 evils.
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 31, 2005, at 11:31:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by CWeber on October 31, 2005, at 8:54:30
That must be tough to deal with realizing your son is addicted to heroin. I know what it's like to be on the other side of the fence, in essence, being addicted.
What I can advise you is to take care of yourself first, everything else comes second. IF you want to see your son get some kind of help, put him in a treatment program and let them work with him. IT will be too difficult to do this on your own. Addicts helping addicts is the best way for him to get better; the only thing I dont agree with is that a person is completely powerless over his disease, but still a treatment program will be better; Narcotics Anonymous is one way to get into a drug-free living program, they should have info on this.
I am sorry to hear that you have started having depressive episodes. I started a new thread in the general forum titles "name your favorite antidepressant" smaybe you can get an idea from people about which one to try if SSRIs havent worked for you, write down the name, and suggest it to your doctor.
Take care of yourself.
V
Posted by buggy623 on November 13, 2005, at 21:32:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » CWeber, posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 31, 2005, at 11:31:51
I went off of cymbalta 5 days ago. Since then I am nauseaus, dizzy, moody. I sleep all the time as a way to try and combat the effects. I only wake up to eat a little and go to work (when I can get myself out of bed).
I never went to a psychiatrist, my regular doctor started me on celexa, and when that stopped working put me on wellbutrin (which I had a HORRIBLE allergic reaction to), and then the cymbalta.
I dropped from 60mg to 0mg, of my own accord. The Cymbalta stopped working, and I didn't see any point in taking something that doesn't work, and I'm tired of relying on the medicine. But I feel like I'm losing my mind, and my job is slowly losing patience.
I have tried benadryl, but can only take it before bed, which doesn't help when going to work. Are there any other non-drowsy OTC medicines that I can buy? I dont' have health insurance, and the Cymbalta prescription drained my savings.
Any possible help is appreciated, I am struggling to get through this withdrawal period with my job, relationship, and myself intact.
Buggy623
Posted by sam86 on November 14, 2005, at 14:17:38
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
> I am thinking of discontinuing cymbalta and am wondering if anyone's had problems while gradually tapering off.
>
> Thanks!I went from 60mg to 30mg for two weeks and then went completely off. I knew going into the process what to expect thanks to all of the postings! I made it! I felt pretty good for about three or four days after stopping it and then I dealt with the horrible nausea, dizziness and shock feelings for about 8-10 days, only a few of them were what I would consider pretty miserable. I strongly recommend reading all of the threads listed here and prepare yourself (and family/friends) for about 1 1/2 weeks of symptoms. Trust me, it sucks but knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel will help, it did for me. Plus I knew I was doing something good for me and in the long run would be worth the discomfort. Have faith!
Posted by KittyBoo288 on November 15, 2005, at 2:23:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by sam86 on November 14, 2005, at 14:17:38
Hi
I was really pleased to read the last posting and felt I would also update you on my own progress. After 8/9 months on cymbalta I realised the meds were no longer working. I started to taper off going from 60mg to 30mg then went to tipping half of a 30mg capsule away, leaving about 15 mg in the capsule then went from that to 0mg. After 2 days I had horrendous side effects, nausea, extreme dizzyness, shock feeling to my head, blurred vision , the list goes on, I also experienced a few days of feeling extremely irratable and sad. The last posting advising to alert your family/friends of the withdrawal you will be going through is great advise. In the process of my withdrawal i think i must have fallen out with every member of my family due to my irrational thinking at that time. I have now been off completely for 17 days and feel great. I would urge anyone thinking of coming off these tablets to speak with medical professionals first and then taper off, also, if possible take time out from work, to get through the withdrawal, knowing that you will feel bad for at least 8-10 days, but look ahead to the great things you will feel once the withdrawal is over. Keep Going!!
Posted by RoDnSuE on November 16, 2005, at 11:11:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by KittyBoo288 on November 15, 2005, at 2:23:09
I forgot to order my refill for my 60mg cymbalta's and went off for about a week. (mail order prescription service)
I started having the depression, nausia, and blured vision, but instead of the shocks in the head, I have a symptom of whenever I close my eyes and my eyes move I hear a wooosh-wooosh shound in my ears that is VERY disconcerting! Maybe others are interpreting this feeling as a shock.
I was also having horrible insomnia about 3 days after going off. I had about 1-1/2 hours of sleep in about 72 hours. I felt like I was going crazy. I found a 30mg capsule and took it which did help for that day but the next day I was right back to the whooshing.I finally got my doctor to write me a script for a few days supply until my normal order arrives.
Cymbalta does seem to help me more than most of the other meds I have taken in the past.
I hate being dependent on ANY meds but this may be one I am stuck with. The only real problem I have while taking it is it seems to make me have carpel tunnel syndrom. My hands go numb alot and I have pain in my thumb down to my wrist.Good luck to all,
RoD
Posted by bettyboop on November 25, 2005, at 17:05:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Overand on September 29, 2005, at 17:53:12
i have been off cymbalta - cold turkey - for 3 days now. in the past i tried paxil due to postpartum depression. i swore i would never try anything else even remotely close to it again because of the hell i went through getting off. i want to be clean and no longer rely on the "crutch" of an antidepressant. i have only been on the cymbalta since the end of march - beginning of april 2005. stupid question - is that really long enough to have really BAD withdrawals? i've been tired - and kinda bitchy but i don't know how much of that is due to not taking the cymbalta or marital issues going on right now. i have absolutely no support from my husband - its all a pity party - and i feel like everyone is against me. i'm not really sure what to do or expect. any advice - support -anything would be greatly appreciated. i have a Rx for ativan - would it be wise to use it?
Posted by ang123 on November 29, 2005, at 8:07:49
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by bettyboop on November 25, 2005, at 17:05:22
Hi, I read this site often but I have never posted anything. I was on Paxil and couldn't get the meds refilled once, lets just say it was the worst week and half I have ever had. The dizzyness was unbearable, I really shouldn't have been driving but had too. I was angry, violent and actually told the pharmacy to f-off and called the doctor hysterical. I had a panic attack for the first time ever and wanted to die. I had to go back on something because the withdrawal was more than I could take. I started Cymbalta. I tryed to wean off in the spring but that was unsuccessful, now I am trying again. I have been pouring out some of the beads in the capsules and making my own step down plan. I was on 60mg and split that in half, I spend Sat. on the couch all day from the dizzyness and slept alot. I how am taking probably 20mg and have a headache and fatigue, I am also dizzy at times. I am trying to keep it going. I also have irritable bowel and the Cymbalta helps those symptoms. I am waiting for those problems to come back. Should I be messing with the beads in the capsules?
> i have been off cymbalta - cold turkey - for 3 days now. in the past i tried paxil due to postpartum depression. i swore i would never try anything else even remotely close to it again because of the hell i went through getting off. i want to be clean and no longer rely on the "crutch" of an antidepressant. i have only been on the cymbalta since the end of march - beginning of april 2005. stupid question - is that really long enough to have really BAD withdrawals? i've been tired - and kinda bitchy but i don't know how much of that is due to not taking the cymbalta or marital issues going on right now. i have absolutely no support from my husband - its all a pity party - and i feel like everyone is against me. i'm not really sure what to do or expect. any advice - support -anything would be greatly appreciated. i have a Rx for ativan - would it be wise to use it?
Posted by patkerash on November 29, 2005, at 15:10:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ang123 on November 29, 2005, at 8:07:49
I am currently on 30 mg of Cymbalta and have been told to go ahead up to 60mg but I am not going to do it..On Oct 23, 2005 I went into the er in withdrawal from effexor and methadone (given to me by the hospital pain clinic for spinal stenosis) I was on the psyche ward for 5 days..the effexor was by far the worst to come off of..it has taken me over a month to feel anything like "normal"..and that is with being on the cymbalta from the time of my hospitalization..I can't go through that again..it was by far the most terrifying, sickening experience of my life...I know now that I tried to get myself off the 2 drugs way to fast, but from what I have been reading in a book I got called The Road Back withdrawal has to be done in 5% to 10% increments..it sounds as if everyone has tried it way too fast..this book also recomends nutritional supplements which I am going to try as I want to come off the cymbalta also...I don't want to die, but how do you live with depression ?? I've started therapy again so I guess time will tell...good luck to us all....Pat
Posted by Rick Deckard on November 30, 2005, at 8:02:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by patkerash on November 29, 2005, at 15:10:44
I was on Cymbalta for about 7 months and decided to come off it because of sexual side-effects.
I have been off Cymbalta for almost a week, and feel like I could die on the spot!I was on 60mg a day. My GP (who I like and trust, by the way) 'weaned' me as follows: 30mg one day then 60mg the next, for 8 days;
30mg every day for 4 days;
skip a day, then 30mg;
skip a day, then 30mg;
then stop.Since I stopped I have had to take 1 day off work - I feel like I should take more but I can't afford it.
I am dizzy all the time, have difficulty with my coordination and speech, have HUGE pain in all my joints and muscles (legs feel like they won't do what my brain is asking), have had AMAZINGLY VIVID dreams (and the first nightmare that I can ever remember), feel groggy and thick and feel like my eyes are darting around and falling out of my head - they are really sore. I have to drive but last night felt that I shouldn't have been - whenever I looked in the mirror and back it felt like I got some sort of shock up through my whole body and felt like I should pull in or I would crash 'cos of blurring. Also very anxious.How long do these effects last? Is there anything, preferably natural, that I can take to help?
I have been on other anti-depressants (Prozac and something else that I can't recall the name of) over the years as I get very down about the way I feel with my (undiagnosed by a professional!) CFS/ME and have NEVER felt this bad, either while on the med or coming off them.
This is the only place I have found that has good discussions about Cymbalta withdrawal.
Thanks,
R
Posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Rick Deckard on November 30, 2005, at 8:02:59
Dear R,
I've been coming off of Cymablta for a month now, and still have the side effects you mention. Today I'm so dizzy I can barely walk, but yesterday it was less severe. All I can tell you is hang in there. My pshchiatrist told me to go see my doctor, because everything I'm going through can't be coming from the Cymbalta. I went to see my family doctor and he said all is well, but gave me medication for vertigo called Meclizine. It is worthless to stop the dizziness. I'm giving it another two weeks to see if all the syptoms finally go away from Cymbalta withdrawal, if not I'm going to see a attorney.
Take care,
David
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on November 30, 2005, at 15:44:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
I really know how you guys feel coming off the Cymbalta. I went through the withdrawl, unfortunately, my depression came back, so I went back on it. Im on 60mg now and I am adding Wellbutrin XL 150mg daily to it because my depression is still lingering.
If the withdrawl is too much to handle, you can try:
Meclizine or Diphenhydramine (benadryl) 2-3x day as needed for dizziness/nausea
Tylenol for headaches, although anti-migrane meds will work much better.Plenty of rest.
Please read through the entire chain of posts for a detailed discussion on withdrawl of this drug. Like I said, I went through the withdrawl it was very tough, however, I think i am better on the meds rather than off it so im back on it now and just feel helpless without it. I dont want to be on it, but without it io really think i will die.
By the way, i will be using a new handle in the future most likely vijoyp because i dont want any legal probs.
Anything i say is merely my own opinion and should not be substituted as medical advice.
Yours,
Vijoy
Posted by bettyboop on November 30, 2005, at 21:32:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on November 30, 2005, at 8:51:43
it's now been 8 days since i've been off the cymbalta. i am feeling slightly better - just really foggy. the mood swings are terrible! there have been times i want to just call life quits and get it over with - but i'm hanging in there. i'm afraid that once the withdrawal symptoms are finally gone i'll need something for all the turmoil around the house. i still have some of the dizziness and cold like symptoms. feverish with a headache. is that normal? i've tried taking 1/4 of an ativan during the day to take the edge off - and taking the benadryl and tylenol. all semms to help out some. all i can tell everyone is - HANG N THERE!!! be strong and PRAY. i know God hears all prayers and i have really been puting my situation into God's hands - for God's will!!! i will pray for each and every person on this list - pray that you are comforted and your pain is eased! don't give up - :) Beth
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Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
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