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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on June 18, 2006, at 10:14:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on June 18, 2006, at 9:52:29
> My neck and shoulder pain lessened while I was on Cymbalta. However, I've gone another, more natural route to ease the pain.
If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing to reduce the pain?
> I'm going on 4 weeks cold turkey...what a horrible ride it's been.
I can imagine. I've been there. I've had an easier time discontinuing drugs like Effexor and Cymbalta since I began to use a taper system.
> But I can see the end in sight.
That's good news. It is hard to believe that withdrawal symptoms can persist for so long, yet some people experience no withdrawal effects at all. We are all so different.
Good luck with your pain control regime.
- Scott
Posted by kparis on June 18, 2006, at 13:14:45
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » kparis, posted by SLS on June 18, 2006, at 10:14:20
I've been seeing a pain management doctor (for 4 years) who uses some sort of electrical pulse (using a needle inserted into the spinal column) to deaden the nerve ends in my neck. It lasts for several years. His name is Dr. Evan Musman. Perhaps you could go to his web-site as I know that I'm not getting this quite right.
I also stretch the muscles and breath into the muscle pain. I use a "healing" tape while going to sleep, Ibuprofen, and that's about it. I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and this helps tremendously.
I'm feeling tons better...now to get this weight off of my mid-section!! That seems to be quite difficult, although I have gotten 3 inches off of my waist since going off of the Cymbalta...1 inch per week, now that's not too bad!
Be well,
Kesta
Posted by Raisin on June 19, 2006, at 0:24:03
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by mizloopy on May 12, 2006, at 1:18:34
I am so glad I found this site. I have the most intense itching on my scalp and upper body. Now I am concerned about tapering off this med. Regarding the nausea, did it start before or during withdrawl? Thanks!
Posted by Avalon on June 19, 2006, at 0:28:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal-itching, posted by Raisin on June 19, 2006, at 0:24:03
Hi Raisin, welcome. I did not have nausea while on Cymbalta, though I hear that can be a side effect. Mine started 3 days after I went off it. I am on day 12 of my withdrawal, and I am no longer nauseous but still having dizzy spells, which of course sometimes result in a bit of nausea.
Posted by kparis on June 27, 2006, at 13:36:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal-itching, posted by Avalon on June 19, 2006, at 0:28:10
Hi All,
It will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I still feel antsy, but I am starting to sleep better.
But, the bad thing is the weight gain. I just got back from the doctor's office and I finally let him weigh me. I have put on 53 pounds in 17 months of being on Cymbalta. I cannot believe it. I have only gone up one size, but all of the weight has settled mostly in my abdomen region. I am sick about it and can't stop crying. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what have you been able to do about it? I've been married only 18 months and you can imagine my embarassment! Please, if you have any suggestions, help me out. I've never had a weight problem of this magnitude!
Thank you.
Kesta
Posted by Avalon on June 27, 2006, at 21:54:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal-itching, posted by kparis on June 27, 2006, at 13:36:21
Hi Kesta -- I wasn't on the Cymbalta long enough to experience weight gain. On these and other threads, I have seen complaints of weight gain with amitryptiline and similar drugs. Since my doctor wants me to try Pamelor (nortryptiline) next, I am really NOT looking forward to putting on the lbs.
I'm glad you are somewhat better. I am still experiencing dizzy spells and nausea occasionally. It seems to be alleviated with the Ultram, as Scott had indicated it might in a previous message. But I don't think the Ultram is very effective for the pain so I'll probably stop that soon....and I bet the withdrawal symptoms start up again!
Now that you are off Cymbalta, will it be easier to lose the weight? Does the drug itself cause weight gain, or is it because the drug makes you hungry and you gain weight from all the eating to satisfy the hunger?
Posted by kparis on June 28, 2006, at 5:43:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on June 27, 2006, at 21:54:58
Hi Avalon,
It's good to hear that you are still hanging in there!
My weight gain is typical. My psychiatrist told me that I was lucky I didn't gain 50 pounds on this drug like so many others do. Wait until I see her tomorrow and tell her that I did just that! It is not from over eating. I'm not a large eater...my husband will attest to that. I don't know. All I know is being newly married and having a rather nice shape to this is not great for my self-esteem as far as my husband is concerned! He's wonderful, though. Still....
The dizziness for me stopped about 2 weeks of being off of the drug. Now I'm experiencing severe edema...hence a big part of the weight gain. I'm going to check out another doctor as I feel that my primary has no clue about what is going on. I think my lymph system is messed up due to lyposuction I had done on my "baby belly" the same month I started the Cymbalta. At least that is what a board member at work told me and she works at the local hospital as a lymphatic drainage practioner. It's all too complicated!!
Take care and please keep me posted.
Kesta
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 3, 2006, at 7:00:56
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - Publicity » SLS, posted by secretme on May 27, 2006, at 16:06:41
> If you had any idea of what the pharmaceutical lobby in this country does ... you would not agree that all these formulations are necessary.
> If you haven't gleaned from all the postings that Cymbalta is a dangerous drug ... then you are not reading what people have to say.
>
> Do we need as many SSRIs "as it takes" to be well? Sounds like Eli Lilly talking.> I haven't left yet; wouldn't want to disappoint you.
>
> Please review some of the other threads posted in the past few days and respond to these people as well. You should be an equal opportunity responderPlease don't jump to conclusions about others, post anything that could lead them to feel accused, or pressure them. Different points of view are fine, and in fact encouraged.
But please don't take this personally, either, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Gog on July 13, 2006, at 4:12:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on June 28, 2006, at 5:43:53
Thanks for all of your postings...I just spent the last couple of hours reading through them. I have been off Cymbalta for about 5 weeks now and am starting to wonder if the stuff I feel day to day will go away.
I had many of the same withdrawal effects that many of you did...and with time they subsided. But they completely sucked (as you all know). I have also had weight gain, mainly in my midsection too, which has never been an issue for me. Probably about 15 pounds.
Today felt like a withdrawal day, you know the ones that come after a day of feeling somewhat normal? I haven't felt good waking up in the morning since I went off of them. It feels like it takes me a few hours to get "warmed up". It is not nearly as difficult getting up in the morning as it was when I was on the cymbalta. But I actually feel a bit wired when I wake up. Not like I just had a good rest. I have pressure around my eyes a lot and have felt more physical aches and pains than normal. I have so many questions too...could the aches and pains be a sort of rebound pain from coming off the cymbalta? I took it for depression...but if it is used for muscle pain then could it have had a negative effect on me?
I did have edema too about a week ago, which freaked me out but seems to have subsided.
Has anyone used 5-HTP and St. Johns Wort together? Has it worked? I have purchased both but was too scared to take them.
The hardest part(and this may be why some people want to take it off the market)is that the withdrawal symptoms scared me so much that I am nervous about taking anything at all. I'm still on Klonopin 1/2 mg at night, but mostly that is because I'm not prepared to go through withdrawal on a second medication.
I'm irritable but can't seem to express to anyone what this is like because it is so hard to explain. Reading this forum has been like walking into a support group.
I have known this stuff inside and out for years (not the naturopathic stuff). I have a degree in biology, I teach health, I read like crazy (and proably a bit obsessively), but now I can't seem to figure out where to turn to. I know the pharmaceutical companies are making billions and lots of people hate them. I know that the medications I took (cymbalta was my fourth) may well have saved my life (along with psychotherapy). I know some people can heal themselves without meds. I know some people need the medication. I just don't know what is best for me right now. I don't know what is "normal" to be feeling. The headaches, neck pain, jazzed up feeling, anxiety are not severe, but I know that I do not feel normal right now. How did any of you feel at 1 month, 2 months or beyond?
Posted by Avalon on July 13, 2006, at 9:53:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Gog on July 13, 2006, at 4:12:40
Hi Gog and welcome. I still am not back to normal. I've been off Cymbalta for awhile, but was on Ultram for about 3 weeks, which another poster thought would alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms. So now I'm off the Ultram as well, for about a week now. Thought I seemed OK but guess what? Major dizzy spells yesterday. Plus I still get the occasional nausea. So obviously I'm not "normal" yet. This is very frustrating and I feel the same way -- I'm afraid to take anything in that same drug category now. Would love to hear from some of the others (Jaspar, Kesta, etc.) to see how they're doing.
Posted by kparis on July 13, 2006, at 12:25:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on July 13, 2006, at 9:53:02
Hi Avalon...welcome Gog,
It's been 7 weeks yesterday and I am finally feeling somewhat normal, except for feeling cranky and with severe edema. The anxiety is still an issue at times and I, too, take 1/2 mg of Klonopin in the evening for the anxiety. However, Ibuprofen has helped for the achy feeling, even taking 1 tab every four hours or 3 tabs and then one every few hours. It has helped, even with the anxiety. I was also wondering when I would feel normal again. It is starting, don't give up hope, Gog. I am seeing a Lymphedema specialist for the severe bloating. It is helping. I am also working out again and that is helping too. It's so hard to start something like this when one is feeling overweight and bloated, so I am doing most of my work in the therapy pool at the Lymphedema specialist's office.Hang in there and keep us posted!
Best,
Kesta
Posted by Jaspar on July 13, 2006, at 12:43:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on June 15, 2006, at 5:38:34
Just an update for those who followed my withdrawal saga... it has been well over a month since the last grain of Cymbalta, and I no longer have hives!
The allergist said that the Cymbalta could easily have continued to cause hives even for 4 weeks after discontinuing it.
After over 6 months of getting off it and continuing to suffer even after I was completely off, I am FINALLY **FREE**!!!
I will be starting SAM-e and vitamins. It is so ironic that medical insurance will pay for the pharmaceutical poisons but not for supplements that may help just as much without the poisonous side-effects. The SAM-e is supposed to help with my arthritis as well.
-Jaspar
(Singing in the rain)
Posted by Jaspar on July 13, 2006, at 12:50:40
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jaspar on July 13, 2006, at 12:43:10
Oh... I want to add that I do not feel AS depressed as I did for WEEKS after going off the Cymbalta. Apparently the Cymbalta withdrawal has a severe depression and anxiety effects which can last for WEEKS (more severe than the ones I got on the Cymbalta for in the first place), as well as the other withdrawal effects of vertigo, dizziness, visual problems, electrical sensations, nausea and vomiting.
-Jaspar
Posted by kparis on July 13, 2006, at 14:28:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Jaspar on July 13, 2006, at 12:50:40
I have never had depression and am experiencing it after being off of the Cymbalta. What with the weight gain, lethargy, depression, lymphedema, and all of the other crap, I wonder if my new marriage (to a man 8 years my junior and in great physical shape) will be able to stand the test. He's already said that I need to me more active...duh...it's hard when you're swollen, depressed, etc. Cymbalta is truly the evil drug...at least it has been for me!! Jaspar, I am so very happy for you!! What exactly are the supplements that you are going to take?
Kesta
Posted by Raisin on July 14, 2006, at 0:31:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 13, 2006, at 14:28:16
Hi, Everyone,
I went off Cymbalta cold turkey after reading that the intense unbearable itching that I was experiencing while on the drug would continue as a withdrawl symptom. I don't remember the exact date, but I stopped taking it around June 21, and I have been itch free for about a week, hooray! My new experiences include very mild nausea (no vomit episodes), much dizziness and lightheadedness, water retention, intense irritability and crabbiness (boyfriend almost broke up with me).Notes:
1. While on this "antidepressent" drug for only about 6 weeks I experienced these severe depression symptoms:Anxiety
Stress eating (causing a weight gain of 15 lb.)
Extreme midday tiredness (2 hour nap)2. I was also on Welbutrin while taking Cymbalta. I ran out about a week before I stopped the Cymbalta and did not refill. I'm sure this also added to my irritability (although it did not affect me until stopping the Cymbalta.)
3. The Cymbalta was added to my drug cocktail because my Dr. learned that another (unofficial) benefit of the drug was a tightening up "down there" which could be helpful for those of us women who have stress incontinence. (I only leaked a tiny amount when I sneezed or coughed.) My leakage problem stopped the day after I started taking the Cymbalta. The Dr. heard about this at a seminar and asked if I wanted to try it. It is not FDA approved for the treatment of incontinence. I am now pursuing other options to deal with the incontinence.
4. My Dr. does not know that I went off the meds. I keep meaning to call, but I haven't.
It is somewhat strange to experience emotions and feelings after trying to avoid them. Looking back, I feel that I was a little like a zombie while on the meds - nothing bothered me, but I was never experiencing true joy, either. I am going to try to stay off the drugs and deal with whatever comes. It is a little strange (but normal) to feel sad, angry and anxious, but I also get to experience joy, happiness and contentment. As long as I don't fall back into the old routines of sleeping and eating for immediate gratification, or crying for 3 days straight, I think I can do it. If not, I guess I can always go back to Welbutrin.
I am just wondering how much longer this "airheadedness" will continue. (It could be a personality trait and not an effect of the meds, I guess.)
Having all of you here to validate what I have been and still am going through has been invaluable. I appreciate your comments and information.
Thanks!
Raisin
Posted by Gog on July 14, 2006, at 1:57:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 13, 2006, at 14:28:16
> I have never had depression and am experiencing it after being off of the Cymbalta.
Which completely makes sense with all the side effects you are going through. Thank you and Avalon so much for all of your posts (and everyone else). I really feel like I walked into a support group last night. It is amazing how many of the same symptoms everyone has and also how many different things these are being prescribed for. I'm considering taking 5-HTP and another supplement with St. John's Wort in it, but may wait a little longer. Keep me posted on how you are doing. Take care.
Oh, and you're married to man 8 years younger than you? You rock!! :)
Posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 8:41:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Gog on July 14, 2006, at 1:57:05
I've been off Cymbalta for 3 weeks now, and the moment my stomach flu-like symptoms eased, the debilitating migraines started and I'm still nauseous most of the time and have hardly any appettite. I definitely fall into the severe withdrawal category. I've been toughing it out since my doctor "tapered" me off 60mg but essentially made me go cold-turkey off 30mg - and when I confronted her about the fast taper, her response "Well, I really don't know how we could have done it any slower"!!!! I'm at the point now where I don't think I can handle another week of these migraines, not feeling energenic enough to even get off the couch, and too dizzy/light-headed to feel comfortable driving. I'm not sure I want to go back on a low dose of Cymbalta only to taper off and then still face the same horrible withdrawal side effects. Any idea how long till I start feeling normal again? I don't know if it's worth going back on Cymbalta to do a slow 4 or more month taper if I'm just a week or two away from feeling back to my old self.
Posted by Avalon on July 14, 2006, at 10:20:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 8:41:20
Star, it doesn't seem worth it to go back on it after being off 3 weeks. I went back on after only being off for 3 days, tapered down to "grains" and still felt like crap when I stopped for the second time. Sounds like others on this Board started turning the corner after 4 weeks. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
Posted by Raisin on July 14, 2006, at 10:40:27
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Avalon on July 14, 2006, at 10:20:29
I also have really bad headaches when I get up in the morning (don't know if they're bad enough to be called migrane.) They started about 2 weeks after going off Cymbalta cold turkey (June 21.) Usually 2 regular Motrin or Alleve and a cup of coffee get rid of it. Is this another gift of Cymbalta withdrawl? I hope there are no more surprises.
Thanks everyone for listening.
Raisin
Posted by kparis on July 14, 2006, at 10:58:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Raisin on July 14, 2006, at 10:40:27
Yes, 4 weeks seem to be the magic number! It will get better. I had hallucinations, extreme sweating, nightmares, pain in my limbs, numbness, disassociation, anxiety, edema, hbp which went away after 4 weeks except for the last 2. Hang in there!
Kesta
Posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 19:04:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 14, 2006, at 10:58:05
Thanks for the support, I'll hang in for one more week since week 4 seems to be the magic number. It's just been tough when you're trying to deal with the withdrawal and I didn't know what was really going on until I came across this board and found that some of the suggestions like taking Benadryl helped for whatever reason. The doctor I was seeing while I was on Cymbalta didn't even want to acknowledge that I was going through withdrawal until I confronted her and even then it felt more like she was trying to keep me pacified and wasn't about to actively look for ways to help other than putting me back on 20mg and doing another one of her "tapers". I just saw my old doctor and he got everything and that I don't want back on Cymbalta and just want to treat the withdrawal symptoms until their gone. Someone really needs to get on the ball and start educating family physicians about antidepressant withdrawal since they're the ones prescribing it instead of sending people to mental health professionals who deal with this stuff all the time.
My heart goes out to anyone who's had to deal with this crap, including friends and family. Thanks for the support and suggestions.
Posted by Gog on July 14, 2006, at 19:53:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 8:41:20
Hang in there Star. Each day does get a little better and if it is too much to handle it seems like there were lots of methods people used to help them get through it. I felt sick to my stomach a lot but found if I was consistently getting myself food it really helped. Even if it was just sipping on juice. There were times when I really felt horrible and would realize I hadn't eaten for quite some time. Once I ate it would make a world of difference. But I know too that all of our bodies react in very different ways. I took Benadryl too...my allergies were acting up at the time so I thought I would hit two for one. I'm not sure if it helped or not. I also tried to drink lots of water and went to my acupuncturist (which helped for a little bit but then the symptoms seemed to come back pretty quickly.)
The responses of doctors are simply killing me! Before I went off I read a book called "The Antidepressant Solution" by Joseph Glenmullen (He is a psychiatrist and an instructor at Harvard.) The taper schedule he recommended for Cymbalta was 60mg, 40mg, 20mg, 10mg, 0. I showed my psychiatrist the book when I went in to see him and the first thing he did was flip to the taper schedule. That and the fact that he had me go from 60 to 30 to 0, told me he really didn't know what the taper schedule was in the first place. My psychiatrist was very apologetic because he hadn't heard, yet, of such severe withdrawal with Cymbalta. He said the two that were usually the worst were Paxil and Effexor. However, he did say that he had one patient on Prozac (which is usually the easiest to go off of due to it's long half life) and had to taper him using, eventually, the liquid form of it. (Which the book actually talked about.)
This author also describes this poor high school student who had to wean himself off of Effexor painfully slowly by counting the beads in the capsules. Just like many of the people in this posting have done. So at least there is one doctor out there who listens to his patients!
I'm glad I read and prepared like I did, but I still felt really blindsided by the side effects. The final drop to zero was markedly different from my first drop. Keep us posted as to how you are doing!
Posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 20:08:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Gog on July 14, 2006, at 19:53:58
I found out about "The Antidepressant Solution" by Joseph Glenmullen after I had my last dose of Cymbalta and was all ready into the withdrawal. I too felt blindsided by the withdrawal and all the side effects I felt while I was on Cymbalta and then after about 6 months or so on the drug and it wasn't as effective as it was in the beginning. At the very least the book gave me the validation I had been looking for but couldn't find in my own doctor. Unfortunately, Cymbalta sounds like a difficult drug to go off of even with a very gentle taper and I give a lot of credit to people who've gone through withdrawal multiple times trying to figure out how best to taper off. I read some of the stories like the Harvard student going through Paxil withdrawal with committed a theft because of the impulsiveness the withdrawal caused because he stopped cold turkey (and he didn't need the Paxil in the first place) and the woman who moved out to California but then had her life completely fall apart there because of antidepressant toxicity. In a way it's nice to know that there are others out there who understand, but at the same time it seems like more doctors and health care professionals should know about antidepressant withdrawal, horrible side effects and antidepressant toxicity.
Posted by kparis on July 15, 2006, at 7:00:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ShiningStar on July 14, 2006, at 20:08:12
This blog is truly a god/godess-send.
My doc said that she could give me a dose of prozac and that that would have aleviated the withdrawal symptoms. However, at that point I was so fed up with drugs that I decided to do it with lots of fluids, vitamin e, omega 3 fish oil, and magnesium. If nothing else, I'm healthier!
I'm celebrating today. My husband and I met 3 years ago today and we have having a family party at our home. Life has been good through the bad.
All the best and strength to you all.
Kesta
Posted by JoJo55 on July 17, 2006, at 0:08:39
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
Hi all,
Have been reading posts for while now and am relieved to confirm that what I am going through is indeed a result of cymbalta withdrawal.
I have suffered from fibromyalgia for 4+ years now. Am always searching the internet for new aids to the pain, fatigue, etc of my ailment. I read that cymbalta has been found helpful in reducing pain in women with fibro, and I asked my pain specialist if we could try it (no one to blame but myself!)
Went on cymbalta in Nov 05, and noticed reduced pain. After first of year, I started reducing the dosage (on my own) of the morphine I take for pain. Was pleased that I was able to reduce my dosage by 25%. My pain specialist's assistant was amazed- he said it was unheard of for patients to reduce morphine, only increase it (As had been my case for the last 4 years) I was very pleased and excited until my endocrinologist did some regular lab work and found my liver enzymes elevated! Read that Lilly has really done some "back pedalling" in notifying public of the dangers to the liver. Went from "don't use in cases of liver disease" to "can elevate liver enzymes" Knew I had to stop the cymbalta, so my pain specialist wrote Rx for 30 mg caps (I had been on 60 mgs daily) She said to take 3-4 weeks to withdraw- several weeks on 30 mg, the go to 30 every other day.
The problems started when I skipped my first dose (actually accidentally) after only 2 weeks. First came the headache, then nausea and a strange sensation in my chest. Felt like I used to when I had a shot of Nyquil. After taking the missed dose, the symptoms soon went away.
Confirmed with my pharmacist the it was OK to open capsules, and cut down to 15 mg /day. My husband's idea of sprinkling on a little peanut butter on a spoon worked great.
Was symptom free on 15 mg, but as soon as I tried to skip a day, withdrawal symptoms returned, none as great as some of you guys have experienced, but when combined with the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, made for rough days.
Have not taken cymbalta in over 3 days now.
Want to know if any of you experience symptoms coming and going? Will feel pretty good, then all of a sudden symptoms my hit for 3-6 hours, then will feel better. Next day it starts again.I have also noted as in another post, that when I feel nausea, eating really helps. (the last thing you would expect to do when sick at your stomach!
Sorry, didn't mean for this to become a novel. Just so excited and greatful for this site. It really gives some peace of mind!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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