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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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!
Posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 6:04:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by JoJo55 on July 17, 2006, at 0:08:39
Can you continue to use Cymbalta while monitoring your enzymes?
It makes no sense to attempt to discontinue Cymbalta by skipping days. Its half-life is too short. You are better off taking miniscule doses several times a day when necessary. You can open up the capsules and divide their contents into fractions to accomplish this. Taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine) often mitigates the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms. Another option is to use Prozac as a temporary surrogate for a few weeks. Because it has a half-life of over a week, it acts as a natural gentle taper. You might need to take only 2-4 10mg doses spaced out over a week or two.
I have seen a drug called sibutramine (Meridia) used for fibromyalgia. You might want to look into it. I recently watched a video demonstrating some remarkable results. It is currently approved to treat obesity. It shares some important properties with Cymbalta and Effexor and adds to these dopamine reuptake inhibition. Peter Mueller, MD claims that, in addition to reducing pain, it also improves cognition and mood. His patients often responded within a day or two.
- Scott
Posted by kparis on July 17, 2006, at 8:35:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » JoJo55, posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 6:04:28
Why prolong taking the Cymbalta? If the side effects are horrible while going through withdrawal, and they typically are, then why not just stop and use the Prozac to get you through it? I know first hand just how insidious a drug Cymbalta is. Yes, one can feel fine for a day or so and then, bam, out of the blue the symptoms are back full force. It can be heartbreaking and can cause one to feel like giving up. But, please don't. I will be 8 weeks Cymbalta free as of Wednesday and I do not believe that I am feeling the short term physical/emotional effects any longer. What I am still battling with is the HBP, weight gain, and severe lymphedema. However, that is workable and because I am seeing an improvement I am feeling hopeful that that will improve, if not 100%, then close to it...with a ton of hard work.
Hang in there.
Best,
Kesta
Posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 10:28:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 17, 2006, at 8:35:37
> Why prolong taking the Cymbalta? If the side effects are horrible while going through withdrawal, and they typically are, then why not just stop and use the Prozac to get you through it?
Some people do very well with a gradual taper of the original drug. As a matter of fact, there is some evidence that discontinuing a drug abruptly - "cold-turkey" - can prolong the withdrawal syndrome through a physiological process known as kindling. Crossing over to another drug does not always produce a perfect substitution. It can be an investment, therefore, to taper gradually and prevent the induction of a withdrawal syndrome that will last for months beyond the discontinuation of the drug. I have successfully tapered both Effexor and Cymbalta within two weeks using a flexible-dosing strategy that allowed me to experience only a few days of mild withdrawal symptoms. Previous to using this method, I had gone through hell.
- Scott
Posted by kparis on July 17, 2006, at 10:56:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 10:28:06
Scott,
I can believe that. My question to you is, "Are you a physician?" If not, is it that you read and research frequently and are knowledgeable by virtue of that fact?
You remind me of my ex-husband...not that that is a bad thing, you understand. He was pre-med at Brown University and ended up switching to physics and got his graduate degree in Astromony. Bright guy, sounds like you, but was not a physician, per se, but a PhD. Just wondering if you're just a bright guy or a bright guy who's a physician.
K
Posted by Raisin on July 17, 2006, at 10:57:21
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 10:28:06
Hi everyone,
I think I am finally over the withdrawl symptoms. This is the 3rd day in a row with no headache. Yeah!
It has taken me almost 4 weeks since stopping cold turkey.So...
Took Cymbalta for 6 weeks for depression.
Stopped cold turkey 6/21 because of itching.
Stopped itching after 2 weeks (7/5) and started the headaches.
Headaches ended after 9 more days (7/14.)
The dizzyness, nausea and confusion are almost gone.I did finally phone my dr. office to advise them that I stopped meds. They seemed a little concerned and asked me some questions.
Again, thanks to all of you for being here. It helps to not feel alone while going through this.
Raisin
Posted by kparis on July 17, 2006, at 14:58:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Raisin on July 17, 2006, at 10:57:21
Hooray! I am very happy for you that you have gotten through this ordeal.
All the best,
Kesta
Posted by Gog on July 17, 2006, at 18:12:36
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by JoJo55 on July 17, 2006, at 0:08:39
> 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.Yes, I experienced symptoms coming and going. Just like you stated, I would feel fine for a few hours, then start to decline for awhile too. The time when I became really discouraged was when I would go a day without symptoms and then some would start to sneak back in. I started to wonder if I would ever feel normal again, but I think it has finally started to happen. (I'm about 6 weeks completely free of it.) Hang in there!
Posted by Gog on July 17, 2006, at 18:19:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Raisin on July 17, 2006, at 10:57:21
> Hi everyone,
>
> I think I am finally over the withdrawl symptoms. This is the 3rd day in a row with no headache. Yeah!Yay! I swear it is those little victories that keep us from going nuts. I'm happy you are feeling better. :)
Posted by Gog on July 17, 2006, at 18:26:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Gog on July 17, 2006, at 18:19:51
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow for a check-up and want to make sure I have her run the right blood tests to see if there has been damage to any of my internal organs (okay I really wanted to write "guts" there...I love my maturity level).
I talked to an endocrinologist about tests just to make sure my throid is still within normal range and he gave me three to request. What about the liver and kidneys? Or other tests I'm not aware of?
Thanks!
Posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 22:44:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 17, 2006, at 10:56:21
Hi there.
> My question to you is, "Are you a physician?"
No. Just an out of work car salesman.
> If not, is it that you read and research frequently and are knowledgeable by virtue of that fact?
Like so many of us here who have not been treated adequately by our medical professionals, I was forced to educate myself in the hopes of aiding in my own recovery.
> You remind me of my ex-husband...Ouch.
> not that that is a bad thing, you understand.
Oh. OK. :-)
> He was pre-med at Brown University and ended up switching to physics and got his graduate degree in Astromony.
Why settle for the earth-bound when you can shoot for the whole Big-Bang?
> Bright guy, sounds like you,
Thanks. I will take that as a complement.
> but was not a physician, per se, but a PhD. Just wondering if you're just a bright guy or a bright guy who's a physician.
No. Unfortunately, I had to relinquish my hopes to become a physician as the years passed and my depression remained unresolved and progressively worsened.
Thanks for chatting.
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by kparis on July 18, 2006, at 13:20:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » kparis, posted by SLS on July 17, 2006, at 22:44:33
Scott,
Even the banter is familiar...are you sure you're not my ex-husband? Yes, it was a big bang but as with all big bangs, the fire is bound to burn out and after 20 years and totally blissful fire, it happened. I was crushed (hence the Cymbalta), but happy now (I always said that I was born with a smile on my face and it's not going anywhere).
Seriously, I appreciate the honest, intelligent, and straight forward information that you contribute to this blog.
I hope you find what you need, wherever it may be.
Best,
K
Posted by Nay25 on July 22, 2006, at 13:35:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kparis on July 18, 2006, at 13:20:46
I am in the process of coming off of Cymbalta, this is the first anti-D I've ever taken, while I've been diagnosed with depression and anxiety for the last 12 years. I just want to conquer the problems without meds due to the side effects.
I was on 30mg for 2 weeks, then 60 mg for the past 5 weeks. I started coming off 4 days ago by decreasing to 30mg myself with throwing out some of the medicine in the capsule until it looked to be about half of the 60mg = 30mg.
My energy is so low that I am either sleeping 10-12 hours and/or laying around all day. I feel like I am getting so behind in life and really want my energy back. Caffeine seemed to perk me up, but then resulted in insomnia at night.
I am also not sure how long to stay on the 30mg and when/how to taper to 15mg. I have yet to call my psychiatrist, which I guess I should do. I have some pent up aggression toward him though for putting me on this horrible medicine.So thankful I found this site & any advice is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Avalon on July 22, 2006, at 15:03:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal- oversleeping? etc, posted by Nay25 on July 22, 2006, at 13:35:07
Hello Nay, and welcome. I also have felt very lethargic since this whole Cymbalta experience. I am not working (on short-term medical leave for other issues) and if I don't have to get up for something, I end up sleeping til 11:30 or 12.
One encouraging comment for you -- you may be able to get off Cymbalta with no withdrawal. It seems not everyone has problems -- guess only us "sensitive types" on this board. So don't give up hope! That said, I took weeks tapering off and STILL had withdrawal symptoms. I hope you don't have the same experience. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
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