Comments on: Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Being Kept Secret?

By: Patricia Rusnak, RN

Patricia Rusnak, RN — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:02:36 +0000

Hi Rachel
I hope that I can help you with some of your questions regarding Cymbalta. It certainly is not what it is advertised to be. There are safer alternatives. Discontinuing Cymbalta is truly a horrible experience. Ultimately, it needs to be done at a very slow taper under the supervision of a knowledgeable physician. Not every physician is aware of the appropriate course of discontinuation. Plan to taper off the drug when you have some down time at school….perhaps summer break. This process will really be exhausting…physically and emotionally. Recruit friends and family for support and know, going into this, its going to be a rough ride. You do not have to stay on Cymbalta forever, but you can’t stop it…just like that ! It has been 5 weeks since my final dose, and I am almost there. Each day, it gets a little better, but the progress is very slow. I still feel some withdrawal symptoms, although they are significantly milder. I never experienced brain zaps…I don’t think everyone does. If you encounter suicidal thoughts, you seriously Must be monitored by a physician! Several OTC items were helpful to me…Dramamine for dizziness and nausea, Benadryl for sleep and various other symptoms, and most recently, 5-HTP for headaches, anxiety and anger. Research the 5-HTP, as well as discuss it with your physician….to determine if it is right for you. Rachel, you can do this if you have the will to feel better, just please do it safely. My best to you.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:31:33 +0000

Hey guys. I’ve read all.. well most of the posts.
I am a 19 yr old female and have suffered from depression/anxiety basicly all my life (my psychologist just told me I had a severe anxiety disorder after I went nuts that I had spent hundreds of dollars on sessions but felt like I had got nothing out of it) I also suffered from terrible short term memory loss in the lead up to seeking proffesional help.
I have been on Cymbalta for approx. 6 months. First side effects were insomnia… no sleep for 2 days and still feeling awesome, then when sleeping I had weird nightmares.. that all stopped after a few weeks.
I have been feeling fantastic when I remember to take the pill… but if I forget to take it then the next day I am completely dizzy, tired, suicidal, irrational.. the whole deal.. worse feelings than prior to taking Cymbalta. Luckily my memory is slowely returning.
The psychologist tells me I need to get off Cymbalta before I can deal with my anxiety disorder…. but due to University and commitments there is no way I can do it at this point in time.
I too wasn’t fully informed about the withdrawl complications, but I can definately see how bad they can be considering how terrible I feel if I only miss one or two pills.
Just wondering if anyone else (who wasn’t suicidal prior to treatment with Cymbalta) has felt that missing or weening off it can cause suicidal thoughts… The only time I have got tot the mind frame of being ready to commit suicide was when I was having a downer after missing Cymbalta two days in a row. Also, these mind Zaps??? Please explain!!!
Maybe I should just stay on this drug forever?? Help!

By: Missy

Missy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:12:54 +0000

Seriously.. grow up. I think you need to go back on the DEMON DRUG to stop you from annoying the rest of the world.
Sure, voice your opinions and experiences.. but do you really think arguing with someone who is trying to give you some answers (whether they are useful or not) is worth it? I just hope you don’t speak to your children the way that you spoke to Carlos… as annoying as he is, making someone feel like crap when they are having their say is both rude and ignorant.

By: C. Romines

C. Romines — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:24:49 +0000

My prescribing physician (rheumatologist) instructed me emphatically to NOT read the side effects. She told me that the drug company has to list anything that showed up in the trials and not to worry…I needed the drug. I must tell you that Cymbalta helped me. It helped my fibromyalgia pain and helped me sleep. However, I was never told not to drink with Cymbalta. And when my liver enzymes shot up to over 10 times the normal limit, 2 of my doctors failed to tell me to stop the Cymbalta, and 1 practitioner told me to keep taking it. Luckily, I can think on my own, and stopped it cold turkey. A few days later I was in the ER and then seeing a hepatologist with acute Hep C and liver enzymes over 30 times the upper normal limit. Lily and Company, the FDA, and physicians should take the liver toxicity more seriously. My withdrawal symptoms have been brutal. The brain zaps are scary, but I was not working due to the Hep C and managed to get through those. The pain that comes back is with a vengence. Luckiliy, I started taking a beta blocker soon after my last Cymbalta and for the first 2 weeks, so that helped with the rapid heart rate nd sleeping. My hepatolgist told me to not take Cymbalta because it could have thrown me into liver failure. How many other drugs out there would do the same? And how many physicians will tell patients to ignore elevated liver panels? I read on a drug reps’ blog that reps have told physicians to tell patients to not look at the warnings. That’s exactly what my prescribing physician told me. I’ve done hours of research about Cymbalta, and recommend that anyone considering taking it do the same. Most people have no idea when they get infected with Hep C. it is usually asymtomatic. But in my case, my enzymes soared to 1900 and I was rushed to the ER with fears I was going into liver failure. I didn’t, but that may be only because I (and no one else) decided to stop the Cymbalta. Be careful!!

By: Patricia Rusnak, RN

Patricia Rusnak, RN — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:31:40 +0000

Pristiq is another well advertised and frequently prescribed drug. The withdrawal symptoms appear the same as Cymbalta. Clearly, another medication to avoid! Pay close attention to the wording in television advertisements for both drugs. Remember to always make informed decisions about your medications….your life depends upon it!

By: Christene

Christene — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:35:39 +0000

It has been 5 weeks since I posted that I only had a few more Cymbalta to take following my planned “taper off” program. Four days after my last post I took my scheduled Cymbalta dose and within a short while I became violently ill, vomiting, diarrhea, just awful!! I decided, ok that was it! I had taken my last one – would not wait until my scheduled cease date. For about 2 and 1/2 weeks, I experienced the whole nine yards of symptoms I spoke about before, sometimes these symptoms would change hourly, one leaving and another beginning. My sense of time was so whacked out, things that had happened only moments before, when I thought about them – seemed like I was remembering an event which took place weeks ago. Very hard to verbalize this disconnect with the “present moment”. Fortunately, I live with my daughter, who is a Nurse Practitioner, and did have support. I know it was very difficult for her to see me go through this, but her support was wonderful. Her experience was on two levels, one as daughter and the other as nurse practitioner. She said that there have been people come in to the clinic and ASK to be placed on Cymbalta – they have heard and seen the “hype” on television and in print. She tells patients that she will not prescribe it, that there are alternatives to this dangerous drug and that she has seen first hand the side effects of taking Cymbalta, but also the terrible withdrawal from it. Since it has been 5 weeks since my last dose, I must report that I am feeling so much better and have been for about 2 weeks. Have had some lingering and sporadic symptoms, experienced a brain zap a few days ago, first in weeks, still sensitive to loud noise and sudden movements, just not as extreme. I am still experiencing vision problems and will get in to see Opthamologist about the lights and black spots. My ability to focus mentally has improved, but after a long period of time I notice that I start to feel confusion. I have tried “backing off”, taking a break, and if at home take time for meditation – this seems to help me regain my stability. This has been so difficult to go through and I had such anger about having to deal with it at all. I can promise you that something inside me has changed – I will never take the back seat when it comes to my healthcare ever again!!!!! I will make sure that I am able to make informed decisions. I have not contacted my old physician who placed me on Cymbalta. That is a letter that I have not written yet, but I will – he needs to know about what this drug does to people. We must not stay quiet about it, all of us must continue doing what we are doing – share our experiences about this drug!!!! Maybe, just maybe it will help. Again, thank you all for sharing your stories, and I hope that what I have experienced can help someone else! Just don’t give up – it does get better. My very best to each of you.

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:39:36 +0000

How much Welbutrin were you prescribed? I may have to try this since I am going to be going from 120 mg to 60 mg myself. Ugh its gonna suck.

By: Patricia Rusnak, RN

Patricia Rusnak, RN — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:58:58 +0000

Exactly why is Cymbalta so frequently prescribed? Cymbalta has been promised to be all that and a bag of chips! Whether prescribed for diabetic neuropathy or fibromyalgia, migraines or psych disorders….It was believed to be the the cure all. I ask myself, did physicians receive full disclosure from the pharmaceutical company? Perhaps not. I find it hard to believe that physicians would deliberately prescribe a medication that is so detrimental to a patient’s well being. Why are doctors unaware of withdrawal complications and the safe way to discontinue the medication…is it again the lack of full disclosure from the drug company? Perhaps, the drug manufacturer makes Cymbalta so difficult to discontinue, thereby, encouraging patients to remain on the drug indefinately……more revenue for the drug company! Patients need to become proactive in health care choices. This certainly does not mean to challenge physicians, it simply means to make INFORMED decisions about your healthcare. The internet is a valuable tool in providing necessary information to you. Take that information and discuss it with your doctor…then make the right decision on what you know! The health issues above, do need intervention….whether it be physical therapy, pain management (Pain clinic-pain blocks) safe medications or homeopathic care. Trust your doctor to do his best to help you…if you are not comfortable with your doctor, choose one that you do trust. Unfortunately, our problems with Cymbalta withdrawal are very disturbing and frightening, but do your best to find solutions the safe way and “this too shall pass”. Even as a health care professional, I did not have all of the answers for myself. I was scared too, but I became stronger and more knowledgeable because of the withdrawal issues. I feel like I just want to comfort and reassure everyone with this experiance. I can only offer my prayers and hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day. Hugs and prayers to you.

By: Patricia Rusnak, RN

Patricia Rusnak, RN — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:32:46 +0000

For 6 years I was taking Cymbalta 60 mgm. for migraines. Eventually, the drug became ineffective…at which time I decided to discontinue Cymbalta. I am an RN and I had no idea of the dangers of this drug. I trusted my physician, believing that the drug was safe. I tried, by myself , to discontinue Cymbalta this past summer. I tapered at the same rate that I would for other medications. This was not a good choice…I now know what psychosis feels like. This accompanied with severe flu like symptoms forced me to resume taking Cymbalta. Finally I worked up the courage to taper off the drug again. I did a very slow taper…taking 6 weeks to do so. First, I discarded one quarter of the 60 mgm. capsule, reducing the dose to 45 mgm…taking that 45 mgm for 2 weeks. On week 3, I discarded one half of the capsule , reducing the dose to 30 mgm for 2 weeks. On week 5, I discarded three fourths of the capsule, reducing the dose to 15 mgm. for 2 weeks. After 6 weeks I slowly tapered from 15mgm. to 0. Even at that slow taper rate, I still experienced some symptoms…dizziness, slight nausea, irrability, nightmares and racing thoughts and speech. These symptoms became controlled with Benadryl and Dramamine…bearable symptoms that lasted about 2 weeks. Now, I am Cymbalta free and I feel as though I have been reinvented!!! My advice to everyone is to never, ever, ever, ever try to discontinue using the “COLD TURKEY” or fast taper approach. The results can be quite serious. To further explain…the brain is the so called “coach” of the body, calling out all the right plays to the team (the systems of the body). The “coach” (brain) relies on the assistant coach (Cymbalta) for help to communicate to the players (body systems). If the assistant coach abruptly quits the team, the coach is in a panic, he sends chaotic plays to team and the team loses the game…not only that, the players sustain numerous injuies and they cannot play the game effectively for a long time. On the other hand, if the assistant coach (Cymbalta), gradually spends less time helping the coach, the coach becomes stronger and self sufficient… he is able to call out the plays to the team, the team plays great, and they win all of their games without injuries!!! This did not happen in one day or one week…it took time and the championship was worth it. Take time to win the game the safe way. It is not an endurance test or a race! Remember the goal, rely on friends and family for help, and if you believe…find peace and comfort in prayer. Above all…believe in yourself!!!

By: Ann Knox

Ann Knox — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:34:57 +0000

My husband was on lexapro. His dr. changed him to cymbalta. After about 3 weeks of taking it his legs and stomach began swelling. He stopped taking it and told his dr. The dr. was not concerned about it. Could the cymbalta have caused this?