Last Post On Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms « What Winners Do

Last Post On Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms

Posted on April 5, 2010

Over the past couple of months I have been posting some articles dealing with my own experience of weening of Cymbalta and what Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms I have had. This will be the last Cymbalta related post...I swear.

I can say that this will be the last article with certainty because my Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms have finally ceased. Wow...that really sucked. The first post that I had made about experiencing Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms was on June 27th, I had stopped the Cymbalta all together a few days prior to my post. It seems like it was much longer ago to me.

I think what got me through this weening off of Cymbalta successfully (by successfully I mean not using this as an excuse to abuse drugs) was the fact that I was very open and honest with my family about what I was going through.

In the old days when I was actively abusing drugs I would have seen the Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms as a perfect excuse to self medicate with drugs and alcohol. I wouldn't have discussed this at all with my family, I would have just "taken care of it" on my own. Situations like this one show me how far I've come in transforming my addictive thinking into rational thought.

Instead of isolating, putting on a smile and keeping my pain to myself I made it very clear to my family what I was going through. I explained that the Cymbalta withdrawal was causing me to have a zapping sensation in my brain, flu like symptoms and was making me feel irritable, emotional and short tempered. (I didn't really have to tell them about the last few, they kind of figured that out on their own)

It is amazing how much better a situation can be dealt with once you let people help you and give you support. I wonder now what ever gave me the impression that I shouldn't share my problems with people. Did I think I was stronger if I just suffered in silence? Would I be thought of as a weak person? I guess it just goes hand in hand with addictive thinking.

It was way back in April that I had first gotten the idea that Cymbalta wasn't working for me. Then in May I had begun my slow weening off of Cymbalta with my doctor's supervision. Finally, here we are in July and I am happy to announce that this ordeal is finally behind me.

It feels good to have set a goal, worked towards completing it, and then finally have successfully reached it. On to the next one.

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The Discovering Alcoholic
July 3rd, 2007 - 16:09

Congratulations Erin! Recovery isn’t so much about attaining every goal as it is honestly trying… but then again it is amazing how strong we can be when we honestly set our mind on success.

Independence Day is an apt holiday for you tomorrow!

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Annie
September 21st, 2009 - 17:52

HI. I am on day 5 of having no cymbalta and I am having a rough go of it. I keep on trying to think of what i could imbibe/eat that could take away the suffering. I keep crying and crying and feel dizzy with the static sensations and irritable and clumsy and sad and angry again and again. Is there anything to help? I have multi-vitamins and odwalla monster B., and flora-essence and a very patient husband. I am helpless right now and need help. I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow. I am considering going on Prozac 5 mg. for 5 days. I’ve heard that helps a lot with these fracking nonsense. urgh. i am so pissed

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- Odie
  September 22nd, 2009 - 06:01
  
  Annie
  
  Not to fast there. And don’t trade one mind killer for another. There is a tapering method that has become very effective in withdrawing from Cymbalta. http://www.catherinefightsback.com/Home_Page.php
  
  Or just go to odiewan.com and follow the link.
  
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Rodney
September 26th, 2009 - 18:39

I started tapering off from 60mg about 3 weeks ago…started taking 60 mg every other day then went to 30mg every other day and finally stopped taking it all together about 9 days ago….Still having rough time…Brain zaps nausea sweats hot flashes dizziness and now i have been having horrific pain down my leg(i’ve had back surgery twice for L4 L5 root nerve problems) the DR. prescribed this for me to help with depression and to help with the nerve pain i was having…It helped with the nerve pain but gave me more problems with the depression i was at a point where i never wanted to get out of bed and when i did get out and force myself to do something i felt wore out the whole time. Now that i have completely stopped taking it the worse thing i am dealing with is the horrific pain running down my back through my left leg all the way to my foot….Wondering 2 things…. 1) how long does the withdrawals last on average 2) has anyone else experienced the pain i am describing. Thanks for the info and good luck to anyone trying to KICK this crack like evil drug.

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Karen
October 2nd, 2009 - 09:41

My experience with antidepressants

I have tried the entire gamut of antidepressants during a 5 year period. Due to the older products causing extreme excitability, I was put on Effexor-which caused a lack of libido and was very difficult to wean off the medication. Wellbutrin ,after a year, caused liver enzymes to soar resulting in much pain in all the joints of my body. Then the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE-CYMBALTA!!!
I started Cymbalta approximately a year ago. I was never informed about what would eventully occur. About 9 months into therapy-liver enzymes began to rise. Although there was little if any swelling in the joints-I walked painfully with a limp. I went to emerg and walk in clinic with the pain. Finally after reaching my shrink who does the meds, she advised me to start the weaning process. I stopped taking Cymbalta Sept 10/2009 and severe withdrawal symptoms started Sept 15. I had been on 2x 60mg and stepped down to 60 mg, and then nothing. I know the weaning process could have been more drawn out but I was intent to get this drug out of my system-esp because of liver toxicity.
I will mention that with Effexor, I tried to withdraw on several occassions. To me it made no difference whether you go to half, then a quarter, then an eigth-this did involve breaking the Effexor capsule and actually counting the granules. I think I even took 5 granules at the end-Again I experienced the same horrible withdrawal effect even if the last dose was incredibly tiny and seemed that the brain was so dependent on any small amount.
Back to Cymbalta-I reduced my dosage form 2×60 to 1×60 on Sept 1-under the doctors advice and then on Sept 10, I completely went cold turkey.
The side effects started Sept 15 and were very severe
-horrible brain zaps. I discribe this having extreme pain/dizziness ever time I moved my eyelids a small amount. I had severe vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea until Sept 30. I was not able to drive for 2 weeks due to this shaking of the brain (brain zaps). I started driving again for my job on Oct 1 but still feel these zaps ; although minor-they still exist. While I was going through this, I contacted many addiction/mental health organizations. I asked the question: How long does it take to pass through these horrible withdrawal effects-I COULD GET NO ANSWER. A sympathetic pysch nurse said that Cymbalta is a relatively new drug and have not had the experience of withdrawal. My doctor had 2 patients on it and no one had discontinued meds.
I think that this info must get out to doctors and that potential patients be made aware of the SEVERE WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS. I hope that other people do not have to go through what I had to endure.

Karen

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Lee
October 25th, 2009 - 23:36

Hi, not so sure I am experiencing withdrawl side effects from cymbalta or if it is something else. I unfortunatley stoppd taking it cold turkey due to a terrible doctor (answering cell phone and texting during my visits!! Plus one of his receptionists is a tota B***H!!!) Had a hard time getting in to see a new doc in my area. finally have an appointment this tues. whoo- hoo! I did stop taking it about a month ago and 8 days ago became unable to basiclly function at all due to severe headache which remains to this date. Can’t sleep have diarhea, and pretty emotional. My husband has always called me cold hearted as a joke because i am not very emotional but find myself crying because of the severe pain in my head. I have also become claustraphobic!! need an mri due to other issue and could not do it! have a bulging disc in neck and they need to check my brain for something!!?? so will try again on tues with the help of some meds to calm me. so I am not sure what to do. feel like I want to drill holes in my head to relievee the pressure!

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- help me
  November 17th, 2009 - 20:54
  
  i have afew of your symtoms diaarhea head ach dizzy wave shocks in brain cant think stright and remembering thing scince trying to come off i dont know what to do !!! but i cant keep taking it becuse it dosent help mch anymore
  
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Elizabeth
October 26th, 2009 - 16:27

A web site you all may want to go to to see side effects is http://www.psychdrugtruth.com/cymbalta. It lists tons of them.

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help me
November 17th, 2009 - 20:49

i am on 60 mg cymbalta and want to come off so badly 3 dys into stoping i get the buzzing in the brain and nausa feeling dizzy. oh my god !!! ifly for alivig so i cant just stop right now , but i think i wil take some time off and do this i wonder if heir is a clinic that can help

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The biggest fucked patient in the us
November 18th, 2009 - 00:10

I don’t believe there is any help from the pharmacudical companies..and the doctors are just as stupid. I wish I would have just committed suicide and never taken the drug!!!!!! Oh, and the reason I am off of it right now is that it costs 175 per month and I live in the US and cannot find work..so, there you have it. Thanks Wall STreet!

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- Duncan Inglis
  December 19th, 2009 - 18:41
  
  Hi, i’m going through withdrawal symptoms right now as a result of coming off cymbalta. It was prescribed months ago for neurological pain. It was ineffective for the pain and made me even more tired. Two weeke after coming off this drug, I’m getting wooshing in my head and almost passing out, My emotions are all over the place and my pain is now untreated!
  
  Anyway, i just wanted to say, don’t give up, live from day to day and make sure that you put a smile on someones face each day. Set goals and get some enjoyment from your life even if this means that you suffer fron this for a short period.
  
  The drugs i’ve tried for my neurological pain are as follows.
  Gabapentine …. not very effective but no side effects!
  Amatryptaline …. ditto … but these maywork for you.
  Duloxatine “Cymbalta…. Innefective and horrendous side effects.
  
  My neurologist has now told me he cannot treat my pain.
  
  MS Revive have suggested modafinin may be useful for treating my fatigue and i’m also trying Hyperbaric oxygen therapy .
  
  Just look as any pleasure you get out of your day as a bonus….suicide may stop your pain but think of your family and friends. My thoughts are with you.
  Regards Duncan
  
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Elizabeth
November 18th, 2009 - 12:40

Please don’t give up!

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Tony
January 17th, 2010 - 23:43

thank you so much for you’re posts. I stopped Cymbalta cold turkey..not by choice..MCLA in Los Angeles is a horrible place and they keep you dependent on them..then when you need a refill script they don’t get back to you and/or don’t send the info to you’re pharmacy,all while harassing you for more $$$. Anyway the brain zaps have had me really worried, but I see I am not alone, and that I am not loosing my mind

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SPresto
February 20th, 2010 - 06:16

I have decided tonite that I want to go off Cymbalta and found this website….I am now really frightened to go off from the medication….can someone please explain to me what the “brain zaps” feel like or how often they happen? What are other symptoms? I know that if I miss a day and a half I feel very jittery, I can only imagine what a couple of days would feel like. What do I need to know to get off from this? I am on 60m right now…any suggestions?

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- ORI
  February 20th, 2010 - 10:18
  
  Open the Capsules and remove pellets. I have been totally off the poison for over 3 months and it was well worth it. http://www.catherinefightsback.com/Home_Page.php is a good source for the method.
  
  I personally started with 7 pellets remove daily for the first month and then 6 then 5 and then 4. Was taking 60mg for over 2 years. Using this scale the probability of brain zaps is much lower. As to a definition of the zaps, to me it was the same sensation as right as your falling asleep suddenly waking up. I’ve had some experience with Paxil in the past and knew what they were.
  
  Good luck
  
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- tony
  February 20th, 2010 - 10:33
  
  What you really need to do first is talk to a TRUST WORTHY doctor about coming off the medication. Don’t be so frightened of the brain zaps. They just feel(for a lack of a better word)…weird. Like some sort of an electrical short in your head. Each zap will only last about half a second. Also, when you move your eyes you might feel and hear a (swooshing) type of sensation. Trust me,this sounds worse than it actually is. These side affects lasted two weeks for me then diminished very quickly. Once I accepted it and stopped resisting it, they became tolerable…annoying, but tolerable.
  
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ORI
February 20th, 2010 - 21:19

Yeah Find a trustworthy doctor or the winning lottery ticket whichever comes first. Doctors have no clue as how to accomplish the break away. That doesn’t figure into their percentage. The zaps are actually very serious and are a symptom of SOS. Serotonin Overload syndrome. This is a physical problem and needs to be taken into account. There is only one method to stop taking this drug. Slowly use a sliding progressive scale to match the titration rate at which your body metabolizes it. Start with extracting 7 pellets a day progressively. There are approximately 600 pellets in a 60mg capsule. When the zaps start you WILL KNOW. at that point back down a notch.

Good luck

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