Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck
Home » addiction recovery » Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms SuckMy Cymbalta dose is now down to zero and the withdrawal symptoms are brutal. I followed my doctors directions for slowly weening off Cymbalta…why are my Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms so severe?
In a previous post I had explained that I was slowly weening off Cymbalta with my doctor’s guidance. This started with me reducing my daily dose in half. I felt the effects of that in the form of Cymbalta withdrawal which included a weird buzzing in my brain that I have named brain shivers.
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Within a couple of days my body got used to this lower dose I was feeling back to my self again. That was a little over a month ago. The time was here for me to stop taking Cymbalta all together. Sure, I was a little nervous about the withdrawal symptoms but I decided to go along with the plan that my doctor and I had come up with which meant to stop taking Cymbalta.
Well…this time the Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms are far more severe than the last. Not only am I getting the brain shivers way more frequently throughout the day, I can tell that I am very short tempered and a little emotional. Since being emotional is not something I’m used to after being on antidepressants for over 2 years…it’s pretty upsetting to me. Of course it’s upsetting, everything is upsetting to me right now.
I had been reading a lot online about the withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta and it seems that all of the symptoms I am having are the normal ones that go along with this drug. I can’t tell you what a bummer it is to be going through withdrawal again. I thought that when I detoxed in rehab
it would absolutely be the last time in my life I ever had withdrawal symptoms from anything. I guess I was wrong.
In my online researching of Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms I saw several different places say that Benadryl helps to alleviate some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta. I was a little leary of trying this because I usually try to stay away from any over the counter medicine that causes drowsiness. This is due to the fact that I have been known to abuse these in the past. Pretty pathetic I know…but true none the less.
The day before yesterday I gave in and purchased some Benedryl. I can honestly say that I have not been abusing them at all. I have been taking one maybe two per day. Benedryl really did cut down on some of the uncomfortable feelings that I had due to the Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms.
I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Today I have not taken any Benedryl and I am not too bothered so far by any of the withdrawal symptoms that I have been over the past few days. Sure, I’m still noticing a brain shiver every once in a while but it is no where near the severity of the past few days.
In situations like this one, I start to realize just how far I have come on my road to recovery. This time last year I would have used these uncomfortable feelings as an excuse to abuse drugs. There is no doubt about it. Now? I was leary of even purchasing Benedryl because I know that I have tendencies to abuse drugs like that. It’s times like these that I really start to appreciate all of the hard work I’ve put into staying sober.
We’ve created a new site to continue the Cymbalta Withdrawal discussions here
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2,294 Responses to “Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck”
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June 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 am
Donna,
This is in response to your saying that Cymbalta seems to make you very sleepy. I seem to have the same problem, but my doctor told me that it wasn’t from Cymbalta and that I needed to eat more protein and run. That seems to be his response to every problem which I attribute to Cymbalta. I can’t say for sure that Cymbalta is causing this; but if I had to guess, I would say that it is. My doctor prescribed Cymbalta for my ADD. I can’t seem to find anyone else who is on it for that reason.
Anyway, I hope it helps to know that there is someone else who has the same problem.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
Wow, the lawyers should really read this!
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
Wow - this really opened my eyes. Cymbalta was making me completely wiped out so my doc said to take it at night. I keep missing doses because I forget at night and I get those “brain tremor” things. I didn’t know how to describe them because it was LIKE being dizzy but more tingly than spinning and VERY disorienting. And the emotional swings… geez. Yesterday I almost started bawling in a stire for no reason and held back at least till I got to my car. Reading this and some other withdrawal symptoms scares me, but is enlightening. I have to make sure I am more compliant, then again do I want to be???
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I have been off Cymbalta for 7 days now and had I known what I know now about the withdrawals I would have never taken this medication. I was on 60 mg then I went 30 mg for 2 weeks and 1 30 mg every other day for 2 weeks. After day 2 I was so sick I cried for no reason I have the “brain zaps” my stomach is so upset I am wearing sea sick wrist bands that are commonly used for sea sickness or morning sickness they seem to help a little also other intestional problems.
My doctor told me 2 days ago that I am in withdrawal “ya think” and wanted me to take the Cymbalta again for 3 days I week I told him there is NO WAY I will ever put one of these pills into my system again. He claims that this is very uncommon to withdraw for this long… I don’t know what to do I tried taking Benadryl but they make me too tired and I work all day so that is out of the question. How much longer will this go on for ? I will never take another medication like this without asking about possible withdrawl.
June 4th, 2009 at 5:45 am
I have just spent some time reading these blogs and I am shocked to know my symptoms are so similar! I heard the Cymbalta commercial last night mention severe muscle and joint aches and a bell rang. So I began reading this morning. I had read the phamplets associated with taking Cymbalta prior to getting on this medication. I had no idea all these side effects were in store for me. These are my symptoms:
Severe aching muscles and joints. I have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, but the intensity of pain in my feet (sides of anckles and heels) and chins has become unbearable almost so bad it is hard to walk. My back hurts, my joints ach, and muscles in general hurt all over. Exercising is near impossible because recovery time is just aweful! I have been taking Alieve like the end of time is coming and I wondered why I was in so much arthritic pain! Alieve seems to help. I have been so sleepy at work during the day I can barely function. I stay sleepy! I was thinking I needed to find a more exciting job! On Thursdays I would go home and go to bed at 4pm, and sleep till the next day trying to catch up. My head hurts and I get light flashes from time to time. I have been having migraines off and on more than normal… Excedrine helps them. I have noticed this happens if The med. is not taken at the exact time ever day. I have noticed my palms itching. I have dug and dug into them scratching them. I swear, I thought…
“Wow! That volleyball must have burned my palms. They sure are itching!” My vision is a little hazy from time to time. I find it hard to focus on my computer and the tv on and off. I always seem to gring my teeth, but I had noticed I lock my jaws because I woke up with them hurting. I twitch and twitch in my sleep. I feel like little pins are poking me sometimes and this is why I twitch. My boyfriend said It was not a normal twitch like I do in my sleep, and ask me to go see a doctor because he was worried it was so bad! My breathing is mildly odd. I feel a little pain from time to time and it’s difficult to get a deep breathe. I feel like i am smothering worse than normal. I have been diagnosed with asthma, but this condition has been very mild. I just thought this odd pain I have noticed while breathing was asthma related, but I had noticed it was flaring up more than normal. I have the electric shock feelings if I don’t take the dosage of Cymbalta at the same time every day.. very bad! It is jolts that make you feel like someone is touching your brain with electctricity. I have nervousness, and irritibility if I don’t take the dosage at the same time every day. Also, my memory has been very hazy. It seems to work great at times, then other times it is like I just can’t remember anything on the spot without thinking very hard about it. About 3 months ago, I wrecked my car in the Food City Parking lot. I just drove right into a yellow pole in the lot as if I had aimed for it… I had taken the Cymbalta about 2 hours before the accident. I guess I should not have been driving then as the phamplet warns about this however, I had been taking the Cymbalta a couple months prior to that accident with no apparent problems driving. I thought it would be in my system well by then. I remember feeling extremly fatigued and not being able to focus on what I was doing that evening of the wreck, and feeling unbelievably sleepy! And last but not least… I have gained weight.
I am planning on seeing my doctor and getting off this drug! I take the 20 mg pill once a day for depression. I started taking the medicine because I was a down over divorce and gen. life things… I believe I would rather feel depressed as to feel all these things I mentioned above!
June 5th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Cymbalta always made me sleepy (at 60mg per day), so much that I had to reduce to 30 mg. Now I’m weaning off Cymbalta after 4+ years and 40 lbs. later. Withdrawal is rough! I’m trying to stay sane for my kids, but all I want to do is sleep all day (again!). I’m just wondering when I will feel normal ~ it’s only been a week of weaning. I’m so sick today, I can hardly hold my head up without feeling the brain zaps and like I may pass out when the cold sweat comes on. When will this end?
June 5th, 2009 at 10:16 am
OK, so I’m determined to get off Cymbalta now that I’ve read all of what I just read and identified with so much of it. I’ve been on other antidepressants as well and have major withdrawal symptoms, but this is by far the worst. Swimming head, constant irritability, loss of balance and coordination. I’m going to do the following: Go to my doctor and get on prozac and off cymbalta. I’m on 60mg Cymbalta..so perhaps I’ll see what he says about going to 30mg and weening off cymbalta and weening on prozac. I am starting to take 2400 - 4800 mg of omega-3 through fish oil, a daily vitamin and extra vitamin b. Exercise everyday for an hour and drink at least 8 oz of water hourly!! In three months I will start weening from prozac. That’s the plan and I’m sure I will still have withdrawal symptoms. I think the other key is to remember praying, looking to God, scripture, meditation, prayer for help, guidance, support..ugh….
June 5th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Hi! I have been a cymbalta user for about a year and a half now. I recently have been trying to stop taking this pill because I am ready to get pregnant. I have read so many of your messages and have been going through the same things. My heart has gone out to everyone of you during this hard time because I have experienced everything that you all have stated.I went from 60mg, to 30mg everyday for 2 weeks then 30 mg every other day for two weeks. My last pill was last Tuesday. By Friday I was very dizzy, sick to my stomach,brain zaps, headache, crying uncontrolably, ect. I felt like a complete drug addict having a MAJOR withdrawal issue!! I do not have an addictive personality so all of this has been very different and unusual for me.I went back to my doctor Monday. LISTEN UP!!! He has put me on a pill called xyzal, I take one in the morning and 2 Benadryl before bedtime. He said that this is what they perscribe alcoholics having alcohol withdrawal. I am not completely cured but I would say about 90 percent. Monday night was not very good for me. I did not sleep much and had nervous leg syndrome, but since then I have been MUCH better. Iam suposed to do this for 2 weeks. Second week taking only 1 Benadryl at night. If there is anyway any of you can get your hands on these pills I am sure it would help greatly. I felt like I was at the end of my rope. Hopefully by week 2 I will be okay. This has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Although the withdrawal has been awful, I have to say that cymbalta did change my life while taking it. I guess you have to weigh out both sides of this drug. I wish everyone the best of luck and hang in there!!
June 6th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
THANK YOU !! Everyone for all of your comments.
I am slowly weaning off and it is day 27 and I think I only need to take 1 more 30 mg but have decided against it - since like everyone else has stated - the sooner this Poison is out of my system the better!
I felt like I am going crazy- had not idea these were normal symptons-Damn my Dr for not mentioning this
I have been on Wellbutrin and Lexapro and did not have any problem weaning off
but now I am- Tired -Crazy itchy Welts on my chest-
Dizzy - headaches-constant anxiousness-night sweats- Major Irritability and tingling in my hands.
The first week after I reduced my symptoms- I nearly left
my husband after we had a fight and he claimed I was over-reacting- Then he said that maybe I should stay on Cymbalta otherwise he would definitely leave me!
This is not fair that a medicine that is supposed to help can be some damaging- I think they did this on purpose so that you will stay on the drug forever and they will make lots of money off of us. I was only on this for anxiety and now I think I could have found a better way to deal with it - rather than taking this drug- by taking Pilates and having a glass of wine or 2 at night!! Good luck everyone- I did consider going back on this - but I remember how hard it was for my body to get used this drug and I don’t want to support such a terrible drug-If anyone decides to sue - let me know
Thanks again
June 8th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Wow….it is so reassuring to see that I’m not alone. When I bring up my symptoms, my doctor keeps telling me that they aren’t caused by the Cymbalta. So frustrating! Maybe it is time for a new doctor. I still have no idea why he prescribed this for my ADD. Has anyone else been prescribed Cymbalta for ADD?
June 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
hello well its been 1 month today that i stopped taking that crappy med the docs have no clue what they want to feed us i guess what ever we get from them we think will work i have never felt better inlong time after stopping shitbalta i still do have the brain shivers tho just not as bad or as often besides that nothing bad even no the brain thing isnt good tho but i did notice the benadryl really helped i think it was mostly me trieng to stay busy and not think so much about beieng sick couse i was sick bad but plp it does get better dont no about the brain shivers tho but like i said they dont come as often drink lots of water to flush yer system and vitamins i took dont no if works for all but did for me i have gained 24 pounds in a month wich for me that was very good i am now at 156 most i ever wieghed so i needed it i hope u all gett to feeling better and trust me there is a bright tunnel at the end of this detox hope all is well with yas im very glad i found this sight wen i first went off it i found it i thought i was going crazy wanting to die but reading what u plp write helped alot i am very thankfull to all will keep reading too bye for now and thanks again
June 8th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
8 weeks off this horror and can finally say that the brain zaps are gone except for here and there! I had gone off cold turkey because from all I had read, you go through the withdrawal symptoms no matter how much you wean. I have to say that my symptoms did not seem any worse than any of you that had weaned off…. but who knows.
The extreme aches and pains are mostly gone, the nausea is gone (that and the nightmares left after a couple of weeks as well as the itching), my words are coming back to me, sweating and headaches are better. I still do have blurriness, bad grinding of the teeth and the depression (which I’m working really hard at controlling, i.e., exercising [only gentle yoga and walking as anything else brings back the body pains], seeing friends, just letting myself have the damn crying spells and feeling better afterwards, continuing the omega-3’s, drinking alot of water and having that glass of wine at night).
New symptoms, though, are not being able to take a deep breath (thanks to one of you that mentioned that so I don’t feel freaked out about it) and the old anxiety coming back.
BUT I WILL, as we all will, get through and out of this. I like what Michele (2257) said - the Prozac idea sounds like a good one, hope it works - plus to meditate and pray. It REALLY works!!
Here’s hoping to feel normal and happy at any time soon.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Here I am up and reading your post on cymbalta…I lost my husband to cancer a year ago and was unable to cope with life and was put on this supposed wonder drug..at first I was put on the 30’s and one week later advanced to the 60’s. It seemed to help me or so I thought…but after about four months of this drug I started have strange symptoms and tried to explain them to my dr. He encouraged me to keep taking it so I did…I convinced him to put me back on the 30’s and he did…I was called away for a family emergency and forgot to take my cymbalta with me so I was without it for four days and I had a severe attach of what I thought was a heart attack…sweating, shortness of breath, ringing and buzzing in my ears, extreme headaches, shivering cold, unable to think straight, confussion, panic, anger, unable to concentrate, dizzy and unable to balance,and what I refered to as a electrical shortage to my brain….it felt like I was connected to a light socket that was being plugged and unplugged every few minutes…but it actually was so bad that my body would literally jerk…and I would get the tremors and shaking hands….I immediately got back on cymbalta and felt more normal for a while…I gained at leat twenty to thirty pounds with uncontrollable eating…since I could not talk my dr into weaning me off of it I went to giving myself doses only every other day….it didnt seem to help…it only gave me another gift and that was nightmares and vivid thoughts of suioide….isn’t that lovely….I have attached my family verbally for no justified reason and now I have been off of it for five days…(being sarcastic) I am now looking forward to the next two or three weeks of what is to come of me….I greave even harder now for the loss of my husband….I cry at the drop of a hat and will cuss anyone that looks at me….I am a mess….I don’t sleep peacefully at night but can crash in the middle of the day if I sit still….I pray a lot …to keep me from blowing my brains out….your posts have opened my eyes and made me feel like I am not alone in my quest to rid myself of this strange med that the drug reps are convincing our doctors into prescribing to all of us….good luck to all of you….and thank you for sharing your stories….
June 9th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thank you all so very much for sharing your withdrawal symptoms. As other have said, at least now I know I am not crazy. I began taking Cymbalta for anxiety and IBS. While it worked great for 2 years, just like with Lexapro, it stopped working after that. So, since I was only (?) taking 1 30-MG pill a day, my Dr. had me switch to 20MG for 2 weeks to wean myself off of it. It has now been 4 days since I have any medication and brain zaps are the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. I am exhausted and want to do nothing but sleep. However, when I go to bed, I can’t sleep due to the brain zaps, headaches, wooziness and nausea. I am hoping that these symptoms will begin to subside and am grateful for the hint about Benadryl. (the Benadryl also helps with the itching). I see my doctor next week for a physical and will be certain to let him know how difficult this has been and ensure that he never suggests this type of treatment again. Looks like I am stuck with Immodium for the IBS and exercise and meditation for anxiety.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 am
My husband stumbled across this Website on Sunday morning. Thank goodness for you all posting. I took myself off Cymbalta a week ago. I know that was stupid to do it all at once but was going through other medical things and just was so sick of taking meds. For a few days I thought I was going crazy. It wasn’t until Sun. am when I saw that the brain zaps were a withdrawal symptom. Those were sure hard to explain to anyone who didn’t understand. also had hot and cold sweats,anger, crying spells,flu like sysmpoms and feelings of going crazy. My anxiety was through the roof. I went to my P doc yesterday and she put me back on a low dose. 20 Milligrams of Cymbalta. This morning I woke up with no brain zaps. PTL! I still am fearful if i move my eyes they will come back but not yet. I feel a little more clear headed today. I hope I keep getting better. I really didn’t want to go back on Cymbalta but felt so scared and desperate. I will give it some time and see what I do next.
June 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Ok, everyone, im about to freak out after reading all of theese blogs. So far everyone has been taking between 30 and 60mg of Cymbalta and going thru very harsh withdrawls.. Guess what my Dr. started me on 30mg then went to 60mg a week later and now 1 year later i say that its not working for me and he took me up to 120mg everyday… I didnt take my Cymbalta for 3 days when i was on 60 mg and i couldnt function at all, my 8 year old had to help me do everthing.. Im now wanting to get off the Cymbalta but i am a single mom of 3 kids and working a full time job and my hours change, so i really need some good advice.. Iv also started taking a new medication for narcolepsy so please help and give me as much advice as you all can…. thank you all so much and i hope everyone feels better very soon… thanks again!!!!
June 10th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Wow. I am so grateful to find this forum! I have been on cymbalta for about a year and a half now, up to 120mg at one point in time, but over the past year or so I’ve been taking 60mg/day. I’ve noticed that if I missed a day or two I felt really “off” and kinda “crazy”, so I’ve tried not to miss any doses, until last week when I didn’t pick up my script on time…then I couldn’t get it over the weekend…then monday and tuesday passed…and now after reading these posts I don’t think I even want to start taking it again! I had been thinking of talking to my doctor about getting off of it soon anyway…
On the 2nd or 3rd day without taking any(last friday), I noticed that I was becoming extremely quick to anger with a very high intensity, like I wanted to go ballistic over things that normally wouldn’t phase me. (I don’t normally ever go ballistic, I am typically extremely even-tempered) I felt kinda strange sat and sun, but monday is when I think the withdrawl really hit me emotionally…which would be day 5 or 6 off the drug cold turkey. I was a depressed-crying mess all day, and was hearing myself scream in my head, if that makes sense… had to take a xanax and a nap to reset myself. That seemed to help a bit. I have also been having trouble sleeping the past 2 or 3 nights. Sometimes my brain just feels like “ablubluhbluh!!!”, like I want to shake my head violently and scream or something…is that what the “brain zaps” are? Come to think of it, I have vomited randomly a few times in the past few days…
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether I’m in for worse withdrawl symptoms coming on in the next few days? It seems like whether you ween off or not, everyone is relating to having the same basic slew of terrible withdrawl symptoms…Is there anyone that has gone off cymbalta without any major/long term difficulty? It’s kinda scary to think it’s gonna get worse before my brain recalibrates…but I definitely feel it’s worth it. Thank you for any replies!
June 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I thought I was all alone in this horrible state of withdrawl. My head hurts. I feel dizzy. I am so irritable and emotional. I just begin to cry over everything. I am so temped to see a lawyer and show him all of these claims about the most horrible medication I have ever had to take. I also have MS. I think this has also made my symptoms a lot worse. I wish you all the best in your journey of recovery.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I’m getting off these things! Two years ago I started taking anti-deps. Began with Effexor and Wellbutrin and eventually moved to Cymbalta. Sure, my mood was stabilized and the emotional dips and peaks were controlled but what came with it was a lack of excitement in ANYTHING! If you’re emotions are controlled than how can you get emotionally excited about anything? I didn’t and that included not only my career but sex too. It’s not worth it.
So, I weaned off over a two week period, going from 40mg to 20mg, then 20mg every other day. Basically all withdrawals are going to hit you no matter what, so hate to say it, but suck it up. It’s no fun, but just think how great it will be to feel natural again. I’m looking forward to it and this battle to get there will only make me stronger.
As for my withdrawal symptoms: Brain zaps, itchy rashy skin, slight headaches, overall numbness and tingling, nausea. I also notice they get worse by end of day. Omega 3, and a little alcohol at end of day helped. Mostly, just the desire to feel like my old self again is probably the best motivation to get me through this.
I hope you all get through it and enjoy life again. The pharmacy should stay out of it.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I only took cymbalta for 3 weeks and I stopped them for a week - i didn’t know I was suppose to call my doc for refills - and I had all the side effects that everyone mentioned here - HORRIBLE!. I have never been depressed. i went to my doctor because by spine was hurting and a few joints. I told her I am a waitress and I carry heavy trays of plates+food and that is why it hurts. she put me on cymbalta for fibromyalgia. from what I read about these disease, I am far from heaving it. lifting heavy trays is truly a reason for my back pains - my muscles are in very good shape.
yesterday I went back to my doc and she told me I have to keep the treatment for 3 to 6 months, and she gave me more cymbalta and increased the dosage. I have to mention that I hate taking drugs: i always get side effects from them and I avoid them as much as possible.
So, thank you everyone for writing here, you helped me decide that i am not going to do this. what if I will get depressed after I stop taking them? Will I have to take antidepressants for the rest of my life?!
I am wondering if doctors get something for giving this stuff to everybody…
June 14th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I am so glad I came to this site and read these testimonies. I was put on Cymbalta a year ago and was at 120mg for almost 6 months until I realized that it caused a rash to cover my face. So we started the decline and in a month I am down to 30 every 3rd day. I cant see straight, think straight and I am EXTREMELY dizzy when I am doing things. I take meclizine (?) for motion sickness. I have a constant headache and I am majorly depressed. I was put on the meds initially to help with the depressive side of bipolar 1 mixed disorder. My therapist has taken me off of it, and I feel like the world is falling apart. I cry for no reason. Everything tears me up. I dont know what to do. All I want to do is sleep. Im tired of feeling sick (relieved to know it isnt morning sickness though.) Guess I’ll just keep plugging away day by day and hope it goes away!!
June 15th, 2009 at 6:09 am
It is now 2 weeks since being off of this horrible drug and I still feel sick. I take benadryl and a meclizine everyday just to try and make it through the day. I just feel so tired after taking them. The brain zaps and dizziness are enough to make me vomit. I lost my husband 2 years ago and I am just now having to cope with that. My twins don’t know whats wrong with me (they are 3) and constantly ask whats going on. I also have MS which this is totally not helping. As I have said before I am so tempted to see a lawyer just to have this drug taken off of the market. I wish you all the best and just know you are not alone.
June 15th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I took Cymbalta for 3 weeks. I was given Cymbalta for pain, numbness, pins and needles in my feet due to MS. I started with 30mg for the first week and 60mg for the next two weeks. My doctor said it was ok to stop and not be weened off the drug. I felt ok for the first couple days, but then started to feel nausea, have night sweats and crying fits. Today on my way home I actually thought of running my car into a semi. I cannot stop biting my finger to cause myself pain. I was shot 4 times as a teenager and that was less tramatic than the side effects of this drug. I hope and pray that someone does something to get this off the market ASAP! After reading all the comments, I am torn as to call my doctor for a lower dosage or to just deal with by the Grace of God. The irony to all of this is it didn’t even work for my MS problems. I pray we all feel better soon!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
If I every recover from this Cymbalta, I will NEVER take another anti deprssant as long as I live!!!!!!!1 These brain zaps are maddening. It’s been approximately two weeks since I quit cold turkey an I WILL NOT try reduced dosages, I am just going to tough it out. I blame my doctor for prescribing me this med and not telling me about the horrible side effects!!!
June 15th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I have been takeing cymbalta for about 2 years for Fibromyalgia depression and anxiety. I decided about 7 days ago to quit cold turkey. I was supposed to be takeing 120mg’s but I was only takeing 90mg, cut down to 60mg for a couple of days and then quit. I didn’t realize the withdrawls would be like this. I have been going through sweats, very tired all my joints are in pain and very irritable and cry so easily, this is awfull. I also gained 30pds since on this drug and have no sex drive what a nightmare. I hope it gets better and glad someone started this great idea so you don’t feel alone. Can’t wait to feel normal again.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:41 am
I posted a comment yesterday, but it didn’t make the website. What a shame!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I see I’m not alone…I’ve been taking various anti-depressants for 5-6 years. Started with Respedal(?) Wellbutrin,and ended up on Cymbalta. It seemed not to do much to help anxietieor keep the brain calm,but it did help with muscular pain.And that pretty well sums it for all the help it gave. So,2 weeks ago my wife said “that’s enough crap for a while” so I started my own slow reduction. Trouble was,I was up to 90 mgs a day and came off too fast. Let me tell you what dizzy,vomitty,anxious and tempermental are all about. It was hell,so much so that when I informed my pharmacist,she told me I was stupid for doing that (reducing) on my own without supervision. She quickly pulled my file and immediately got me back on at 30mgs until I can see my own MD. After I took 1,and laid down for 2 hrs,it was much,much better.I will still see my MD to stop this junk,but at a recommended schedule. So,even if you think it’s wise to get off this stuff,NOTIFY your DOC and do it VERY gradual. Thanks for your time and attention. From Montreal,Canada
June 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for giving me some ideas about how to withdraw from Cymbalta 60mg. I hadn’t found it doing me any good, even after taking it for about 2 years. The side-effects drove me to several doctors, and even they didn’t connect the dots… that they were from the Cymbalta. I cut down to 30 mg 2 days ago and plan to continue for two weeks, then cut to 30 mg every other day for the next 2 weeks. Wish me luck!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Today is day 3 i have been off Cymbalta, thank God I found this site because I seriously thought I was going to die..I ran out on Saturday night and by Monday i was in a full blown “dope sick” state..I can’t believe that Dr’s think this trade off is the best answer for depression..I now wonder what the stats are for suicide on this medicine.. I have never been so sick in my life.. the brain zaps for me are the worse .. I loose sight for about 3 seconds each time, when I turn my head I want to throw up. But this site has given me hope..and I will do as I did in the past..Take one day at a time ..thank you all so much for sharing your stories with the world you all are great people…good luck and god bless
June 17th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I have suffered from depression for about 6 years now and have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for the last 2 1/2 years. I have started seeing a new doctor who was concerned about my depression not improving, and she weaned me off of the drug—I took 30 mg a day for 7 days then was off. She also started wellbutrin on day 4 of my Cymbalta weaning. Starting two days ago (a few days after my last Cymbalta) I honestly thought I was going bat-shit crazy. I googled this site and am so freakin glad I’m not the only one. I’ve had the occasional brain shivers, some cold sweats, have been anxious (with one panic attack), have cried for no reason, am overreacting to things, mood swings like a bitch, my vision is blurry at times, and I can’t sleep worth a damn. I’ve been taking benadryl, and, sadly, have been drinking wine in the evening to help “turn my brain off” in hopes of sleeping. The doc has given me Xanax prn, but the Cymbalta withdrawals are brutal. I’m go glad to read that I’m not alone. She says that Wellbutrin is a much better drug, and she also wants to change my birth control pills with my next cycle (I’m on progesterone only) to introduce more estrogen into my system. God help me.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I forgot to mention that I noticed a coincidence: about 3 months after starting the Cymbalta, I lost interest in so many things: I didn’t want to do housework, I didn’t want to care for my son (who was a year old at the time), and I started calling off of work alot. My moods were more stable, yes, but I didn’t want to do ANYTHING. Don’t even ask about sex or intimacy with my husband; my interest in that nearly died too. Everyone’s posts have bolstered my spirits knowing that I’m not alone, I’m not crazy, and this too will (hopefully!) pass. I’m actually an RN and can’t believe a drug like this is causing such problems for people. I had no idea until I weaned myself off.
June 18th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I honest to god think this medication should be taken off the market! I have never EVER been so sick in my entire life! The benedryl does help but it sure don’t take away this nausea and dizziness at all. I haven’t slept since I have stopped taken this medication which was almost two weeks ago. I used to take it at night and slept like a log but now I am lucky I sleep at all. I am not sure what this motion sickness stuff you are all talking about it but I am definately gonna stop by the store and buy some on my way home. So tired of feeling so dizzy. And the brain zaps are unbearable at times. Does anyone know how long all these symptoms last?? I mean there has got to be an end in sight somewhere! Can this honestly last forever???? This site is amazing and has totally made me realize I am not going crazy and losing my mind…even though I feel like I am! I really wish someone would have warned me about this before I started taking it but of course what kind of doctor would do that! Honestly though I really think something needs to be done about this drug! Coming off Cymbalta is no way to live.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I want to make a second attempt at getting off this horrible medicine. I need some help as the first time tapering off I had all of these extreme withdrawal symptoms plus, shakes, shivers so I as forced to go back on. I’ve been on 60mgs for a few years, but the sweats, chills, and facial flushes are more than I can deal with. Do you have any positive ways I should begin?
Thanks,
Ellen C
June 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am
hey guys, I thank everyone for their posts especially for the new term I have begun to use “brain Zaps”. I didnt know how to characterixze them before this.
Anyway, I have never been one to like to take meds (even tylenol). after telling my doc on four separate occasions that due to changes which have made life more stable, I am certain I would like to begin weaning off of 60 mg cymbalta, and being ignored. I decided to stop cold turkeyfour days ago. Brain zaps are pretty bad as well as dizziness after four days, but it really makes a difference when you know what to expect. I’ve also had crazy and I mean crazy dreams that focus on things like crashing into mailboxes and other inconveniences that actaully make me feel like life is even better when i wake up. not sure if anyone else has had the experience with docs being persistent about pushing this stuff, but that was one of y main concerns. I’m early in the withdrawal process but I’ll continue to post. good luck to everyone:)
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:33 am
To all you saying that cymbalta makes you sleepy…
I started taking 60mg of cymbalta in September of 2008 and am now trying to wean off of it. Around February I started noticing I never had any energy. I would sneak away during work and find a place to nap.
I eventually agreed to a sleep study to be done by the neurologist that put me on cymbalta for nerve pain. It turns out I have sever sleep apnea. Meaning at time I stop breathing… in my case it was 51 times per hour. I was never getting into a deep REM sleep. The exhaustion has taken its toll.
The neurologist is convinced I have had sleep apnea all my life… but until I was on cymbalta I never snored. Something my whole family notices now.
For the time being I now wear a positive pressure device (CPAP) to counter the sleep apnea. Maybe it was coincidence that the apnea got severe the same time my body adjusted to cymbalta. I intend to to more studies once I am off cymbalta.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Thank you for the website and to everyone for your posts. I just finished seeing my doctor who basically pooh-poohed my withdrawl symptoms. I have been taking Cymbalta since January for Fybromyalgia. I decided two weeks ago to come off of it because of the migraines, bloated, painful stomach, and because I started getting really dark thoughts around the time of my period. I thought it might be the Cymbalta because all of this started when I started the medication. Two weeks ago, I stopped taking this stuff. I got the brain zaps, nausea, vivid nightmares, night sweats, anxiety that many of you have described. My doctor tells me this could not happen in two days, that the drug takes a month to leave your system. Well, after the second day I could not take it anymore and dumped half a pill. I am now down to 1/4 pill everyday and looking forward to stopping completely. My doc tells me that I should not dump parts of the pill out–too late. I am going to start using Benadryl at night to help me sleep, like so many of you have suggested. It is all very discouraging because the stuff actually did help my pain. I am now leery about taking anything else (ie. Lyrica, other anti-depressants, etc.) because of the side effects and withdrawl symptoms, but mostly because the drug companies and doctors don’t know what their doing. I have been reading Pain Recovery by Mel Pohl and have found it to be helpful. Any other suggestions/resources would be appreciated. Thank you for your posts…I will pray for all of you.
June 27th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I just want to thank all of you for your posts. It has been so reassuring to see that all of my symptoms have not just been my imagination, but in fact, most likely due to Cymbalta. Since my doctor also blew off my concerns, as some of your doctors also seemed to have done–and actually, put me on what I think is the max dose of the stuff in response to my complaints that I felt tired–I decided that enough is enough and I have been in the process of weaning off of Cymbalta.
I have been doing this for about two weeks now. After reading what many of you wrote, and talking to a friend who had been on Cymbalta, I decided to start out doing 120 mg for one day, and then 60 mg for three days, and then 120 mg one day, and 60 mg three days. Then, I skipped one day, and went back to 60 mg, and am now on the second day. I’ll do another 60 mg tomorrow, and then try to skip again. I am also in the process of searching for a new doctor, and I hope that I can get 30 mg capsules. Otherwise, I might try to do two days in a row off, then two on, or alternate one on one off.
I have had brain zaps–but I got them on the medication, too. They seems worse at times now, but not unbearable. I am kind of emotional at times. I find it hard to sleep and my ADD symptoms now are worse. They seemed to be somewhat dulled while on this medication. But it wasn’t worth it. I hope that I will be able to take off some of the 30 pounds I gained while on this horrible medication. Since I get moments of nausea now, I think that will actually help. The worst for me was driving yesterday. I had a 6 hour car trip and I had already been somewhat sleep deprived, but I was getting brain zaps and they seemed worse due to lack of sleep.
Anyway, I wish you all luck and I will keep you posted as to how this goes. If I can’t get the 30 mg capsules, I might try doing what some of you have done and buy the gelatin capsules from the drugstore and try dividing them up.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi everyone! I cannot thank you all enough for your comments. I have posted a few times on here. Recently, I decided to try weaning off of Cymbalta. My doctor continued to tell me that the symptoms I was experiencing had nothing to do with Cymbalta, but I just knew that something was wrong. My doctor said it was just “aging.” I am 34. I thought it odd that since turning 33 I would get all of these weird symptoms popping up.
Anyway, I recently wrote that my withdrawal symptoms weren’t too bad. But today, I woke up feeling like absolute CRAP. If I move around too much, I start to feel nauseous. The dizziness and blurred vision are worse than ever. I am glad I don’t have much of an appetite, I guess, since I gained so much weight on Cymbalta. (Of course my doctor said that was impossible–that Cymbalta had nothing to do with it. For a while, I was running three miles, extremely careful about what I ate, and did aerobic exercise, but STILL couldn’t lose the weight….my doctor said it was my aging metabolism. Whatever. And you know, if you’ve been in this horrible Cymbalta state of mind where you feel so tired and sluggish, just how hard it is to motivate yourself to exercise.)
Anyway, I knew I had read something on here about Benedryl for withdrawal symptoms, so I came back today to search through and see whether it would help with the symptoms I am experiencing. I also read that Dramamine could help. So I am going to give that a shot.
I started weaning with 120 one day, 60 for 3 days. I did that pattern again and then forgot to take a dose one day while on vacation, so I thought that I’d try just taking 60 for the next three days and then skipping and doing this for a while. I had my skipped dose yesterday, and took a 60 today when I finally got up after a night of crazy, extremely realistic dreams. I think I got up this morning to let my dog out, but I don’t remember it. But he was out when I got up.
I have so much I need to get done today, but moving around makes me feel so sick. I guess I’m going to try to sit down and knit for a while. If the shaking isn’t too bad and it doesn’t make me sick to try to focus on the stitches.
Wow, this sucks. But it’s still better to be coming back to the real world after months of being in the Cymbalta fog.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I am on 20 mg./day, down from 60. No symptoms. I say that, but I have a question. Do you think taking this drug might be the cause of my making really bad decisions? I got a divorce and am on my own, but I swear, I can’t make a decent decision to save my life. Money, work, etc. Every decision I make seems to return to bite me in the butt somehow. I’m 56, so I thought I was capable, but apparently not. I just feel so inadequate as a human. I’m not dumb, but when decision time comes, I get all nervous and just can’t decide. Then, when I do decide, it’s wrong.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Hi Nancy,
I don’t know for sure if the medication causes poor decision-making; but I know that for me, it did seem to fog up my brain and I just didn’t feel like myself. I have a friend who is on it, and she doesn’t seem to be thinking very clearly, either, and seems to have made some bad decisions.
You are not inadequate! Just know that this medication can cloud your decisions, and it is possible that you just aren’t “you,” you know?
June 30th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Been off everything including cymbalta for 6 weeks now after going cold turkey. I still cannot make a decision to save me life. I am still dealing with vomiting, diarhea and “brain buzzes”. I am slowly getting stronger a little each day. After 2 1/2 years of this crap and 7 other prescription medications, I was weak and frail and lived in a zombie state of brain fog. I am getting my balance back. My vision is still impaired. In thinking of Michael Jackson….that could have been me or anyone of us. Work comp and their dr’s are drug pushers and noone listens to you. For over a year i begged every Dr. I saw to get me off of all the meds they were prescribing. When i said i was done, they dropped me like hot potato, no rehab no detox….thank God I lived through it. I am a divorce mum of 4 all still at home, unemployed, still hurting and still dealing with my aftermath of withdrawal. Will be homeless and vehicleless soon….bankrupt, financially, emotionally, mentally and physically thanks to a 3 year ordeal with work comp. Over medicated, misdiagnosed and screwed. I am soooooooooooo thankful to God, my kids and myself, for getting off this horrible “medicine” along with all thee others!
June 30th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
This is to DENISE, REALLY LISTEN UP!! I have beat all this. You need to get to your doctor immediately or call them and have them call you in some xyzal. I took 1 xyzal pill every morning for a week and 2 benadryl at night, then the second week 1 xyzal in the morning and 1 benadryl at night. WORKED WONDERS!! Thought I was going to die before this little remedy!! Seriously it works. I had all the crazy withdrawal signs and this worked like a charm. Try it, let us know!!
June 30th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Thanks, Kelly! I will try to call my doctor and see if he’ll prescribe that for me. I’m in the process of switching doctors, since he is retiring and I was going to anyway, because he wouldn’t let me go off Cymbalta. But I don’t think I can do another day like today. I just hope he’ll prescribe Xyzal since he seems to think that Cymbalta is some wonder-drug. lol
July 1st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Denise- Now I took the xyzal for the withdrawals, I believe you are tring to come off of it, correct? I was on 60mg then 30mg, and i just could not shake it without the xyzal. It worked miracles. I don’t know how, it is like an allergy pill of some sort, but REALLY worked. Keep me posted if you get it. I would get wherever I needed to get it!!!