Cymbalta Online Petition: Make Cymbalta Withdrawl Symptoms Known
I just wanted to give a quick thanks to those of you that have already signed the online Cymbalta petition that I created. I have just reached a second page of signatures (it's only 52 people but a 2nd page none the less).
For those of you that are not aware, I have started an online petition regarding Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms which will be forwarded to Eli Lilly. They are the pharmaceutical company that makes Cymbalta.
The purpose of this petition is to ask Eli Lilly to make the potential Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms public knowledge so that patients can make an informed decision about whether or not to start Cymbalta.
There is also some text in the online Cymbalta petition asking Eli Lilly to make sure that physicians are told by the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical reps what the potential Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms may be and the best way to taper someone off of the drug.
So for anyone out there that has not signed the online Cymbalta petition I would greatly appreciate if you do.
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September 21st, 2007 - 06:57
HELP…this drug is poison!
September 28th, 2007 - 23:38
Going off of this medication the “directed way” has been the hardest thing physically and mentally that I have EVER been thru in my entire life. I’m on my 9th day after “tapering off” and still am in a pit of darkness. If I did have my Jesus, I would have been found in the gutter face down on day 4. I agree, the drup is poisen. I have written to my Dr to make him understand what Cymbalata withdrawal does to us…..I hope that he will take my words to heart. If I can help the Doc to not put one person on this, it will have been worth the hurt.
December 31st, 2009 - 09:35
Oh god Im going crazy I was going blind from this drug cymbalta. I am now having night terrors, I see things that aren’t there, Im very violent, Im rude to everyone I feel like I have been abducted and some evil person has entered me. I can’t stop crying, Im in terrible pain in my body everywhere. I can’t get enough sleep. I feel like iv’e been poisoned rapid heart rate throat closing up. I have no idea what Im going to do Im scared Im going to lose my family because Im now crazy. I was put on this med because my son died and it has made me a lunatic now.
January 17th, 2010 - 07:59
Finally I am off cymbalta wow I would rather face the reality of my sons death then to ever take anything that drove me crazy like cymbalta. It took me since Oct. till Jan. to finally not have anymore withdrawl. I am a little more sensitive but I guess if everything was wonderful after losing my 23 years son 1 year ago I would be crazy. I will never let any DR give me another antidepressant again. I can actually think again and yes I can remember. Thanks for everyone who gave me there advice because I almost stayed on cymbalta for good.
February 6th, 2008 - 15:20
I was taking Cymbalta for 2-3 years, can’t remember but it was a long time, and I was reading all of this information because i wanted to get off of it. I was originally taking Lexapro but didn’t feel it was working. Well, I asked my dr how to go about getting off of Cymbalta and he said to start taking 30mg for two weeks then stop taking it. I didn’t feel that this would work since the withdrawal symptoms I had when I forgot one day were awful. So, I took it upon myself to “ween” back onto Lexapro. It was a very easy transition. I started taking only 10mg and quit taking Cymbalta right away. I flushed them right down the toilet. I am now on 5 mg of Lexapro and next week I will cut those in half.
October 27th, 2009 - 10:25
Jennifer: Your post helped me! I had some samples of lexapro and decided to take them after seeing your post. I have been suffering for 5 weeks with the cymbalta withdrawals. A few weeks ago, I decided to take the lexapro and seemed to be getting better but thought maybe the withdrawal side effects of the cymbalta were just leaving so I quit the lexapro and then the withdrawal side effects came back but I did not really make a connection that maybe the lexapro was helping me until I read your post. We shall see if it continues to help. Thank you so much for your post. Also, did you every get off the lexapro.
May 20th, 2008 - 16:22
HELP! I have tapered off Cymbalta, as directed by my doctor, and am now on my third day without a pill. I spent one hour at work this morning but the nausea and dissiness are unbearable. The world is spinning, I’m hot and cold, I cannot even hold water down… Tell me this is going to end!?!
March 26th, 2010 - 08:52
It will end, I know what you are going through and it takes time. I couldn’t do it “cold turkey”. I had to wean myself but still had all the symptoms you are having. You can get through this
June 10th, 2008 - 15:23
Day three of no Cymbalta. Reduced dose as directed. Still feeling shock sensations that also come with… well.. how should I say… auditory interference? When I get the shock sensations… I HEAR THEM…
HORRIBLE MEDICATION… Worst withdrawals I’ve ever experienced — even over illegal substances that I experimented with when I was a teenager. :\
July 23rd, 2008 - 19:07
This is my 2nd day & my brain hurts, I’m coughing, sneezing, dizzy, can’t think, muscles hurt & I can’t function!! I will tell everyone i know to never take this medicine….ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate this drug company now…seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 24th, 2008 - 21:36
This is my 4th time trying to get off this medication…I got on it for headaches and now in worse shape than ever…anxiety,emotional,nausea and headaches worse. I also have dizziness and shock waves in head. This is my 9th day without taking any after weaning off. Symptons seem to be getting worse not better.
October 22nd, 2008 - 13:43
I have been on Lexapro for two years now. I recently went to my doctor and she switched me to Cymbalta. I have yet to take this medication because of all that I have read. I will not take this Cymbalta drug
August 18th, 2010 - 17:14
remember every med is different with each indivual.ben takin it for four yrs.couldnt walk at all my pain in legs and feet so bad.and now able to walk again.no side effects great for fibro
October 25th, 2008 - 21:11
I can identify with all the postings on the weaning process. After weaning, I have not had Cymbalta for a little over a month. I still have the posted symptoms at least 3-4 times per day. However, there is a heightened sense of anxiety as well as terrible concentration and attentivenes now. I did not have these prior to taking Cymbalta or while I was on it. Is it possible that Cymbalta actually changes the chemistry permanently?
August 24th, 2009 - 11:31
I wonderd the same thing……but, after 4 months, the withdrawl syptoms have finally stopped.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:20
Randy: Thank you for telling me these symptoms will end. This is my 5th week and I still have some of them. I used to be a believer in anti depressants and drug therapy. This experience of withdrawing from cymbalta has been an eye opener. I don’t think the doctors are aware of the withdrawals to this drug. I had questioned my doctor about why I was feeling so awful months ago and he never put it together and neither did I. I have to say I am pissed at myself for staying on it as long as I did.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:33
Randy: Also: How long were you on cymbalta. I was on it almost 2 years.
March 29th, 2010 - 23:42
That is my fear! I stepped down from 60mg, to 40mg, to 20mg (lowest dose capsule). THEN, on the advice of a neurologist, I actually started opening the capsules and counting out the tiny white grains, putting 50% back in the capsule for a week, the cutting it in half again and again. I have had no Cymbalta for two weeks and I–a loving, gentle, Catholic-Sunday-school-teacher, mother of two darling boys–have become a stark raving bitch. I seethe with anger from the time I wake to the time I go to bed. I have crying jags, I want to hurt people. This is NOT me. I am going to talk with a doctor about the idea of using Lexapro, which I was on before Cymbalta. The Lexapro, like everything else I tried for depression, plateaued after a couple of years. If we can all get our former personalities back, try a proper diet and regular exercise, and a multivitamin!!!
August 23rd, 2010 - 17:34
I don’t know if anyone still reads this but… I have been trying to ween for 2weeks.. was only taking 30mg once a day anyway.. first opened pill let half of it out this past week even less than half left in it.. It makes me feel crazy!! trying to change to wellbut. must work on another part of brain because i feel bad.. head feels “spiinny”, very anxious, feel out of body, only feel better when I lay down. I think if i could go to bed for about 3 days and sleep it off i might feel better…however i am a mom and I work so this is impossible…I actually liked the medicine… insurance went up and couldnt afforit anymore….i am trying not to take it today.. i want off!!!!!
November 23rd, 2008 - 18:33
I tried going off Cymbalta twice now. First time my doctor gave me Welbutrin and 30 mg of cymbalta to ween off of the 60 mg. I could not function, cold, hot, tingling and numbness all through out my body. So dizzy I could not stand up. I was also sick to my stomach. I cried uncontrollably and wanted to be out of my body. This last for a week and I was not able to go to work or do anything for that matter. I had to beg my doctor to put me back on to the 60 mg of Cymbalta.
The second time I tried to wean off Cymbalta was recently. I have a new doctor now and she told me that she new how to wean me off Cymbalta without going through what I did before. She blamed it on the Welbutrin but I know better. Last Monday was my last 30 mg pill. I started getting dizzy and bitchy. All noise bothered me. Each day got worse until I reached Friday night where I started crying and could not stop. I was so dizzy and sick, I wanted to jump out of my skin. I finally went to the doctors driving knowing that I could not stand. The nurse had to pratically carry me to a room. The nurse told me that I was suffering from drug withdrawal and the doctor would be in to see me. I saw the doctor on hand that morning and she gave me two weeks of cymbalta 30 mg to last me until I could see my doctor which is in two weeks. I do not want to be on this stuff anymore. I do not like this stuff. Does anyone know how to get through the terrible withdrawal symptoms with going crazy?
November 30th, 2008 - 06:02
I have only been on Cymbalta for two months. I stopped taking it cold turkey 3 days ago becuase my dr. didn’t have anymore samples to give me and I refused to pay $50 for 30 pills. That was my portion after my insurance. I had a weird dream the other day I had no control over my body because I was so dizzy I kept falling to the ground. I woke up and my head was dizy but I shrugged it off and got in my husbands truck to take off. We had to pull over for a second and while I sat there waiting for him I must have had a panic attack because I wanted to jump out of the truck. My head was feeling more dizzy as I sat there. When he got back in he asked me if I was ok. I said I don’t think so. I don’t feel right, I might be having w/drawals. I started crying uncontollably and he called the oncall dr. who said my 60 mg was a started dose and there was nothing for me to do but “ride it out until Monday” This is Saturday. I tried sleeping again and I am back to the pounding heart and falling on my face in my dreams. No body control. I wake up to find my head hurts and my head is spinning like crazy. I think I may be going crazy. I told my husband not to leave me alone because I’m afraid I will lose control. I can’t wait for Monday I am going to have a talk with my dr.
December 17th, 2008 - 18:28
My Doctor prescribed Cymbalta for anxiety. I was on it for 4 weeks and felt a littel dizzy and had frequent pounding of my hear to the point I could not function. I wean my self off by taking hal a capsule for week, and then stopped. OMG, the shock waves going throigh my body…my brain and heart are unreal. I have NEVER experienced anything like this. I am gklad to know I am not alone. The one question no one seems to ever answer is…how much longer to I have to suffer? When will it stop? Could there be permnanent damage? This is a living hell and I was only on it for 4 weeks.
January 8th, 2010 - 11:25
How did you take half a capsule? You should never split a capsule of anything!
December 29th, 2008 - 21:41
my god !!! I as well came off cold turkey and can not deal with this seems no way around it but to stay on… dr does not seem concerned what’s so ever. I want off but do not think im string enough to do this without being in hospital….
March 5th, 2009 - 18:38
This is scary, scary stuff. I couldn’t agree more, and I too am having a difficult time coming off of it. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have never taken this drug. Please help!
March 16th, 2009 - 12:49
I agree with all of the above. Had I known what the withdrawal was like I never would have started in the first place. I have what seems like electrical shocks firing in my brain all day and they come with audio! It’s HORRIBLE!!!!!! At first they gave me panic attacks and I was sure I was on the verge of a psycotic breakdown. My wholistic sister gave me some herbal supplements to take and the panic is gone, but my brain is still acting like Jeff goldblum’s head in “The Fly”. Good luck to all! How long does this last?
March 17th, 2009 - 17:40
Why go off? This medicine works great for me so I have no problem taking it forever if I have to. I wake up every day happy-can’t say any better than that.
September 20th, 2009 - 06:53
Ok Megan,good for you. I did well with it too at first.HOWEVER after about 7 months in I had insomnia ,carb craving,irratibility,nightsweats,leg cramps,racing thoughts, itchy skin on hands, blurred vision, ect. I hope you’ll be one of the few lucky people who won’t experience these problems.
October 1st, 2009 - 10:18
I was on lexapro for many years and had to change to cymbalta due to new insurance coverage. I have been on cymbalta for a yr and a half and at first thought it was great too, then realized i really didnt know if i was happy or not…i also experienced night sweats, leg cramps, wanted to sleep alot and hungry all the time. i went off cold turkey and has been 2 1/2 wks and still experiencing brain/nerve shocks, cant sleep and upset stomach. will this go away? if so,,,, when??? DO NOT TAKE CYMBALTA!!!
October 26th, 2009 - 14:28
Bonnie: Yes, it worked for me at first and I did not start noticing side effects for about a year. I was on it 2 years. I thought I had some ohter illness not side effects to cymbalta. My doctor did not even connect it. I thought maybe I had cancer or some other illness. I lost 20 lbs without trying. I had test after test at much expense. I thought I was menopausal with night sweats ( which I am ) but once I stopped the drug the withdrawals were awful and I am stilll suffering some after 5 weeks. Every day I have felt better but never felt so awful in my whole life.
April 7th, 2010 - 01:46
TRY GETTING OFF OF THEM!..LETS SEE IF YOU WILL WAKE UP HAPPY,MS MAGAN..ASK YOURSELF…WHY GO OFF?…WHY GO ON?..IF EVERTHING WAS SO DANDDY…..YOU WOULD NOT BE ON THEM….EXCUSE ME YOU PROBABLY NEED TO STAY ON THEM!!!!….DO ME A FAVOR,WHEN YOU DO GET OFF,CAUSE YOU WILL,I BET YOU ON THAT!!..LETS REALLY SEE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY THEN,,,ALL HAPPY FACES?…NOT..YOU WILL BE THINKING YOUR THE DEVIL YOURSELF………:(RECARNATION…
April 8th, 2010 - 21:54
Hey Everyone,Please let’s not be so harsh on each other,OK? Everyone has different side effects and different experiences getting off this drug.I can tell you from personal experience that I took a lot of magnesium and calcium supplements to try to ease the achy feeling and leg cramps ,that helped a lot. If you can,try massage too.As far as the “Black Pitt’ of depression,I guess I’m in “remission”?In the past I’ve had some luck with SAM-E (read up about this stuff). I don’t feel rotten and nasty right now,hope that lasts. Also, my GP ordered a blood test and it turns out,I’m VERY low in vtiamin D, so now I’m on a weekly dose. hang tight my friends and keep looking for help and solutions. Never give up. I can’t, I’ve got too many people depending on my crazy ass.
April 8th, 2010 - 22:12
Jema, I do TOTALLY understand how you felt when you wrote your comment, Cymbalta is Hell in a capsule,for SURE! Hugs to you
April 19th, 2009 - 07:10
My doctor switched my from Lexapro to Cymbalta. I was on 20 mg of Lexapro for about 2 years and have been taking Cymbalta for about a week and a half. I have been taking 30 mg of Cymbalta for a week and a half and the last 4 days have been nausiated and unable to eat much food at all. I have been tired during the day and unable to sleep the last few nights even with the added help of Xanax. Even the weight loss doesn’t make this drug worth taking. I’ve been on Lexapro for anxiety not depression, and if anything the Cymbalta has given me depression and more anxiety, unlike Lexapro that had no side effects. I was originally trying taper off Lexapro, not get on something else. I think Cymbalta is horrible and I will never take it again.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:30
I agree!!!!!!
October 27th, 2009 - 20:47
Good heavens, Get off the Xanax too! Benzodiazepam drugs are as addicting as anything out there.
June 1st, 2009 - 04:45
I have been on Cymbalta for only a few months. I have started to already start the process of weining. I feel better and do not want to get addicted to this drug. I have started thisprocess on my own with out the doctor. Tehy keep on wanting to give you more of this drug. It works for the first few months then all it does is put you in fantasy mode. Life is hard and we all have to deal wtih it. It is similar to xtasy the drug. side effects are the same. Started to use other means now such as working out and also some of the inhibitors for losing weight will keep all informed. if you need help let me know. On my third day and it is harder already. Keep the faith.
June 13th, 2009 - 09:11
Wow, so that is what is wrong with me. I have not gotten out of bed for about 1 month…I feel nauseated, my heart rate is up, blood pressure up, and I guess what I was having was a panic attack as well, at my Chiro’s . he thought I was having a heart attack..my best advice is to go directly onto Lexapro, and maybe use Amitriptilin to help sleep at night until the side effects wear off.
After seeing my personal doctor 2 x, discussing it with my pain Dr., having a round of tests with another Dr., and seeing a Neurologist, NOBODY except the Chiro thought it could be some “new drug I was taking.” So much for “Western Medicine”. I read the pamphlet that accompanied the Cymbalta, and BAM, there were all my symptoms. I, too, thought I was going to die at one point. I have never felt so sick, except going off Duregesic cold turkey..Just remember, talk to at least a Pharmacist before deciding how to go off any drug. don’t forget to pray..it does release the anxiety.
June 17th, 2009 - 14:22
I am trying to come off 120 mg of this stuff………..scared to death, but cannot find instructions on how to do this properly. My doctor will not tell me, just says I cannot come off it. I lost my health insurance and cannot afford it or a doctor visit. Does anyone know exactly how to do this
September 17th, 2009 - 05:35
I just went to my dr and told him I wanted to come off this stuff, I have been taking 120 mg for just over a yr. He told me I would end up coming back to him for a new prescription but I said no I wouldnt. Anyways, he gave me 2 trial bottles of 7- 30mg capsules. He said to take 1 capsule each morning for 5 days and then one every other day for 2 wks. I just started this 2 days ago. I noticed I have been kinda dizzy, and strange fellings in my head, but I didnt really think nothing of it. After reading all these posts- now I know why. Boy I want it to be over with, I was already crazy to start with, now its going to be alot worse.- a nightmare-
October 26th, 2009 - 14:40
I was in cymbalta 2 years (60 mg per day) and got off of it 5 weeks ago. The side effects did not come on for about a year. Then when I got off BAM they were 10 times worse but I knew then why I had felt so bad for almost a year. I had been to my psychiatrist, my gynocologist, my g. i. guy, my internist and none associated it with cymbalta. I am still feeling some of withdrawals but I have been getting better. I have read to take fish oil and I don’t know if it is helping but I am taking it. I do feel better every day but there were days when I thought the withdrawals would never end. I lost 20 lbs without trying and my choloesteral is through the roof. I have read that is a side effect, too. I also have cold sores on my mouth. Does anyone have these?
October 26th, 2009 - 15:31
I think Im over the withdrawal point of this stuff, and boy am I glad. I had a headache & muscle pain in my neck for over a week. I did have a few cold sores, but I didnt think they were related but maybe they were. The bad thing about this whole ordeal is I started taking all this med. to help me with my migraines, but after going through all of this I STILL have my migraines. But I am willing to live with them and stay away from the cymbalta & lyrica.
June 30th, 2009 - 15:47
Coming off Cymbalta cold turkey, tapering did the same damage so why not just stop. I feel like I am in a living hell the migranes, nausiated also, upset stomach, diarrhea, lip numbness, irritable, Xanex take a smidge off but have had to get phetergen for the nausa. I feel hoorible, the DRS say hang in there. This has almost been 4 weeks…………………
October 26th, 2009 - 14:41
Michelle: That’s what I did- I just stopped because I felt so bad on it.
July 13th, 2009 - 07:11
I was only on 30 MG of Cymbalta for a week and ended up in the Emergency room once because I thought I was having an allergic reation. Turns out I was having the most intense panic attack. I thought I was going to die. I have never had panic attacks prior to this drug. After that trip and having another panic attack the next day. I am no longer taking the medication. I was prescribed it for Fibromyalgia.
August 23rd, 2009 - 13:10
My neurologist had me start on 30mg Cymbalta for the migraines I have. After 2 weeks she increased the dose to 60mg a day. The hot flashes are unreal. They happen during the day and at night. They wake me up from my sleep and then I’m awake all night. I was on this for 3 months with no help for the migraines at all. She gave me 2 weeks of 30mg samples to take to wean off. Today is my 3rd day with no Cymbalta and as soon as I put my feet on the floor this morning I felt drunk and dizzy. I have been having dizzy spells all day long and now my head is pounding. I’m calling my neurologist tomorrow morning to see what to do and how long to expect this to keep happening.
Does anyone know how long it takes for it to stop?
August 27th, 2009 - 18:52
I’m trying for my 3rd time to get off Cymbalta. I’ve been on it now for 2 1/2 years at a dosage of 20 mg per day. Each time I tried getting off it, I tapered down to 15 mg for a couple weeks, then 10 for a couple weeks, then 5, then 0. But the nightmares and dizziness and irratability were so bad, I had to get back on it. The last time I tried getting off was about a year ago. Now I tried a different approach. I dropped down to 15 mg for a month, then down to 8 mg for 2 weeks and now I’ve been down to 0 for the past 5 days. The first couple days were fine – it takes a couple days to clear Cymbalta out of your system. Then the nightmares started, and the sweats and now the constant dizziness. The irritability is also here again. I also stopped working out, because of the irratibility. I normally work out 5 days a week – jogging, weight lifting and yoga. But I don’t have the desire to, while fighting this irratibility and dizziness. Plus I crave sweets, which was never an issue before. But I’m going to hang in there as long as I can without going back on Cymbalta to see if I can finally kick this stuff. I’ll be happy to share my experiences if interested.
Dave
September 14th, 2009 - 22:25
My husband has been on Cymbalta 60mg daily for nearly 3 years. He has tried too to come off it gradually but cannot. The side-effects are frightening and to be honest his personality changes too and I am afraid of him when he is in withdrawal. He is normally a calm and patient person but becomes a ‘Jekyl and Hyde’ when trying to come off Cymbalta. We live in the Canary islands and his doctor seems unaware of the withdrawal effects from this drug. He was told just to ‘taper’ them off. He has tried and it is just impossible. We do not know what to do. We would appreciate your advice and experience and look forward to hearing how you are doing with your attempts to wean yourself off this horrendous drug.
October 1st, 2009 - 10:24
have the symptoms subsided yet?
October 26th, 2009 - 14:45
Hey Dave. I went off cold turkey 5 weeks ago and am still having some of the side effects. The nights sweats and bad dreams are gone. The irritability comes and goes. I feel better every day but I have been through some kind of hell. Hope you get off of the cymbalta. It is poison!
September 7th, 2009 - 14:51
Hi
I have been reading all these nightmare stories and I have decided that I cant take this stuff anymore. I have only been on Cymbalta for 7 days 30mg. Should I do anything special or just stop taking it cold turkey. Anyhelp is appreciated I feel for all of you I have panic attacks but I have decided I will just take the Xanax as needed after reading this. Please Help
Thanks Everyone
Audie
October 26th, 2009 - 14:50
I feel your pain. To me, I have never been through the hell that I have been through in the last month. I quit after 2 years cold turkey 5 weeks ago. I am feeling better now but I would never have taken this crap had I known the withdrawals. I was also having the bad effects after taking it a year and could not figure out what was wrong with me. I lost 20 lbs without trying and felt awful. I thought maybe I had cancer or something. My twin had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I had all kind of test at much expense. My pyschiatrist never made the connection. I finally figured if I wasn’t sick it must be this cymbalta. I guess I did not make the connection because the adverse effects were not felt for about a year. I take xanax every night and I am sure that is the ONLY reason I have been able to sleep through this nightmare. I hope you feel better.
October 8th, 2009 - 15:09
I was on cymbalta for over a year, thought it was great until I really realized that I gained 30 lbs and just ignored it. I thought the good effects of me not worrying about everything or being short tempered were great. Well I didn’t think of the bad things it caused like my head sweating all the time, constipation, exhaustion, and out of control hunger. So I spoke to the doctor and began weening off it 2 weeks ago. I took my last pill a week ago and the headaches have been terribel………..went to the doctor today and my blood pressure is way out of control. This is another thing I believe caused from the cymbalta. I should have paid more attention to the commercials on tv. The list of side effects is way too long………Liver damage? That is a big deal. Can’t live without a liver………I would not recommend this drug to others. The headaches are horrible and the anxiety sucks! Go elsewhere and find something less addicting.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:52
Renee: My cholesteral is also too high. I think it is from the cymbalta. I lost 20 lbs on that poison without even trying. I’ve been off 5 weeks now and am slowly getting better but it was pure hell.
October 24th, 2009 - 22:13
I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg daily for the past 5 months for pain control of fibromyalgia and for antidepressant effect. Gradually I have had such bad sweats(mostly daytime) which have gotten increasingly worse. So I asked my pain doctor to take me off it and hopefully use something else. He told me to cut the daily dose to 30 mg–which I did for 10 days– with no other instructions. Then I stopped completely on my own as I ran out of meds and was unwilling to pay the high cost of another presciption. My doctor told me nothing about withdrawal, nor did the info from the pharmacy mention it. Two days after I stopped it I suddenly became beside myself with dizziness and a feeling of floating, fearing I would fall and lose complete control. It was very, very scary–I became tearful and irritable with all kinds of unpleasant sensations overpowering my body. I called my internist’s office as the pain doctor’s office did not call me back–and they told me just to go to a med center. I chose to take an Ativan which calmed me some so we stayed home. I slept only fitfully that night and the next two nights also. The next three days have been almost as bad as the first. I suggested to my pharmacist that I may be going through withdrawal–he was not sure but agreed it could be. Then I googled it and WOW! what I have learned from the internet has been a real eye-opener–of course, this is withdrawal!. What suggestions for me are out there? I called my internist’s office and now am gradually titrating the new drug Savella–but it scares me as the side effect profile is the very same as for Cymbalta. But my pain from fibromyalgia is considerably worse, so I can’t tolerate that either. Any other suggestions?
October 26th, 2009 - 15:03
I took cymbalta 60 mg dailty for almost 2 years. I got off 5 weeks ago cold turkey. I have a doctor and I told him the side effects from taking the drug were the same as the withdrawals so I suffered for at least 4 weeks. Last week I felt better but I still have some of the withdrawals effects. Hopefully they will go away. I take fish oil, too. I had read that helps. I don’t think the doctors know how bad cymbalta is. It does not surprise me that you had to google to find out what was wrong with you. I have been to a pyschiatrist, a g. i., an internist and gynocologist in the last year and none of them connected my weight loss and other symptoms to cymbalta. After many tests and much expense I finally decided it was this crappy drug that I had been PAYING FOR! I hoe you feel better. I was put on cymbalta for depression so I have no suggestion for fibromyalgia.
October 26th, 2009 - 15:43
Thanks so much for your reply!!! Cymbalta is the drug recommended for Fibromyalgia–any doctor who is using it should be WARNED!!!!of the side effects and withdrawal sx. I am a psychiatric nurse and I worked in a psych hospital and am acquainted with most of the antidepressant drugs–to my knowledge NONE have ever given these withdrawal sx, even to a small degree!! I figured they were reserved for narcotics!!
October 27th, 2009 - 10:13
Helen: I had some samples of lexapro that my doctor had given me and someone had posted that lexapro had helped with her withdrawals. I took one this morning and it may be helping me. Some of the side effects I was experiencing yesterday (tightening in my nose and irritability and just feeling awful) seem to be leaving. I had gotten on lexapro 2 weeks ago and seemed to be getting somewhat better but thought maybe it was just the cymbalta side effects leaving. Then I thought well I did not want to get back on an anti depressant if it really wasn’t helping so I got off it for a week. But then the withdrawal side effects came back this week and then I read the post about lexapro and decided to take one this morning and I do feel better. We shall see. I am DEFINITELY going to tell ALL my doctors about this awful drug (cymbalta)!
October 25th, 2009 - 10:53
I have been on Cymbalta now for 3 months, 30mg. I have gained 20 pounds…I really want to stop taking it completely and was wondering if anyone has been helped with the awful withdrawls by taking xanax…I have 5 mg pills of xanax and thought about trying that. Look forward to hearing from any of you that this HAS helped. Thanks so much
October 26th, 2009 - 14:55
Xanax has helped me sleep through the withdrawals of cymbalta. I take .05 mg too of xanax at night. I LOST 20 lbs on cymbalta. I’ve been off cymbalta 5 weeks and it has been pure hell but I am finally feeling better. I still have some of the side effects-irritability and brain zaps.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:56
I too gained about 20 pounds whilst taking Cymbalta, all in the space of 4 months. I was told that I wouldnt gain weight taking the drug – they lied.
October 26th, 2009 - 15:06
I LOST 20 LBS ON CYMBALTA. It was not worth it, either. That stuff is poison.
October 26th, 2009 - 15:08
Prue: When did you side effects from the withdrawal end?
October 26th, 2009 - 15:10
Elizabeth: It only took about a week for the side effects to wear off. But for one week it was pure hell. If you look back through the posts, on my third day without a pill, I was going through pure hell. Could not even keep water down.
October 27th, 2009 - 10:17
Prue: Thanks for the information. Elizabeth
October 26th, 2009 - 15:09
Nevermind I just read yours did not last as long as mine have!
October 26th, 2009 - 15:19
Prue: I re read the posts. Thanks for the information.
October 26th, 2009 - 15:55
I have gained about 20 lbs, and I really thought it was becaue of the cymbalta. But I am very anemic too and after doing some reading I found out being anemic can cause you to gain weight.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:53
I was on Cymbalta for two years. I tapered off as my doctor directed, but once I stopped taking the tablets, I got terribly ill. The headaches, the room spinning, and not being able to focus on anything. The nausea was almost unbearable, as were the mood swings. Thankfully, this only lasted for about 5 days, and finally things went back to normal. I am now happier and healthier than I have ever been, and consider myself a Cymbalta success story.
October 26th, 2009 - 14:57
Really! That is great that it only lasted 5 days. I am on my 5th week and do feel better but still have some of the withdrawal side effects.
Cymbalta is poison.
October 26th, 2009 - 15:44
I have to agree that it is poision. I received a call back from my doctors office stating that High Blood Pressure is not a side effect but if I watch TV or listen to the radio whenever they have the advertisements for these anti depressants high blood pressure is mentioned. I have been off this stuff for about 3 weeks and I am still feeling the effects, the body aches are bad and I still struggle with some head aches. It makes me furious that they don’t tell you this when they give you the prescription. Oh wait, most are uneducated with the effects when they prescribe. Be smarter than your doctor and research everything before you put anything in your mouth! We should all be smarter because of this experience.
October 27th, 2009 - 10:05
Someone posted that she was taking lexapro and it was helping the side effects from the withdrawal from cymbalta. I had some samples my doctor gave me of lexapro and took one last night after I felt so bad and I do feel better today. The feeling in my nose of tightening and the irritability seem to be gone. Thank you whoever it was that posted that comment. I had tried the lexapro 2 weeks ago and did not think it was helping although I was feeling somewhat better. Maybe this will help. I thought a few weeks earlier when some of the side effects were leaving that the cymbalta was out of my system or the effects of it were but then after being off lexapro for a week and then taking one early this morning I made the connection. It was after reading the comment posted that got me to thinking about retaking the lexapro. I want to get off these awful meds but right now lexapro may be an answer for me with these awful withdrawals from cymbalta.
November 18th, 2009 - 11:39
i have been on 30 mg of cymbalta for over a year, this is my third day now since i have quit cold turkey, very dizzy, shocky zappy feelings throughout my body, especially in my head, nausea, bad headaches, etc. this is my second attempt now, i tried just one pill every other day before and the symptoms were just as bad. hopefully these withdrawal syptoms end soon, horrible.
November 18th, 2009 - 11:44
Michelle, You really shouldn’t do it the cold turkey way, I went off if by taking one every other day and the headaches were just terrible. Do yourself a favor and contact your doctor for the right way to get off of it, I know that you want to get off of it but I was on the medicane for a year and did the every other day for 2 weeks and then started on Lexapro and I do not recommend it. I had read posts where people said they took it much slower and I really think it is worth a shot. It is a nasty drug to get off of. It took me over a month to get rid of the headaches and I still suffer from them and I wonder if it is still the withdrawl going on. Let your doctor know too how bad these withdrawl symptoms have been, they need to let patients know this upfront.
November 18th, 2009 - 12:28
MICHELE: Sorry you are going through the withdrawals. It took me 6 weeks to come off of it cold turkey. I did not think the side effects would ever end. The reason I got off was that I was having the side effects while I was on the cymbalta. I was taking 60 mg a day and had been for 2 years. Please know that it will end but that it may take several weeks. I feel your pain and hope that you feel better soon. I agree with Renee that the drug companies and doctors need to let their patients know how bad these withdrawal symptoms are. It is sad that we have to find out on our own when we are paying for these drugs! I am much more aware of asking direct questions concerning any thing regarding my health care.
November 30th, 2009 - 12:07
This is Helen again. I am off Cymbalta and on Savella–but I am constantly sweating–it drips from my face sometimes. I can’t wear warm clothes–I walk around in shorts and sleeveless blouses. I will see my doctor today and ask to go off the Savella, but that really scares me! I’m sure both drugs help with my pain as when I was off Cymbalta and titrating the Savella my pain was much worse. There seems to be nothing more to help with the pain!! I cannot tolerate the sweating–it is driving me crazy!!
November 30th, 2009 - 12:16
Give it a little time, I had the same problem while I was on cymbalta and while weaning off. It took awhile for the sweats to stop completely so give it a little more time. I truly think it is from the cymbalta and it really took me a few months for all the side effects to disappear.
Try something else for the pain, there has to be something out there that can work for you. Every drug affects people differently so don’t give up on hope that there is something to help with the pain. Good Luck.
December 16th, 2009 - 00:28
i did not wean i ran out for a couple of days and realized something was wrong i was dizzy, irritable, you name it it was going wrong i went to work and literally could not function my husband took me to the er i CONSTANTLY have headaches and vertigo will forever be a part of my life.
December 28th, 2009 - 03:48
i am interested here…i am on cymbalta and sixty milligrams. my mother died and i just had a baby and graduated in the last three months. i have never felt better than when i am on this drug, but am now seeing that this may not last forever and am scared of what i am doing to myself. i had no idea. im not stable enough to get off it because mom just died and i have a newborn to take care of. i am starting to loose weight, but it could be the baby weight. ive been on it for about a year now and thought it was a miracle drug…im so scared now..because ive told my husband who got on it just how wonderful it is and he is loving it too…but it must be a false love. i feel scared now. scared and alone. damn this.
December 31st, 2009 - 11:19
Don’t be scared, if it works for you that is all that is important. The only thing you need to be cautious of is if or when you go off this medication be sure to taper and take your time with it. DON’T rush the process and DO NOT try and stop taking it cold turkey. I think the way I went off it was wrong and caused much more turmoil than if I had done it the correct way. I think the good effects of Cymbalta are wonderful. But if you aren’t experiencing the negative ones, there is no need for you to worry about going off the drug at this time. Just listen to the doctor if there comes a time that you need to go off it.
January 13th, 2010 - 10:39
When I first began taking Cymbalta 3 years ago, it seemed to work very well for me. I really wasn’t having any trouble with the Zoloft and Xanax I had been taking for years prior when had been prescribed by a psychiatrist. Having been released by my shrink, my G.P. took over managing my meds (Zoloft and Xanax). My G.P. did not like to prescribe Xanax at all and told me so every time I saw him….this led to my switch to the “miracle drug” Cymbalta. It took a long time before I finally added 2 and 2 to realize that I was having side affects from Cymbalta, I did not make the connection and my G.P. certainly did not either. During this last year I became determined to get off of the drug but was hesitant about doing so because when I missed a dose or remembered late in the day to take it I would already be experiencing horrible withdrawal symptoms. Many, many of which I have read in previous posts. I thought that if I felt this awful missing just ONE dose or being late with a dose that something had to be terribly wrong here. I wanted off. Finally put my plan into action six weeks ago when I began to alternate the 60 mg with the 30 mg (under the care of new doctor). Withdrawal symptoms began immediately and they were wild and random. I thought how dumb am I to do this right at the holidays!! Well, I was committed to it and am toughing it out. Some days have been a blur and some ok. Fortunately I only work 2 days a week. If I was still working full time, there is no way I would have been able to function. I do have great family support. I guess what I want to say to others is this: We must educate ourselves about what we put into our bodies!!!! Physicians do a lot of good, but they are not the absolute. I realize that many physicians just mimic the information provided to them by drug companies trying to sell their product. We must do our homework!!!! I have not told my old physician about the hell of my withdrawal, but plan to do so, he needs to know. So – I took my little 30 mg Cymbalta this morning as scheduled, yesterday nothing and tomorrow nothing. My plan is to be completely off Cymbalta in 10 more days. I am very aware of what is going on thanks to all of you brave people struggling too but willing to share with others. I am doing other things to help myself through this process, however, I yet to take the zoloft that my dr. prescribed for me to begin taking……..I’m sure you understand my hesitation in taking ANYTHING. I think this is a time to be kind and gentle with ourselves. Be proactive and bring in all the support possible, engage in activities that nurture and heal. I personally am taking supplements, using chamomile tea, melatonin at night, watching alcohol intake, trying to get a bit of exercise when I can actually move, take my naps, meditation, Reiki, and keeping a positive attitude. You bet I get angry about having come to this point when I really would like to be engaging in other things in my life besides going through “WITHDRAWAL”!!! I am having to dig deep down inside for strength and call on help from high above, but am determined to get through it, smarter and wiser for sure. I am ready for the final push to get past the final dose……however long it takes…..I won’t give up and I hope none of you give up either. Keep posting…..I need buddies while going through this.
January 25th, 2010 - 11:10
Once I got off Cymbalta (after about 5 weeks cold turkey), the depression kicked in. I did not want to take another antidepressant but had to after I could not stop crying for days. I am on 10 mg of lexapro now. It’s working. My psychiatrist said it was a “clean” drug. I don’t think doctors know anything about some of these drugs. My psychiatrist never made the connection of why I was not feeling well. Neither did I. I think the drug companies are legal “pushers”. They pay the doctors to lecture to other doctors about these drugs. My psychiatrist told me so. We do need to do our homework. You are correct!
January 17th, 2010 - 02:46
I have been off Cymbalta for two years now. I weaned myself off ever so slowly after trying to just stop cold. I had been on it a year, but started to feel too numb.
I began by taking on every other day, for a few weeks, then I cut the capsule in half and would eat 3?4 of the balls inside every there day for a week, then cut down to half the balls in the capsule. I did this over two or three months, and at the end, my naturopath said what would finally help with the last bit ofwithdrawls would be to start taking 5htp at night.
Sure enough, within two weeks, I was complelety off the last of the Cymbalta. Will never ever go on it again. I’ve been on Prozac over the years and Wellbutrin, and never had these terrible withdrawls like with Cymbalta. When I talked with the doctor, they just blew me off and acted like I was exaggerating.
My naturopath told me the 5HTP helps replace the cymbalta in the same way on a minor level, and it truly worked, but I did it near the end.
January 17th, 2010 - 02:56
I actually weened longer than the above paragraphs sound. I only took out a few balls every five or six days, until it went from 3/4 capsule to 1/2, then smaller and smaller amounts until I was taking only five little balls at a time. This is when the 5HTP started and then I stopped the cymbalta.
My husband has been on it two years and he’sa type one diabetic and we have a lot of serious stress in our lives, as does the rest of the unemployed country, and I want to take him off it, but am scared the withdrawls will be even more exaggerated. When I went of m9ine, my life had a quiet spot of a few months so that helped, but I don’t see that in our immediate future and don’t know if I should start weaning him off now. He says hes starting to forget words in conversations and sometimes feels like he cant think straight.
January 25th, 2010 - 00:29
Has anybody experienced long-term side effects from once taking Cymbalta? I developed mania after taking it for 7 mos, ceased taking the medication, and about 8 mos after I quit taking it, I developed some GI problems that have lasted without diagnosis for over two years. I also discovered that I react differently to pain medication now
January 25th, 2010 - 11:11
I hope I don’t have GI problems to look forward to. I have not had any long term side effects so far. I have been off since September 21, 2009.
February 8th, 2010 - 16:13
I feel for everyone. I am an ex Cymbalta user. I went through all of these withdraws, they will go away – but it’s terrible when you are going through them. Do not go cold turkey. You must wean, everyother day for a few weeks, then every 2 days, get your dose lowered, etc. (since you can cut these pills) You will be terribly sick and I don’t believe is good for you to do that. I also lost 20 pounds without dieting once I got off this drug too.
March 25th, 2010 - 13:54
My husband was on cymbalta and has been battling depression for about 2 years now. He is a recovering alcoholic and a couple of years at AA then he went into depression. He stopped taking it last weekend and all I can say is I do not recognize this man. He wouldnt sit at me at the kids gymnastics meet and was so rude wouldnt even talk to me. Then the next day blamed me for making him go and that I am to stop bothering him and that he doesnt even like me anyone. That he hasnt loved me in years and is only here for the kids. What has happened to him? This is so bizarre to me. He goes around being so nice to people on the phone or outside and then is MEAN and horrible to me. Has anyone else seen this happen to anyone they loved. I think he is psychotic – I mean I am a very comforting kind person and I do not understand this. Some one please help.
March 30th, 2010 - 13:58
Donna, all the changes you see in your husband are the Cymbalta withdraw. I am experiencing the same thing. I have been acting with what my Grandmother called “spite and malice.” I don’t know who I’ve become! At least I have been talking to my husband and kids about what I am experiencing and begging forgiveness. Men in general (not all men, of course) are not always great at the head-heart connection. Your husband may not have put 2 + 2 together to understand that his change in attitude/behavior is due to Cymbalta withdraw. One should NOT quit Cymbalta cold turkey for the reasons you describe. My Psychiatrist told me today that one of the reasons Cymbalta is so hard to get off of is that it acts on serotonin AND norepinephrine. Prozac only works on serotonin, and, as I mentioned below, it stays in the body longer (3-4 days) and won’t make you nuts if you miss a dose. Even if your husband’s goal is to be off antidepressants all together, he should see a psychiatrist (MD who can write prescriptions and has the best knowledge of psychological drugs) to put him on a better medicine (like Prozac or Lexapro) to correct the Cymbalta withdraw and then wean off carefully. It can be fixed! Chin up!
March 30th, 2010 - 09:47
I got off cymbalta cold turkey. It took 6 weeks. Then the depression hit. I started taking lexapro. I was still very irritable and so I got off lexapro and the depression hit again. I could hardly get out of bed. Then my doctor suggested lexapro with wellbutrin in the morning. I am finally feeling better after 6 months of quitting the cymbalta. The wellbutrin seems to have given me a lift. However, sleeping is more difficult.
March 30th, 2010 - 13:45
I saw my psychiatrist today and told her all I read here. She agreed that, even though I have been off Cymbalta for two weeks, going on a low dose of Prozac then tapering off of it is a good strategy for overcoming the Cymbalta withdraw symptoms. One reason I wanted to get off Cymbalta is that, because of my AADD, I sometimes forget a dose. Then I get also psychomom on my little ones. Can’t have that! Prozac has a half life of 3 or 4 days, making it a better solution to my forgetfulness AND easier to wean off of. I am on Weight Watchers, so as soon as I reach my goal weight and I am exercising regularly and eating right, I will taper off the Prozac. I really think proper nutrition and exercise are the answers to all health questions. Now I just have to get off my butt!
April 2nd, 2010 - 15:25
I have been on Cymbalta for years, have all side effects, but Doc related them to thyroid disease. I have recently tried to cut back because I cant feel proper emotions. Now, I am going trough a terrible time. How do you know if youve suffered the side effects all these years and its been the Cymbalta all along?
April 5th, 2010 - 09:29
Donna: It took me almost 6 months to make the connection of cymbalta with my weight loss, loss of appetite and other side effects. I finally got off cold turkey because I felt just as bad on it as off it. It may take you awhile to get off cymbalta. It took me 5 weeks. Then depression kicked in. I am presently on Lexapro and wellbutrin and feel better than I have in almost a year. Good luck.
June 20th, 2010 - 19:13
I was on cymbalta for 5 yrs and couldn’t understand why I still felt like this so my dr would up the dosage evertime I told him how I felt. I finally changed drs. and she had me go off the cymbalta, was on 120 mg and she had me go down 30 mg for 10 days till I was finished. She added Paxil 20mg to be on. I had hardly any trouble going off it. can’t believe I feel soooo much better being off it. My husband has really noticed too. I noticed my fibromyalgia is somewhat worse but that’s better then what the meds were doing to me otherwise. Hate this med.
August 24th, 2010 - 01:04
It took me four months to wean off. I had to cut down to the point of opening the capsules and dividing the doses little by little. I couldn’t get rid of the last withdrawals when I got down to about a fourth a 30 mg capsule. My naturopath had me take 5HTP to help wean the rest of the way and the last of the withdrawals and spins stopped after about a week or maybe two. This was last summer. Now I am helping my husband, who has gone from 60 mg to 30 four days ago. Will try the same thing with 5HTP when we get near the end. Will get back to let you know how it goes.
August 24th, 2010 - 01:08
oh, and also, the doctors and physicians assistants didn’t believe how bad the withdrawals were. I tried to convince them and they blew me off. They hand out this stuff like candy at my doctors office. I’m looking for a psychiatrist to help me from now on.
August 24th, 2010 - 11:49
Beth: I feel your pain. Don’t give up. It will go away. It just may take a while. You can read my old posts. The drug companies pay doctors to lecture to other doctors about prescription drugs. I hope you find a drug that helps. I am know on lexapro and wellbutrin and feel 100% better.
Elizabeth
August 27th, 2010 - 11:25
Has anyone been on ativan and cymbalta? they are both Benzos. I am weaning off cymbalta, down to 26 mg. Just feel like I dont feel anything! I am not mad, just full of anxiety, stomach is horrible, head feels like its full of air, ot a functioning brain. Now out of control Blood pressre, when never had these problems before. Cant put thought together, remember anything, much less learn anything new. I have not had brain zaps. I am not angry as i said, just feel nothing. Still have to face ativan withdrawl after the cymbalta. Please if someone is on both, please respond! I need to know what your expericening sine its different than just cymbalta. Hugs to everyone, my thought and heart are with you all. Donna