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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 696. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I am thinking of discontinuing cymbalta and am wondering if anyone's had problems while gradually tapering off.
Thanks!
Posted by SLS on March 5, 2005, at 6:56:49
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
Hi Snowie.
> I am thinking of discontinuing cymbalta and am wondering if anyone's had problems while gradually tapering off.
How are you going to go about it?
I had no problem coming off of Cymbalta using a fairly rapid taper. I had been taking it for a couple of months. That's probably long enough for me to be vulnerable to a withdrawal syndrome. For me, Cymbalta seemed easier to discontinue than Effexor. My guess is that the degree of serotonin reuptake inhibition is substantially lower when using Cymbalta than Effexor at the dosages commonly prescribed. This might account for an easier withdrawal.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by LinnieLoo55 on April 28, 2005, at 9:22:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on March 5, 2005, at 6:56:49
I have and am having a rough time going off of the cymbalta. I went from 60mg to 30mg. Too much of a drop. I was throwing up, could't walk straight, had the shocks in my head. Now I have to go through it again but this time I'm going to go from the 30mg to the 20mg. I went off of this stuff because as always the drug works for a little while and then the depression starts again, plus I had extreem restlessness. I am going to try welbrutrin again. Seems I remember that tearing up my stomach. It is a endless battle with all the meds I have been on.
Posted by Alexi on July 31, 2005, at 17:24:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by LinnieLoo55 on April 28, 2005, at 9:22:54
Have been off or four days, am starting to feel headachey, a little nauseated, and my digestion seems off. Does any of this sound familiar?
Posted by gjv625 on August 2, 2005, at 17:53:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Alexi on July 31, 2005, at 17:24:02
> Have been off or four days, am starting to feel headachey, a little nauseated, and my digestion seems off. Does any of this sound familiar?
>I went off of Cymbalta two weeks ago and have been experiencing the same symptoms. I was previously on 60 mg, went down to 30 a few months ago with no physical symptoms, and then went from 30 to nothing two weeks ago.
After a few days, I started getting really dizzy and hearing a swishing sound in my ears whenever i move my eyes quickly. I'm not so dizzy anymore, but now I've had a headache for a week and feel nauseated all the time. I've also had terrible insomnia, which is finally starting to get better.
I read on a previous post that Benadryl and Claritin are supposed to help with the symptoms, but I haven't tried them because the first makes me fall asleep and the second makes the insomnia worse.
Does anyone have any other suggestions for withdrawing more painlessly? I've been trying to tough it out, but I'm going to try Claritin tomorrow to see if that helps.
Tylenol, Alleve, and ibuprofen didn't relieve any of the symptoms, by the way. Tylenol PM did help with the insomnia.
Posted by lynn970 on August 14, 2005, at 14:16:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Alexi, posted by gjv625 on August 2, 2005, at 17:53:12
I started taking cymbalta about six weeks ago. I have pain in my feet and wrists. I am also experiencing swelling in my joints. I stopped taking the medicine 3 days ago. I went straight to prozac. Did anyone have pain in their hands
and/or feet?
Posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Alexi, posted by gjv625 on August 2, 2005, at 17:53:12
I have been off Cymbalta since Friday (6 days) and am so dizzy I can't leave the house. I went from 60 mg to 30 mg, then I just poured out 1/2 of each capsule (so I was taking 15 mg) for a few days, then stopped. I am so dizzy and I have dirrareah a lot. I feel like I'm going crazy - have to lie down a lot during the day (luckily I work from home). I am still so dizzy after 6 days of no Cymbalta in my system!! Does anyone have any advice - what can I take to stop spinning? I just feel horrible, but refuse to go back on even 1 mg of any antidepressant!!! I am better off on my own. Need advice to get rid of dizziness. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
Hi,
My name is Vijoy and I am a psychiatrist. I have MDD and was previously on Effexor XR 300mg daily and had severe visual problems after a few weeks, and switched to Cymbalta 60mg daily without any break. I have to say Cymbalta helps with certain residual symptoms of depression such as willingness to socialize and start new tasks.
A few days ago I stopped the Cymbalta (yes, from 60 to ZERO) because I am starting to have depressive episodes again. I have come to reason that Cymbalta is effective for short-term treatment... anything past 3 months seems INEFFECTIVE in my patients incl. myself. So why take medication if it's not going to help and reduce your life expectancy due to cardiac problems such as hypertension and tachycardia / arrythmias?
I feel terrible flu-like symptoms now however, including nausea, dizziness, SEVERE headaches that are not relieved by Tylenol, periods of "freeze" that feel like cataplexic attacks, etc. I feel even more depressed especially knowing that I am incapable right now of doing anything competently.
My advice is to bear with the withdrawl if you can and take a week off work if possible, like I am doing. I am going through what you are going through, I know, it SUCKS. IF you can get your family doctor to prescribe you clonidine ina very small dose it may help (for a few days) but beware of low blood pressure upon lying to standing. Clonidine is used for the flu like symptoms of heroin withdrawl and may be useful because your body is going through a sympathetic-parasympathetic mayhem right now (you may have noticed a swing-like state of symptoms). I would not recommend this but amphetamines may also help, although the insomnia will worsen. The periods of "freeze" are cataplexic attacks seen in narcolepsy. Ambien will help with insomnia by the way although I havent tried it recently.
Anyways I am a relatively new doctor who is just trying to relate and help out and hopefully one day publish more information on these psych drugs that many people know little about. I hope this was a little helpful, God bless. We learn from each other.
Yours,
Vijoy
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 24, 2005, at 10:25:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Angela11, posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
> My name is Vijoy and I am a psychiatrist.
Welcome! Could you contact me? I'd like to confirm that you're a doctor. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Angela11 on September 15, 2005, at 16:02:53
> I have been off Cymbalta since Friday (6 days) and am so dizzy I can't leave the house. I went from 60 mg to 30 mg, then I just poured out 1/2 of each capsule (so I was taking 15 mg) for a few days, then stopped. I am so dizzy and I have dirrareah a lot. I feel like I'm going crazy - have to lie down a lot during the day (luckily I work from home). I am still so dizzy after 6 days of no Cymbalta in my system!! Does anyone have any advice - what can I take to stop spinning? I just feel horrible, but refuse to go back on even 1 mg of any antidepressant!!! I am better off on my own. Need advice to get rid of dizziness. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!
Some people have reported getting some relief by using Benadryl, an over-the-counter medication. I don't know what the mechanism is by which the dizziness is produced as a withdrawal symptom, so I don't know if a drug like Dramamine would be of any help. It might be worth looking into, though.It seems that the last 25% of the original dosage is the most difficult to discontinue from. That would be 15mg. In other words, jumping from 15mg to 0mg would very likely produce a severe reaction in vulnerable individuals, despite the gradual taper from 60mg to 15mg. Although inconvenient, using smaller and smaller percentages of opened capsules is still advisable to continue a taper below the 15mg dosage.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
Those also have been used to treat vertigo and inner ear balance issues and dizziness.
gg
Posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 19:59:16
In reply to Perhaps antivert or phenergan? » SLS, posted by gardenergirl on September 24, 2005, at 15:29:14
> Those also have been used to treat vertigo and inner ear balance issues and dizziness.
>
> gg
Thanks GG.What a great idea! Phernergan sounds like the perfect ameliorative for many of the symptoms of SRI withdrawal. I'm going to remember that one.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on September 25, 2005, at 3:46:49
In reply to Re: Perhaps antivert or phenergan? » gardenergirl, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 19:59:16
Ding ding ding!
GG gets a biscuit!
biscuit
biscuit
biscuit(I'm practicing...just ignore me.) ;)
gg
Posted by ed_uk on September 25, 2005, at 10:58:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by SLS on September 24, 2005, at 14:58:31
Hi Scott,
Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Dramamine is diphenhydramine teoclate (aka dimenhydrinate). I'd expect Dramamine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in a similar manner to Benadryl.
~Ed
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 25, 2005, at 12:17:15
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » SLS, posted by ed_uk on September 25, 2005, at 10:58:54
> Hi Scott,
>
> Benadryl is diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Dramamine is diphenhydramine teoclate (aka dimenhydrinate). I'd expect Dramamine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in a similar manner to Benadryl.
>
> ~EdYeah and personally I would go for the Benadryl esp. generic form its cheaper and equally effective, however, do not take the 50mg... 25mg should do just fine. Dramamine comes in 50mg diphen only.
About Dramamine... it also has a "less drowsy" forumlation I believe 25mg of meclizine which is also found in Antivert as 12.5mg, 25mg, and a (not recommended) 50mg.
I took 1 25mg benadryl yesterda when i was feeling dizzy and it really helped plus the drowsiness wasnt really noticable since i didnt take 2. But your body might not act the same as mine.
Just a thought.
Take care of yourself!
Vijoy
Posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 25, 2005, at 12:17:15
I am currently going off of Cymbalta. I have experienced this sort of withdrawal several years ago when I went off of Paxil. I can't tell which experience is worse... I'm currently going through the electic shock part. I can't move my head too fast because it seems as though I've got a strobe in my brain. I don't know if I feel dizzy--not like with the Paxil. I do, however, feel very dehydrated, and weak. I can't really stand for too long without wanting to lay back down, and I keep experiencing hot and cold flashes. I've seen people reccomend Benadryl for the dizziness and nausea, does anyone know if it is able to aid in the aleviation of the other symptoms i've described above? I feel wretched.
Thanks,
Claudine
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 26, 2005, at 19:02:10
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
As far as the dizziness and associated nausea, diphenhydramine or meclizine or whatever else was suggested.
As far as the hot/cold flashes, "electric shocks", possible irritability, etc... I havent tried anything for that just waited it out and ran the AC when I needed to... It is your body's autonomic instability that is causing this among other things that Im not sure about.
Ive been off the Cymbalta for a little over a week and feel much better though, minus the occcasional "electrc shocks", all I can suggest is that youre going through a cleansing, right... well why take another medication then and then have to deal with more problems... you can do it you gotta have faith and remember, for whatever reason youve stopped the cymbalta, you have to believe that you dont need this crutch anymore unless advised by your doctor or if you feel really bad, and you will bear through this and survive because you have empowered yourself.
Oh yeah DO NOT SMOKE during the withdrawl Ive noticed personally and in patients that withdrawl symptoms are worse and the "electric shocks" come on with the nicotine especially.
You can do it,
VijoyP.S. Those f**ks that came up with SSRIs should have made a bigger deal about this withdrawl stuff so that doctors dont go overboard with these SSRIs unless they have to. Once im working here in the US things are gonna change in regards to that if i have anything to do with it. (I just need to do my residency training here)
Later,
Vijoy
Posted by Howie on September 26, 2005, at 19:30:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by claudine on September 26, 2005, at 18:08:07
Hey, I've been off of Cymbalta for five days now, and if it weren't for the fact that I know I'm having withdrawals, I would think that I was going crazy.The shocks in my head along with the body spasisms are enough to make you....well I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.The only relief that I have gotten is from the fact that I take Tramadal for my lower back pain, and i also take Ambien to help me sleep. The Tramadal seems take the edge off for a while, but doesn't last for long, and that may be due to the fact that I've been on it for so long.I take one fifty milg, at noon and one at night around seven oclock.I take the Ambien about thirty minutes befor bed and I do seem to sleep ok although my wife says I do toss and turn a little more due to the withdrawals. I do hope this will help,I know what it is to go through this, my prayers are with anyone who has to deal with getting off of this drug. Good luck Howard
Posted by Overand on September 29, 2005, at 17:53:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Howie on September 26, 2005, at 19:30:20
Hey, you might want to take note of the fact that Tramadol has some SSRI properties in and of itself, and that it *is* a quasi-opiate and can be somewhat addictive regardless of what many docs may say. Also, (probably due to the SSRI properties) taking substantially more than the reccomended dosage of Tramadol can lead to siezures. Just be careful!
-Overand
> Hey, I've been off of Cymbalta for five days now, and if it weren't for the fact that I know I'm having withdrawals, I would think that I was going crazy.The shocks in my head along with the body spasisms are enough to make you....well I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.The only relief that I have gotten is from the fact that I take Tramadal for my lower back pain, and i also take Ambien to help me sleep. The Tramadal seems take the edge off for a while, but doesn't last for long, and that may be due to the fact that I've been on it for so long.I take one fifty milg, at noon and one at night around seven oclock.I take the Ambien about thirty minutes befor bed and I do seem to sleep ok although my wife says I do toss and turn a little more due to the withdrawals. I do hope this will help,I know what it is to go through this, my prayers are with anyone who has to deal with getting off of this drug. Good luck Howard
Posted by tatt on October 7, 2005, at 17:42:16
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
last week i cut back from 60mg to 30mg and this has been horrible - achy, tired, dizzy, suicidal at times, confused, headache, nauseous, depressed, anxious, seeing spots. I've never had this hard a time coming off an SSRI (been on zoloft, prozac, effexor, wellbutrin). I'm wondering if I should cut back to 20 for the next decrease, and then 10mg - will have to get the pharmacist to make them up but I don't care if I have to pay extra for that - this his horrendous! SSRI's only work for about 6 months and then things just get worse. My doctor has me starting on omega-3 supplaments - anyone try that yet? I've heard some good things.. So glad I found this thread - thought I was dying!
Posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2005, at 19:32:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tatt on October 7, 2005, at 17:42:16
Sorry you're struggling. I'm glad you found Babble helpful.
gg
Posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
In reply to Welcome tatt » tatt, posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2005, at 19:32:59
well, per my doctor's orders, i've had to go back up to 60mg until she can get the pharmacist to compound a batch of 10mg pills for me, so i can step down more slowly. this is really frustrating and is making me feel a little more depressed. i wish i had never started this stupid medication, and i should have followed my gut instinct which told me that SSRI's DONT WORK for more than a few months. i'd rather just deal with the depression other than having all the bad side effects of the meds.
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 9, 2005, at 0:45:52
In reply to Re: Welcome tatt, posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
Sorry to hear that you are stuggling with the Cymbalta, and going from one dose to another and back may be especially troubling. If you look at my earlier posts, I did mention that I have noticed that the SSRIs incl. Cymbalta and Effexor are only a temporary solution and really are effective for a few months. They should be used as a crutch.. see Prozac Nation, it mentions the use of SSRIs aas a crutch and not a life long therapy. It is the job of your doctor to alleviate your depression as much as possible medically but also NONMEDICALLY. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and that makes me angry.
I have gone thru the withdrawl and feel better now, I feel like i have found myself better and you know what, im happy with the moody jerk that i am rather than the pseudo-cheerful plastic-smile person that i was on the Cymbalta and prior to that, Effexor. However, the Cymbalta did help me in the short term since i was going down a very dark path.
This is a very nice thread we have going on, keep it up. Cymbalta is a fairly new drug and needs to be exposed for the good and the BAD it really is.
Final advice, you should still do what your doctor tells you to do, because depression is a pretty serious disease, I know, I have it. I know cymbalta may be bad in many ways, but it is going to lower the chance of suicide in the short term at least. I wish I had something more to say, im sorry, i hope this helps.
yours,
Dr. Vijoy
Posted by sam86 on October 11, 2005, at 14:55:46
In reply to Re: Welcome tatt, posted by tatt on October 8, 2005, at 19:48:06
A friend of mine forwarded this page to me after hearing my description of "misfires" and how I used process of elimination in determining it was my Cymbalta, if I missed a day by mid-afternoon the next day I had these electronic "misfires", my doctor thought I was nuts I'm sure, I also started having severe migraines (which I'd never had before) so now I'm on Topamax (another drug which requires weaning off to quit) I'm almost in tears reading all of these threads realizing I'm in for a double whammy quitting this stuff and realizing one probably caused the other. I don't know who I'm more angry with, me for not researching sooner or my doctor who should have known better. Thanks for the info everyone!!!
Posted by Dr. Vijoy on October 11, 2005, at 15:47:13
In reply to Re: Eye opener, posted by sam86 on October 11, 2005, at 14:55:46
The "electronic misfires" you mention... I know exactly what you mean, I wonder if they are transient cataplexic/narcoleptic attacks... whatever, I wonder if an EEG would show anything.
Lot of doctors dont understand this phenomenon youre talking about, because its not in the books and something that needs to be experienced. I can just see a doctor putting a patient on antipsychotics for that.
Anyways i forgot what i was going to type i had to go do something, well, hang in there and just remember youre not alone in your experiences. I wish there was a depression-anonymous support group setup like AA and NA in local communities. Just a thought
yours,
Dr. Vijoy
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