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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:07:25
I'm putting my experience in writing to them and they better read it.
This is nuts. I think it has been 8 days. My withddrawal effects are getting WORSE instead of better. This is getting scary. I was on a high dosage but didn't even last 2 months.
Is this going to get better? How can my dr. deny these withdrawal effects and side effects when I told him about them?? I paid $375 for a top doc in NYC. What a complete joke!!!
I am pissed. Sorry. But beyond ticked here with the whole psychiatrist/pharm co. b.s.
Posted by Racer on August 23, 2007, at 21:20:42
In reply to Fed up Cymbalta - Contacting Lilly- anyone else?, posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:07:25
You might get a better response on the Withdrawals board -- including a *lot* of advice about ways to minimize or eliminate difficulties with the {ahem} "discontinuation syndrome." (Of course doctors won't call it withdrawal -- only bad drugs have withdrawal. Good drugs have discontinuation syndrome... Can you see me rolling my eyes?)
Cymbalta is known to have a rougher withdrawal than a lot of other drugs. That's because it's eliminated from the body much more quickly than many other drugs. Are you stopping it on your own? Or is your doctor supervising this? I ask because, if your doctor is involved, you can ask for a single 10mg Prozac, which is often enough to stop the withdrawal. Prozac's long half-life makes it almost self-tapering.
Also, in case you're ever in this situation again, tapering is a good idea. Rather than stopping cold turkey, reduce the dose as far as possible before stopping. It really does make a difference. I stopped Cymbalta after a year and a half with virtually no trouble -- despite being sicker than you can imagine when I'd miss a dose of Effexor, a very similar drug with a similar withdrawal picture.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2007, at 21:42:43
In reply to Re: Fed up Cymbalta - Contacting Lilly- anyone els » alexal34, posted by Racer on August 23, 2007, at 21:20:42
I took 60mg of cymbalta for three months no idea how long you've been on it. It didn't do a thing for depression or anxiety. So I went to 30mg and then off it. I didn't have any withdrawal just relief to be off a med that made my head feel like it would explode. Couldn't cry that would have helped release some emotion. I feel emotions are good. But that's just me and my particular body chemistry. Phillipa
Posted by alexal34 on August 24, 2007, at 11:33:48
In reply to Re: Fed up Cymbalta - Contacting Lilly- anyone els, posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2007, at 21:42:43
Thanks for the responses.
I did taper. Knew not to go cold turkey.
Exactly- I had zero emotion. I actually felt yesterday and was happy. I am slowly getting
de-zombified. I spent my summer as an emotionless zombie. Felt sedated all the time.
Funny how every body is so different you just never know how a drug will affect you.
I am happy to be off and will try the natural route cure the depression!
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2007, at 20:02:44
In reply to Re: Fed up Cymbalta - Contacting Lilly- anyone els, posted by alexal34 on August 24, 2007, at 11:33:48
What will you take for the natural route? Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on August 25, 2007, at 16:39:22
In reply to Re: Fed up Cymbalta - Contacting Lilly- anyone els » alexal34, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2007, at 20:02:44
I went off cymbalta in a taper method and it was the hardest thing i ever did. I did contact lilly I even have a scientist ex-friend that works there I contact. he is an ex because of me contacting him. I go zippo help and concern. Lilly thinks it is a GREAT drug. I had so many symptons I have had absence seizures, brain zaps, flu-like symptons, gastro problems that landed me in the hospitals, rashes two kinds one whelpy, one all over my legs, aches in my feet, legs, and hips. Blurry vision, memory loss, loss of sex drive, tingly feeling in legs, and ringing in the ears. Maybe more that I have forgotten. Ånyway, you get me drift. For some no withdrawals up to for some up to 9 months you still go epsiodes of withdrawals like de-toxing. My neurologist, I see for the seizures, says it takes time for the brain to begin remaking the three chemicals cymbalta takes over and how long that takes is individual. Also cymbalta lives in the tissue and the liver must rid your body of it and that is individual. You will recover 100% but it can take time or it can be quick like for others on this list. It has taken time for me. You can take benadryl which acts like SSRI in the brain for a sort period and will help and won't make you sleep. It will help you sleep. Take magnesium for sleep and it calms the central nervous system. Omega Three is good for depression, up to 4000 mg. start slow build up to this dose, and is used in Europe to treat depression. Also B-12 is good for the central nervous system too. This will help for now. Let me know how you are doing. Don't start exercise or anything unless you were already doing it. Your body needs rest not more stress right now. Take it easy if you can. RK
This is the end of the thread.
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