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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lisalyn on May 27, 2007, at 20:08:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal - SITE, posted by moesje on May 27, 2007, at 13:10:20
Posted by born46lady on May 28, 2007, at 20:15:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by lorena on December 11, 2005, at 16:05:32
[size=18][/size]I can't believe I found this website today when I thought I was going crazy. I went off Cymbalta about three weeks ago and alcohol about two weeks ago. I thought I was going insane and feel like about I am about to have a coronary heart attack! I have a metallic taste in my mouth, am dizzy, sweaty, hot, cold, cry at the drop of a hat and just generally feel crappy. I was on Cymbalta for over four years and my alcohol consumption increased as time went on. I finally decided to quit it all. Now I am suffering the consequences. I went to my doctor and TOLD him to take me off the Cymbalta NOW! He gave me a seven day sample of Cymbalta at half the dosage I had been taking and instructed me to take it for one week and then quit. Oh my goodness, I "Know" I will make it but I realize I have a long road to haul before I am out of the water. I am sooooo thankful that I went to the computer and started searching. I finnaly had the guts to admit I had been drinking way too much while on this medication. Shame on me! BUT shame on the doctors for ever putting me on Cymbalta. This medication should be taken off the market.
Posted by moesje on May 28, 2007, at 20:33:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by born46lady on May 28, 2007, at 20:15:29
> I can't believe I found this website today when I thought I was going crazy. Oh my goodness, I "Know" I will make it but I realize I have a long road to haul before I am out of the water. I am sooooo thankful that I went to the computer and started searching.>>
Welcome! And hugs and support for your efforts. It won't be easy at all. Read all the other posts here, and check out some of the other areas because some of the non-cymbalta ones will relate to cymbalta . . .brain shocks and stuff like that. If you have a vitamin store in town, or a naturopathic clinic, go there and get some help on what vitamins and supplenents to be taking. Drink lots of water and in my opinion, physical exertion will show the brain shocks "who's the boss". Not sure how that works, but if I get out and do some manual labor, the shocks subside, if I sit and watch tv, they hurt like h*ll. Exercise if you don't have any housework or home repairs to do, but do something. The movement and water will help your body get the drug circulating and out of your body faster . . .although how fast "faster" is with this, I don't really know.
But hang in there, and make sure you enlist the help of someone close to you, so that if you hit the ground crawling, you have a friend to call up on at any time of the night or day. You may not ever need that person, but knowing that person is there will help.
Nuff said for now.
Posted by moesje on June 4, 2007, at 1:24:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » born46lady, posted by moesje on May 28, 2007, at 20:33:44
Okay, what I did was two days of half, nothing the next day; two days of one third, nothing the next day; two days of one fourth and then nothing from then on. When I had been off Cymbalta completely for 8 days, I went to my vitamin store and purchased "Enzymatic - Whole Body Cleanse" - a two week program.
YOU MUST BE OFF CYMBALTA FOR ONE FULL WEEK to start this, otherwise you may have difficulties. I took that seriously, as a young girl in our town died last winter, she had been on anti-depressants and her mom lovingly wanted to help her sleep, so gave her some melatonin. The mixture killed her, and it devastated everyone who knew her.
I'm at the end of the fourth day, the shakes have been gone for a week, the electric shocks only happen when I don't get enough sleep, or am overly excited mentally. Then I also feel like I'm drunk, and behave that way, too.
Otherwise, life is looking up. Oh, and I have an appointment with my pastor to discuss other ways to handle disappointments and life in general without medications.
I want to feel alive again, even when life hurts.
Posted by kelmkla on June 12, 2007, at 11:10:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Howsjen, posted by Kfroggy on April 12, 2007, at 13:30:24
What are the effects of cymbalta us and withdrawal on the heart?
Posted by moesje on June 12, 2007, at 13:02:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by kelmkla on June 12, 2007, at 11:10:57
> What are the effects of cymbalta us and withdrawal on the heart?>
I personally had flutters similar to anxiety, and just had to push through them. If you have a history of heart problems, it's best to talk to your doctor before getting off cymbalta. Really, EVERYONE should talk to their doctor before stopping any anti-depressants, as sometimes the side effects can be worse than the drug. And the doc needs to know what you're doing so that if you end up in the hospital or psyche ward, they will be able to help the emergency docs understand why and know better how to treat you at that point.
And I hate to say it, there are some who NEED meds, and if they go off and the doc doesn't know, you could be in a world of hurt. I wear a MedicAlert bracelet, so all my info is accessible no matter what, telling everyone what I'm allergic to and what meds I might be taking or not.
My opinion, but it's worth the $25-$30 a year to keep that bracelet on. I'm now allergic to penicillan, never was until 2000, and that's still a very widely used antibiotic.
Posted by ConcernedWife on June 14, 2007, at 0:08:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » kelmkla, posted by moesje on June 12, 2007, at 13:02:57
My husband was on Cymbalta for about 6 months and he slowly weened himself off of them in December. He had the brain zaps you guys are talking about while weening himself off but when he stopped taking it completely he woke up and had vertigo and nausea. He ended up in the Urgent care where they ran a lot of tests and told me my husband either has a virus or multiple sclerosis. Since then, he's had every test you can imagine and almost all of them have come back normal. He has a follow-up MRI in July to follow up on the possible MS diagnosis. The only symptom he is having now is what he calls "twitching" throughout his body. Sometimes it's worse than others and sometimes it's almost non-existent. Has anyone else had any similar experiences??
Thank you for all your input!
Posted by moesje on June 14, 2007, at 0:41:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by ConcernedWife on June 14, 2007, at 0:08:39
> My husband was on Cymbalta for about 6 months and he slowly weened himself off of them in December. He had the brain zaps you guys are talking about while weening himself off but when he stopped taking it completely he woke up and had vertigo and nausea. He ended up in the Urgent care where they ran a lot of tests and told me my husband either has a virus or multiple sclerosis. Since then, he's had every test you can imagine and almost all of them have come back normal. He has a follow-up MRI in July to follow up on the possible MS diagnosis. The only symptom he is having now is what he calls "twitching" throughout his body. Sometimes it's worse than others and sometimes it's almost non-existent. Has anyone else had any similar experiences??
>
> Thank you for all your input!>>I was on cymbalta for 6 WEEKS, so the twitching I experienced was only during the 2 weeks I was weening myself off. After that, no more.
If the docs have done all these tests, they would know if he's imbalanced on some nutrients. You can try Cal-Mag from GNC, and the vits I use are from NOW, the Eco-Green Multi without iron and then a separate iron supplement so I don't overdose on iron.
So I can't tell you if my symptoms stopped because they just did, or because of the vitamin regimine I was already on, and then added to. But it's worth talking to the doc to see if he could try vits.
NOW doesn't sell directly online, but they are listed online and give you a way to search for suppliers in your area.
Hope this helps, I know this site was a lifesaver for me when I found out I wasn't alone.
Posted by Punkybear on July 1, 2007, at 22:31:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » ConcernedWife, posted by moesje on June 14, 2007, at 0:41:50
My name is Mike and I am 49 years old.
Thank you for this thread. I thought I was going crazy from my with drawl. I am having the same things happen so many have talked about.
I have been on cymbalta for more than 2 years. After being on it for 6 months for my original problem, I was in a severe accident and was almost killed. I have since been raised up to 120mg a day of cymbalta. I was also on 3000 mg of neurontin.
I had severe weight gain along with many other problems from all the medication. Basically there is nothing they can do for some of my injuries except pain management. Two months ago, I told my doctor I did not want to be on these drugs anymore. I would rather deal with the pain than all the side effects. My neurologist agreed to let me taper it down to 60mg, and my pain doctors wanted me to totally stop the neurontin and get on lyrica. I have successfully switched to only 120mg a day of lyrica and am now off the neurontin.
After getting my cymbalta down to 60mg a day following the doctors orders, I stayed at that level for 2 weeks. Then on my own I decided to get off cymbalta completely. I followed the same advice I used to get down to 60mg. It has now been 5 days that I have been totally off the cymbalta.
I am experiencing severe mood swings, happy one minute and crying the next. I get those terrible brain shivers and dizziness. I itch everywhere. The worst for me are the nightly weird dreams and nightmares I have had for the last 2 months of lowering my dosages.
On the plus side, I finally feel like my brain is coming out of a deep fog. I feel like my personality and ability to think clearly is coming back. I will never allow any doctor to get me on this high a prescription of these kinds of medications again. I plan on getting completely off all my drugs, with or without the doctors ok. My choice for healing myself is going to be working out and lifting weights.
Thank all of you who wrote in this message thread. It really helped to know I was not alone. My prayers are with all of you going through this with drawl. This is Hell! I hope I can see a light at the end of my tunnel in the next 2 weeks. I have made it this far and will make it the rest of the way without the drugs.
Thank you all, I hope my story helps someone else.
Mike
Posted by tamara999 on July 3, 2007, at 10:42:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » born46lady, posted by moesje on May 28, 2007, at 20:33:44
Yeah!!! I was on hold at my doctors office to make an appt when I found this thread. Of course I hung up. I thought i was dying or something. Having Severe dizziness and a "fog" over my head feeling. Cant seem to get motivated and feel like Im almost drunk. Been on Cybalta for a year and weaned down from 60 to 30 over 3 weeks then one every other day for 2 weeks....still lots of side effects.
How long does it take to get all this to go away???? Thank god im off work this week. Thanks for the post !!
Posted by melyssa on July 4, 2007, at 15:29:39
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tamara999 on July 3, 2007, at 10:42:20
I am also in the process of tapering. It is not a fun experiance at all. I started last week. Just taking everyother day (60mg). Monday was the last time I took any cymbalta, and it was less then half the capsul, I poured the rest out. I tried mixing it with orange juice, but had a difficult time getting it to dissolve. I get really dizzy and sometimes it hurts when my eyes move, seems like they're moving to fast for my brain. I got some Vitamine B - complex to help and some Dramamine for dizziness. I am trying not to take anymore cymbalta at all. But it has only been a week, maybe it is too quicke to quit cold turkey. It is awful. I wish this on no one!
Posted by tamara999 on July 4, 2007, at 20:18:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » tamara999, posted by melyssa on July 4, 2007, at 15:29:39
i decided to go back on the cymbalta to try to aleviate the syptoms of withdrawal. I was down to the 30 mg every other day for 2 weeks and still couldnt stop. So I opened the 30;s and split the "beads" in half. I put them back in half of the capsule and crushed the end shut. so took approx. 15 mg. I felt better about 6 hrs later ........took the 15 again today. Plan on doing this with my pills for about 2 weeks then maybe even divide them further......i have none of the dizziness and eye movement verigo as before. Guess we will all get thru this on our own....:)
Posted by moesje on July 4, 2007, at 22:21:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by tamara999 on July 4, 2007, at 20:18:12
> i decided to go back on the cymbalta to try to aleviate the syptoms of withdrawal. I was down to the 30 mg every other day for 2 weeks and still couldnt stop. So I opened the 30;s and split the "beads" in half. I put them back in half of the capsule and crushed the end shut. so took approx. 15 mg. I felt better about 6 hrs later ........took the 15 again today. Plan on doing this with my pills for about 2 weeks then maybe even divide them further......i have none of the dizziness and eye movement verigo as before. Guess we will all get thru this on our own....:)
this is what i did, only i purchased empty capsules to divide them up. i went so far as to go 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 . . . . and get on a good vitamin regimine. it almost feels as if the drug is pulling out of the system, and you need to have something else to replace in there, vits are a good thing to put in. and lots of water. good luck.
Posted by Yvonne Garcia on July 6, 2007, at 17:16:33
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
I moved from one city to another after recieving my Associates degree to continue my education. With the move circumstances caused me to run out of the medication (cymbalta). I had been on 60mg. a day for over 6 months. I told the psychiatrist that was taking over my care that I was about to run out...at the time I had 3 capsules left. He told me he couldn't write me a prescription without seeing me and he could not see me for a month. His attitude led me to believe I could come off the medication without any great distress. WRONG! First being given no preparation about what I could expect was very very wrong. The psychiatrist should have made me aware of what to expect. He didn't ask about any outstanding health problems...I am diabetic and my blood glucose soared above 400 and nothing could bring it under control for over two weeks, I had hypertension and my systolic soared to 180 and stayed between 160 and 180 for that same two week period AND my diastolic went over 110 and stayed there for that same time period. Nausea, vomiting, diarrehea my stomach didn't know what end to kick the food out of. I had insomnia but along with the inability to sleep I also had severe exhaustion. Dry mouth and incredible thirst which I don't know whether to relate to the withdrawl or the elevated blood glucose. I was on phenergan suppositories every 6 hours for 5 days and then a brat diet. It was like I was dying and didn't know from what. The miserable thing was with the psychiatrist's attitude I thought I was physically ill from a virus or something but it just stayed and stayed. I feel more normal now but I have never experienced anything like that in my life. I saw in another posting about cymbalta leading to increased alcohol use...I am an alcoholic and addict and in recovery...before coming off the cymbalta the nagging to use again was getting pretty strong though I never relapsed. I know this is probably not the appropriate place to say this but the psychiatrist that allowed me to go through that either through "poverty of knowledge" about the withdrawl (trying to say it in a nice way), or his lack of time or lack of sensitivity (there's no nice way to say that), put me through hell and has severely shaken the trust I have had in the medical profession.
Posted by moesje on July 6, 2007, at 17:49:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Yvonne Garcia on July 6, 2007, at 17:16:33
It is hell, and I'm glad you're through a lot of it. I won't EVER take antidepressants again, although I've had good success with Elavil in the past. Just won't go there again. Continued success to you.
> I know this is probably not the appropriate place to say this but the psychiatrist that allowed me to go through that either through "poverty of knowledge" about the withdrawl (trying to say it in a nice way), or his lack of time or lack of sensitivity (there's no nice way to say that), put me through hell and has severely shaken the trust I have had in the medical profession.
Posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 19:07:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by davcuts on October 26, 2005, at 19:34:59
I have been tapering off of Cymbalta for the past 6 days. My last 30mg dose is tomorrow. I cannot wait to get off of this stuff and I don't plan on going lower. After tomorrow it's 0 Cymbalta and I guess I'll just have to suffer - suffer the same effects that I have read on earlier posts.
Does anyone have input on how long these symptoms will last for?
Did anyone have an increase in appetite? Weight gain?Thanks!
Posted by moesje on July 10, 2007, at 19:53:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 19:07:09
Whether it was just my determination to get off or the vitamin regimine I have been on for years, I don't know which to credit. Maybe both. Go to GNC and ask for a Cal-Mag mix, have at least one glass a day. I also did some physical labor when the zaps got real bad and I felt like strangling anybody for no reason. Find a good vitamin store (you could try GNC) and get an excellent multi-vitamin, E and fish oil. And lots of water to help flush your system. When you are off for a week, ask at the vitamin store for a body cleanse program, in addition to your daily vitamins. Continue to drink lots of water. My last day was May 22nd, and I've had no symptoms since after the 4th week (so about 3 weeks now).
Like I said, don't know what to attribute the success to, but I'm off for good.
> I have been tapering off of Cymbalta for the past 6 days. My last 30mg dose is tomorrow. I cannot wait to get off of this stuff and I don't plan on going lower. After tomorrow it's 0 Cymbalta and I guess I'll just have to suffer - suffer the same effects that I have read on earlier posts.
>
> Does anyone have input on how long these symptoms will last for?
> Did anyone have an increase in appetite? Weight gain?
>
> Thanks!
Posted by tamara999 on July 10, 2007, at 19:54:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 19:07:09
I was not able to get off the Cymbalta at 30 mg. I had to go to 15 and now 7.5. I didnt have weight changes off it, but think I had some ON the med. I tried going off it at 30 but was so miserable, I went back on the 15.......Goodluck and I hope it goes well. I took 7.5 yesterday and and hopefully done........
Posted by moesje on July 10, 2007, at 19:55:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 19:07:09
oh, no appetite change, and no weight gain or loss. Don't try to lose weight until you've completed the body cleanse, then go for it. It's only another 3 weeks from tomorrow, so you can survive that long if needed.
Posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 20:10:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by moesje on July 10, 2007, at 19:55:34
Body Cleanse??? What should I do?
Posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 20:12:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Snap, posted by moesje on July 10, 2007, at 19:53:58
Thanks! Got it
> Whether it was just my determination to get off or the vitamin regimine I have been on for years, I don't know which to credit. Maybe both. Go to GNC and ask for a Cal-Mag mix, have at least one glass a day. I also did some physical labor when the zaps got real bad and I felt like strangling anybody for no reason. Find a good vitamin store (you could try GNC) and get an excellent multi-vitamin, E and fish oil. And lots of water to help flush your system. When you are off for a week, ask at the vitamin store for a body cleanse program, in addition to your daily vitamins. Continue to drink lots of water. My last day was May 22nd, and I've had no symptoms since after the 4th week (so about 3 weeks now).
>
> Like I said, don't know what to attribute the success to, but I'm off for good.
>
> > I have been tapering off of Cymbalta for the past 6 days. My last 30mg dose is tomorrow. I cannot wait to get off of this stuff and I don't plan on going lower. After tomorrow it's 0 Cymbalta and I guess I'll just have to suffer - suffer the same effects that I have read on earlier posts.
> >
> > Does anyone have input on how long these symptoms will last for?
> > Did anyone have an increase in appetite? Weight gain?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on July 10, 2007, at 20:39:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 19:07:09
Hi Jaq,
I did the same thing you are talking about. (couldn't wait to get off of it either).You can read my earlier posts in this thread. The nausea prevented any weight gain. the worst brain shocks subsided after about 3 weeks and persisted until I figured out how to time my lamictal dose (added after cymbalta was out of my system).
klonopin helped. so did juice. lots of juice. bed rest. rest is good. take it easy on yourself. I hope your experience is better than mine. I ended up doing part of my withdrawal in the hospital :(
take care,
-Ll
Posted by moesje on July 11, 2007, at 0:37:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Snap on July 10, 2007, at 20:10:37
> Body Cleanse??? What should I do?>
"Enzymatic - Whole Body Cleanse" If you can't find it in the vitamin store, go online to "Enzymatic", I think you can purchsae directly or at least find a store to get it from.
**Very important here**
YOU MUST HAVE CYMBALTA OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM FOR A FULL WEEK - Seven Days.A high school girl here in town was on anti-depressants, and still not sleeping well. Her mom gave her some melatonin (which helps you fall asleep). HOWEVER, the melatonin and anti-depressant didn't go together well . . .they found the young girl dead the next morning.
This is not the same as putting Vit C and Vit D together, the natural cures mixed with the synthetics can be toxic. So, unfortunately you have to suffer with the pains for a week.
I'm off a total of 7 weeks now, and completely pain free for 3 weeks, so it can be done. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Posted by Yvonne Garcia on July 11, 2007, at 14:40:08
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Snap, posted by moesje on July 10, 2007, at 19:53:58
> Whether it was just my determination to get off or the vitamin regimine I have been on for years, I don't know which to credit. Maybe both. Go to GNC and ask for a Cal-Mag mix, have at least one glass a day. I also did some physical labor when the zaps got real bad and I felt like strangling anybody for no reason. Find a good vitamin store (you could try GNC) and get an excellent multi-vitamin, E and fish oil. And lots of water to help flush your system. When you are off for a week, ask at the vitamin store for a body cleanse program, in addition to your daily vitamins. Continue to drink lots of water. My last day was May 22nd, and I've had no symptoms since after the 4th week (so about 3 weeks now).
>
> Like I said, don't know what to attribute the success to, but I'm off for good.
>
> > I have been tapering off of Cymbalta for the past 6 days. My last 30mg dose is tomorrow. I cannot wait to get off of this stuff and I don't plan on going lower. After tomorrow it's 0 Cymbalta and I guess I'll just have to suffer - suffer the same effects that I have read on earlier posts.
> >
> > Does anyone have input on how long these symptoms will last for?
> > Did anyone have an increase in appetite? Weight gain?
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>
The worst for me was over in about 2 and a half weeks. I went from 60mg a day to zip due to a poorly informed doctor. If I could have found the doctor and had the inclination or was homicidal well...the stuff that helped the most was the things I didn't want to do and had to force myself to do.
For example: exercise something slow paced walking, swimming, add a good multivitamin, stay hydrated with sports drinks and water, if you have elevated blood pressure see if a doctor will treat you temporarily for that, if your diabetic watch your blood glucose levels closely, I had to eventually get phenergan from an ER doctor for the nausea. These things worked for me but I think the problem with the withdrawal from cymbalta is that besides the common issues it is also individualized and something may spring up on you that isn't as common with everyone else...most important is get educated about it and know it will end. That ole saying comes to mind "and this to shall pass"...good luck
Posted by moesje on July 11, 2007, at 18:44:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Yvonne Garcia on July 11, 2007, at 14:40:08
> For example: exercise something slow paced walking, swimming, add a good multivitamin, stay hydrated with sports drinks and water, if you have elevated blood pressure see if a doctor will treat you temporarily for that, if your diabetic watch your blood glucose levels closely, I had to eventually get phenergan from an ER doctor for the nausea. These things worked for me but I think the problem with the withdrawal from cymbalta is that besides the common issues it is also individualized and something may spring up on you that isn't as common with everyone else...most important is get educated about it and know it will end. That ole saying comes to mind "and this to shall pass"...good luck
>
>YES. Exercise but moderately, you will hurt either way, so you might as well get some endorphins going. I agree with everything Yvonne wrote, each case is individual based on what you need medically in the first place.
Make SURE your doc knows you are doing this, so he/she can be prepared for anything, may not happen, but it's better the doc is prepared.
And keep checking here, for messages and re-reading the posts. You are not the only one who is going thru this, has gone through it or will in the future go thru it. Most of the docs haven't got a clue when it comes to withdrawal off this drug . . . I'm not even sure they've been told, either.
I associated the brain shocks to my system coming back to life again, that made it easier to handle. I have decided life might suck at times (most of the time) but at least I want to feel it now, good, bad and ugly.
Moesje
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