I have a feeling of hopelessness, that life is exhausting and isn't worth living, as well as surreal thoughts, a hard time translating thoughts to words, and so on. My doctor took me off of it. It got better for a bit, but now I think I'm having withdraws. I'm having tremors, nausea, diarrhea, head pain, and
lightheadedness. The worst thing is the thoughts of dying and of life not being worth living are back now, among other things. I won't act on it, but the thoughts cause extreme anxiety, and I just wanted to ask if anyone else knows this feeling. Is this from the drug? Will it go away? I'm extremely scared
Duloxetine - A few days ago I began having what I believe are side effects of duloxetine.
Question posted by JF534 on 14 Nov 2020
Last updated on 19 November 2020
Answers
Wierdo65
19 Nov 2020
Dear friend,
I'm am on Cymbalta..40mg daily down from 60mg, unfortunately and i speak from experience ( I am 55 with 35 years of depression) these drugs take time to function, some time weeks and months, my best advice is to take the smaller dosage available ( 30Mg) and then if its the case slowly increase ( but it's very subjective for instance for me 60 mg where worse the 30mg and after years I got my Pharmacy to prepare 40mg wich I am taking) side effect are common and especially withdraw symptoms pretty bad..My advice is if you can to bare with side effects and If it gets to bad add some benzodiazepines..to help you..After many years I understood that every drug works differently on each of us..best is not to mix too many drugs and give your body time to adjust..Hope it helps Ciao
Inactive
19 Nov 2020
The lowest dose available is actually a 20mg. capsule.
cindy-59
15 Nov 2020
I was taking Cymbalta for over 10 years for chronic pain. I kept getting worse and had everything you mentioned as side effects except diarrhea; which is certainly a withdrawal symptom along with everything else you said. I found the Cymbalta Hurts Worse support group (which has thousands of people all over the world trying to get off Cymbalta) and there are many files that have so much helpful information. There’s even a PAWS Group in there that helps people who are taken off Cymbalta cold turkey or have tapered off too fast. Most people in this group have found that they have to taper off slowly if they have taken Cymbalta for over 2-3 weeks. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I know the damage that Cymbalta can do but we can heal from the damage if we have the right information. Time is a huge factor also. Take care
JF534
15 Nov 2020
Thank you! I feel a bit better today so far thankfully. My doctor told me to just quit taking it, since I was only on 30 ml, but even that can have withdrawals I believe. I hope you're doing better now too! I'll check out that group as well. Thank you!
cindy-59
15 Nov 2020
I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling a bit better today! I understand that most doctors believe that 30 mg is a low dose but it really isn’t because Cymbalta is such a strong medication. It changes our brain and who we are after taking it for only two weeks! Many people are affected badly after taking only one capsule. I’m really happy that you’re going to join the Cymbalta Hurts Worse support group. There are now over 26,000 people who are getting help and it is growing fast daily.
I’m doing much better now. Thankfully I tapered off slowly and I took my last bead on December 31st, 2019. The first few months after tapering were a bit rough but the healing process has been happening well since then. I’m relieved to say that there is no permanent damage and I’m on my way to having ‘me’ back again. I wish you all the best in your recovery! Cindy
JF534
15 Nov 2020
This surreal sensation... will it go away? It tries to creep back in but I'm trying to fight it off. It seems better than yesterday
JF534
15 Nov 2020
Thank you for your kindness! I was only on it for 4 weeks or so, so hopefully it won't be long. It's the surreal feelings and the anxiety they cause that really bother me. I don't know if it's dissociation or what, but it's horrible. I will call the doctor tomorrow and I see him in person on Tuesday. My request to join Cymbalta Hurts Worse is pending as well! I wish you well on your recovery too!
JF534
15 Nov 2020
Thank you for your kindness! I was only on it for 4 weeks or so, so hopefully it won't be long. It's the surreal feelings and the anxiety they cause that really bother me. I don't know if it's dissociation or what, but it's horrible. I will call the doctor tomorrow and I see him in person on Tuesday. My request to join Cymbalta Hurts Worse is pending as well! I wish you well on your recovery too!
cindy-59
15 Nov 2020
It’s a good thing that you haven’t taken it long term. Your doctor will most likely want to prescribe you a new medication to help with the withdrawals but there’s a good chance that it will not work. For many people that will only make it worse. Of course this decision is yours! I’m just letting you know what happens to most people in the group. Be sure to answer the questions to get accepted. They have to be very careful with so many new members joining every day. I already commented on your last one question about the surreal experience so hopefully they will put it through soon. If not; you can make a post in the CHW group and ask them about it.
JF534
16 Nov 2020
I'll consider that when I talk to my doctor! I was actually taking Wellbutrin, he prescribed that instead. But I went to a clinic because they were open on weekends and she said that could be contributing too so I just quit both until tomorrow when I speak to him. That's only one day so it shouldn't hurt regardless
cindy-59
16 Nov 2020
How long were you taking Wellbutrin?
JF534
16 Nov 2020
Only a few days. I don't think it would activate that fast but who knows?
Related topics
anxiety, duloxetine, side effect, doctor
Further information
- Duloxetine uses and safety info
- Duloxetine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Duloxetine (detailed)
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