Chelly2011I have been weaning myself off Cymbalta 60 mg. I refilled the last 30 day dose on January 24th 2011. Since then I have taken the pills every other day or every other two days and I have 12 of the 30 pills left. I quit cold turkey now for an entire week. Last time I took the pill was last Sunday Feb 27th 2011. My symptoms consist of fatigue, constant hunger, thirst, anxiety, uncontrollable crying, unstable emotions (hot & cold, up & down), paranoid thoughts, insecurity, bloat, diarrhea.. at one point was unable to walk long distances or move too quickly because I feel dizzy and faint. I am terrified that this will last any longer than it already has. Today I felt better but I still feel light headed and can't move too fast. I also am unable to think clearly or very fast. I am scared and so far I haven't heard of anyone quitting this drug cold turkey. Any words of advise or encouragement would be welcomed. Thanks
I quit cymbalta 60 mg cold turkey Feb 27th 2011. Am I over the worst of withdrawl?
- Posted:
- 7 Mar 2011 by Chelly2011
- Topics:
- cymbalta
Responses (17)
blaze227 Mar 2011
Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person but have not been known to be as severe if tapering is involved... The maximum time that is listed in overall trials and testing where the body is somewhat recovered from abstaining that specific medication is about 3 weeks... could be less... To better understand your situation, do you plan on taking another psych med? How long have you been on these types of med's?Have or were you taking anything else to offset side effects and how do you feel now? Going by your statement it has only been 6 days without? If withdrawal symptoms get worse and do not lessen, I would call your personal physician... blaze22
LaurieShay7 Mar 2011
Hey Chelly2011,
While I never recommend stopping an antiD cold turkey, since you already have then you will be ok. The side effects you are experiencing are normal, not comfortable, I know. The side effects could last as much as another week, but you are probably through the worst of it.
Are you going to try another anitdepressant for the depression? Please be very cautious as depression can be very sneaky. If the crying and unstable mood continues more than another week, please seek medical attention before it gets too bad.
Good luck,
Laurie
medicatio...14 Mar 2011
I am also coming off of Cymbalta, but my psychiatrist has done a different wean. I was on 60mg and a month ago he brought me down to 10mg a day and added 10mg of Pamelor. This was an easy wean.
I went back last week and he totally cut off the Cymbalta and upped the Pamelor to 25mg (taking it for pain and depression)
I've had the worst weekend in the world. I cannot stop crying. Everything sets me off and I break into tears. I feel awful about things and feeling kind of negative. I'm dizzy and weak and feel like I'm in a fog or out in left field somewhere. I am not attempting to drive further than the kid's bus stop.
My doctor told me that it's very hard for some to come off of Cymbalta and he stressed that going from the 10mg to 0 would be the hardest part. He also reassured me that the withdrawl symptoms are those that are not detrimental or would not kill me.
LaurieShay
14 Mar 2011
Hang in there medicationsupport!! It will get better as the Pamelor builds in your system. If you are experiencing depressive symptoms that are intolerable then please call the doctor. You may need to the Prozac to tide you over. Good luck!!
peepaw1
7 Mar 2013
I am going through the same symtoms.i took my last pill 2/17/13.
I had got to the point of pure insanity..i called my doc she dropped me to a 30mg every other day for a week.then going to skip two days. I hope my sanity is returned... i lost my job because of it..
i hope all gets better soon for you and i.
withdrawa...23 Mar 2011
I quit cymbalta (60mg) and klonapen(10mg) cold turkey one week ago today 03/22/11. I am still experiencing dizziness, a cough, and irritability, and also a tingling sensation in my lips. The first couple of days was stomach pain and back pain like I had the flu. I sure do hope this gets better. The dizziness is the worst for me, can't even drive.
15 Apr 2011
I have been on 60mg of Cymbalta for about 9 months. I feel like I have my life back in order and am a much stronger person. When my doctor started my on it, I was fine for about a month. Then it was really effecting my sex life. So she started me taking Cymbalta and Welbutren together. I have taken these everyday for 8 months. My sex life is pretty non exsisting now. I have had it and took my last pills on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Today is the first day I am feeling side effects. Diarrhea, dizziness and if this makes sense, Shiver Like feeling in my head. I am not sure what to expect next. I have a great support system in my husband. Did anyone else have issue with sex while taking Cymbalta and have quit taking it cold turkey like me?
A k312
9 Oct 2011
Can you please share more on your experience. I am on day 5 of he'll and have been off for a week. I only took it about 3-4 months so am hoping these symptoms go away soon. I'd really like to hear more of what you went through! Please help! Thanks!
smt57
22 Jul 2012
sex was better for me and is, but i forget to take sometimes for 2 days and i feel so sick, dizzy sweating, hot and stomach pain and chest pain, I dread when I do come off of it, it has helped me alot along with clazapam at bed time, because I was getting restless leg syndrom with insomnia.
pledge15 Apr 2011
Hi there Chelly2011. Seeing the date of your question, a bit late, but better late than never. I suppose by this time, I imagine that you are no longer on cymbalta perhaps another, new medication. I stopped cymbalta, was taking 60mg up to just this past November. And only went back on it, last week tuesday, April 6th 2011. Stopping it, cold turkey, was not a major ordeal, so to speak. Mind you, most medications throughout my life, have barley had serious, what I call serious side effects. My anxiety level is almost always very high. Drs, have almost always said at one time or another, that given my make-up, biological that is, the centreal nervous system acts as a sort of ... enemy to say, a particular drug. Not always of course, the hypnotics always seem to do thier job. Started to sleep better, only because cymbalta cuts into my sleep pattern. I am an insomniac and it never, that way did much good. Mind you, my anxiety levels were down, and that was a good thing, for sure.
ksauter26 May 2011
I know exactly how you feel. By now you are probably better... But I was on 90 mgs of Cymbalta. I found out it was too much for me.. I had weird yelling outbursts, crying, tingling in my face and arms whenever I would move. I would sleep A LOT! It was HORRIBLE. I went to a different doctor and he told me to get off of it asap. So the next day I reduced my dose to 60 mgs. A week later... I went down to 30mgs. I felt MUCH better. Yesterday I quit cold turkey and now the withdrawal symptoms have kicked in! It feels like it will NEVER end. hot and cold. sweating, dizzy. shaking. fainting.headaches. entire body hurts. nausea. I cant think at all. i have slurred speech. i pretty much feel like im insane. I cant move my head at all without getting vertigo and my face getting all tingly. This drug shouldn't even be available. I have been on numerous antidepressants and Cymbalta is by far the most addictive. Please tell me that you are better! lol I don't know how much more of this I can take.
26 May 2011
So how are you feeling now? I was on 90 mgs.. reduced it by 30 every week. yesterday i quit from 30 mgs. I feel ROTTEN. all the symptoms you have... dizzy. faint. fatigue.hot and cold. sweating. shaking. nausea. everytime i move my head i get this weird electrical shock feeling. my face and arms keep getting tingly! This drug is awful. I am so mad that doctors would even give Cymbalta to patients. This is by far the most addictive drug I have ever been on.
31 Jan 2012
I stopped 60mg of cymbalta yesterday. I got on it about a year n a half ago after my best friend of ten years was killed. I am feeling better now n feel like I shouldn't be on them anymore but this numbness n dizziness is very weird! My husband thinks I'm crazy cud I told him having withdrawals so I am glad I have people that understand! Its good to know I will hopefully I will feel better soon!
27 Mar 2012
Holy cow! This is the worst drug on the market. I pray this reaches SOMEONE out there actually considering taking this pill.
First, I had two surgeries and my child was diagnosed with autism in a one year span. Anyone would go batty. I got panic attacks. Being intelligent - I went to a "psychologist" that just proceeded to put me on three pills - Xanax, Remeron and Zoloft. Not once did he ask me WHY, WHERE, WHAT - just gave me drugs Being not intelligent I just accepted his stupidity with a prescription pad!
Thank goodness I have TONS of hair - I started losing it by the handful after 3 months on Zoloft. So, he switched me to Cymbalta 60mg.
After 3 months of drugs, I had it. I don't need them, I am over the stress.
I am not suicidal nor have any psychosis diagnosis so PLEASE keep this in mind as you read this. Panic attacks and a tiny bit of depression. That's it.
dragonfly134 Jul 2012
I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for about 2 and half months. I had been on Zoloft before Cymbalta. I have had 2 back surgeries and my therapist thought the Cymbalta would help with my pain and depression. Once it was in my system, I hated it! All I wanted to do is sleep. I couldn't keep things straight in my head and constant confusion. Plus, it didn't help with my pain. So against being told not to go off cold turkey, I did. The first few days were fine until my hormone pills were not in stock. That's when some of the withdrawal sysmptoms kick in. Dizziness, constant crying for no or any reason, stronger confusion.I thought I was losing my mind. It's been almost 2 weeks without Cymbalta. I'm starting to feel better. I know everyone is different, but I would NOT tell anyone to get on that roller coaster! Good luck to anyone fighting with Cymbalta!
22 Jan 2013
I too, quit CYMBALTA cold turkey and these withdraws are forever making me feel as if I'm going to fall down, dizziness, when I turn my head, its as though I can hear "puffs" of air.I feel like Im walking sideways , my own legs wont support me and my doctor gave me this medication for pain... but yet, after about 30 days the meds no longer work for pain. I'm also having these "jerks" all over and sleeping is near to impossible. Electric shock, and alot of confusion... glad when this stuff is completely over...
7 Mar 2013
I feel your pain, I to quit feb 17th cold turkey... wow I told my wife how i am feeling and she looked it up online.sorry you are going through this. On the otherhand glad to know that i am not losing my mind, i am having the same symtoms. I called my doc and she said come in and get some 30mg to take everyother day for week then we will try skipping two days... I really hope it works, i was so scattered and moody i lost my job due to these side effects. I had been taking cymbalta for over a year... i hope you see your doc, you to deserve relief..I hope all gets better real soon keep posted please..
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