[aharris77]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on 30 mg Cymbalta for four days. I hate it. It makes me feel very ill and I don't want to take it.

Can I just stop since it's only been four days or do I need to taper?

My doc is not going to be happy because she was really pushing them but I think it should be my choice.

Does anyone know? Thanks.

Angela

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by aharris77

Hi Everyone,

I have been on 30 mg Cymbalta for four days. I hate it. It makes me feel very ill and I don't want to take it.

Can I just stop since it's only been four days or do I need to taper?

My doc is not going to be happy because she was really pushing them but I think it should be my choice.

Does anyone know? Thanks.

Angela

Hi Angela, Yes, you can stop taking the cymbalta. After only 4 days you are much less likely to have withdrawl type symptoms although, withdrawl type symptoms are possible. The important thing to consider is if you wish to immediately switch from the cymbalta back to something else. If so, that may be complicated. (we all react differently) When you say that cymbalta "makes you ill" are you reffering to stomache prob's? like nausea, etc? Also, did you do an immediate switch from another med directly to cymbalta? If it was a direct switch then, you'r symptoms may be withdrawl from the previous med (or side's from the new one) These med's can be VERY tricky...ERGH. I hope you feel better soon, let me know if I can help...Peace...Erin

[aharris77]

Thanks, Erin!

Here's what happened to get me here:

A year ago, my doc gave me Celexa. I couldn't handle the side effects. At the ten month point the night sweats were unbearable, and the jaw clenching has given me severe TMJ dysfuntion and constant pain. Plus, I didn't feel much better emotionally.

I tapered down from a whole pill, to a half, to a quarter two weeks each taper period. Then I stopped completely and after three weeks the withdrawal got bad. Body tremors, spasms, muscle pain, crying, you name it. My doc kept saying everything is "anxiety" and giving me Xanax (I take .5 mg twice per day)

So I decided to find a new doc.

She reviewed all my symptoms, listened to everything I had to say and prescribed me Cymbalta. I couldn't take it for four days I was so scared. I was so nervous I spit the first one down the sink.

I saw her again and explained my fear and reluctance of this medicine. With her crafty doctor talk, she convinced me to take the medicine.

So I did. The first day was horrible nausea. From there it's been hyperness, no desire for food, sweating, weird head pains every now and again that really scare me. Oh, and I didn't like the liver damage it may cause. I used to drink heavily and while I don't anymore I don't want to take chances with my liver if I don't have to. I also don't want the withdrawal when it's time to go off.

I don't want to be back on this merry-go-round! I want off for good.

I have a feeling I may have to find a third doctor. I just want a doctor who doesn't try to shove antidepressants down my throat.

[erinkj]

From what you said, your symptoms sound like withdrawl from the celexa and not side effects of the cymbalta. I had TMJ type symptoms when I tried to go off Lexapro the first time. If you don't already use one, I reccomend that you get a mouth tray (spacer) to wear at night. That will help some with the TMJ. Also, try taking a magnesium/calcium/ with Vitamin D supplement. You need all 3 ingredients TOGETHER in one formula for optimal benefit...Liquids are best and also cheaper than pill's; also, easier to swallow. For you'r liver: While milk thistle is a great liver cleanser I don't reccomend it while on SSRI med's. You will benefit far more from taking Lecithin, it is great for your liver and is wonderful brain food. Lecithin helps build choline and is part of the building block of inositol which is deficient in the majority of us who have had deppression/ anxiety and panic....So, it sure couldnt hurt. Lecithin gel's are small or you can get it in powder or liquid; also cheap and keeps your liver clean. The magnesium should help the TMJ as it helps with relaxing the muscles. There are alternatives to anti-depressants that are safe. I cannot try any of them until I am completely off of celexa. Enzyme therapies are proving healthy and effective. You can find info on this at www.neurorelief.com their website has an "education" section that details the info and, they have sections for doctors. Check out the site and see what you think. They provide neuro-transmitter testing, something I am looking into having done. I hope some of this help's...Keep me posted...Hope you have a good day...Erin

[aharris77]

Thank you so much for the information! I'll post back and update on my progress...

[hope for the best]

I hope you are feeling better.

I took a single dose of Cymbalta several years ago and had such a bad reaction, chest pains, dizzy to the point of reeling, insomnia, loss of appetite so bad that I could no more think of putting food in my mouth than eating dirt etc. I wasn't expecting any reaction for several weeks so I know I didn't imagine it. Called the doctor the next day any they said open the cap and take half......uh......no way.

Anyway, the day following the first dose I felt slightly better, almost to the point I could see why it "might" help someone. Then day two I thought I'd died my mood was soooooo low and I felt terrible. It got a bit better after that. I still was a mess but it was the same mess I was before that single dose. So about three days to recover from a single dose for me.

I wonder if you're partly still experiencing withdrawal symptoms and the new med was just making your head more confused.