... prescriptions and missed 3 doses of Lyrica and 2 doses of Cymbalta and the withdrawal was crazy! I felt terrible! My body hurt, I had hot flashes and I couldn't sleep! and I couldn't stay focused has anyone else ever had this issue? I take 225mg of Cyrica twice a day and 30mg of Cymbalta once a day. I would like to get off of both but I have tried gabapentin and had gained more weight than what I have gained on Lyrica. Please help
Concerned about Lyrica/Cymbalta withdraw effects? I couldn't get to the pharmacy to pick up my...
Question posted by Deverardm on 6 Nov 2018
Last updated on 29 September 2021 by dekidjmo
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Answers
dekidjmo
29 Sep 2021
How to take Lyrica and Cymbalta together during the day. Separate for a couple of hours or take immediately together
cindy-59
7 Nov 2018
Hi Deverardm. I’m sorry you are going through this. I have been where you are. I was taking Lyrica for 7-8 years and I’ve been taking Cymbalta for 10 years. I was in so much pain and could hardly think straight that I didn’t connect all my problems with the medications. I was prescribed both of them for chronic nerve pain but they caused me to have more pain. I had anxiety, depression and confusion. I would sweat a lot even if I was doing nothing. I was nauseous, dizzy and tired all the time. I had muscle pain and weakness that kept getting worse. I started gaining weight shortly after starting these medications and I ended up gaining over 80 pounds. I complained many times to my doctor and at one point he said that I had many years left to live and I would have to learn to live with everything. That was it for me! I finally started to research these medications and I found Cymbalta and Lyrica groups on Facebook with thousands of people who were going through the same thing that I was. I cried so hard; realizing I wasn’t alone. So around 2015 I started to slowly taper off Lyrica. It’s advised to taper off one medication at a time. I finished tapering off in June last year (2017) and then I started tapering slowly off Cymbalta. I’m down from 60 mg to 12 mg now and almost every side effect is gone. I tapered off 10% of my last dosage taken every 2 weeks. The lower your dosage and the length of time is of great benefit. You can search ‘The Discontinuation Syndrome’ which is the name they are now calling the tapering process. Although there is a lot of good information many people say that this process can be done in too short of a time. There is a list of ‘Natural Remedies’ that you should check out. I hope and pray that I will be off Cymbalta by 2019 and work at getting healthy again and get my life back. Take care and I wish you the best with your journey of getting off these medications. Cindy59
Deverardm
7 Nov 2018
Hello Cindy59,
Thank you so much for all your information! I am hoping to start tapering off the lyrica next week, I see my doctor tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions on a natural replacement that might help with the nerve pain? I have had back surgery, neuropathy but I really have issues with when I get hot I feel like I have pins and needles all over my body? The lyrica has made that go away and I don't know what to try in place of it, I have thought maybe CBD oil? Any suggestions?
Kind regards
Beth Godshall
8 Nov 2018
Just for general knowledge, I have fibromyalgia, chronic pain (unassociated), and chronic migraine, etc. I stated taking cbd oil in August of this year and it has been helping me a lot! I have actually been sleeping pretty well and it helps to keep my joints flexible. My chiropractor has noticed a difference even. It also helps with my mood and overall pain level. Idk if it would help with tingling and neuropathy, but I think it’s worth trying! Be careful where you buy it though. Make sure the company is reputable!!! Best of luck
Deverardm
8 Nov 2018
Thank you Beth G.
I will give it a try! I also have chronic migraines, the fibromyalgia is what they say is to blame for the pins and needle feeling that I get so I'm hoping the CBD will help and I can get away from the lyrica and Cymbalta. Thank you again
Beth Godshall
8 Nov 2018
Deverardm,
You’re very welcome! I tried capsules first and only slightly felt anything. I decided that because I have IBS and leaky gut, it might be good to try a sublingual oil. Major difference!!! If you have chronic migraine and fibromyalgia, you may be in the same boat. I wasted money on capsules so I wanted to let you know. :) Best of luck with everything and I hope CBD helps you.
cindy-59
8 Nov 2018
Hi Deverardm. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to message you back. I reduced Cymbalta again on Monday and the last couple days have been a bit rough. I have been searching in my notes for answers that might help you and this is what I found. For the pins and needles many people find that topical medications help. Like Lidocaine patches. Also a Neuropathic Preparation such as Hypericum placed in Sweet Almond Oil and applied topically. Another one is Capsaicin Cream. There is a Neuropathic Support Formula called Penetrex too. I have never tried these but I've heard they do work. I have used Voltaren and I did find some relief from it. It actually healed some of my nerve pain. It did hurt when I was rubbing it in but it felt so much better after. Vitamin B12 or B-Complex is a good idea to be taken because these medications deplete our bodies of these. I take B-Complex. They also deplete our bodies of Magnesium so I take this too. Essential Oils work good also.
For the nerve pain I find that warm Epsom Salts bath works wonders. Also Essential Oils such as Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary and Roman Chamomile. As already mentioned some have found that CBD Oil works too. There are vitamins and supplements that are known to help. Such as Vitamin B12, B6, and D. And Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Cayenne Pepper found in Hot Peppers, Antioxidants and Omega-3's. St. John Wort is advised but not until you're completely off Cymbalta, Lyrica and Gabapentin and other medications like them. Make sure that anything you try is not going to interact with any other medications you are taking.
I think I added everything I wanted to but with my brain today I might have forgotten to completely answer all your questions. I hope it all makes sense. If I haven't or if you have more questions I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. I know from experience how scary tapering off these medications can be; even before starting. Make sure you have a plan in place and let your family and friends know what you are doing so that they can keep an eye on you. It can be done but we have to make sure that we listen to our bodies and not taper too fast. I hope you are having a good day. Cindy
Deverardm
9 Nov 2018
Thank you Cindy59! For all your helpful information. I’m starting to taper off Lyrica slowly, I do have B-Complex and magnesium. Hopefully they will help the process.
cindy-59
11 Nov 2018
Hi Deverardm. I’m relieved to hear that you are tapering off Lyrica slowly. I hope you have an easy journey and that you are having a good day. Take care. Cindy
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cymbalta, lyrica, back pain, fibromyalgia, hot flashes, chronic pain, withdrawal, sleep, dosage, pharmacy, prescription
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