How long will I be going through Cymbalta withdrawals?
Question posted by JenJen101 on 9 July 2013
Last updated on 26 April 2024 by betskand
I've been taking Cymbalta for 8 years for depression and chronic pain. I started having terrible sweating, short term memory loss, severe depression, worsening pain, and many other side effects.
My Dr started slowly trying to get my dosage down from 90mgs, & after getting down from 60mgs to 30mgs, my side effects became unbearable. I forged on and now I'm on my 2nd day of taking just 5mgs of Lexapro, after going 3 days w/out taking Cymbalta.
I'm curious if anyone has successfully conquered this transition, and how long it took to feel somewhat normal? I'm aware it doesn't happen overnight, and I'm not asking for rainbows & butterflies-but the way I feel now is NOT good!! Along with the other stated side effects, I'm so lethargic and my brain is acting as if I turned the switch to off.
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256 Answers
BE
betskand
26 April 2024
Oh, I'm so glad I found this site -- I'm just beginning to try to get off of Cymbalta. I had been on bupropion for so long that I can't even remember (something like 2 decades) and was having such bad tremors and palpitations, and NO relief from depression (I should mention that I'm going through a hellish time: husband has dementia) that I begged to get off of it. My psychiatrist did a "switch-over" onto 20 mg of Cymbalta. I felt better (after a few weeks of hell) being off the bupropion, but didn't pay attention to the fact that I had started to sweat all night, cry for hours at a time (this was hard to sort out since I am, after all, losing my husband and enduring seeing his slow decline with dementia), and also nauseated (low-level, but still disabling) every day. After 3 months on 20 mg my doc moved me up to 30 mg and YOW! The first 3 nights were truly ghastly -- maybe I'm more sensitive because of my age (74).
For the first time I really began to consider suicide. I asked my doc about all this and she's now got me back on 20 mg, alternating one day on and one off. The hell continues. She doesn't want me to go fully off of it because I have a lot of arthritic pain, but truly -- I'd rather be addicted to a sensible daily use of opioids than this horrible drug. I'm so glad to find so many people who have gone through or are going through this nightmare -- I mean, I'm so sorry for all of us, and mad as hell at EJ Lilly and docs for pushing this horror on us with no warning about it -- "It's safe, hardly anyone has side-effects" was what I was told. NOT!!! Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. All the sites I've been on about reduction and getting off Cymbalta mainly say "Don't do anything without help from your physician," and I'm not, but -- 3 different MDs recommended that I be on this stuff. I look forward to learning more about peoples' experiences and tips...
Votes: +1
LI
LisaL257
7 Jan 2024
I hope your symptoms are alleviated by now. Your writing was comforting as I searched for cures to this nightmare, feeling I was alone in this. If you are doing well and feel up to it, could you share how you came through the discontinuation process? Gratefully, Lisa
Votes: +0
TV
TVL76
30 March 2023
My neurologist prescribed Cymbalta for me about seven years ago. Within several hours after I took my first dose, I had very similar effects like you described - my body was in one place while my mind was somewhere over yonder. It was a living waking nightmare. Needless to say, I immediately ceased taking the Cymbalta, and after about 24 hours I felt normal. I feel your pain. Eight years, in my opinion, is a long time to be taking any medication. I could only conjecture that it would take you anywhere from several weeks to a few months to break free of the horrible withdrawal effects brought on by your MD tapering down your dose. I would strongly suggest you discuss this matter with your physician. Perhaps, he/she can prescribe you a mild sedative or anti-anxiety agent to negate your undesirable symptoms, and facilitate a complete withdrawal from Cymbalta. Best of luck to you.
Votes: +1
SM
smchurch
29 March 2023
Great question! I also reduced from "Cymbalta" 90 mg a day, down to 60 mg a day, and did it with no issues, which surprised my Doctor(?)! I had previously read that coming off it would be next to impossible, so I would be extremely interested in knowing how you made out? However, one trick that my Daughter introduced me to was: Taking only minuscule amounts and doing it over a long period of time (i.e., 4-6 months, or even longer if necessary), but she was doing that with a solid pill medication (i.e., Xanax); thus it might be harder to measure when opening up the "Cymbalta Capsules", but there must be a way to measure it precisely! Regardless, if you are still struggling with it, go back to the dose that you were taking when you had no withdrawal side effects, so as not to suffer needlessly, then try my Daughter's method. Again, please inform me regarding how you made out if you are now off from it, and /or if not off from it if her method is working for you? Thanks
Votes: +2
JP
jpz1313
9 July 2022
SNRIs are beyond awful to come off of. I spent a year taking a sub clinical dose because I couldn’t function with the withdrawal. I ended up cross-tapering with Prozac-took low dose of Prozac for some time while on the low dose of Cymbalta, then stopped the Cymbalta, stayed on the Prozac for a couple weeks, went off that and it ended up being nothing. But yes it is an awful experience.
Votes: +0
CC
CCWheels48
19 June 2022
I was taking Cymbalta for 5+ years, I just weaned off of it 2 months ago. When I say it was a horrible process, it was horrible!!! I had head zaps, aggression, my skin crawling, skin itching, pins and needles in my feet and hands, numbness from my elbows to my finger tips, numbness from my knees to my toes, lightheaded, hot and cold flashes!! I am here to say that I still have the aggression and irritability and I just need some relief, I don’t know what to do. Some days I’m ok but I don’t want to start another medicine and then have the fear of these withdrawals if I need to change again. I don’t believe the answer is going from one to the next. I don’t want to go through the emotional blunting that Cymbalta gave me. Once I weaned off of it, I had my energy back but these withdrawals have set me back.I will never ever take this drug and applaud everyone who has broken free of this medication!!
Votes: +4
HE
Heavenwon
9 April 2024
Thank you!!! I had the itching so bad!!! It’s not listed as a side effect. Ugh
SO
Softail2015
7 June 2022
I have jumped off the drug and it is somewhat dangerous. I don't want to take it NO more. Been on it for 25 years and down to 60 mgs before I stopped. One month-horrible!!! But I guess it will have to get better because I no longer trust the medical system or their toxic drugs. I cry and feel hopeless every morning, but I have no other choice in my mind but to stop! Your comments have been precious to me through this living nightmare.
Votes: +8
PB
Pbp42060
6 June 2022
Hi JenJen101 - Hang in there! It does happen! I was on 30mgs then took apart the capsule and started removing one of the tiny tablets inside every two weeks. When I got down to every other day, I STILL was having terrible side effects. That stuff doesn't want to let you go. I was bouncing off the walls, walking around in a daze, getting constant zapping and the sounds with them in my head, terrible dizziness, couldn't think, and crying from feeling so awful. The first two weeks were the absolute worst and I could begin to feel it lifting ever so slightly each day after. I started really focusing on the moments of clarity and appreciating them and it gave me hope that it would all pass with time. It has been four or so months now and I still get an occassional zap with that sound upon waking in the morning and getting out of bed, but for the most part, I'm me again and so very glad I didn't throw in the towel and just stay on it like I had so many times before. Stick with the first two weeks of that uphill climb. Drink tons of water!
Votes: +4
LA
Lahoftx100
8 Aug 2022
I’m with you JenJen! 1 1/2 years ago, I tried to taper down; I was taking the maximum of 120 mg. I was sick every day for >7 months. I had not asked my doctor for a replacement for an antidepressant. I couldn’t do it so I went back on it. Now, my doctor has put me on Prozac. I’ve tapered down Cymbalta over 2+ months to 20 mg. at the same tapering up on Prozac to 60 mg.
I’ve been taking 20 mg. Cymbalta for quite awhile in conjunction with Prozac. Now my doctor wants me completely off of Cymbalta. I finally had the courage to not take any about 1 week ago. I’m having withdrawals that are worse than when I was tapering down/tapering up on Prozac.
JI
Jilly41
5 June 2022
I feel your frustration and pain. Personally Cymbalta is evil. My doctor put me on it about 5 years ago for nerve pain from a car accident I was in. It never did help, but my doctor at the time told me to stay on it. I was on it for 3 months and I started getting "brain zaps" I'm not even kidding, it felt like my brain was literally being zapped. After complaining to my doctor he finally started weaning me down from Cymbalta. I was on Cymbalta for a total of 6 months before weaning off. It is possible to bypass the with drawl symptoms of Cymbalta, but you have to do a slow taper. I really don't like this medication. For those that take it and it helps them with no side effects, that's great. But for the people I know and talked with that were prescribed this medication, all had poor things to say about it.
I joined a group on face book years back called "Cymbalta is evil" The people in the group were so helpful and gave tons of suggestions. I recommend finding an online group that can help you too. And for the best advise I can give you... wean yourself off of this medication... your body, mind and well being will thank you for it.
Votes: +3
PS
PslpainXX
25 March 2022
Cymbals is NOT a pain medication or anxiety medication. if your doctor says it is he is lying to you. my father is a Pain Management doctor and has been for over 15 years.
Votes: +3
MA
Mammo7
7 June 2022
What is it then? That drug ruined my life for a couple years. I prescribed it for my fibromyalgia.
JP
jpz1313
9 July 2022
It is indicated for various forms of nerve pain
IN
Inactive
11 March 2022
I commend your bravery in trying to detox from this medication. Let me share my experience. Some years ago, I too tried to withdraw from my dependency on taking a medication for ten years (citalopram) I failed in my quest, and had to be put back on immediately, with increased dosage. I tried again just recently, except this time, I slowly wane myself from this medication.
I am still taken this medication, however, no longer 40mg now 10 mg. What I did different this time JenJen, I address my reasons for my depression with my inner self. Some people talk to their dog, some their therapist, me my inner spirit.
Votes: +3
CA
Catholicmom
25 Jan 2022
I successfully weaned off lexapro three years ago but I did it extremely slowly over a few years. Thankfully I never had any side effects from that and managed to stay off meds for three years. I’ve seen many people trying to get off too quickly and they have a harder time. I’m not sure how it goes with swapping medications but I’m sure your doctor is very knowledgeable about that. Hopefully things are going well for you.
Votes: +0
DB
Dbesnia
13 Jan 2022
I’m so glad you asked that question. I’m having the same issues. I went from 60 done to 30. It’s hell. But the 60 was hell. I see the dr tomorrow.
Votes: +1
IH
I hate cymbalta
11 Jan 2022
My doctor started me on this for severere arthritis. I took 20mgs for a week and then 40 mgs for another 4 weeks. I was severally constipated but my doc really didnt believe me. Then one night my chest felt weird, my heart was beating really hard, as I was sitting calmy in bed reading. I took my BP and it was 203/104. This is after she had double my BP meds from 20/12.5 HCTZ to Lisinopril to 20 /25 HCTZ. I literally felt that my heart was going to beat out of my chest and neck. My chest was even getting sore. I contacted her thru kaiser's website thinking she would get the message the next day but she must have been at home answering email. She told me my BP was reactive and to stop taking it. The next day I got vertigo and the roomy was moving up and down. I know the maneuver and was luckily able to disliked the crystal in my ear that caused the horrible vertigo.
This was when I decided I could not take this horrible poison anymore I immediately went down to a half dose of 20mgs for two days. My BP immediately went down to 118/67 and I was again moving my bowls. The next day I took no cymbalta ( generic), and got mildly upset at a friend and credit over that and the fact my beautiful standard poodle had died by my side 3 months ago. I hadn't cried about him or anything since the first week he passed. That night I cried for another 3 hours over my poodle. The next day I knew I would have to take another 1/2 dose and did while researching how to withdrawal off this drug. I decided the following day to take nothing and then the day filling that another 1/2 dose. That seemed to work for a couple of days and then I stopped cymbalta again. The next day in the evening I started feeling really anxious over nothing. I figured okay I can deal with this and I drank a beer, and it seemed to help. The following day I started feeling so dizzy. I knew exactly what it was and split the 20 mg capsule of cymbalta into 5 of my own caps. For the following days I took one each day for 5 days, and then quite. In the mean time I had a video appointment with my PCP. I told her what was going on and not once did she say again about going off the cymbalta slowly. All she did was tell me I was ADHD and offer me at least 5 more medications that included amphetamines. I told her no way with HP would I use them. She asked me if I could have only one thing from antidepressants would would I pick. I said to have more energy because me chronic pain is tiring me out. She finally gave up in frustration trying to put me on new drugs that I wasn't even asking for. Okay, let's follow up 3 weeks. I am completely off of the terrible drug but my arthritis has come back with a vengeance. My bone on bone big toes went from being hardly a problem to horribly painful, my unreplaced mildly/ moderately arthritic hip is hurting me, I have a tingling feeling going down my leg, my successful TKR has a weird pain running down the side. I went from being super active ( at least 7500) steps a day to looking like I am moving like an 90 year old. I swear it is the cymbalta. Really if you knew me you would be surprised. Last fall I was climbing steep hills and hiking over 9 miles on a good day. Anyhow, I just want to warn others. I have searched for stories like my own but I think the big pharma scrubs then off the internet. All I can say is be careful when considering this museral, horrible drug. I have read accounts on the internet where folks have stated they couldn't withdraw from the horrible side effects of cymbalta and has to go back on the drug
Votes: +2
IN
Inactive
12 Dec 2021
Greetings to all. I have been on more medications than I can count or remember off and on for about the last 20 years. In my humble opinion based on all of the research I have read and based on finally having a legitimate psychiatrist who knows what's up I would strongly advise anyone to reference the ASHTON MANUAL for antidepressant and benzodiazepene withdrawal guidelines. I am currently tapering off of cymbalta and was informed to make reductions of the lowest possible dosage for an absolute minimum of 2 weeks between intervals preferably 1 month or longer at a time between reductions. I deeply sympathize with anyone and everyone going through it and sincerely hope that everyone achieves their objective. Be well and take care.
