How long will I be going thru Cymbalta withdrawals?

Been weaning off this poisin after being on it for 6 plus years. Feel like crap. All symptoms that everyone else mentioned, but a throbbing headache on my forehead has left me unable to function!! Any thoughts or advice??? Thanks!

Thanks for this info. I am now withdrawing from Cymbalta too. And I started having lots of pain. I did not know about the pain or the short term memory loss aspect of the withdrawals so it is good to know that this is normal. Thanks again!

I would say this is generally good advice, but, I found that very rigorous exercise twice a day help A LOT. I mean things like full court basketball, or full field soccer,
intense weightlifting, ultimate frisbee, martial arts, boxing, full field flag football.

In addition, "lots of fruits and veggies" is "OK", but, you must add major carbs, like pasta, and high protein, like a nice NY Strip cooked medium rare. If you don't add the high quality carbs, then you won't have energy. If you don't add complete proteins with fats, you will not repair broken down muscle fibers and the cells in your body will die more quickly from lack of fat, including brain cells.

Basically, even if you are tapering down slowly, you will have withdrawal sickness, although symptoms will not be as severe as they would be if you went cold turkey. You need to fight back against the symptoms by engaging in life more rigorously.

I have went off cymbalta 60mg and have been on it for about 3 years for lower back pain, depression and fibromyalgia. I feel I'm on way to many medications these days and I want to regain some of the energy I had before and wow... I have had 3 back surgeries and the withdrawal of this medication is worse than any of my surgeries. I gave in after 3 days and took a cymbalta..now it's been another 4 days and no cymbalta..Thank goodness I am a stay at home military wife because working would be like trying to work with a bad bad case of the flu plus some..I just wish my husband wasn't deployed to Afghanistan so he could be here to help... I do have a deep tissue massager that helps me relax at night..it helps with the zapping sensation and headache..I use it on my neck and shoulders and legs and even arms & hands..I am taking it one day at a time with hope that I will feel better and the withdrawal symptoms will disappear..

JenJen101
It's been a long time, still having memory problems and some fog.
How has your progress been?
Hope you're through the storm :) ... Let me know?

Try to taper off 10mgs per 3 weeks. Have dr give you limictal in small doses as it prevents brain zaps and seizure effects. I was on 120mg for 4 years, and had to demand dr take me off. He did it this way. Don't completely get rid of the effects, but you can ride it out. Took me all summer.

Hello,
I understand your pain. I started Cymbalta 11 years ago. My 25 year old daughter died in 2003, this is when I was given this drug along with some others to help me with my severe depression. I am still on Cymbalta, have tried to get off of it and I cannot. I hope you are doing ok. Please feel free to message me if you would like. I miss my daughter so much. There is not a day goes by that I do not think of her. I have a hole in my heart as I know you do.
Keep in touch.
Karen

This helped me a lot, lots of water has helped lessen the side affects a great deal!

i have been on 60 mg of cymballta for about 4 years i gained 45 lbs an have been just feeling awful my doc took me down to 20 mg for about 3 wks 4 days ago i stopped takin it all together i am having the shakes an like electric shock memory loss an cant sleep this is awful when will this stop

I have been off Cymbolta for 3 days now and I feel horrible. I am sick to my stomach all day, getting this zaps in my head and face. So dizzy I can't driveI feel like crying all the time. If I would have know what I know now I would NEVER had gone on Cymbolta I hate it!!! How long did it take for others to get rid of all their withdrawals? It seems like ever day is worse then the last. I am now on Welbutin. .

I tried to get off. I just can't handle the side effects. I would have crying spells and the zapping in my head and dizziness was worse everyday. My dr finally told me to go back on, at a lower dose, and try tapering down again. I am sooo afraid to try it again. So now I feel like I will have to stay on a med that I don't want to be on just because of these side effects. I would never recommend Cymbalta to anyone.

Hello,
I am 65 yrs old. Back in 2002 my beautiful 24 year old daughter was diagnosed with a terminal disease. I was devastated. My Dr. put me on ... yes you got it Cymbalta.
I have tried so many times to wean off. Here it is 2015, and I have to STILL be on it.
The horrible side effects I just cannot handle.
Karen

Saw my doctor today and he looked shocked and told me he didn't want me off the Cymbalta! I told him it was going to happen and now he thinks I'm mental. He gave no advice and had to bite his tongue regarding his thoughts. I saw his face and I know that look. But it's not his body. I did stumble on a website that offers help and nutritional supplements to ease withdrawals. I like what I've read so far and plan on trying it.

Saw my doctor today and he looked shocked and told me he didn't want me off the Cymbalta! I told him it was going to happen and now he thinks I'm mental. He gave no advice and had to bite his tongue regarding his thoughts. I saw his face and I know that look. But it's not his body. I did stumble on a website that offers help and nutritional supplements to ease withdrawals. I like what I've read so far and plan on trying it.

Reading about what all of you are going through makes me somehow feel better. I am experiencing just about all the reported symptoms and at my wits end. I am limiting my diet to fresh veggies and high protein because I now gave SIBO too which I think is a related. I am also going to physical therapy, warm pool therapy and massage. It all helps a little. How long will this go on? Any success storues or suggestions?

I am currently dealing with withdrawal from Cymbalta & have found a site that has helped me immensely . " cymbaltawithdrawal.com " it's a support group & everyone on it is withdrawing from Cymbalta ... Great group .

I've been on Cymbalta a year now/depression continued and I just felt nauseated /tired/generally not well. I stopped taking it for a week and my tummy felt better but my feet and legs ached and it feels that I'm losing my quality of life/also a side effect of the med /I experienced low tolerance to cafflence and have an issue with anxiety more than ever/w/out the drug I'm angry /mean/hateful/what do I do/

I started Cymbalta 20 milligrams and got up to 90 milligrams. it was too much for me so I tried to wing off myself but I have been miserable also can anyone give me there withdrawal symptoms because I feel like I'm going to pass out and I get dizzy spells

I've been taking it for 3 days. I can't sleep and I have severe muscle twitching. I stopped today. I took a 300 mg neurontin to help with the twitching but now I feel like a space case. Headache and dizzy mostly. Been in bed today because I feel spacy. What else can I expect. I need to go to work tomorrow.

i have been off 5 days an it is awful the shakes or zaps is unbearable how long will this last

Hi
Right on about not enough info regarding coming off drug!!!
Still trying to get off just 20 mgm. Horrible medication that never really helped my Fibro, CFS or depression even on the 60 mgm.
I am going to pour few granules out of 20 mgm cap every week for a few months. They should ban this med.
Puffy ( thanks Cymbalta)

I have many of the withdrawal symptoms listed and stopped taking it 3 weeks out but had been in tapering down phase for months. I had my bo ch'k friday at a pharmacy station who advised me the shelf life as 10 days and I was floored. granted, i have health issues fibromyalgia and neck injury but there are areas in my left thigh and now my left arm that feel like a dentist injected novacaine. pitted edema got so bad I could not walk upright and short of breath.. some of those symptoms are gradually improved. the brain zaps, swelling and a few others are taking longer so all I can say is one person says this long and one says another. I am not surprised. I just know I am going through a very hard time stm loss, groggy mind, sweats, increased tinnitus which I thought was my synthroid, weight gain the list is too long to listhere. best wishes to all who are dealing with this. God bless.

How are you doing now? How much longer did it take to get rid of the drug totally from your system?

"Unfortunately, patients put on Cymbalta do not receive sufficient warning about the withdrawals they will be facing when trying to stop taking it."
Amen to this!

I know what you mean. I have just recently stopped it and I am miserable. miserable. I wish I had know as well about the side effects before starting it.

I am feeling better now! The zings continue, but they're not quite as frequent or severe. What's amazing, though, is how much better my brain and overall body feels! I honestly feel like I have been in a fog, without knowing I was IN that fog. My brain is clicking again, I feel motivated, and more like my old self. I had no idea the drug itself was making me feel so "blah" until I went off of it. My daughter used to take it, too, for fibromyalgia, and she feels the same way I do... like she woke up physically and mentally after stopping Cymbalta. Hang in there, everyone!!

I agree with you totally, you have to go very slowly a little at a time. Lower your dose gradually and stay on that dose for at least a month your body will adjust to it. Then go down again and again stay on that lower dose for another month , until you get down to Zero. This is the only effective way to get off this CRAP that they put us on so easily, and never do they tell us of the withdrawals which are worse than the depression you had in the first place. Go slow and be easy on yourself Doctors know that the slow and steady approach is the only answer to get off... give it a try I did it and never thought I would be Cymbalta free... I had many crying fits but in time it all passes, I started on liquid Milk Thistle as well trying to get this out of my system...

I was on 20 mg for almost a year and still didn't see any real benefits. I was out on cymbal ts for menopausal symptoms. My dicta double my dosage to 60 mg. I went crazy. I wanted off this medicine after six months. I went back down to 30 mg for two weeks and then every other day for two weeks and then zero meds. I have been having major side effects for over two months now. I still suffer with depression and mood swings. I cry all the time. This is affecting me from doing my job. I refuse to go back on sky antidepressant to get rid of these feelings. Please don't let any doctor put You on this medication. It is a bad drug.

Emeredith1 - Good job, and it sounds like you've got the right mindset. You know it's going to be hard, and you're ready to get through it day by day. I was on Cymbalta for eight years. First I weaned by opening the capsules, and when I stopped taking it entirely, it took me five weeks to feel normal again.

Can someone please explain by the term I've seen in different posts "brain zaps"?

Hi everyone, I have been on these tablets for near on 20 years. I recently went on hols an ran out of tabs which made me think I might be able to come off them. The head wizz was bad, I decided to take 3 balls out of each tab for one month and I physically hurt but I can actually feel emotions my sleep pattern is everywhere. My teeth hurt. I'm trying now to take four balls out struggling but want to keep on x

Bloodpump, how did you cope with the dizzyness?

Thanks for the different ways to detox off of Cymbalta. I have been taking Cymbalta for about 6 yrs. I was up to 120mg. The doctor tried weaning me off of the drug for 3 days and it was pure hell. I thought I was going to go crazy! I had brain zaps, extreme dizziness, lack of appetite, diarrhea, not able to sleep, and horrible night sweats that went on throughout the day too. I ended up in the emergency room being carried in because I couldn't control my legs to walk! I was told by a friend of mine to get charcoal from a health food store to help detox this drug from your system. I am on day 10 and feel a little normal but still have extreme symptoms. I went to a new doctor in hopes in getting some help and he put me back on 60mg to help me taper off slowly. What do you do with the extreme dizziness? I haven't been able to drive for a time or even do household work. All I want to do is hold my head!

My withdrawal was unintentional. Screw up between dr pharmacy and aetna. 9 days from 60 MG to 0. Omg I'm about to hang myself. They screwed up my rx. Going back on now. Does anyone know how long before I feel human. I cannot even drive... help me

Physical exercise? ? Seriously? I can barely walk, I cannot even sit. I really don't think physical exercise is good advice. People are dizzy, brain zaps, clealry you're not experiencing the same types of symptoms if you can exercise through this! I wish!

Exercise? Are you serious? This drug causes such unbelievable withdrawal symptoms that exercise is impossible. At first I didn't have the strength to even walk a short distance. I used to put the dogs in the car and drive to the end of our very quiet road just to let them run in the field.

Hi there
It's funny what you just said about being dropped on an island. I'm on holiday in Ibiza which is amazing but I left my duloxetine 60mg at home!! It's really hot here and I thought that was why I can't sleep... I've been off them for a week and I'm scared now reading these accounts of withdrawals. ... fir the last 2 nights I've had constant itchy crawling skin sensations all night, I'm exhausted but just can't sleep!! Its driving me insane!! I have showered, checked and changed the sheets, there is never anything there on my skin :-(... I'm sure it must be that... not sure what to do now. I need my sleeeeeeep!

Hi there
It's funny what you just said about being dropped on an island. I'm on holiday in Ibiza which is amazing but I left my duloxetine 60mg at home! ! It's really hot here and I thought that was why I can't sleep... I've been off them for a week and I'm scared now reading these accounts of withdrawals. ... fir the last 2 nights I've had constant itchy crawling skin sensations all night, I'm exhausted but just can't sleep!! Its driving me insane!! I have showered, checked and changed the sheets, there is never anything there on my skin :-( not sure what to do now :-( also had dizziness for 3 days.

Hi every one,

I have read forum after forum and am a little scared about how long this will last, however hopeful it will end.
It has been 6 days after stopping cold turkey from 60mg (not smart I know). I was starting to forget to take them occasionally anyway and felt happy with my place in life, plus planning to conceive... so took the Dr's advice and stopped.
I have never felt so nauseous and with such a headache and back ache, and last night I cried like a five year old for no reason! - I try to do normal day to day activities but find my self needing to lay down every few hours for at least half an hour... Ive thought of going back on and trying to wean - but I'm way tooo stubborn for that and figure Ive made it 6 days, I will keep persevering... Any thoughts? I really want to be chemical free for the new bub and I don't need Cymbalta any more, but the withdrawal sux.

Do NOT start taking Cymbalta again!!! I'm telling you as someone who's gone to Hell & back on it, weened off of it, has continued to go thru withdrawal, but... I'm beginning to feel better in some ways. I've lost 20lbs+ since my weening off in July, my libido has started coming back, I've began to accomplish much more than before in my home, & I've had moments of happiness.
When I transitioned to Lexapro, & was off Cymbalta completely, I was beyond a hot mess! I had no idea it would be such a physical nightmare, I was clueless. I found this site, read & did everything the people advised-& I mean everything, & trust me they all know their stuff! Read it all, take it in, & please just don't start back up! All you're going to do is put off the inevitable!

I initially gained weight on Cymbalta and then after years I gained weight and started having terrible moods swings, all bad. Off for ten days now and lost 3 lbs while eating and drinking excessively. Cravings for food and water are starting to diminish as well as the dizziness. Cymbalta was a godsend when I started on it but would never have taken it if I had known how hard it is to get off it. 2nd try to get off and this time I'm determined to make it.

I am in tears reading these posts

I was taken off Effexor er dr said it was hard to get off of well not as bad as the cymbalta I was put on
Now I don't have $ to get the cymbalta and the pain in body sleeping a lot , flu like symptoms . I'm a mess right now

I was gone for 3 days and accidentally missed those doses of Cymbalta. I am a registered nurse- and fell in a patients bathroom from vertigo caused by withdrawals. Confusion took over me to the point where I didn't even know what day it was, what time it was, or where I was. Had no idea how to work my phone. When it finally hit me that maybe I needed my Cymbalta, I finally took it. EVERY SYMPTOM COMPLETELY GONE within ONE hour. No kidding. I will always make sure my patients get their SSRIs when I'm on duty. Seriously terrible thing to withdraw from. It's no joke

On cymbalta 7 yrs. 60mg. Hospitalized twice, low potassium,vomiting non stop. Confusion,dizzy, memory loss. So far its been 7 weeks of being ill an missing work. After all this I have decided to stay off all prescriptions an reading on homeopathic medicines. I am so done with prescriptions. Nightmare is a understatement. Class action lawsuit sounds like a plan.

Class action lawsuit sounds good to me right now!

I'm so mad. I worked down trying to split the capsule. My generic has 6 big pellets . I stopped at what I thought was 5 mg. I wake up with a horrible dream and I am shivering and shaking and can't talk. This drug got to making me have panic outside my house so bad like I have never had. I have been in the house 2 months. I take 4o mg viibryd now before I reduced down . It seems like viibryd wants to take away the withdrawals .i am considering class action. My dr sayid never heard if this .. This is bs!!

Hi, how is everyone doing now? I am too trying to stop this evil drug. I have only been taking about 2 months with not good results. I am now trying to stop taking it. I have been taking one every other day but the confusion, dizziness, headaches are so bad!! Any suggestions on how to get away from this medicine? I feel horrible!!

Went on my first vacation in 2 years and my doctor said she would call my script in to the pharmacy near our vacation place. That didn't happen. Had been on cymbalta for six months and I spent my vacation with super withdrawal dizziness and freaky "brain zaps". Now I'm home and it's been two weeks and I'm ready to leave my family because I'm having crazy rage moments. I can't believe the things that comes out of my mouth. For the most part I edit myself but I was nothing like this before taking it for depression

I had 3 capsules left when I stopped cymbalta. After 4 days I started wellbutrin. Wow! I am so miserable with all the same side effects you have ! The main reason I stopped was the major effect on libido. I think taking my xanax has helped me cope more than anything. Epsom salt foot soaks and lemon water help a lot! Please when will this end?

Wow. No side effects? Really?

I just found this website after coming inside and over heating and pu king.Im sooooooo happy to know I'm not alone!! I found a phone number for the attorney for the class action lawsuit and I'm calling them first thing in the morning! I n720-298-5314 text me please !!! i need help too!! Is there ANYTHING I can take to help the withdrawals? I feel like I can't even move!! L

I just started taking Cymbalta 2 months ago. My hair which has always been thick and long is falling out by the handfuls. I'm eating everything that doesn't move. Gained 15 lbs in 1 month. If I was depressed before I am now. I stopped 4 days ago taking it and ready to crawl out of my skin. I'm in a fog, forgetful and emotional. I, too, was told by my doctor that cymbalta has the least side effects. What??? Has anyone else lost hair and gained big time weight quickly???

I am 67 and I have tried to come off cymbalta but I just don't make it past the 3 day. I take it every other day for a week and then cut down to every 2 days and I can't stand the crying and the stuff going off in my head. Does anyone else have is like fireworks going off in the head. Also like looking through a kalidascope. My sleep is so disturbed that it is like no sleep at all. I need help and my Dr. doesn't seen to know the answer for me except more drugs and I don't take anything except the cymbalta and an 81 asprin. The palapations are so so many that it takes my breath. I'm afraid my heart wont take it... Can anyone help???

I too, along with everyone else, am going through cymbalta withdrawal. No one understands how I feel! The nausea, brain zaps and diarrhea are horrible! I am a nurse and I make sure to inform my patients about the dangers of this horrible drug! I wish my dr. And I would have done more research 4yrs ago when I was initially prescribed!

I've been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for 15 months. It's not helping with depression. I'm exhausted, don't have the energy to do anything, sleep horribly and have vivid dreams, my menstrual cycle is messed up and I'm nauseous.
Researched tapering off. DO NOT skip days. Take apart the capsules and take out a few grains per day until you wean yourself off. Drink lots of water, walk, add ground flaxseed to some juice in the morning and be kind to yourself. My plan is to taper over 8 weeks. Three days in, no side effects yet.

I'm 4 weeks into tapering off from 60 mg. Down to about 30 mg now with no side effects so far. Each day I take out 10 more grains than the previous day. Today I took out 300. I think there are about 580 in a 60 mg capsule. When I suggested this to my doctor and my pharmacist, both said it wasn't practical and would be too tedious. I guess medical professionals don't realize that some patients are motivated. He wanted me to jump down to 30 mg for 2 weeks and then to start skipping days. After reading here that this method is not advised I decided to do it my way. I am also drinking 2 quarts of water a day and begin my mornings by doing 30 minutes of stationary cycling. This seems to be working. No brain zaps yet but my symptoms of exhaustion and fogginess continue.

I would NEVER have gone on Cymbalta if I would have now. These drug co need to explain this to people. I have never been so sick in my life.

I was also told that Cymbalta was a fantastic drug for depression and anxiety. I've been on it for 2 years and this is my second attempt to become cymbalta free. As of today I have been cymbalta free since March 18th, so it's only been a little over a week but my anger is raging. The person that prescribed does cymbalta to me never said anything about side effects and when I mentioned it a few weeks ago he put the blame on me stating well I just assumed you did the research. instead of beating the crap out of the man I have chosen to work outside in my garden when I have the strength to get out of there. With this much rage coursing through my veins I'm going to have a hell of a beautiful garden this year.

I sadly feel some peace reading your posts. Been on it for 2 years. Weaning self off day four clean but I feel horrible. ringing in my ears headache and have been stomach flu sick for weeks. I have found some relief in taking potassium pills but I still feel like I have issues

I've been on Cymbalta for several years. I taken it for leg pain related to multiple back surgeries. I was never told about the side effects or the fact that it's nearly impossible to discontinue. My doctors encouraged me to take it because it's non-narcotic. I've had weight gain & sleep problems since I started it. I've tried to wean off several times, but the withdrawal symptoms make me so miserable. Eli-Lilly needs to be held accountable. Why hasn't there been a class action lawsuit filed? In hindsight I believe the narcotics would have been a better option.

I have been on Cymbalta for I think 5 maybe 6 years not really sure but, I haven't taken any in a couple of days. I feel like like I have the worst flu ever, my hubby said maybe you are going through withdrawals from the Cymbalta, I said no, it's not a narcotic but I decided to look it up and I am going through the what everybody else is going through. I have never felt so sick in my life and I don't know what to do about it. If I had known getting off this medicine I never would have taken it. I do have to say I did feel better taking it but having issues with memory fatigue sleep etc. but I wasn't so depressed and I wasn't having panic attacks anymore. Reading about Cymbalta is really starting to make a lot of sense to how I feel and the symptoms that I was having taking it said kind of damned if I do and damned if I don't so what do I do I don't know

Hi, I am being moved from Lexapro to Cymbalta, the Lexapro isn't horrible, but the Cymbalta seems to be weird on day 2. Have you ever tried Lexapro? Any opinion on the two?

Lexapro side effects were t horrible, mainly the insomnia and agitation was an issue. Cymbalta is making me tired, hungrier, and foggy brained.

Hello,
I've been on Cymbalta for 2 years and I can't afford it , I'm going through the brain zaps , nausea dizziness , moody big time .At first I thought it was vertigo nope its Cymbalta my Dr wants Me to continue on it but honestly I don't want to due to the withdrawal symptoms I can't function this way help please I drink lots of water gal or more a day thank yiu

I know this post is several years old, but I'm curious how many of you got off this drug ok? I've been on it for at least 16 yrs, 60mg, since a bad car accident. I've had issues after issues, and finally figured out it was the Cymbalta. My Dr told me you have to go slowly, 6 months to a year! I went from 60mg to 30mg. First two weeks were Hell!!! Felt like Linda Blair in the exorcist. I see my Dr this Wednesday, hoping to drop again. It's been at least 2 months and at a point I could feel normal again! I think we need a class action lawsuit!!!

I am a NP and have prescribed over the last 20 yrs.my share of SSRI's and personally have been on a couple but was started from my doctor on Cymbalta for adjunctive pain therapy maybe 1 yr ago. Recently I did a liver detox and stopped all my meds for the main day of detoxing. Well you know how we think we can take care of ourselves, Wrong. I decided to do it all myself. Days 5-7 and wow, still so fuzzy headed, dizzy restless legs, profuse sweating upon any exertion,insomnia, irritable and I said "what is going on with me" It is now day 7. Have not taken the Cymbalta, refuse to get back on even small doses, I too had no idea the side effects of withdraw were so bad or I would have worked with my doctor. So now it's the weekend and I will tough it out till Monday and decide what to do. I thought one week I should be done with all this but doesn't sound like if from reading these comments.

Hi. Yes it takes time and for some longer. The swimmy head I get. Hot then I freeze still. Plus little crying spells for no reason due to going off. But my vision is crystal clear. Focus better. Memory much better. Terrible what this does to people. Least my nervousness left. I just learned to laught at myself through out all this if I forget or misplace something. Just learned to love myself the way iam.mistakes I make at work or whatever. I'm no longer hard on myself, I like myself the way iam. I changed thinking and attitude.

I found getting off the effexor is just as bad as Cymbalta. I've been off of that about 5 days and I'm a mess!

Same here tiffster... I was on Effexor for several years, don't know why I ever whent off it's like you feel better n you thinl you will be ok if you go off ... well after being off for quite a while Doc put me on Cymbalta, had to stop for a while because I could not afford it, went back to effexor then back to Cymbalta ,now with all I'm hearing about withdrawel from Cymbalta, I wish I would have stayed on Effexor.

I weaned myself off of Cymbalta, , I took a long time to do this. My Doctor stated i should not be having any withdrawals since i took so long weaning off. Everything i am reading i can relate to. I don't know what to do to help myself. I was put on Wellbutrin 150mg then down to 100mg and was told i needed to be on something for depression. Well that made it all worse, so i stopped it. I am doing somewhat better. At least i have some energy and emotions. Has anyone experienced clenching teeth and mouth pain. I hope i am making since to someone. I read that Lexapro helped ? I am so afraid to try anything else .

How did you do it in one week. What's your secret. Is effexor expensive. I am on cymbalta I cant afford to take it anymore. Hubby lost job. No insurance.oSo my current prescription ran out. It has been 3, days off cymbalta I am sweating so bad and I haven't slept in two days. I want ti call.my pain mgt. Doctor and ask him if he could get mgr help for cost of meds. But I think it is time to get off of these awful meds. I am terrified of the next three months because I already went thru withdrawal of pain meds after a laminectony. I went tgru hell for 3 months. I ended up in the hospital for a week. It was awful.

Cymbalta withdrawal. I have been on this drug for approx 5 years but the sweating just wears me out, I hate going out my makeup slips off my face my hair sticks to my head while other people are rugged up. I tried to go from 60 mg to 30 mg but my lower back pain returned and the pain in my head was terrible, especially if I even slightly exerted myself..so back on 60 mg. I tried having 60 mg every second day for over a week now. I haven't had any for 8 days but the packet of tablets looks better every day. I have a lump in my throat all the time like I haven't cried for years I just weep. I am depressed have pain plus I absolutely loathe myself due to weight gain... will I ever feel cool again? I'm so hot. I pray I have the strength to do this... more than that I pray my family have the strength to put up with me through this journey. Reading other peoples experiences have helped me write this. Good luck to you all.

Wow you are brave to go back on it. I have been taking it for three weeks and I am so scare after reading all of this . I hardly sleep I don't eat very well / how do I stop?

tiffster1, you hit it spot on. That is me right now. What makes it worse is we are dealing with a financial crisis in my house. So, did getting back on effexor work for you? Are you feeling better?

Cymbalta worked great at first. Now finding I am alwys tired. Had to switch to generic thankyou Obama. Now I am starting to get withdrawrel symptons. Cant remeber anyones name. Forget everything. It seems longer I am on it worse it gets.

I've been on cymbalta for over 10 years,trying to wein off it for several months now by decreasing from 60mg to 30mg to 15mg now to roughly 7.5mg daily.having a horrible time,such brain fog,lightheaded,blurry vision everyday.Here I was blaming the eye dr.so emotional,cry everyday.wished I would never have started this med.was never told of all the side effects.I was on Zoloft before this,but hated feeling like a zombie all the time.please help.I just want to feel half normal once.

My mom took cymbalta and took her life July 24 th 2016. She was struggling with the side effects. Docs never said anything and told her to keep taking. I am so heart broken the warnings aren't there!! I am going to change that very soon.

Hi... I've been on Duloxetine (generic Cymbalta) for a year and have recently been through withdrawing from it... Whew... bad stuff to withdraw from... on the toilet most of the day... "quacking" noises in my ears... confused most of the time... have been off (weaned down) for going on two weeks... tired all of the time... ready to break dishes and throw things... this is BAD... any idea how long this will last... Doctor guided all the way and I really do trust her... good lady... but, am really having a rough time... was put on this to help cancer related peripheral neuropathy... Love Hubby of 42 years so much and don't want to put him through this... Thanks for "listening"

My daughter was on Cymbaltia for 1 month. After reading the withdrawal information she decided to get off it. She is already having side effects. How long will the withdrawals take for her?

I am in the withdrawal stage. ( 3 days without Cymbalta ) I can't believe how much I am suffering. Dizzy, Brain Zaps, no energy, I feel like I'm staggering when I stand or walk. I feel like I have been drunk for a week and haven't slept. Can anyone tell me how long ( days, weeks) before these side effects start easing up?

Hi as I mentioned I am withdrawing I'm finding all sorts of withdrawal signs sleep seems to be a common problem. But strange things like taste changing some food or drinks I really feel sick at. I'm still on 30mg from 60mg that took 2 months so I'm thinking do 2 months on 30 . I think I will struggle more to reduce 30 and I don't want to swap it for a different drug. Your all doing amazing and this helps us all to hear from people in the same boat. Brain zaps absolutely awful.

Hi as I mentioned I am withdrawing I'm finding all sorts of withdrawal signs sleep seems to be a common problem. But strange things like taste changing some food or drinks I really feel sick at. I'm still on 30mg from 60mg that took 2 months so I'm thinking do 2 months on 30 . I think I will struggle more to reduce 30 and I don't want to swap it for a different drug. Your all doing amazing and this helps us all to hear from people in the same boat. Brain zaps absolutely awful.

What symptoms has the gravol helped with? I am off Cymbalta for about two weeks after taking 90mg (60 in am, 30 in pm) for three years. I am sick to my stomach all the time, have constant nausea, and occasional side-headaches.I also am exhausted a lot and have no energy. I've been taking anti-nausea, syrup, acidophalus, and pepto-bismol chewables. I get some relief... but the nausea and stomach pain always comes back. What does the gravol relieve? How long will these side-effects last... if you kow?

Thank you, Sheila

OMG 7 months ... I'm up to my 4th month Cymbalta free & was hoping I was nearing the finish of side effects... I feel like I'm getting worse not better & Im burning up 24/7 with a lot of time spent on the toilet ... Oh well it looks like I need to toughen up & hang on a bit longer ...

tulipgold - I have been off of this poison for 3 years and still have the head fogginess, feeling unreal, like living in a dream... it is terrible and most days are simply a struggle to survive. I would like to connect with you to hear how you are coping.
Thank you and Godspeed

Tulipgold your words have helped me more than you could know - for me the only ray of hope in this 3 - year struggle. My head is so fuzzy and disoriented that I cannot drive, work, etc. I seen many doctors and just get dismissed. Thank you for your updates.
Thank you sooo much!!! Best to you!!

Was on cymbalta for 8 yrs. Having withdrawals. Need to know what to do.

So happy to read this post; I feel hopeful!!! I got off Cymbalta after months of tapering,
-Jan. 5 2014.. Almost 4 months ago now.. I DO have some lingering side effects; major vertigo, & blurry/shaky vision. My eye prescription changed 3 times since getting off this stuff... I've read that some symptoms can last for months... I'm grateful to finally see that SOMEONE feels back to "normal!!! " I went through the worst hell of my Life getting off this.. I pray I will get back to normal-i want the rest of my Life back!!! Any further experience, strength, & hope would be much appreciated!!! -Jen

This has been the worst experience of my life. Been tapering off for a month, now on day two with no meds. I thought I was going to escape the nausea--I was wrong! I just added that to my growing list of maladies that have overtaken my life. I'm not suicidal, but this sure will bring you to the brink of madness. What are we going to do about this people???

Are you replacing it with another one or just off now?

I have been on a few of these drugs since the birth of my son soon to be 19. The most recent one is cymbalta. I have had way to many side effects so decided to stop. After many side effects like bad headaches, pressure in my head dizzy, vision problems and now not being able to sleep this is day 17 when does it get better tired of this grouchy state help please.

I have been on a few of these drugs since the birth of my son soon to be 19. The most recent one is cymbalta. I have had way to many side effects so decided to stop. After many side effects like bad headaches, pressure in my head dizzy, vision problems and now not being able to sleep this is day 17 when does it get better tired of this grouchy state help please.

Were you able to sleep?

Well good morning all, just a note to say i have hit day 50 cymbalta free. Many days i had wanted to take an antidepressant to top all of this mess with side effects but did not. I am still not leeping well so i take .05 of clonazepam it seems to help i also take natural supplements l theanine and 5 htp they seem to help still have bad days that i am very gouchy and tired but hope this will also pass,,, its very hard just keep saying i am worth it.

Hi, I am being moved from Lexapro to Cymbalta, the Lexapro isn't horrible, but the Cymbalta seems to be weird on day 2. Have you ever tried Lexapro? Any opinion on the two?

Lexapro side effects were t horrible, mainly the insomnia and agitation was an issue. Cymbalta is making me tired, hungrier, and foggy brained.

I'm on 120mg trying to go off, I was every other day for a week, now every 3rd day I feel like crap I have body aches so bad feels like I have the flue, I told my Dr. How I was feeling, the answer from her was maybe you just need to go back on it.. I need help

Thank you for following up with your progress. Congratulations and I'm posting to tell you that you DID help one person - likely many more.

My physician suggested I try Cymbalta. I tried it for two months and was shocked to come to the conclusion that I had taken two pills, rather than the one prescribed per day, on 14 days; thus, when I tried to refill it - I was told I couldn't. Clearly, I realized my memory was affected and opted to never take it again.

Today is only day three without the medication and I only took it for two months; yet, I am on this blog looking for others suffering from problematic withdrawals.

You gave me hope through positive reinforcement and I will never take a seratonine medication, or anything but vitamins, again. It's not a good idea for me to alter my brains chemistry regardless of pain. I can do this through healthy eating, allowing the withdrawals to happen without concern and just being me. What a mess! Thank you for your post.

I've only taken cymbalta for about 6 to 8 months. After reading what you all have gone through trying to quit this horrific drug I am so worried what's in front of me.
I was taking 90mg by the weekend after 2 weeks of reducing my dose age I feel awful. I am now in the full drawls of withdrawal. I never experience anything like this in my life. My dr never informed me that something like this would happen. I called her earlier today, haven't heard from her yet. I just wanted to thank all for writing about the evils of cymbalta. If I didn't cone across your comments who knows where I would be tomorrow.
I hope I did the right thing I took a 60 mg this evening. Thank you again. I'll let you know what going on here. Mm

Thank God for yours and all the other honest comments about Cymbalta. My pdoc had suggested it for depression,anxiety and mainly for my musculoskeletal,osteoarthritic pain in my back and hips. I had never had heard about it for pain, and I told him I would think about it and maybe later. Thank God was with me when I made that decision--- after researching this med(as I have learned to always do) I will NEVER go on it for anything.I am trying Paxil right now and am so violently nauseated on it I quit it.Nausea imm. went away. I took Effexor a few years back and was nauseated on that too, but I weaned myself off of it really slowly and was ok. I know what these antidepressants can do and the side effects,and the withdrawals are. I can't believe that these dr.s give them out so freely knowing nothing about them.I'll bet THEY don't take them!! Research like this,forums like this and honest people is where you get the real truth.The drug companies just want your $. My heart goes out to all who suffer with these meds--been there.

I'm reading this and could cry. I'm on day 2 of none. My life's falling to pieces. I feel worse than I ever had my fybromyalga is through the room. I can't sleep at night yet falling asleep in the day I can't work because I administer medication so decided it's not safe. I could list the side effects but I will be here all day. These were ment to help my mood which they didn't and now I'm helpless controlled by a million side effect of withdrawal

I have been on Cymbalta for bout 10 years 60mg and my doc took me off. two weeks ago and put me on Effexor xr 37.5mg. I cant think straight im having brain freeze. cant finish a complete sentence. and dizzy leg n feet cramps,i had problems sleeping before n now its worse. does anyone else have this problem?

So glad to know someone else did what I did. No one , especially my doctor, even offered for me to break the capsule open. It seemed logical to me. Please let me know how you are doing now if you can. I am only only 8 weeks out, but now almost 2 weeks without anything. Still having some side effects, just wonder if they are normal at this time. Thanks.

I recently got the flu and for 3 days I couldn't take my medications. I was prescribed Lyrica 150 mg twice a day and Cymbalta 60 mg - I was diagnosed with extreme osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I found myself on day 6 of stopping cymbalta crying for a game show winner. I am exhausted but blamed it recovering from the flu. I can't sleep much - maybe short stints and I am wandering the house at night. Since my husband just had a heart valve replacement I just took a tablet and will seek help in this withdrawal. Thank you all for being so open about your symptoms/ who knew that a drug I praised early on what live us like this now.

I fought to get one open then the little balls go everywhere, how do u open them easily?

Thank you for this post. I've been miserable and today I am having panic attacks - day 7. This keeps me motivated to keep going. Thank goodness I googled why I feel so awful. Cymbalta sucks.

I inadvertently ran out of my prescription of 60mg of Cymbalta over the holidays. I never really gave it much thought until about day 4 I started feeling dizzy, lightheaded, confused, nauseous and just strange in the head. Weepy, unable to sleep and sweats. I couldn't figure out what was wrong because I had no clue to the side effects! Today is Christmas Day and I realized it's because I quit taking Cymbalta and I am having withdrawals! I'm so glad I looked it up because I thought maybe I was having a brain stroke! I never thought of giving up Cymbalta as it worked well for me. But after these side effects I will never take it again and I plan to cold turkey through the withdrawal period. I certainly hope I am one of the "lucky" ones and don't have to go through this for months! I was on 60mg and am going to try some of your ideas for relief through this process. The good part is that at least I'm not crazy and I'm not alone. If anyone else has any ideas to help through the process I would appreciate it. Thank you!

Thank you for writing down your experience. I think it will help me if I start doing the same. I've just entered what you titled "Hell". I think I'm on day five of withdrawal symptoms. The brain zaps are the worst, my body feels strange inside and out, and my moods are horrible (I hate the way I treat my family right now.) I'm exhausted at night, but once in bed can't go to sleep. My personal plan is to start drinking lots more water, eating fresh veggies and fruit, and lots of delicious protein. I started exercising before I got off this evil medicine but quite shortly after. I'm going to go back to the gym tomorrow. I pray for everyone going through this journey does not last long!

I too was on 60mg of cymbalta (duloxotine) I am now on 30 mg... And I made this drop over night, with no side effects what so ever! My doctor said if I pair up Wellbutrin with taking only half of my normal dose OF duloxotine, it should lessen or even negate any duloxotine withdrawal side effects,,, Holy cow, it worked! I'm gonna try Wellbutrin as a substitute for my daily dose of Duloxotine (30mg) I'm currently on now and see if that will surpress the withdrawal symptoms or at least make them tolerable. Once I feel I'm in the clear, it is only then that I will try to stop taking Wellbutrin. I've heard the withdrawal of Wellbutrin is a walk in the park compared to duloxotine! Please let me know if any of you have ever heard of this kind of withdrawal regimen?

OMG, I am on month 8 and the dizziness is as bad as it was on day one; the zaps stopped occurring all day long and now they only occur when I sleep (they wake me up sometimes). How much longer will this go on?

Zrocknroller , I feel for you & pray that you hang in there ..how are you coping ?. It's over 4 months Cymbalta free for me & I am so over this crap . I just want a normal life again . I seem to have a pattern forming in my recovery , one all right day followed by a relapse day . I see my life passing me by as I struggle for some sort of existence .

I'm so glad that a Doctor is on the anti-Cymbalta bandwagon! When I talk to Doctors, they seem to think that I'm exaggerating or something! I get so angry when I see adds for this. They forget to warn you that for so many getting off the stuff is horrific!

No don't do it. Stay off of it. Hang in there.

Hi, So Glad I just found this site. My Doctor (nurse Practitioner) wants to put me on Cymbalta. For my Fibromyalsia. I'm very reluctant to start it. Now that i read that there are withdraw symptoms. I want to tell her I do not want to start those Cymbalta meds. Worried that she will not like that i refuse the medicines. I'm due to see her in one month. So i'm thinking what i need to do is push myself more . More Exercise eating more Healthy to see if that will help me. Instead of starting the Cymbalta. Anyone have any suggestions? Do you think i am correct in not wanting to start the Cymbalta? Thanks Sweetie Tweetie" :)

I didn't go on Effexor for the same reason (fortunately my pharmacist warned me).. My doctor was fine with my refusal. It's your body, not everyone has these same withdrawal reactions, but they are terrible. Hopefully there is something for fibromyalgia that doesn't affect moods and have these horrible withdrawal symptoms. I hope you get relief (safely) :-)

Hi all. I quit 3 days ago. The vertigo has been quite bad. However I think it has helped tremendously that doc put me straight onto fluoxetine. Prayer also helps me get through the day! Did anyone else experience itchy feet? I keep checking but there is no rash or anything. It is constant! And I feel like scratching my skin off. Help!

Hi all. I quit 3 days ago. The vertigo has been quite bad. However I think it has helped tremendously that doc put me straight onto fluoxetine. Prayer also helps me get through the day! Did anyone else experience itchy feet? I keep checking but there is no rash or anything. It is constant! And I feel like scratching my skin off. Help!

Have started not taking my 60mg Cymbalta for MS pain. Don't feel it's doing anything. Feel nauseous and constant ache behind eyes, also not fully alert. Today went from tears to not being able to stop laughing. Anyone else experience anything like this. Feel revolting.

I am on day 7. I have no idea how long it will last. I will tell you it is bad enough that this meat and potato girl is starting to juice tomorrow and try to cleanse some these toxins out. You know, for all we know we have brain damage and will never be the same. I might talk to a lawyer. You can feel the anger can't you?

I am only 5 days off after having taken 60 mg for only 6 months. The brain zaps are so bad I feel like I'm falling down the stairs. Like I may not be able to drive to work but I have no choice. Having the other symptoms to but the zaps by far are the worst hardest thing ever. So much more depressed now than I ever was before I started taking them at all. Does anyone know anything I can try? I can take the other symptoms but this is cruel constant torture no one should have to endure. Plz email is deeelam28@Yahoo com thanks for any help given.

I'm trying to come off Cymbalta for the second time. Last time I lasted about 2-3 weeks. I was constantly feeling dizzy, had brain zaps, feeling a bit off in the stomach and was finding it hard to concentrate and sit still. It was starting to effect my work so I went back on it.

Last time I stopped taking it, I went to my doctor and told him I stopped taking it and was feeling terrible. He didn't mention anything about the withdrawal symptoms and just wrote me another script. I think I need to find a new doctor!

Before reading through all these comments I didn't realise the withdrawal symptoms last for so long. It's good to know that even if I'm still struggling after 2-3 weeks again this is quite normal for this drug.

I would not recommend this drug to anyone. Sure it does what it's meant to do, but coming off it is a nightmare.

I recently went through withdrawal from the generic for Cymbalta. The most difficult part was that it lasted five days. I slept at night. During the day I felt like a tornado had occupied my body and mind totally.I had lost all sense of time and remembered very little.I was anxious about what was happening to me, as I live by myself. I rarely ate. What was some comfort to me was that nothing I experienced got worse through the five days.It was a frightening event that still has me weak and anxious.

good humor girl

This is some awful stuff... why would a health care professional prescribe this drug ??? easy ... drug reps that tell the doc what they want them to hear and a FDA that is run by big pharma... buyer beware when it comes to drugs ... this is a a drug that needs to be exposed ..where is the press on this ... 60 min 20/20??? oh yah these drug companies spend 100's of millions on advertising on there networks... just read all the testimonials on this site ... are you kidding me ... there are so many antidepressant drugs that have few if any of the side effect not to mention the withdrawal symptoms that linger for an intolerable amount of time... where are the agencies that are supposed to protect us from this crap...

Oh thank goodness not alone!! Never knew how powerful this drug is!! I suspected an amphetamine or steroid in the medication. The speedy effect on me was similar to those two meds. I was told the drug didn't have any of those two meds in them!! I beg to differ! This is my 5th off and it's been hell, the dizziness is major. My heart rate stays at 101to 103!! Crying at the drop of a hat!! I've searched for some kind of detox... can't find one. Anybody out there?

Do not ween off by yourself. I took Cymbalta for 3 years, then starting having all this symptoms horrible, everything that you feel and more. I still feel so bad, have no hope. Sincerely,

nikki1985

I am weaning off of Cymbalta after taking it for approximately 8 years for depression. I took 60mg each morning. I am seeing a naturopath who prescribed this method: Take Cymbalta every morning for 3 weeks and also add 2 capsules Dopatone in the AM and 2 capsules in the afternoon. Plus, he had me taking 200 mg of 5HTP at night. After 3 weeks, I was to begin to take Cymbalta every other day for 2 weeks and then every third day for 2 weeks and then stop. I felt very sick after the first week of every-other-day Cymbalta. I think it was due in part to the 5HTP, which I stopped. I was nauseous, vomiting, dizzy. After 3 days of no 5HTP, felt much better. Now I am on the first week of every 3rd day. I feel dizzy on the 3rd day. My stomach is occasionally upset. I am foggy and a little tired but able to function okay. I am going to continue and see if I can stop the Cymbalta as scheduled. Right now just ending the first week of every 3rd day. I'll post back when I am completely off of it.

I am getting off Cymbalta right now. It's my third day and I feel like crying all the time. The Doc is taking me off of it because he stated that it causes my fainting (and I have had about 6 trips to the ER this year so far). On average I faint about once or twice a week.
I curse the day I got on this medication. I wished I followed my other psychiatrist advice and got on something else.

I took Cymbalta for over 2 years. I got to the place were the nightmares were too much. I was taking 6omg. So my doctor got me to take 30 mg. He warned me of side effects. I had to get off. I did discover that I could take out a tiny ball in each capsule to slowly wean down. The first two weeks were ok until evening. I would fly off the handle at the smallest thing. I warned my family and friends what I was doing and to be prepared. This made a big difference for me that they understood. I have been on 30 mg for almost 90 days and only occasionally if I am emotionally stressed do I react. Getting ready to go down more soon. I think I can do it, if my family and friends continue to support me. Mostly, I have to accept myself the reason for my moods. This is quite an undertaking to get off. I will end by saying when I first started to wean off I had more pain then before I started. The pain has subsided. Add lots of movement, water and sleep have helped.
janiee

I have only just stumbled across this thread. I thought I was.mad! It all makes sense now!

Do not start back on. Will ruin your life

I took Cymbalta for over 2 years for fibromyalgia. When I first started taking it, it dulled me down so low I was not able to laugh or cry. This year, my insurance company has decided to put all rx's not gotten through their mail in pharmacy on my $3000.00 out of pocket. Needless to say, I had to resort to using Good RX coupons to get my scripts. The last 2 months I have not been able to afford it even with the coupons. I had only been taking 60 mgs every other day instead of every day to save money. So, I just quit taking it. Now, I feel like I either want to crawl out of my skin or cry my eyes out and the pain is horrible. I feel like I acquired bipolar disorder. I hope this doesn't last. I am having a very hard time.

i am on day four of not taking 60mg cymbalta (fibromyalgia and chronic pain). i am having zaps (headache pains when i move my head), insomnia, fatigue, off-balance, irritability and feel just plain drugged. i am afraid to take it again (lapsed bc prescription not filled in time) due to additional side effects and worsening of the ones i have. i am not sure of how long they will last but from the posts previously, three weeks to years. no one advised me of the withdrawal symptoms - just what could happen while i was on it. This is much worse than the side effects of when i was on it.

hello everyone
i don't know if anyone is still reading these posts? but i need to get off off this poison called Cymbalta!
I have taken it now for 9 years and and tried unsuccessfully 3 times to wean off. I accidentally forgot a dose this week and am in such agony with brain zaps and headaches.
My question is this: has anyone had success with "switching" to a different anti-depressant while still on Cymbalta? - in essence "doubling-up" and using both together first then tapering off of Cymbalta? Thanks

FYI:

There is currently a class-action lawsuit against Eli-Lilly - just google for info.

Night terrors -horrible nightmares, body rashes, digestive problems... the list goes on & on & on. We can do it ... please don't go back to this Cymbalta, Don't give up. And please don't detox Cymbalta/DULOXETIENE outside the care of your physician. If you feel suicidal go to your doctor or ER --that's not really you feeling that way... it's the detox. Praying for all

Whatever you do, try and endure the side affects and STAY OFF Cymbalta.
It is a very nasty drug and is prescribed with no warnings of the side affects.
Good luck to you!

when do the sick at my stomach, hallucinations end?

I honestly cannot remember how long I have been on Cymbalta 90mg. The last 2 weeks I have been only taking 60mg and have noticed my anger is worse than normal. I have Fibromyalgia along with severe disk damage in my lower back. I have found that medical marijuana is very helpful with side effects of other drugs, especially for nausea.