How long will I be going through Cymbalta withdrawals?
Question posted by JenJen101 on 9 July 2013
Last updated on 9 April 2024
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.
Ok I too have been taking cymbalta for about 6 or 7 years only 60mgs a day for fibromyalgia when I heard it could have long term side effects I wanted off my doctors kept saying no, so I stopped taking it in June 2015 it's been a hard struggle with memory loss some days. I hurt worse I can't sleep and I get very angry at times. So at present I am not taking anything it's a struggle. I wish this feeling could be over. So if there's someone out there who can help please feel free to join in on this discussion #feelingbrianedzapped... :-)
Votes: +0
MA
MacSteve
4 Aug 2015
Hi houseg,
That's me too. 7 years on 60mg per day. I tapered off near the beginning of the year and finally quit in the beginning of April.
At first, it didn't seem so bad: constant tinnitus, brain zaps, dizziness, short term memory loss, some confusion during the day, inability to concentrate, sharp increase in systolic blood pressure - but I knew about all that, and just accepted it as part of the withdrawal process.
But around the end of May, I started to get other effects, psychological ones, more serious ones.
I would wake up each morning around 3 to 4 am, in a panic. For no reason. During the day my mind would wander off and I would imagine horrible things happening in the future, and I couldn't reason my way out of these thoughts. I became edgy, unsettled, becoming extremely angry at times and anxious at others. And then about a month ago feeling as though I had nothing to live for anymore. I kept telling myself it was ridiculous to think that way, but it didn't help much. These feelings just invaded and I couldn't make them stop.
On top of the mental aspects, I'm in perpetual pain (neck and lower back) from the severe tension that this situation is causing me. But I refuse to take any more drugs. It's the last thing my body needs right now. So I now exercise regularly.
This drug is a complete poison for me, but I didn't realize that until I tried to quit. And you have to understand that your brain is going to take a while to heal itself from the changes it's gone through. And yes, I fully believe that this drug has altered my brain. I can't believe, for a second, that there is any 'lingering' remnants of the drug floating around inside me (it's been four months and everything I read says the half-life of the drug is 12hours!). The effects that I feel aren't chemical remnants but more like the brain re-adjusting to a world without Cymbalta. And it's a struggle. There's either some rewiring going on or brain systems are now trying to do the job they used to do before I started taking this drug, and it's just taking them a while to get going. These scenarios seem much more likely to me.
I can only tell you that you won't feel like this permanently. But I can't tell you when you'll get better. For me, the worst of the anxiety is over, and I think that maybe the depression is not getting any worse. The brain zaps, while still there, are no where near as bad as they were. I'm still only getting about 3-5 hours of sleep a night, that's unchanged. The dizziness is mostly gone. And more relevant to your situation, my memory is working well again. That's all the good news. Other effects, unfortunately, still have not changed.
This will be a tough time for you. But you need to go very easy on yourself now. And more then anything else I can recommend, watch your diet. Stay away from preservatives of any type, especially sulfites and the types found in sodas. Make your own bone broths, avoid processed foods. Scale down on sugars of all types. There's quite a bit of info on the web regarding diet and brain health. You need to give your brain as much help as possible to shorten the recovery time.
IN
Inactive
5 Aug 2015
I am so sorry to hear about this from you too. I took 60 mgs. daily also for Fibromyalgia and CRPS. I also take Neurontin/Gabapentin which does help both the Fibromyalgia and CRPS. Lyrica was helpful for the Fibromyalgia but did not help the CRPS, so back to the Gabapentin. I had gained 15 lbs on the Cymbalta. Anyway, I went off in June and the side effects were everything that most have stated. The crying was terrible and I was so odd my kids told me and they thought I was nuts. I felt so bad for myself and what I was putting my family through! I called my Rheumatologist and asked to be put back on Prozac. They called me back and the PA handled things since my Doctor was gone for the day. Odd story, the PA told me to take one 60 mg capsule every other day for six days, then discontinue and start the Prozac. Now I knew that was not the correct way to approach d/c this med and that made absolutely no sense.
I did taper and once I got back on the Prozac I felt so much better and I could tell I was more myself again. The side effects and withdrawals from Cymbalta were horrific and I never want to experience such a time in my life ever again. I will freely admit, I got extremely close to just taking the Cymbalta again. It would have been easier, but I am in control and this drug is not controlling me any longer, so I asked for help with the Prozac. I wish you well and I hope you can have the strength to conquer this. Ask for help and maybe don't ride it out as long as I did, before asking. Take care and prayers to you!
3D
3dee
3 Aug 2015
I was on cymbalta for 18 years or more. 1 1/2 years ago i got off of it and had horrible side effects including brain tremors,paranoia,sweats, dizziness,memory loss, nubness of emotions except extreme anger that i am still dealing with! I had so many side effects i cant remember them all. I was told it takes about 2 years for the brain to heal and become somewhat normal again for someone who has neen on it for so long! I have had lots of prayer and councelling. As long as you have strong support and a strong belief i God you WiLL make it through. God bless.
Votes: +1
JA
Janicekla
3 Aug 2015
I thought Cymbalta was not approved by the FDA until 2004. How were you on it 18 years?
CB
c-b-violet
17 Sep 2015
Venlafaxine HCl (Effexor, Effexor XR) is the first and most commonly used SNRI. It was introduced by Wyeth in 1994. Duloxetine HCl (Cymbalta), manufactured by Eli Lilly, is a newer antidepressant on the market. It was approved by the FDA and released on the market in August 2004.
MA
MacSteve
18 July 2015
I was on Cymbalta 60mg daily for 7 years up to mid-April of this year. Originally prescribed due to the onset of severe stress and depression (due to external events). Throughout the last 5 yrs I've tried to get off this drug several times, but wound up back in it when work stress would start to overwhelm me (I own my own company).
Had I had any idea how severe the effects of withdrawal would be, I never would have taken this medication. 3 months since tapering down from 60 to 20 and then zero, and there are times now when I'm not sure how to get through each day. It's been horrible. But I know that if I start taking it again, then I'll probably never come off this drug. So I'm hoping that someday this feeling will go away and I can have something like a normal life again.
Reading people's posts here has helped, I know this is not something that I can control, that others are in the same boat as me. And that we're just hanging on hoping to make I through this period.
But is there anyone out there who's been on this drug for years like myself, who has a had positive outcome after quitting? Has anyone felt as though the worst was behind them? I just want to believe that maybe in 3 months, or 6, or at least somewhere down the road, that there's hope that I can have my life back. I feel at times as though I just can't deal with another day feeling this way.
Votes: +1
TI
Tina declue
17 July 2015
I read your post. Today is the first day I have realized I can't due this on my own. The pain unbearable. I take 90mg a day. I can't even get down to 60mg without side effects. I'm 57 years old and prescribed this for fib. I can't even think clear to spell the word. I wanted to know how you are. Everything you wrote about sounds like me. I'm so thankful to find this site. I exist I want to fell normal and live again. Can you please tell me how you are. Tina
Votes: +0
MA
MacSteve
19 July 2015
Hi Tina, how long have you been off cymbalta for? And what effects are you feeling? For me the physical has been getting worse, I had a prolapsed disc in my neck which along with stress was one of the reasons I started cymbalta. That pain, nerve pain along with burning sensations radiating from my neck to my hands, has been horrible. Since quitting, I've had non-stop tinnitus, dizziness, brain zaps and disorientation. Mentally things have been worse. Severe depression and on-again off-again anxiety. Needless to say my ability to cope with even minor stresses has been difficult. I tend to go into a zombie-like state internally, while still trying to smile in the outside, just to get through the work day. I manage several departments and always have to interact with people in my job. And that's been the toughest thing to maintain a sane exterior while inside I'm barely holding on.
For me, if there's a light at the end of the tunnel, then I think I can make it. But if not, if no one has any success story coming off this drug, then I'm not sure why I keep putting myself through this. Mainly I'm looking for happy endings from people who have been on the drug for over 5 years at 60mg or more. People on less then that, time wise or dosage, do seem to be able to recover. I just need some hope.
LI
lissalynnrn
16 July 2015
Reading all of these comments has made me feel so much better about my withdrawal symptoms from cymbalta... I have had so many of the same symptoms but I refuse to let this drug win. I have found that praying multiple times a day has helped me. Brain zaps went away, then experienced panic attacks which have now resolved. I am currently in the angry phase along with crying but I plan to beat this as well... I am doing this without my doctor and I refuse any other medication to help me. I have asked for support from my family which has also helped. I hope the emotional mess and irritability will be as short as the other phases as I have only been off of it for about 3 weeks. I will pray for you all as well and I will NEVER take cymbalta again!
Votes: +5
BR
brokenheart12
17 July 2015
Congratulations on beating this! I hope you continue to feel better.
LI
lissalynnrn
18 July 2015
Thank you! I think I finally have beaten the angry phase! I hope everyone else can beat this horrible drug as well!
LA
ladycolor7
2 June 2015
Good luck to you. I myself & trying now (I started when the drug first came out , s not sure how long) & longi was @ 120 mgs. It's been only 1 month & I'm @ 60, & mega sick. Again, I say Goddess bless you.
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
20 May 2015
I really appreciate what everyone is & was going through. Many thanks for all the info & advice! I have been taking duloxetine 120 mg/day for 6.5 years for nerve pain both before & after 5 spinal fusions (I’m a 72 year old woman). Decided recently that I should ensure that I still needed to take this stuff. So started tapering off 1 (of the 6) bead each night (too fast, I think). I was holding at 60 mg/day for a few days but today had to increase it to about 75 mg/day due to severe nausea. I'm running a full 26.2 marathon next week. I ran a half marathon 2 days ago & had to fight the nausea throughout the race with minute amounts of promethazine (Phenergan). I'll restart the withdrawal a bit slower after next week’s race. This stuff is indeed ugly! Anyone have any suggestions on weaning off large doses?
Votes: +0
SH
SharonHL
20 May 2015
I have been off of Cymbalta for about 2 months now but I spent 2 months weaning myself and it worked ! Coming to this site and reading this thread is what helped me understand it. I had also tried to come off cold turkey initially. What a mess ! I then went from 60mg to 30mg then tried to stop. Not happening. I felt horrible. So, I slowed down and stayed on the 30 mg for about a month then 15 mg for about a month. (I opened the medicine and divided it) and I took Estroven with it as my psychiatrist confirmed that black cohosh reacts with Cymbalta. It actually increases the affects. Sounds like a bad thing right? but it was actually my saving grace. I noticed that when I was taking less than 30 mg and NOT the Estroven, I had side affects. So I always made sure to take my Estroven. Then when I discontinued all the Cymbalta, I continued the Estroven until about a week ago. I experienced very mild side affects !
I actually started taking Estroven in the fall because I was having horrible hot flashes. Well, I have since learned that after discontinuing Cymbalta altogether, I haven't had a hot flash since. I discontinued Estroven. No hot flashes ! So apparently, it was the darn Cymbalta causing these sweating periods !! Horrible, nasty stuff.
Take it slow, slow, slow, even if it takes 6 months for you to get off of it.
If I was in your shoes, I would try this since you are now at 75 mg -
75 mg x 1 month 60 mg x 1 month 30 mg x 1 month 15 mg x 1 month
Then of course the Estroven. But talk to your psychiatrist about it. I am not a doctor and don't want to seem like I am giving medical advice. I am just telling you what worked for me and what I would do in your situation :)
You will get there, just take it slow !
SP
Sphynx
6 May 2015
The two main reasons I decided to stop taking Cymbalta were #1 constant exhaustion/ lethargy, and #2 couldn't even tell if it was working or not. I went through the process of lowering it from 90mg to zero over 7 days (First 60, then 30, then none). The first two days Cymbalta-free were alright (slight brain zaps), but then days 3-5 became rough. I was very irritable/ angry, became even MORE tired, vertigo (had to hold the railing when walking down the stairs), brain zaps (not painful, just distracting/ annoying), worse anxiety, and on days 4 & 5 I couldn't stop crying at night (was fine during the day). After day 5 everything started to improve: Brain zaps started to vanish, vertigo was going away. It is now day 15 Cymbalta-free and I feel so much better. I'm not exhausted anymore and my mind feels so much sharper.
I was not aware the Cymbalta was causing brain fog, but apparently it was! My advice is, when stopping Cymbalta don't automatically assume the depression/ anxiety that comes afterward was being prevented by taking the Cymbalta. I fell into this pattern of thinking and almost considered getting back on Cymbalta, but now I'm so glad I didn't! TWO YEARS of my life wasted on this drug!!
Votes: +1
BR
brokenheart12
7 May 2015
Congratulations on making it Cymbalta free so quickly. I hope you continue to feel better!
SP
Sphynx
8 May 2015
Thank you! I hope so too!
TN
Tnfrenchy
8 May 2015
Wow. Amazing. Awesome. Exactly how London had u been on Cymbalta?
SP
Sphynx
8 May 2015
Around 2 years (Started in the very beggining of 2013).
I feel exactly the same way as you.I just want to feel half normal.neighbor even told be a couple months ago that I am biopolar,which I am not,I think it is because of all the withdrawal symptoms.I need help.been cutting back on dosage hasnt helped.been trying for over 3 months.
Votes: +0
VE
veritysaffron
2 May 2015
I took 8 weeks to go from 60 mg to nothing. There are 580 grains in the capsule. Each day I removed 10 more grains. Tedious, yes, but no withdrawal symptoms. Do not attempt to taper by taking it alternate days. Have been off Cymbalta for 4 weeks now.
TN
Tnfrenchy
2 May 2015
since I've been going thru withdrawal for so long, beginning to suspect there is no cure. No getting better' etc. doctors have no clue either. They all suggest going back on the drug BUT t totally refuse Do a Google search on how it can seriously damage ur body. Had an MRI and CAT scan which revealed liver damage due to Cymbalta. Talk abt a scare. So, no Cymbalta ever for me even though my life is pure hell from withdrawal. Due to the side effects of this drug I'm now afraid to take any drugs
BR
brokenheart12
4 May 2015
I hope that feel "normal" again soon! It sounds awful. Please let the FDA know what you are going through. I have been trying to let them know what my family went through but the more times they hear it... maybe they'll do something!
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. Right now just ending the first week of every 3rd day.
I am wondering if this every third day method is okay with the Dopatone addition, or if I need to slow down and do bead-counting. (Haven't opened mine yet to see but I now use generic). So many on here say you have to wean by taking every day...
Votes: +0
PE
perfumed poodle
30 April 2015
5HTP interacts with cymbalta and can cause serotonin syndrome, an extremely serious medical condition which can be life threatening.
TN
Tnfrenchy
30 April 2015
Good luck. 4 months now and still experiencing severe Cymbalta withdrawal. Had seriously contemplated retaking this viscous drug again just to alleviate all this hell I am going thru but being on the drug had serious side effects also. It did some damage to my liver, was severely constipated , had a huge weight gain ( as in 35 lbs). And it was only abt 60% effective. I withdrew slowly from the Cymbalta and then stopped completely. I now tire so easily, dizzy 24/7 with severe body tremors. Have problems walking. I Keep praying this nightmare will end. I refuse to take any more drugs to overcome my agony cause I have no clue what will happen should I stop those drugs. Scared. Our lives have been drastically changed by the use of this dangerous drug and pray you all get better. If anyone knows of a holistic method to aid in withdrawal, pls let me know
JA
Janicekla
11 May 2015
UPDATE: I stopped the every 3rd day of 60 mg... it was awful. Started May 1 splitting beads and taking 30 mg daily. I also began a Paleo diet and walking every day. I feel like a new person. I will try 25 mg next. Paleo (no sugar, wheat, dairy) had completely changed my energy level. I am hoping to stay off of antidepressants by continuing Paleo and regular exercise.
JA
Janicekla
4 Aug 2015
Update #2 I switched to bead counting and am down to approximately 9mg from 60mg. No brain zaps or dizziness any longer. I do feel more achy (especially feet) but I think my withdrawal symptoms are minimal except for being tired and forgetful (seems more so lately so not sure if related or not.) Also slightly depressed, especially in the morning. I am eating Paleo and walking for exercise. I would expect to have more energy than I do, however I am 51 so I wonder if age plays a part in my energy level. I am going slow with the taper and hope to avoid any more symptoms.
I'm trying to get off of Cymbalta for the third time. Last year at this time I tried and couldn't. Im trying again and I'm absolutely miserable. I was taking the lowest dosage for the past year and it didn't seem to help that much. I don't want to increase my dosage because it was very difficult to get down to this low dosage what with all the side effects. I have severe fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety and depression. I've been off Cymbalta for about a month and I'm going crazy. I can't keep a coherent thought in my head to save my life and everything hurts - everything! Inside and out. I've been exercising, trying my best to eat healthy and drink lots of fluids. St. John's Wort is a joke. Same with Holy Basil. Magnesium helps a bit, but not much. I'm so tired of spending so much time in bed without really getting any sleep. I finally gave in and took one pill today just so I could hopefully get something done.
I've had doctors tell me, " Why go off if it was helping your symptoms?" I don't want my symptoms masked, I want to get better. There has to be something that will make me feel better without making me gain weight and feel stupid. I'm on a tight budget and can't keep buying supplements that don't really work. Anyone know of something natural that actually helps one get off of this stuff and helps get rid of pain, anxiety & depression?
Votes: +1
TN
Tnfrenchy
2 May 2015
I know exactly what ur going thru and it's pure hell. I suffer all of the same also. And then some. Have no answers but I keep searching for help. There has got to be some kind of holistic method to at the very least reduce some of the withdrawal.
TN
Tnfrenchy
1 April 2015
Cymbalta is a Poison. Had been on it (treatment for Fibromyalgia) for 4 yrs. no longer worked so am currently off this poisonous drug. There are HUGE consequences to getting off this vicious drug and the side effects Or withdrawal are devastating. Am experiencing severe dizziness, body tremors, inability to process anything as simple as paying a bill. The list is endless. Going thru a nightmare and most times feel like dying am 71 years old and don't have a life anymore Can't function. Can't do the simplest of chores around the house. My head feels like it's been pumped with 50 lbs of pressure thereby rendering me completely useless. Goes way beyond feeling dizzy. The withdrawal symptoms have affected my entire body and life (which I currently don't have anymore). I pray this passes. Have seriously contemplated going back on the drug to combat or stop all the withdrawal symptoms but my other self says NO. NO. Ride this out.
2 MONTHS now into withdrawal with no signs of relief. Horrible. Debilitating. Had I only known what this drug would do (both in taking it and trying to get off of it) I would have opted for Fibro pain. I am so dysfunctional anymore and friends don't understand what I'm going thru. Am like a Zombie. Being on this drug had its own set of side effects also. Big time sweats, huge weight gain. This list is endless also and the sad part is that it really didn't help much with my Fibro. Very difficult to even post my thoughts today because I just can't think anymore also. Am experiencing everything u r and then some. It's indescribable. I'm walking in ur shoes and I too don't know if I'll ever get thru this. This type of withdrawal is like its OWN disease
Votes: +3
QU
queenoflegoland
19 April 2015
I hope things get better for you Tnfrenchy! Today is my second day off 30 mgs. of Cymbalta. My heart is racing, hands are shaking, vision is blurred, my pulse was 124 beats per minute and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I am afraid to take my asthma medicine because if will make my pulse even higher, but it feels so hard to breath due to the tightness in my chest. Luckily I have a prescription for clonazepam. I took a 1 mg. dose of the clonazepam and it helped my shaky hands enough so I can use my keyboard and I am thanking God I found this site. My husband told me I was not crazy... it was probably withdrawal from the Cymbalta. At first I was laughing at him, I told his anti-depressants don't have withdrawal symptoms!!! I worked at a detox facility for 8 years and we never admitted anyone for Cymbalta withdrawal. Anyway, I am hoping these symptoms that everyone has mentioned go away quickly.
I have a family and I need to grocery shop, however, I don't feel it is safe for me to drive the car right now. The people at the grocery store would probably think I was on drugs because of the shaking and severe sweating... I didn't realize your ENTIRE body could sweat. This is so gross and debilitating! I have tomorrow off from work but after that I can't call off... worried I will lose my job if I can't get my brain working better, and fast! I will try what everyone has recommended but will not put anymore Cymbalta in my body. I have bottles of it too! The doctor put my on 60mgs per day in two divided doses so the side effects would be less severe. There was no way I could handle the 60 mgs, it made me not care about anything and I was constantly late for work. The Cymbalta was prescribed for my severe neck pain caused by a water sport accident and it worked great for that and my PMS and periods went away. I could only take 30 mgs, because at 60 mgs I could not wake up in the morning. In fact, taking just 30 mgs required me to pay someone to come to my house and physically wake me up and stay at my house to prevent me from going back to sleep. I was put on a narcolepsy/sleep disorder medication to take when I woke up so I could stay awake and go to work. This is a total nightmare. I am so afraid I will lose my job if I go in looking sweating and cognitively impaired. The ironic thing is that I work at a biopharmaceutical company in the medical division. Any advice on the sweating? Has anything helped? The drug also stopped my monthly menstrual cycle... I can't wait to see what happens when that comes back. OMG. Sorry this post is so disorganized... my brain is not working so well right now. Thanks for any advice!
TN
Tnfrenchy
8 May 2015
It is a total nightmare. Worse than anyone can imagine. And it's very difficult for friends and family to understand exactly what you are going thru. They can't feel all ur symptoms esp the severe dizziness and how the head feels like it's been pumped with tons of helium ( in my case anyway). That's my worst symptom. God awful feeling Let's say a prayer we all get better
LA
ladycolor7
2 June 2015
I have been on cymbalta ever since the drug came out. (I don't know how long that is). I started taking it for depression, then I was bumped up on dosage when the found out I had fibro, diabetic neuropathy, & other things. I have been complaining about the severe sweating I have to deal with & my doc blew it off for a while the tried adding new meds to counteract it with no help. I have finally put my foot down & told him to ween off this drug & give me something safer. I'm 57 & have been depressed & bi-polar for 42 yrs. I take, (or was taking), 120 mgs since I started. At the moment it has been 1 month & I'm now done to 60 mgs. I'm sick all the time, headaches are outrageous, I'm always falling down, severe stomach problems, & I've been experiencing chest pain. I knew this would be hard, because every time I'd miss a dose I would be violently ill.
My health is now going down the tubes, which possibly be just age, but not 100% sure. When I explained this to my doc, he told me to stay on it because I was always stopping my meds, (thinking I was well). :-) I understand the not leaving your home, because the only time I leave mine is to go to doctor appointments, I've quit all outside activities. I was an avid pool player & dart player, now I can't. I never knew how bad this really could be. I do want to share with you all that there is a lawsuit against the creator of these side affects, & you check into it to see what your rights are. I am. Whether I'm in it or not I need for others to know to stay OFF this drug. Thank you for allowing me to share with you.
MA
MarkW7745
18 June 2015
I just posted. I had a mental breakdown when I went off . I'm still suffering 2 1/2 years later. I've been trying all natural brain supplements So far, nothing has worked. I'm like you. I can't process and function normally. I've lost almost all emotions. My family has been destroyed suffering with me. My wife and I are more friends than marriage mates. I was so bad mentally, it permanently affected the way she feels about me. I become extremely psychotic and scary on this drug. Extremely suicidal. I wonder how I'm even alive at this point. I'm turning 52. I have lost the relationship with my family, I have no friends left. I can't even run my wife and my mines business. Ive lost pretty much everything. I'm barely hanging on to my house. I feel so guilty for letting my family down. I know it wasn't my fault, but, it's so hard to see past anything anymore without my brain processing normally.
I wish I had good news for you. I'm trying everything to help my brain correct itself. It's a war I'm fighting. I wonder if I'll ever be happy again. I forget what being happy feels like, its been so long. Feel free to comment back. I wish I had a answer. Mark
From everything I've read so far it's different for different people but unfortunately I'm not the "lucky" ones who were able to come off almost right away. I've been on it now for about 5 years. My prescribing physician and I tried weaning off it 3 1/2 years ago but I couldn't handle to brain zaps and vertigo feeling, and my personal situation being what it was, was bad timing. My physician tells me that spring is the best time to try and I agree. People's mood/spirits tend to be better during this time and if you have family and friends who are supportive then that's half the battle. This time around I decided I would come off Cymbalta for good, both my physician and I agreed that I no longer need to be on anything because I am at a good place in my life.
I am married and have children in the house so those children's well being are at the top of my list. Even though the youngest one is only 8, I explained to both what's going on, what I'm trying to do, and what can happen. It helps me, personally, to keep my anger/outbursts in check because when I start, my son will come give me a hug and tell me he loves me. If I still have a hard time, I just tell them I need to lay down for a bit and that big sister is in charge. They've been great! My spouse is another story. He's been down this road before with a different med but lacks the empathy for my plight so I'm winging it as I go. I started doing the every other day but after a few days of that I decided the route of lowering the dosage by pulling it apart and taking some of the granules out of the capsules as people have suggested. I was able to tolerate it until this week, my 4th week. The brain zaps are ridiculous, the vertigo is setting in, headaches, nausea, dry mouth, intense irritability, hunger then fatigue after I finish eating (?), stomach upset, and the numbness/tingling feeling in my hands so far. Not sure what else is in store for me but I'll plow through them when they come up. I have 40 capsules left and have divided them into stages by taking out the granules from the capsules. I started from 60mg and if I was to guess may now be at 30mg or close to it. I see my doctor in April and hopefully my vitals will be fine. I would like to find a natural supplement to help with the mood swings so will need to do some research on that. I just lost my job of 3 days due to an unfortunate circumstance so is a stay at home mom again, which I count as a blessing since I can sleep most of the crazy symptoms off and be somewhat tolerable when my family are home for the few house before bedtime. I'm keeping a journal so it helps my physician to better understand and for me as well to be able to go online and find out how other people were able to cope and beat this.
Votes: +1
LI
LilyUnicorn
27 March 2015
I've been off of Cymbalta since March 18th so slightly over one week. I was told this was the best drug ever for depression and anxiety but nothing was mentioned about withdrawals. I was on 90 milligrams for one year than was lowered to 60 milligrams this last year. As of today I'm having problems sleeping, violent nightmares, the brain zaps and tingling in my fingers hands face lips and scalp. I am also experincing disturbing thoughts. My hearing has also been affected. I believe I hear a sound but when I ask someone it is either not happening or they interpret the sound much different. For instance I thought I heard children screaming but my neighbor told me that someone was using an electric saw to cut up 2 x 4s. I have attempted to detox from Cymbalta once before. It was pure hell. It was like having the flu mixed with anger against the world, splashed with food poisoning.
My new doctor has got me on Lexapro. It has greatly lessened the side effects of withdrawal compared to last year when I tried to quit cold turkey. There hasn't been much queasy feeling in my stomach and the diarrhea only lasted a day this time. The fatigue isn't as bad as the first time I tried to quit. I am scatter brained and easily distracted. My emotions are at the surface to the point where I can cry over a commercial and then begin laughing which quickly can turn into a rage especially when my talk to text is being a jerk.
Votes: +0
RJ
RJGarrick
23 March 2015
I promise to post back here when I can tell you how long it will take to get over Cymbalta withdrawal. I am almost 3 months into being Cymbalta free after 1 month of tapering my 60mg 2X dosage down to nothing. I'm not in a constant state of anxiety anymore, but I'm not all that far away from it either. The multiple phobias that came out of nowhere during the tapering period have weakened if not disappeared. I can take a shower and drive a car now without breaking down in fear and anxiety, but not without it threatening. My hot flashes are down to 2 or 3 a day from the constant disorienting yo yo that they were still in January. The dizziness, memory tricks, headaches, tinniness, nausia etc, etc are tapering off if not disappearing. I feel like I'm getting better, recovering something of myself from the wreckage of my post-Cymbalta personality. But I'm not over it; not even close. Yet.
Nobody warned me about this. I started Cymbalta for nerve pain associated with my neuropathy and it helped, but no better than morphone does with far fewer side effects and not nearly the sme violence of withdrawals. I would never advise anyone to start this drug and caution them about the effects of quitting once they start it. Get your doctor to research it and help you set up a tapering program. You need them and your family/friends to be aware what you are facing. You might need take an anti anxiety replacement to help you through the rough patches too and your doc has to be onboard for that.
Like so many on here, it took me many tries before I finally quit and it's been a nightmare getting through cymbaltas aftermath. I wouldn't have the courage to go through this all again so I am determined to tough it out no matter how long it takes.
