How long will I be going through Cymbalta withdrawals?
Question posted by JenJen101 on 9 July 2013
Last updated on 26 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.
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256 Answers Page 4
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Lin67
28 March 2019
Ha.. so I have been totally off Cymbalta since mid January. I did not use any other medication to assist with reducing the side effects, I just took 6 six's of slowly reducing and skipping every other day until I just stopped. It was the most horrific thing I have ever experienced..the side effects of dizziness, nausea, headaches, gut upset, emotional up evil.. diarrhea and the brain zaps that rendered Me motionless at time, but I made it. Yes I'm still have some issues still a little dizziness and most other side effects have reduced to tolerable but those brain zaps persist ..not as bad but oh yes they just keep coming. Stick to it.. I say yes most side effects do reduce, but it is a very long process. Never ever again will I take medication that do this to a person mind ..body. This drug is NOT WORTH THE RISK. I do feel better with each passing day, week.
Votes: +3
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Coachgeorge
29 March 2019
My journey started with a reaction to steroids after the flu. I’ve been on numerous medications since January including Clonidine and lexapro. I’ve only been on 30 mg of cymbalta for 20 days. Dr. Told me to stop taking it 4 days ago. She also recommended I take Ativan as needed, .5 up to 3x daily. I am really struggling with this process. Once I’m through this, I’ll tackle the Ativan. I’ll find more natural ways to deal with my anxiety. I have no life. I cannot work. I haven’t driven since January. Every day is a challenge. I’d appreciate anyone’s comments.
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Jrlh3042
28 March 2019
I have been on cymbalta for 11 years. I’m terrified to go off of them bc if the side effects. After missing one, my vision gets blurry and I get dizzy. If I had known the effects of quitting I would have never taken it. I see a class action lawsuit in the horizon.
Votes: +0
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sheila7281
28 March 2019
Cymbalta has horrible withdrawal symptoms. I had severe brain Zaps. My doctor told me too push through it and it will improve. It took 2-3 weeks for the zaps to lessen. Then months till most of it went away. Probably took a year to totally go away. As time went on I noticed more symptoms at night when I tried to relax. Keep busy for that does help. Hang in there it took me 2-4 weeks till I noticed the brain Zaps where fewer. It will get better. Make sure you check in with the doctor for it help me feel like I was not alone.
Votes: +0
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catherine60
14 March 2019
I have totally lost my mind since Cymbalta. I am down to 3 days week. But can barely walk. The Chronic pain is back but I hope to be able to get my mind back soon. Since September 2018 I have been in bed no memory all of the crazy stuff you are experiencing God bless us in recovery
Votes: +0
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Poppy1986
13 March 2019
Anyone need help on this? I’ve just been through it.
Votes: +0
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Coachgeorge
29 March 2019
We all do
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MIKE5078
8 March 2019
What can I say you will go through hell for 3 months I have done it lost 22 pounds I pray for a dog not to go through this cymbalta used for pain and depression never no more for me I rather die first thank god I am still alive f... The cymbalta
Votes: +0
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Poppy1986
14 March 2019
I totally agree
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Sabra1
14 March 2019
After 15 years of being on it and now off 2 weeks. The FDA needs to re evaluate this drug. When I hit 15 years I got zaps after I took my 120 mg dose So after awhile it stops working but your brain still wants it. Be warned.
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Sherri 1961
5 March 2019
Hello..I was prescribed Cymbalta for chronic aches and pains. I took the drug for 10 years & recently decided it was not helping my condition..I reduced my regular dosage from 60 mg. down to 30 mg.
every other day & am now reducing my dosage again..I haven’t had a dose in nearly a week..The side effects have almost been unbearable..Extreme dizziness, nausea, & terrible headaches have been the main problems..Also, really bad mood swings..I am mad at the world & everybody for no reason..I am not this type of person normally..I have no energy to do anything or go anywhere because I feel so bad..Just want to sleep my life away right now & don’t care if I live or die at times..This is not the real me..This all comes from getting off Cymbalta & the withdrawal symptoms..As for how long it takes for the withdrawal symptoms to go away, I have no idea..I can say the headaches seem to be getting better but the dizziness is still very bad..I am warning everyone I know to never start taking this drug..Prayers for myself & everyone else dealing with Cymbalta & its side effects..Will update in a few days..God bless..
Votes: +0
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BLCook
1 March 2019
Cymbalta works by changing the chemical makeup of the brain. With regular use, even when taken exactly as prescribed, the brain can get used to the interaction of the drug and even rely on it to keep the natural brain chemicals balanced. This is called physical dependence, and it sets in after someone takes Cymbalta continually for a length of time. Once a dependence has formed, the brain will struggle to keep its chemical makeup stable without the drug’s interaction. When Cymbalta wears off, withdrawal symptoms are a result of the chemical imbalance that has been created. Levels of serotonin and norepinephrine drop without Cymbalta, which can drastically impact a person’s moods and even have physical manifestations. This results in various symptoms. The physical side effects of Cymbalta withdrawal typically peak in 2-3 days and then start to taper off over the period of a week or so.
The emotional withdrawal symptoms can last a little longer and may continue for a period of a few weeks or even months, lessening in intensity over time. I wish you the best. God Bless
Votes: +0
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Anthony576180
28 Feb 2019
I am currently 5 days into the discontinuation of my last 30 mg of Cymbalta. I had been on 120 mg a day for the last 5 years or so. I would not have even stopped the medication if I hadn't been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cirrhosis about two years ago now. You see my doctor and I share this goal of me living as long as I can. So despite having now had 12 back and shoulder surgeries; and being pensioned off in 2006 as an injured worker, we decided to get me off of the fentanyl patches and the Cymbalta in an attempt to preserve the liver as long as possible. This whole journey started in November of 2017, with the fentanyl first, then in November of 2018 I started to downstep the Cymbalta. I continue to require more surgeries but I will decide whether I have any more. The pain levels that I feel now, even while still on Lyrica, are incredible. The Cymbalta was dealing with the pain more than I knew, but to the cost of my liver. This 5 days have been a psychological nightmare for me.
I have been breaking down, night sweats, panic attacks where I have a hard time breathing. So my prayers to all of those dealing with this, I get it.
Votes: +0
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Lin67
17 Feb 2019
Hi I have been totally off Cymbalta now for a couple of weeks. It was really rough going but I’m getting much better every day now. I still have side effects (brain zaps, headache, dizziness,nausea, mood swings) but honestly much better then at beginning. I am pleased to say.. yes you will get back to some normal life sooner then later.. it’s a struggle but there is a light in that dark tunnel. Now whether it will all stop .. don’t know that yet, but I do know one thing for sure.. never even again will I agree to take any such medication ever again I’m sick of having pills pushed on me instead of dealing with the problem.. the doctor just medicate the symptoms. Insist on the medical problem be dealt with not more drugs
Votes: +1
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DeniseFowler1
17 Feb 2019
Was on Cymbalta for 6 weeks. 4 weeks at 30mg then increased to 60 mg because I was not sleeping. Began to have allergic reaction with mouth sore, muscle spams in my body vivid dreams etc. And I abruptly had to stop taking it. After 5 days I began to experience dizziness, nausea, headches, high blood pressure & heart racing. I will never again take this medication. It has been 2 weeks and I still have symptoms. I have been drinking tons of water, epson salt baths, etc. This had truly been a nightmare for me.Cymbalta is a psychotropic drug & we really need to do our own homework even when w talk to our doctor & pharmacist about our meds.
Votes: +0
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Coachgeorge
30 March 2019
How are you doing?
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Lin67
22 Jan 2019
I am not taking anything to help me deal with the side effects of this drug but on day 9 of no Cymbalta.. dealing with the best I can.. I find that when the dizziness and sweats get real bad I lie down in a dark quiet place and it seems to calm the brain zaps and dizziness. I also find that showering helps with head noise to.. odd but it helps settle them down too Just don’t give in
Votes: +0
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sheila7281
22 Jan 2019
Cymbalta is a hard medication to withdraw from. I got horrible brain zaps when I cut back on med. My PCP told me to be patient. First couple weeks where horrible. But as time progressed symptoms lessened. But it took months to feel free of this med. I would never try this medication again. The drug company does not have a way to wean people off the drug Hang in there it will improve. Sheila
Votes: +0
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Lin67
21 Jan 2019
I've taken myself off Cymbalta after being on it for 5-1/2 years, did a 6 weeks reduction to come off slowly and no pills now for 10 days. The side effects are totally disabling dizziness, nauseous, insomnia, diarrhea, violent rages and brain zaps that never stop. I can go from calm to crazy in seconds over nothing, this scares me as I take care of my grandchildren a lot. It's so hard keeping myself in check. My guts grumble and bubble and makes such awful noises all the time. I'm either crying, or yelling like I'm crazy but I will get through this and will NEVER EVER allow my doctor to prescribe another medication to me. I am also reducing other medications now..gabapentin for one..and whatever else I can as my crazed body will allow. The side effect seem endless... I hope I get back to normal soon... I don't like this horrible feeling of loss of control. Fingers crossed that I can detox sooner then later. Stay strong everyone.. we were feed what I call the poison pill.
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catherine60
15 Jan 2019
I went down to 30 in one day from 60. I am still having so many withdrawals. I cannot get out of the house or barely drive anymore My Depression short term memory is awful. It is so scary. I have applied for Disability due to other problems with Chronic Pain, My doctor tries to help me. I went back on my Prozac at 20mgs. It has helped. I am so scared to take meds. They are so dangerous now. Our President, Our doctors, Our policeman, and Fireman have no respect anymore. It is causing so much trouble in our country today. Whom can you trust? It is all about the dollar bill anymore. I am the opposite person that I used to be. I am getting closer to God. I had been so sad about my life. So hang in there I hope this helps. This started at the end of September.
