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 9
LI
lindylou123
20 Aug 2016
I am so sorry I started this medication. The good news I guess is that I only took 60 mg for a few months. I had a lot of pain--bad knees and hip. I was also drinking way too much. My nurse practitioner's solution was for me to take Cymbalta. At first I was nauseous so lost weight and did not eat and drink a lot. When I hesitated about moving from 30 to 60 mg, I was shamed by my nurse into doing it. The worst side effect for me was the inability to function--sleeping most of the day away. My advice is don't let people make you think you are abnormal because you get depressed once in a while and eat and drink too much. There are other ways to control these things without taking this drug.
I went from 60 mg to 30 mg for one week before stopping this drug completely. After about two weeks, I am now paying the price. I am dizzy all the time, have pain in my legs, backs and hip that are worse than it ever was before taking the drug. I am also very depressed, especially when reading that these things can last for a long time. Interestingly enough, I went to a new doctor this week who gave me no insight on what was coming for me. I have the other symptoms as well--coughing, sleeplessness, weird dreams, etc. Knock on wood--no brain "zaps." Hope these are not yet to come. My good news is that I am retired... but I feel that my brain has been permanently damaged by this drug. I know I can get through this and that I will have to do it myself. Can anyone verify that their issues were similar and that I can indeed be "abnormally normal" again?
Votes: +1
LA
lalag60
20 Aug 2016
Please, please do not give up!! I had been on 60 mg for years. My doctor that put me on it did not want me to get off, went to a new one, he referred me to a psychiatrist. I did it on my own. It has now been almost 5 months. I started on March 27th. I weaned myself off slowly by opening the capsule (see previous comments I have made on this blog months ago) and separating the beads inside. It wasn't as bad as reducing the whole capsule. And yes all of your symptoms are exactly spot on. Some people have some, others do not. It is a horrible drug. Time is the only thing that works in our favor. I try to keep very busy, started walking, and have tried to just be busy when my mind goes into overdrive. I do have a couple of glasses of wine every afternoon, while I am cooking dinner. Some nights more than others, but again, everyone is different. You may not get brain "zaps". I have been told by others on this blog that it can be months before you begin to feel better.
But I can tell you that you will feel better. It just takes time. The damn doctors that put us on this stuff do not want to deal with withdrawal symptoms so they keep us on it. You can do this!! Try to make a schedule, get up same time every morning, go to bed same time at night. If you cannot sleep, try taking melatonin, purchase the sub-lingual type that dissolve under the tongue, they work faster and last longer. I hope you do this!! It is still too soon to feel better, but I promise you will!! Hang in there!!
RA
Raer
6 Sep 2016
I know exactly how you feel... My doctor put me on Cymbalta about 3 years ago, for my Fibromyalgia pain... it helped the pain for maybe 6 months. But I kept taking the Cymbalta, thinking my pain would probably be worse if I wasn't taking it..biggest mistake ever!! I decided about a year ago that I wanted to stop taking it, I told my doctor I could see no reason to be on it if it wasn't helping my Fibro pain. My doctor gave me no protocol for getting off the Cymbalta. All she told me was to start cutting back on the dosage. I went from 90 mg to 60 mg and then 30mg. I was taking 30 mg for about a month or so. Well my Dr never suggested taking 20 mg,, I thought 30 mg was as low as you could go. That was two weeks ago. And I was NEVER EVER told that there could and would be side effects when you cut back on the dosage/or stopped it completely.
This has been the worst 2 weeks of my life, I've never felt so horrible!! I cry at the slightest thing, I go from irritated to a rage in seconds. I've got a pretty constant headache. My vision is blurry, my prescription glasses aren't working, it hurts to touch my face. This is in the last two weeks. BUT since I first started cutting back on the dosage I've had EXTREME sweating, itchy bumps on my arms and legs that I scratched until they bled(nothing helped stop the itch) short term memory loss, brain fog, an insane craving for sweets/carbs. This is just some of the symptoms that my Dr has ignored. I have no idea how long this will last and frankly I'm scared that maybe it will never get better... this isn't life, this is HELL. I told my husband I wouldn't wish this on anyone..but that's not true. I wish it on EVERY doctor who has ever prescribed Cymbalta without a seconds thought of how this drug can ruin someone's life, and I wish it on the drug reps who pedal it and I especially wish it on CEO of ELI LILLY!!!
LA
lalag60
6 Sep 2016
You might want to try opening the capsule and just taking a few beads a day until you can wean off. But... if you have been totally off for 2 weeks now, just keep going!! I KNOW that sounds easy to say, but it will get better. The first 6/8 weeks is hard, really hard. But it will get better. So sorry you are going through this!
KI
kickcymbalta2016
12 Sep 2016
I cold turkied cymbalta last March 27, 2016, and went through all the symptoms you are experiencing plus more of them. The pain in my back was horrible and it felt like it was burning! I could take an ibuprophen for that, no problem. But the other withdrawals, they don't have anything that I know of except to put people back on cymbalta or another antidepressant. I found a chiropractor/nutritionist where I got on supplements made by Standard Process. I take the St Johns Wort (one with breakfast and one with dinner) by Standard Process. It takes a while to kick in but it seems to be helping. I also took something to give me some serotonin from my nutritionist. Because when I cold turkied the cymbalta, I had 0 zero serotonin! It can also be ordered from Amazon, but I prefer getting it straight from the manufacturers through my nutritionist (chiropractor). It's called Seroplus and it's made by pure encapsulations, and I take one with breakfast and one with dinner.
These are safe to take because they are whole foods. I pray you are feeling better. I know what those first 2 weeks still feels like. I still have crying spells but I have to stay focused and keep busy! God bless you!
SA
sarann
30 Nov 2016
I have been off since 2nd week in Aug. I did the 60,30,20 method by my doctor. I'm still have withdrawal. Should I go back o? In then taper off with beads? It's I've come thos far and have 3 more drugs to come off. HELP
Cymbalta has an awful withdrawal. It is called brain zaps. The pounding is so painful. My doctor told me to stick with it. It was at least 2 weeks when the withdrawal started to lessen. Keep busy for that helps. As it lessened I notice the withdrawal more at night when I was trying to relax. It can takes weeks and possibly months for it to go away. But it does get better. Though the med helped I would never go back because of the withdrawal side effects.
Keep hanging in there you will get better! Sheila7281
Votes: +3
MI
mistabubbly
1 Aug 2016
Ive only been on it for 4 days and have decided to quit tomorrow. Just a nasty drug. Quitting at this stage should still be bareable i would think.
AL
alice f
2 Aug 2016
My dr added Duloxetine last fall after my husband of 33 yr walked out and divorced me in addition to Serequel and Lexapro which I'd been on for 13 yr and it's not agreeing with me. I've battled suicidal ideation since I was a child and the Duloxetine has kicked it into overdrive, it's really really all I can do to fight the urge to just give up, no quality of life. When I saw the dr two weeks ago he doubled the dose from 30mg to 60mg and after about 10 day of the double dose I started battled major dizziness so I did some reading and saw that could be a side efffect.
Just now getting around to reading about withdrawal because I feel so horrible today, dizziness is back, suicidal ideation is worse than ever and the thoughts are racing! Waiting for a call back from the dr to let me know what to do! He knows I live alone now, why would he give me this particular drug? This drug should not be on the market! I'm so very sensitive to med changes especially withdrawal so after what I've read I'm not sure how I'll get off this crap and survive to update my story!
AL
alice f
2 Aug 2016
My dr added Duloxetine last fall after my husband of 33 yr walked out and divorced me in addition to Serequel and Lexapro which I'd been on for 13 yr and it's not agreeing with me. I've battled suicidal ideation since I was a child and the Duloxetine has kicked it into overdrive, it's really really all I can do to fight the urge to just give up, no quality of life. When I saw the dr two weeks ago he doubled the dose from 30mg to 60mg and after about 10 day of the double dose I started battled major dizziness so I did some reading and saw that could be a side efffect.
Just now getting around to reading about withdrawal because I feel so horrible today, dizziness is back, suicidal ideation is worse than ever and the thoughts are racing! Waiting for a call back from the dr to let me know what to do! He knows I live alone now, why would he give me this particular drug? This drug should not be on the market! I'm so very sensitive to med changes especially withdrawal so after what I've read I'm not sure how I'll get off this crap and survive to update my story!
Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences. I was on Cymbalta for ~2 years. Three Weeks ago went from 60 mgs to 30 mgs and 6 days ago was my last dose. I knew something wasn't right but as many mentioned I was not informed well enough when I started what the process would feel like if I ever stopped. I chose to stop since I am looking to get pregnant in the near future. While the physical symptoms are strong right now, having that goal and my job are pushing me ahead. I'm still crying randomly (cute puppy videos are the worst) but the crying is actually a relief and when I stop I feel a little bit more at ease. The insomnia sucks but coffee helps and lots of water is key. I have an excellent support group of friends and family that I talk to about what I'm feeling to counter act the emotional lows. If you are out there and suffering like me, just hang on.
Votes: +2
LA
lalag60
29 July 2016
So glad to hear this. I have been off for quite some time now, about 2 months. I still am having some aches/pains, not sure what that is, but have had bloodwork, all is fine. I do cry easier, but it actually feels good to FEEL things again. I am trying to exercise more, at least walk, and stay hydrated. These comments from others have also helped. Wishing you all the best!!!
IK
Ikkindaki
29 July 2016
Thank you for responding to my post. I do think the best way to overcome this is to have the support of a community. Friends, family and others who have had or are going through the same experience. You are right the crying is therapeutic, just wish I had more control over it lol. Thank you again, I appreciate you reaching out, it helps a lot. :)
BL
Bluidbabe
16 Aug 2016
I have been on cymbalta for over 10 years. About four months ago I reduced my 30mg to every other day so I figured I was getting about 15 mg a day. Then about two weeks ago I tried to reduce it to every third day. After two doses of this (6) days, I began having TERRIBLE anxiety. I started feeling out of my body and out of this world. Like things around me were not real. I have dealt with these symptoms in the past but not since I originally was diagnosed back in the late 90s. I spoke with my dr who has told me to start taking every day again and just today to raise it to 60mg a day to stabilize again and get it in my system. It's a feeling you think will NEVER end and it's scary as hell. I go away on vacation next week and I'm praying I feel better by then. I'm also having difficulty eating, as everything comes out in the toilet. I have lost about 9 lbs. I hope this is normal, and appears to be from what I'm reading here. I just want it to stop.
I want to come off it in the future to get pregnant but I feel this may not be the time. I will concentrate on that next time and know what to expect. Anything similar
It's been over 2 weeks for me and my head is so messed up right now it's scaring me. I'm coming off percocet, adderall, wellbutrin and cymbalta. At this point I want to crawl in a hole a die. If not for marijuana, I'd be in the hospital right now. How much longer? ?? That's what I want to know? Marijuana is still struggling to be legal in some state's and big pharmacy has made cymbalta legal. WTF
Votes: +0
RB
rbs0725
14 July 2016
I have Fibromyalgia, Severe Depression, and herniated discs in my Lumbar region. I was taking 10/325 Hydrocodone( 3xdaily) with 180mg Duloxetine. I won't bore anyone with my Cymbalta Hell story because it is identical to everyone who has posted here, but I do want to yell out how I was able to cope through the worst of it. I found herbal supplements to be invaluable to controlling the anxiety, double vision, muscle cramps, general pain and migraines. Specifically valerian root, St Johns Wort, and Evening Primrose oil. I was able to build a pain management herbal regimen with Turmeric, Ginger, White Willow Bark, Boswelia, and Devils Claw. I have been trying Ginseng blend and Ginko Biloba for the brain, memory, and language issues but its expensive and I'm getting mixed results.
I highly recommend ANYONE trying to come off of Cymbalta to see someone trained in herbal therapy. I hope that this will help someone. Please post if you have questions about what I did or if you have tried it and want to post your results. I am very interested to hear if anyone else has had success with an herbal therapy.
Votes: +2
BI
Billyjumps
23 July 2016
This is the first time I have used a forum so hoping this will help me through my duloxetine adverse reaction. My doctor advised I stop immediately and offered me an antidote but she also felt that I should just ride it out without it which is what I am trying to do. It is hell. She said it would last 6/8 weeks.I only took the drug for 6 weeks and had to stop abruptly due to intense migraines , sweating , ear fullness and buzzing in right ear. Also rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure. It is now 31 days since my last dose. I still have all of the above symptoms with insomnia and severe anxiety also. When will this get easier I feel so helpless
RB
rbs0725
23 July 2016
There is no easy answer for how long it will last and I think everyone on this forum would agree with that. I had good results with a combo of St Johns Wort, Evening Primrose Oil, and Valarian root for the anxiety and insomnia. I could feel a difference within a few hours of taking it. I took it three times a day just to get through the day.
SM
Smileyaz
16 June 2016
It is 6 weeks today since my last tablet. Day 4 to Day 9 was awful. I was in shock as well as withdrawal because of no warning of the withdrawal. It will get easier. Its your very own tour de france. Try to get a team of support around you to help. Be aware that you will see all your emotions heightened to the extreme. I had to avoid contact with friends and family face to face and public places because my anger and rage were so bad. Show friends and family this forum and other info so they may understand better what you are going through. From day 10 I started to cope better and things start to improve. But then I was so tired from there first 10days it gets wearing. I have still have some effects of withdrawal. I'm still trying to beat the insomnia out of me by loads of exercise as I'm still wired like I have drunk strong coffee all day and I'm 6 weeks in.
I know I am much better with regards to the depression. I had to tell myself to just ride it out on a daily basis. You have to be so determined. This withdrawal is an illness in itself and cannot be taken lightly. Also there is no alternative. Back on it and back to square 1. The best advice is to look at it like It's your own tour de france. But it lasts, well at least 6 weeks. You need a team of support to help you through whatever they can - ie cooking, cleaning, washing, hugs etc But with all the support in the world you still have massive hills every day to climb. Some days more than others. The stages gradually get easier but then you have already had 2weeks with no rest days and therefore it feels just as hard. So best advice is think about it like your own tour de france. You wouldn't try to do it whilst working everyday and you wouldn't do it on your own with no help. You will get there, it's the worst thing I have ever had to do and it make me tearful thinking about the trauma and side effects of this withdrawal and how upsetting it is to treat human beings like this. I will do a full withdrawal guide and analogies when I'm completely over this in hopefully a few weeks. If anyone wants any help I'm happy to try and help you get through this. Just let me know. We got to all stick together.
Votes: +3
KC
KCOZ
15 July 2016
Did you make your guide yet?
SM
Smileyaz
20 July 2016
Sorry not yet, I will, if I'm honest I'm still not through it. However almost there for sure and feel much better for it. I can see the real world clearly again. Just can't believe I had to go through it and it upset's me hearing how other people are in the same boat. But I will help in anyway I can and will write a guide in the very near future. You can ride it out, be strong, determined and for sure it gets easier but different hurdles crop up and energy gets low.
AN
Andy321
16 June 2016
The severe withdrawals was two weeks... and its very hard to not go back on cymbalta... up to 6 to 8 weeks I was feeling brain zaps... it's been months and I'm am clean of cymbalta and feel better then I have ever felt in my life... good luck!!!
Votes: +0
LA
lalag60
16 June 2016
So glad to hear that!! Yay for you!! I am on that road. I am almost 3 months into being off, weaning myself on my own, since I could not get help from a doctor. I still sometimes have weird pain, but am hoping that will subside.
AN
Andy321
16 June 2016
In time you will be back to normal... it's nasty nasty drug
RO
robbiesgirl72034
16 June 2016
My doctor put me on cymbalta 90mg 2yrs ago. I loved the fact that it "fixed" my depression and anxiety without weird side effects that I got from other drugs like lexapro and Wellbutrin. I called in for my refill since I had none left and my doctor denied my request. I have yet to get a response as to why it was denied and I am now on day 3 without it. The nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness started yesterday. I thought I had gotten a stomach bug. Today I still have those symptoms but now the shakes, periodic crying, tiks, and hurting all over has set in. I feel TERRIBLE. Why did nobody ever tell me about cymbalta withdrawal syndrome? Withdrawal from this drug is so extreme that the FDA has given it it's own name!!! People die from this. And now I learn that I can feel this way for MONTHS!!! I'm gonna MAKE my doctor respond to me tomorrow!
Votes: +3
LA
lalag60
21 May 2016
I know I am posting a response, way after your post date of question, but I was looking for the same answers. I am 6 weeks of weaning myself off Cymbalta. I have taken 60 mgs. for well over 5 years, I cannot even remember when my doctor put me on it. For the past year, I have wanted to get off and she was not very helpful, saying that it was too dangerous. I now understand why. This is a horrible drug!!! I was determined, so I opened the capsule and found 12 small beads (if you will) and started taking only 6 for 2 weeks. Then the next 2 weeks I cut back to only 3 beads. And the final 2 weeks I took only one. I have had some side effects of nausea, pain throughout my body, I have taken nothing now for 1 week. The side effects are very mild, compared to the ones I had when trying to take one day on, and 2 days off. If anyone out there is still struggling, I would love to hear from you. Thanks.
Votes: +2
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
I'm on day 2... I'm sick. Headache upset tummy... I guess lemon water ... I am not sure what to do other than water. I feel like I have the worst hangover
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
I'm on day 2... I'm sick. Headache upset tummy... I guess lemon water ... I am not sure what to do other than water. I feel like I have the worst hangover
LA
lalag60
21 May 2016
How are you weaning yourself off? I know exactly how you feel. Hang tough tho. It is not easy.
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
I am going 30 from 60 MG & breaking open a pill and taking some of the balls.
LA
lalag60
21 May 2016
I broke open my 60 mg caps, poured them out and had 12 beads/balls. I started out taking 6 beads for 2 weeks, then went to 3 beads for 2 weeks, and finally 1 bead for 2 weeks. I have had some side effects, but not brutal. Now for almost 2 weeks I have had nothing. Just this past Thursday, was a horrible day, dizzy, nauseated, and felt like my ears were going to burst. I took a Bonine (over the counter Dramamine) and went to sleep for a few hours and felt better. I have felt really good these last 2 days. I know I am still weaning off of it. Hope it doesn't last for months, but am so much better than being on it. Please please hang in there. This is such an awful drug. I can't believe it is actually prescribed for any length of time. Stay strong.
TI
Tinaween
22 May 2016
Thanks I think it will be better than staying on it. I have no short term memory & forget what I'm doing. I had this on the drug too. Hope it comes back. Did u read of any high bold pressure or heart palpitations from anyone?
LA
lalag60
22 May 2016
Yes when I first started weaning with a one day on and two days off, I had high blood pressure, which I have never had in my life. So I got back on them at the advice of my doctor, but she still did not want me to quit taking them. So... I made my own decision to take charge. Doing it the way I did, I did not experience HBP. I can tell you that now 8 weeks into this, I am feeling so much better. I sleep good, but I keep my schedule the same. Even if I don't sleep, I still get up by 6:30am and keep my self busy through out the day. I drink ALOT of water, eat a lot of greens and protein. I limit my caffeine. one cup of coffee a day. I know everyone is different and we all react different, but if you can hang on and make it through a few weeks, I honestly think you will be glad. I am still hoping someone will tell me how long they experienced withdrawal symptons. I started my weaning on March 27th (Easter Sunday). I am hoping by mid-summer I will be symptom free, but just do not know. Stay strong.
KI
kickcymbalta2016
22 May 2016
I have a nutritionist who prescribed a number of Standard Process supplements to help with the withdrawal and build my gut and brain back up with natural occuring serotonin. It's expensive, but well worth it and once my body is back to making it's own serotonin, then I can cut back on the daily dosages and just take a maintenance amount. I eat fruits/veggies, home made bone broth full of magnesium and protein and eat foods rich in amino acids which is what the brain is made of anywayz. I eat almonds when I take the supplements.
LA
lalag60
22 May 2016
Thanks for sharing that. Wasn't sure what type of supplements to take. I am almost afraid to take anything, but that all sounds logical. I will try to reach out to a nutritionist. How long have you been off? Are you still having symptons of the drug?
LA
lalag60
22 May 2016
Thanks for sharing that. Wasn't sure what type of supplements to take. I am almost afraid to take anything, but that all sounds logical. I will try to reach out to a nutritionist. How long have you been off? Are you still having symptons of the drug?
KI
kickcymbalta2016
28 May 2016
I really don't understand the way this forum is set up. I submit comments, but I can't find them to check and see if they got on???
LA
lalag60
28 May 2016
I agree. I was so hoping to be in touch with people I could get info from and possibly help as well but it seems hard to follow and get feedback
KI
kickcymbalta2016
10 July 2016
Facebook has a group called Cymbalta Hurts Worse. Someone on this forum wrote about it. I just joined it but I have to be approved. Hope they "like" me! Maybe that is an easier place to get info and get to know a few peeps! I hope so!
I have a good solution. The first time I tried to get off Cymbalta (took 60 mg daily) it was a nightmare, and my doctor had no solution. she just said 'cope with it'. She had no idea how impossible it is to get off this drug. It took me over a year to try and get off of it, with horrible brain zaps and my brain could not cope with it. I did find a SOLUTION: Apparently there is a drug called Yentreve, which is indicated for women for the treatment of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence. It has exactly the same ingredient: Duloxetine, and best of all, it comes in 20 mg and 40 mg capsules. So from 60 mg I went down to 50 mg, by taking one 30 mg Cymbalta + one 20 mg Yentreve. After A FEW WEEKS on 50 mg I went down to 40 mg Yentreve. I am still on 40 mg, and I want to wait a few more weeks and then start taking 30 mg Cymbalta and after that continue to 20 mg Yentreve only.
I still do not know how I will cope with going down from 20 mg to 0, since there is no in-between dosage. But so far I had no side effects from weaning off, and almost no brain zaps at all. Ask your doctor for the prescription of Yentreve and wean off VERY VERY SLOWLY over a long period of time, so your brain can learn how to function without this drug. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Votes: +1
BR
brokenheart12
20 May 2016
Great advice! Thanks for sharing it.
KK
kkeyser
11 May 2016
You most likely have Lyme disease or fungal sensitivity. Symptoms are very similar but you sound like you have a classic case of disseminated Lyme. Normal MD will not diagnose this properly- trust me. Helped over 30 people get diagnosed and treated after suffering at the hands of general physicians or even infectious disease docs. They are very ignorant regarding diagnosing and treating Lyme. Find a lyme literate medical doctor at ilads.org. You are only treating symptoms and not the underlying cause which is why you keep getting worse. Don't mess around and get severe brain damage with untreated Lyme or fungus sensitivity. 30 days of a single sntibiotic does not cure Lyme.
Votes: +1
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
Why lyme disease???
KI
kickcymbalta2016
9 July 2016
I do not understand the lyme disease post when this forum is for Cymbalta withdrawal. Two totally different issues here. I have lyme disease AND cold turkied Cymbalta 3.5 months ago. To tell someone it sounds like they have lyme disease while clearly they are going through heck from the cymbalta withdrawals is downright bad!
JI
Jillianne65
11 May 2016
Hang in there. You should start to feel better but it definitely takes time. I have been off a low dose of Cymbalta for four months and still working through some issues. My side effects were very unusual; my eyelids and lips began to peel. Now that I am off the med, I can still not wear makeup or swim in chlorine pool without my eyes breaking out and getting sore. Dermatologist says I may have to deal with this for a very long time. Just glad to be getting off the med and back to mostly normal.
Votes: +1
RE
Rebekajabuk
21 May 2016
Hey, i was taking it since i was abot 19 for depression , it would be five years next month. i was taking 120, then 90, then 120 again... i lowered the dose really quickly, but meanwhile did Amaroli( indian name for drinking you own pee) and AFTER TWO DAYS all the symptoms of brain zaps dissapered. I'm off for about two months, not doing amaroli anymore and i feel COMPLETELY FINE, even more calm as i was before. I started doing amaroli 2 days later i quit cymby, so the system was clean(when i started having brain zaps i knew my body was free of the drug), so i started drinking my own piss, that has all your body needs in it, although we think of it as something body excrets because it doesn't need it). It's a very old remedy that was used in india many thousands of years ago and it still is in use! Although: before you do this you should read about it on the internet, because its best to drink it in the morning... etc. If you will do it GET INFORMATION ABOUT IT.
Hope you get through just fine!
SM
Smileyaz
11 May 2016
I am currently on my 6th Day after tapering of Duloxetine (Cymbalta). Well it’s the 5th day if you take the fact its 9am and I’ve not slept yet after trying from midnight. I was on 60mg for about a year prescribed by a private doctor after being diagnosed with Reoccurring depressive disorder.
I have tapered by reducing to 30mg for a month and then 30mg every other day for a month which is the advice of the doctor. This was decided because I pushed for blood tests because I was convinced I wasn’t depressed. Blood tests showed I had extremely low vit D for which I’m taking supplements.
Basically I am all over the place. Brain zaps every time I try to do anything. I can’t sleep due to pain in legs and every time I’m close to falling asleep I have to move. I’m so drowsy I can’t concentrate on anything. I don’t trust myself to see friends and family because I’ve got an uncharacteristic short fuse and lack of tolerance of people. So I can’t do anything but walk. That’s if it’s not the middle of the night because my sleep pattern is a mess.
It is amazing that the withdrawal is much more powerful than the effect of the drug when I was taking it even after the suggested tapering. I am 37 and in my early 20s took MDMA a handful of times in small doses. I never had any desire to do anymore because even though the effect was quite nice, there was a comedown of 2 to 3 days after where I felt spaced out, slightly on edge, anxious and generally with low mood. The comedown outweighed the effect. But it was nothing compared to what I am going through now. I imagine this withdrawal is similar to if you took MDMA everyday for a year. That’s one of the reasons why it’s illegal but yet they are prescribing stuff that has such viscous withdrawal.
I have found reading the comments in this post very useful so thank you. I am going to try some of the tips mentioned to help. Fortunately I studied physiology at uni and it’s logical for completely understandable for the body to have withdrawal. I’ve just got to ride it out.
Fortunately I studied physiology at uni and it’s logical for completely understandable to have withdrawal. I have let friends and family know and told them by showing threads like this one help keep support. I have also taken all pressures off myself. Any commitments work or social, just lots of phone calls to friends and family and going out walking.
My health and getting through this is my priority and no turning back. It’s not my fault this has happened and through all this mayhem I will be stronger for the experience when I’m out the other side and then help others.
Votes: +0
BR
brokenheart12
15 May 2016
The 6-9th days are the worst. Hang in there it WILL GET BETTER! If you live with someone or have someone who can stay with you let them know what you are going through so they can assess if you need more help. Hope you feel better soon. Note to everyone reading this: Please let the FDA know what your withdrawal was like. We need a way to get off this drug safely and less painfully. We need REAL warnings.
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
I'm on day 2 of weaning off of it 60 MG a day now 30 & a few balls of the broken capsule. I'm sick already... what is helpful? I emailed the doc that was suggested but have not heard back. Any tips supplements etc are welcome
TI
Tinaween
21 May 2016
I'm on day 2 of weaning off of it 60 MG a day now 30 & a few balls of the broken capsule. I'm sick already... what is helpful? I emailed the doc that was suggested but have not heard back. Any tips supplements etc are welcome
I have been on cymbalta for about 4 years now and I was on 120mg per day.. I have fybromyalgia and depression. It got to the point where I was still in pain, sweating and tired so the doctor decided to change my meds. I really want to do this because some days the pain is just to bad... My withdrawal is a nightmare ... Week one reduced from 120 to 60 a day (2×30) I became very agitated and annoyed, everything winds me up... I have a tingly feeling throughout my body, but especially my fingers and toes and this makes me itch and I want to pull my skin off. I have no concentration and my speech gets muddled..using wrong words and sometimes stuttering and my vision is sometimes fuzzy.. But I am also in a lot of pain all over Fybromyalgia is so bad achey, tired and crying and my memory is shocking. This continued along with cramps. When I travel in the car every muscle feels like it is jolting and the pain is horrendous.
The pain in my body seems to travel to my brain causing like what I can only describe as a firework of pain exploding. On the middle of week.2 I ave started having panic attack feelings... sweating and very anxious, needing to escape. Brain fog is very bad... Week 3 everything as above but sleeping is very diturbed by all the pain .. so tired and in pain pain pain everywhere. Also I can't stop eating I visited the doctor today and she has said that I can go back up to 120mg a day if I want to... I couldn't believe it and told her I have just had three weeks of hell and I will get of these tablets ... there is no going back for me... so from today my dose is halved again... I am on 1 x 30mg each morning.. Week 4 now getting muscle spasms and cramps... crying all the time and I just hurt.. it hurts to move and it hurts to be still... I have been of work through all this and have become so afraid that I will never be able to do my job again.. I feel rubbish and stupid and sad.. That is where I am now... I just need to be rid of he pain... to be able to move and laugh again .. Please someone tell me you have got through this... also the doctor wants to put me on another medication when I am of this horror of a drug and that worries me .
Votes: +0
MA
MacSteve
11 May 2016
Andrea273,
When I first tried coming off the drug, I came down in dose too fast, and it gave me the same symptoms you have. I have been through the same withdrawal symptoms as you, and my tapering off was more gradual then yours.
This drug, when it's been taken for years, can have severe withdrawal effects for many. Some doctors are aware of this, but the vast majority don't understand the severity of the withdrawal syndrome.
I went from 60mg to 30mg then to 0mg over 3 months. And it brought on depression that got so bad I had to go back on it.
I don't know what's right for you, everyone is different, but I can tell you that dropping 60mg and then another 30mg drop 3 weeks later would have been way too fast for me.
The enteric granules in the capsules are all the same, you can open a capsule and see them. It takes some practice, but I setup a dose routine for myself that is much more gradual then the available prescription doses. I measured out a precise amount of granules and put them in blank capsules that you can buy online. I would take half a blank capsule, and progressively shorten the capsule with scissors each week (just a little). This capsule acts as a measuring cup. I used it to fill blank capsules for each day of the week. Takes steady hands, but I got good at it.
This way, a person can taper off at a rate that suits them, which will be trial and error I'm afraid. It may take a year or more to come down off of 120mg/day (or shorter, or longer, it's different for everyone).
If however, the doctor put you on another drug, this may or may not help, again it's an individual thing. Hopefully it does, then you don't have to worry about anything I said above.
Good luck
KI
kinghelen
13 May 2016
Andrea273, this is for you, I know the burning body, brain eyes head pain & noises you are going thru as I went thru it with my cymbalt withdrawal also. Cymbalta has a very short half-life in the body & that is why the symptoms relating to serotonin shortage are so horrible as the body is deprived of its needed hormone supply. I've read that switching to Prozac temporarily will mask most of those Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms, then 6 months later it is easy to be weaned off Prozac because the half-life is much much longer, meaning withdrawal symptoms are not nearly so severe & unbearable. The people that made these drugs need to be locked up & injected with big doses of Cymbalta--then after a few weeks, left to experience the withdrawal, lol. I send you healing prayers of strength. Helen
AN
ANDREA273
14 May 2016
Thank you everyone for your help... support and prayers ... I am still no better but sticking with it I have another docs appointment so I will discuss things with her... I don't want my withdrawal to be over a long period because the doctor said that I can't overlap another medication... so I feel I need to get of this quick so I can get on something else... I must admit I am in more and more pain and often end up crying especially on car journeys... Again thank you everyone... Also it really helps to know that one way or another you got through it and I am not going crazy because others have suffered the same effects..
Hi im suffering severely. I am bipolar 2 and my psych changed my meds as the antidepressant component was no longer working. I was taking 180mg of Cymbalta/ generic per day. I came off the cymbalta over 10 days ... 120mg for 5 days then 60mg for 5 days. During this time i also started taking 25mg Valdoxan at night. All was ok but after about 1 week of taking just the valdoxan i started having strange anxious irritable type symptoms. This past weekend all i could do was cry or sit on my own. Each time i triedto do anything i get this weird tingly feeling in my bottom and genital area like i was going to wet my pants. My GP put me onto some valium to help reduce the anxiety. 5mg did nothing was told to take 10 still pretty much nothing. I feel like i am going stir crazy.
Votes: +1
BR
brokenheart12
18 April 2016
I hope you feel better soon. I think that 10 days is a very short time to taper off Cymbalta. The withdrawal is excruciating. Uncontrollable crying, irritability, anxiety, zaps, and feeling like your going "stir crazy" are not uncommon withdrawal symptoms. About a week after completely stopping is when in my experience symptoms peak. If you don't feel better soon and your psych is unfamiliar with Cymbalta withdrawal, try to find someone who can help you.
Also there are many self help suggestions in this thread.
