HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

My Journey of getting off 30mg Cymbalta

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic locked
1 2 3 45 6
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/8/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
The end of day 7. about the same!!!

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 6/8/2012 8:54:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/12/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
ONE MONTH AND TWELVE DAYS OFF CYMBALTA

And, I'm not going to lie....I have been having some anxiety come and go.  I'm dealing with it though and I feel as though I am letting go of some anger that I've basically brushed under the rug during the last year that I've been on the Cymbalta.  Also, I'm 50 and female...so you can take it from there!  I started a medication group on Thursday nights and I loved it.  Now...I just need to practice.

Bronce...Sounds like you are doing well!  I'm sorry that I haven't checked in on this board.  I've posted a few times on the GERD board but haven't popped in over here.  Can you tell me a little about how you dealt with Gerd...how long did it last for you and how did you get rid of it?  My GI doc is not sure that I'm having acid reflux because I had an endoscopy on 5/24/12 and he could see no sign of reflux or any problems..  I swear I'm not making any of this up!!!  Now, he wants me to see a pulminary doctor because I'm also having pain in my chest and he thinks it may be asthma or something.  I am convinced that this is acid reflux but I guess I'll see this other doctor and go from there.

Anyway, please post and let me know how you are doing.  I hope you are hanging in there!

Post Edited (Carrie48) : 6/12/2012 5:39:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2012 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for asking Carrie. This post sort of disappeared off the screen so I thought I would let it go and not resurect it especially since I didn't have anything positive to add. It's the end of day 14 for me. This past Monday I was having such a hard time I asked my Dr. if he would give me a couple of 20mg prozac to take. He wrote a script for 15 of them and told me to take one every other day and come see him in two weeks. I have never taken prozac before but read somewhere else that it can help with the withdrawal and I was desperate. The brain zaps and tinnitis was overwhelming and I felt like I was losing what little of my mind I had left. The prozac has a very long half life and I figure if I only take it till I get through this it shoud be a walk in the park to get off that compared to what I've been through with Cymbalta. I took one Monday and one yesterday and I have some relief. It is very tolerable now. The zaps are almost non existant and the tinnitis is easying up some. No more dizziness, at least I can function again.

As for the reflux I found out that chocolate and soft drinks were my enemy for that. If I stay away from those and some spicy foods i don't have a problem.

Posted 6/15/2012 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Stkitt, was I so out of it on day 7 that something needed to be edited out of my post? I sure hope I didn't put anything offensive on here. I know there have been days when I was in such a bad way that no one wanted to be around me and I was told I was not myself. If I did I honestly don't remember!!!
Posted 6/15/2012 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Bronco,

I may have just clicked on your post by accident and never changed a thing as if I edit anything I usually leave a comment.  I sometimes just edit to add a thread title etc so as I left no comment nothing was changed.  Anytime I go into a post you will see:

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 6/8/2012 8:54:17 AM (GMT-6)

No worries. :-)

You were not so out of it !

 

Posted 9/1/2012 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I am on day 3 of withdrawing from 30mg of Cymbalta. I tried so hard to make the stuff work, but when the extreme backaches started, I knew I couldn't take it. I had a laminectomy this last April and I was feeling preety darn good and then this was the last straw. I have never had such aweful side effects from any other antidepressant except Savella. I was so nauseaus. Oh well. I feel ok. Does anyone else have diarrhea? Everything I eat, just goes out. I drink lots of water and take fish oil pills. Thanks
Posted 5/27/2013 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if anyone will see this, but I am keeping a journal of getting off of cymbalta and wanted to find a place to share it.

I've been on countless combinations of medications to manage m major depression. I was on cymbalta 60mg for a little over a year. Currently I am also on Latuda 40mg (an atypical antipsychotic). I was down to 30mg of cymbalta. I never had any trouble on the medication but for the last year or so I have been having extreme fatigue, which is affecting my work and school. My pdoc thinks the only way to try to manage this is to get off the 30mg of cymbalta cold turkey. I tried a few months ago but after 2 days I realized the end of the semester was no time to go through the withdrawals. It was awful. So I waited until now when things were settled down and I had some time to try it again.

This time I am on Day 4. I am feeling pretty bad....brain zaps started towards the end of day 1. At this poitn I'm most comfortable laying down because any movement causes my brain to go numb. This sensation is not new to me, I've been on medication long enough. But in the past it's only been for one missed dose. This is the worst it's been. I've also been tired and pretty emotional. Occasionally I'm having joint pain and headaches.

I didn't go to work today. I've felt so bad about it that I broke down crying twice (hence-emotional). My plan for the rest of the week is to go in for half days. I think it'll help to distract me without overexerting myself. And I won't feel bad about not going in.

I just wanted a place to share my experiences so I don't feel like I'm going crazy!! Also, maybe someone else will read it and it'll make them feel less crazy too. I'm all about sharing my experiences to help others.

~Rebecca
Posted 5/27/2013 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing...post with us anytime.:) Wishing you the best in your progress and recovery!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/24/2013 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Carrie48, Bronco, et al,

I ran into this blog while researching how to get off Cymbalta.
I cannot tell you how extremely helpful it is to see others who are trying to
get off the med.
I slowly weaned myself off of Klonipin and now want to get off 90 mg a day of Cymbalta.
I know when I forget to take my meds, I get many of the symptoms described by you.
So I will take it very slowly.

Tiger2vol,
Good luck! I'd love to keep up on your journey as well.
Posted 7/24/2013 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

anxiousbob and others,

I'm happy to share my experience and hope that it helps. I've been off Cymbalta for almost 2 months now. Of course, it didn't fix the fatigue I was having so I'm still trying to figure that out. But I guess I would have had to get off the Cymbalta at some point anyway so I'm glad I got it over with. I am currently on Latuda (40mg) and Lamictal (100mg, working up to 200mg).

I think I am lucky in that my withdrawal only lasted about 2 weeks, the worst of it about 10 days. I ended up going to work one day and it was awful so I took the rest of the week off. Like I said before the brain zaps were the worst I ever had them. Sadly, you get used to it, but it is always uncomfortable and a very strange feeling. I had very achy joints, I was emotional, and very irritable. There was one day that I cried for 45 minutes because I just couldn't stop. Other than that, there were things on tv or otherwise that would cause this surge of emotion like I was almost going to cry, but I couldn't tell if it was happy or sad. Very weird. Also, coming off the Cymbalta and even once the withdrawals were over, I was extremely irritable. Granted my summer has been pretty stressful, but I was feeling frustrated with everyone and everything very quickly and feeling irritable.

This is part of the reason we started with the Lamictal. I'm still hoping that will work for me. It is my first time on a mood stabilizer and I know my birth control can interfere with the effectiveness, so I'm hoping a higher dose will improve my overall mood and attitude. Playing with my medications makes me pretty anxious, but I've done it enough to know to just stay hopeful and keep on with my days despite depressive or anxious symptoms.....though I am not shy about calling my pdoc with any questions.

anxiousbob, good luck with your journey! Try not to get discouraged. I'll warn that even going from 30mg to 0 can still cause withdrawals, but take it slow. And most importantly, listen to your body and take care of yourself. If you're not feeling well don't push yourself, just take it easy and try not to get discouraged.

I really love sharing my experiences to help others. I'm not shy about my symptoms and medications I've tried. Please let us know how it goes, and good luck!

Posted 7/25/2013 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks tiger2vol for the encouraging words.
I'll begin my journey now. Here is some background. I weaned myself off of Kloipin about two months ago. I still have a Rx for Xanax, which I use sparingly (0.25mg), maybe once or twice a week. I was on 90mg of Cymbalta and weaned off to 60mg about a month ago. I had some of the brain shocks and more anxiety, but the shocks subsided, and the anxiety managed.
It has been 5 dys on 30mg of Cymbalta, today was really bad. Blood pressure way up and headache and head numbness all day
Posted 8/12/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Been a week already.  Can't go cold turkey.  after two days anxiety all over the place.  Fisrt time EVER I woke up and had to take a xanax, and then got a 30mg cymbalta to stop the crazieness.  BP has increased significantly.

God this sucks.

Posted 8/22/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
4th day off Cymbalta.  Feeling good but a constant state of anxiety, but definately thinking clearer

than I have in years, and amd able to get things done around the house.  Bad side effecet is having

a constantly elevated pulse  (~108 bpm) and blood pressure.  Will see Doc next weekd about it.

I don't know if anyone is reading this, but this is a good blog for me to remember what hell it is to get off this stuff.

 

Posted 8/23/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Day 5 off Cymablta. Last night was hell. Went to bed at 11:30 (had a late dinner at 9:30 of pizza and some drinks). Got up at 12:01 with heart pounding and feeling like Ihad a hard time breathing...typical anxiety attack, but strong. Looked at the clock every half hour trying to fall
asleep, knowing it was anxiety and not gong to kill me (as learned from some self help books) finally fell asleep somewhere around 3 only to wake up every hour or so after some very bad and real seaming dreams. I would almost call them halucinations. Very disturbing and kept the heart rate up all night. Was supposed to start work at 6am, finally got good rest at 5am, got in at 8am. Feel very good today, with some anxiety and elevated pulse, but feels like a good day.
Posted 8/24/2013 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Got up a few times last night and though, cool, no anxiety attack. Then at 6am, looked out the window and all of a sudden BAM. The breathing. I notice it. Like times befor, I feel like I am not getting enough oxygen. My constant congestion does not help the matter. Then I notice my pulse...going up. Try breating exercises. Finally just get up and go to work. I am trying my darnest not to take a xanax this early in the morning. My goal is to be off all anti anxiety meds for at least a month to get a baseline of how I am doing. I've been on one form or another for 15+ years.
Posted 8/27/2013 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
To All Who have Posted Here: Thank you so much. I'm in my third week of Cymbalta withdrawal (down from 60 to 30 and now to 0) along with Lyrica withdrawal. All that you have written is a great encouragement to me. Thank you for lighting the way.
Posted 8/27/2013 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Day 10 without Cymbalta. Woke up with seasonal allergies amking me congested. As soon as I was awareof the restriction in breathing, anxiety started surging. Thanksfully, my dr. just gave me an additional Rx for blood pressure meds that should help keep my heart rate down. So I am not feeling the usual pulse beating through my chest. But the anxiety puts a pressure in your chest, that only a sufferer can relate to. I'm asking myself I am off of Cymbalta, but when will I be done with it's side effects?
Posted 8/27/2013 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,

Keep on doing what works best for you and don't give up.  The key is to do it very  slowly.  I have read that some people take the capsules apart and begin by removing 5 or 10 of the tiny balls inside and put the capsule back together.  Do this for a week or so, then slowly increase the amount you remove as you can tolerate it.

Most Drs. will tell you how to wean off in a 2-3 week schedule. This is where people get into trouble. It is important to make a plan with your Dr. if you explain how you want to wean they will usually support you.

Wishing you peace,

Kitt

Posted 8/30/2013 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Day whatever off Cymbalta. its 908 EST and finally coming to grips. I thought I was going to die from the anxiety. Took a .25 xanax....helped only a little, martini......a little, watched TV with wife and little one....helped a lot, but I thing it was the med and the drink kicking in addition to my mind off o being out of oxygen. I've seemed to caught a cold over the last two days and the congestion brings on the anxiety that I can't breath, which gets my pulse up, which makes me feel like my chest is going to explode.....which gets me more anxious...the cycle continues.
I have been reading a book on how to deal with panic attacks. Simply being aware and accepting the symptoms, knowing they will not harm you. Sounds pretty easy doesn't it? I swear I was ready to go to ER two hours ago.
Someone? How long does this hell last?
The good thing though, is when my heart is not racing, and I can breath with ease, I feel like I am on top of the world. I (at that time) have complete control over myself. I feel motivated like I used to be years ago.
Posted 9/5/2013 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Tired, very tired. I'd rather be tired and anxious, helps me sleep. Never mind the comment before about motivation. Gone in the evenings for the past few days.
Posted 9/7/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Day 21 off Cymbalta.

Had a mixed bag the last couple of days.  Brain shocks are gone so far.  General anxiety still remains, but this

was the feeling that got me started on xanax and SSRI's 15+ years ago. 

When high anxiety hits, I am trying to use some techniqes I have been reading about in a book called Panick Away. 

Basically you acknolwledge the feeling is there, but dot (try not) to react to it.  Just let be what is happening, and resting assured you are not going to die from the feeling.  I'll post the author later.  It does seem to help.

Author - Joe Barry

Hoping for a good day today, even though I am at work.  Work, when allis going well, is a great distraction to anxiety.  This evening I hope to go to the Garlic Fest.  At least I wont be anxious about getting bit by a vampire :-)

Posted 9/7/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Have a great day...excellent usage of your skills! Coping mechanisms work!:)

Have fun at the festival...are you a fellow Bay Area person? :)

Best wishes for peace, calm and no s/e's/withdrawls

Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/9/2013 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the wishes.
The Garlic Fest (in Cleveland OH.) was nice, and I even drove through all
the traffic and not so good area's of town without much anxiety!
Posted 9/9/2013 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Good job! I am glad that you were able to go and have a good time...even with the traffic.:)

We also have a huge garlic fest here in my area, (Gilroy, Ca.) so I just guessed that was what you were talking about. I wondered why I hadn't heard any promos about it, lol;p

Keep up the good work!

S.C.
Posted 9/10/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Day 23 off of Cymbalta.

Extremely tired today.  Worked 15 straight days in a row, 119.5 hours.  BUT, feeling very good

about myself.  I like the clearer feeling.  I am trying my hardest to take on the anxiety with

new mechanisms instead of medications.  The feelings are there a lot, but acknolwedging them, and

knowing they aint gonna kill me  seems to give them a lot less hold over me.  (yes I can easily say

that right now, but give me a few hours :-)

Thanks for listening.

-Bob

✚ New Topic locked
123456