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My Journey of getting off 30mg Cymbalta

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Posted 9/11/2013 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

thank you for sharing all of your amazing experiences. I am on day 8 of cold turkey withdrawal from 60mg of Cymbalta.... Ahhhhhh if only I knew it would be as bad as it has been... I dont know when this will end, however I hold hope in the fact that today is Wednesday and on Wednesday last week I nearly passed out at work and then on Saturday I could barely get my head off the pillow as my head has really been splitting and the worse the headache has been the more nauseous I have felt.....On top of that my back and neck are sooooo sore!

Whilst Physical symptoms are becoming bearable - last might I burst into tears for nothing - well my partner was laughing at me for something, and whilst I would normally laugh with him I just couldn't - I was so messed up and emotional at him....

Today we spoke on the phone and he was busy at work responding to an email - I took the quietness on the phone as him ignoring me and I started to cry...... far out I seriously need to get a grip!
Posted 9/12/2013 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
ledp, I know how you feel. Day 26 off Cymbalta for me. You WILL get better.
Posted 9/13/2013 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
So, I have read over every post on this forum and I feel all your comments really should help me get through this process of getting off cymbalta (without feeling like a mad woman). I was originally prescribed cymbalta for anxiety after having two blood clots found in my left lung in April 2011 after having an elective surgery (Cardiac Ablation).

I am on day 3 of no cymbalta 30mg. I am dreading the withdrawal symptoms I have read on here, but we shall see. So far I have noticed increased acid reflux, nausea, "brain zaps", increased thirst, and strange dreams. I am not as happy-go-lucky and talkative as usual now that I think of it. But on a positive note it seems like I am actually sleeping better now while off cymbalta. I have also noticed some electricity sensations in my fingers and feet, but only slightly when I am sitting still.

We shall see what the future brings!!! turn

Posted 9/13/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Taradise, good luck on your journey. This forum, which I just stumbled on while searching for Cymbalta withdrawl, has really helped me. First reading all the posts from other sufferers and their withdrawl symptoms. It helped to know I wasn't the only one having these symtoms.
I try to stay away from other anti anxiety med, but will on occasion take a .25 xanax, or a double martinini in the evening. :-)
I normally do not write a lot, but writing down what is gong on with me on this forum seems toreally help. Just getting it out of my system how I am feeling, and the inital reading of all the others experience.
Hang in there.
Posted 9/13/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie; My doctor is taking me off Cymbalta slowly. I'm going from 60mg to 30. I take 30mg everyday for 7 days and then I take 30mg every other day for 7 days. If it works I'll try to stay off, but if it doesn't he is wanting to put me on something different. I am going through a rough time. I almost lost my daughter (60] to pneumonia & asthma the other week and my husband fell and hurt his back. Also they put him on dementia medication, also on oxygen for copd. I'm going to look into "mindfulness".
Your doing just GREAT Carrie, God Bless, Dee
Posted 10/18/2013 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Off Cymbalta for 2 months (since 8/18)

It has been a journey.  Still have anxiety, but not as frequently as when I first got completely off Cymbalta.

I was furloughed during the gov shutdown, so the stress level must have been much higher.  Seems as soon

as I would wake up, I would get a thought, and all of a sudden it was getting harder to breath.  Trying not to think

about it made it worse.  Had to rely on .25 to .5 xanax onone or two occasions.  I too am going to look into

mindfulness.  The other things I have been trying seem to have helped.  I just have to accept that I will get

anxious feelings and live along side them.

Posted 10/29/2013 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I am in day 3 off of cymbalta 30mg i have taken for years. I am 52 years old. I have some anxiety once in a while, I have a very very high stress job and have been getting depressed lately. I went off cymbalta because i feel i have been on it for a very long time and it is time to go off. So far just a little bit of brain zaps, i have been drinking alot of water, has anyone ever heard of this? if i keep up drinking water that this will help withdrawls? Im real nervous :(
Posted 10/30/2013 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello TrishP,

Gradually decreasing your dose seems to be the consensous here. When I finally reduced to 30mg per day, I then started dosing two days, off one.  Then after two weeks I dosed every other day for about two weeks, then two days off and a dose.  I did that for a little over a week, then, 0 Cymbalta.

That being said, it was on about day 5 when the witdrawl for me seemed the worst.  Just remember, it aint going

to kill you, youwill just feel like crap for a day or so.   I have been off since August 18th.  I get anxiety, but have

been trying to live with it using coping skills I have been reading up on.

Hang in there.  You will do good!

Posted 11/19/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Update:

Been off Cymbalta 3 months (since 8/18)

Yesteerday had a checkup with my Dr.   We discussed my anxiety and family history.

We also talked about me working on anxiety on my own through reading help books.

After some discussion we decided to try Lexapro 10mg daily.  I was fine with it until I

got back and looked at reviews.  I know, just like on Amazon.com, there will always be

someone complaining about something.  But it does get me anxious,  go figure :-)

So, today, I started 10mg of lexapro.  Partially feel like a failure, and partailly looking to

forward to helping with the anxiety.   To be continued...................

Posted 11/19/2013 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
No failure on your part!!!

Since you plan on using this Rx to help get you to point of managing your anxiety with self-help skills...then you have made a wise choice and should feel like you make a pro-active step toward a new phase in your recovery!

Whether you use if for a time, or decide to use it as a maintenance Rx after all...the result is that you are finding ways to feel the way you should...and that is recovery that you can feel good about.:)

Wishing you the best. If you would like some book suggestions, let us know. Keep us updated on your progress...and start a thread of your own anytime you feel comfortable, as this one is getting long.

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
Posted 11/19/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
I would LOVE some book and or other suggestions!
I have started to look around on local classes that teach Mindfulness Meditation.
So far no luck. Just lots of Yoga classes.

Thank you for you kind words. First day on Lexapro and I feel depressed :-)
Posted 11/19/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
What are your areas of most concern?

Panic?
GAD?
Intrusive thoughts?
Health related anxiety?

Let me know so I can recommend something specific to what you want to work on.:)

S.C.
Posted 11/19/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I never heard of Intrusive Thoughts. So I just looked it up.
Yes, this is something I have. I never knew it had a name, I just
thought I'd have these dang thoughts that seemed to play out all
the time. Nothing sinister, just usually 'what ifs' playing out.
So to answer your question, right now would be GAD, Intrusive Thoughts.
I have what one counselor called my anxiety "low tolerance threshold"
I get frustrated very easily.

Thank you again,
-Bob
Posted 11/19/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Here is a good start.  I like workbooks and have gong through a couple of these...

Wishing you great progress!!

http://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Workbook-Anxiety-Step/dp/1572245727#_

http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Anxiety-Books/lm/R1MK630OGFKDVP

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=anxiety+workbooks&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=19726300221&hvpos=1t4&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand

Posted 11/22/2013 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Evening number three after being prescribed lexipro 10mg. Both evenings I have had anxiety
like never before, and got em tonight again. There is a muting to it, but whoa it is there. I have had to take
xanax both evenings, so far. Something I never had to before. I am asking myself do
I give this more time? Do I bother the dr. about it so soon. Honestly this is like my
chest is in a vise from 6pm until I go to bed.
Goodnioght for now.
-Bob, with a 50lb anvil on his chest :-)
Posted 11/22/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear this!

I would say that if your discomfort, on a scale or 1-10 is above a 6 or 7...then this would be considered an intorlerable s/e...and I would call your doctor.

Hope you get the answers that you need soon!

S.C.
Posted 12/2/2013 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
today I am starting my Cymbalta withdrawal. I have decided to take my 30 mg every other day until my current prescription is gone. I was a bit upset after meeting with my prescribing doctor this past Wednesday and when I tried to discuss discontinuing cymbalta, her response was my needs were beyond her ability to help me and I needed to see a psychiatrist to get things under control. Ugh - that wasn't very helpful so I have decided to do it my way. I'm prepared for the symptoms I have read here just a bit concerned how it will affect my job. As far as though who have suggested benedryl - do you take it only at night or during the day also?
Posted 12/2/2013 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi CK and welcome,

I wish you the best, and am sorry to hear that you are not getting guidance from your GP. Perhaps seeking a referral to a psychiatrist could be something to consider to not only help you in your wean, but for continued care afterward.

Here is a helpful link that you may find beneficial during this time.http://theroadback.org/

Best wishes and feel free to post with us anytime.

Support is key!

S.C.
Posted 12/26/2013 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!! After reading through all of your threads I decided to share my story also. I was taking cymbalta 30 mg for about 3 months. The medication worked wonders for my anxiety. I had no symptoms, no issues with blood pressure or anything. I've made the decision to stop cymbalta because I just wanted to overcome this anxiety on my own. Sunday was my last dose of cymbalta and today I am at day 4. The symptoms aren't as bad as I have read for myself because I truly thing it will affect everyone differently. Since I haven't been on it for long my withdrawal symptoms are moving fairly rapidly. I began feeling them on Monday and each day the zaps come and go (which aren't bad at all just odd and different). Today I'm feeling as if my nerves are exposed throughout my body but even still it's not scary nor do I feel like I can't handle it. The headaches have been faint and last only a short period of time. I do not feel any anxiety or nausea but I do get small waves of dizziness as if I had a few drinks which also don't last that long. My best advice to not get the odd body sensations would be to just take it easy. Try to relax as much as possible, hydrate with lots of water and keep yourself in a positive mind set because these feelings are only temporary. Even though these are physical symptoms we are experiencing, the mind is what truly controls how we feel. My partner has been my best support system and I've learned that turning my symptoms into a joking matter makes it easy. Because of the zaps and nerve feelings I've turned it into calling myself "Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson" or "Frank Zappa" lol, helps lighten the mood. It's extremely helpful that we talk about our experience because no two of us will be feeling the same way while going thru this process. In the long run we will all be heading to one main goal and that's keeping ourselves healthy and strong to overcome our obstacles with cymbalta!! Best wishes to each of you!! I will be checking back soon to keep you posted! :)
Posted 12/26/2013 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know how long is the safe time to wait after you've finished taking cymbalta to take Xanax if needed for an anxiety attack? Just in the event that it does occur I want to be sure I'm not adding onto any withdrawals I would be feeling. Thanks!!
Posted 12/26/2013 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi S.W. and welcome!

Always consult your doctor/pharmacist for Rx questions to be safe, and check for interactions with any other med you may be taking.

To the best of my knowledge however...I believe that taking a benzodiazepine as needed with an SNRI is fine.

Best wishes with your anxiety management, and post with us anytime!

S.C.
Posted 12/28/2013 8:14 AM (GMT 0)
I'm new on the forum front but became interested in this one when I came across it in my search for weaning off Cymbalta. I hope there is someone out there that can suggest something. HELP !

Little bit of history: about 2 years ago my psychiatrist put me on Cymbalta as Paxil was causing weight gain and some other unfavorable side effects, although it certainly helped me get out of the depression and anxiety. She suggested I start Cymbalta ( 30 mg per day) as it wasn't as likely to make me gain weight, would help my osteoarthritis pain, possible fibromyalgia and other benefits. I also have diabetes (type 2) and just learned that it can also help with neuropathy (which I don't have at the present time).

The Cymbalta has helped but last August I had a serious car accident (my fault). I had been experiencing lightheadedness for awhile prior to this - no head spinning. For some unknown reason there are big black holes in my memory of the accident. Over the next 2 or 3 months after the accident I started reading more about the side effects of Cymbalta and became aware of lightheadedness being one. I've had a fairly lengthy recovery period from my accident. Thank the Lord I walked away with only soft tissue injuries, although a possible torn medial miniscus may also have been caused by it. I've just finished an 8 week active rehab program at our local gym.

To make a long story short, I decided (with my doctor) to start weaning myself off the Cymbalta. For the past 2 months I am down to taking 30 mg once every week. I started with once every day and a half, then once every 2 days, then once every 3 days and so on. I am doing ok except for like clockwork, every friday evening for the last 8 weeks I start getting these "brain zaps" as they are being referred to. I call them electrical jolts especially when I turn my head or eyes sideways or really any head movement at all. As I was unable to drive for the first 2 months after my accident due to the emotional trauma and the physical state I was in, I now become very afraid of driving when I have these brain zaps. I still get some lightheadedness from time to time and my doctors and physio's have deduced that my balance is not very good. I have fallen a few times in the last few months but not recently although I do tip over from time to time but am able to catch myself from completely falling down. Not sure if this is due to lightheadedness, arthritis stiffness, poor balance or whatever? I have been tested for vertigo and crystals in the inner ear and those were negative. I am now working with a physio who specializes in vestibular issues and she's given me some exercises to do.

My question is, how do I go to the next stage of weaning off the Cymbalta without the brain zaps and other possible side effects - lightheadedness, balance? I have not been able to return to work since the accident and as my balance if not good, they will not let me return to work until that has been dealt with. I'm a flight attendant and am the sole one on our smaller aircraft so fairly critical I don't fall and threaten passenger safety should something happen to me.
Should I go cold turkey from here on in and be a bit of a basket casefor awhile or do the weight reduction on the 30 mg. I've heard some people do bead counting - Yikes! All I know is that I have to race for a Cymbalta every friday night as my head starts doing funny things. And it does not stop until 3-4 hrs after I have taken a Cymbalta. I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you : )
Posted 12/28/2013 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry but yea quit cold turkey. When you taper from a level of 90mg or 60mg when you hit 30 you hit the withdrawal which are no different from stopping cold turkey. That's just my experience because I felt worse with a taper.
Posted 12/28/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Elipet and welcome.,

I am sorry to hear of the recent challenges that you are facing. I do think that with following your doctor's advice, and perseverance, you can have a successful weaning experience.

Here is a website which may be informative and helpful to you.

http://theroadback.org/

Also, please see our Resources (main page, 1st post) for excellent self-help coping skills to help get you through any rough spots.

Best wishes, and keep posting with us for support anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 12/28/2013 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, this is my first time sharing on an blog. came across this site when research how to get motivation back after while coming off cymbalta. i was surpirsed to read so many people were also having same withdraw symptom that i was having. I went cold turkey almost week ago 12/23/13 only because the samples I was getting from my doctor ran out (DR gave samples bc I could not afford to to purchase on my own after losing my insurance) that was year ago. I thought it was helping turns out it was probably causing some of my issues, time will tell. I get what everyone calls "brain zaps" so far that's all. Back to motivation .. When will it come back, when will I have to want to do things like a simple task of making my bed? I find this worst. I want to be active again so bad. Any ideas??
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