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cymbalta 30mg withdrawal symptoms.. Ughh!

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Posted 2/26/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
came across this site when searching for Cymbalta 30mg detox symptoms. Ive been taking Cymbalta 90mg for 3yrs in combination with Wellbtrin 300mg to help with my depression and anxiety. For a year now I've only taken 30mg of Cymbalta. For the first time in 6 years, i was almost 2 months depression-free... I mean was actually smiling again! So Two weeks ago, I decided i didn't want to take Cymbalta anymore. So I began tapering off, every other day.Ive been completely off Cymbalta for 7 days, and my health has done a 180! I cry for the simplest things, my back hurts, my headache & insomnia is back, and that awful zapping/swooshing sensation in my head is now accompanied with nausea. To give you an idea what this swooshing feels like, imagine having sea shells against each ear and hearing the waves hit against your brain. The ZAPPING feels like the vibrations of banging metal. ..Hate feeling this way!! cry
Posted 2/26/2014 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again L.A.,

I am so glad that you decided to start your own thread!!

I am sure that others will be along to welcome and encourage you soon.

I hope that you got a chance to check out the sites that I posted on the other thread for you, and that they might be of some help.

Stick with us. We will walk along this journey with you!

S.C.
Posted 2/26/2014 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks SC! I'm basically going through this alone :( So I hope this site helps .
Posted 2/26/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lucy,

Hi there...I understand the agony that can come from getting off these drugs.  After doing a cold turkey off Lexapro (per my doctors instructions) I did some of my own research and most people find that reducing by 10% every two weeks can help with the symptoms of withdrawal.  Yes, it can take a LONG time but it's much safer than the tapering schedule most doctors think is appropriate.  Not everyone will have a problem getting off...but for those of us who do it's wise to do a slow taper.  I don't know if Cymbalta comes in liquid form but that would be the easiest and safest.  If not, can the pills be cut into pieces or are the pills those tiny time released beads? 

Skipping days is tough...that sends our brains into panic mode.  I got more weaning info from my pharmacist than I did from my doctor.  Wish I could help more...I know it feels like you  have stepped into Hell!

Keep talking with us as we care,

Kitt

 

Posted 2/26/2014 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Lucy,

You're not going through it alone, -- you've got us! And believe me, you'll find us up at all sorts of crazy hours, so there's almost always someone here. For those moments when you find yourself physically alone, or emotionally alone because there isn't someone around you who "gets it" or "understands," (especially if they are critical of you or dismissive of you), you will find this forum demonstrates such a high level of compassion, empathy, and interaction,--that you'll find you'll begin "clicking" right along with the posters who've been here for a while.

Honest, truthfully, and totally for real!

Now as far as the medication goes, what did your doctor recommend you do with regards to providing you with specifics on how to titrate, what to expect, and what sort of time frame you're looking at?



M.
Posted 2/26/2014 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt, I've tried the gradual tapering, to the point of opening the capsules and just taking a few pellets at a time till I was down to none. But the depression comes back and the electrical jolts just drive me nuts. Hense why I stayed on the 30mg so long after tapering off from 90mg.
Today is my 8th day off Cymbalta. I refuse to go back on it. It may help with my depression, and I know it will stop the BUZZING in my head, but I hate the thought of having to depend on a pill with such awful withdrawal symptoms, just to feel normal again. That thought alone makes me feel like a failure.
I want to get through this WITHOUT the Cymbalta! Because no matter how little I take, it always causes a setback, and I'm TIRED of it :(
Posted 2/27/2014 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Merrida, thanks for ur kind words of support.

My Dr has been looking for the 'right' anti-depressant for 4yrs now. Wellbutrin seems to be working (as long as no major negative events occur). Cymbalta also works very well for me. The problem there is when I forget to take it, I immediately get the buzzing in my head. And after the incident where I forgot my meds while away on vacation, I decided it just wasn't the medication for me.

I've been on many anti-depressants, and never had a problem stopping them, even without the tapering off. If my Dr had told me the terrible side effects of getting off Cymbalta, I would have not tried it to begin with.
Posted 2/27/2014 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
So many meds come with side effects when we try to stop them. Especially if we do it too abruptly for our body.

It takes weeks for these meds to reach a level in your blood to know if they work for you (unless you're having dreadful s/e's where you cannot continue).

If Cymbalta works well for you, perhaps I'm confused, but why not continue to take it? Just use a weekly pill box or something similar so you don't forget to take it. Some of the meds we take, you're right, even missing one day, or taking it at a different time, can put us through the wringer.

So maybe you can explain it to me? If it works, why not put a little effort into taking it and not skipping it or forgetting it, and continue to feel better?

The ultimate choice is yours. I would just hate to see you go through such pain and discomfort if you didn't need to.



M.
Posted 2/27/2014 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
M.

Im probably bringing most of this on myself. But I'm sick of the idea of having to take meds everyday. I really want to detox my body from it all.

Ive suffered from depression & anxiety most of my adult life. Usually 2-3 months on one med was all I needed, and I was good for another year or so (until the next tragedy occured).

This time, however, has been the longest I ever been treated. ..6yrs ongoing! Its time to stop.

Its not like im happy anyway. I havent sincerely laughed sinced 2007. The only reason I say they help, is because it keeps the emotional breakdowns under control.

Honestly, I'm just tired of all this. I just want to be the Lucy I was 7 years ago!
Posted 2/28/2014 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
L.A.

I am sorry, I can see that this is really a hard time for you.:(

What if any therapy and/or self help /treatments/material have you explored?

Do you feel that you may be able to reach your goals a little easier with the help of trying/re-visiting this option?

S.C.
Posted 2/28/2014 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
S.C,

Ive tried mindfullness & cognitive behavior therapy. And
Ive been going to individual therapy weekly for 6yrs (as long as I have been on meds).

Today will be my 9th day off Cymbalta. Im currently taking:

Wellbutrin....Depression
Ativan..........Anxiety
Topamax.....Migrains
Posted 2/28/2014 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Okay,

...then you are no stranger to therapy! That is good.:)

Have you asked your therapist for specific input and support on how you might make your cut backs in meds sucessful?

I think that if you two were to plan out a regimin/treatment plan of coping skills to suppliment where the meds will be absent, it could really help you to achieve your goals.

Worth asking about?

S.C.
Posted 2/28/2014 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
S.C,

I will see my therapist on Tuesday. Will definitely bring that up. Thanks.
Posted 3/18/2014 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Well its been a month that I have been off the Cymbalta. The electrical-like zapping has finally stopped. However I still have a constant hummmmm/wooshing sound that just won't go away. I've had this sensation so long, since I started tapering down from 90 mgs last year, that I think I've become immuned to it. ..I've forgotten what silence sounds like :(

Anyway, now I have to find a new way to cope with my depression. Getting off Cymbalta has definitely made it worse.
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