evkcard needs to take it down a notch and be just a little less judgmental. The fact is, that although not everyone experiences these effects, the drug does have some very bad side effects and withdrawal issues even when used correctly or the dosage is tapered under the supervision of a doctor in the case of going off the drug. That said, I'm sure it does help many people, unfortunately though, it is a relatively new drug that does not have the same history as many others in similar class of drugs called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), because Cymbalta is in a new class of drugs called SNRI's (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) so some of the long term negative effects will not be realized for some years. Also, there are many people who are experiencing some long term sexual side effects even after proper withdrawal of Cymbalta, which is not entirely unique to Cymbalta, and is seen in SSRI medication usage too, called post-SSRI sexual dysfunction for more info see: ssri-side-effects.com I wish everyone good luck.
I know you were only on Cymbalta for 3 months but it's well in your system; it could take you a month to a month and a half to wean/taper off of it properly. Cymbalta needs to be tapered over a period of time much longer than 7 days unless you want a lot of very uncomfortable side effects. Dose should be reduced, if you were taking 60 mg. You would go down to divided dose of two 20mg capsules one in the AM one in the PM for 10 days, then reduce again to divided dose of 30mg (one 20mg capsule and one 10mg capsule) (assuming no side effects) rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cymbalta_wcp.htm#P keep reducing down to divided doses. Next would be 2 - 10mg capsules for a 7 to 10 days, once again if you experience, side effects, severe headaches, nausea, etc (see link above more side effects). If you do experience bad side effects you hold steady or go back to previous dose until body adjusts. Till finally you reach one 10mg capsule for 7 to 10 days, then your off. This was the regimen prescribed by 2 doctors and a pharmacist. Still you could experience some withdrawal side effects but much much less...why would a doctor want to see you uncomfortable. The tapering can go slightly faster if you experience no side effects as you drop the dose but you will only know that after being on the reduced dose for 4 days or so till your body starts to catch up to the reduction of medicine, you may not notice much after the first day or so of going to the lower dose, don't think at that point okay I can go to a lower dose now. Follow the above tapering schedule and you'll make life much easier for yourself.
Although, probably no cause for major alarm the following below applies to Cymbalta, and you should report your Mother's symptoms immediately to her doctor. Any major behavioral changes are cause for concern.
The following symptoms, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, and mania, have been reported in adult and pediatric patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either the worsening of depression and/or the emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may represent precursors to emerging suicidality.
Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric, should be alerted about the need to monitor patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behavior, and the other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to health care providers.
The following symptoms, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, and mania, have been reported in adult and pediatric patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either the worsening of depression and/or the emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may represent precursors to emerging suicidality.
Families and caregivers of patients being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric, should be alerted about the need to monitor patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behavior, and the other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms immediately to health care providers.
Tnfine wrote:
Tnfine, thank you SO much for your detailed reply. Since posting my dilemma, I worked out a weaning schedule that is going ok. I took a 10-day vacation recently and just wanted to get through it without any problems, so for a couple of weeks prior I was on a 20mg every-other-day regimen. I'm still on that, and will now begin to reduce that as well.
Before I was on Cymbalta I was on Zoloft, which had depressed me horribly for two years before I figured it out. For ADD I had been taking Wellbutrin, which I totally loved. Cymbalta was to have replaced both.
Now I would like to get back on Wellbutrin. BUT, I started taking one 100mg dose while I was tapering Cymbalta, and there's a real good chance I'm either now allergic to Wellbutrin, or the combo caused an allergic reaction. Will wait until I'm totally off Cymbalta before I give Wellbutrin another shot.
Thanks again -- if you have any other feedback, I'm all ears!
my3grls wrote:
I have been on Cymbalta for 90 days, under my doctor's care.
Following my doctor's instructions to get off the drug, I went from 60mg to 30mg a day for seven days and then stopped. <snip>
I know you were only on Cymbalta for 3 months but it's well in your system; it could take you a month to a month and a half to wean/taper off of it properly. <snip>
Tnfine, thank you SO much for your detailed reply. Since posting my dilemma, I worked out a weaning schedule that is going ok. I took a 10-day vacation recently and just wanted to get through it without any problems, so for a couple of weeks prior I was on a 20mg every-other-day regimen. I'm still on that, and will now begin to reduce that as well.
Before I was on Cymbalta I was on Zoloft, which had depressed me horribly for two years before I figured it out. For ADD I had been taking Wellbutrin, which I totally loved. Cymbalta was to have replaced both.
Now I would like to get back on Wellbutrin. BUT, I started taking one 100mg dose while I was tapering Cymbalta, and there's a real good chance I'm either now allergic to Wellbutrin, or the combo caused an allergic reaction. Will wait until I'm totally off Cymbalta before I give Wellbutrin another shot.
Thanks again -- if you have any other feedback, I'm all ears!
Posted: 05/05/07 - 16:33 Post subject: Cymbalta
I've been reading about postings regarding stopping cymbalta and how the drug has been related to evil. From the postings I read, it seemed that noone consulted the prescribing doctor regarding weening themselves off of cymbalta. I believe this is imperative, trying to ween yourself off, by yourself is ridiculous, why wouldn't you consult your prescribing doc on the best way to do this? Further, for those of us who really do have a medical condition diagnosed as depression, why would we stop taking an antidepressant of any kind? My personal belief is that depression is the same condition as any medical condition and requires drug treatment. If a diabetic stops taking insulin, they probably start to become sick, it is because a diabetic has a medical condition which requires them to take some form of insulin. Depression is the same thing. If your body is not producing the correct chemicals for your brain to function normally, you begin to take a drug that starts to make it function normally, if you stop you may become sick. I say this because I have suffered from a brain imbalance resulting in depression for pretty much my entire life. I wouldn't even think about going a day without taking my prescribed meds from my doctor, who has studied this much longer than me. I know that if I stop taking them, my life all of a sudden isn't normal anymore. Duh. . .my brain needs an antidepressant in order for it to have the correct chemicals that are missing for it to function normally. Personally I'm glad that drug makers produce drugs like cymbalta. Ever since I started taking cymbalta, my aches and pains have completely gone away, and I rarely think about how desperate my life seems. For me, and I realize I have a disease, Cymbalta has been a godsend. So for all of you who claim it is a bad drug, maybe it is because you aren't using it properly, maybe it is because you are abusing it, and maybe it is because you should have never taken it to begin with. My personal opinion, and those who are truly affected with a brain chemical imbalance will contest, anti-depressants and the newer ones, which Cymbalta is, are not an evil conspiracy by the drug companies, they exist to help those who truly need them to get better!!!!!
At 30, I started taking Cymbalta after a small surgery for a cyst turned into a partial hysterectomy with the discovery of extensive damage to my reproductive system due to stage iv endometriosis. Since I had to take Lupron for the endometriosis putting me in chemical menopause and I was dealing with the loss of the dream of children of our own....Cymbalta was God-sent.
After five months, with doctor's guidance I started weaning off the 20 mg dose. Within days, I was not sure what was wrong with me. There were severe changes to my sleeping habits, my digestive system, but more distressing was the fuzzy-brain feeling and slight dizziness I experienced constantly. This were not subtle changes. They were drastic and impacting enough that people around me noticed something was seriously wrong. My doctor had never mentioned any possible withdrawal symptoms. And unfortunately, I did not ask. Thankfully, I work in a hospital and was able to get support and information. Support was important since I could have lost my job due to the severity of the symptoms.
Yes, you are right; you should NEVER stop taking ANY physician-prescribed medication without informing your physician. However, people are also correct about the horrible and disturbing withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta. It worked wonders for me during those 5 months. However, had I known, I would have opted for another medication that causes less or no withdrawal or gone without any medication. I am not a physician, but I do realize when something is detrimental to my overall health. By knowing the possible withdrawal symptoms, I could have made an informed decision weighing the risks and benefits. It's a hard lesson I will not easily forget. Ask questions.
I've been reading about postings regarding stopping cymbalta and how the drug has been related to evil. From the postings I read, it seemed that noone consulted the prescribing doctor regarding weening themselves off of cymbalta. I believe this is imperative, trying to ween yourself off, by yourself is ridiculous, why wouldn't you consult your prescribing doc on the best way to do this? Further, for those of us who really do have a medical condition diagnosed as depression, why would we stop taking an antidepressant of any kind? My personal belief is that depression is the same condition as any medical condition and requires drug treatment. If a diabetic stops taking insulin, they probably start to become sick, it is because a diabetic has a medical condition which requires them to take some form of insulin. Depression is the same thing. If your body is not producing the correct chemicals for your brain to function normally, you begin to take a drug that starts to make it function normally, if you stop you may become sick. I say this because I have suffered from a brain imbalance resulting in depression for pretty much my entire life. I wouldn't even think about going a day without taking my prescribed meds from my doctor, who has studied this much longer than me. I know that if I stop taking them, my life all of a sudden isn't normal anymore. Duh. . .my brain needs an antidepressant in order for it to have the correct chemicals that are missing for it to function normally. Personally I'm glad that drug makers produce drugs like cymbalta. Ever since I started taking cymbalta, my aches and pains have completely gone away, and I rarely think about how desperate my life seems. For me, and I realize I have a disease, Cymbalta has been a godsend. So for all of you who claim it is a bad drug, maybe it is because you aren't using it properly, maybe it is because you are abusing it, and maybe it is because you should have never taken it to begin with. My personal opinion, and those who are truly affected with a brain chemical imbalance will contest, anti-depressants and the newer ones, which Cymbalta is, are not an evil conspiracy by the drug companies, they exist to help those who truly need them to get better!!!!!
At 30, I started taking Cymbalta after a small surgery for a cyst turned into a partial hysterectomy with the discovery of extensive damage to my reproductive system due to stage iv endometriosis. Since I had to take Lupron for the endometriosis putting me in chemical menopause and I was dealing with the loss of the dream of children of our own....Cymbalta was God-sent.
After five months, with doctor's guidance I started weaning off the 20 mg dose. Within days, I was not sure what was wrong with me. There were severe changes to my sleeping habits, my digestive system, but more distressing was the fuzzy-brain feeling and slight dizziness I experienced constantly. This were not subtle changes. They were drastic and impacting enough that people around me noticed something was seriously wrong. My doctor had never mentioned any possible withdrawal symptoms. And unfortunately, I did not ask. Thankfully, I work in a hospital and was able to get support and information. Support was important since I could have lost my job due to the severity of the symptoms.
Yes, you are right; you should NEVER stop taking ANY physician-prescribed medication without informing your physician. However, people are also correct about the horrible and disturbing withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta. It worked wonders for me during those 5 months. However, had I known, I would have opted for another medication that causes less or no withdrawal or gone without any medication. I am not a physician, but I do realize when something is detrimental to my overall health. By knowing the possible withdrawal symptoms, I could have made an informed decision weighing the risks and benefits. It's a hard lesson I will not easily forget. Ask questions.
I agree. I have been on and off antidepressants since I was 17 years old. (I'm currently 32) I have taken Imipramine, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Cymbalta. What I can say is this, your doctor should have told you that you should not drink alcohol when taking any antidepressant. I have heard that with each of the medicines that I have taken. And I can also say that I chose not to listen to the doctor and have continued to drink. With the Cymbalta (which I am currently on) I have paid the biggest price for drinking and taking the medication. I have found that I get black out drunk off of very little alcohol. I had not tied that into the medication, but now realize that it is a possibility. But as a person who has a Chronic Major Depression diagnosis, I can honestly say that the dealing with the depression is much worse than trying to go without a drink. (And I have a history of being a big drinker as well!) We have to be willing to give the medication a chance to really work...which means following the advice that our doctors originally gave us when they put us on these meds.
Dear anyone trying to get off Cymbalta,
(I have stopped and still struggling)
I feel this med nearly destroyed me, I got to a point where I couldn't function.. I was also taking Topamax at the time.
(i was wrecked after taking the combination for 7/8 months, and have taken 3/4 months to taper and stop.)
Please don't believe anyone who says its better than depression.. its NOT.
I was a zombie; too much sleeping, couldn't talk properly or find words, very forgetful (memory screwed, and i have a stressful job so had to write EVERYTHING down.. if someone told me 3 things and I didn't have a notepad, by the time they got to the 3rd note.. i have forgotten the 1st!!!!), sweating, couldn't exercise (no energy), vision problems (blurry vision. it DOESN'T get better with time.. don't believe anyone), put on weight (which I am struggling to lose and i'm active and not a very big person) and the worst... I withdrew from society to the point where I stopped leaving the house except for work, bad paranoia (people following me)... etc. pretty much lost all my friends.
I begged my p-doc to get me off or find another combination.. he was concerned about suicide and said lets "up the Topamax dosage".. i never went back to him.
Found new p-doc.. better now.. off Topamax and Cymbalta.
Taking Lamotrigine (generic) and although it has its own "things" its much better. (Bipolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety etc)
My advice for getting off Cymbalta:
take at night.
>If you are currently taking 60, open the Cymbalta capsules and take out a few granules at a time.
I mean 10 granules a week till you get to half.
(its a real irritating thing dividing up the granules but its worth it. Just keep going, it gets easier I promise!)
>Then ask p-doc for prescription for 30's.
Again, take out a few granules (1 or 2 a day) till you get to almost none.
Then stop and if you feel withdrawals (dizzy, tingly, brain zaps).. then take 3/4 granules right there and then and less the next time.
Also, take lotsa Omega 3's and Vit B's and tonsa water!
Withdrawals were so bad for me, i took 3/4 months to taper and have now only been free of it for 2 weeks (still have tingling hands and aching muscles, and a few scary brain zaps/swishes, some nausea).
So.. I went from 60 to nothing in 3/4 months! that is NOT quick.
and anyone who advises reducing the dosage faster is very wrong! the withdrawals are EXTREME!
If you are like me.. Don't go down by half, you will not be able to function.
SO... don't do big drops at a time (ie when I say take out 10 granules a week.. I mean like 1 or 2 less per day).. big jumps are not good.
Initially i tried to go from 60 to 40 in a week and i was a wreck; vertigo (really losing balance! and feeling like I was walking on a boat), aching, flu-like symptoms, vision problems, crazy brain zapping, and ITCHING feet!!! so bad i couldn't sleep, memory completely weird .. etc) there was MUCH MORE i am happy to forget. I don't know how I kept my job! That was another thing .. I was "punchy" I mean, argumentative,.. wanting to lash out.. hit something/one.. (bad).
Note: I take meds for Bipolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, PTSD, etc.
: I was (until I stopped completely) on C/T for 1 year (It seemed to help for 2/3 months but I was a zombie after 7/8 months).. perhaps if you have been on it for less you could speed up the tapering just a little..
I strongly advise anyone to get off this drug (or not start it).. its not worth it.
My best to all!
(I have stopped and still struggling)
I feel this med nearly destroyed me, I got to a point where I couldn't function.. I was also taking Topamax at the time.
(i was wrecked after taking the combination for 7/8 months, and have taken 3/4 months to taper and stop.)
Please don't believe anyone who says its better than depression.. its NOT.
I was a zombie; too much sleeping, couldn't talk properly or find words, very forgetful (memory screwed, and i have a stressful job so had to write EVERYTHING down.. if someone told me 3 things and I didn't have a notepad, by the time they got to the 3rd note.. i have forgotten the 1st!!!!), sweating, couldn't exercise (no energy), vision problems (blurry vision. it DOESN'T get better with time.. don't believe anyone), put on weight (which I am struggling to lose and i'm active and not a very big person) and the worst... I withdrew from society to the point where I stopped leaving the house except for work, bad paranoia (people following me)... etc. pretty much lost all my friends.
I begged my p-doc to get me off or find another combination.. he was concerned about suicide and said lets "up the Topamax dosage".. i never went back to him.
Found new p-doc.. better now.. off Topamax and Cymbalta.
Taking Lamotrigine (generic) and although it has its own "things" its much better. (Bipolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety etc)
My advice for getting off Cymbalta:
take at night.
>If you are currently taking 60, open the Cymbalta capsules and take out a few granules at a time.
I mean 10 granules a week till you get to half.
(its a real irritating thing dividing up the granules but its worth it. Just keep going, it gets easier I promise!)
>Then ask p-doc for prescription for 30's.
Again, take out a few granules (1 or 2 a day) till you get to almost none.
Then stop and if you feel withdrawals (dizzy, tingly, brain zaps).. then take 3/4 granules right there and then and less the next time.
Also, take lotsa Omega 3's and Vit B's and tonsa water!
Withdrawals were so bad for me, i took 3/4 months to taper and have now only been free of it for 2 weeks (still have tingling hands and aching muscles, and a few scary brain zaps/swishes, some nausea).
So.. I went from 60 to nothing in 3/4 months! that is NOT quick.
and anyone who advises reducing the dosage faster is very wrong! the withdrawals are EXTREME!
If you are like me.. Don't go down by half, you will not be able to function.
SO... don't do big drops at a time (ie when I say take out 10 granules a week.. I mean like 1 or 2 less per day).. big jumps are not good.
Initially i tried to go from 60 to 40 in a week and i was a wreck; vertigo (really losing balance! and feeling like I was walking on a boat), aching, flu-like symptoms, vision problems, crazy brain zapping, and ITCHING feet!!! so bad i couldn't sleep, memory completely weird .. etc) there was MUCH MORE i am happy to forget. I don't know how I kept my job! That was another thing .. I was "punchy" I mean, argumentative,.. wanting to lash out.. hit something/one.. (bad).
Note: I take meds for Bipolar II, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, PTSD, etc.
: I was (until I stopped completely) on C/T for 1 year (It seemed to help for 2/3 months but I was a zombie after 7/8 months).. perhaps if you have been on it for less you could speed up the tapering just a little..
I strongly advise anyone to get off this drug (or not start it).. its not worth it.
My best to all!
arieln -- congrats to you on getting off Cymbalta!
After I posted in August I started my weaning and did what you did; split open the capsules and removed granules. At the time I began that process I was taking 20 mg every other day. So every other day I poured out granules, and every other time or so a little more (I eye-balled it vs. counting them). I took what was to have been my last little dose mid-September. I still the zaps a little more than was comfortable, still, and three days later took another tiny dose (kinda to tide me over), and that was the end of it. WHEW.
Good luck to those of you weaning! This forum helped me; I hope it helps you, too.
After I posted in August I started my weaning and did what you did; split open the capsules and removed granules. At the time I began that process I was taking 20 mg every other day. So every other day I poured out granules, and every other time or so a little more (I eye-balled it vs. counting them). I took what was to have been my last little dose mid-September. I still the zaps a little more than was comfortable, still, and three days later took another tiny dose (kinda to tide me over), and that was the end of it. WHEW.
Good luck to those of you weaning! This forum helped me; I hope it helps you, too.
Cymbalta has lesser side effects when compared to some other antidepressants.These include Weakness,Nausea,Fatigue,Sexual difficulties etc.
My MD put me on Lexapro and after a month noticed no improvement. I started on Cymbalta almost 2 weeks ago at 30 mg for a week and am now on 60. I started on Tues, 4/15 with my heart throwing PVC's, which means it was skipping a beat. This am I had what presented just like a heart attack. SEVERE chest pain, unable to breathe much & sweating profusely. Went to the ER and they said my EKG looked ok, still having the irregular heartbeat. I just was wondering if this, the irregular heartbeat and severe chest pain, are possibly side effects? Any information is very welcomed. Thanks.
I have been on cymbalta for about a year now and I have been wanting to start tapering off. It has worked well for the depression and muscle pain in my back. My mother has fibromyalgia and while I have not been diagnosed, I injured my back about two years ago and since then I have chronic back pain and stiffness and cymbalta really helped with that. I have accidentally gone off the medication before because I was on vacation and forgot to pack it. The withdrawl symptoms are very strange and disorienting but I think I was able to cope by acknowledging that how I was feeling was due to the medication, and that I wasn't losing my mind! Initially I lost weight when I started the medication, probably because I was no longer depressed, but overtime I have gained weight slowly and it has been difficult to lose, even with me exercising 5 times a week and watching what I eat. (I'm a Marine!) I have probably gained 15 lbs and I have noticed that my gut looks bloated. I have been at this weight before and it didn't look this big. I have even checked to see if I was pregnant several times! I do feel fuzzy at times on the medication. I have trouble sleepings and night sweats but I guess I have gotten use to it. If I miss a dose I know right away because I will have crazy, vivid dreams all night long! I don't have any blurry vision though. I know when I first started the medication, I felt really almost ADHD and I felt like I was clenching my jaw and my neck and throat felt tight... not the windpipe...more like the muscles on the side of my windpipe, if that makes sense, but that went away after about 2 weeks. I don't really know about the forgetfulness because I am forgetful anyways. I have noticed as the months have progressed my sex drive has decreased. I had initally switched to cymbalta from effexor because of the sexual side effects. Initially my sex drive went back up, but it has slowly tapered off to now I never think about it. Not that I don't want it, just that I could almost care less one way or the other. How long do the withdrawl symptoms last?
By the way, if anyone is wondering, when I went off drastically, I felt sick to my stomach most of the time because it felt like my brain was spinning, I would get weird eyes twitches, my hands would shake, I had this sensation that my brain was running a million miles a minute and I couldn't control it, I felt anxious and irratible. I wanted to eat alot, mainly to make my stomach feel better. The symptoms would ebb and flow which would be disorientating, because one minute I wouldn't really feel any and then the next it felt like my eyeball was twitching and I would be talking to someone and not want to look then in the eye. I would just say I had a headache. I would just explain to your loved ones and people around you whats going on, because I am guessing your work would think you are on drugs if you don't! What helped me is I would mentally talk myself down and try to calm myself when I was feeling weird by telling myself that it was just the medication, that my boyfriend was not being a jerk, that the room is not spinning, ect.
By the way, if anyone is wondering, when I went off drastically, I felt sick to my stomach most of the time because it felt like my brain was spinning, I would get weird eyes twitches, my hands would shake, I had this sensation that my brain was running a million miles a minute and I couldn't control it, I felt anxious and irratible. I wanted to eat alot, mainly to make my stomach feel better. The symptoms would ebb and flow which would be disorientating, because one minute I wouldn't really feel any and then the next it felt like my eyeball was twitching and I would be talking to someone and not want to look then in the eye. I would just say I had a headache. I would just explain to your loved ones and people around you whats going on, because I am guessing your work would think you are on drugs if you don't! What helped me is I would mentally talk myself down and try to calm myself when I was feeling weird by telling myself that it was just the medication, that my boyfriend was not being a jerk, that the room is not spinning, ect.
I have been on Cymbalta for about one month, and I have experienced
pvc's also, and I am calling my doctor tomorrow to get off of this. I think if you go on another medication you do not have to go through any side effects, because I was taking Effoxor ER, for about 2yrs. and the Doctor
game me a sample of Cymbalta and said to take it the next day.
pvc's also, and I am calling my doctor tomorrow to get off of this. I think if you go on another medication you do not have to go through any side effects, because I was taking Effoxor ER, for about 2yrs. and the Doctor
game me a sample of Cymbalta and said to take it the next day.
I also just started taking Cymbalta three months ago. The first few weeks were rough. Blurry vision, insomnia, sweating, nausea and loss of appetite.All the side effect are now gone and this is the best ive ever felt mentally.
The only thing that has been effected is my sex drive. So I'm hoping that changes soon. Also, I take 60 mg a day.
:-D
The only thing that has been effected is my sex drive. So I'm hoping that changes soon. Also, I take 60 mg a day.
:-D
I took Cymbalta after a small bout with depression after a small stroke. I am 39 years old and I am a Director of a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility. I was on Cymbalta for 8 months and found out that the Cymbalta did not interact with Plavics (spellings is bad for me) which caused these huge purple marks all over my body. My doctor took me off Cymbalta Cold Turkey. She was not aware of withdrawals. I have been of the medication for 8 days. 8 days of pure hell. I have chills, mood swings, nausea, 24/7 dizziness. I spent all of last night in the bathroom throwing up. The nightmares are non stop along with blurry vision, insomnia. I had no clue nor does my doctor. Which by the way I am looking for a new Doc. I now want everyone to know that this medication is a nightmare. I now understand what my clients go through with withdrawals. The only difference between me and them was I had a legal drug dealer. DO NOT GET ON THIS MEDICATION EVER. Look for help elsewhere. Everything in life can not be solved with a pill. If depressed look for support in the mental health feild and try it before a pill. I wish I had. This medication is for deep depression. I had a situational depression in which I can not reconize and deal with. The withdrawals have cost me alot of time off work because I am imbarassed that I am now a drug addict going thru withdrawals. Conflict of interest with my career choice. I should have done more research and I should have known better. Don't be a puppet on a stick for your DR. You and I should take action and be responsible for our own mental health. This medication does help with depression for a small length of time but the side effects and withdrawals are not worth the risk. This is my story. Everyone has thier own. All I can say is do your own research because if I had I would not be in the situation I am in now.
I began Cymbalta for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations and chronic pain from my spinal injury and my knees that need replacement surgery as well as those stupid pains from Fibro that no one understands. After three days, I felt better, energetic, much less intimidated and I began to gain weight immediately even though my PCP said it was weight neutral. I began Lyrica and Wellbutrin when the depression increased pain, claustrophobia and anxiety started to really get bad and I was drenched with sweat with ANY exertion, especially if it was the slightest bit humid. (even insdie with the air on) I aways feel clammy, but really sweaty, especially on hy face and head and my hair is always like I've just gotten out of the shower! It is so embarrassing. Men and women have to nerve to say it's menopause and hot flashes and that it'd dissappear soon. It happened when I took Lexapro and Wellbutrin and that's lasted about nine years now, every day. I am a nurse. Would you like YOUR nurse dripping sweat on you as she inserts an IV? Now I weigh more that 200 lbs and I have NEVER weighed this much. My knees are shot, my spine is horrible and I sweat like crazy. I ran out of my Cymbalta and couldn't take it last night. I was uncontrollable at work and had to call a local pharmacy to call my pharmacy and give them the prescription so that I could calm down. I was nauseas, dizzy and panicky and paranoid. The doctor I work for called me in some Xanax! He said to take two, three times a day. I have NEVER had to do this, but it got me through the day, with NO drowsiness. This is after skipping ONE dose of Cymbalta. I wish I'd never started it! All the doctors agree that Cymbalta, Wellbutrin and Xanax are good choices for me, but I'm still paranoid, have a low self-esteem and feel hopeless, so what good are they doing?
Kady
Kady