cymbalta withdrawal tips

I am tapering off cymbala, I have also started taking Lyrica, as I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalsia, although I am not certain I agree with diagnosis. I am not sure what to attribute to Cymbalta and with my condition, all I know is I feel terrible, muscle aches, fever, and for the first time in my life, depression. I feel like I have no energy at all, and I have been crying a lot. This is so unlike me, but I have to beleive this gets better. I have not been sleeping well, as my lower back aches so much, I sleep very little. I am awful as a human being when sleep deprives, it magnifies every thing to me in a negative light, even stupid meanless things become issues to me when I have been sleep deprived by day two or three. If anyone could supply a list of some of the side effects they experienced, it sure would make me feel better to know this is something common and will subside in time. Also, I noticed while taking cymbalta, I had difficulty urinating. I sometime would have to concentrate for up to 20 minutes, it was as if the muscle to go, got up and went?? Anyone else?

just like you have to get weened on cymbalta.....starting at the minimum dosage, then moving up....you do the same to get off. I started at 30mg, after a couple months, went up to 60mg, then again a couple more months and i'm at 90mg where I currently am and staying. I have taken this late in the day because I forget sometimes, and I've felt the "brain shocks" that people describe. Also, I slept over a friends house one night and forgot to bring my cymbalta with me, and did not get to take it for close to 48 hours, and when i did take it, I felt real loopy and almost high. After that, i've been making sure not to miss any doses. It's been about 7 months since i've been on cymbalta and I plan to start to ween off after a year. Since weening on was a slow process, I plan to do the same with weening off to limit the withdrawal symptoms. I started taking this for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression that followed the two. What helped for my panic attacks is xanax, or ativan, but I use them sparingly and only when needed because I know how they can be addictive. Also, try ganja, I know it sounds stupid, but when taken in small amounts, it has the similar effect of a barbiturate. My cymbalta has done wonders for me, with exception for loss of libido. I've read that excess levels of seratonin causes this, and since cymbalta is a seratonin and norapinephrine inhibitor, this is to be suspected. I mean since i'm only 18, it's annoying because I feel such a kill in my sex drive. I mean i'd take that over panic attacks and anxiety any day, but it'd be nice to have both.

If you haven't read my previous posts and are curious about how I got to this point please go back and read them...

I have now been off of Cymbalta for about 5 days. I have continued to take my ridiculous number of supplemental vitamins, because they help. I missed one or two days in there, but otherwise I've pretty much been taking what I said I would. By the way, I forgot to mention that I stopped the St. John's wart when I started the 5-HTP.
Anyway, my second and third day off of Cymbalta were the only two days I felt any withdrawal symptoms. I experienced moderate dizziness for about one hour on day two, and I had a headache that lasted a few hours on day three. I have also noticed some recurrence of the symptoms I had before I went on the drug, (such as intense frustration and some melancholy.) However, because I was conscientious of the fact that some of the symptoms might reoccur I have been prepared to breathe deeply, take my time, and not get caught up in the maelstrom my emotions can sometimes be.
I will continue to report as promised so that others can benefit from my experience. As of right now, when I compare my initial method of withdrawing (spreading out doses more and more and reducing mg. at the same time) there is absolutely no question. One must taper slowly at a rate of 2.5 mg. less per week in order to avoid major withdrawal symptoms. Supplementing my diet with large amounts of key vitamins took care of the rest. I thank you all for reading and I hope it has helped. Let me know if you have success or failure with this method yourself.

Michael.

>;) Hi, I have read over the past years replys and questions to cymbalta. I have only read a few that has actually been able to get off this drug and stay off of it. I was put on it 2 years ago after my mom died. It replaced another type of anti-depressant. On top of coming off of cymbalta, I am also coming off of tramadol and serouqel. The sleepless nights, the numbing sensations, tingling, moodiness, the plain im going out of my flippin mind feelings. The brain "freezes", i describe them like you are constantly drinking a slurpee but it radiates over all your body. Does this go away..... Some ask.. why go cold turkey.. why not? I gained over 50 pounds and that was becoming more depressing then having a bi polar manic depressant disorder. I've been a guinea pig for the past 12 years trying to find a "quick" fix to my pschy problems. I am also drinking a detox tea from china and that seems to be helping with the stomach problems that led me to start taking protonix. enlarged gal bladder, weight gain, water retention and bad acne. To be told why did you go cold turkey and not get responses of encouragement or responses of how those who has gone off and stayed off I am in search of. I am really losing my mind. Of course doc's tell you taper off. But while you are tapering off they want to give you more drugs then you have to taper off those.. please help!

Over the past month, I've read horror stories about people withdrawing from Cymbalta. I have been on the drug for 3 years. When I thought the need for me to be on an anti-depressant was over, my doctor said it would be better to stay on the drug than to go through the withdrawal. She was wrong to say I should stay on the drug but she was right about the withdrawals. I was on 120 mg a day. I reduced it 30 mg every month until I was completely off. I have been completely off Cymbalta for one week. Luckily, I am unemployed at the moment. If I were working, I couldn't go through this withdrawal process. I've learned so much by reading the blogs of other users. It is only recently that we're able to learn about the withdrawal problems associated with Cymbalta as the patent is about to expire. When that happens, real study results are leaked to the public so the next new drug will be deemed the miracle drug. No, I'm not cynical (well, maybe) but have tried to educate myself why this horrific drug is allowed on the market. This last week has brought me to my knees. I've prayed to die. My blood pressure is all over the map. My nose bleeds. My gums are even bleeding and my teeth ache. I cannot put two sentences together to speak coherently. Crying is a given. There is nothing graceful about my movements. I get so dizzy that I spend most time in bed. I'm excited that I'm been vertical for over two hours now. The good news is that I feel better today than I did one week ago. I will feel better in two weeks that I do today. I very much appreciate the people who comment about the brain zaps. I was not prepared for those. They are frightening. Plus, I'll move my eyes, but the image won't move for a moment - kind of like a special effect in a movie. For those of you wanting to get off Cymbalta... do it slowly and have assistance. DO NOT DO THIS BY YOURSELF. Read as much as you can about the cessation of the drug and prepare for it. To the lady with children... if you have someone who can help you with them, ask for the help. God Bless You. I'm lucky to have a friend who will let me email to her my emotions and withdrawal symptoms. Just being able to write about them has helped. I'm hoping if this blog helps someone else, it's worth it. Reading your blogs has helped me - espeically reading about the brain zaps. I've done illicit drugs... I have never had a brain zaps like this before. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the most evil drugs on the market. Those poor people who are given this drug to help with muscular aches only to find that some insurances won't pay for it... then have to go through these withdrawals on top of the pain. Or, the elderly who are given this drug for old-age onset depression and miss a session or two when they're transferred from skilled care to the hospital and back. My God, it is truly inhumane. If there is ever a class action suit about this drug, I want to be part of it. There is no reason in America that drug companies are allowed to produce this horrible drug and make HUGE profits from it. God bless everyone who has been exposed to Cymbalta. I know, tomorrow will be better than today.

This is my first day at zero Cymbalta. The past week has been hell. I've gone through most of the aforementioned symptoms: increased depression, intense headaches, dizziness, night sweats, nausea, the list goes on and on. Last night was the worst, I was literally unable to move because I had absolutely 0 desire left to be alive. My family has been a huge help. I am so thankful for them. Thankfully, today has been a tad better - at least emotionally. I spent the majority of the day asleep, or trying to (I've had terrible headache/dizziness all day). But at least I haven't felt utterly hopeless.

I am just wondering if anyone knows how much longer this might be? I am starting the EMSAM patch in 5 days... I'm also starting school TOMORROW.. I'm just kind of freaking out that these symptoms will persist or worsen - since they have sort of been coming in waves. Anyone know?

I am feeling empathy for all who are experiencing this hell on earth. You are in my prayers.

I quit taking Cymbalta 10 days ago after being on it for 3 1/2 months. I had absolutely no idea there would be withdrawal associated with this drug. At first, I thought I had a sinus infection/ear infection. After 4 days I knew it had to be something else because I did not have a fever or swelling of lymph nodes. Anyway, as many have experienced, I have the dizziness, queasy stomache, headache, sleep problems, stomache cramps. All of it! I don't know about the "zaps" others have spoken of. I do know I have had some stabbing brain pains. I read Bynedril could help but not having any on hand I searched for something else and came up with motion sickness meds. This has helped. One every 4-6 hours during the day and two at bedtime. I have the privilege of being a stay at home mom so please note motion sickness meds can make you VERY drowsey. Today is the first day in 10 days I have felt even half way functional. I actually slept most of the night!!! Yeah!!!! I hope this helps............

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OMG I am sitting here crying/laughing/crying while reading these posts...zapping and feeling nucking futs!!!! I've tried talking to my friends about it but it's just so hard to explain. YOu guys know what I'm talking about. I have been taking 120mg for 3 years and have been off cold turkey for five days. I will never take another one. NEVER. I am going to try the Drammamine/Benadryl/St Johns wort/Omega 3 and 6 and b-12 method. I know that it's crazy to go cold turkey but it wasn't my choice. The clinic I was going to stopped giving it to me for free and I was told I would have to pay for it...I CANNOT afford this devil medication >;) My life cannot afford me to be on it. I am going to let my mom read these posts so maybe she'll have an idea of what's going on in my head and she can try to stay off my nerves a little. I have never screamed at my kids before...firm voice yes, uncontrollable screaming no! Please God help me be strong and heal my brain. Please God forgive my psychiatrist lol

I'll never give up.
I WILL be strong!!

Amy

go buy 5htp and theanine at a vitamin store. this will really help

I've been down to taking 60 mg of Cymbalta every 4 days, and I noticed my skin becoming itchy, even inside my body feels that itchy crawly feeling. What should I take for that or do?