Hey all...I've been on Cymbalta for a couple of years, and whilst it's helped with the anxiety, it didn't help my PTSD nor my since developed neuropathic pain. My GP suggested reducing my Cymbalta for a number of reasons, including the GIT effects and my history of chronic nausea, definitely in part due to or exacerbated by Cymablta. Initially she said to drop from 90mg to 60mg, however having read a lot previously to prepare myself I talked further with my GP and she agreed we would reduce it by 15mg by my opening the capsule, measuring approx half and taking that (I was taking a 30 and 60, so I halved the amount in the 30mg capsule and took that with the 60mg capsule). I did have discontinuation effects, but I could function and they eased by 3-5wks and had nearly gone by 8wks. Around the 8wk mark she suggested a further reduction so I am now on 60mg daily, for nearly a fortnight now. I am having headaches, slight 'speediness' where I find it hard to unwind or may talk more rapidly than usual, intermittent nausea flares, increased fatigue (I have had sleep issues for years and a diagnosed sleep disorder - basically it's very rare I get REM sleep), and spaciness at times. The side effects of reduction have been stronger this time since reducing from 75 to 60. We are taking things slowly and leaving a min of 6-8wks between reductions, but if possible I recommend making sure there is a relative you connect with daily (preferrably in person) to keep an eye on you whilst reducing, especially in the first 2-3wks of each reduction, check in regularly with your dr, and reduce the amount you are doing (eg work, study etc...like during lengthy holidays or something). I have needed to rest or 'zone out' in front of the tv or computer more so than usual and thus needed help or an extra eye with cooking and housework (nearly burnt out a saucepan the other night). I find the symptoms seem to start a couple of days after the reduction, not the first day, so I try to do any reductions on a wed or thurs so that the effects start on a fri or sat and I can rest at home for most of the weekend. Things are easing, but it's a rocky first few weeks with each reduction. I've come off other antidepressants rapidly without issue, but I had severe reactions whilst on them...this time it's the opposite with cymbalta, I didn't have an issue whilst on it but it's harsh coming off. Shall get tere in the end. Good luck to you all, and I'll let you know how I get on. g
HI there
Just a note to say that I stopped cymbalta a few days ago and I was surprised to see you were feeling a bit drunk because in my case I feel more likely like having a hung over!!!!
I was on Cymbalta for years. Going down from 90 mg to 30 mg over a year. Tried cold turkey becuase of the many terrible side effect. It is hell. I have been sick for 2 1/2 weeks. This is a serious medication and can take weeks or months. I am going back to the DOCTOR as home remedies and rest are not working. VERY ILL. Caution..
You can get cymbalta without insurance and 1/2 as much as WALMART at COSTCO. You do not have to be a member of COSTCO to go to the pharmacy. Walmart charged me $240 for 90 capsules of 30mg cymbalta. Next month COSTCO charged me $136 on their no insurance program. AGAIN, you don't have to be a member to go to COSTCO's pharmacy!
I'm 37 and in the last few weeks my hair has went poker straight. My whole life my hair has been curly as can be. Hair isn't the most tragic thing in the world but I now look like someone whose has a really bad straightening job done and looks horrible. It wasn't until I read your post about these side effects from Cymbalta that might have made a few things click. I have all of the exact same side effects as you. I've only been on Cymbalta a few months and realized it's the only thing I've done differently in a very long time. Thank you for posting your situation. I'm really hoping I've found the problem but does anyone know if a person's hair will recover from this because whether I want to admit it or not I'm a little panicked about it.
Also, my doctor wants me to stay Cymbalta for nine months, do I continue?
Monique
Please note that the beads need to be in the capsule to protect the medication until it reaches your gut, otherwise it won't be effective. Thanks
Dear U-Need-acetylcholine, thank you thank you for all your posts and information. I really appreciate you and also have you to look to as a success story-you're off Cymbalta, did it painlessly, and I hope are doing well now. I just need to know what supplements you used to combat the withdrawl symptoms...please re-post your wisdom!!!
Dear Mike, thank you for all the positive spin you put on this horrid situation that I have to go through...weaning off of Cymbalta. I hate it and want my mind back, even though I'm afraid of the suicidal depression returning. but it is wreaking havoc on my body, all the little side effects as they call them and my apathy is a life unlived. Please post your suggestions for supplement support again. I know you've done it numerous times, but it is literally NOT to be found by searching this site, neither on the posts or the discussion board. Please help me and so many others learn your path to victory!!!
Thanks again! Hope you are doing well these days, would love an update. I know this is from an old post, but I'm hoping you might get notification or something...remaining hopeful , Peace, T
Did you get the name of supplements? If so pls share
Thanks so much for the information you offered in this post. I have been researching Cymbalta and whether or not I should take it. I just got off Lexapro and am now seeking alternatives to these prescribed medications.
I am a cancer survivor, I lost half my tongue to oral cancer nearly 2 years ago. Last I crashed on my recovery, I started going backwards at record pace. After multiple doctors visits with everyone of my Doctors shrugging and saying my pain was "just a side effect", one prescribed me Cymbalta. I kept digging and finally figured out that the chemo and or the radiation destroyed my glands and thus Testosterone was almost down to nothing. After I figured that out and went about getting "bio-identical" replacement, I started to come off Cymbalta & Wellbutrin. I was never depressed or have I ever been but both of my docs thought they would help with pain and lack of energy. What an id**t I was, in my desperation to regain my life and energy I took the Cymbalta and Wellbutrin. I am now day 5 without Cymbalta. Feel miserable but determined to NEVER take any of these or anything else I do not research again. If you are considering taking it don't! I am mad at myself, in my pain I made a bad decision. I know that your healthcare is your responsibility, and if you just trust doctors without challenging them it is not good. Believe me I know the inside workings of doctors/ surgeons well. I know how they make decisions and where they get their information. There is no way they can know about very drug, side effects and warnings. They just don't, they are human too. But they also have taken an oath, they are in a position to make life and death decisions. They are very proud of their education and experience and actually get mad when questioned. But they need to be told about how bad this medication is by us. It is our responsibility to let them know what a horrible drug this is. My heart breaks for those of you that have conditions that requires this type of medication. I am truly humbled by your bravery. God bless!!!
This is a copy of a copy of a message posted in this forum. Mike also wrote about fish oil Omega 3 and I have seen that mentioned elsewhere.
"vitamins/ supplements directly related to acetylcholine production
B-Complex
Lecithin (has choline in it) 1200mg.
Lutein 250 mg. Find it in Centrum
vitamins/ supplements indirectly related
Vinpocetine 20mg. (increases dopamine which indirectly boosts acetylcholine)
Ginkgo Biloba 120mg. (increases blood flow in brain which supports creation of neurotransmitters)
St. John's Wart 600 mg. at night (increases acetylcholine by preventing its breakdown)
For Sleep
Melatonin 6 mg. at night "
==========Copy of copy of full post below======================================
First of all, my background. I've been taking Cymbalta for a period of eight months. My prescribed dose has been 30mg daily. Before Cymbalta I was on Fluvoxamine (LUVOX) for about one year and for a brief stint (three weeks) Escitalopram (LEXAPRO). I was diagnosed as someone with great insurance. Just kidding, but that did make my psychiatrist happy: (no kiddding the first thing he always said to me when I walked in was, "Hello Michael, you're Value Options Blue Cross, right?" Haha. In any case, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder with obsessive tendencies as well.
I weaned off LUVOX and LEXAPRO with almost no problems: a few dizzy spells and some brain zaps. But with Cymbalta, I tried to wean off at a rate of 10mg a week and I felt like I had the flu. Swollen glands, sore throat, headache, soreness all over, etc. I've been weaning off the drug much more successfully using the following method: Opening the capsules and removing a few granules more each day. Please read the post by "arieln" (12/22/07) She totally has the right idea here. Currently I am down to the equivalent of about 12 mg. a day and I feel fine. I occasionally get a headache but it's nothing an aspirin doesn't help with. For those of you that are curious I have found there to be approximately 280 granules in each 30mg. does. I have been removing 7 more each day for a rate of 5mg. less/ week. If symptoms recur I can slow to 3-4 granules less/ dose for a rate of 2.5mg. less/ week.
Anyway, the reason we all feel like c**p is because of an effect Cymbalta creates called an "anticholergenic rebound." This means there has been an interruption in the production of the essential neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Hence, anything you can do to enhance or support acetylcholine production will assist in alleviating withdrawal symptoms. I almost never take vitamins regularly but I've been trying this and it appears to help so far. Here are a few daily vitamins that are helping me get through:
vitamins/ supplements directly related to acetylcholine production
B-Complex
Lecithin (has choline in it) 1200mg.
Lutein 250 mg. Find it in Centrum
vitamins/ supplements indirectly related
Vinpocetine 20mg. (increases dopamine which indirectly boosts acetylcholine)
Ginkgo Biloba 120mg. (increases blood flow in brain which supports creation of neurotransmitters)
St. John's Wart 600 mg. at night (increases acetylcholine by preventing its breakdown)
For Sleep
Melatonin 6 mg. at night
Please note that I am not a doctor or scientist and that this is simply the result of my own research. I have heard other things work for people as well like Benedril, Vicodin, other SSRIs, Xanax etc. But I'm really trying to get off of all drugs.
Diet is important too, so I've been trying to eat right and take a OMEGA 3-6-9 supplement. I've been eating foods that support acetylcholine production such as peanuts, almonds, spinach, wheat germ, and whole eggs. Beef liver is also a good source of choline but who wants to eat that! Thank you for reading this if you actually got to the end. I've been trying hard to understand what's happening to my brain and I hope I've found some useful information. I will continue to post until about two months after I'm totally off so that I can be objective about the effects of this method of withdrawal. See you next week.
Michael
I just came across this post. I hope you're still around. Lol. I've been on Cymbalta for over 8 years and scared to death to wean off of it. I'm going to see my Dr but also wanted to get more details from you if you don't mind. I'm currently on 30mg. What's the best way to wean off? Do I need to get an RX for 20mg then start taking beads out? Thanks so much.
I copied and pasted Michael's withdrawal protocol fom Cymbalta and his nutritional supplements regime. It worked for him, but might not work for you. Michael was asking if anyone else had tried his protocol or a different one and what their experience was.
If you try it, you will be taking a risk and doing an experiment on yourself. You may want to discuss the plan with your doctor.
Michael's protocol involves opening each capsule of cymbalta and withdrawing beads of the medicine in multiples of 7., that is, 7 on day 1, 14 on day 2, 21 on day 3 etc. He also began taking nutritional supplements, including omega 3 fish oil, lecithin and luetin as well as others.
This is not medical advice because I have just begun using the protocol and I need to modify it for myself.
Your experience may differ. Therefore, if you try it you do so at your own risk.
Michael also wrote that his withdrawal regime was more gradual than that recommended by most doctors. Maybe you should discuss it with your doctor first.
Good luck.
So just to recap, remove 7 granules a day )and discard) every day until you are down to nothing left in the capsule? I tried to go cold turkey and felt like was spinning on air by the third day. Not a good feeling.