Cymbalta Withdrawal

[Aja]

I have been on Cymbalta since September for FIBRO. It is not working for me and I want to get off it. I have read that even when you taper off gradually, that there are some horrendous effects to stopping it that can last for weeks.
Have any of you have such an experience? I'm a bit scared to start.

Thanks!
Aja

[MichelleC]

Hi Aja....
I am currently on Cymbalta, since October for fibro. It has helped me tremendously, so I haven't tried to get off it. Sorry it hasn't helped you. It is expensive, though, so sometimes I skip a day. Once I skipped two days in a row while I was sick a couple a weeks ago. I've never had the strange symptoms described on other forums. I didn't know about that until I googled cymbalta withdrawal, because of your post.

I think that if you do want to stop taking it, follow your doctor's advice, and be prepared to deal with possible symptoms. Take days off work if needed, find child care, etc., whatever your situation might require.

Good luck!
Michelle

[uvamomb]

My doctor switched me to Zoloft,it seems like right away, it's been awhile, but I had absolutely no withdrawal with it done that way. Ask your doctor if that's a possibility for you. Withdrawals are just awful and unnecessary if something else can be done.
Good luck and God bless,
Kathy:)

[peppergirl52]

When I withdrew from Effexor, which is in the same category as Cymbalta, it was awful! I had to do it so slowly, I didn't think I'd ever get off it!!

Sometimes, with the help of your doc, you can get some valium to help tide over the really awful times. Or there may be something else, even, that will help more. If you are switching to another anti-D, it may not be quite as bad as just going off completely.

Good luck!

[Linda25]

I haven't gone off Cymbalta, but have gone off many other anti D's

titrate down VERY SLOWLY over a period of at least a couple months

I know this is a Pain in the Butt - but it will help ease many potential problems

Also - if antidepressants may be of help to you, your doc can RX a different med that you can start on as you withdraw off the Cymbalta - that will also make things easier

Linda25

[Letstalksense]

I have been on Cymbalta since September for FIBRO. It is not working for me and I want to get off it. I have read that even when you taper off gradually, that there are some horrendous effects to stopping it that can last for weeks.
Have any of you have such an experience? I'm a bit scared to start.

Thanks!
Aja

I've been taking cymbalta june for FIBRO. now that I don't have a rheumy to precribe them to me now and asked her to weaned me off. I am going thur the withdrawls now. My wife says that its changed my mood swings. Each time I go to bed, I'm awake after two hours and now I wake up all wet from sweating. When I get cold, my hands and finger tips are numb. I have to take a hot shower to warm up.(no cold water at all, just hot.)
I didn't want to go through the withdrawls at a cold stop, so this was the route that I took. (I didn't want to stop the cymbalta because it has helped me alot. It doesn't do it all but most of the pain.) I started at 30mg for a week, then 60 for about a month and a half. then to 120mg. I was back down to 60 a week ago and now at 30 with four left. (I don't like this, but I know that I have to do it.)
Only God can get me through this. He can you to.
God bless you all

[peppergirl52]

Sounds like you need to be put back on it. I know when I accidentally stop forget to take it just for ONE morning, I am in SO much pain!

I hate that it could be that addicting, but if we need it for the pain we're in, we need it. What else can we do, huh??

Ask your doc if there is something that can be substituted for it while you're being weaned off. Those symptoms are not something that ANYONE should have to go through. IF your doc is THAT dead set on taking you off, then he/she should be following you and making sure you aren't so miserable!

Good luck!

[Linda25]

Yes, nobody should have to suffer that much coming off of a prescribed drug - one problem is that many of these doctors have NO IDEA how people will respond to the drug or the withdrawal

I wanted to point out that people don't actually become
"Addicted" to antidepressants - as you would a opiate or stimiulant. It is more of a brain chemistry balance- you become tolerant, but you are not abusing the drug - you have to let your brain get adjusted to diminishing levels - these are powerful drugs, but they are not narcotics and we don't get "high" or "abuse" them the way some folks do with street drugs, they are not (as some ignorant folks claim) "Happy pills".

((hugs))

love,
Linda25

[Aja]

Thanks all for your informative replies. I am now at 40mg with few problems.
I've had a few minor brain zaps, but nothing major. My Neuro has now started me on Lyrica. I believe it is actually helping my Fibro, but I know that may be a short term fix. Usually when these meds work, they don't keep working long. I wish everyone luck getting off this drug. Withdrawal is something never discussed in the drug literature from the manufacturer.

Aja

[peppergirl52]

Yes, nobody should have to suffer that much coming off of a prescribed drug - one problem is that many of these doctors have NO IDEA how people will respond to the drug or the withdrawal

I wanted to point out that people don't actually become
"Addicted" to antidepressants - as you would a opiate or stimiulant. It is more of a brain chemistry balance- you become tolerant, but you are not abusing the drug - you have to let your brain get adjusted to diminishing levels - these are powerful drugs, but they are not narcotics and we don't get "high" or "abuse" them the way some folks do with street drugs, they are not (as some ignorant folks claim) "Happy pills".

((hugs))

love,
Linda25

You're absolutely correct, Linda. I should not have used the word 'addicting'. It is definitely not in the same league as a street drug, or even meds that we take in comparison to those who take our meds to get high. Shame on me, I know better!! Thanks for clearing that up-it IS a brain chemistry balance/imbalance situation, and it takes a while for things to get readjusted. Sorry if I confused anyone!!

[Sydney]

I was on 120 mg. of Cymbalta a day for about 2 months. It did nothing for the pain. I discontinued it without any problems. No withdraw problems at all. Hope you are OK. *I am still looking for that "magic" pill that will even give me minor relief. None of the 35 I've taken have even touched the pain.
Good Luck
Sydney

[Linda25]

peppergirl

no problem:) I just wanted to make that point because so many people who are new to depression have that misconception

(even a lot of people who AREn't new, but maintain a punative or ignorant attitude towards depression); "oh you can be happy if you try hard enuf"
or
"She just wants more of those Happy Pills" : my all time worst pet peeve:p

antidepressants have never "made me Happy" - they help me feel more normal but I still have ups and downs like any healthy person

Linda25