845 replies to this topic

[Lele]

Thank you so much.
I thought I was going crazy with the brain zaps becuase when I was explaining them to my neurologist, she said she never heard of such a thing.
Like short electro shock in the head.
I went from 90 to 60 week by week, for example- Monday I take 60 and then the rest of the week 90, next week Mon and Tue 60mg and the rest of the week 90mg, and so on until I get to 60 every day of the week...but it was so hard, I wasn't able to function because of brain zaps.
And now I take 60 mg and have medium brain zaps every day. 
The funny thing is, is that you learn how not to move your head and blink hard - so you minimize the  brain zaps .

 

[thismoment]

Lele

 

Your withdrawal from 90 to 60 was done in abrupt steps, and that brings on withdrawal pretty fast. We advocate a linear reduction of the dosage rather than one that is stepped- hence the bead counting method. Cymbalta has a short half-life of 12 hours, so withdrawal symptoms are never far away.

 

If you restore some medication (say to 75 mg), the brain zaps will probably go away.

[fishinghat]

As usual, right on thismoment!

[Timbo]

Welcome Lele.  You are in good hands already with fishinghat and thismoment.  They are mentors to many around here.  I have learned to listen closely to their advice - it has never failed me.  

 

If you are about to take exams, have you considered delaying the start of this process until after the exams?    While this slow tapering certainly makes this experience tolerable, it isn't without its effects.   I still feel like my brain is operating at about 40% of its capacity.   Of course, it's up to you, but I would want to be "certain" about my body chemistry during exams.   This journey can be a bumpy one - you don't always knows how you are going to "feel" or "think" from one day to the next.   

 

I don't want to discourage you...I am just being practical.   You will get through this eventually.   I think you are going to be amazed at the wonderful support you are going to find here.  :-) 

[vtybee]

Withdrawal:crying, rage, wishing God would get me out of here.Strange buzzing and clicking in my head, nausea, crazy laughing,I don't care if I live or die.

[vtybee]

I can't focus long enough to make a list. I get extremely agitated. I can't seem to care.

[thismoment]

Hi vtybee, hang on!

 

What is your withdrawal status?

 

How many mg dosage, and for how many years or months?

 

When did you quit?

 

Are you tapering off or did you quit cold turkey?

[vtybee]

Thank you. I am coarse. I was on 60mg daily for 5 years. I am trying to wean by my own method because I couldn't find any guidelines. Approx 6wks ago I began by tapering to 30mg. After a few weeks I took 30mg every other night for approximately 10 days then every 3rd night. I am presently 5 days without cymbalta. The time line is approximate because at this point I am so emotional I can't really concentrate. I was given Cymbalta for myofascial syndrome. The month after it was prescribed I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took Cymbalta during chemo. I presently do not have pain but I am looking for hope that the emotional and buzzing clicking will wane soon. I have never been in a rage before Cymbalta. I am a gentle person but for the past 5 days I have felt like I might actually bust windows or glasses and furniture. I didn’t but I am afraid of losing control. Thank you.

[Carleeta]

Vtybee..you will find abundance support here. Everything you described has been felt by others right here. Being honest enough to admit your feelings, by sharing your story is a wonderful start. Many will be right here to help you on this journey, for the asking. They have/are walking the same path as you. What I do find supportive is posting daily and knowing someone if not all, are going to help you in answering your questions in such a living and caring was while making no judgements of you in any way. Good luck and ask away! Someone out here will have the answers you are looking for. Good luck..

[thismoment]

Hi Vtybee- that's a steep drop- almost cold turkey- and it sounds like you're in full-blown withdrawal at the moment.

 

You've certainly had your share of suffering! Oh dear, that's been a struggle. And the rage is not uncommon in withdrawal, and it may turn to tears before too long. Hang on! If you stay cold turkey, this could be tough for a month or more before it lets up.

 

What to do. Your withdrawal symptoms would ease a lot if you tapered off the drug. Therefore you could consider re-instating on the drug until you stabilize, then organize a tapering plan from a position of strength. Right now with the buzzing, brain fog, and rage- confusion reigns.

 

Aside from the possibility of injuring yourself, you may further alienate those you will need for support as you go through this. If you can bring your medical contacts into the loop, so much the better.

 

With your medical people advised, consider re-instating to your last dosage of 30 mg until you feel level and stable enough to take on a tapered withdrawal. 

 

Please let us how you are doing and what you plan.

[shandy]

I've had multiple side effects since starting cymbalta.  Daily headaches, blurred vision, weight gain, spending out of control, isolating myself, irritable, overly emotional etc....Ive only been on Cymbalta for 2.5 months.  Was taking Cipralex before that and celexa before that.  I tolerated Celexa quite well but had no energy and of course the weight gain (which I think are a part of all anti depressents)  I have some Celexa and would like to stop taking the cymbalta and go back to celexa.  I am on 40 mg of cymbalta, 20 mg twice a day and 10 mg of cipralex with the secong dose of cymbalta.... does anyone think it would be wise to take 20 mg of celexa twice a day to get off cymbalta?   I know that cymbalta is an SNRI and Celexa is a SSRI.  My physician put me on Cymbalta because I can't seem to find energy.  I still don't have energy and am suffering from all the side effects...... so why stay on?

[Carleeta]

Shandy..Cymbalta could cause the side effects you mentioned. Not sure why you Dr added cymbalta while you were taking Celexa. Celexa is an ssri and cymbalta isan snri. What I do know is that cymbalta should never just be stopped. There are many was to stop cymbalta and some ways are easier to cope with than others. Which ever way you choose you may experience some very unpleasant syptoms. There are other pp in this which are more knowledgeable than myself who can guide you and give you more imput. Talking to your Dr and telling him how you feel on Cymbalta and how not so good the withdrawal symptoms is definitely a start. First read through forums here and see how they have dealt with each method so you could familiarize yourself with withdrawl side effects. Everyone here is very supportive in one way or the other in helping to answer your questions. My opinion would never to stop Cymbalta cold turkey....Hoping you will read through the forums. Good luck..keep posting your questions and keep posting your progress..we will be here....

[thismoment]

Shandy

Welcome aboard. Switching to Celexa shouldn't be difficult, and it's standard procedure to allow a period of overlap. But even so, taper the Cymbalta slowly, while introducing the other medication.

Tell your physician what you wish to do, and he or she will be in the loop and advise on the logistics.

Best wishes!

[thiar]

I have had so many of these symptoms:( I can't get off it no matter what I do. I stopped last Wednesday and today is Monday and I just couldn't do it so I took the pill:( I feel like a failure......my worst symptom is prob the brain zaps and the horrible sadness, I also expierience rage and anger that I've never felt in my life, vomiting, shaking, major mood swings and thoughts racing thru my mind I feel like I'm going to loose everyone around me. If I'm on it they say get off it because Im not ME:( and to try to get off it no one understand what it does to u unless u expierence it.....I feel like I will never be me again

[Carleeta]

I have had so many of these symptoms:( I can't get off it no matter what I do. I stopped last Wednesday and today is Monday and I just couldn't do it so I took the pill:( I feel like a failure......my worst symptom is prob the brain zaps and the horrible sadness, I also expierience rage and anger that I've never felt in my life, vomiting, shaking, major mood swings and thoughts racing thru my mind I feel like I'm going to loose everyone around me. If I'm on it they say get off it because Im not ME:( and to try to get off it no one understand what it does to u unless u expierence it.....I feel like I will never be me again

Th

I have had so many of these symptoms:( I can't get off it no matter what I do. I stopped last Wednesday and today is Monday and I just couldn't do it so I took the pill:( I feel like a failure......my worst symptom is prob the brain zaps and the horrible sadness, I also expierience rage and anger that I've never felt in my life, vomiting, shaking, major mood swings and thoughts racing thru my mind I feel like I'm going to loose everyone around me. If I'm on it they say get off it because Im not ME:( and to try to get off it no one understand what it does to u unless u expierence it.....I feel like I will never be me again

Thiar..don't you dare feel like a failure. None of this is your fault. Trust yourself enough to know you had the strength to try and stop. It's just that you may need a different approach in trying to get off this horrible drug. Read through the forums here and learn how others used differ methods, which they could tolerate, which are helping them..Everyone is different therefore everyone uses a different planned out method. I'm sure you will find one here and also sure other members will chime in and offer their feeling on your post along with suggestions they will offer..The members are so caring here and will make you feel safe and comforted..Good luck..keep posting and you will get lots of feedback. Good luck. .keep us all posted on your progress!

[FiveNotions]

I have had so many of these symptoms:( I can't get off it no matter what I do. I stopped last Wednesday and today is Monday and I just couldn't do it so I took the pill:( I feel like a failure......my worst symptom is prob the brain zaps and the horrible sadness, I also expierience rage and anger that I've never felt in my life, vomiting, shaking, major mood swings and thoughts racing thru my mind I feel like I'm going to loose everyone around me. If I'm on it they say get off it because Im not ME:( and to try to get off it no one understand what it does to u unless u expierence it.....I feel like I will never be me again

Yes, you can ... And WILL ... Get off cymbalta..... I went off cold turkey and wouldn't recommend that approach even to Lucifer himself... But I'm dumb, and stubborn, and once I realized what I'd done, I just blundered through it .... However, the better approach is to just slow down, follow the bead counting technique that others here far wiser than me have used and can explain to you....

You are already YOU, it's just that this drug masks everything....most of all our true self....all the things, thoughts, feelings, pains that you describe feeling are what I, and most of us here, have had...do still have....you've just got 'em all colliding inside you simultaneously..... That's why slowing down, focusing on just "this moment" (one of our wonderful members goes by that name!) ....and reducing your dose bead by bead.....do NOT let anyone else, friend, family, or medical professional, dictate how. Why or when to do this....this is all yours to determine, and we are here to help.....

My worst symptom was also the brain zaps....and then, when those faded, every day, late afternoon or evening, I'd get "red hot pokers" driven into my eyeballs and optic nerves, and sometimes my ears and whatever those nerves are called.... For hours on end...

I discovered that self induced "brain freezes" helped tremendously.....I covered my eyes, sides of my head, back of my neck...basically my whole damn skull...with those refreezeable ice packs....the pea bag sorta thingies .... The cold hurt like hell, but it took my mind off the red hot pokers, and gradually, as the ice bags warmed up it seems like the hot pokers cooled down....

The other trick I learned was to put gentle pressure on the lymph nodes just under my eyebrows...sort of massage gently...in fact, I could feel that some of them were really swollen and almost "stiff".....if you've got someone who can do that for you, it's heaven.....I asked my cats, but they were too busy with personal grooming....so I massaged myself. ;-)

Keep checking in and letting us know how you're doing!

[krp210]

After 6 months of using this miraculous drug, my primary care physician told me he suspects the Cymbalta has been the cause of my significant weight gain. The psych said I could reduce from 60 to 30 within a week and then be off the drug to confirm whether or not my primary doc is right. After a week off Cymbalta (still on Wellbutrin and Buspar), I'm having many bouts of vertigo and I suspect the new sensations are "brain zaps". I am awaiting a response from the psych for suggestions of how to deal with this. (though I doubt he will have any solutions) I loved that Cymbalta gave me the capacity to experience happiness and less pain from fibromyalgia, so I have been looking for alternatives. I'm trying 5 HTP but maybe I need a combination of something else with it. The psych laughed that there is no proof anything like that would work, so my research has led me here.

 

On Cymbalta, I only experienced side effects of weight gain and excessive sweating. The sweating went away when I cut back from 90 to 60 mg.

 

Off Cymbalta, I am having vertigo and "brain zaps". I also have very vivid dreams...not nightmares but intense enough to confuse me when I wake up. We are in the middle of a polar vortex, but I sweat all night long.

 

Anyone have an estimate how long this will last? Anyone have cures to help me get through this phase? 

[fishinghat]

Welcome to the website krp. The majority of the withdrawal usually lasts 8 to 10 weeks with things starting to look up after the 3rd or 4th week. Ican't help you with a cure. If you can find one you will be a very rich person. lol

[FiveNotions]

Oh heck yes! -- sweating....well, more like dripping...during the day...at night...in the coldest weather....and weight gain...yikes...I put on 30 lbs...and cldnt lose it no matter how little I ate, or much I exercised....also, I developed high blood pressure, tachycardia, a chronic sinus infection and severe tinnitus.... In just the first month I was off cymbalta my weight dropped about 18 lbs...my blood pressure normalized and the tachycardia disappeared ...sinus stuff cleared up. The tinnitus lessened by half or so, but that seems to be one of my "enduring gifts" from the poison... My primary doc had put me on a med for bp, a med for tachycardia and sent me to ENT Endocrinologist and heart specialists.... He still refuses to accept the fact that it was all side effects from cymbalta.... Jackass..... I took all my extra pill bottles back to him on my last visit ... Told him to pass them on to the next patient he gets whose on cymbalta and has the same symptoms....

Check out the nutritional supplements area of the site...also, a couple of us have been posting on a thread today about what's helped us...I'm tired and can't remember who started it...but it's listed I think on the right side column of the main page....

[Mythwen]

I started Cymbalta in 2009 and for years it seemed to work well. However, in recent months I have been feeling increasingly numb, except about my weight gain and inability to lose weight despite exercise and diet. I was on 90 mg and went down to 60 mg with no problems but stopping from 60 has been difficult. I have terrible brain zaps, and feel in a fog as though I have been drinking even though I haven't. I have shakes as though I'm cold even when wrapped in blankets, and every time I eat I find myself in the bathroom right after. Yesterday I slept for over 12 hours. I tear up at the most ridiculous things (most recently about the history of Spartan women), but other than that I don't feel much psychologically different. I feel like the withdrawal effects are mostly physical and my psychological state might be getting a little better. I don't want to discourage anyone from seeking pharmaceutical help if they need it but by god be prepared for the consequences.

[Carleeta]

Mythwen..Welcome to the forum and sharing your post...It's quite amazing how this terrible drugs changes the most beautiful parts of ourselves and turns everything down and backwards. Now we are the ones responsible to fend for ourselves on the way back.

We'll you will be receiving much support from this site..Wonderful members from all over the world are here to give you whst the can from a tender word, share their experiences, sharing their support, and love...

They will be chiming in on your post..Post us daily concerning you questions, options, and progress..good luck

[FiveNotions]

Welcome Mythwen! The W/E symptoms you're having fit right in with those of the rest of us here .... We're all in various stages of recovery .... I'm at about 7-8 weeks off the poison ... And can tell you that you'll be feeling improvement with just a bit more time ... And patience .... And perseverance ... And lots of laughter ... Which we here have been providing each other in boat loads recently .... Check out the nutrition suggestions, and especially, the new thread that we've got going ... "Listing the positive events" ....

And Carleeta ... You're in my DC time zone .... What in the world are you doing up and posting at 3:05 a.m.? Is this your usual rising time, or are you having trouble sleeping? That's my reason for being here ... After my great day yesterday, I spaced out on how much 5-htp I took at bedtime ... I think I took my usual two 50 mg capsules Twice .... Meaning 200 mg total ... and put myself into "lucid dreaming la-la-land" .... Wild wild stuff, on the nightmare side of dreaming ... I had to get up and walk around and shake it off ... Googled the side effects of the stuff, and yep, sure enuf, some folks report vivid dreams ... I went beyond vivid into "get me the hell out of here" .... So, I just had some peanut butter toast and read a bit, including comments here on 5-htp ... And will now put myself back to bed for another try at plain ole' vanilla flavored sleep ..... Note to self- make a supplement dose checklist to prevent further unintended consequences .... :-$

G'night / g'morning y'all .....

[Carleeta]

FiveNotions. ..Nope...Wasn't supposed to be up at that time...Forgot my ambien...took it at 4am..Have had a few nights of falling asleep late even with ambien so I couldn't tell the difference until I felt very anxious..Then I had to count the bottle and find out I drank the water but didn't take the pill...what a night or should I say morning..lol lol lol.

[vtybee]

Eous.i am worried about the nausr|>inue to be nausEous.i am worried about nause

[considering]

Vtybee, I was nauseous today and ate a little bit of candied ginger, then later some ginger tea. Ginger is good for nausea. If you don't have any tea, make some with either grated fresh ginger or dry ginger with a little honey added. This may help. 

[Carleeta]

Condidering..very good advice you are sharing..You are really helping so many with your posts..Keep it up..Hope all is going well and forward with you..

[Carleeta]

Eous.i am worried about the nausr|>inue to be nausEous.i am worried about nause

Eous.i am worried about the nausr|>inue to be nausEous.i am worried about nause

vtybee..considering has wonderful nutritional advice. If I may add to this, if you do get nauseous always keep saltine (they have some without salt on top) keep a fan on you, and there are otc meds for nausea..If you feel extremely sick you can also lay down on a cool floor..Iff you can try and not think it will happen as to keep your stress level to a minimum. .Take care and keep us posted..

[Serenity4ever]

This is really no reply I am new here. Maybe I am in the wrong place. If so, my bad. Just tell me where to go, just nowhere bad now if that's what u were thinking(JK. LOL). Hello I am so glad I found this site. Well thankful is an understatement for I literally thought I was going crazier, LOL, not really funny. I believe I had only been on Cymbalta rite under a year. My psych. Dr & I decided to take me off of it for I was having mood swings( boy I had no idea what mood swings really were). He told me I might have some mild flu like symptoms(wow did he
Miss the mark completely). I was on 60 mg a day. He weaned me off of it over 3 weeks. First week 60 30 60 30. Second week 30 everyday. Third week 30 0 30 0. I started having problems the first week with vertigo,massive 24/7 headache, horrible nightmares & some rage. Well, by the time I got to the last dose I had real issues. All of the above had intensified, felt kind foggy in my head @ times, felt like bugs were crawling on me, twitching, itching, numb heels & palms, serious irritability & blood boiling rage. Suicidal thoughts all the time. I am trying really hard to hang onto my sobriety(261 days). I am a self injurer and this crap has brought that back. Hot & cold you name it this poison has given it to me. After the 3 weeks I called my Psych. Dr and he said "I wen off of it to fast" I had found this site rite before that. Doc wanted me to go back on it. I asked him for how long? He said " I dunno a few weeks or so". I told him no way that I would probably never get off of it & he had no idea when I would either. So, here I am today is 6 days without that poison, and I weaned off of it for 3 weeks prior to that. And I am still in hell. I still feel like I am going crazy. Chasing my family away, acting like a lunatic on the road, racing mind then hard to put things together, struggling ever so hard to stay sober & all the other side effects listed above. I can only hope that there will be an end to this madness; however, it needs to come real soon for me for I am holding on by a thread. This is a horrible drug. I have been I every psych drug out there in my 24 years and I have never had any side effects that I recall. This crap needs to be pulled from the market, just bad medicine period. Anyways I am grateful for this site exist and all of you on it. I will
never put that poison back in my body. I will ride this wave out(hope it is a short one) & I survive. Thank u very much for letting me write my book. And bless all of you for your sharing & caring. And not making me b alone through this hellish nightmare of withdraw.

[Serenity4ever]

Also, I did want to add that I find it of upmost importance for every last one of us on this site(who has experienced this hell)
spread the word to all on this site. To go to the FDA site & there is a form you can fill out regarding your problem/s with a medicine for it really needs to be looked into & re evaluated. I know I am for I don't want others to have to suffer like I had to if at all possible. I find this horribly addicting(2 say the least) & I for One would like it investigated further if not pulled from the market. If you already know about the site & have done so, awesome. If not, I strongly encourage you too. Take care of yourselves.

[FiveNotions]

Nope, you're not in the wrong place .... In fact, I think this is the best place to be...everyone here is knowledgeable, supportive, and a fellow survivor of cymbalta .... If you haven't already, please read the nutrition discussions, and the "what helps" and "positive events" discussions .... We try to share not only our symptoms and struggles, but information on what's been helpful to us and the good things that happen as we move further into recovery ....

Thank you for the reminder about the FDA site ... I knew, but got so caught up in my struggle that I forgot ... I will make a visit and report tomorrow, after I get some sleep ....

Hang in there, and keep us posted...welcome to the group!