845 replies to this topic

[jeanspeace]

I've been 4 days without this horrible drug. I've been physically sick (cold/flu), tired, nightmares, dizzy, light headed, no concentration, fatigue, digestive problems, hot flashes, cold chills. It's horrible. I have to go to work tomorrow - how am i going to do this?

[Raphi]

Well, the symptoms aren't so great. But it's quite a relief to find out that the process of, um, "withdrawl" has a known etiology.

Being on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia had the enjoyable side effects of decreased appetite, no more anxiety or depression, and decreased irritability. On the negative side, it did trigger some GI upset. All of these reactions are due to SSRI/SNRI. The retention of seratonin and norepinephrine dampens the fight or flight response. Seratonin is also the signal for insect stings, poison, and the ingestion of bad food. The GI tract then wants it out immediately.

I did quite a bit of research. I began to have real concerns; after all,the mechanisms of fibromyalgia aren't really understood. And we're ingesting a pharmaceutical the effects of which are described in the TV ads as "it its thought to..." In other words, how it works and what it works on are simply hypothetical. I was only on 20 mg a day from last Feb. to mid Sept. 2011. If I'm having symptoms, what will happen to those on high doses for years? I doubt it's anything good. But then of course Big Pharma is concerned about us peasant guinea pigs... oops, I mean valued patients.

I looked for alternatives. I found out about 5-HTP, an SSRI derived from a plant seed, available over the counter. Which I used to wean myself off of Cymbalta. It seems also to have the good effects of appetite control, dampening of irritability, and dampening of anxiety and depression. It also has a bit of the GI upset thing. But tolerably. In addition, a few weeks ago I decided to decrease carbs, meat, and dairy. I'm eating as close to organic as possible. With no limits on the greens, I'm not hungry and was beginning to feel better.

But even with the healthy diet and the 5-HTP, I have symptoms same as others on this site. Been going on now for the last five days. The worst:
1. vertigo; in particular triggered by side to side eye movement.
2. disrupted sleep patterns. I only slept for about 3-5 hours for three days, then slept for 11 hours the next day. Also intense and bizarre dreams.
3. feeling hot; sweating at night.
4. ringing in my ears; but a different and more intense pitch than I've ever experienced before.
5. I didn't think this was a symptom, but I read reports of it elsewhere on this site. So then my upper respiratory irritation and subsequent occasional cough may be part of this. I am not a cougher; it's very rare for me.
6. An apparent memory impairment. I say "apparent" because I don't think it's actually true. It's more of a feedback system interruption of some sort. For example, while writing the first sentence, I tried to think of a good word for a process of development. The word "etiology" flashed into my awareness, but I was not conscious of what that word meant. I looked it up; sure enough, it was the correct term.

Kudos to all here. Good info and thanks for the encouragement to push past the symptoms.

[irnwmn05]

While on Cymbalta:Shortness of Breath, Heart Rate spikes, constipation, loose bowels during extreme exercise, cyanosis, increase in anxiety, decrease in libido, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, rapid body weight gain, increase in headaches

Withdrawal:
Heart Rate spikes
Increased BP
Inability to move body
severe nausea
dizziness
(all above happened at once on day 4 off Cymbalta) was taken by ambulance to ER.
creepy-crawlies all over scalp, skin, nasal, roof of mouth, rectum.
fingers curl up and won't work right while doing certain tasks (typing, opening containers)
Jaw tightening
cold sweats
body chills
nightmares
increase in agitation
short term memory loss
tingling fingers/toes
chest pain
motion sickness with slight movements
restless legs at night
tightness in my chest
intestinal cramping
teeth sensitivity
hearing noises/sounds
pressure behind my eyes

[irnwmn05]

just read your post. I had to take 5 days off of work. thankfully, I guess, I am self employed. I won't fire myself but when I don't work, I don't have an income. I am hoping you made it through your day as best as possible. I can't even imagine going to work on day #5,6 or even 7.
I am on day 10 and have felt some hopefullness. I hope you will feel better each day. what a nightmare.

I've been 4 days without this horrible drug. I've been physically sick (cold/flu), tired, nightmares, dizzy, light headed, no concentration, fatigue, digestive problems, hot flashes, cold chills. It's horrible. I have to go to work tomorrow - how am i going to do this?

[Meli]

Side Effects on Drug Cymbalta

Nausea
Constipation
Weight gain,
Severely impaired cognition: short term memory loss, speech(unable to articulate thoughts, remember words, thought processing, problem solving
Night sweats
Flat Affect
Fatigue particularly at midday


Withdrawl from Cymbalta

Brain zaps/head spins
dizziness
Increased agitation and aggression
suicidal ideation
fluid retention
swelling of hands, feet
sinus pain
rapid heart rate, abnormal arythmias
bloating, digestive pains
inconsistent cognition...clarity vs confusion
severe headache leading to Emeregency admittance to hospital
diahorea



Posted Today, 09:04 PM
Hi....I am terrified at all the stories I have read on this website !!! I live in Melbourne Australia

I was put on cymbalta (told it was a miracle drug for persistent/chronic pain) when I had a really acute episode in March. After a few weeks on Cymbalta 60mg, Lyrica, Valium, Oxcycodone and mersyndol.....I made my doctor take me off everything, as I was so disorientated and could not think straight, as you can imagine. Nevermind i kept driving my two young children to school, eventhough I had to pull over one day because I could not remember where I was....scary!!!

My GP prescribed something else (cannot remember, have terrible cognition issues oh it was tramal), within a week I was in Emergency, with the worst headache I have ever had, I wanted to die then and there...absolute agony !!!!

I have been wondering what these horrible headspins are, now I know...having them as I type !!! I was then taken off Tramal and put on digesic, back to emergency with irrregular heartbeats and faint. They thought it was the digesic.

I was feeling pretty depressed, having had pain since 14 years a car accident, now I am 36, and not been able to work had to defer studying, could barely function, so decided together with pyschologist and pain specialist to go back on cymbalta......OMG !!!! Helped with depression but have been trying to cut down, so took one dose, skipped the next. I skipped one too mlany and I am staring to pay the price!!!

I have had terrible head spins, everytime I move my head or even eyes..., I have been in a revolting mood, slept at mum last night for the first time in my ten year marriage, feel like an aggressive monster.......My weight has also steadily increased 5kgs in 3 months, 2kg in the last week, with excessive fluid retention.


I am a professional, have a university degree, I feel like I am a zombie.... I can relate to so many of the side effects and withdrawl symptoms described on this site!!


I just CANNOT BELIEVE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO PUBLISCISE AND EDUCATE PROFESSIONA;S AND PATIENTS !!!!! I AM GOING TO TELL EVERY PROFESSIONAL I AM IN CONTACT WITH !!!!!

Iam still an outpatient program in a pain program....


IS there anyone in Australia out there and do you know what cjhannels we have to go through ??? O will join any fight to raise awareness about this very complex and troubling drug.

Also any suggestions on ongoing withdrawl ???????//

Many thanks

[cookie]

Hello Meli:

I was also driving one day, and I couldn´t remember where I was. The first 4 years I took the medication I would get horrible headaches. I never related them to it, until my dose was reduced and the headaches subsided.

[Anth51]

New here. Made an appt with my Dr for tomorrow. Just realized I may be going through withdrawal. Went off 60 mg of the drug I think it was Sunday (3 days ago). I feel very lethargic, dizzy, sweaty, a bit nauseous, very out of it. That has to be it. I was taking it mostly for pain but it did not help. I guess I should not have gotten off of it on my own. I had no idea it would cause withdrawal. I am thinking of opening the capsule and emptying some and taking a half dose or so.

[outamymind]

Hi Meli

I'm up in Townsville (orinally from Adelaide) & sooooo relate to all the withdrawal symptoms you've listed. I'm here to tell you menopause has nothing on this sh!t!! 

Doctors are the same the world over from what I can gather from this forum. Quick to get you hooked with their free samples from the reps so they can start prescribing & get their kickbacks. And for pity's sake, don't question them or tell them what you're going through. They only want to up your dose. It's the "god complex" someone described in a post somewhere on this forum. Perfect description. They're either uneducated or ignorant or perhaps both.

I've been on 60mg of Cymbalta (otherwise known as the poison) for 2 1/2 years and am exactly 3 weeks 'clean'. Living hell but getting there. Great support from my husband. Not sure how I would have coped otherwise.

I read somewhere about litigation against Eli Lilly (manufacturer) and Ellen Brokovich's name popped up so I jumped on her website to have a look. Couldn't really find an outcome so I've emailed through the site with my own personal experience and desire to see this crap banned. I too would love to know if there is an action or cause to join. I'd love to line these idiots up against a wall. I mean who the hell gives them the right to play with peoples lives like this. Ive heard it's worse than heroin withdrawal. A!#%holes!

Hope you feel better soon & let me know if you hear of anything that can be done to helpour kindred spirits all over the world. This has to stop.

[Smash85]

I stopped taking cymbalta 4 weeks ago and have been getting daily headaches, fatigue, anxiety and disrupted sleep and this week im also experiencing hot flushes, crying, cold chills, flu like symptoms, lack of concentration, mood swings and easily agitated! It interferes with daily tasks and takes away any motivation. Its horrible

[Smash85]

I stopped taking cymbalta 4 weeks ago and have been getting daily headaches, fatigue, anxiety and disrupted sleep and this week im also experiencing hot flushes, crying, cold chills, flu like symptoms, lack of concentration, mood swings and easily agitated! It interferes with daily tasks and takes away any motivation. Its horrible

[sg817]

Well for starters, my stomach has been severely upset. I cannot eat anything without getting really bad diarrhea. My sleep has been compromised. I have shooting pain throughout my body at night and I cannot sleep. I've laid in bed waiting for sleep even after taking sleeping pills and pain relievers. I feel the need to shake my limbs all night. I have the brain zaps and the dizziness as well. I have completely stopped taking the antidepressants. My doctor suggested Zoloft but it made me sick immediately and I decided to quit right away. I don't want to take this crap anymore. I just want to feel better and I want these withdrawal symptoms to go away and just leave me alone. How long does it take for this to stop?

[tryinghard]

Ugh. This sucks. I was on Cymbalta 30mgs and Welbutrin 150 mgs for years following post-pardem depression. Never wanted to be depressed again, so just stayed on the drugs. Then, when I moved and had to get a new doc to fill the RX, this crazy doc talked stupid me into going off cymbalta ALL AT ONCE and starting on Strattera instead (at the same time). I was SO SICK and couldn't separate ouyt which was from stopping Cymbalta and which was from starting Strattera. So, under the guidance of my old doc, I ramped the Strattera back down, and was supposed to ramp the Cymbalta back up. But now that I have been through what I hope is maybe the worst (??) of this cymbalta withdrawl, I dont ever want to start it again! So, I have been off it since 10/21. Crap! That's only 11 days! I feel better now than I did, but I have had: dizziness, loss of words, lethargy, "brain buzz," insomnia at night (even with sleep aids), but SO tired all the time!, rapid heartrate, inconsistent cognition, VERY WEIRD DREAMS (not scary, but really weird, and disorienting), basically non-functional for five days or more (couldn't go to work), irritable (but that is improving with time, I think...), chills (like the flu). I don't want to be depressed, but I don't want anything to do with these drugs or drug companies.

[Pinklady]

Hi all I'm new to this forum and may I say it's comforting to know its not just me but it also makes me sick (added to the nausea I already have from cymbalta withdrawal) that the medical profession has failed... I'm studying medicine and I'm so disheartened that I can't be helped and the only answer is well lets try this drug to combat this side effect! It's just pills for side effects! I've decided to not try new medications on my patients when I get to practice, I think stick to tried tested years of data, but saying that cymbalta has been around for years and why is it still getting prescribed....
after the last 9 days of withdrawal hell constant dizziness, nausea, vomiting, Change in vision, headache, emotional ups and downs, crying for no reason, days off work/school this is disgraceful..that this drug is being prescribed
GOOD LUCK to everyone who is coming off this poison , I hope it doesn't last much longer...

[WickedStuff64]

Hi Everyone,
I was put on Cymbalta for Anxiety and Depression in 2008. Wanted to quit within the first 4 weeks because I felt so horrible from the side affects. Road the storm out in hopes things would get better with time with the advise coming from the doctor that it takes time for the full affects to take place. I was prescribed 20 mg to start however, I divided beads in the beginning and started at 5mg and began increasing 5mg each week up to the prescribed 20mg dose and thank god I did. I can't imagine how much sicker I would have been at the higher dose.
I took 20mg once daily in the evening(didn't seem to make me as tired during the daytime) for 4 years. After 2 years of taking Cymbalta I notice I was having trouble with memory recall, long term memory recall and sometimes even short term or recalling someones name from past experiences. This really scared me. Also ambition, tiredness was increasing, used to workout three days a week. Couldn't even muster the energy to work out and that still hasn't come back. Started gaining weight. Vision effects continued through-out entire time, the excessive sweating was annoying etc. Weaned off Cymbalta (20mg) slowly reducing beads over a 2.5 month period until I was down to like 1mg or less. Been completely done with Cymbalta for 11 days. OMG I feel like crap.

Early Side Effects(First 3 weeks)of starting Cymbalta:
Severe Nausea
Lethargy
Headaches
Vision Blurriness
Agitation
Severe Sweating

Side Affects that started around 2 years into Cymbalta:
Memory Problems, recalling names from the past
Weight Gain
Lethargy/no energy
Loss of interest in things I enjoyed
Withdrawal from people
Ear problems/pressure


Withdrawal Symtpoms:
Nausea
Headaches
A lot of Brain “zaps”
Dizziness/Virtigo
Severe Flu-like symptoms(everything hurts on my body)
Muscle Tics & twitching
Cold Feeling
Rage
Anger
Mood Swings
Crying
Shoulder muscle tightening & burning
Memory problems
Concentration problems
Bizarre Dreams
Depressed feelings
Distended stomache

I feel so lowsy I'm half tempted to just start taking it again, just so I feel better.

This is bad!! :(

[outamymind]

Hi pinklady. At last, we're going to have someone in the field of medicine who actually knows what it's like. Good to know you won't be experimenting like these other idiots then ignoring your patients' plight.

Kudos for coming off while your studying too. That's a mighty effort. Well done!

Good luck with the rest of your study

[outamymind]

WickedStuff64 - DON'T DO IT!! Please don't go back on this poison. Your halfway there.

I was on Cymbalta 60mg for nearly 3 years for depression & fibromyalgia. I weaned to 30mg for 3 weeks, then stopped. Absolute living hell for about a month but I'm glad I persevered. I found something natural - omega 3, 6 & 9 about 4 weeks into it & now I swear by it. I'm nearly 50 & have never really worried about dietary supplements before but this works. It's the 6 & 9 that make the difference. Try it, it's natural so it can't hurt you. The body can't produce these essential oils naturally you get them through foods or supplements. It's cheaper than chemical crap too. Try eBay.

Your list of symptoms are horrifying but just about everyone on this forum can relate to some or all of them. Stay strong. Good luck

[Danwall]

Why would you not get side effects of depression and anxiety going off them, that is what they are supposed to stop when you take them.

[jainw]

Worst side effect for me was liver failure - medication induced hepatitis, ended up in hosp where they stopped the Cymbalta immediately!
Having all the usual side effects of sudden withdrawal - brain zaps are the worst for me, and the hot flashes, but am not impressed that the potential for liver toxicity was made clear. I went to the GP with severe pain in rhs of abdomen, she sent me for a scan and said nothing found, so didn't take bloods, and in a Cymbalta induced feebleness I just said OK, and left!. 3 weeks later, collapsed with acute searing pains, and dark red brown urine, and she did some blood work. Liver function which should be a 50 (I don't know what of? ) was 1470!! So straight to hosp where they found the hepatitis.
Anyway, although the antidepressants controlled my pain and suicidal thoughts to some extend, am minded to try and manage without them in the future.

[cookie]

Worst side effect for me was liver failure - medication induced hepatitis, ended up in hosp where they stopped the Cymbalta immediately!
Having all the usual side effects of sudden withdrawal - brain zaps are the worst for me, and the hot flashes, but am not impressed that the potential for liver toxicity was made clear. I went to the GP with severe pain in rhs of abdomen, she sent me for a scan and said nothing found, so didn't take bloods, and in a Cymbalta induced feebleness I just said OK, and left!. 3 weeks later, collapsed with acute searing pains, and dark red brown urine, and she did some blood work. Liver function which should be a 50 (I don't know what of? ) was 1470!! So straight to hosp where they found the hepatitis.
Anyway, although the antidepressants controlled my pain and suicidal thoughts to some extend, am minded to try and manage without them in the future.

What dosage you were taking??? and for how long??????

[jainw]

Only one tablet (60mg) since May this year. You don't expect that do you?

[jtp]

Symptoms while on Cymbalta:
Depression worsened
Lethargy, flattening of all emotions
Sleepiness/exhaustion to the point of almost falling asleep while driving
Constipation
No sex drive
Weight gain

Symptoms (so far) during withdrawal
Nightmares
Night sweats
Flushing
Fever
Non stop brain zaps
Optical illusions (eyes feel like they are 1/2 second behind what I'm trying to see
Mild hallucinations
Headache
Stuffed head, popping ears
Spacing out and losing track of time
Anxiety
Crying spells
Diarrhea
Mild insomnia

[covedove]

I too have suffered much pain I had 15 of the withdrawal symptoms I thought at one point I was going to die and now I have NASH {fatty Liver disease} no Problems with my Liver before Cymbalta. I just wished someone had told me how bad coming off the drug was going to be and I too had to open the medicine capsule and count out 96 little tiny balls to take for over a month and then cut that in half and so on it took me 11 months to come off the drug at least I think I am off of it. still dealing with a lot of issues.

[covedove]

I am now trying to detox my Liver and I still hurt on my right side.

[covedove]

This is a page I wrote in my diary dated Feb 26 2011
I am so nauseous and dizzy that i can barely move around. My head is pounding, I have diarhea, I have vomitted several different times, I am having those weird brain zaps and body twitches, I am crying at the drop of a hat, I am irritable and impatient. At night I cannot sleep without taking medication. irritibility, slow thinking, trouble paying attention, problems thinking clearly, short term memory loss, sweating, LOSS OF SEXUAL INTEREST, dry mouth, loss of appetite, yet weight gain, severe headaches, mood swings, anxiety attacks, augmentative, feeling of nothing at times, no emotions, a feeling of being lost.

[covedove]

And another dated Oct 7 2011 Now I have some high liver enzymes.I HATE going to sleep due to such vivid dreams and nightmares I have them when I whirl from vertigo into sleep.I was on Cymbalta for depression and fibromyalgia. My stomache was so tore up and painful,I couldn't eat.These were my symptoms: severe stomach pain, alot of vomiting(mostly in the middle of the night), brain zaps, all over body pain, itching all over, mood swinds, bouts of rage, severe motion sickness (couldn't even open my eyes sometimes without feeling sick), insomnia,upsetting vivid dreams, intestinal pain, unrelenting fatigue and I was just sick all over.I felt very betrayed that my doc would put me on a med that would do this to me, as if the regular side effects werent bad enough; no sex drive, extreme sweating, migrains, can't think or remember, could care less for my personal relationships, completely emotionall unavailable for my daughter, husband, best friend and my famly.

[jainw]

Sorry to hear you are going through this too. My liver is getting better and brain zaps greatly diminished. Like you heartily peed off with Doctor about this. Need to go back and get bloods done, but cancelled my appt with her, as still feeling somewhat annoyed that a. she gave me the stuff in the first place, and b. she didn't pick up on the pain in my side as liver, and did/suggested nothing else when my stomach ultrasound came back as OK - like order some blood tests. Oh well - part of life's rich tapestry eh? x
Hot flushes (flashes) are a complete killer atm - and not abating yet. I came off HRT too, as had to stop all my meds, so need to sort something out about this soon!

[jeesher]

UGH I am so glad I found this site! I thought I was really losing my mind!!!I have been off Cymbalta for 2 weeks and only taking 150 of wellbutrin. These are the symptoms I am experiencing:


Depression worsened
Lethargy
Irritability
Rage
Agitation
Weight loss (which is why I wanted off Cym. in the first place)
Memory problems
Concentration problems
Diarrhea (IBS seems to be back!isn't that great?)
Headaches
Brain “zaps”
"swimmy" brain
out of it
can't talk right
Dizziness
Sinus pain
Hot flashes
Mood Swings
Crying (I RARELY cry and have cried 3 times this week!!)

[jainw]

((((((hugs))))))))) - it will get better, but it bloody hard xxx

[madman]

Along with side effects already listed...

ED
ringing in ears

Went to Dr to see about side effects, to my disbelief, he increased dosage from 60mg to 90mg a day. I decided to quit, but am experiencing withdrawal symptoms listed here on this site. I took Lexapro and Celexa for years, had meltdown 8 months ago and Dr put me on Cymbalta. I don't know if I will ever be the same. This is a nasty drug, and expensive too.

[Adelerty]

Please list your bart symptoms 4 me...I have had some strange symptoms for years and wanna compare and see what others have had and also want to to use it as a tool to see what i may have..i am almost positive bartonella!!!!!!

Memory Vitamins