4 replies to this topic

[Cann]

Hi, I have been weaning off Cymbalta for about 4 months.  I was down to 30 mg and the doctor told me to take 30 mg every other day for 2 weeks and then stop.  My breasts started itching and burning so bad I could not stand it.  Now I am on 20 mg. every day and still itching and burning.  Anyone have suggestions to stop this.  I tried benedril, and it did not help at all.

 

Thanks.

[chimera]

Hi,

I had terrible itching and burning whilst on Cymbalta, it turned out to be an allergy. this came on a few weeks after my dose was increased, and lasted 2 months until they knew what was causing it. was hell- I had to come off it very quickly, and these sensations did intensify for a couple of weeks too unfortunately. 

your doctor's advice as to taking 30mg every other day was not good, as alternate days pushes you in and out of withdrawal and confuses the brain even more as it tries to adjust to the lower dose.

it is good you are on 20mg every day now, but I suggest you ask your doctor for an allergy blood test, and also some other antihistamine. if one doesn't work, there are others to try, and you can't go on like this (trust me I know, it sends you out of your mind!)

I use Fexofenadine (non sedating) at night, and during the worst of it, I had to use Clarityn (sedating) as well. insist on your doctor giving you things that work, if they don't work, he/she MUST find you an alternative to ease this (specially when it interferes with sleep). 

forget wearing a bra, and if possible wear an oversized t shirt in a very soft material, that touches your breasts as little as possible/ go naked! I had to do this in minus conditions and I will never forget the near hypothermia lol. 

once you have ruled out an allergy, you can put this down to withdrawal. to get through this- and you can, with the assistance of the right meds- then it will gradually ease.  sensations will gradually abate, but gradually. takes a few days for the antihistamine to build up enough to help, then reaches its peak. I still take half an antihistamine at night, and I've been off Cymbalta 7 weeks tomorrow. 

do not use bubble baths, or anything perfumed. plain soap and water in a tepid bath, you'll be able to increase the bath temp once it settles a bit:) if your nipples are burning and sore, a touch of aloe vera gel on them helps too. talc, liberally as well. this stops clothing rubbing so much.

I feel for you more than I can say, it is horrible x

[chimera]

also (sorry) Fexofenadine in UK= Allergra

and I meant Piriton (chlorphenamine) rather than Clarityn

[Cann]

Thanks so much for the input.  I am going to my doctor tomorrow, and I am taking entries from this site with me to make sure he understands the symtoms are from the medication and not something else.  The itching has gotten somewhat better, but it is still bothersome.  I had to go to a wedding last week, and it was very difficult.  I don't think people would have understand why I kept touching myself there.  So I just had to bear it.  I will ask for another antihistamine.  It is very reassuring to know that someone else has been through this and I am not imagining that this is from the Cymbalta.  

[chimera]

no problem, let me know how you get on:) you're definitely not imagining it! before I found this site, I Googled for hours to try and find out what the hell it was, whether there could possibly be a Cymbalta connection or not. my usual doctor put it down to post-viral rash, it was only once I spoke to another one at the practice, that he suspected it was the med.

I was almost 'fortunate' in that there was a definite rash with the allergy, which proved something was going on- but no one had any idea what was causing it. in withdrawal the rash settled, but the burning/itching still carried on. so people had to take my word for it.

lol and yes, it is highly embarrassing when it itches in those places! luckily I was at home throughout, I sympathise with you so much for the wedding thing! 

at its worst, I was itching erm, internally, at the dinner table, everywhere, scratch scratch. it was also accompanied by horrific burning sensations in there especially after a bath. one time I got so agitated and in agony, I could not sit down for 3 hours. 

your itching will ebb and wane probably, as you go lower in dose it may have 'flare ups', so it's as well that you're asking for another antihistamine. is handy to have backups on bad days.

people would say 'don't scratch'- I tried this and actually had body spasms, so I had to scratch but with heel of your hand is best if you can.

I am hoping that others in the future, who are also trying to make the connection with the itching/burning, will see our posts- and hopefully won't have to suffer as we have! it's a relief in any case to know it's not in the mind:)