28 replies to this topic

[BobbieBoop]

Hello,

I went on Cymbalta 12/2015 for neck pain that was caused by an auto accident in 2003.  My pain Dr. suggested trying it for the many system I was having.  The Dr never told me that if I went on it that it would be hard to get off or that I would need to taper it. It's been six week since I went Cold Turkey.  I have a lot of the same systems as many on here. This is the first depression medication that I've have taken and I wish I would of looked into the medicine before I started. I quite because I didn't feel that it was working and I just hate taking medication.  I was taking 30mg in  the morning ans 30mg at night. I started feeling quite weird days after I stopped the medication and went to the ER with Nausea, dizziness, body ache, Head ache and I just could relax.  I'm still having some systems but the systems seem to change weekly.  Lately I have noticed that my stomach, back and side keep cramping and contracting. Is this a system of the withdrawal?  I think I have been off the Cymbalta to long to go back on and try tapering.  Can anyone help me out with this, I really think I'm loosing my mind. I just want to feel better and be a wife and mother again.

 

[fishinghat]

I am so sorry BB. There is a couple of options. You can get a prescription for either clonidine or hydroxyzine. Neither are addictive or have a withdrawal. Either should help with the symptoms. You can also try diphenhydramine (active ingredient in Benadryl and most over the counter sleep aides. You can't use it all the time or you build up tolerance to it and it won't work. Use it once every 2 or 3 days and you can probably avoid that. Beware it may make you drowsy.

 

A second choice would be to open up one of your Cymbalta capsules and count the beads inside. Usually around 300 but it can vary from 6 to 500. Take about 2% of your beads and put them back in the capsule and take it. So if there is 300 beads put 5 beads back in the capsule. That should give you some temporary help. Do that when things get too bad. Now you may have to go up in the number of beads or down to get the desired effect. Don't try to control all the symptoms with this technique just enough to take the edge off. With time try and take a few beads less and a few days farther apart until you don't need to take any.

 

I hope this helps and please let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do for you.

[BobbieBoop]

So are these stomach and back contractools normal?

[BobbieBoop]

So are these stomach and back contractools normal?

[fishinghat]

contractools?

 

I think I missed something as this is a slang for arbitrated real estate agreements after a sale.

 

I can say quite easily that stomach aches, diarrhea, gas, cramping and such is very common as is back pain and discomfort.
 

[BobbieBoop]

Sorry..I meant that my stomach, sides and back contract. They get really hard and sometimes cause pain.

[fishinghat]

No problem. We have all mistyped but I just couldn't figure out what it was suppose to be.  lol 

 

You symptoms don't surprise me. The stomach and back will cramp and tighten up in many people. I don't remember anyone mentioning their side but it wouldn't surprise me.

[BobbieBoop]

It seem like every week new symptoms developed. Any idea how much longer this will last?

[gail]

Hi BB,

By week 12, in many cases, people begin to see the light usually. With good days and bad days.

As we all are unique, it could be different for you. Any anxiety? There are many suggestions if so. Symptoms go from one to the other most of the time. And weird symptoms!

It is a scary road but many recover after a period of hell! Any questions, feel free anytime to ask. Bonne chance!

[Gran23]

I've had stomach problems from the time I went on Cymbalta.  Some of the symptoms you describe, I still have.  I've been completely off since the 6th day of this month.  I started my taper, bead counting, in January.  Anyway the pain you have in your sides is probably the same pain I have.  Sometimes it feels like someone is squeezing me all the way around my middle.  Since I did a slow taper there's not much advice I can give except take good care of yourself.  Drink a lot of water, take epsom salts baths, and I massage my stomach when it feels like it's squeezing.  I lay on the bed on my back and very lightly rub all over my belly.  I don't think it really has a purpose except to relax me and help me stop thinking about the pain.  I hope you can get back to normal soon.  Best wishes.

[fishinghat]

The stomach issues are usually one of the first to appear and begin to fade out around week 4 to 6 but like Gail said, they are replaced by others normally. Hang in there. re is an end to all the suffering.

[BobbieBoop]

Thx for you comments. I thought I was loosing my mind. Last night I had these strong contraction in my neck, back, left arm and across my chest. I have a neck injury and I feel like this medicine withdrawl has made it worse. I have tingling and numbness in my left arm. This feeling was much worse. I feel so gloomy and hopeless at this point. My mind racing to the thought that it's something worse. I start to feel better and then boom something else. My appetite is down but I eat and keep the food down. I hate to brake down and take this evil medicine. My husband even suggested maybe trying to take one to see how I feel. I sure have with a lot of aches and pain.

[BobbieBoop]

Gail
I guess I have anxiety. I sure sit around worrying. Thx so much for your help. Any ideas on what to do for the anxiety?

[fishinghat]

Hi BB

 

Taking a whole one would probably be a mistake as it would put your blood levels to high. A few beads put back in a capsule would be better than having to repeat some of your withdrawal.

[BobbieBoop]

God like
I was on generic. What do you recommend for tapering. Also I was severely constipated prior to quiting. I haven't had diarrhea until today. Is this normal?

[BobbieBoop]

Also woke up extremely wet with sweat this morning..uggg. thought that was over.

[fishinghat]

Its 'fishinghat' not god-like. I don't know why this site gives names like that just because you have a lot of posts. Anyway, sure not god-like, but that is a different story. lol
 
As I wrote earlier..."A second choice would be to open up one of your Cymbalta capsules and count the beads inside. Usually around 300 but it can vary from 6 to 500. Take about 2% of your beads and put them back in the capsule and take it. So if there is 300 beads put 5 beads back in the capsule. That should give you some temporary help. Do that when things get too bad. Now you may have to go up in the number of beads or down to get the desired effect. Don't try to control all the symptoms with this technique just enough to take the edge off. With time try and take a few beads less and a few days farther apart until you don't need to take any."

 

If you go back up a full bead you will bring your blood levels back to about 50% of full concentration. Way to much. Try about 2 or 3% of the total number of beads in your capsule. That should be enough to take the edge off for a while.

[BobbieBoop]

Ha sorry
I remembered your post after I sent that..

[gail]

Gail
I guess I have anxiety. I sure sit around worrying. Thx so much for your help. Any ideas on what to do for the anxiety?

Hi BB,

Over the counter Benadryl extra strength was and still is a God send for anxiety.

There is clonidine on prescription that is recommended and hydroxyzine that is an antihistamine. Should you opt for the last 2, Fishinghat will give you the instruction.

Clonidine worked a bit for me but not the Hydroxyzine.

You are on generic or were, how many beads? Should you decide to take a bit, you have to put the beads in an empty gelatine capsule that you can get in health stores.

Come back any time!

[BobbieBoop]

I was on generich and quit CT since I didn't know I shouldn't. I've had a lot of symptoms that come and go. I still have some of the generic cymbalta. I thought I'd feel better by now. My mind races to thoughts of maybe it's something else since I still feel this way. I guess I need to take the edge off. PC Dr said symptoms only last 2 weeks. Well so thankful to find this site. So I guess it's normal to feel almost normal and then boom terrible within hours.

[gail]

Yep! Progress is not linear. When you think it's over, it starts again.
And when you feel bad, you think that it will be always this way!

Educate your doctor on this matter, they don't know any better. I love my doc, she did not know any better either. Nor the psychiatrist.

[BobbieBoop]

Gail I guess since I wasn't on as long as most people id heal faster..

[gail]

BB hello!

I was on it five months!!! 30 mg! I thought that also. We all do.
Five months or twelve is the same.

But,but, the younger you are, the better the chances! Hope you fit in this category!
Have a good day, if not, there is always a tomorrow.

[BobbieBoop]

Fishing hat

 

Are the symptoms the same for Cymbalta and the generic form? I was reading some early post on this site and it seemed that someone suggested it was not the same.

[fishinghat]

It really varies BB. Some have exactly the same symptoms and some are only vaguely similar. I think a lot of it has to do with what part of our individual systems are the most vulnerable as serotonin and noradrenaline are found throughout our nervous symptoms. Those who have stomach problems get terrible stomach issues. Others have a history of tinnitus and that becomes almost unbearable many times, etc.

[Wagtail]

Hi BB,
Over the counter Benadryl extra strength was and still is a God send for anxiety.
There is clonidine on prescription that is recommended and hydroxyzine that is an antihistamine. Should you opt for the last 2, Fishinghat will give you the instruction.
Clonidine worked a bit for me but not the Hydroxyzine.
You are on generic or were, how many beads? Should you decide to take a bit, you have to put the beads in an empty gelatine capsule that you can get in health stores.
Come back any time!

In Australia Benadryl is a cough suppressant, is this the one you're referring too ?. If so can I take it for anxiety if I'm taking a antidepressant ?.....:-)

[gail]

Hello again Wagtail,

Benadryl is an antihistamine for allergies. The ingredient that sedates is the diphenhydramine contained in it.

Will let Fisherman answer your other question, but since it's for allergies, I wouldn't see why not. Visit again, lovely to see you!

[fishinghat]

Gail is right. If you are taking another antihistamine (like hydroxyzine) then you should not take the Benadryl.  Benadryl does help with anxiety but it will poop out on you after a few days so it is for intermittent use only. A day here and there.

[TryinginFL]

So good to hear from you, Wagtail! You have been missed!  

 

How are things going for you?  Apparently the big "A" is still present and for that, I am sorry.

 

Please come back and keep us updated