Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Cymbalta withdrawal

DivineSilence
DivineSilence
I'll try to keep a long story short..... I was hospitalized back in April then again in September and yet again in November for a suicidal depression that they can't seem to make a dent in. In Sept they put me on Cymbalta and quickly ramped me up to 120mgs. It has done absolutely nothing for the depression but it has caused nausea which has gotten progressively worse over the last few months. I now live on Ginger Ale and 7-Up. So I decided to stop taking it. I have never had withdrawals on a medication and no one said anything about withdrawals on Cymbalta so I stopped cold turkey...... 4 days in and OMG. Brain zaps, my head is floppy and constantly spinning, severe nausea, vomiting, aches and random sharp pains. This is seriously hell. It is worse than the worst stomach flu I've ever had.

Anyone know how long this lasts? Should I just stick it out or should I go back on it and taper down?
deleted_user
deleted_user
yes, you should do the taper. i don't know if it's too late for that, but that is a seriously dangerous thing to do to yourself.

talk to your shrink. get a safe plan in place. take care of you and do it the right way.
china70
china70
Yes I agree you should taper cause you sound so ill from the withdrawal. I tried cymbalta it seemed to help with body aches but gave me anxiety attacks unfortunately. Wish it would of worked for me.
mayismerry
mayismerry
I hated Cymbalta. It made me feel like I was on a narcotic 24 hours per day. Awful! During withdrawal ( done with the help of doc) this feeling did not subside and the brain fog intensified. Ended up taking a pure form of fish oil (gotten from behind the counter in pharmacy) that really helped me get back to reality. I tapered down in the month of July that year and started that fish oil in the end of July. By end of September I was feeling lots better.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2012/10/15/cymbalta-duloxetine-side-effects-withdrawal/

These are symptoms via google... It doesn't sound like you should be stopping suddenly... I would talk with your doctor sweetie... Even if you're set on going off of it .. It should be done safely....x
deleted_user
deleted_user
You should never quit any med cold turkey. Please talk to your doctor and get them to help you taper off of it. In the meantime, I heard Benadryl helps.
DivineSilence
DivineSilence
Thanks all. I have been on at least 20 meds for Bipolar and have never once had to deal with withdrawals, it never even occurred to me that there might be withdrawals. At first I thought it was the stomach flu. I took 60mgs which is half my normal dose and will call my dr tomorrow.

Jan - that website is scary..... some people have taken 18 months to get off it. Never again will I take a med without some research first.
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