Not me. I took it for the past 3 days (with Wellbutrin,
which I've been on for a few years for depression but my
anxiety has broken through). I was sick, sick, sick from
this stuff. Nauseous, spaced-out, constipated,
lethargic...it was horrible. I didn't take it today and it took
almost the whole day to START feeling better.

I have used both Paxil and Lexapro with great success
re:depression, but gained weight on both. Wondering if a
Lexapro-Wellbutrin combination would prevent the
weight gain.

All I know is, no Cymbalta for me. And thank you to this
forum, because reading all of your experiences gave me
the knowledge to stop taking it immediatley. Waiting to
hear back from my doctor.   (Fri Jul 25 15:21 2008)

Does anyone have anything good to say about this drug. I have taken it once and feel like crap. I am taking it for depression and is suppose to help with ADD. Is anyone else take it for this reason. The comments here are scaring the crap out of me and not sure if I want to keep taking them.   (Thu Jul 24 11:43 2008)

Oh LAWD! I stopped over a week ago. had been on cymbalta for about 6 months, i immediately gained weight, got an duodenal ulcer, and automatically became lethargic and anti-social. Sex drive, yep.. gone... couldn't even maintain an erection and I'm only 30! Well, the main reason I started on it was because my new EX and the therapist that HE chose decided to tag team me and get me on Cymbalta. Well, the ex is gone and now so is the drug. I immediately started feeling light headed and dizzy.. and i thought this was part of the brain zapping that everyone describes.. NOT! I had my first one last night as I was trying to nap due to a migraine that I was getting (undoubtedly from the withdrawal process). Just as I'm about to fade out, then SMACK! A zap... it felt like ice cold water had been thrown on my head and ripped me from a deep sleep. It scared the bejesus out of me. Didn't really hurt, just stunned me. I kinda laughed when it happend cuz I knew exactly what it was. I have also started having very odd dreams, nothing tragic, but just very abstract, like my ex trying to still emotionally harm me in any way that he can. Some other side effects that caused me to stop taking cymbalta is that I have started to get really bad numbness in my extremeties, mainly in my left arm and hand, and I'm right handed! I also would have four to 5 hot flashes a day. It got to where I was keeping my air on 60 in my apartment with all vents closed in the place except in the bedroom, and on top of that, i had a ceiling fan on high as well as a free standing fan next to my bed on high.. I really hope I can lose this weight. I'll suffer through the zaps and fogginess for a few weeks if it means getting back to my old self. I didn't really need the drug in the first place, but I was trying to please people. Well, screw that from now on, if you don't like me, move on...    (Wed Jul 16 12:49 2008)

Hi everyone,
I never thought that I would ever register on a forum like this I always believed that I would never be "one of them" well... here I am.
A little history.. I am a retired pro athlete with a nutrition background. Always exercised, always ate very healthy and always was in great shape. You might have also seen me in various fitness magazines. Here's my story and problem. I have been on Cymbalta for over 2 years. My dr prescribed 60 mg a day because he felt it would help me give me a mental "lift". After taking it for a few months I honestly felt better but gradually feeling worse as time passed. I have gained over 40lbs and feel even worse than I ever did. No sex drive, always tired,no appetite to do anything in life. The only thing that makes me go are my obligations I have in my business realm. If it wasn't for that I would just sit in a dark room with my laptop on my lap surfing the internet.
A few days ago I had an unexpected 4 day trip and I totally forgot my Cymbalta. The second day of not taking it I started to feel dizzy and nausea here and there during the day. When I got back home I took my Cymbalta again..it's been 3 days of taking the Cymbalta and my dizziness and nausea is constant all day long and my head feels like it's in heavy cloud. I cannot walk a straight line.
Has anyone felt like this? I have beenreading on this forum that you usally get this side effects when discontinuing the drug for good. I'm taking it again and feel worse...any thoughts?

   (Sat Jul 12 13:00 2008)

Well, I'm off Cymbalta for 4 days now. I have been spending most of the last 3 days crying and sleeping. Also, my left ear is clogged up and my hearing is slightly impaired...could that be a withdrawal symptom??? I think I have had it with meds. Going on and coming off so many different medications is driving me crazy...oh wait, I think I already was crazy! Then, this must be making me super crazy. Anyway, I think just being me might be better than all of this medicine nonsence. At least I'll know it's me and not some medicine making me feel wacky!

Maybe it's time to go back to talk therapy and get rid of these Psychiatrists who just want to hand out meds like candy. Bad doctors, bad medicines, bad, bad, bad!

Please forgive my silliness...it's either that or tears...or sleep. Too bad I can't sleep 24/7...

Well, after last sentence I decided to call my med doc and talk with him. First of all, I don't think he even knew who I was. Afterall, I have only seen him several times to try several different medications. So, after that discouraging feeling, he tells me to take another 30 mg Cymbalta now and then every other day. I tearfully told him that I didn't want to take any more Cymbalta...that it didn't make sense to me to go back to something that never made me feel all that good in the first place and that is making me feel this bad not taking it. His "calm" reply: "Well, you can either take my advice and take the Cymbalta or don't listen to me."

I told him that I couldn't make a decision right now and would have to think about it...He almosted "tsk, tsked" me! I told him I'd see him on Tuesday as we have an appt set up then...to which he replied, "Oh, I didn't realize that. You could probably not take anything and you will probably feel better by the time you see me on Tuesday"

Now, I ask you...who is the crazy one here?? So, I need to repeat....Bad Doctors, Bad Medicine, Bad, Bad, Bad!!

Take care all...hugs,

Vicky    (Fri Jun 20 19:41 2008)

am a new patient for emotional illness. I had taken the cymbalta for three months. However i found it is useless to me so i decided to stop taking it. Nightmare happened which i feel dizzy all day long( it should be what called ''brain zap')since i stopped taking the pills. Do you think i should taper it off by taking less and less gram or completely stop taking? I took 30mg cymbalta a day. I felt better as time goes by. But the most concerned thing for me is my health. I afraid i wil keep on feeling dizzy over years. Honesly, do u think it is possible to happen? And does anything can be done to reduce the withdrawal effect? Someone suggested me to do more exercise as it can increase the metabolism to get rid of the chemical of the cymbalta remaining in the blood which causing withdrawal symptoms. is it true? can it help for reducing the effect? (Thu May 29 10:09 2008)   (Thu May 29 10:21 2008)

Hang in there, it gets better. It takes awhile to feel "normal" again, I am guessing a good 6-8 weeks, but it does get better. I haven't lost all the weight I gained but my mind is clear again. I am on Wellbutrin now which is working well for me. No sexual side effects or weight gain. I think you should talk to your Doc if the withdrawals get too bad, he/she may be able to help you. Good luck, keep us posted!   (Thu May 1 10:23 2008)

Hi everyone.. I had a cervical fusion back in Sept. C5 thru C7 I was a very active person and owned my own business for 10 yrs which requires a lot of physical labor. I was told all of that was over. Of course I got depressed from my siuation. The doctor decided to put me on Cymbalta. Worst thing that I could have ever did!! I was on Cymbalta for 3 mos at 60mg per day. I was basically not living in fact I dont remember much of those 3 mos. So when prescrip ran out I quit. Went thru hell for 2 weeks or so. I felt like a junckie going thru withdrawls. But one thing has not gone away in the past 3 mos of being off of Cymbalta... Extreme bloating, heavy Abdomen, Lower back pain, major weight gain in belly. It so uncomfortable I cant even breath.. I went to the doctor they dont have a clue. started running test found liver damage and a 2cm cyst on my right ovary.. but what Im going is not result of that and spite all their tests and 2 meds for tummy spasms I still have no relief.. And it gets worse with exercise.. Its going on 4 mos now and if I wasnt depressed b4 I sure as hell am now. I have zero life! Anyone have this and know whats causing it? cymbalta should be black boxed!!   (Sat Apr 26 1:47 2008)

I am on my 7th day of no Cymbalta. Endo doc put wife and I both on the crap for stress/depression. Wife quit cold turkey of 60mg after 3 weeks because it killed her sex drive. She has had no withdrawels. I got mine and hers it seems. I went from 60mg to 30mg, no problem. Then 30mg to 15mg, by making my own pills from the 30mg. Brain Zaps started. Now since I am clean for 7 days the Brain Zaps are hell, I think I even blink when they hit me. Inside my head the Zaps sound like a chattering angry squirrel. The people that made this drug must have never tested it for withdrawals. I have terrible back pain, have trouble sleeping, and have even cried twice this week. I just took 50mg of benedryl and 1000mg of tylenol hoping I can sleep tonight. I also gained weight on the drug. Has anyone that dealt with the Brain Zaps stopped having them all together? They are so bad, I am afraid to drive, I now understand why some folks kill themselves coming off drugs like this one. If there is a happy ending, I would love to know about it. Almost forgot, Blood Pressure has gone thru the roof coming off this stuff. Thanks for listening.   (Fri Apr 4 21:34 2008)

I was put on Cymbalta in Nov 2006 and I think it saved
my life and my marriage. After 5 months I had terrible
side effects. Sexual side effects were very bad.
Constipation. Weight gain. But the last straw was brain
zaps. My life was under control by then and I was tired of
looking at the scale. I did exactly what everyone tells you
not to do...went cold turkey. Brain zaps are really awful
and indescribable but when it happens you'll know. Like a
static electricity shock in your brain. Doesn't hurt, just
disturbing and annoying as hell. Since I was already
experiencing them on the drug, I decided just to get the
Cymbalta out of my system ASAP (I KNEW I wasn't in
danger as I knew by then how to recognize my depression
symptoms - therapy is a wonderful thing!) ZAPS happen
day and night, at no particular time, they increased in
frequency after I went off Cymbalta. Mine lasted about 4-
5 weeks....tapering to disappearing at the end so I don't
exactly know when they stopped. Just one day I said,
"Wow, they're gone". The other side effects disappeared
much more quickly, but not the weight! I know I needed
Cymbalta. A miracle drug. I just think my body started
functioning right again and I didn't need the Cymbalta
anymore. I don't recommend cold turkey, but it was right
for me.    (Thu Mar 13 14:10 2008)

Hey, I just joined this site after seeing all these posts on Cymbalta. I was put on Cymbalta Thursday. Already I notice a change! I'm numb to things that would have set me off once before. THings that would have irritated me and made me argue.

I've also noticed fatigue, extreme hunger, and constipation. The way I look at it though, if this stops me from fighting with my husband its gotta be worth it.

When I get hungry I just drink a ton of water to stop the pangs and eat like I did before I started Cymbalta. I am also on Depo shot. Depo shot made me have increased weight gain.

Has anyone else mixed these two meds before? If so, what can you tell me?   (Wed Mar 12 9:25 2008)

Hi, I'm new to this site. I was recently hospitalized for seretonin syndrome. I was wondering if anyone else had that experience. I as on cymbalta for over three years and for the past 2 3/4 years have been extremely ill. I had to go off cymbalta cold turkey because it caused seretonin syndrome and my body was toxic with it. My doctor had double my dose to 120mg two months prior to the pinacle. Alot of the symptoms I've been experiencing for the past 2 3/4 years are very similar to those of you going through w/d. My w/d symptoms are horrible. I feel like an epileptic I tremble so much and my emotions are all over the place my entire body aches as well. I've been off it since 2/26/08 and would highly recommend that anyone going off it should cold turkey it. From what I've read, you will go through the same w/d symptoms everytime you lower your dose to ween yourself off. why not just do it all at once? that's just my humble opinion.
If anyone else has experience with seretonin syndrome, please post. It almost took my life. (Sat Mar 8 11:24 2008)   (Sat Mar 8 11:45 2008)

Thanks you guys for your words, I'm going to go to see a psychiatrist soon, so hopefully that will help. Much much love to all of you!!   (Thu Jan 31 18:40 2008)

You should never go off Cymbalta w/o a doc's directions. I've been on 120mg for over 9 months and my doc said it might take a year to get me completely off because we have to take the dosage down so slowly.    (Tue Jan 29 17:45 2008)

I feel your pain. You should not go off everything without a Doc consult though. You sound like you are really struggling and need help. If your Dr isn't any help find another. Where I live I can look up psychiatric help in the phone book. Try it and talk to someone, you never know you may find the answer. You deserve to feel good. It took awhile but I do now so it is possible! I pray you find help and can live a happy productive life.   (Tue Jan 29 9:10 2008)

Well, I guess its my turn, I haven't told you guys my pitfalls on this drug, so here it goes, I started Cymbalta back in 2006 september and stopped june 2007 so about 6 to 9 months during this time I barely left my house I gained 30 or more pounds felt like total sh**!! Then I got off of it then the anger, fear, crying, back pain that I didn't have before flooded in, and mostly what you have all described, I got on Symbyax about 3 months later felt like a vegetable, then this last month began Wellbutrin, and after I stopped drinking soft drinks the anxiety started, then I started to feel like I was going crazy--didn't want to talk, hated everything, still haven't left my house and I really need a job, I feel a little screwed and suicidal, its been so long since I've been around people I would have to interact with, I'm so scared to I still feel like I've lost my mind, I've completely stopped all medication cause I think its what did this to me to begin with, I don't know what to do anymore, I've been contemplating ending my life more and more everyday, I feel so alone and am except for online people, I just don't know what to do. I wish all of you all the best, I just hope I'll be alright, much love to all of you struggling.   (Sat Jan 26 17:17 2008)

I haven't seen this listed, but has anyone experienced skin crawling-type feelings? I take Benadryl. I've also been sleeping a lot and having bizarre-o dreams. The other thing is nausea. That was what brought me to this site... To see if this was a side effect from quitting. Haven't had any "brain zaps"... still not sure what those are. I guess if I was having them, I would know. Been a bit weepy, too.

This site is great, knowing that this too shall pass! Thanks everyone for sharing! The advice is very helpful. Gives me some good starting off points.

One awesome thing, and I guess I didn't realize it was gone, is this sudden return to a sex-drive. My husband and I have only been married 2 years, and I've been pretty stand-offish... Now I am in attack mode!

A question I have is, is anyone else pregnant or planning to become so and how is getting off the medication working for you? I worry. My doctor told me to be off it at least a month before trying... I don't want any "issues" to affect (effect?) the baby.

Thanks to anyone who will share!
(Fri Jan 18 2:37 2008)   (Fri Jan 18 3:31 2008)

Been on Cymbalta 60mg for 5 months along with 400 Welbutrin. Before that I was on Effexor (and the Welbutrin)and that was a nightmare. The side affects a lot of you list here that you have had with Cymb. are the nasty ones I had with Effx. Brain zaps, vision problems, feeling completely brain drained, constipation, night sweats so bad the salt from my sweat actually bleached my sheets and pajamas. And the weight gain, over 20 pounds in just a few months. And going off even though I tapered off in tiny amounts was the worst of the worst. As I type this there is warm and fuzzy commercial for Effexor on TV. Neither my Dr. or the literature that came with Effexor said anything about hte severity of the side affects.
I've been on many antidepressants for the last 15 years and some work great for a while and then don't work any longer. My Dr. said to try Cymb. When I went off Effex I very easily lost 12 of the 20 I had gained but now on Cymb. I've gained it all back. Intense sugar/carb cravings, constipation. Some night sweats but never as bad as Effexor.
Have to say that Cymbalta is working well for my depression. Right now I suppose I'd rather be fat and sweaty than depressed and suicidal. Will have to see how this drug works in the future. Best of luck to everyone.   (Mon Jan 14 20:14 2008)

Never thought I would join a group like this and leave a comment but you know I would like to leave something for some poor sole to ponder. I have / had been on cymbalta 60mg for about a year and half. It was my protection, sometimes i'd walk around with my pill in my pocket and just knowing it was there brought comfort to me. Before the new year I had two people in my life sit me down for a "come to Jesus meeting" they said i had become disconnected, emotionally rude and just down right misrable. Not sure why i put that in this message but they didnt know I was taking cymbalta, matter of fact I never told a soul. But since November I wanted to quit I was just scared, of what I dont know because I never thought I would be so easily attatched. So since I googled cymalta withdrawl symptons from here to the moon and you know I have never once read a positve review... So hear is mine.
I pray that someone like me reads this.
I stoped cymbalta cold turkey the day after Christmas. I have not had any shockes in my eyes no weird random cramps, i can drive my car, i can work, i'm not half way asleep or anything. If anything I feel like a human again. My Dog of 10 years died Monday moning and i am not afraid. I thought that would have sent me back but it did not. The secret is mind over matter, positive energy. let yourself be your self and understnad there is no secret drug that will make you feel comfortable in your own skin. That my friend is your job. Give it a try and block any and all negativity from your life. The power is in you!
And to my friends who are still on it. I understand your struggle, it's all of ours and please belive I am not judging you. Good luck and God Bless.   (Wed Jan 9 13:54 2008)

Ok...so I am off of Cymbalta altogether now. Tapered, tapered, tapered...then took the plunge. for the first week or so without the med I had basically brain/head zaps...if I would move my eyes deliberately from right to left I could actually give myself the zaps...sounds weird right? But it was true. Knock on wood, but I am back to being me again. Still have ativans with me at all times "just in case of a panic attack" but did not have to use them at all. I bought an ebook online-Panic Away-read that (not bad). got some more audiobooks from Thinkrightnow.com and listen to them at night. Try to get proper sleep and nutrition and a good multivitamin every day and say my prayers. I'm not saying that I beat my problem forever but I don't want to be on meds unless I have to. And if I do go back, it will not be to Cymbalta. It did more harm than good as far as I am concerned.   (Fri Jan 4 21:05 2008)

I've had a long, hard road with Cymbalta. Was up to 90MGs a day, my doctor thought it would be best, my therapist balked at the dose, but conceded, since I seemed better.

Then the unbearable muscle cramps started. Has anyone else experienced this?? Charley horse-like cramps all through my body at all times of the day, from my calves, then progressing to my hamstrings, my shins, my toes, my thighs (the inner thigh cramping was the worst- only time I'd ever vomited from pain) my surgery site (3 years out from from Gastric Bypass Surgery) to my entire abdominal wall. When my left hand (I'm a lefty and an artist) cramped one morning as I was trying to put on my makeup, I truly panicked. In the midst of all of this my marriage was being put under the most incredible strain, both from my actions and my husbands reactions... but one thing was for certain... Cymbalta was at the heart of this. I'd never felt this way... EVER... or was so self-destructive... EVER... in the 12 years I'd been on antidepressants.

Of course, Christmastime is the WORST time of the year to try it, but we decided to taper me from 90MG (60 in the AM, 30 at night) to 60... the cramps all but disappeared within a week. After about a week, they came back with the same feriocity but less frequency, prompting us to taper me from 60 to 30MG, only in the AM. A few days of relief, and then the cramps were back again. I should mention that I'd started to feel more like the self I'd been long before the surgery, the Cymbalta, the self-destruction had started. It was (is?) hard to put into words for my logical husband, who through all of our stressors has a hard time believing anything I say anymore in earnest. We're working on that. It's a long road but we're working on it.

At this point we got to the end of my prescription, and made the decision to not refill. My husband works at a hospital and ran into my doctor on New Year's Eve in the ER, and (after apologizing all over the place) told him the gist of what we'd done. My doc was baffled, remorseful, and told us we were doing the right thing.

No cramps anymore for the last 3 days, but the headswims, the "shifting vision" (that's what I'd been calling it... you guys have great descriptors) and shifts between lethargy, emotion (I bawled through the first hour of the Rose Parade, thank God nobody but my basset hound was awake to witness it!! ;) anger, bursts of energy, hopefulness, hopelessness, anxiety... plus the headaches, lack of appetite, nausea and the horrible horrible dreams... I had NO idea that was part of the withdrawal!! I've had some of the worst nightmares of my life... like I'm living in a horror flick... only to wake up and realize that I'm NOT living it, but I have to sleep and go back to it... oh God.

SO... there's my story. Here's the good news.

1. I found this site.
2. I can SHARE this site.
3. I have a supportive family, a spouse that despite our mutual hurt loves me and wants to help.
4. I have an amazing doctor whom I KNOW has listened. If he prescribes Cymbalta ever again, you can bet that he'll take my experience into account. And, of course, I'm giving him this forum address to read.
5. My therapist is equally amazing, and I know he can help me through the rest of this. Again, the forum address is already in an email to him.

THIS is the problem I have with Cymbalta. I have an amazing doctor. If you don't have My Doctor... then man, you need to find one. Email me sometime and I'll give you the lowdown on what makes him so fantastic. For a quick bit of advice, if your entire family of four sees this guy, and they're a sarcastic and blunt as we are... and he looks forward to SEEING you, well then heck. You've got someone.

But back to my rant...

I HAVE AN AMAZING DOCTOR WHO IS NOT WELL INFORMED ON THIS. THIS IS A CRIME. Doctors like mine should NOT be baffled by experiences like mine. They should have this information at their fingertips, not (as he's said, regretfully) leave it to his PATIENT (me) to sift through Lily's AWFUL notes on placebos and side effects, and finally find after 26 PAGES into the notes a small blurb of "Adverse Reactions," where MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN, MUSCULOSKELETAL SPASMS are listed. What DOCTOR has the time to search for the right term for what I was explaining, let alone a patient, who hasn't a clue?

Ugh.

As for what I'm doing, I'm reading, researching, learning. Keeping busy.

Thanks for reading my rant, if you've stuck with me so far. I hope to add more HELPFUL information as I get through this. Long story short, kids...

I know what you're going through. And I'm SO glad I'm not alone. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and giving me a chance to share mine.

   (Wed Jan 2 12:02 2008)

i have been on cymbalta all the way up to 120mg for several years.. but have always still had anxiety and lethargy. there has been a lot of research done with vitamin b-12 and DHEA and low level effects on depression and anxiety. long story short, i had blood test done.. and i was very very low of both. i since take a b-12 shot once a week and 5mg of dhea daily and it has made a incredible difference of my issues.. do some research on it.. and get a blood test.   (Wed Dec 12 13:02 2007)

I was on 120mg for about 5 months and then tapered off. The only side effect was being dizzy sometimes. However, the pain from my pelvic floor injury increased, my doc said Cymbalta sometimes helps relieve pain. So I went back on and feel much better, the pain decreased and the only symptom I have is terrible constipation. Any remedy for that other than constant laxatives?    (Thu Nov 29 9:54 2007)

ok...i also thank you hebba for your great advice. I stopped skipping days...instead cut my dosage to just approx 30 mg/day (have a lot of 60's left so basically figured what half would be and went with it. Felt MUCH BETTER. that flu-like stuff stinks. Thank God I have ativans for panic attacks. Even if I have them with me in my purse and never take them but once a week or so I feel better knowing they are there if I need them. Next on the list: exercise!!    (Tue Nov 27 23:10 2007)

Thanks so much hebba for responding to my question, I'm on Symbyax now and I quite the Cymbalta in July, felt like total crap, for 3 months, I think I'll give this program a try, cause I'm so tired of medication, I want to feel again, so maybe this will work, thank you!!! And if anyone has anymore stories about the Road Back Program please add a note, I would really like to hear them, thanks so much!!   (Tue Nov 27 13:37 2007)

Yes, I sort of did the program....being that it takes a while for the supplements to get shipped to you, I improvised. I bought my own Omega-3 and chose one that was the highest in the EPA, since that is what the program is looking for. I also had laready tapered of and were in midst of the withdrawal so I did not do the PRE taper. I started with the pre-taper instructions though. I made sure I took every day a multi vitamin pack.....the ones that include B vitamins, vitamin E, and others...then I would take the omega 3 as instructed........all i bought was the power barley and protein enzyme........Now, Im not sure what helped....and when, ecause i started the power barley and protein AFTER i was feeling better. BUT I know that if I miss it in a day, I can definitely feel the difference..the thing is...all those supplements are GREAT things for your body, so it cant hurt, but only help. exercise is ESSENTIAL....as it naturally produces seratonin.....but basically the omega 3, multi vitamins with vitamin E, power barley and protein, along with exercise and some XANAX..........helped...but Im not sure anyhting really haels that 1st week its out of your body.....at least nothing but some meds to kowck you out!!!   (Tue Nov 27 11:59 2007)

Has anyone ever heard about The Road back program, does it really work???

http://www.theroadback.org/   (Mon Nov 26 13:24 2007)

A few things I have learned over the course of withdrawing.....I am 100% now, and to be honest it took a good 3 weeks.......

1...NEVER taper by skipping days EVER, you will basically be starting the withdrawals over again each new skipped day

2....There is NO way to taper off without any symptoms, so you need the attitude off, Im off it, im going to suck it up and it WILL get better.

3...Dramamine stopped working for me as did the Benadryl. The way I tapered

60mg.....changed to 30 mg for 3 weeks EVERY DAY....then Id open the capsules and take half out and take about 15mg a day for 1 week....then STOP

When you stop is when you will slowly feel AWFUL......it is crippling.....but it DOES get better I SWEAR...I swore it would not.

The first week off of it was HELL...the dizziness was 24hrs a day. After a week, each day gets better........

I finally found a GREAT dr....she said I had 2 options to feel better...take a small does of cymbalta...HELL NOOOOOOOOO, or the second.......I took Xanax. 25mg when I woke up took the edge off the dizziness....and I would take another in the afternoon, and on more at bed......sometimes 2 at bed to help knock me out to avoid the awful nightmares.......
After a week, I found I was taking the morning Xanax later and later each day...........Then Id skip the morning and only take it afternoon and night...Now, 1 month later almost, I am taking one pill a day.......and my dizziness even when I dont take it is gone, its more of a TINY headache.....;...Once you get past the AWFUL first week OFF the meds completely it gets better each day.......

I also followed (sort of) the road back program.....I take

multivitamin pack
Vitamin E
Omega 3 (high EPA one)
Protein Enzyme
Power Barley

they can be found at DNAsolutions website

I am a NEW person off my meds........I am sooooooooooooo happy, energetic, sex drive is back....the only hard part is losing the weight...OH and EXERCISE...even through the awful first week I FORCED myself to run on the treadmill......and I have to say as awful as I felt that entire time running, my dizziness disappeared....your body during exercise naturally produces seratonin....

Any other questions????????   (Wed Nov 21 9:58 2007)

Yep I am having it too! I just want to stop taking the med. Was put on cymbalta for anxiety...along with ativan 1 mg that I use very sparingly for situational anxiety attacks. My hubby and I want to try to have a baby and I feel strongly about being off all meds. I was taking 60 mg per day up until a few months ago when I was having a very anxious time (I def get some seasonal flare ups in the fall/winter). My PA recommended upping to 120mg/day. I did that for a few months and then just a few weeks ago decided to start tapering down. I just didn't feel right taking that much. No sex drive, starting to get a spare tire, just felt wrong. So I went back to 60 mg/day and was def nauseous at night and felt foggy, tired all day (but wide awake when time to actually go to bed)...got to feel pretty normal again...then this weekend I decided to try cutting back to 60 mg. every other day (I have a lot of 60s left and didn't want to fill another rx for 30s). I take the pill after dinner, and the first day after I skipped my pill I felt horrible. After I would eat I would have to lie down for an hour bc of the nausea. I actually took a pregnancy test thinking maybe I was pregnant (morning sickness maybe?) wasn't pregnant. felt brain jolts, mild buzzes in my body, joints ached, run over by a truck. Took pill that night. Next day=normal. The day after second skipped pill: same as the first except a tad bit better. Hopefully it will get better over time. I keep forgetting to try dramamine. It is a doozy as far as withdrawal and what I'm especially irritated about is that I was on 120 which is apparently ridiculously high. I also bought a HAPPY LIGHT-full spectrum light therapy lamp that hopefully will help supplement my tapering. I want to exercise but just going through every day motions at this point is a miracle in itself. Have a very busy job and long commute. High stress and I don't necessarily want the anxiety back (I am a health professional myself and having panic attacks in front of my patients=totally embarrassing, hence the ativan) but hopefully there is something better out there for me. thanks for all the posts. It is nice to know I am not alone.    (Tue Nov 20 21:41 2007)

I never thought id be saying this...BUT with A LOT of calling doctors, demanding, a trip to the ER...the diziness FINALLY subsided...not 100% but its bearable. I stopped the Dramamine and benedryl, as i think they added to the dizziness.....I started on Xanax....a half a 25mg tab in morning and one at night....and it has worked wonderfully........I will sometimes have a dizzy episode after I eat, but other than that, I feel soooooooooo much better....I am continuing with the omega 3, protein formula, power barley, and vitamins, as they can only help also. The best feeling is knowing the meds are out of me, and I can now work onl LOSING the 30 pounds I gained!   (Mon Nov 12 8:34 2007)

I too have had lots of trouble getting off Cymbalta. I have been on it only 5 months for (plug your ears men)PMS, very bad PMS. I've gained 18 pounds and other than that, I felt very good while on it. I couldn't tell any difference in the time of the month, while before I started Cymbalta, I would have major depression for about one week out of the month. But due to the continueous weight gain, I went to my family physician to let her help me taper off. I was on 60mg, which she said she didn't see why my OB/GYN put me on such a high dose for what I needed it for. I took a 60mg/30mg rotating every other day for a week. Then I went to 30mg every other day. Which, when I did that it was like someone beat me in the head...literally. All I wanted to do was sleep, my eyes couldn't focus, I would look at something and it would take about 3 seconds for it to stop moving. If I moved very fast, it was all I could do to stay standing, it felt as though I was continously drunk. I had several very close calls in my vehicle. My memory was also very bad. I couldn't remember anyone's names, even my kids. I would say something to my husband and two minutes later, I was telling him the same exact thing and argueing him down that I hadn't already told him. He was telling me that I needed to get back on the medication and deal with the weight gain, because he was really worried about me functioning especially with my 7 and 3 year olds. I would have to write lists and tape them to my cabinets and door just to be able to do things. I would have to write to remember to go get my daughter from school at 2:30 and to put the laundry in the dryer after the washer cut off. My husband, being a smart @$$, wrote with a black marker, in large print, on my notes, "REMEMBER TO LOOK AT YOUR NOTES!!". Yes, it was that bad. I'm three weeks off now, completely off, and my vision is still not back to normal, it takes a second or so for things to come into focus and it feels like my eyes are straining very bad and I've never had any vision trouble (I'm 31). I still can't carry on a good conversation because I can't think of the words to say and I'm still having trouble with people's names. I hope I get back to normal very soon because I can't stand feeling like I do. A good thing though is that my appatite has decreased, no weight loss yet though. My doctor gave me a prescription for a different medication, but I'm going without. My husband and I decided that we would just monitor my PMS very closely and he would let me know when I was getting to be to much of a @#$*%. I would think and research this medication very closely before starting it. This is my third antidepressant I've been on for my symptoms and this is the only one that had any withdrawal effects on me. The withdrawal symptoms were very scary and still are. Please excuse any misspelled words and punctuation, if you knew how hard it was and how long it took me just to type this short note in you would be dumbfounded. Good Luck!!!!! (Sat Nov 10 11:51 2007)   (Sat Nov 10 16:43 2007)

Is this for real? Been on Cymbalta 60 Mg for a little over a year....didnt even need it, but during a situational depression you are DESPERATE to feel better and I had NO clue what this drug would do....the withdrawal symptoms and the bizzare feeling while your on it.

While on it: SWEATY SWEATY SWEATY, NO sex drive, dizzy, eyesite not 100%, Tired 24/7, gained 25 pounds...Im 5'6 started cymbalta weighing 113 now weigh 143!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait, thats 30 LBS...AWESOME!! I eat healthy, exercise, and still look like a added a tire around my belly.......

When I Stop cold turkey, literally by that 1st night.......Shakey, Headache, Crying, Anger, Depression, Anxiety...PANIC....2nd day, MIGRAINE.....sense of Hoplessness......So, on my own I decided to taper off until I met with MD to give me exact directions...I cut from 60 to 30mg for past 3 weeks....Been okay, just a little weird feeling in my head....as if I move my head and it takes my site a few to catch up....other than that, not bad. So I went to Psych yesterday and he DENIED any withdrawal symptoms....said there are none...I told him he needs to research withdrawal for Cymbalta, he also told me he didnt know how I should wean off it....needless tos ay I got a prescription for 20mg lowest dose they have.....and I put a call in to the head of the practice to try to get a real tapering instruction, or to at least voice my DISGUST! So needless to say I am TERRIFIED to let go of the 20mg when i start that in fear of feeling what all talks about....brain zaps, etc........I dont know if I take the 20 mg for a month and then every other day, and then every 3 days if that will help? Is ther ANYONE who tapered SUCCESSFULLY????????????? And how long till My nice belly comes back?????    (Tue Oct 30 9:28 2007)

I've been on Cymbalta for about a year along with Wellburtin XL. I had no idea it was the Cymbalta giving me this 'I don't care about anything' attitude. That is the opposite of who I am. I have no energy to do ANYTHING and really don't give a damn about anyone or anything which scares me ALOT. I'm starting my taper off Cymbalta tommorrow. Has anyone tapered onto a drug while tapering off Cymbalta? If so, what drug? I would also like to know if anyone else has joined the 'leave me the hell alone club while on Cymbalta, and does that feeling ever go away once you're off it? I can't keep living like this!

Thanks -- hang in there!!!!   (Fri Oct 26 1:31 2007)

Does anyone else feel that they're back to square one after coming off Cymbalta?

I finally stopped taking it about 4 weeks ago after a gradually tapering off over the last 5-6 months from 60mg. I was on the full dose for 9 months or so.

I'd been feeling generally better though never felt this was much due to the Cymbalta, more CBT I'd done, and some improvements in personal circumstances and time off from work due to a broken ankle allowing me to relax. I'd also tried Citalopram for a few months previously to little effect (though what should they be doing?)

Plus the sexual dysfunction really freaked me out, especially as a lot of my depression was due to relationship issues.

Each time I tapered off I'd feel anxious a pretty depressed for a few days, then fine (in fact, good about my achievement) then a couple of weeks down the line would have a nasty crash - this would be feeling depressed and briefly suicidal. I've been Ok with the physical side of things.

After stopping the meds completely i felt great for the first time in ages but I'm so so disappointed because I've really crashed badly...

The crash now, four weeks after stopping is horrendous - it's really scaring me: -suicidal impulses, no way out, horrible darkness, hopelessness, back at square one, huge rage..

I can cope if I know it will end but I'm really starting to believe this isn't a withdrawl symptom like when I reduced but a new permanent state of mind. I'm no better off then when I started and not sure how much more I can take....especially as the dark nights are here (A real SAD sufferer..)

My doctor has suggested mitrazapine and a friend 5HTP but:

- anti-depressants make me feel worse before they kick in, I'm not sure I could cope..

- its Russian Roulette with these bastards, I've had friends who've totally freaked with some meds but not others, a gamble could push me over the edge..

- do I want to have to go through this withdrawl again down the line? i know I shouldn't worry about that as I may be stronger/more well then, but.. I thought I was stronger/more well now...

- should I stick it out and try and let the underlying pain, anger and nastiness out or is it too much at the moment?

I'm so so angry that this drug has done very little for me but now I want to come off it's making my brain want to kill me..and so scared that I still feel like this - I really thought I was through it...   (Wed Oct 24 16:24 2007)

I have read with interest the many posts on Cymbalta below and feel the need to respond.

First of all, I genuinely feel for anyone who suffers from any sort of depression. As a sufferer of anxiety and panic disorder myself, I know how difficult it is to live with.

I would like to bring to your attention a medication that neither you nor your doctor may have considered before. It is almost exclusively prescribed by psychiatrists as it is not considered part of the "first line arsenal" of anti-depressants.

A class of drugs often prescribed by doctors for depression are known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Serotonin is thought to be responsible for the “feel good factor” and in stabilizing mood, emotional response and sleep (amongst other things). These drugs act by binding to serotonin receptor sites, preventing its reuptake and therefore resulting in higher levels of serotonin remaining “active” in the brain.

However, although it is understood what SSRIs do and how they do it, nobody knows exactly “why” they work (or in some cases don’t) nor why they work for some people and not others. This leaves everything down to trial and error. Not only that, SSRIs come with a very disturbing side-effect profile, especially for those who wish to discontinue use.

I don’t know why your doctor prescribed Cymbalta for you individually, but perhaps it is because you had tried SSRIs without success. The difference is that Cymbalta is not an SSRI. It is a SNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). It binds equally to norepinephrine receptors in the brain as it does serotonin receptors. Norepinephrine has in the last 3 years been the focus of many studies on depression, especially anxiety, panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It is possible that some people do not respond to SSRIs because they do not have serotonin-related issues but a deficiency of norepinephrine instead (or as well as). This notion is only just becoming recognized by the medical fraternity and many (perhaps most) PCPs are still very much in the dark about norepinephrine and its role in depression.

So, if you have been unresponsive to SSRI treatment but responsive to Cymbalta (despite any adverse side effects) it is very plausible that norepinephrine is at least in some part responsible for your depression. If this is the case, and you have stopped (or intend to stop) taking Cymbalta, there are other options available to you.

An alternative medication to consider is Mirtazapine. Mirtazapine is neither an SSRI nor an SNRI. It is an antidepressant known as a NaSSA (norepinephrine and specific serotonergic antidepressant) and is the only medication of its kind approved by the FDA. Because of it’s unique chemical profile, it has virtually no serotonin-related side effects. Off label investigations evidence the fact that Mirtazapine is a very effective treatment for severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

When my psychiatrist prescribed Mirtazapine for me, my life changed for the better. I had to break through some early tolerance issues (they made me very drowsy within 30 minutes of taking my dose and also left me feeling very sluggish the following morning) but I persevered and within a week or so, I had an incredible and comforting feeling of calmness. Unlike SSRIs (and Cymbalta), I did not feel that I was living in a parallel dimension but very much felt myself. Mirtazapine offered me the ability to believe that I could be the master of my anxiety rather than it being a master of me.

Mirtazapine does have a side effect profile including drowsiness and weight gain but these can often be managed (through taking the medication at night and engaging in exercise) and they also tend to reduce over time. Also, if insomnia affects you as part of your condition, the side effect of drowsiness could actually be a benefit to you.

Please also note that dosage is important. 7.5mg – 15mg will primarily depress the histamine system, causing drowsiness much like some allergy medications. At 30mg, however, the effect is less sedatory and primarily effects the active levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. My opinion that many doctors will not be aware of dosage importance may be a sweeping assumption but I believe it to be true nonetheless.

Having had my own nightmare with Cymbalta, together with limited benefit from other medications, I believed that I was destined for a life of anxiety, panic and tranquilizers. Together with other forms of treatment (meditation, regular exercise and prayer) I can’t begin to tell you the difference I feel after taking Mirtazapine.

Further information on Mirtazapine can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirtazapine.

My thoughts, prayers and hope of recovery are with you all. Good luck.

Picto
   (Tue Oct 9 11:24 2007)

Apologies for the earlier post which came out incomplete due to the restrictions in the number of characters. I have edited my post and reposted it above.
Picto   (Tue Oct 9 11:11 2007)

Hi
DISCLAIMER: This post in no way constitutes any sort of advice nor is it intended to be used in place of professional medical guidance.
I have read with interest the many posts on Cymbalta below and feel the need to respond. Please bear with me throughout this post as I believe my guidance may be of benefit to many of you.
First of all, I genuinely feel for anyone who suffers from any sort of depression. As a sufferer of anxiety and panic disorder myself, I know how difficult it is to live with.
I would like to bring to your attention a medication that neither you nor your doctor may have considered before. It is almost exclusively prescribed by psychiatrists as it is not considered part of the "first line arsenal" of anti-depressants. Why this is the case confuses me, my psychiatrist and my doctor and constitutes the reason I wanted to make this post.
A class of drugs often prescribed by doctors for depression are known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and include Paxil, Prozac and other medications. Serotonin is thought to responsible for the “feel good factor” and in stabilizing mood, emotional response and sleep (amongst other things). These drugs act by binding to serotonin receptor sites, preventing its reuptake and therefore resulting in higher levels of serotonin remaining “active” in the brain.
However, although it is understood what SSRIs do and how they do it, nobody knows exactly “why” they work (or in some cases don’t) nor why they work for some people and not others. This leaves everything down to trial and error. Not only that, SSRIs come with a very disturbing side-effect profile, especially for those who wish to discontinue use. Side effects often include weight gain or bloating, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction, particularly in men. Withdrawal effects can be very difficult (sometimes impossible to tolerate even though most are self-limiting) and now have a medical term, “SSRI discontinuation syndrome” to describe them.
I don’t know why your doctor prescribed Cymbalta for you individually, but perhaps it is because you had tried SSRIs without success. The difference is that Cymbalta is not an SSRI (although it is often mistaken as, or considered the same). It is a SNRI (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). It binds equally to norepinephrine receptors in the brain as it does serotonin receptors. Norepinephrine has more recently (in the last 3 years) been the focus of many studies on depression, especially anxiety, panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It is possible that some people do not respond to SSRIs because they do not have serotonin-related issues but a deficiency of norepinephrine instead (or as well as). This notion is only just becoming recognized by the medical fraternity and many (perhaps most) PCPs are still very much in the dark about norepinephrine and its role in depression.
So, if you have been unresponsive to SSRI treatment but responsive to Cymbalta (despite any adverse side effects) it is very plausible that norepinephrine is at least in some part responsible for your depression (or allied conditions). If this is the case, and you have stopped (or intend to stop) taking Cymbalta, there are other SNRI medications you can ask your doctor about, including Effexor, although the list is very limited.
An alternative medication to consider is Mirtazapine. Mirtazapine is neither an SSRI nor an SNRI but it does have an effect on serotonin and norepinephrine. It is a tricyclic antidepressant known as a NaSSA (norepinephrine and specific serotonergic antidepressant) and is the only medication of its kind approved by the FDA. Because of it’s unique chemical profile, it has virtually no serotonin-related side effects (such as sexual dysfunction and central nervous system-related side effects). Off label investigations evidence the fact that Mirtazapine is a very effective treatment for severe depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
I have tried what feels like an endless list of SSRIs and other medications (tranquilizers and beta-blockers) and although many have helped, none have fully alleviated my anxiety and panic and all the SSRIs I have tried have had side effects that I have found difficult in dealing with (particularly weight gain and sexual dysfunction).
However, when my psychiatrist prescribed Mirtazapine for me, my life changed for the better. I had to break through some early tolerance issues (they made me very drowsy within 30 minutes of taking my dose and also left me feeling very sluggish the following morning) but I persevered and within a week or so, I had an incredible and comforting feeling of calmness. Unlike SSRIs (and Cymbalta), I did not feel that I was living in a fog or some parallel dimension but very much felt myself. Mirtazapine offered me the calmness of Xanax and the ability to believe in myself that I co   (Tue Oct 9 10:54 2007)

I was on cymbalta for 6 mo. for fibomyalgia My doctor told me I could quit cold turkey with no withdrawl symtoms.(He Lied) When I first started taking them they did make me feel better but in the last mounth of taking them I started getting really depressed. I quit hanging out with friends and stoped shopping(my favorite thing to do)all I wanted is to sit at home ALONE! I stopped the cymbalta. Day one was great but by the end of the week I was so dizzy I could hardly walk I was getting awful pains in my head, pains I cant really discribe and then came the migrains every day 24/7 by this time I was living in my bed in the dark could not even open the curtians I couldnt even talk on my phone I was cut of from the outside world. I was having terrible dreams, I was getting very anoyed and even mad at times over the littlest things. Sometimes I just wanted to die and somtimes I thought I was dying! A couple days ago I woke up with the worst pain and worst feeling ever, This was 3 weeks after stopping the drug. I just wanted to run of a cliff somewhere , so I told my husband I needed to see the doctor right away but ofcourse he couldnt see me that day. I went to the ER I told them how I was feeling and they looked at me like I was lying The doctor said, Well I have never herd of any withdrawl symptoms from cymbalta!! He gave me pain killers and sent me on my way. Two days later I am still in pain im still dizzy I still feel like crap!! I dont know what to do, It's killing me setting here typing this so im going to go lay down now. There has got to be somting that helps!!! What is the longest these withdrawal symptoms have lasted for anyone, when will it get better??? The doctors don't know crap about it and think its crazy that there are withdrawal sypmtoms.    (Sat Oct 6 16:39 2007)

Everything posted has been very helpful! I have been on Cymbalta for about 1 year and am starting to wein off it now. I have gained 20 lbs but my anxiety has gotten better. I am weining ( i dont know if thats how you spell it!) off slowly... my doctor has me taking 30mg for 3 weeks and then taking 1 30mg pill everyother day for 2-3 weeks and so far ive been graet

For everyone who has successfully gotten off Cymbalta, was it easier to lose weight? did most of it come off? Thanks for all teh input!   (Thu Oct 4 18:01 2007)

I'm glad I found this site. I have been on Cymbalta for a little over 1 yr. I have brain fog, no energy, no desire for anything, put on 35lbs and can't get it off and in a second marriage for 3yrs and no sex drive. I have no feelings or emotions, it's like my buttons do not work. I guess the way it helps depression is you do not think about it because of all the other crap you have to deal with. This summer I wanted the doctor to take me off of it. He told me it wouldn't be a good idea right now, so I decided I needed to learn to live like this. I thought he knew what was best. After reading all this, I decided no more. I've taken my last pill. I am going on a cruise in 10 days and have really started to exercise and drink tons of water. I feel like I'm on the right path and I know I'll have bad days and since I'll be taking Bonine on the cruise, I might as well start now. I want to have my sex drive back and to enjoy myself. I want to feel normal again, be able to get excited about things. I'm going to do this.   (Thu Oct 4 14:52 2007)

i noticed one other person on here has had numbness in left thigh. I have been on cymbalta for several years, and the last 6 months on occasion cannot even feel my left thigh between my hip and my knee. Has anyone else had this happen???   (Wed Oct 3 8:43 2007)

i started having severe panic attacks with agoraphobia when i was 19 years old, i am now 40. 2 years ago i had depression so bad that i had not left my house or bathed in 3 weeks. this is very unlike my regular obsessive complusive handwashing self, if you know what i mean. i reluctantly went to a nurse practitioner in my local small town because i knew i needed an antidepressant. i had taken several different antidepressants in the past with only prozac helping. i quit the prozac due to bad side effects. within 2 weeks of taking cymbalta i was myself again. outgoing, happy and my anxiety attacks were much relieved. if felt like my prayers were answered but the nightmare had just begun. after going from 195 to 245 and experiencing severe and i do mean severe mood swings with anger after 2 years of cymbalta therapy, i started wandering if my "wonderful" cymbalta was making me gain weight since i had dieted and exercized and was having no luck loosing the weight. i am a registered nurse and have been for 13 years and new i needed to loose the weight for health reasons. reluctant of what i would find i googled cymbalta today after quitting cold tukey last friday due to bad side effects that i was afraid was due to the cymbalta after speaking with a high school friend last week that had taken cymblata for only 2 months and had horrible side effects like mine, extreme mood swings, excessive sweating, dizziness, blurred vision and weight gain etc.. i am horrified of all the remarks i have read. all the things that i have been experiencing, night sweats, mood swings from hell,dizziness,horrible nightmares, blurred vision and feeling like my brain is just floating in my skull, i broke down and took my regular 60mg dose this am and approx. 4 hours later was somewhat relieved. i strongly feel that anyone that begins cymbalta should be aware of the horrible and i do mean horrible withdrawl symptoms. i do plan on quitting by weaning but no cold turkey for me. i'll pray for everyone and please pray for me.

(Mon Oct 1 18:27 2007)
   (Mon Oct 1 19:14 2007)

After reading the many withdrawal symptons listed here I feel pretty lucky only to have experienced brain zaps for about 3 weeks and serious constipation. I told my doctor of 30 years about these side effects and withdrawal effects and he said he had never heard of them nor received any complaints from any of his other patients. I was floored that he was seemingly unaware of this. So he'll just keep prescribing it and he's a fine doctor that I trust.    (Wed Sep 26 17:43 2007)

I am pretty passionate when it comes to spreading the word of Cymbalta withdrawal.

I personally experienced Cymbalta withdrawal after tapering down according to my physician's recommendations.

I was not informed that I would experience any of the symptoms that I did and didn't find out it was connected to the Cymbalta until after googling Cymbalta Withdrawal and realizing others were going through the same thing.

On my site http://whatwinnersdo.com I started a post about Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms sucking and was astonished at the response. I have since gone on to start an online petition to Eli Lilly demanding they make the potential cymbalta withdrawal symptoms public knowledge and I have also filed a formal complain with the FDA. All of the info on how to do either of these things is on my site http:///www.whatwinnersdo.com

It is obvious that I am through the withdrawal or I would not have been able to complete any of the things that I just listed above. Good luck to anyone out there who is going through this, my thoughts are with you and you can do it.
Erin   (Wed Sep 26 15:12 2007)

Hi DaniSue.

First of all, I feel for you for whatever reason you decided to take Cymbalta in the first place. Few of us make that decision lightly.

I was intrigued to understand why after 2 years you have decided to go "cold turkey" knowing that this is strongly dis-advised? I had only been on Cymbalta for 5 weeks and my cold turkey has been horrible - I never want to go through anything like this again. It's not something you can just rise above - the symptoms are very physical and emotional.

I would recommend talking to your doctor about a tapering strategy which should lesson your withdrawal symptoms. To your point about exercise, it is your bodies preferred natural source of antidepressent effects. In addition to the cardio-vascular benefits (loweing cholesterol etc) it speeds up your metaobolism, increases your serotonin levels naturally, increases your endorphins (chemically similar to morphine in the body giving a natural high and anti-anxiety effect) and there are study reference materials available to show the efficacy of exercise in the treatment of depression, anxiety and panic. Frankly, it is one of the most effective forms of treatment you can undertake. It may not "cure" you completely, but it will be an arsenal in your defence.

Good luck and God Bless. My thoughts are with you.    (Mon Sep 24 13:40 2007)

Has anyone notice the weight gain? I have been on Cymbolta for over 2 years plus. I have gained 50 lbs, I did not relate it to this drug until I read everyone's comments. Does this weight gain come off? I stoped this medication cold turkey due to the fianical reason I mean 130$ a month hurts the pocket. The side effects such as brain zaps, confussion, headachs, sick to my stomach, cold, hot, crazy dreams, mad, sad, lonley, just sick, kinda like a flu. Oh and dont turn your head to quick youj might fall over. I signed the petition to have this medication removed from the market. Hope it will help.
Stop cold turkey on Friday and today being Monday still feel weak and tired. Low energy. I am going to try to get back on the eplical and 2 mile walk, I have heard exersise helps. Drink your water. I will check back later to see if anyone has any advice. wish me luck.   (Mon Sep 24 8:21 2007)

Anyone scanning the comments of others here will soon notice a trend, particularly in the withdrawal effects as they relate to Cymbalta - "like living in a fog," nausea, apocolyptic dreams, black-outs, dizziness, lethagy, confusion, irritability and brain zaps.

Based on the empirical evidence below it is clear that this is a very powerful drug. I am wondering why the FDA, doctors, pdocs etc aren't making it clear that this drug has the potential to cause very serious side effects and withdrawal effects that are disproportionate to the benefit that it may provide.

Personally, I am going thru "cold turkey" right now from Cymbalta and I am having most if not all of the effects mentioned by others, particularly the acute sudden dizziness, black outs, brain zaps and confusion. It's as though I am looking at my life through someone elses eyes. I don't feel "here" in my own person. The world is passing me by as though I am watching it on one of those low quality videos you get with a video phone - like I am only seeing the world progress at 30 frames a second. My brain seems to be rolling about in my head.

Anyway, I read a post below about taking motion sickness tablets during the "come down" and I'm going to try that. I took Ecstacy for years and never had a come down as bad as I am from Cymbalta (both have a similar affinity for serotonin in the brain) - there's a paradox in there somewhere.

In summary, I would advise anyone considering taking this drug to do so only after exhausting all other possibilities. SSRIs are getting increased negative press of late and the stories here demonstrate why. Seriously consider 5-HTP, St John's Wort (both natural supplements) and plenty of exercise as a real alternative (my anxiety and panic attacks have reduced significantly since I bought a treadmill and started using it daily for 30 mins). If you still need a med, consider Remeron (mirtazipine). It is faily benign and increases your serotonin levels rather than blocking its re-uptake (it is not an SSRI). It too, however, has a side effect profile which is drowziness (so needs to be taken at night) and weight gain. It does not cause sexual dysfunction (which for many people is strong enough a reason to choose it over an SSRI like Cymbalta).   (Sun Sep 23 20:09 2007)

This medication sucks, sorry to be so blunt, however, I stoped taking it three days ago and the side effects are to do for I mean really why is this medication on the market? I felt so sick all day.. I mean sick as a dog. help when will this nightmare end? HELP   (Sun Sep 23 17:43 2007)

After reading several postings, I think my concerns over taking ADs has increased. I'm finally at the point where I feel less depressed but overwhelmed by the side effects; extreme dizziness, nausea, profuse sweating and constipation. Additionally, I go through moments of anxiety to the point where my heart races at about twice normal speed and the MD has Rx'd Xanax for me. For someone who previously hated taking a Tylenol for a headache, I feel like I'm popping pills for every ailment.

How do I get off this wild rollercoaster ride?   (Sun Sep 23 13:32 2007)

Thank you so much for your response!! This is the first time I have posted any comments on line but I felt so desperate at times as to what is going on and being told by doctors it was not the Cymbalta and they didn't know what it is. I too have tingles - they start shortly after I get up and are in my upper back left side. They usually stop by the end of the day. I have been gaining too much weight which I know is the stress eating from not feeling right. I can't wait to feel how I felt before I started the Cymbalta!    (Thu Sep 20 9:16 2007)