NGKUR: Has anyone gone off of Cymbalta?

[Lollipop]

My Dr wants me to wean off of cymbalta, and I'm dying. "Brain zaps", dizziness, irritability, trouble sleeping (on top of my insomnia), bad dreams....
Please tell me there is someone who has made it through this and is feeling normal. DH is feeling terrible and keeps apologizing, even though it's not his fault. And I keep wanting to apologize for being a whiny little bitch.

[Deleted]

Sending you a PM.

[cavewmn]

* lurking * took 3 days for me. I felt like a drug addict going through a cold turkey detox. But I quit all at once and not on purpose. We were trying to switch up my meds. Good luck.

[WVaRN]

NO advice but good luck and I hope it gets easier for you.

[cabgirl]

I haven't been on Cymbalta, but I'm wondering if you could talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask him to lower your dose more gradually. I've gone off other medications, and tapering off more gradually (with smaller steps) usually helped if I was having symptoms.

[Deleted]

I agree with cabgirl, see if it's possible to taper off safely with the help of your prescribing doc.

I have never taken Cymbalta, but I did have a similar experience with Effexor (same class, SNRI)--it was AWFUL. To make a very long story short, I decided it would be better for me to stop cold turkey vs. tapering. Please, please know that I did this with close supervision of my doc.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Take care of yourself. Stay in close communication with your doctor. As awful as you feel, know it WILL pass. Send me a PM if you want to chat more. ((GreatBIGhugs))

ETA: proper grammar

[summerdonna]

I have no advice but I agree with cabgirl also. Hopefully it will pass quickly and you feel better soon.

[brettanomyces]

Apr 13, 2015 7:10:32 GMT -5 cabgirl said:

I haven't been on Cymbalta, but I'm wondering if you could talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask him to lower your dose more gradually. I've gone off other medications, and tapering off more gradually (with smaller steps) usually helped if I was having symptoms.

This. 

Take care hon. I've weaned off drugs before and it's not fun but it does get better. 

[Lollipop]

I have been tapering off. From what I've read, there's really no way to avoid the withdrawal. I'm just hoping it stops soon

[longhornwino0907]

Nothing to add, but wanted to say that I agree with cabgirl. When I switched meds, we tapered down on the old ones and tapered up on the new ones. It made things much easier than when I had to go off Effexor cold turkey (thanks to an allergic reaction, cold turkey was the only way to go). Good luck, I hope things get easier.

[icequeen]

The only way is to push through it. Just lean on whomever you can for support and take time to enjoy the things you know you like to do. It may be different every day, but just do what works for you. I agree with more gradual tapering. If you are going to your psych soon, maybe inquire about any other medications that can help with the withdrawal symptoms.