Cymbalta is awful.

[pacificpikachu]

Having trouble with the Cymbalta withdrawals. I've actually been in agony and misery more-or-less, but I'm not going to go back to taking it. I've done lots of research and this is the method I decided on. I'm just done with Cymbalta and want it out of my life and body. I've heard Prozac can help with the withdrawal symptoms and doesn't have the same problems as Cymbalta as far as withdrawing goes (and my doctor mentioned this as an option already), so hopefully I can see the doctor tomorrow and get that prescribed to help me through. I'm also doing my best to drink a lot of water, eat well, rest, and try to take care of myself.

I'm having nausea, vertigo, constant stomach pains, mild/moderate "brain zaps," chills and hot flashes, seeing spots, unusual sleep patterns, and generally feeling down emotionally.

I just want to warn you all--Cymbalta withdrawal is serious business. Someone in the FDA even did a presentation about it that is very informative: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/PsychopharmacologicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM172866.pdf

If your doctor wants to prescribe it to you, please do your research first. Getting off of this drug puts people through hell. I know I wasn't warned about this at all. The nurse who prescribed it to me made it sound like it was some miracle drug with virtually no side effects or ill effects in general, and cheerfully gave me free samples.

Anyway, I'm going to be all right, but it'll be a struggle for a while I'm sure. I'm just trying to take things slow and do my best to pull through this.

Comments

[yaoi-queen.livejournal.com]

And this is why I don't like being put on anti-depressants in the first place. It took me around a year to slowly get off Paxil and that was with the guidance of my psychiatrist. I hated it, but it had to be done. Hopefully you can get on Prozac temporarily to help with the withdrawals. You shouldn't have to go through this agony. I'm actually seeing my doc tomorrow, as well, for numerous things, but one is to get a referral to see a decent therapist. I'm under way too much stress and it's been making me ill.

So I know how you feel. I hope you feel better soon, hun. ♥

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's really unfortunate to me that doctors prescribe these medications so lightly and easily, as if it's not a big decision. I think the pharmaceutical industries are part of the problem, too. We're messing with brain chemistry here! It's scary that it can be so difficult to get off of these meds. I was on a dose that didn't even do anything for months, just because weaning off of it is so impossible.

I hope you find a great therapist. I could use one, too. I actually have been to one that I like, but I just never get to setting up an appointment. I should do that. Counseling is helpful!

Thanks for the well wishes!

[yaoi-queen.livejournal.com]

Holy shi-... so basically what you're saying is you're going though hell right now from getting off a medication that didn't really do anything for you in the first place? :O That just makes the process worse. I'm so sorry! D: I've learned that most of the meds they advertise on TV seem to cause the most issues with patients who take them. The side effects seem to be worse than less popular meds that work in the same fashion.

Counseling is very helpful, which is why I reach out to it whenever I feel at my worst. I'm gonna see if I can get into Cognitive Therapy, which is one of the best forms of therapy for people certain disorders, like BDD. I brought it up to my last therapist, but she brushed it off. Not too happy with that, tbh. :/

[pacificpikachu.livejournal.com]

Well, I think it helped me a little for a few months when I was at 60 mg or something (or maybe that was the placebo effect?), but I've been on it for years now with little or no effect that I noticed. I've been on 20 mg, which is essentially considered a non-therapeutic dose, for probably six months at least. The physician's assistant was who originally prescribed it, and I'm annoyed by this because she's not a doctor, and she made it sound like I wasn't going to have any trouble with it at all. I wasn't even officially diagnosed with depression at the time! (I'm still not--I think I do have depression, but I think it's because I have these fatigue problems, and not that the depression is causing the fatigue problems.) Giving out free samples of a drug and just prescribing it so lightly, for a drug that is so difficult to get off of like this, seems so irresponsible to me. I've heard of people who even went on the free sample for a few weeks and then went through months of hell trying to get off of it.

Yeah, the pharmaceutical companies are all kinds of problematic, because as usual, it's all about money, and not about actually helping people. Especially big name ones where they spend all that money on advertising. :/

I've heard good things about cognitive therapy, so I hope you have a great experience with it! It's too bad your last therapist brushed it off. That's not usually a good sign...

[calambmity.livejournal.com]

What I can't believe is that there are still commercials going on about Cymbalta.

I was watching the tele the other day after I read your post and I couldn't believe my eyes. No one wants to tell you the risks of what you're taking. It's hard not feel like the doctors or nurses are not just trying to get you out of the room with a prescription.