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Suggest Treatment For Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms
Question: I am seeking help with discontinuing Cymbalta. Have been off cold turkey for 40 days and withdrawal symptoms - rather mild but nonetheless HORRIBLE - just started two days ago. I read one article by an M.D. which said she switched her patient to Prozac and antihistamines, but that she honestly had no idea if that plan would work. I am seeking information about how long my mild symptoms might continue and if I dare just struggle through them. I would certainly prefer a physician familiar with Cymbalta withdrawal - if there is such a person! Thank you very much!
Brief Answer:
Withdrawal symptoms appear within 3 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood that you were taking cymbalta for so many years and then suddenly you stopped the drugs before 40 days and you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms for last 2 days. So, this is something unusual because the withdrawal symptoms should have started within 24 hours of a missed dose. There is no possibility that withdrawal symptoms appear after 38 days of stopping the drugs. Cymbalta has a half life in our body for 7 to 12 hours, so when you stop taking the drug, it is out from your system within 24 hours and withdrawal will start in next 24 hours. So, I can't understand this presentation.
Your symptoms may be because of the anxiety symptoms or depression for which you have been taking cymbalta.
Withdrawal of cymbalta will take time to subside, usually 10 to 15 days.
Answer the following questions:
1. explain the symptoms you are facing for last 2 days.
2. For which symptoms you were taking cymbalta before going cold turkey?
3. Do you have hypertension, Diabetes or thyroid problems?
4. Are you taking any other drugs?
5. Do you have recent stress in your life?
I am waiting for your reply. Wish you good health.
Withdrawal symptoms appear within 3 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood that you were taking cymbalta for so many years and then suddenly you stopped the drugs before 40 days and you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms for last 2 days. So, this is something unusual because the withdrawal symptoms should have started within 24 hours of a missed dose. There is no possibility that withdrawal symptoms appear after 38 days of stopping the drugs. Cymbalta has a half life in our body for 7 to 12 hours, so when you stop taking the drug, it is out from your system within 24 hours and withdrawal will start in next 24 hours. So, I can't understand this presentation.
Your symptoms may be because of the anxiety symptoms or depression for which you have been taking cymbalta.
Withdrawal of cymbalta will take time to subside, usually 10 to 15 days.
Answer the following questions:
1. explain the symptoms you are facing for last 2 days.
2. For which symptoms you were taking cymbalta before going cold turkey?
3. Do you have hypertension, Diabetes or thyroid problems?
4. Are you taking any other drugs?
5. Do you have recent stress in your life?
I am waiting for your reply. Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
As a correction, I had been taking Cymbalta for only 40 days, not for many years! Now to your questions, Dr. XXXXXXX I was taking Cymbalta as a pain medication for arthritis, which my general physician had found to be occasionally helpful. (It was for me!) I have mild hypothyroid disease, completely alleviated by 25 mg of Synthroid every other day and 50 on the other days of the week. I take Wellbutrin - 100 mg twice a day, Klonopin .5 mg twice a day, and Imitrex for my very occasional migraines. Plus Vitamin D, of course, and a few other supplements such as cranberry pills for my occasional UTI and Vitamin C. To your last and most significant question, probably, I am in the middle of VERY MUCH STRESS in my life. It had not occurred to me that my symptoms of "spinny" head when I turn my eyes, painful emotions with the move from my beautiful home after my husband died a few months ago and I needed to downsize, frequent crying spells for no apparent reason, mentally and physically distressed from trying to help a disabled son who has a horrible back problem for which surgery is not an option and which has caused him to be almost completely crippled, and a VERY hurtful relationship with my other son who suffers from anger issues - primarily directed toward ME! Oh my God! This is the first time I have ever written down or even completely FACED my dreadfully stressed mental condition! I REALLY need a psychiatrist, don't I? And TONS of Valium, which I happen to feel is the best medication on the market if taken correctly! (I worked in the medical field for many years but do not profess to be an authority!) Please help me!
Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX who thinks YOU might be the only physician who EVER helped me face my anxiety and probable panic because of the conditions in my life!
Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX who thinks YOU might be the only physician who EVER helped me face my anxiety and probable panic because of the conditions in my life!
Brief Answer:
There is no need to discontinue cymbalta
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I understand your emotions and feelings. Life is full of problems and at your age, it will be very difficult for you to face them alone.
These stress and anxiety is also causing problems for you. You must be feeling sad nowadays. So, I feel there is no need to discontinue cymbalta because it is a antidepressant drug which will also help in your anxiety and other problems.
I feel that discontinuation of cymbalta is not causing any problem but it is your psychological stress and anxiety that is causing so many symptoms and you can not understand what it is. Cymbalta can be continued and that is also in higher dosage like 60 to 120 mg in a day. I insist that you should visit a psychiatrist and talk with him in person. Ask him to give drugs that suits best to you. Psychotherapy will also help. Do not make changes in drugs without permission of your psychiatrist.
Vallium is not a solution for your problems. It is a benzodiazepine and you are already taking klonopin 0.5 mg. So, I must insist here that you should not take any drugs on your own. Benzos have high abuse and addiction potential. It may make your life more worse. Withdrawal from benzos is very severe and horrible experience.
Proper counselling with drugs will help you a lot. Psychiatrist knows better than physicians. So do not visit a GP.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further clarifications then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
There is no need to discontinue cymbalta
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
I understand your emotions and feelings. Life is full of problems and at your age, it will be very difficult for you to face them alone.
These stress and anxiety is also causing problems for you. You must be feeling sad nowadays. So, I feel there is no need to discontinue cymbalta because it is a antidepressant drug which will also help in your anxiety and other problems.
I feel that discontinuation of cymbalta is not causing any problem but it is your psychological stress and anxiety that is causing so many symptoms and you can not understand what it is. Cymbalta can be continued and that is also in higher dosage like 60 to 120 mg in a day. I insist that you should visit a psychiatrist and talk with him in person. Ask him to give drugs that suits best to you. Psychotherapy will also help. Do not make changes in drugs without permission of your psychiatrist.
Vallium is not a solution for your problems. It is a benzodiazepine and you are already taking klonopin 0.5 mg. So, I must insist here that you should not take any drugs on your own. Benzos have high abuse and addiction potential. It may make your life more worse. Withdrawal from benzos is very severe and horrible experience.
Proper counselling with drugs will help you a lot. Psychiatrist knows better than physicians. So do not visit a GP.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further clarifications then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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