Withdrawal from Duloxetine/Cymbalta

Still experiencing withdrawals , day 11.
Yes - lack of interest or empathy for sure.
I had (my choice/my mistake) a triple nerve release surgery Aug 1 , 2024. I was NWB for 12 weeks, staph infection one of incisions- by 12 weeks I just asked -and told them I will learn to live with the 24/7 pain , please get me to PT to be able to walk and use my foot. I went from a healthy 74 year old (walking/trailing 2-4 miles 3 x a week minimum) to a crippling 75 year old all since I elected that surgery hoping that it would eleviate some of my neuropathy pain , as it was getting worse. I have a PCP, a neurologist , a podiatrist surgeon, and pain management. You can imagine all the resources that I have been trying in these last 15 months. According to all my medical doctors I am NOT diabetic. I maintain between 5.8-6.1 AC level with healthy or not healthy diet. Although I was gestational diabetic with both pregnancies and my mother died from diabetes , amputations and her heart. I had reason for concern. Now that I cry at now with leg pain, I understand what she was trying to tell me at night when I rubbed her legs.

@patriciaschulz1950
You appear to be pre-diabetic with your AIC levels (normal is below 5.7) and should definitely work with your doctor, a nutritionist and physical therapist to help you bring it down to prevent full blown diabetes. My mom was like yours and I have similar risks. My AIC is creeping up into the prediabetes level and need to really work on diet/exercise to reduce my risk of diabetes. I have always been sensitive to sugar.

What did you get the nerve release on? Which nerves? Was it your foot/ankle? Is your leg pain connected to your lumbar spine? What levels of your spine do you have compression? I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and neurogenic claudication which caused me pain/weakness/numbness from low back, hips, buttocks, legs and down to feet. Do you have this?

Since you are off duloxetine, how will you be managing your depression going forward? Chronic pain can definitely cause and worsen depression. Have you ever tried Wellbutrin/bupropion for depression? Have you ever tried taking alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl l carnitine for small fiber neuropathy pain? These supplements are linked to helping reduce sugar levels in blood and I take both. I also take magnesium for nerve health.

I am unable to take gabapentin and Lyrica because it causes me to be too tired and dizzy with concentration issues plus causes me increased nerve pain. Do you get any side effects from the other medications you are taking and do they help you more than cause negative side effects.

Hi, @patriciaschulz1950.
I take Cymbalta, as well as you. I don't know about coming off Cymbalta, but I'm tapering off from Clonazepam, which also needs Physician's directions. My taper is from 0.5mg, twice a day to Zero, and it will take EIGHT WEEKS!!! You'd better check with your prescribing doctor to verify your VERY rapid taper!! All info says a slow gradual taper for Cymbalta.
My first taper from the Clonazepam was interrupted; I stopped too soon, and ended up in the hospital after having a Grand Mal Seizure, diagnosed as a reaction to the Clonazepam-stopping!
Take care...be careful!

Patricia: My Seizure was about 2 weeks af stopping my med! And I stopped when I was already at about 6 weeks into my taper, so I was already on a super-low dosage. After re-reading all your messages, I'd say this is pretty urgent for you to address!!
Re the neuropathy, mine is peripheral neuropathy, since diagnosed in ~1978. So far I haven't found a doctor who'll do anything but do the test to verify the diagnosis (anger!!!) and now I'm putting up with not just the feeling of walking on small pebbles and the pain, but I'm numb to the touch to about 2" above my ankle joint, feet themselves more numb deeper, so walking is kind of scary but possible.

That drug should be taken off the market - it is dangerous for anyone. Doctors do not care and will not respond to any patient reporting reactions to a prescription. Always call your drugist and ask him what to do.

Yes - I had no idea four weeks was fast and did not question my pain management doctor. Perhaps because I was only on it for six (6) months at 60 mg??? He always has his assistant reach me and now they want me to see a neurologist in their group.

I have had neuropathy (diagnosed) for over 20 years- but has been escaping the last 5 years. I am healthy, eat well - have eliminated sugar, starches and processed food multiple times without any effect on my feet. My pain is worse on left and like yours about 2-3” pass my ankles now.
I used to walk 2-4 miles three or four times a week prior to that surgery nerve release on my three left nerves - now I am lucky to do a mile on a good day. Plus now my age (75) is catching up with me.
Also, I have tried all the magnesium turmeric B12 D3. In fact my primary care just took me off B12 because I was over 6000 on the scale when my blood work came back she said it too too high can cause neuropathy. Bullshit to her. I will continue to do my own research or I think now I’m going to consider a nutritionist although I feel I eat very healthy. I may be eating the wrong foods. My cholesterol is good. My weight is good. I definitely don’t see any more neurologist, primary cares or pain management helping me. I wish I was close to a Mayo Clinic or could find it empathetic doctor that would listen.

Agree

I've been fortunate that most of my doctors over the years have listened and were friendly and caring. I have had a few that were always in a hurry and didn't take time to listen but I just put it down to the changing times. I grew up when we still had family doctors making house calls in the middle of the night and kind of miss that type of relationship but those were different times. What has brought in a little more warmth to my heart was learning about doctors that are trying to get back to the importance of better listening and working with their patients. If you haven't already heard about this organization you might want to check it out. They do have an online town hall coming up shortly.
-- The Patient Revolution: https://www.patientrevolution.org/