1. < Depression & Anxiety

What are the symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal?

Posted by Eileen @stomprud, Oct 1, 2018

I have been on Cymbalta for 3 years for both pain management and depression. My depression continues and am going back to prozac. I have been having multiple dreams, headaches, and body pain since removing.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @karen00 "@lisalucier Hi Lisa, I’m not sure why anyone would think I’m withdrawing from Cymbalta???? Just really..." + (show)
@karen00

@lisalucier Hi Lisa, I’m not sure why anyone would think I’m withdrawing from Cymbalta???? Just really confused - as one of my favorite song goes - it’s a “Ball of Confusion”!

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Hi, @karen00 - the reason someone may have thought you are tapering off duloxetine (Cymbalta) is that that is the topic of this particular thread, "What are the symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal?" If you need any help getting to another discussion, PM me or just post here and let me know.

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cindyt63 | @cindyt63 | Feb 1, 2020

Has anyone stopped taking Cymbalta? What were your side effects? How long did it take to get completely off? Are you having any lasting effects?

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1 reply
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 1, 2020
In reply to @cindyt63 "Has anyone stopped taking Cymbalta? What were your side effects? How long did it take to..." + (show)
@cindyt63

Has anyone stopped taking Cymbalta? What were your side effects? How long did it take to get completely off? Are you having any lasting effects?

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@cindyt63 - I wanted you to know I moved your post here to this discussion on duloxetine (Cymbalta) withdrawal so you can interact with others talking about the same topic. Hoping members like @karen00 and @inky can speak to what withdrawal symptoms they have experienced. Also, @jimhd may have some input in this.

Are you somewhere in a tapering process right now, cindyt63?

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1 reply
cindyt63 | @cindyt63 | Feb 2, 2020
In reply to @lisalucier "@cindyt63 - I wanted you to know I moved your post here to this discussion on..." + (show)
@lisalucier

@cindyt63 - I wanted you to know I moved your post here to this discussion on duloxetine (Cymbalta) withdrawal so you can interact with others talking about the same topic. Hoping members like @karen00 and @inky can speak to what withdrawal symptoms they have experienced. Also, @jimhd may have some input in this.

Are you somewhere in a tapering process right now, cindyt63?

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I have not started tapering off yet. I am interested in how others have managed with it. I am considering tapering off.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 2, 2020

Hello @cindyt63,

It is good that you are looking for help as you think about tapering off of Cymbalta. Please be aware, though, that your experience may be different from another person's experience. A lot of the tapering-off process has to do with how long you have been taking the med and how big of a dosage you have been taking on a daily basis. All of this to say, this is not a one-size-fits-all type of experience.

Would you like to share how long you have been taking Cymbalta and what dosage you are taking? Also, please remember that your doctor or pharmacist can be quite helpful in giving you suggestions on this process as they best understand your history with this and other meds you may be on at the present time.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 3, 2020
In reply to @cindyt63 "I have not started tapering off yet. I am interested in how others have managed with..." + (show)
@cindyt63

I have not started tapering off yet. I am interested in how others have managed with it. I am considering tapering off.

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@lisalucier and @cindyt63, the only person I know who is currently tapering off duloxetine is @rwinney. I am sure Rachel will be more than happy to share her experience with you, I am waiting for her results also. Best to all of us who want less and not more. Chris

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2muchpain | @2muchpain | Mar 18, 2021
In reply to @jeanne51 "I have been on Duloxetine 120 mg for several years. Recently I had eye surgery with..." + (show)
@jeanne51

I have been on Duloxetine 120 mg for several years. Recently I had eye surgery with the complication of abnormal bleeding into the vitreous fluid in my eye. I mentioned this to my psychiatrist and he looked up adverse effects. There is a rare instance of abnormal platelet agglutination being on Duloxetine. My psychiatrist stopped 60 mg of the drug which I did fine with. About 10 days ago he told me to stop taking the other 60 mg. I have a diagnosis of major depression with anxiety disorder. I received upsetting news about my son while out of town about 5 days after being off Duloxetine. I had a volatile anxiety/depression crisis with crying, severe anxiety, and deep depression. So it has been 10 days since I’ve been off the Duloxetine and the brain zaps, the prickling skin sensations, air hunger, the increasing anxiety, abdominal pain, nausea, confusion, and feeling like I’m in outer space are worsening daily. Of corse it’s Saturday and I am unable to reach my psychiatrist. I am taking my clonazepam which helps with the anxiety for now but I have had to take 1 more pill than ordered to keep me from losing it. I have 20 mg caps of Duloxetine but I don’t want to do anything without my doctors orders. I am having a hematology consult next Wednesday. I wish my doctor would call but his office recording doesn’t mention an on call Dr and my doctor’s cell phone mailbox is full so I can’t leave a message.

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HI Jeanne. How are you doing? I'm very curious as how you stopped Cymbalta cold turkey.
I can't do it
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2 replies
jeanne51 | @jeanne51 | Mar 18, 2021
In reply to @2muchpain "HI Jeanne. How are you doing? I'm very curious as how you stopped Cymbalta cold turkey...." + (show)
@2muchpain

HI Jeanne. How are you doing? I'm very curious as how you stopped Cymbalta cold turkey.
I can't do it

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I did not stop cold turkey. I counted beads from the capsules on a reduction scale and I ended up going back on another SSRI drug for my depression called Trintellix. It has very few side effects and is working well. It seems I will be tied to a SSRI drug the rest of my life. The sad part is there is no generic yet and my copay is VERY expensive. The easiest way to get off Cymbalta is to taper up with another drug while you taper down Cymbalta that will work for your depression. I do not recommend Cymbalta at all.

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Erika | @erikas | Mar 19, 2021
In reply to @2muchpain "HI Jeanne. How are you doing? I'm very curious as how you stopped Cymbalta cold turkey...." + (show)
@2muchpain

HI Jeanne. How are you doing? I'm very curious as how you stopped Cymbalta cold turkey.
I can't do it

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@2muchpain Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

May I ask if you are having issues with Cymbalta and if your provider/doctor will assist you in this, so you can avoid serious withdraw symptoms?

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1 reply
jeanne51 | @jeanne51 | Mar 19, 2021
In reply to @erikas "@2muchpain Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. May I ask..." + (show)
@erikas

@2muchpain Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

May I ask if you are having issues with Cymbalta and if your provider/doctor will assist you in this, so you can avoid serious withdraw symptoms?

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I am no longer on Cymbalta. I was tapered down and put on another SSRI antidepressant.,

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