What are the symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal?

I was taking Cymbalta 60mg for several years then it stopped working as well so my PCP bumped me up to 120, the mac dose which worked for a couple of years but then stopped working. I told my doc and he switched me to Welbutrin 150/day and Cymbalta 60/day for a week then Welbutrin 150 2x/day. I have been off Cymbalta for two weeks now and symptoms have gradually gotten worse. Insomnia, brain zaps, nausea, dizziness and over-emotional. Today I had two fits of intense crying for no reason and a lot of near-misses on such episodes. After reading some of the posts here I am wondering if I should go back on a low dose of Cymbalta and taper back down or just stay off and hope the symptoms get better? Any feedback would be appreciated. I have been on anti-depressants for 30 years for depression, dysthymia, mild anxiety. I am a 47 year old male

I can certainly relate to your story. However, you are 47 and I am 75 and still on anti-depressive meds. My experiences may help you though as I did not rely totally on my PCP for the proper meds and doses. I sought out other professionals and have found a balance in life that I have come to live with. There are other therapies other than meds that you may want to check into as it sounds as though your depression is severe.

Thanks rck! I suspect I will be on antidepressants the rest of my life. I’m curious what therapies and “other professionals” you sought out?

Hi everyone, has anyone here titrated down to get off of Cymbalta?
I am curious as to what your experience was.
I was on 60 mg for several months and I just couldn’t handle how I felt while taking it. My doctor came up with a schedule to come off it slowly so the effects would not be as bad, (not as bad, but you’re still going through withdrawals). I’m starting on my 3rd week out of 6. The side effects are manageable, but not very pleasant. Headaches, body aches, nausea and profuse perspiration without any exertion, to name a few.
I was wondering if anyone else had similar side effects?

@littlenana
I had similar symptoms and experience coming off Cymbalta. I was first on 20-30 mg and then they increased to 60mg. I was on this medication for a couple years and at first, it seemed to help with chronic pain from neuropathy and arthritis/spinal stenosis. It also helped some with the depression from chronic pain.

After a while, it seemed to stop working or helping much. I started to wean myself off of it over 2 months. I would open the capsules and divide the contents in half (went from 60 mg to 30mg every day then to every other day, every third day, etc.). At first I seemed okay but after I had a surgery and the next month I had lost my job, I sunk into a deep depression. I really haven’t been the same since (also weaned off bupropion at the same time). Probably not a good time to wean off around a surgery because your body gets really stressed. In hindsight, I probably would have tapered off over a longer period for fewer side effects.