My Cymbalta story by lundeliz

[Altostrata]

Good advice, Nikki.

 

lundeliz, some people take Celexa at night because it makes them so groggy. If you're taking it in the morning, move it later an hour a day until you're taking it in the evening.

 

You've done an amazing job getting off Cymbalta!

[lundeliz]

Thank you both so much for the advice. I think y'all are right. I shouldn't

 

rush my Celexa taper. As anxious as I am to be done with it, I don't want to

 

risk getting thrown into horrible withdrawal. It's worth it to be patient.

 

Thanks very much!

[lundeliz]

Hey everyone, just an update. I'm still having really bad headaches. I really think it is a reaction

 

to the Celexa, and not Cymbalta wd. I don't have other wd symptoms that I have had before. I'm anxious

 

to get the dosage down some to see if they go away. On Friday, 5/25, I dropped 2mg. I am dissolving a 10mg

 

tablet in 20ml of water and taking 8mg(16ml) liquid. And I take a 20mg tablet to equal 28mg. The tablet

 

seems to dissolve well. I hope my dose is pretty accurate this way. So far, after 4 days, I haven't felt

 

much difference. If I don't have any bad symptoms, I'll probably make another drop in a couple of weeks,

 

but maybe just 1mg next time. It's so hard to stay positive. It just seems like I will never ever feel right

 

again. I guess maybe I am feeling the drop a little today.

[lundeliz]

I just feel like writing it all down here today. I am 6 weeks off cymbalta and onto celexa. I am

 

two weeks past a 2mg drop in celexa. I've had headaches starting during the cross-over. I thought

 

they were from Celexa, but I just don't know anymore. They have gotten bad. And yesterday I woke up

 

with some anxiety for the first time in many months. I also had mild nausea and diarrhea. And of course

 

the headache. Same thing today. So it sounds like withdrawal to me. Cymbalta or Celexa or both?

 

Feeling soooo discouraged. I guess I just wait it out. I have been so determined to feel decent by my

 

60th birthday next month, but I guess it's not going to happen.

 

I know it's the withdrawal that's making me feel so low. And I know it will pass. I'm just getting

 

so weary. Guess I'm having a little pity party today.

[Altostrata]

It does sound like withdrawal, lundeliz. Can you add the 2mg Celexa back to see if it helps?

 

Maybe you need to stabilize longer on the Celexa.

[lundeliz]

Hi everyone. In my heart, I know w/d has hit. But my head keeps thinking

 

all kinds of horrible things. I crossed over from Cymbalta to Celexa

 

6 weeks ago. Been doing not too bad, mostly off and on headaches. But

 

a couple of days ago the headaches got really bad, not just pain but the

 

pressure. Nausea has started, my eyes are swollen and puffy and I feel kinda

 

agitated or maybe anxious.. A couple of years ago I quit Cymbalta cold turkey and developed a

 

bad case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, severe lung inflammation and had to

 

stay on steroids for 6 months. Now I am envisioning my brain doing the same

 

thing. Can you get brain inflammation? Would I know it if I had it? The pressure

 

is making me crazy. Also loud ringing in my head. I just had to tell it to someone.

 

Everyone else will just think I'm nuts. Thanks for listening.

[Brandy]

This certainly sounds like withdrawal.

 

Cymbalta is an SNRI and celexa is an SSRI. Even switches within either of those groups can cause problems (withdrawal) for many people, and seems to be very common when switching between the two types of meds - especially if not done extremely slowly and carefully.

 

What was your taper schedule for doing the crossover, or did you do a cold switch?

 

Also, what was your reason for the change in meds? Is your goal to get off these meds, or to be on a different med?

[Brandy]

I just now realized you're not a new member. Sorry! I'll read up on your previous posts because you may already have explained the things I asked.

 

But be aware that when in withdrawal, the brain tries to make sense of something we aren't designed to experience (withdrawal) and will imagine all kinds of things trying to figure out what is going on. That is very common in withdrawal!

 

lundeliz, I was going to write more (and read your other posts), but someone just came to the door and it's important, so forgive me, I'll write more soon and others will post soon too, I'm sure. But please try not to worry. These fears are so normal in withdrawal!

[Barbarannamated]

Lundeliz,

Not nuts. Sounds very much like withdrawal right on schedule. Serotonin effects cerebrovasculature so your symptoms are very understandable. Migraine drugs work with serotonin, just as an example.

It would be helpful to include this info in your Introductory thread to track your progress. Others will likely have suggestions to help the pain/pressure. I've found that ice on the base of the skull or temple area helps.

 

Are you prone to weather or barometric pressure change headaches?

 

B

[Altostrata]

lundeliz, do you have any Cymbalta left? Perhaps you could try taking 10 pellets?

[lundeliz]

Thank you everyone, for reassurance. It just helps a lot for someone else to say it.

 

Alto, really? Would there be a good chance of 10 pellets relieving my headache? The

 

way my brain is thinking, I'm afraid if it didn't work, I would decide it's not withdrawal.

 

But I will really give that some thought. Thank you. At least I know that is an option.

 

And I may decide to try it. Thanks everyone.

[Altostrata]

Yes, taking a few Cymbalta pellets might help. Even 6 pellets. You can give it a try and if it doesn't change anything for the better, drop it.

[lundeliz]

I did end up taking 8 pellets. I think it did help. I was able to go to sleep.

 

Have felt maybe a little better today. Thanks!

[Altostrata]

lundeliz, I merged your recent topic into this one.

 

How are you feeling now?

[lundeliz]

Just checking in to record my progress. I dropped one more milligram of

 

Celexa on Saturday, down to 27. I'm still having some headaches, not

 

quite as bad. I'm having jaw and ear pain. Wondering if anyone else

 

has this. I'm trying to stop trying to figure out what is withdrawal and

 

what is Celexa side effects. I've decided either way my goal is to slowly

 

reduce Celexa and get off! Hoping when I get down to about 20mg I can really

 

stabilize. On the plus side, since getting off Cymbalta my blood pressure

 

is back down. Had been high since I started tapering Cymbalta 2 yrs ago.

 

Also my fatigue is quite a bit better. So I'm not feeling great yet, but

 

still feeling good about being off Cymbalta. About 8 weeks off now.

[Altostrata]

How long did you take the 8 Cymbalta pellets? Are you completely off it now?

 

(Please put your withdrawal history in your signature)

[lundeliz]

Alto,I only took the pellets for 2 nights. I will work on my signature. Thanks!

[Altostrata]

Since a little Cymbalta seemed to help the headaches before, I would think you're having withdrawal symptoms from the Cymbalta.

 

If I were you, I'd take, say, 6-8 beads every day for 3 weeks, then reduce 1-2 beads, etc.

[lundeliz]

I think you are probably right, it's Cymbalta withdrawal. Especially

 

since the last few days I have had some mild anxiety, and mild nausea.

 

Thanks so much for your continued support and advice.

[lundeliz]

Well, today I am four months off Cymbalta, and onto Celexa. I really think I am past the effects of the Cymbalta.

 

I never feel well, but I think it is side effects from Celexa. I have to sleep way too much, and still feel sleepy.

 

I still have headaches, but not severe. I have sinus and allergy type symptoms, and my eyes are always red and

 

burning. I'm very anxious to get off Celexa, but I'm scared to rush it. I will be tapering over the next few months,

 

hoping I'll feel better as I lower the dosage.

[Karma]

It sounds like progress since your last post. Don't be afraid to give yourself time to stabilize before starting the taper from Celexa. Do you feel like you are having side effects?

 

Karma

[lundeliz]

Hi Karma, Yes I do think I am making progress. I think most or all of my symptoms

 

now are side effects from Celexa. I dropped 1mg 6 days ago, and so far only very

 

minor symptoms. So my taper off Celexa so far is going well. Thank you for asking.

[lundeliz]

I see my last post was just 10 days ago. Things have really changed. I'm very miserable. I'm 4 1/2 months off Cymbalta,

 

and onto Celexa. Since my last post, I have developed rashes, broke out in itchy bumps all over my scalp, have a horrible

 

taste in my mouth,have a sore throat, and can't go to sleep, but can sleep forever once I do. I don't exactly have anxiety

 

but more like my body is very tense. When I got up this morning, I was hit with extreme nausea, but went away after 30 min. and replaced

 

with the awful taste. I wish there was some way to know if this is a wave of Cymbalta withdrawal or side effects of Celexa.

 

I'm leaning toward it being side effects of Celexa, as I think my dosage is way too much for me. But I could be entirely

 

wrong. My doctor would have no idea, so I haven't gone. I've never stabilized on the Celexa. On my best days, I'm still very

 

spacey and very sleepy. I keep dreaming about switching to something like Zoloft to see if agrees with me more. Would that

 

be a really stupid thing to do? Does anyone have a magic way of telling if it's withdrawal or side effects?

[Altostrata]

I wouldn't do any more switching, lundeliz.

 

My intuition is it's Cymbalta withdrawal, but I don't know what you can do about it.

 

Have you tried Epsom salt baths? Would that soothe the itching, too?

[Altostrata]

Does the nausea in the morning occur before or after you take Celexa?

[lundeliz]

I take Celexa at bedtime. The last couple of nights I have felt bad a couple of hours

 

after I take it. I checked my blood pressure tonight (before Celexa) and it was 196/95. I bought a

 

blood pressure machine tonight. I will check it again after I take my Celexa to see if it seems to

 

have an effect on it. I also take blood pressure medicine at bedtime. My bp also went very

 

high when I was tapering Cymbalta, so it's hard to know if it's wd or side effects. Hopefully

 

the bp machine will help me figure that out. Thank you!

[InNeedOfHope]

I feel for you...some of the symptoms you describe....they are identical to mine, so I could be wrong but I imagine it is Cymbalta wd. I am going to update my thread, so maybe some of the things happening to me may be similar to your symptoms. It is a truly evil drug and I would say more from a physical point of view than mental even....at least for me. Keep going and for what it's worth, I would not do any more switching, just carry on slowly as you are and find things to ease your symptoms where you can. Thinking of you.

[lundeliz]

Thanks InNeedOfHope, that's exactly what I have decided to do. I'm carrying on and letting time pass. I had a couple of

 

visits to the ER with my blood pressure, and added new bp meds. I seem to have that under control now. I do think this

 

is still Cymbalta wd. The diarrhea seems to have stopped, headaches are a little milder, still mild anxiety. The nausea

 

is better. What is really bothering me the most is the uncomfortable feeling in my chest. I think it is acid reflux. I have

 

tons of phlegm in my throat and always feels uncomfortable. Does anyone know anything that helps with this terrible

 

reflux? I drink baking soda in water and tums sometimes. I read that slippery elm is good for reflux. Anyone tried it

 

and anyone know if its safe to take it? I think I have read that we shouldn't take Prilosec or similar, so I have stayed away

 

from that. Sure would like some relief though.

[Altostrata]

People have had some success with non-irritating diets, such as GAPS, for the digestive symptoms. See the Symptoms forum.

[lundeliz]

I've never felt so hopeless. Just returned from a dr. visit. for a follow up on my blood pressure.

 

It's better, but she wants it a little lower. She was so very discouraging. She said, "you're not well,

 

you're not getting better, you're not happy. I don't know what else to do with you. I think there is

 

something wrong with you, I just can't find it. I want you to see a psychiatrist." I saw a psychiatrist

 

about a month ago, and all she was interested in was finding a reason I should stay on medication.

 

Alto, I have a question. Back in July, I was feeling really bad, and took 10 beads of Cymbalta. After

 

about a week, I couldn't tell it was doing anything, so instead of stopping, I started tapering back off

 

of it, about 1 bead a week. On Oct.2, I dropped the last two beads. Do you think dropping that tiny amount

 

could have caused this bad episode I'm having right now? Or anyone that would care to comment, I would

 

be interested in your thoughts. Thanks!

[Altostrata]

It's possible, lundeliz. It sounds like you have withdrawal symptoms.

 

Do you have any Cymbalta left? Perhaps you might try a few beads.

 

Unfortunately, if you keep asking doctors what's wrong with you, they mostly will point to a psychiatric treatment.

[lundeliz]

I'm so scared that I will have to cold turkey off Celexa. The whole episode started about a month ago.

 

First I got about three fever blisters on my lips. Then my blood pressure shot up and still isn't under

 

control. Next heart palps, itchy bumps on my scalp, now a very hot itchy rash that has spread all over

 

my neck and chest. All with a sort of anxious feeling, also nausea and diarrhea. Will call my dr. tomorrow.

 

I am going to take a chance and skip my Celexa tonight, to see if it makes any difference. I have missed

 

a dose of Cymbalta before with no consequences. I have been on Celexa for 6 months. Can this happen?

 

If it is an allergic reaction, can I do a quick taper rather than cold turkey? Trying to stay calm.

[Altostrata]

lundeliz, rather than skip a dose, you might take a half dose.

 

It does sound like an allergic reaction. Healing thoughts are with you.

[areyouthere]

You have been on a drug for 6 months and now suddenly suspect the allergic reaction can be from the drug? I don't understand that line of thinking..... why would you get a reaction from it now? Wouldn't one first consider other things like a change in laundry soap? Shampoo?Body wash? Have you taken an over the counter med? Have you changed a cometic or cologne? Has something in your diet changed? A switch in a brand of some sort?

 

Boy, before I'd start to mess with stopping a powerful drug such as these I'd scour every other possibility first but I've experienced first hand what changing even a tiny dose of these "theraputic" drugs can be like and it ain't pretty.

 

I'm not trying to downplay what misery you are experiencing and am glad you are seeing a doctor tomorrow but I would definitely not recommend skipping a dose at this point. Maybe just keep trying to treat your uncomfortable symptoms to make it to see the doc.

 

Just my two cents.... I personally don't think messing with your dosage makes sense but I agree with Alto, if that is what you are convinced is the problem, just cut by half a dose to see if it helps.

[lundeliz]

Thank you both for the input. I'm not 100percent convinced one way or the other. I did

 

end up skipping my med last night, and today my blood pressure has been good for the

 

first time in months. No withdrawal symptoms yet, but I usually have a delayed reaction.

 

My rash still feels miserable. I really don't know where I will go from here. I will probably

 

try the half dose and see if my bp will stay controlled. I've made so many mistakes trying

 

to get off these meds, I really don't want to blow it all again, but it's really hard to know what is

 

best.

[Altostrata]

lundeliz, you've done the best you can, and very heroically.

 

I do suspect an allergic reaction, please take care.