Laine: Accidental Cold Turkey from cymbalta

[Laine]

Hi everyone, thank you for reading this.

 

I have been on Cymbalta for a few years now. I use med trays because I take many supplements for Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions. I guess I didn’t realize my bottle had rolled away in the drawer, and neglected to refill my Cymbalta in the medicine tray. I had gone almost 2 full weeks off of it before noticing it was missing.  I had begun crashing emotionally, crying constantly and losing coping skills, but it wasn’t until some very dark thoughts came that I considered I might be missing the medication. As soon as I realized it, I went back on. Can you give me an idea of how long it will likely take before I begin feeling better?

 

Thank you again. 

[getofflex]

Hello Laine, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I am willing to bet that accidentally going off of the Cymbalta is what is causing your symptoms.  It sounds like your system is now in a drug withdrawal state, and it may take some time to stabilize.  In my opinion, it is best to find non drug ways to cope with drug withdrawal, and refrain from going on other drugs to try to eliminate symptoms.  This often destabilizes the nervous system further, and makes the situation even worse.  Doctors don't often realize this, and try and add more drugs to the mix. 

 

First of all, can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your taper in a concise list (no symptoms), only specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  Also give us information about what supplements you are on, and how much.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

As we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Finally to answer your question of how long withdrawal is going to take.  There is no easy answer, but this link will provide a lot of information about what influences length of withdrawal: 

 

How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

 

[getofflex]

How are you doing these days Laine?