HELP ME PLEASE!

[ihatecymbalta]

Hello, I am reaching out as I desperately need help. I took cymbalta XR 60 mg for anxiety for nearly 4 years. I weened myself off for over a month and completely stopped taking it in September. I survived the sweats, anger, brain zaps, etc. However, since October I have been a COMPLETELY different person. I am out of it constantly- like a zombie. I feel like I'm not real- like I'm just going through the motions of life. My memory has gotten terrible, blurred vision, pains, migraines, heart palpitations, etc. I need help! Some people say I'm still experiencing withdrawals, but could that be possible? It's been over 6 months! I have had an MRI, been to a ENT, etc... NOTHING has helped. I just want to be normal and feel alive and healthy and REAL! I am desperate... somebody please help me.

[LALEAH]

I had the same effect you did but not for such a long period of time.  Were you put on another antidepressant?  Is it in the same family as Cymbalta; could be a problem.  Check with your doctor about that.  Have you checked into any of the Cymbalta forums?  I found a lot of information there that helped.  I found this forum when I started Pritiq.  So far I like it.  I researched it out and spoke with my doctor.  Having been on most of the different meds I never stop looking for one that may work.   It has worked much like the majority experienced in my research.  At 2 weeks it kicked in.  There were mild side effects (for me) but I am much happier.  It doesn't work much for my anxiety but i can deal with that myself.  Don't give up and keep pestering your doctor.  Read in-depth on alll the side effect of cymbalta.  

[grannymusiclover]

I agree with lilymoon. The symptoms you are presently describing are those of severe anxiety and maybe some depression mixed in. Also, there is such a thing as a "rebound effect". You could possibly be experiencing what I'll compare to a rebound after a divorce or break-up with a boyfriend. Things tend to return to what they were prior to the change in the middle. Am I making sense? In a relationship, one is attracted to what one just got rid of. With meds, when depressed and you stop your medication--the depression can return in force, worse than before. So, maybe that's what is happening.
I'm not a doctor, but I did major in psych in college. Keep in close contact with you psychiatrist and beware of treating yourself. Please don't think me rude, but have you heard the saying: "The patient who treats himself has a fool for a doctor"? It can be dangerous to mess around with your own prescriptions. I have bipolar disorder and have had it for more than 15 years. Prior to that, I suffered with severe depression for 23 years. It was severe enough that I even underwent three series of ECT (shock treatments). That was the pits, I'll tell you. Today, I've found (after 38 years years of searching) one med that has a therapeutic effect on me. That is one called, Lamictal, a mood stabilizer. Anyway, please be careful. You're playing with fire. You're playing with your future. Best wishes, grannymusiclover.

[lilymoon]

That sounds terrible so sorry to hear it,I think the aftereffects of meds can stay in your system a long time.......what does your doc say? These problems youre having now,ever had them before? its not what the cymbalta was described for right? because if so it means you still need the cymbalta if this is a return of symptoms.
it sounds partly like dissociation,maybe read up on it and see what can be done about it.lily

[towie]

I was on Cymbalta for almost a year. My doctor insisted I needed it but I think she was just getting some incentive for pushing it. I weaned myself off of it because I really think it made me worse than I was. I felt the same way you did after coming off of it. I went to a  new doctor who did bloodwork and it turned out that I was B12 deficient. She gave me a shot and I started taking daily supplements. I have been fine ever since. Go to your doctor and tell him/her how you feel. If you don't feel like you're getting any answers, go to another doctor.
Good luck and feel better. :D