Need to stop Cymbalta

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dbrr
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 4:48 pm
Location: Maine

Need to stop Cymbalta

Postby dbrr » Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:17 pm

My oncologist, whom I like, switched me from Fluoxetine to Cymbalta and the side effects of that drug are not worth the struggle. I've been taking it for 15 days and wonder if any of you have switched back to fluoxetine after a short time. My doctor's away for the weekend. Restless legs, arms, neuropathy from shoulders down.
bleedout, transfusion, misdiagnosed bleeding stomach ulcer 2/14/09, age 59
first SX 3/30/10, CC 3A, one lymph node
Repaired torn fascia 4/4/10
third surgery to remove large infection at the surgical site 4/11/10
discharged 4/17/10
Folfox 4, 12 infusions plus pump 6/15/10-11/22/10
Fired onc 4/10/13, discontinued routine scans
New wonderful onc! and BMB 3/8/17
bone survey 3/13/17
DX multiple myeloma, kidney failure, 40% marrow cancerous

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Need to stop Cymbalta

Postby CRguy » Sun Mar 26, 2017 1:17 am

No personal experiences ... BUTT ... do not stop cold turkey
these meds need to be tapered On and OFF !

YES, your doc needs to be in the loop.

ANY of these meds will have side effects and sometimes dosages need to be adjusted to fit the patient ....
there is NO " one size fits all "

best wishes
CR
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

dbrr
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 4:48 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Need to stop Cymbalta

Postby dbrr » Sun Mar 26, 2017 7:10 am

Thanks. Having experienced cold turkey more than enough times over the years, I'd be afraid of that. Don't know what will happen, but I stopped Cymbalta yesterday and took half the fluoxetine. Yesterday and last night were hell, but this morning so far has been giving me hope that the worst might be over. Today I will resume my regular fluoxetine. The half-life of Cymbalta is short, and fluoxetine's is long, so based on what my pharmacist suggested we'll see. If I never post again, you will know this is not the best way to make this particular change.

CT scan tomorrow to see if the lung spot found during the bone survey is anything extra for concern. And Hooray for the ACA's survival!
bleedout, transfusion, misdiagnosed bleeding stomach ulcer 2/14/09, age 59
first SX 3/30/10, CC 3A, one lymph node
Repaired torn fascia 4/4/10
third surgery to remove large infection at the surgical site 4/11/10
discharged 4/17/10
Folfox 4, 12 infusions plus pump 6/15/10-11/22/10
Fired onc 4/10/13, discontinued routine scans
New wonderful onc! and BMB 3/8/17
bone survey 3/13/17
DX multiple myeloma, kidney failure, 40% marrow cancerous

dbrr
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 4:48 pm
Location: Maine

Re: Need to stop Cymbalta

Postby dbrr » Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:55 pm

My method to stop Cymbalta worked, for what that bit of information is worth, and the lung CT scan didn't come up with anything worth consideration.

Tomorrow I will find out what to expect in terms of either treating or not treating my recent diagnosis of multiple myeloma. After that I suppose I should look for a different forum since my current issues aren't especially colon related. Except of course that in my mind, (right or wrong) my MGUS began with infusions of oxaliplatin leading eventually to MM.

With thanks to all, especially Miss Molly, and good wishes to everyone, too.
bleedout, transfusion, misdiagnosed bleeding stomach ulcer 2/14/09, age 59
first SX 3/30/10, CC 3A, one lymph node
Repaired torn fascia 4/4/10
third surgery to remove large infection at the surgical site 4/11/10
discharged 4/17/10
Folfox 4, 12 infusions plus pump 6/15/10-11/22/10
Fired onc 4/10/13, discontinued routine scans
New wonderful onc! and BMB 3/8/17
bone survey 3/13/17
DX multiple myeloma, kidney failure, 40% marrow cancerous

behconsult
Posts: 264
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:53 pm

Re: Need to stop Cymbalta

Postby behconsult » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:58 am

Some people have what is called cymbalta discontinuation syndrome and covers some of your symptoms.
Stage 4 Age 56 BrafV660E 5/14
spot on perit/ Right side tumor
Resctn 6/9/2014
Folfox strt 7/2014. 6 of 12 tx
Chemo induced DM2
Pet 4 mets to lung (1 cm, 6 mm) Xeloda/Avastin 9/16 to present.
Cryo-ablation to four spots- Collapsed lung/chest tube 2x
Possible local recurrence in a spot or two on PET. Stable CT


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