Losing Weight after HORRIFIC Cymbalta

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Replies

  • Umeboshi
    Umeboshi Posts: 1,637 Member
    Um, you really shouldn't be quitting your meds cold turkey...if at all.. without consulting your doctor.
  • ToFatToBeSick
    ToFatToBeSick Posts: 113
    I hate brain zaps. Lasts about 2 weeks. I gained a lot with Bipolar meds and lost 86 since I went off.
  • jennifer_a00
    jennifer_a00 Posts: 186 Member
    That's horrible. I have a friend that stopped taking cymbalta and she had a really hard time for about a month with withdrawels. She had also gained a lot of weight while on it, and it took her about a year and a half to lose the 40 pounds that she had gained on it. But she did it! Hang in there, and maybe see a doctor!
  • beekuzz
    beekuzz Posts: 428 Member
    I take Cymbalta currently and for many years. I am losing weight just fine while on it. I had gained a lot of weight over time because I didn't realize what I was eating, but too because I have multiple chronic illnesses.

    Wish you the best - but I do think along with others, you should discuss with your doctor in case there are problems that happen when coming off of it.
  • JezziedotM
    JezziedotM Posts: 31 Member
    Hello pals,

    I was hoping that if I post this I can get some really great advice and possibly acquire some new friends that are in the same boat as me or who have overcome this horrible drug Cymbalta.

    I had been on Cymbalta 60 mg for about a year and a half now (Weight didn't start appearing until after a year on the pill) and just quit cold turkey when I realized that these 25-35 pounds I put on was because of a DAMN drug that was supposed to help me. I reviewed and revised my healthy lifestlye and exercise plan so much and I am still wasn't getting anywhere near the same results I had gotten before when I got skinny and toned.

    I had originally attributed my weight gain to a seriously horrific breakup, surgery, and my unconcious eating habits. Once all of those had subsided I hadn't been able to change my body. A few pounds up and down on the scale don't make that much of a difference to me when my body isn't "changing".

    I can't fit my old clothes at all!!!!!! :sad:

    Like I said I quit cold turkey 5 days ago and only have brain zaps, tingling and stuff in arms, hands, and feet periodically.

    I take Dramamine for dizziness, 5 HTP for my mood, and am drinking tons of water and Sobe 0 calorie Life water.

    Oh for energy I am taking Super B Complex and L-carnatine.

    Fish oil and Vitamins for health.

    Please let me know your experiences ; good, bad, or indifferent.

    Definitely let me know when I can possibly see that scale moving again...I am trying to lose weight like limbs since I have realized this CULPRIT!!!!!!

    Thanks in advance for your support on this. :heart:

    I don't know about the weight side of it, but I just to say how those brain zaps are the WORST feeling ever. I never used cymbalta, but coming off lexapro was a test of patience. I couldn't handle the zaps so it took me months to reduce my dose down to a point where I could stop.

    So yeah, off topic. Oops *blush*
  • littlebudgie
    littlebudgie Posts: 279 Member
    I really, really strongly suggest that you don't go straight from 60 mg to 0. SSRI withdrawal syndrome is a miserable, miserable thing that I would not wish on my worst enemy. Your psychiatrist will probably have you drop cymbalta while slowly increasing another med, and this is much, much safer.

    I seem to be one of those rare people who almost never gets the bad side effects. Ironically, Wellbutrin was the only psych med that actually made things worse for me, and Cymbalta has me happy as a lark. We all have different brain and body chemistry, though, so I hope that Wellbutrin works as well for you as Cymbalta does for me.
  • tobejune
    tobejune Posts: 177
    I did not read all the replies... Mostly because I have no experience with cymbalta and it seemed like it was turning into a shouting match, haha. What caught my eye though is that I take some of the same supplements as you! I thought I'd add that Sam-E is also really good for mood. I only take 5 HTP periodically (when mood is extra down/ I know I'm having some extra stress or whatever) but I pretty much stay on the Sam-E all the time.

    Good luck, hope this was helpful :)
  • letizia1006
    letizia1006 Posts: 2
    I was mis diagnosed with fibromyalgia and put on Cymbalta. I felt great while on it, but I had to change Dr's because of insurance . She did a full blood work up and switched me to Welbutrim so I wouldn't crash coming off of Cymbalta. I've been miserable . I put on 25lbs in the three months since I came off Cymbalta . I'm on myfitnesspal and track my calorie intake. I exercise regularly, at least 4 times week. I golf and only walk the course. I started to train for a 60 mile bike tour. I thought I had a thyroid issue. All my blood work came in perfect , but why the weight gain!!!! The last time I was this heavy i had a baby!!! What's worse I have never been depressed or suffered from anxiety . NONE of my clothes fit, NOW I'm depressed . I keep covering my self up with sweaters . Oh course this had to happen the summer of my daughters graduation from HS and my nieces wedding, so lots a pictures to avoid!!
  • shadowkat57
    shadowkat57 Posts: 151 Member
    Medications are a cost/benefit thing... For my partner, the benefit of not becoming so depressed that he might suicide is worth any potential weight gain from taking Cymbalta. Likewise, I stated a migraine pill with a very bad reputation for weight gain side effects, but the benefit of not being in chronic pain EVERY SINGLE DAY overrode my concerns.

    Your mental health is really important. If you stop taking your meds and your mood is effected, it's going to be much harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Daniloveshockey94
    Daniloveshockey94 Posts: 348 Member
    I lost weight on Zoloft.
    Yeah me too but than switched to Lexapro (20 mg)
  • Daniloveshockey94
    Daniloveshockey94 Posts: 348 Member
    About the zaps, what they feel like??
  • ficklesoul
    ficklesoul Posts: 54 Member
    I am not sure about cymbalta causing weight gain. When I was on Cymbalta, I actually lose a lot of weight(because I was losing appetite like crazy!) But then since we're all wired differently, it could be different for everyone. The only bad experience I had with cymbalta was that it was causing me more distress and nightmares lol. That being said I agree that you shouldn't quit taking your meds before discussing with your doctor. I quit taking my antidepressant (voluntarily) once and it put me through a miserable living hell for nearly six months or so. :(

    I don't really have much advise to offer but I hope you will discuss it with your doctor and work on a new solution. :) good luck!
  • Elisirmon
    Elisirmon Posts: 273 Member
    Umm if your having brain zaps you need to wheen yourself off or it can be dangerous.. My brother was on effexor RX did same thing almost died...then they put him back on it to wheen him off again and he committed suicide.
  • kazanshell
    kazanshell Posts: 6 Member
    Cymbalta is not an SSRI. It effects both seritonin and norepinephrine. Wellbutrin impacts dopamine. Also, if you see an MD I strongly encourage you to bring all your vitamins and herbal supplements. They can interact with medicine.By suddenly stopping your antidepressant watch out for increased depression especially suicidal thoughts.
  • sarathrasher12
    sarathrasher12 Posts: 19
    Sorry about your struggle! I have been on several anti depressants for anxiety. I have noticed that I eat less while on them. when I am off of them I tend to eat for comfort. I took Cymbalta when I was 18 and I lost 10 lbs. the first month. I am now on Celexa and although I believe I am not losing as quickly as I did before, I do notice less urge to munch. Maybe ask your doc next time you are in and he may adjust your dose or give you a new rx. Don't get down, just keep at it one day at a time!
  • awaywego1
    awaywego1 Posts: 5 Member
    I am just in the process of coming off cymbalta-was on 90mg now on 20mg. Some of the side effects have been awful, but it has been made easier by reducing slowly recently. I dont think it effected my weight but i was getting some horrible symptoms-too much serotonin in my body i think and generally feeling quite unwell. Good luck with it!
  • Gunr2147
    Gunr2147 Posts: 63 Member
    I gained 15 pounds in less than a month - no binge eating/anything like that. Cymbalta really hurt me metabolism wise, but I've been maintaining since switching to Welbutrin. Are you going to try another antidepressant?

    YEP....^^^^That one you're on.....

    I had the opposite effects of what the OP is experiencing with regards to the two drugs she mentions. Cymbalta really curbs my appetite and I have to work at getting my calories.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    wow, for you to have quit cold turkey and only have mild side effects is awesome! I had all of those while I was on cymbalta and worse. I started having aggressive thoughts, thoughts of suicide, emotional meltdowns, nightmares, ringing in ears, brain zaps, vision problems, tingling in my eyes and lips.... I ended up in the hospital because I was having very bad visions and uncontrollable crying for hours. So I had to quit cold turkey and the withdrawals were the same, but magnified by 10! I had to be monitored for more than a week. I couldn't drive for 10 days due to thoughts of running my car off the road. It was the WORST time in my ENTIRE LIFE! I was at my highest weight when I came off of cymbalta but I was able to lose 5 lbs shortly after that. I didn't get serious about weight loss until almost a year later. It has been almost 2 years now since that awful drug left my life and I still have occasional ringing in my ears, trouble focusing, nightmares, and odd habits that I didn't have before I took it. I tried contacting a lawyer but the only class action suits are for the families of those who commited suicide while on it so I couldn't get anyone to represent me without a large up front fee. Also, my dr who prescribed it to me (for fibromyalgia pain, NOT DEPRESSION) made it look like it was simply insomnia instead of a reaction to the drug. If ANYONE knows of any lawsuits out there, feel free to inbox me more info.

    ETA: I was on the lowest dose so that's why I quit cold turkey per my dr. and under strict supervision. You should really consider going to a lower dose at first! If you start to have agressive thoughts, please do not be alone or by yourself with children. Call someone to come look after you or go to the dr.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    About the zaps, what they feel like??

    It feels exactly how it sounds. It's an extreme tingle (electric shock type feeling) that goes through your head. Mine went from behind my left ear and "zapped" over to the back of my head. It's very uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    I am just in the process of coming off cymbalta-was on 90mg now on 20mg. Some of the side effects have been awful, but it has been made easier by reducing slowly recently. I dont think it effected my weight but i was getting some horrible symptoms-too much serotonin in my body i think and generally feeling quite unwell. Good luck with it!

    What were your side effects?
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    Cymbalta isn't a drug associated with weight gain, actually the reverse. Drugs don't make you gain fat, eating too much makes you gain fat.

    Sorry, but this is a very ignorant statement. It is well documented that a lot of psychotropic drugs cause weight gain. And no, it's not because a person's appetite increases. Although, it can be the reason in some cases.

    Here is one just by doing a quick internet search: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22316639

    Oh I'm sure you can find "holes" in this particular study. However, if I actually had the time, I could dig up copious amounts of both strong empirical and anecdotal evidence. Even the drug companies admit it.
  • commissionette
    commissionette Posts: 25 Member
    I was put on Cymbalta after major back surgery. I had fusion, two cadavar discs, and seven titanium screws. It was given to me for nerve pain issues. I never had issues with depression. Contrary to most posts here, my doctors told me that it absolutely can cause weight gain as it changes all of the chemicals in your body and messes up signals. It in no way is just because you're eating too much or chosing the wrong foods. What a thing to post for someone who is already having depression issues!!! At any rate, I was on 60mg twice a day and gained 65 pounds over a course of two years. Aside from that the sweating was horrific! I was very fit before the Cymbalta and mortified about what happened while I was on it. One day I googled weight gain with Cymbalta and about died when I read most of the posts. Finally at least I had an answer. So, like you, I did the wrong thing and just stopped taking it without weaning or doctors help. I would absolutely not recommend that. I passed out at Target, no clue why, I was just trying to buy some bread and the whole room was looping around me and I was on the floor. Luckily softly since I would have freaked out if someone had to pick my fat tooshie up off of the ground! A few months after I stopped, my mom died suddenly at age 66 and one of my four daughters was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Needless to say I haven't lost a pound. You hang in there girl, you got this one way or another!
  • arhatfield
    arhatfield Posts: 1
    I was put on Cymbalta end of March. Since then I've gained about 10 pounds, mostly when I revamped my lifestyle in May. Since then I've been working out steady and tracking what I eat. Instead of going down though, my weight is slowly going up.
  • miranda3283
    miranda3283 Posts: 1
    SSRI's always cause weight gain for me, regardless of what I'm eating. Was just on a very low dose of Celexa for 2-3 months and gained 15 pounds. Took about 6 months to go back to my normal weight. Ironically I was actually eating better while on the Celexa -low carb, no sugar, etc., and exercising, and the scale was always going up. This last month alone (and 6 months total of being off Celexa) I've been eating lots of takeout, sugar, etc. and I've lost 5pounds (back to my normal weight finally.). The downside is I am much more unhappy mentally/emotionally now. I wish I could feel better without having to accept the weight gain. It really doesn't seem fair. =\
  • Lwhieldon
    Lwhieldon Posts: 1
    I have to add that Cymbalta is NOT AN SSRI, it is a SNRI meaning that it is a "selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor". Drugs all have their effect by prolonging or shortening the length of time a particular neurotransmitter lasts before it is metabolized. In plainer English, drugs life Zoloft only prolong the action of Serotonin by interfering with the manner in which it is metabolized in the brain, this is called a SSRI. Cymbalta affects by prolonging the action of both serotonin and norepinephrine. (I studied neurobiology at University.) I'm 39, male, and also experiencing weight gain (7 lbs in 3 months) on Cymbalta, however, the benefits grossly outright the negatives for me. I use to be so anxious in social situations, despairing, pessimistic, irritable, angry, and more than anything I was convinced people were judging me negatively (not in any paranoid way I must add). All of those feelings have gone. Wellbutrin and Zoloft didn't work for me. Cymbalta does. I don't know why and my doctor would not be able to say exactly why. I imagine that would alarm many people, but I've studied this academically and worked in mental health clinics and hospitals for nearly 10 years. It's a trial and error process finding the right psych meds. It's about balancing the benefit with the harm (there is always some harm). My advice is to honest with your doctors (especially if your taking illicit drugs too) and always discuss plans to come off. Nothing will shock them. As for weight gain on Cymbalta, my somewhat educated guess is that it increases appetite and possibly slows metabolism in some people, not all. Good luck to everyone.
  • shenaatl
    shenaatl Posts: 1 Member
    I have gained 27 llb since taking cymbalta in January. I monitored my eating before and after. When I noticed the weight gain, I started eating 1200 calorie daily diets and still gained weight. I am convinced the medication is associated with weight gain despite the information that suggests otherwise. I stopped cold turkey after getting frustrated about my weight. Bad idea! I went through major pain, moodiness random crying and sweating profusely. It was weird. I don't like this drug but it does help me with my pain. Sometimes I think I am going crazy because my body hurts so bad and I can't work out as much as before without it causing major tightness the next day. If anyone found or uses a different drug for fibromyalgia please share!! I'm so insecure about my size and in so much physical pain.
  • laele75
    laele75 Posts: 283 Member
    Never stop a med cold turkey. It's terrible for you.

    Also, before you take ANY medication, DO YOUR RESEARCH!

    I go to the Mayo Clinic's site first. Then for antidepressants, www.crazymeds.us all the way. The author lays everything out in a very accessible way.
  • MsManic
    MsManic Posts: 1
    I, too, gained 30 lbs on Cymbalta. My appetite went through the roof. Everything I have always avoided like sweets and carbs and things just became like survival to me! My husband said he's never seen me eat like this before. I've always been slim and trim but I had to try different drugs to ease my bipolar symptoms. Now I cannot stop eating. It's so disheartening. I try so very hard to not eat them and even when I go days and days and days without carbs or sweets, I think god who can live like this? Ugh.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    You're going to want to talk to your doctor about this, but I recall hearing somewhere that of the possible adverse side effects, high blood sugars can result from taking Cymbalta.

    High blood sugars can cause excessive hunger which can lead to weight gain. You should talk to your doctor.
  • silken555
    silken555 Posts: 478 Member
    I take it for my Fibromyalgia...I've had no adverse effects at all. It's helped me a lot. I was on Lyrica previously and THAT made me gain weight. I was eating everything in site with it!
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