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| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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08-21-2013, 10:05 AM
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I tried to come off Cymbalta yesterday, but I felt lousy this morning, but didn't have any PCS symptoms thankfully. I had to take a 30mg capsule in the end.
I spoke to my doctor and he said I should just stop taking it altogether, what I am experiencing is discontinuation syndrome and there isn't a lower dose available. However reading around the web it seems that some people taper off by opening the capsules and removing the beads inside, increasing the number removed each day. There are 270 beads in each 30mg capsule. I am going to remove around 14 beads every day over two weeks in order that my brain can adjust slowly. I will only be taking 30 beads in 2 weeks and will stop after this.
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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08-21-2013, 11:01 AM
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I have not taken , nor will I ever take Cymbalta.
Wishing you well in your withdrawal. The Road Back - regarding Cymbalta withdrawal. A Doctor is Shocked about the syndrome of withdrawal. Tips on Tapering and bead counting. Please take your time, and recover with least syndrome worries, and at the least, show the information to your doc to educate him/her. Best Wishes .................. 
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. Current: Changes of more insomnia, new reviews with findings of more Depression, tremors, vertigo, tinnitus, loss of focus, fatigue; SSDI - accepted on Depression, Cognitive Deficits; Seizures ruled out, mTBI changes including cognitive slowing/lapses. Medication update: Topamax 200mg twice daily it seems to minimize daily headaches to a 1-2/10 quality(I still know they are there); and acute headaches erupt without warnings. |
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08-21-2013, 02:11 PM
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Concussion,
Thanks for this info, I came off it previously cold turkey on 30mg and the withdrawal wasn't so bad. I think it is more difficult this time because I went up to 60mg and have been on it for longer. I imagine some of the people on the above sites have been on it for years - hence the severe withdrawal. I am confident about the withdrawal, I have counted all the beads and have two weeks of capsules ready in date order. In relation to the drug itself, I have no complaints, it has been instrumental in my recovery and I have no regrets whatsoever about taking it. God forbid I ever have a concussion again, but if I do it is the first thing I will be asking for!
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | GirlFromNorway (08-21-2013) |
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08-21-2013, 08:07 PM
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Mouse,
Be careful. Withdrawl is very hard on the brain. A drug rep told me a lot of doctors don't want to acknowledge withdrawl problems from these meds! Slow tapering is the way to go. Open it and remove one or two a day. Good luck to you! Jace
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. *TBI with mild to severe damage November 2012 from car crash. Stroke with hemorage & 4 clots in veins in brain Feb/Mar 2015. *Vestibular damage, PCS, hypercusis, severe visual processing and tracking issues, short term memory loss, headaches/migraines, occipital neuralgia, cognitive issues, neurological issues, brain fog, brain fatigue when over stimulated, twitching, vertigo, neck issues, nerve issues, PTSD, personality change, Since stroke left side weakness, rage, worsening of vestibular problems, recall, speech, memory. *Can't drive or work. Have done occupational therapy, cognitive therapy, physical therapy. Learning work arounds, and strategies to be competent in daily life. Change your attitude/perspective changes your life. As TBI survivors this is a vital part of our healing and living. *Working on getting to know and accept the new me. |
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08-27-2013, 03:34 PM
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Nearly half way through the withdrawal and its going ok, I have dropped from 60mg to 15mg at this point.
I have had fatigue, mild headache, mild earache and upset stomach, but I don't think its the PCS coming back, but symptoms related to coming off the Cymbalta. Some people suggest it takes 5 weeks after your last dose to get back to normal. I don't feel anywhere near as bad as I did coming off Cymbalta 'cold turkey' - gradually reducing is the way to go.
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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09-01-2013, 03:27 PM
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I only have three capsules left now, and I have to say doing it this way is much easier as I have had no significant withdrawal symptoms at all apart from being a little more irritable than usual and tingling in my teeth/gums.
I hope its not the remnants of PCS because I think I am at the end of my PCS journey.
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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09-02-2013, 05:20 PM
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Hope you are well! I was wondering how long were you on Cymbalta? I am on Pristiq and I was trying to figure out when I should make this move of tapering off the Pristiq which is a SNRI as well.
What was the total length of time it took you to get off the Cymbalta? How did tapering affect your work? I am wanting to start tapering soon but I do not know how it will do with me being back in school now. I am kind of scared of the serotonin syndrome and would like to start tapering sooner than later. I appreciate your time and if you could give me your input I greatly thank you. Mia
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What Happened: In 2011 I was in a MVA . Symptoms: Physical: I am always cold in any season!!I cannot tolerate anything pressure on my head(sun glasses,hats)longer then a hour,Lock jaw/Displaced TMJ, Dropsey, Hands go numb, Arms go numb, back of head numb (when asleep),Muscle spasms in face & upper body,migraines, concentration headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck and back trauma (from accident), tinnitus, extreme light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, impaired vestibular system, balance off, Pupils NEVER equal, disrupted sleep cycles,speech problems. Cognitive: Cognitive Behavior, Brain fog, impulsivity, speech problems, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory, impaired complex attention Emotional: Unable to handle stress or overstimulation without getting extremely irritable or angry, easily overstimulated, MAJOR depression, major anxiety, Panic attacks Treatment so far: Treatment for PCS,PTSD,Depression & panic,Vestibular therapy, Physical therapy, Vitamin Schedule,Walking,No Dairy, No eggs, No caffeine, No artificial coloring, Sleep with 2 pillows, Very little sugars consumed, Eat healthy,No alcohol, Medications, limit stress and overstimulation. ~*~Learn to treasure yourself and your Divinity. Be willing to accept yourself completely. Be yourself, be graceful, be kind, be wild, be weird ... be true to yourself~*~ |
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09-02-2013, 05:38 PM
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Miavita,
I think I started Cymbalta 30mg in February I think this year, so am not a long term user. I came off it cold turkey a few months back and tried other migraine remedies but was unsuccessful. Headaches returned and I went back on Cymbalta, but this time had to take 60mg for relief. After discussing with my doctor I agreed to drop to 30mg with a view to withdrawal. I have gradually reduced dose over 14 days by removing 14 beads daily. I have been taking Cymbalta for pain rather than depression, so it is a more straightforward situation than depression. Of course I did have very low mood with PCS, so Cymbalta helped this. However as all my symptoms have gone, my mood has also improved. Hope this helps!
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | MiaVita2012 (09-04-2013) |
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09-02-2013, 05:48 PM
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I as well started because of chronic pain and I remember now we started the same month. How did the tapering affect your work? What do you do for you pain now?Sorry if I am asking so many questions.I appreciate you!
 Mia
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What Happened: In 2011 I was in a MVA . Symptoms: Physical: I am always cold in any season!!I cannot tolerate anything pressure on my head(sun glasses,hats)longer then a hour,Lock jaw/Displaced TMJ, Dropsey, Hands go numb, Arms go numb, back of head numb (when asleep),Muscle spasms in face & upper body,migraines, concentration headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck and back trauma (from accident), tinnitus, extreme light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, impaired vestibular system, balance off, Pupils NEVER equal, disrupted sleep cycles,speech problems. Cognitive: Cognitive Behavior, Brain fog, impulsivity, speech problems, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory, impaired complex attention Emotional: Unable to handle stress or overstimulation without getting extremely irritable or angry, easily overstimulated, MAJOR depression, major anxiety, Panic attacks Treatment so far: Treatment for PCS,PTSD,Depression & panic,Vestibular therapy, Physical therapy, Vitamin Schedule,Walking,No Dairy, No eggs, No caffeine, No artificial coloring, Sleep with 2 pillows, Very little sugars consumed, Eat healthy,No alcohol, Medications, limit stress and overstimulation. ~*~Learn to treasure yourself and your Divinity. Be willing to accept yourself completely. Be yourself, be graceful, be kind, be wild, be weird ... be true to yourself~*~ |
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09-03-2013, 12:51 PM
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Firstly, I have no pain, that is why I am stopping the Cymbalta, I don't need pain relief now, I can even do a 45 minute gym session workout without headaches arriving. I haven't used Imigran for 10 weeks either as I haven't had migraines/post concussive headaches.
To be honest the work hasn't been affected by withdrawing, probably because I am now better and I have gradually built up my stamina for work and other activities. I have just had to pace myself. To cut a long story short, I am better and that is why I am ceasing this medication. The only symptom left is very mild light sensitivity under bright artificial lighting. I am 100% confident this will also go in the next few months or so. Good luck, I am sure you will get there!
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance. Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | MiaVita2012 (09-04-2013) |
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