Had to Abruptly Stop Taking Cymbalta After Surgery; Having Medication Withdrawals

[AweLauren 3]

Hello,

I just had the Gastric Sleeve on 11/15/16. I had to stop taking Cymbalta cold turkey after the surgery because it is a delayed release capsule and you can't take those after surgery. The pill doesn't come in any other form. I am having some withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and bran zaps. Did anyone else have to do this? Any advice or suggestions on the process?

Thanks!

Lauren

[Aggiemae 739]

You shouldn't just suddenly stop taking this medication. Call your Dr and get something for anxiety also am pretty sure you can open the capsules and mix then with liquids so ask about that too. As far I'm concerned it would be appropriate for you to go the urgent or emergency dept to be seen for this.

Where did you have your surgery? This should have been addressed pre op.

[Babbs 14,681]

Ah! That extended release thing is a MYTH. You poor thing. Call your PCP or doctor who put you on it asap to see how you can restart it. You should NEVER stop anti depressants cold turkey!

[theantichick 2,204]

I had to get off of cymbalta and had the same symptoms you're describing, even the lowest dose was not low enough. I ended up opening the capsules and counting out the little balls to walk the dosage down. One option I didn't know about then, but according to several docs works great is to get switched to something like Prozac which eases the ramp down. But yeah, double check on the extended release, I've not seen any literature about it being contraindicated. You can't crush them is all. My doc let me take small pills and capsules from day 1. Your doc should be able to give you some options.

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[AweLauren 3]

I'm started walking the dosage down today with counting the beads. I have other anxiety Meds that are helping and I have to get off other Meds before and the withdrawal was much worse than this. It's not capsules but it's the extended release capsules that he doesn't want sitting on my stomach. It was Dr. Bonnor in Katy. Other than the medications, I would say everything else went good. I'm trying the bead thing so we will see how it goes! Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate everything!!

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[rolosmom7 740]

Agreeing with everyone else - be VERY careful with anti depressants, I'm speaking from experience. Hormones and frustration will make you nuts and depressed after surgery. Please keep your baseline good. Maybe your PCP can help??

[AweLauren 3]

Yea. I've been through it before with another medication. I started back on the med and will wean myself off slower. I have Ativan so that's helping with the anxiety. I have a follow up with him next week and will be talking to my PCP if it doesn't get better. Thank you!

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[Aggiemae 739]

I was on long acting oxycodone during my pre op phase and was told by the WLS NP that I needed to be completely off it before the surgery. I reduced my dosage from 30 mg 2X day to 10mg 2X day and supplementing with short acting. I was planning on going to short acting dilaudid right before surgery.

When I saw the surgeon for the pre op she told me there was no medical reason to stop taking the extended release. Apparently the NP I saw has issues with narcotic pain meds...

A topic for another day: why are medical providers with personal agendas allowed to present their OPINIONS as FACTS?

Interestingly, the change in diet reduced my cronic inflammation to the point where I was almost completely off pain medication too weeks post op!

Back on pain meds now because of inflamed triennial nerves (very painful!) but hoping it's going to be very short term. Got the morphine pump all worked out today.

I just reread this, and good thing as the "auto correct" changed "narcotic PAIN meds" to "narcotic PARTY meds and " cronic inflammation" to "comic inflation"!

[ocgirl15 667]

I had a month of lowering the dose before going cold turkey. I still had horrible brain zaps that were miserable. Hoping you get through this I know how you feel : (

[AweLauren 3]

Yea. It sucks. It really does but I'm ready to be off of it. It's increasing my restless legs problem. The zaps are awful but it's a good thing I haven't been on it that long. Thank God. I'm glad you got through it and thank you for the encouragement.

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[ocgirl15 667]

I had a month of lowering the dose before going cold turkey. I still had horrible brain zaps that were miserable. Hoping you get through this I know how you feel : (

I should add I was under the care of Doctor during this process and temporarily took Wellbutrin to take the edge off. Call your doc and see what they recommend.

[AweLauren 3]

Yea. I'm going to. Thank you!

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[pinkbunies 359]

I feel your pain, I went through the exact same thing. I had to switch medications because of the time delay stuff. I take Xanax as needed now.

[Richelle24 3]

I'm 5 weeks post op and take Cymbalta without any problems.

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[CraftyGirl25 4]

I was also on Cymbalta. My doctor changed my prescription to Effexor. She said it was in the same family but is a tad bit bigger than an M&M, which is my doctor's guide to use if you swallow your medicine. I have to cut it up in quarters though because I can taste halves going down! I tried to ween myself off after surgery because I just didn't want to have to swallow it. Ran into trouble right away!

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