another cymbalta and/or brain zap

[mzteris]

question......

I thought for a while I was "forgetting" to take my dose because in the middle of the day I was getting the "withdrawal zaps" - but I'm absolutely SURE I haven't been skipping - and I'm still having them off/on....

Is this a typical reaction? Or should I speak to the doc about upping/changing.


Update, btw: after last weekend, I suddenly and inexplicably started feeling a bit better. I went shopping, bought some new clothes (something I never ever do - I HATE shopping.) Started getting dressed in real clothes; started organizing my kitchen, etc... so I decided to stay on the Cymbalta - but this brain zap thing is really bothering me.

[malta blue]

1. I keep my pills on me at all times, and set the alarm

on my cell phone to remind me to take them because even a couple of hours difference would give me the brain zap.

Good luck - and I am glad you are starting to feel better...

[no name no slogan]

2. I do the same thing, and also use one of those pill minders too

I take six different prescriptions for various things (and a couple vitamin/mineral supplements), and I would be lost without my pill carrier. The one I use has two compartments per day, as I take one set of pills in the morning and one set in the evening.

I sit down once a week and divide out my doses for the following week, and keep it in the bathroom so I remember to take them when I wake up and before I go to bed. I very rarely miss a dose doing this.

And I also carry at least two days worth of meds with me at all times. Better safe than sorry, IMHO.

[mzteris]

3. but how about

half way through the next day.

I take it just before bed - and around lunch time/early afternoon - I start to get the zaps.

[malta blue]

4. How long have you been taking it....

I posted about my first experiences with it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=276x5682

but I am just fine now. I really hope you can get past the brain zaps, but if not - be sure to try something else...:hug:

[mzteris]

5. I was on 30

for two weeks, now 60 for about 5 or 6 weeks.

The initial adjustment was really really rough. The half way through the day zaps started last week.

[malta blue]

6. I did 30 for one week and have been on 60 for 3 weeks now.

And yes, the initial adjustment was freaky. I haven't had any halfway through the day zaps, but of course, :rofl: now that we've discussed it, they will come.

I hope that they go away soon for you - I may not have any more advice to offer, but am around if you ever want to chat...:hug:

[SPKrazy]

7. You might check with your doc to see if you need to

take an extra dose at some point mid day to even the dose effect better, it seems to be going out of your system maybe more quickly than expected? I dunno, but you shouldn't have to suffer brain zaps to feel better.

:hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. I had the 'brain zap' thing when I was withdrawing from Effexor.

I hated that!

[shadowknows69]

9. I'm new to Cymbalta myself

can someone explain this "brain zap" thing to me? Also what time should I be taking my dose 30mg? My primary who threw me on them told me absolutely nothing. Yes I should have asked.

[malta blue]

10. I find that taking it in the morning allows me to sleep at

night, otherwise the insomnia, coupled with the initial yawning spells was getting really old.