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Dizzy/Vertigo for 4 months

Posted , 4 users are following.

matt_83569
matt_83569

Hello everyone

Decembar last year I stopped taking my antidepressant Cymbalta after ten years.  I went onto pristiq and everything was going fine until early february when one night i got nauseas dizzy feeling. Since then I have had that feeling constantly, i stress that it doesn't ever go away, its not coming in bursts or on and off days. It's a constant imbalanced dizzy feeling, like im leaning to the left, even sitting down and only slightly better laying down. Needless to say its been brutal.

I've tried different antidepressants and even came off them completely, with little effect on it. I've had blood tests and they've come back fine, and had a GP look at my ears. I have a few tests coming up but i have little hope they'll show much as they are just routine CAT scans and more blood tests which she is trying to use to move toward seeing a neurologist.

Has anyone had simliar problems or advice for me? Anything that could speed up fixing this would be very appreciated.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jason61983
    jason61983 matt_83569

    Posted

    Cymbalta can be very hard to come off. It is well know to cause withdrawal. Did you ween yourself off very slowly or discontinue Abruptly? You need to reduce dosage very slowly with cymbalta. Even to the point of opening the capsules and removing just a few of the small beads every few weeks. Don't get me wrong there are some people who come of cymbalta with no problems. I too have been on cymbalta for many years and I have suffered with dizziness on and off sinceI have been on it.

    • matt_83569
      matt_83569 jason61983

      Posted

      I came off it over a month and it was very brutal after such a long time on it. I could undersand it being a problem with Cymbalta withdrawal but it started like ten weeks after i was off it which i found strange.

      The reason i stopped was it wasn't helping with my depression much anymore

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 matt_83569

    Posted

    Did the GP check your eye movements (including in the dark with a flashlight)?

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • matt_83569
      matt_83569 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      She did a few eye movement checks but not in the dark. I had an optometrist look at my eyes and he said while it might be strain he doubted it contributed much to dizziness
    • eleftherio33095
      eleftherio33095 matt_83569

      Posted

      If there is peripheral vestibular dysfunction (in the ear), then you will not see anything in daylight due to the presence of visual fixation caused by central (brain) compensation.  If in the darkness there is noted a right beating nystagmus, then together with your feeling of leaning to the left this would indicate peripheral vestibular dysfunction on your left.

      Therefore, you need to see ENT for a more complete clinical examination.

      Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

      Clinical Neurophysiologist

      Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

  • jason61983
    jason61983 matt_83569

    Posted

    For the past 3 years and 3 months I have been very dizzy every day. I also have headaches, head pressure, earache and ear pressure along with hyperacusis tinnitus. Doctors believe it to be caused buy vestibular neuritis and my diagnosis now is migrainous vertigo àlso know as mav or migraine associated vertigo. I believe that cymbalta is the main cause of my issues but my doctor does not. I have always been more dizzy if I forget to take my cymbalta. I am too scared to stop taking cymbalta altogether.

    • jason61983
      jason61983

      Posted

      How did I forget the fatigue too
  • jason61983
    jason61983 matt_83569

    Posted

    Why did you switch from cymbalta to Pristiq ? We're you on cymbalta for mental health reasons or for pain Management? Sorry to ask. Just trying to paint a picture of you situation.

  • jason61983
    jason61983 matt_83569

    Posted

    A neuro-otologist is the specialist to see but you will probably need to go through with seeing an entry specialist first.
    • jason61983
      jason61983

      Posted

      Sorry ENT specialist first
  • patricia00635
    patricia00635 matt_83569

    Posted

    I had acupunture yesterday and found it was relieved. However I was told may be due to anxiety and stress. I am taking herbal tablets as did not wish to take anti depressants due to becoming adictive. I have seen a neurologist and ENT specialist.

    My blood tests also have negative results.  Try acupuncture, they are very thorough and may solve the issue.

  • coral_89788
    coral_89788 matt_83569

    Posted

    Hi

    When I stopped my welbutrin ( not sure of spelling) I felt like that for three months.. Doctor said I should of weaned myself off , not quit cold turkey... I was so dizzy and out of it mentally.... I got back on and I was fine .. so in a couple of months I will do it the right way.... good luck

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