Does Cymbalta withdrawal cause body aches? (3+ precautions)

This article will answer the question about Cymbalta causing body aches during withdrawal. We will also discuss some research findings about Cymbalta’s withdrawal symptoms, along with other factors contributing to body pain. Additionally, we will discuss other withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta. 

Does Cymbalta withdrawal cause body aches? 

Yes, Cymbalta can cause body aches during withdrawal. Not all individuals experience the same withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms caused by antidepressants are manageable and can be treated with the help of other medications. 

Withdrawal symptoms are experienced when an individual stops taking the drug suddenly or if there is a decrease in the dose of the antidepressants. Discontinuing Cymbalta without a physician’s guidance is not recommended. If you want to stop taking the medication, make sure you consult your physician. 

Your physician will taper the dose to the lowest before discontinuing the drug to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms may persist for a few days after discontinuing the drug and eventually resolve. 

What does the research suggest? 

A research study done by Lian et al. found that 60mg/day of duloxetine showed fewer withdrawal symptoms compared to 120mg/day of duloxetine. This indicates that if the dose of duloxetine is higher, then the risk of getting withdrawal symptoms is higher. Antidepressants are always discontinued after tapering the drug to the lowest possible dose. (1)

Six short-term treatment trials on abrupt discontinuation of duloxetine treatment reported that 44.3% of duloxetine-treated patients experienced discontinuation adverse events. The adverse reactions reported were dizziness (12.4%), nausea (5.9%), headache (5.3%), paresthesia (2.9%), vomiting (2.4%), irritability (2.4%) and nightmares (2%), and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms was mild to moderate. (2)

How does Cymbalta withdrawal cause body aches?  

Cymbalta is an antidepressant which belongs to a class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which increase the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters that help treat symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic pain. 

Cymbalta also acts on the noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons in the dorsal horn of the spine, which reduces various types of pain, such as neuropathic and chronic pain. (1) Over time, the body gets used to the drug, and any fluctuations in these neurotransmitters can cause unwanted effects such as body pain.

It usually takes about a day for the withdrawal symptoms to show up after missing a dose of Cymbalta, which lasts for two weeks or more, depending upon the individual condition.

Cymbalta usually takes a few weeks to show its complete action. It takes some time for Cymbalta to treat fibromyalgia-associated symptoms. Fibromyalgia is often associated with body pain. Stopping Cymbalta abruptly can cause symptoms to reappear, resulting in body aches. 

What factors contribute to body aches during Cymbalta withdrawal? 

Body pain can result from a variety of reasons along with drug use and drug withdrawal, such as: 

• Inflammation: Conditions which cause inflammation in joints or muscles can cause pain or soreness. 
• Autoimmune disorders: Conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause systemic inflammation, which can lead to body pain.
• Infection: Viral or bacterial infections can contribute to lethargy and weakness, causing body pain.
• Fibromyalgia: A condition which is characterised by pain, fatigue, weakness, tenderness, etc. 
• Chronic fatigue syndrome: which is characterised by severe fatigue, body pain, headache, joint pain, mood swings, loss of interest, decreased concentration, etc. 
• Poor posture: lack of exercise, nutritional deficiency, dehydration, and sleep disturbance can lead to stress and fatigue, contributing to body pain. 
• Anxiety and stress: Emotional anxiety and stress can manifest physically, causing muscle tension and fatigue, which will lead to body aches. 
• Medication: Other antidepressants, such as venlafaxine, trazodone, and sertraline, can cause muscle and joint pain as a side effect.
• Weather changes: Some individuals experience increased pain and discomfort with changes in weather conditions, especially in winter. 
• Hormonal changes: Women can experience body pain due to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation or menopause. 

How to manage Cymbalta withdrawal body ache? 

Here are some tips to manage Cymbalta withdrawal body pain: 

• Pain relief medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc can help you with your body pain. 
• You can use gels, creams, and pain sprays, which have analgesic properties to help you with your pain.
• Manage your stress by participating in activities such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga.
• Consider massage therapy to help improve your circulation, relax your muscle tension and ease your pain. 
• Stay hydrated and have a balanced diet. You can even take vitamin supplements since vitamin deficiency can cause body pain. 
• You can take a warm bath, which will relax your muscles and improve blood flow. 
• Make sure you take frequent breaks and give your body a proper rest. 

What are the other symptoms of Cymbalta withdrawal?

The severity and occurrence of withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. Here are some withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta.

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Paresthesia
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Hyperhidrosis
• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Tinnitus
• Seizures

In my experience, withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta can vary between individuals. Some may experience serious side effects, and some may not. Withdrawal symptoms usually subside after a few days and can be managed with other medications.

When you stop taking Cymbalta, it can cause your previous symptoms that were treated by Cymbalta to reappear. Always consult your physician before discontinuing any antidepressant, and do not reduce the dose of antidepressant without your physician’s approval. 

References