Diarrhea After Quitting Cymbalta

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XinaMae535

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Guys and gals, since last week when I went off Cymbalta for 2 days, diarrhea started. I thought maybe it was due to stopping the meds and after I started back up, it would constipate me again and the diarrhea would stop. Well, it's been a full week now and I STILL have stomach issues and diarrhea, actually kind bad. :oops: Just when the diarrhea started/when I was off the Cymbalta, was when my calves and feet started twitching non-stop, with the twitches that I could see, but couldn't feel. This was a big time change to my "normal", body wide-one twitch there-one twitch here-twitches that I could see type of twitching.So now that a few days have past, I am starting to take anti-diarrhea medicine today (I wanted to hold off to see if this would pass on its own, as I do not want to add to the constipation that Cymbalta gives me). But so far, no constipation, just still gut pain and frequent bathroom visits.When diarrhea started, these other, new twitches started. As long as I have diarrhea, I also have these twitches. :unsure: Oh, I can't be dehydrated. I've been drinking so much water, where I've been adding a packet of electrolytes (one per day, per the box instructions). My blood work at the ER on Saturday was normal (no sign of infection).Any thoughts/experiences?
 
My guess is that you may have an absorption issue or intolerance/sensitivity to certain food/drink items. Lactose, Sugar, Gluten, etc. Perhaps, even a digestive enzyme deficiency may be present. Usually, the closest association to the problem is the cause. Keep this in consideration.
 
thank you - and I plan on shopping for all of the carb, gluten, sugar and caffeine free stuff for my diet tomorrow, with supplements. I am on vacation as of tonight and I can really focus on it. I made my lists and my meal plans, so I just hope I have enough will power. I know my will power to get better is sky high, so I hope that will shine through in the next coming days.
 
holy cow, Xina, twitching is not a result of just dehydration or non-hydration.Diarroea means your guts do not absorb water from the chimus (due to poisoning with some organic or inorganic poison or toxin). That is why your stool is liquid.So your blood becomes different in Na K Mg ions concentration and you feel twitches.STOP WATER. Drink Isotonic solution. You ARE DEHYDRATED despite on drinking alot, this is like cholera - you drink a hell of water and die from dehydration.stop water, buy regidron or other isotonic powder or solution or prepare it from sugar and sodium bicarbonat per internet receipe. It has EXTREMELY bad taste but drink it every 15 minutes, about a full spoon or two every time.in about a day you will feel better.NO WATER AT ALL. Just isotonic liquid.that would help both for your twitches and diarroea too. Healthy guts restore their cells and membranes approx in 4 days. Just do not overlaod them with water.
 
really? I can still be dehydrated. ? To be honest, I slowed down on the water two days ago and it's still bad. My doctor prescribed me something which I will pick up tomorrow. She said that if things do not start to get regular while using this stuff after a week, then she'll send a stool test away.I feel fine otherwise, meaning, I have no fever, or nausea, no cold symptoms.2 weeks now it's been happening. I will look for the type of drink you mentioned. Thank you for helping!
 
well, if after about a 2 weeks of diarrhoea you are still active and have no dehydration singns (loss of weight, loss of energy, etc.) - it may mean your diarrhoea is not so severe and fortunately it is not a cholera :) (I must admit however in cholera people usually do not feel neither cramps, nor nausea and just have a lot of water-like stool, but dehydration is really severe). Anyway stool test may show if t is a bacterial issue or something like IBS.Try what your doctor prescribed, and check if you would get better. Isotonic drinks are usually good for acute process, if you have a day or two of severe dehydration due to dysbalance. In two weeks your guts probably already somehow adapted to the hell of water you absorb :((( otherwise you would not feel relatively fine. But generally, if you or somebody in your family gets acute diarrhoea due to infection, it is better to have a sachet of the isotonic powder at hand :)wish you good resolution
 
I had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) for years before BFS. It would flare up usually when I was stressed. During the beginning of my developing BFS it was in full swing and probably the worst it had ever been. When I later was treated for BFS (by treating for Leaky Gut) I found that the BFS and IBS were very much related. There is a strong link between the digestive system, the immune system, and the nervous system. So my 2 cents is that yes there is a relationship. I am no doctor, but it reminds me of the experience I had and makes me think you might benefit from diet modification. For some reason dairy products were more triggers for the diarrhea, so I'm not sure if you eat a lot of dairy. You may want to try alternatives such as almond milk.
 
You guys, since 7-Aug, I STILL have diarrhea. Some days are worse than others. My doctor prescribed a pro-biotic last week, as soon as I started taking it, it went WAY worse, so I stopped. I gave a stool sample up on Tuesday, but it takes about a week to get the results. I am leaving for Ireland tonight, for 1 week. I went to the pharmacy yesterday and told them that I have taken XYZ anti-diarrhea meds and the only thing that somewhat helped was this one called Vaprino, but only a little. They asked me questions and when they found out that I have been having this for so long they said, "you know, legally, we aren't allowed to sell you anything, not even anything over the counter. But you are not sweating or look faint, so here, for your trip," and they gave more Vaprino, something else to take before the plane ride and then electrolyte drinks. And yes, I still have the leg and feet twitches - this all started on 7-Aug, when I missed 2 days of Cymbalta. Since then, I've been taking it regularly and it made me constipated before I missed the dose. I only have diarrhea, low abdominal pains and bloating/gas (and constant twitching in the legs/feet). No other symptoms. My temp and blood pressure have been fine, and I still have an appetite. If anything, I am a little more hungry than before. I am not losing weight, which I would think would happen when I am passing much undigested food. Some days I go frequently, some days not frequently, but every time I go, it's the SAME THING! No blood to see, but the color and consistency has never changed.Bond007 - does IBS or leaky gut sound like this? Did you have chronic diarrhea? I have not changed anything in my usual diet when the diarrhea started. I am vegan, but eat eggs. I stopped my no sugar, no gluten, low carb, diet on Day 8 because I want to first get my gut straightened out. I started the diet after the diarrhea had already started. I thought if the Cymbalta doesn't make me constipated again, then surely this bland diet would help get me back in shape. Neither was true.
 
Thank you! I am in Ireland and dealing with the same issue - still going on. I will call my doctor on Monday to (hopefully) get the results of the stool test. My nurse is a retired nurse who worked with gerontologists and was able to give me some ideas like inflammation or maybe a blockage since right before this happened, I was the other extreme, constipated. If the stool test says nothing, I will need to just go straight to the gerontologist's office on Friday next week.
 
I am back and my stool test was normal. My doctor was waiting for the pancreatic values, and now she is on vacation until 18-Sept, her office is closed until then. My stool has somewhat returned to normal, just a few days ago, but with still some bouts of diarrhea in between. I still have the bloat and gas, sometimes bad sometimes not so bad. I have so many anti-diarreah, anti-gas, anti-reflux etc etc meds, and I just keep taking this or that, since I am not sure exactly what helps and what doesn't help.The twitch storm in my feet and legs are still happening. I am feeling the same kind of tiny twitches now in my face, lips, tongue, arms....but they are only occasional. The ones in my lower body are all over, all the time.Now I am freaking out because of these two things happening:My right hand (the one where I had the ganglion removed) is being "clumsy" and "floppy" more and more. My husband tests my strength (gently) and it seems fine, but it's not controllable or let's say as "stable" as my left hand. And, I feel the pinky and ring finger producing a strange sensation, like they are going numb, but they don't go totally numb. It's hard to explain. It's only getting worse.Both of my arms are heavy and also "clumsy" since the last couple of days, feeling weak. I do feel that my neck, shoulder and upper back muscles are totally tense and hard. My head rotation is limited. Gave me a pressure headache even. I am thinking the tension is causing the problem in my arms, but....what is causing all of these muscles to be stiffening, on both sides? I did not do anything over the weekend but rest since we got back from Ireland. It's making me anxious again, very worried this could be the "spasms" or "stiffening" that happens in MND. Otherwise, I am worried this is all related and is a different bad disease and I don't know where to turn or where to go next. PS - I had an HIV test recently just to be sure and that was negative.I have started the Immunocomplex which has basically all of the vitamins and minerals one needs, plus the good stuff for nerves, and have felt no change in anything.Any reassurance or advice is really appreciated! I was doing so good and did not let any of this ruin our time in Ireland, and I am trying not to slip back down "the path".
 
Hello Xina I am sorry that you are not doing so well these days. I hope it gets better for you.While it is evidently clear there is something wrong with you, the severity of the "wrong" is still unclear. This uncertainty can make things worse can it not?I am sure that your symptoms are real. I believe that they are not stressed related that there is a physical element to what is wrong with you, but I DO believe that you need to look at the words you wrote - especially here:"Both of my arms are heavy and also "clumsy" since the last couple of days, feeling weak. I do feel that my neck, shoulder and upper back muscles are totally tense and hard. My head rotation is limited. Gave me a pressure headache even. I am thinking the tension is causing the problem in my arms, but....what is causing all of these muscles to be stiffening, on both sides? I did not do anything over the weekend but rest since we got back from Ireland. It's making me anxious again, very worried this could be the "spasms" or "stiffening" that happens in MND."In terms of MND - do they feel heavy, weak, and clumsy -- or ARE they ? You use words as "tense" "hard" "tension" "anxious" -- I believe you are magnifying your symptoms tenfold by being so focused on MND, or focused on something being wrong.The path all of us BFS'ers is long and all it takes is one tiny instant to set us back on that ALS trail. I myself am on it right now. I know you don't want to hear that its stress, I know you don't want to hear just be patient and relax.I can't assure you of anything that you haven't been reassured with before.BUT I can say for as long as you have been posting - if it was an MND - you would not be speaking, walking, or moving -- or in the very least those things without great difficulty.May you find the peace you are looking for, may you have the answers that you need.We are here for you.
 
I appreciate it RIno - I am sorry you are also not doing well again. :( If there is anything I can do to help, I will.My husband has to start taking anti-depressants now because of me. He had his first appt with a therapist tonight. He can't sleep and this burden has become too much for him. :crying: I am pretty much flipping out right now tonight and am desperate for support. Please anyone who can read this, please help me with this one thing which is happening to me:My right hand I spoke about, the index finger and the pinky finger.....they have felt off for a while, it never went away, and is now is really bad! I feel things slipping out of MY HAND today!!!!!!! THINGS ARE SLIPPING OUT!! :eek: :eek: Please please please - I need help! I am trying to focus only on this one thing to help me through:I HAVE WRIST PAIN from my surgery still from January. The wound and the surrounding area on the back side still hurts and when I rub it, it feels like it's black and blue, but it's not. Actually, a blue mark on the outside of my wrist near my pinky side appeared out of nowhere, my husband nor I remember me stubbing it (but I could have and not noticed). COULD ALL OF THIS STILL BE FROM MY GANGLION CYST REMOVAL SURGERY IN JANUARY!?!?! My hand/wrist feels so UNSTABLE! And pained! Or is it unstable and pained because of overuse? Or is it unstable and pained because my muscles are getting weaker and normal use is what is causing the pain!? <---my biggest fear :crying: My husband and I have been testing my strength. Usually gently, but today I didn't give a ?!$% and I asked him to pull harder than normal. I would make an O with my thumb and pinky and he would put his finger inside the O and pull outward, trying to break my thumb and pinky apart. He can't break through unless he goes WAY hard, and it's the same on both hands, BUT, with my right hand, I have to TRY/STRAIN HARDER so it does not break before my left. Know what I mean? Plus the twitching ALL OVER since Aug 7th, which is spreading, including both eyelids today, and my lip today. And including THIS RIGHT HAND! I feel like my entire body is always shaking, like almost like a light form of Parkinson's. Like, I am never still from constant twitches. I am sure many of you can relate. My twitches before were just here and there, a pop here or there, with an occasional hot spot.Please - can someone virtually smack me and just help me to realize the surgery/pain option? Could this be possible still from my surgery from January? What would you do - should I go back to the hand surgeon or what!? An ultrasound, an xray!? I am so, so sick from this. :oops: PS - I stopped the Immunocomplex stuff I started taking recently, which has allllllll kinds of good stuff in it. I have a feeling since taking it, that is when I noticed the twitches spread more. Could it be that this stuff is enhancing my immune system, and if I had an auto-immune issue, that that could probably not be a good thing?PPS - With the strength testing, we only have done it recently, and gently, besides tonight. I couldn't take it. My left hand is totally fine from all of the testing we've done, and is otherwise totally fine. Except it will twitch as everywhere else. I put all kinds of pain gels on my wrist and have it wrapped in a wrist wrap.
 
Xina - I am not sure what to say about your symptoms, but I recognize anxiety when I hear it and also I have had (and I bet most of us have had) similar catastrophic thoughts. It sounds like you have entered a phase with this stuff that it is about to start destroying your life. You can't let it do that. Think of it this way, even if you have the dreaded disease we all fear, do you want to spend the rest of your days without your husband or with him? The answer is obvious - with him. You can't let catastrophic thoughts ruminate through your head and ultimately affect your body. Might you have the ultra rare form of the disease - I doubt it, but I guess there could be some chance. But there is also a chance that you could get run over by a bus tomorrow. You can't live your life this way. I for one, don't want to be scared anymore. I am tired of being scared. I am tired of every time I stumble or drop something or clear my throat having that sinking feeling. Please, please find someone to help with your anxiety. A counselor perhaps?One final thought on your hand symptoms, I know about 6 or 7 weeks ago, I did some strong strength tests with my hands and wouldn't you know it, my hands hurt for 2 days. And I think I have reasonably strong, conditioned hands. But do g weird things hurt them. Could all the self testing be hurting you? You bet it can.
 
Please understand that if your doctors have been able to evaluate you in person and have not pinpointed what is going on, our likelihood of pinpointing with accuracy is low. The most we can do is share our experiences and reference conditions and third party sources where your symptoms have manifested. From there, a clue may emerge.
 
Hi Xina I would just like to say that the chances of a slow progession MND is really low."where it took people 3-5 years to get diagnosed?" is what you said - but those people had more severe symptoms than you - but I understand the path you are on.as far as testing strength - I do it every day. I test my feet I test my hand - some days im strong as *beep* - next day I feel that I am not so strong.Take a look at what you have dropped --What did you drop exactly? How many times a day did you drop something? What were you doing when you dropped it?
 

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