[MaureenV]

jen, on 01 March 2010 - 04:18 PM, said:

I HAVE BEEN ON CYMBALTA FOR A FEW YEARS AND AM CURRENTYLY LOWERING MY DOSE TO STOP. I AM NOW OPENING UP THE 30 MG CAPSULE AND DUMPING OUT ABOUT HALF. AFTER DOING THIS FOR ANOTHER WEEK I WILL TRY TO STOP. I HAVE HAD SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND SOME CHEST DISCOMFORT SINCE THURSDAY. HAS ANYONE ELSE FELT LIKE THIS ??????

Just about everyone. You'll also probably find that you have great difficulty stopping completely at 15mg. Why not go a little slower and avoid all the withdrawal effects?


Maureen.

[Junior]

Dee50, on 02 March 2010 - 06:05 PM, said:

Another thing I wonder about is restless legs syndrome. I have been treated for this for years, but now that I am coming off the cymbalta and taking no other antidepressant, my legs are hardly moving anymore. So was this a problem created more from the antidepressant than the syndrome itself?

Hi Dee

This site might help to answer some of your questions. It lists all the withdrawal symptoms that can be experienced. http://www.prozactru...om/cymbalta.htm

Cheers
Junior

[MaureenV]

daphne, on 03 March 2010 - 10:04 PM, said:

hello Freddie, my name is Daphne and my heart goes out to you. I have been on Cymbalta since December 2009, I have had enough, when I forgot my first pill, the top of my head, jaw, and the back of the neck was in so much pain I wanted to die..... the withdrawl that I went through you would think was enough for me not to forget another pill, no, I forgot it other times and again the symptoms were repeatative and had other symptoms similar to yours.. Spoke to my doctor and asked her to help me to get off, unlike you I understand there are not many meds you can take, but I went from 60 mg to one week of 30 mgs and now I am skipping a day, wow the fire crackers started, went to work and felt that if I did not lean on the walls I would have fallen down due to weakness, dizziness, and shear pain, but here it is the time for me to take my pill which I did 30 min ago and I feel better. Not looking forward to skipping that day again tomorrow night, but Ineed to get off of this.... This is the second time I have been on antidepressants and pray I do not go through another bout of what was called clinical depression. Soo with that said, I will keep in touch and hope you can find your place of peace...... My Jehovah God give you the strength you need.... as Isaiah 41: 10, 13 He will really really be with you........ Read this it will help to encourage you.... Talk to you soon Freddie... email me daphnecastro2@aol.com Cape Coral Florida

Hi Daphne,

Cymbalta has a short half life, and by taking it every second day, all you're doing is feeding your brain's 'addiction' to it, then repeating the misery of commencing withdrawal on the other days.

In order to get off Cymbalta with the least amount of withdrawal symptoms it's necessary to take Cymbalta every single day - slowly scaling down the dose. There's lots of info on this board about how to do a slow wean, by opening and dividing the contents of the capsule.

You will feel much, much better taking (eg) 15mg every single day, than you will takaing 30mg every second day.


regards, Maureen.

[Junior]

Jen

If you withdrawals are so severe, it really would be better to get back on the dose of Cymbalta that your body wants and wean more slowly. I know you want this stuff out of your body but the problem isn't toxicity, it's how it has chemically changed the way your brain functions. Once you remove the drug, it can take quite a while for the brain to return to its pre-med way of functioning. What you have to ask yourself is, is it worth the severe withdrawals?

By gradually reducing the dose, withdrawal effects can be a LOT easier to live with thereby giving you quality of life during the process. Sure, it will take a longer, but it will be a MUCH easier process to navigate.

Give it some thought
Junior

[Junior]

Hi Mary

Unfortunately Cymbalta is one of the hardest a/ds to get off. This site lists all the possible withdrawal effects, so you may find it useful http://www.prozactru...om/cymbalta.htm You are not alone!

In terms of dropping from 60mg to 20mg,that is a very big drop. You may find it beneficial to 'updose' and wait until you stabilise (feel no wdl symptoms) before trying to reduce the dose again.

We find that many Drs don't understand why people have so much trouble getting off these drugs. They think it only takes a couple of weeks, or that people can just go off them old turkey. A common regime we see prescribed is the 'every other day' thing, which rarely works.

I know it's hard to go against a Dr, but think about maybe getting back on a dose where you stabilise - this usually takes just a few days - then weaning more slowly. The general recommendation, esp if you are sensitive to drugs, is to drop by 10% each time, then wait 3-6 weeks for wdl effects to subside before reducing further. This may mean opening the capsules and emptying out some of the beads. If you want to try this, let us know and we can give you the bead count.

Good luck
Junior

[Junior]

Hi Mary

You need to give it a few days. Maybe 5 - and if you don't feel any better, then updose again.

For the record, I switched from Paxil to Lexapro in March 09, then Lexapro to Cymbalta in July 09. Hated Cymbalta, came off it after only 19 days (60mg) and suffered horrible withdrawal. I took nothing for 3 weeks then was forced to go back on to Paxil just so I could get some sleep! Sleeping tabs did nothing I was on 40mg and have managed to get down to 20mg but my nervous system is still sensitive. Any day where I do a reasonable amount of exercise (yesterday I did 2 loads of washing and a grocery shop) and I have a poor night's sleep, tossing and turning and waking every hour or so. I hate to think what I'd be like without the naturopathic support I've been getting. Blah

Oh.. many people find they get relief by taking Prozac during Cymbalta withdrawal. I took a couple during mine and they DID help. Just a thought...

Good luck
Junior

[dankymama]

Mary, on 12 March 2010 - 12:46 PM, said:

OMG, I am so glad I found this site. I am waiting to hear back from my doctor, as 5 weeks ago I went from 60 to 20 mg of Cymbalta and then was supposed to try celexa. I started the clexa but it made me feel worse, so I just stopped. I have vivid scary nightmares, I have a tingling in my chest and then all over including my lips and then I sweat profusely. I just talked to the doctor's office and I am awaiting a response. I thought I was dying as I also have an "orphaned blood disorder" that can kick in at any time. I thought I was loosing my mind. I took Cymbalta last winter as I have seasonal depression and had no problem but this time I think I am dying or living in hell.

As I am typing this I am dizzy, prickly feeling, nauseated, and now I get these very scary and weird nightmares.

I'm just too old for this crap and to tell you the truth I should have known better than trust the pharmaceutical companies as they all lie for the sake of greed. I hope this hasn't caused other health issues. I too am allergic to most medications and generally rely on herbals. NEVER again will I take this drug. I feel like a drug addict who is in the throws of withdrawal.

Well, good luck to you all. I believe she will probably put me back on the Cymbalta and then work a program where I can get off it with less symptoms. I cannot live like this. Oh I also have blurry vision and I am afraid to drive my car right now. This is something no one warned me about but my doctor told me that I needed to get off the Cymbalta immediately when I went in with other symptoms. Where the hell are the people responsible for this????? I sincerely believe we have all been lied to including our doctors. I am a person who is adamant about drugs and I will NEVER use another anti-depressant as long as I live. I hope I survive this.

Sincerely and very scared,
Mary

I have been off Cymbalta totally for about 2 months and still have various side effects, but have gotten over the hump of not being able to function, electrical shock sensation in my face has decreased in the amount as well as intensity. I agree and have told my doc that I do not want to go on any other meds right now. I will struggle until I can't take it anymore before making another drug choice. I was put on it originally for Fibromyalgia. I have yet to find any doctor nor Psychiatrist or anyone who has hear of this and I refer them all to view this site. You can do it.

Mary Frances

[MaureenV]

Karen Bennett, on 19 March 2010 - 09:10 PM, said:

Hello to all Cymbalta Users,

I am a 38 year old mother who is trying to come off of Cymbalta 60mg. I have been trying to wean off the drug since January 21, 2010. My previous Psychiatist placed me on Wellbutrin 150 mg twice a day, as I was coming off the Cymbalta. I feel absolutely awful. I have had headaches and nausea every day. I have had 2 migraines in the past month that caused me to go to my PCP for Toradal shots and Phenergan shots just to get relief. I am now on Cymbalta 30mg every other day and the Wellbutrin 150mg just at night. I feel like I am losing my mind. I am short tempered and have been very irritable, which does not help at home with my 7 year old son who has Asperger's syndrome. I am seeing a new Psychiatrist on Monday. Does anyone have any advice on what I should say to the new doctor?

Your problem is that you're taking Cymbalta every SECOND day, rather than taking SOME Cymbalta EVERY day. The drug has a very short half life, so in effect, you're starting withdrawals every second day, then every other day re-introducing the drug to your system. This doesn't allow your brain to slowly adjust without the drug.

Try taking 15mg EVERY day. You can do this by opening the capsules and keeping half the beads in each half capsule, then stuffing a bit of bread in the end before taking it.


regards, Maureen.

[Junior]

Hi Freddie

Cymbalta is an SNRI. Prozac is an SSRI. The difference is that Cymbalta chemically alters both serotonin and norepinephrine, while prozac only alters serotonin.

Googling should help you find some basic information but it might be better going to a pharmacist. I don't know the exact make up of each drug but I know basically what they do. Neurons (brain cells) communicate with each other by sending neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) across the gap between them (synapse). Sometimes, if a chemical messenger stays in the synapse too long, it is either destroyed by enzymes or taken back up by the sending neuron - reuptake. These drugs downregulate the receptors that perform the reuptake, leaving the neurotransmitter in the synapse longer and theoretically allowing more time for the receiving neuron to accept it. In addition, there are more than 50 different neurotransmitters that have been identified and it makes sense that if you alter the levels of one or two, the levels of the others will alter also. I believe it is that process that brings on initial side effects, as well as withdrawals when an a/d is discontinued. As you can see, it is far better to wean slowly, to allow the brain to adjust, than go cold turkey. Drug companies themselves recommend this, which makes it even more amazing that some Drs tell patients to go cold turkey!

Hope that helps
Junior

[nursedeborah]

cynthia, on 02 April 2010 - 04:05 AM, said:

Hi everyone,
I am also a recovering cymbalta user. I was put on it 2 years ago for fibromyalgia and major depression. I have gained over 60 lbs and have had other complications from this drug. I did not do research before I started it and regret that decision everyday. My Dr decided it was time to get off cymbalta and try a new and improved med called Savella. I believe it has close to the same properties but people lose weight and have less problems. He advised that I stop cymbalta and start Savella the next day. I have been in major withdrawls for he past 8 days. Vomiting, nausea, headache, stomach pain, sleeplessness, hot flashes, cold flashes, ringing in my head, dizziness. You name it, I feel it. My doctor gave me zofran for the nausea which has helped. I also found that a low dose of Xanax helps with the stomach pain and anxiety. Ambien can help you get some sleep too.
Tomorrow I am seeing and eastern medicine doctor to see if acupuncture and chinese herbs may help with the withdrawls. I will post to let you know if it helps.

I know drugs work for some but not others so I dont want to discourage others but dont take your dr. word for it. Do your research and know what you are doing to your body before you injest any drug. People are saying cymbalta is harder to get off then heroine. Now thats scary.

Cynthia,
Your so right about it being harder to get off of than Heroin or Oxycotin is what I read, but still the same family.
Also what your doc has you doing is Cold Turkey off the Cymbalta, and one can't come off of it that way, or other
anti-dep. I can't tell you how many times they do this to patients in the hospital, or they even did it to me, now
that I loook back.

The only real way that I know to get rid of the withdrawls is to do a slow wean. I do wish you the best luck in all
you are going to try, and yes let us know how it goes.

I have had my life so ruined by this drug, and also Paxil as I look back, but mainly this one did me in, and also left
me with major medical problems.

Debbie

[Daybreak]

I have been on Cymbalta for only 11 days and feel the need to get off already. After reading some of these stories, I know it is the right decision. What I would like to know is, is it still okay to go cold turkey or should I reduce the dosage and how should I go about doing that? Thank you to any who respond.

Blessings,
Sandra

[Junior]

Daybreak, on 05 April 2010 - 07:41 AM, said:

I have been on Cymbalta for only 11 days and feel the need to get off already. After reading some of these stories, I know it is the right decision. What I would like to know is, is it still okay to go cold turkey or should I reduce the dosage and how should I go about doing that? Thank you to any who respond.

Blessings,
Sandra

Why were you put on Cymbalta in the first place and why do you want to come off it?

Based on my own experience of going c/t after only 19 days on 60mg I'd say a huge NO to going c/t. I'd wean by say 10mg each 2 weeks. This is a potent drug and one of the tougher a/ds to get off.

Cheers
Junior

[Daybreak]

Junior, on 06 April 2010 - 04:05 AM, said:

Why were you put on Cymbalta in the first place and why do you want to come off it?

Based on my own experience of going c/t after only 19 days on 60mg I'd say a huge NO to going c/t. I'd wean by say 10mg each 2 weeks. This is a potent drug and one of the tougher a/ds to get off.

Cheers
Junior

[Daybreak]

I was put on it because I was going thru a rough time, lots of crying, etc. I have made some changes now and know that it is not right for me to be on Cymbalta. I will decrease as you suggest. I started the decreasing last night and already had a weird dream so would not look forward to that part at all. I know that there are natural supplements that will help. And I know that I need to trust in God instead of being on these pills. Thanks for your response, Junior.

Blessings,
Sandra

[Daybreak]

Thank you Debbie, for your input. I will take it slowly and be watchful of withdrawal symptoms and problems.

Blessings,
Sandra

[Junior]

Daybreak, on 06 April 2010 - 10:50 AM, said:

I was put on it because I was going thru a rough time, lots of crying, etc. I have made some changes now and know that it is not right for me to be on Cymbalta. I will decrease as you suggest. I started the decreasing last night and already had a weird dream so would not look forward to that part at all. I know that there are natural supplements that will help. And I know that I need to trust in God instead of being on these pills. Thanks for your response, Junior.

Blessings,
Sandra

Hi Sandra

Just out of curiosity, can I ask if you think you were suffering from depression? I'm asking because it seems everyone is being put on a/ds these days, many for emotional distress rather than the psychiatric illness these drugs are meant to treat. If that is the case, the meds can do more harm than good.

If you were 'only' emotionally distressed, then you are definitely doing the right thing in coming off Cymbalta. If you think you were suffering from depression, it is generally wise to stay on an a/d for 9-12 months once the episode has passed to allow the brain / body to become fully stable.

Hope all goes well for you
Junior

[Junior]

NURSEDEBORAH, on 06 April 2010 - 02:26 PM, said:

Sandra,
I totally agree with Junior, this is a very hard drug to get off of. It doesn't
matter how long one has been on it, it still requires a slow weaning process.

What I was taught to do when I first got here was to just take 10 beads out every
2 weeks, but to also wait until all the withdrawl symptoms were either gone, or
at a place where I could deal with a deacrease.

Each decrease does cause one to have a smal amout to large amount of withdrawls for
a few days, but for some it is not right away, and hits you a few days later. The
brain does know when it's not getting this drug.

I was on 60 mg for over 3 years, and started my weaning process Aug 31,09, and I am
now down to 20 beads as of today. I know that everything I will experience for a few
days will be due to the meds!!! That's another great thing I learned here too!
It's not us, it's the drug!! So keep that in your mind as you go through this process.

It does get better:)

Debbie

Congrats on the drop Debbie.

How are things going on the sleep apnoea side? You were missing for a while so an update would be great

Junior

[Daybreak]

Junior, on 07 April 2010 - 07:44 PM, said:

Hi Sandra

Just out of curiosity, can I ask if you think you were suffering from depression? I'm asking because it seems everyone is being put on a/ds these days, many for emotional distress rather than the psychiatric illness these drugs are meant to treat. If that is the case, the meds can do more harm than good.

If you were 'only' emotionally distressed, then you are definitely doing the right thing in coming off Cymbalta. If you think you were suffering from depression, it is generally wise to stay on an a/d for 9-12 months once the episode has passed to allow the brain / body to become fully stable.

Hope all goes well for you
Junior

Hi Junior,

I believe it was emotional distress in the extreme...from all sides. I am not normally a depressed person but do have my 'down' times which it would seem most people have. This was a much longer down time than I had ever had, but, as I said, it was from all sides, including sleep problems. After I was on them for a week, I realized that I needed to make changes more than anything. Some changes have been made and I believe I need to see what I will be like without the meds before I go too far with them. Without the crying episodes, I was able to get to that point, so they did help me that much. I have a friend who has been on a/ds for over 15 years and tried going off them the way the doctors say to do it. She went through a lot of misery and ended up back on her full dose so I learned from her experience that I needed to be careful...once I was clear headed. C makes me feel like I have no emotions and that isn't good either. Once I am off, I will trust God to help me when I have troubles. Thanks for asking and caring about others enough to help on this site.

God Bless,
Sandra

[Junior]

Daybreak, on 08 April 2010 - 09:00 PM, said:

Hi Junior,

I believe it was emotional distress in the extreme...from all sides. I am not normally a depressed person but do have my 'down' times which it would seem most people have. This was a much longer down time than I had ever had, but, as I said, it was from all sides, including sleep problems. After I was on them for a week, I realized that I needed to make changes more than anything. Some changes have been made and I believe I need to see what I will be like without the meds before I go too far with them. Without the crying episodes, I was able to get to that point, so they did help me that much. I have a friend who has been on a/ds for over 15 years and tried going off them the way the doctors say to do it. She went through a lot of misery and ended up back on her full dose so I learned from her experience that I needed to be careful...once I was clear headed. C makes me feel like I have no emotions and that isn't good either. Once I am off, I will trust God to help me when I have troubles. Thanks for asking and caring about others enough to help on this site.

God Bless,
Sandra

Hi Sandra

You may have been in a mild state of depression, especially if you had symptoms such as insomnia. Or it could have been clinical anxiety. But it doesn't matter now as it sounds like you have sorted out whatever needed to be sorted. It is sensible to come off C at this point if you feel you are OK.

Just make sure you taper slowly. By slow I mean reduce in small amounts and wait a couple of weeks for wdls to settle before you reduce again. Listen to you body. You are clearly intelligent and will be fine as long as you realise that getting off this drug is not a race; it's a goal.

Good luck
Junior

PS - Few doctors seem to understand the need to withdraw from a/ds slowly. Your friend can get off her a/d - if she follows the rule recommended by Paxil Progress, a forum for getting off Paxil - reduce by no more than 10% of your current dose and wait 3-6 weeks before reducing again. It won't be easy, some people have difficulty even with very small drops, but it can be done.

[Daybreak]

Junior, on 09 April 2010 - 05:05 AM, said:

Hi Sandra

You may have been in a mild state of depression, especially if you had symptoms such as insomnia. Or it could have been clinical anxiety. But it doesn't matter now as it sounds like you have sorted out whatever needed to be sorted. It is sensible to come off C at this point if you feel you are OK.

Just make sure you taper slowly. By slow I mean reduce in small amounts and wait a couple of weeks for wdls to settle before you reduce again. Listen to your body. You are clearly intelligent and will be fine as long as you realise that getting off this drug is not a race; it's a goal.

Good luck
Junior

PS - Few doctors seem to understand the need to withdraw from a/ds slowly. Your friend can get off her a/d - if she follows the rule recommended by Paxil Progress, a forum for getting off Paxil - reduce by no more than 10% of your current dose and wait 3-6 weeks before reducing again. It won't be easy, some people have difficulty even with very small drops, but it can be done.

Hi Junior,

Thanks for the encoragement. I will tell my friend about the Paxil site. I may have had a mild depression. I have joked at times how I seem a bit manic/depressive, but it is too short lived to be the real thing. Mostly I am a joyful person who blooms where I am planted, but there were too many of the major stressors in my life over a period of 3 1/2 years and things just started snowballing and got out of hand. Plus the most recent ones had nothing good about them...relationship and work related. Most of the sleep problems were from Restless Legs Syndrome and now I am on meds for that (after I had a sleep study done). I still had some much milder sleep problems, but would guess that it was mostly from anxiety. Does anyone get off a/ds easily? Do you know of anyone? Just curious. You take care.

God Bless,
Sandra

[Junior]

Hi Sandra

Yes some do. I don't think anyone gets off an SNRI easily though - either Effexor or Cymbalta. When I first took Paxil I was only on it for 6 months and had no trouble coming off it. Can't remember my weaning schedule but it was only 2 weeks or so.

I am not sensitive to drugs. The only reason I'm having to wean off Paxil slowly is because I've taken it for a long time (10-11 years) and I'd finally built up a tolerance to it. My guess is that if I'd come off it before that happened, I'd have had no problems. Even with my weaning, I've only suffered 2% of what some people go through.

Take care
Junior

[Daybreak]

Junior, on 10 April 2010 - 03:25 AM, said:

Hi Sandra

Yes some do. I don't think anyone gets off an SNRI easily though - either Effexor or Cymbalta. When I first took Paxil I was only on it for 6 months and had no trouble coming off it. Can't remember my weaning schedule but it was only 2 weeks or so.

I am not sensitive to drugs. The only reason I'm having to wean off Paxil slowly is because I've taken it for a long time (10-11 years) and I'd finally built up a tolerance to it. My guess is that if I'd come off it before that happened, I'd have had no problems. Even with my weaning, I've only suffered 2% of what some people go through.

Take care
Junior

Hi Junior,

What should I do with the extra grains after counting out what I need for the night? Can I take some of them without a capsule? Or will that make them disolve too quickly? After I am completely off of them I will take the remainder to a pharmacist for safe disposal so it may not matter what I do with the extras.

Thanks again and take care,
God Bless,
Sandra

[Junior]

Daybreak, on 11 April 2010 - 07:40 PM, said:

Hi Junior,

What should I do with the extra grains after counting out what I need for the night? Can I take some of them without a capsule? Or will that make them disolve too quickly? After I am completely off of them I will take the remainder to a pharmacist for safe disposal so it may not matter what I do with the extras.

Thanks again and take care,
God Bless,
Sandra

Hi Sandra

I understand you can buy empty gelatin capsules and put the beads in there. I wouldn't take them without the capsule as I believe they need to hit the stomach before they start releasing their properties.

Here in Australia we give our unwanted meds to the pharmacies for safe disposal - or should. I'm sure many just dilute out water supply by flushing them down the toilet . I would imagine that is the right way throughout the western world.

Cheers
Junior

[MaureenV]

Daybreak, on 11 April 2010 - 07:40 PM, said:

Hi Junior,

What should I do with the extra grains after counting out what I need for the night? Can I take some of them without a capsule? Or will that make them disolve too quickly? After I am completely off of them I will take the remainder to a pharmacist for safe disposal so it may not matter what I do with the extras.

Thanks again and take care,
God Bless,
Sandra

Sandra, much as I usually agree 100% with Junior , it IS possible to take the beads on their own without too much problem, BUT, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you understand why they're in a capsule in the first place.

Many on both this board and others about Cymbalta, state that it is a 'slow release' drug, and therefore the capsules shouldn't be opened, OR that 'you're getting the whole dose at once' by taking the beads on their own. Both are wrong.

The BEADS are slow release. They're inside a (very quickly dissolving) gelatine capsule so that they reach your stomach undamaged. Within a few minutes of taking the capsule, the beads are floating around your stomach.

So the important thing is that the beads get to your stomach in original condition. That means (if you take them on their own) no crunching, no adding to sauces etc, no diluting in fruit juice. I.e. you wash them down as efficiently as you can. Personally, I wouldn't recommend taking larger amount this way, simply because the quantity involved increases the risk.

If you want to avoid buying gelatine capsules, a bright suggestion a few months ago was to use half a capsule each day and stuff bread (or somesuch) into each end.


regards, Maureen.

[Daybreak]

MaureenV, on 15 April 2010 - 04:57 AM, said:

Sandra, much as I usually agree 100% with Junior , it IS possible to take the beads on their own without too much problem, BUT, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you understand why they're in a capsule in the first place.

Many on both this board and others about Cymbalta, state that it is a 'slow release' drug, and therefore the capsules shouldn't be opened, OR that 'you're getting the whole dose at once' by taking the beads on their own. Both are wrong.

The BEADS are slow release. They're inside a (very quickly dissolving) gelatine capsule so that they reach your stomach undamaged. Within a few minutes of taking the capsule, the beads are floating around your stomach.

So the important thing is that the beads get to your stomach in original condition. That means (if you take them on their own) no crunching, no adding to sauces etc, no diluting in fruit juice. I.e. you wash them down as efficiently as you can. Personally, I wouldn't recommend taking larger amount this way, simply because the quantity involved increases the risk.

If you want to avoid buying gelatine capsules, a bright suggestion a few months ago was to use half a capsule each day and stuff bread (or somesuch) into each end.


regards, Maureen.

Thanks Maureen and Junior.

I think I remember reading about the stuffing bread into each end and I looked for the capsules briefly, but will just continue emptying into the bottle, then turn it over to a pharmacy. They have to dispose of them anyway.

Have you ever heard of the half-life of a/ds? According to my friend, the shorter the half-life, the harder it is to get off of them. Cymbalta has a half-life of 12 hours. Celexa is 35 hours and Prozac is 2-4 days. She says that is why this one is so hard to get off of.

Blessings,
Sandra

[MaureenV]

Daybreak, on 15 April 2010 - 08:52 PM, said:

Thanks Maureen and Junior.

I think I remember reading about the stuffing bread into each end and I looked for the capsules briefly, but will just continue emptying into the bottle, then turn it over to a pharmacy. They have to dispose of them anyway.

Have you ever heard of the half-life of a/ds? According to my friend, the shorter the half-life, the harder it is to get off of them. Cymbalta has a half-life of 12 hours. Celexa is 35 hours and Prozac is 2-4 days. She says that is why this one is so hard to get off of.

Blessings,
Sandra

Hi Sandra, you're quite right about the half life.

Many people need to wean off cymbalta because of what it's costing them, and only have a limited amount of capsules left - it's for those with limited supply that the use of the 'withdrawn' beads is useful.

I didn't actually do it that way. When I was taking (eg) 5mg, I used the empty capsules, and divided a 30mg capsule first into two empties, then each of those into three (all visually). So quick, and by the time I'd finished, I had six days worth of dose.

regards, Maureen.