[millwright]

When I was on Cymbalta, the maximum effective dosage is 60 mg. My doctor told me at some time " you can try taking 90 mg." so I did. I don't really know if there were any added benefits. The drug has not really been tested and approved for anything higher than 60mg. so if you are on more than that, you may want to question your doctors thinking. He probably dose not know as much as he should about this drug. By all of the posts of people on more than the suggested max dose, including myself, I don't think this drug has been thought through by Lilly or doctors who prescribe it. Have you seen the commercial for Cymbalta? While describing the drugs benefits, it states--- " the drug is thought to work like this" they don't really know how or why it works. The FDA is no longer looking out for you. Can you imagine presenting a chemical to the FDA, and on the application, where it asks how the chemical works, your answer is N/A or not sure. Lilly thinks they have a wonder drug, big money, that is what drug companies do, It is the FDA's responsibility to make sure it is safe for you, THEY DIDN'T, place the blame where it belongs.

[MaureenV]

I was taking 30mg per day for the first month, feeling good, not too many side effects (mostly just aggravating pre-existing irritations), but for the next appointment my GP was sick and I saw someone who was adamant that 30mg was NOT a therapeutic dose, and was not even available as a 'repeat' prescription in Australia and gave me a script for 60mg, saying that Cymbalta is prescribed in doses as high as 150mg here.

Feeling so good on 30mg, and getting too many side effects on 60mg was what made me decide to come off the drug.

Maureen.

[barney59]

My doctor had me up to 120mg a day for several years. I am now suffering the withdrawal effects having weened off of it over a 3 week period. I had no idea until today that withdrawal was going to be an issue. This is my 3rd day completely off Cymbalta. I now wish I would have listened to my gut instinct and never started it.

[MaureenV]

Please take care; three weeks is a very, very brief period for weaning off 120mg, and without wishing to put the frighteners on you,many here have found that the worst of the side effects do not begin immediately.


Just be aware that any emotional or physical problems you have in the near future may well be caused by the fact that your body is unable to quickly adjust to no Cymbalta in your system.

Whatever it is you're feeling, plenty here will understand, so please keep posting, even if it's just to vent!!


Maureen.

[Cymbaltaetal]

I was told by my psychiatrist that 120 mg was a therapeutic dose, and took it at that level for 9 months. I went into a deep depression in June, and my psychiatrist felt that it was no longer effective for me, and was going to shift me to Zoloft. He wrote out a withdrawl plan for me, which was to take me from 120 mg to 0 mg in 10 days. By the third day I was completely non-functioning, dizzy, nauseous, unable to do any physical activity, unable to concentrate, depressed, emotional, etc. I talked to the pharmacist, who told me I was going through seratonin withdrawl, and that I needed to go back up in dosage immediately, and taper off over a much longer period of time - like two to three months. My psychiatrist told me to try to do it over one month. I found that by alternating between 30 mg and 60 mg on a daily basis that I was much more stable, and have been maintaining that dosage since. I have tried to do 30 mg daily and started to have depressive symptoms and withdrawl symptoms within a day.

[MaureenV]

Hello,

I'm with the chemist, withdrawing from 120mg should happen over a much longer time frame. The speed you decrease at depends on how you feel each time you decrease a dose.

The way many of us have gone when tapering is to drop a bit (i.e. a variable amount) and stay there for a week or so, then only drop further once feeling o.k. on the new dose.


If it's any consolation, I wasn't even able to drop from what I thought would be a final amount of 10mg, so went to 7.5mg and now 5mg. Everyone's different, you may be able to do it faster.

People here can help advise the way to go about slow tapering - there are a few ways.

take care, and keep in touch.

Maureen.

[MoonPaws]

I'm currently on 90mg. My psychiatrist told me that with more studies, they are learning 90mg is an effective dosage and will eventually come out with a 90mg pill.

I don't know what to believe. I just want off this medicine.

[Junior]

 MoonPaws, on 11 February 2010 - 02:13 PM, said:

I'm currently on 90mg. My psychiatrist told me that with more studies, they are learning 90mg is an effective dosage and will eventually come out with a 90mg pill.

I don't know what to believe. I just want off this medicine.

MoonPaws

I suggest trusting your instincts. I have learned over many years that they are usually right.

Also, be aware that psychiatrists treat with medication only. While medication can be an option it is certainly not the only one.

At the end of the day, it is your body, your life, and your decision. If you want off Cymbalta, then do it. SLOWLY!!!!

Cheers
Junior

[nursedeborah]

 millwright, on 24 June 2009 - 10:48 AM, said:

When I was on Cymbalta, the maximum effective dosage is 60 mg. My doctor told me at some time " you can try taking 90 mg." so I did. I don't really know if there were any added benefits. The drug has not really been tested and approved for anything higher than 60mg. so if you are on more than that, you may want to question your doctors thinking. He probably dose not know as much as he should about this drug. By all of the posts of people on more than the suggested max dose, including myself, I don't think this drug has been thought through by Lilly or doctors who prescribe it. Have you seen the commercial for Cymbalta? While describing the drugs benefits, it states--- " the drug is thought to work like this" they don't really know how or why it works. The FDA is no longer looking out for you. Can you imagine presenting a chemical to the FDA, and on the application, where it asks how the chemical works, your answer is N/A or not sure. Lilly thinks they have a wonder drug, big money, that is what drug companies do, It is the FDA's responsibility to make sure it is safe for you, THEY DIDN'T, place the blame where it belongs.

Milright,
Doctor's don't know anything about this drug, and are learning about it from their
patients, the ones who are really good doctor's as I was never believed about what
I was telling them, even when it was cut from 60 mg to 30 mg, and 6 days later it
was bad enough for me to call the doctor. All he said was it's not the drug, but to
go back to the full dose. I did, and even by that afternoon I was feeling much better.

I now have been told I have a form of sleep apnea where my brain does not send the
signal for me to take a breath during the night, and also have Reflex Sympathic Dystrophy.

this is a terrible drug, and the company know all of this. They just don't tell the doc's
the truth, nor was it on the inserts of the samples.

There were so many people who complained, that they did make them change the side effects,
and the information on the inserts. They still do not tell them how to get anyone off of it
or provide smaller doses.

We have, well our brain is addicted to this drug, and in order to get off it, and not suffer,
and become unable to function, if not already there because of this drug, one has to do a slow
wean to get off.

Hope all is going well with you,
Debbie

[nursedeborah]

 MoonPaws, on 11 February 2010 - 02:13 PM, said:

I'm currently on 90mg. My psychiatrist told me that with more studies, they are learning 90mg is an effective dosage and will eventually come out with a 90mg pill.

I don't know what to believe. I just want off this medicine.

MoonPaws,
Doctor's don't know anything about this drug, how to wean us off, the withdrawls,
side effects, nothing. The Pharm Reps' don't want them to know that the brain does
become addicted to this drug, and as they say it is as hard to get off of as Oxycotin
or Heroin!

My Shrink told me over 2 years ago that in Europe they had been using this drug before
it was even heard of here, and that up to 120 mg was even used. This guy is someone famous!


I agree with Junior, but also being that you don't know what to do, as I was taught, don't
do anything! I also think that's your gut telling you "NO"

If you want off this drug, we will help you, and you can do it, and be in control all the way!

Let us know what you need?

Debbie

[cknudson25]

Question for everyone? My doctor switched me from 120mg to 60mg a day because my medical insurance doesn't cover more than 30 pills a month per prescription. Does anyone else know anything about this? Or what I'm supposed to do now? I'm freaking out about how the sudden change in dosage is going to affect me cause I'm in school and can't afford to miss anything. Does this insurance thing cover ANY prescription plan on ANY medical plan? Or is it just my government assisted UCare? I'm so confused.

Chelsea

[Junior]

Sorry Chelsea, I dont know anything about the US insurance system - other than I think it stinks! But... a drop from 120-60mg is a huge one. People talk about being able to get free samples from their pdocs. Maybe you could try that and taper down slowly?

Cheers
Junior

[nursedeborah]

 cknudson25, on 18 February 2010 - 01:08 AM, said:

Question for everyone? My doctor switched me from 120mg to 60mg a day because my medical insurance doesn't cover more than 30 pills a month per prescription. Does anyone else know anything about this? Or what I'm supposed to do now? I'm freaking out about how the sudden change in dosage is going to affect me cause I'm in school and can't afford to miss anything. Does this insurance thing cover ANY prescription plan on ANY medical plan? Or is it just my government assisted UCare? I'm so confused.

Chelsea

Chelsea,
That's just your insurance, sorry. What you do need to do in a hurry is call the
company that makes this stuff, and they will give you the rest for free. It does
take a month, but maybe your doc can help by giving you samples until that arrives!

I would really get on the phone right now, as that is a hughe drop, and I only know
what going from 60 to 30 was like after 6 days!! I don't with that on my worst enemy!

Good Luck,
Debbie

[cknudson25]

 nursedeborah, on 18 February 2010 - 12:11 PM, said:

Chelsea,
That's just your insurance, sorry. What you do need to do in a hurry is call the
company that makes this stuff, and they will give you the rest for free. It does
take a month, but maybe your doc can help by giving you samples until that arrives!

I would really get on the phone right now, as that is a hughe drop, and I only know
what going from 60 to 30 was like after 6 days!! I don't with that on my worst enemy!

Good Luck,
Debbie

Debbie,

So just call the Cymbalta company and they'll give the rest to me free? How is this???

[nursedeborah]

 cknudson25, on 18 February 2010 - 10:59 PM, said:

Debbie,

So just call the Cymbalta company and they'll give the rest to me free? How is this???

cknudson,
It's what all the drug companies are doing, and have been for a very long time.
Actually it was Montel William's the TV Host who had started a program for
people who could not afford their meds, and then the companies just stated
offering it.

All you have to do is go to cymbalta.com, and get the phone number, and call
them. they will send you all the paperwork,then you have it signed by a doctor
and then it's just given to you for free.

Good Luck,
Debbie

[Junior]

Hi DianaJo

That's a lot of drugs to be without. Even for a short time. I hope you can get your scripts and fill them quickly as you are in wdl..from ALL of them...at the moment.

Just a word of advice: if you decide you want to come off them, please go very slowly. One at a time. I've seen others in your situation and that's what they've all done and recommend for others. Each drug makes changes to your brain function and you need to heal from one before moving on to another. People say benzos are the hardest to come off so maybe leave the Klonopin until last?

Good luck, whatever you decide
Junior

[nursedeborah]

 DianaJo, on 26 February 2010 - 03:57 AM, said:

I have been on Cymbalta 120mg for years. Three years ago they added wellbutrin 450mg daily then at night Lamictal 300mg,Klonapin 20mg,Trazadone 100mg. I changed drs on 2/2/10 and I have a Mail order pharmacy I have to use, the new Dr knew this when he saw me and that I had no refills remaining. Here it is the 26th of Feb and no scripts yet....I call every day to check and they finally called to let me know that they faxed the scripts in on the 23rd...how nice for them.....I have now been 1 week without any of the drugs they had me hooked on............I have one last nerve and everyone is on it!!!I have cleaned the house,cooked everything I like and more. I can't sleep and when I do I have nightmares, night sweats and yelling and talking in my sleep-almost afraid to sleepdreams are so real can't forget them days later. Can't stop going or sit down but my body is Tired,Sore and have stabbing pains, headaches,dry mouth,constipation,crying spells and neuropathy in my toes and arms. Basically I am a Mess!How long is this going to take?

DianaJo,
I am so sorry for what your going through! I can't even fathom what it's like to not have
any of your drugs for a week, especially the Cymbalta, and the dose your on. Your stronger
than I am.

When my shrink cut my C from 60 mg to 30 mg, by the 6 th day I was dead in the bed, and having
such awful nightmares, sweating, all kinds of horrible withdrawls. Then of course whn I went
back to the 60 I was well in a few hours, and by the next day, the same messed up womam I had
become because of this drug, but at least all the withdrawls had stopped.

I had thought about having my drug sent to my home, but this is just what I feared. If it would
have been me I would have been at the doc's office, and just getting a rx, and getting my drugs
on my own.

Hope they get there NOW!!

Debbie

[MaureenV]

 b, on 11 March 2010 - 02:04 PM, said:

DianaJo, I hope you are back on by now. Worried about you, although I'm new here. BTW for all of you, my pdoc says that there is little incremental therapeutic benefit to any dosage over 60mg. There is some benefit to adding another drug with some antidepressant properties such as my friend Lamictal (ha!)

And I've seen on this board that 20mg capsules aren't available. They are. Walmart fills my prescription. Hope that helps. b

It depends where she is. 20mg is not available in many countries - lowest is 30mg.

Maureen.

[scarbro222]

glad to know im not the only 120er out there. day number 9 going from 120 to 60.....its pure HELL!! did ok till day 6! having an ok day so far,

things i have learned.....STAY FOCUSED! and only 1 small task at a time but when you dont have busy work or if your not sleeping thats when your brain goes crazy. and as far as eating..... white rice with soy sauce or a 1/2 a salty turkey sandwich will tend to not made me sick. why?? idk.

Laura. if anyone wants my email just ask

[RickWC]

 cknudson25, on 18 February 2010 - 01:08 AM, said:

Question for everyone? My doctor switched me from 120mg to 60mg a day because my medical insurance doesn't cover more than 30 pills a month per prescription. Does anyone else know anything about this? Or what I'm supposed to do now? I'm freaking out about how the sudden change in dosage is going to affect me cause I'm in school and can't afford to miss anything. Does this insurance thing cover ANY prescription plan on ANY medical plan? Or is it just my government assisted UCare? I'm so confused.

Chelsea

Chelsea,

I've been on Cymbalta for around 5 years and have always taken 60mg a day. About a year ago, I was seeing a psyc docotor for depression (cymbalta is for nerve pain). He prescibed webutrin and when that didn't work, he upped the cymbalta to 120mg per day. I did this for several months then decided that it wasn't doing a thing so dropped back down to 60mg a day. I didn't have any symptoms at all. But be warned. I went from 60mg to 0mg for about 4 days and got really nasty symptoms.

Good luck.

[Eunie]

 barney59, on 21 September 2009 - 03:26 PM, said:

My doctor had me up to 120mg a day for several years. I am now suffering the withdrawal effects having weened off of it over a 3 week period. I had no idea until today that withdrawal was going to be an issue. This is my 3rd day completely off Cymbalta. I now wish I would have listened to my gut instinct and never started it.

Hello
I did a one-week weaning off of cymbalta and felt fine for almost a week except for continued hot flushing (that is why I quit the drug as I had severe hot flushing during the day and it was getting worse every month). At day 6, I started feeling nauseous around late morning. It is now day 10 and I am in bed; the nausea increased to include diarrhea and today right from waking, I have been feeling so ill. The room spins with nausea, my head aches, several bouts of diarrhea.
Has anyone else had withdrawal like this? I am wondering if this may be a different medical problem, i.e. adrenalin issues.

[Eunie]

 barney59, on 21 September 2009 - 03:26 PM, said:

My doctor had me up to 120mg a day for several years. I am now suffering the withdrawal effects having weened off of it over a 3 week period. I had no idea until today that withdrawal was going to be an issue. This is my 3rd day completely off Cymbalta. I now wish I would have listened to my gut instinct and never started it.

I have been trying to connect with you to see how you are doing now? I went from 60 to 30 mg and then Dr. told me to quit. I felt ok for a few days then all hell hit. Noises of shushing in my head, crazy dreams, and still hot flushes only made worse now by nausea and diarrhea. Am I reading your note correctly? you are 3 weeks post cymbalta and are still sick?
Why do our doctors not know how difficult this drug is to quit? It is torture.

[Hol]

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry for those who have endured doses higher than 60 mg. I am currently weaning, but at one point, a doctor thought of upping my dose from 60 mg to 120 mg. I am glad that never happened – she told me there was no evidence that anything higher than 60 mg works any differently (at least for pain management).

[MoniqueKim]

 nursedeborah, on 19 February 2010 - 12:08 PM, said:

cknudson,
It's what all the drug companies are doing, and have been for a very long time.
Actually it was Montel William's the TV Host who had started a program for
people who could not afford their meds, and then the companies just stated
offering it.

All you have to do is go to cymbalta.com, and get the phone number, and call
them. they will send you all the paperwork,then you have it signed by a doctor
and then it's just given to you for free.

Good Luck,
Debbie

Has anyone done this? What was your experience with this?