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Brand Vs Generic Is Withdrawal Different?


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#1 LauraM

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 10:55 AM

Almost a year ago my Dr had me start taking Cymbalta for my chronic pain, 30mg daily. It helped for a few weeks then stopped so she had my up it to 30mg 2X daily. Again, this worked for a few weeks then stopped. My body has always adapted to drugs fairly quickly. I decided I did not want to increase the dose again, so I weaned off of it. I had no problems at all, so I thought then. First came the insomnia and the constant fatigue, then my chronic pain started getting worse. Had I done some research, I never would have taken the next step. 4 months ago I went back to the doctor and asked to try it again. She started my on 60mg daily and within a week she upped it to 60mg 2X daily. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but the pharmacy was giving me the generic this time. After 4 months, it was working for me at all and the side effects, mosting the sweating were so severe I decided to wean off again. I still wasn't aware of the withdrawal "process" I knew with the higher dose I was taking it would take longer to wean. For the first week, I took 60mg in the morning and skipped every other night, then I stopped taking the pills at night all together. Things were fine for a week, so I started taking 60mg every other morning. The second day I skipped my dose, I woke up at 1 am with non-stop diarhea (30-40 times a day). I began to think something was wrong and started researching withdrawal. That was 5 days ago. 2 days ago, I resumed the 60mg 2X daily. I am supposed to be leaving in 2 days for an extended vacation and don't want deal with these issues while I am away. Problem is the diarhea hasn't stopped, I've lost 10 pounds, I can't eat and I can't sleep. Imodium doesn't do anything. I finally called the doctor, but haven't heard back from them. Is my problem I tried to wean too quickly or is part of it the generic vs the brand? Assuming I get back to "Cymbalta normal" when I return in late March, I will try the bead counting. Thanks for any info or suggestions you can pass along. As with so many people here - if I had only known!


#2 TryinginFL

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 11:30 AM

Laura,
 
Sorry, I didn't see this post before I answered the other.  Yes, you put yourself into cold turkey withdrawal by cutting back so abruptly.  The half life is only 12 hrs, so as soon as you skipped a dose you were immediately into cold turkey withdrawal.
 
I'm happy to hear that you have reinstated where you started since you will be away for a long period of time.  I suggest you just stay there - hopefully you will begin to feel better in a few days.  If you feel that you were reacting to the generic, please ask your Dr. for the brand name RX immediately!  You will need it before you leave...
 
I wish you the best and hope that you can enjoy your trip!

#3 thismoment

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 12:05 PM

Laura

Get stable on the meds and that will help to settle the diarrhea (assuming it's not from other causes). Of course it takes some time to become stable on Duloxetine, and 2 days surely isn't enought-- perhaps 2weeks--given that it's already somewhat in your system. But things will improve day-to-day.

I hope you have a great trip, though the first couple of weeks might be challenging.

If you are able, keep us posted as you travel. We will help you plan a weaning-off program at the time of your choosing. It is possible, however, that you will become comfortable once established on the drug and you could choose to remain on. Time will tell.

Take care, and bon voyage!

#4 LauraM

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 12:07 PM

I was wondering if the withdrawal for duloxetine is different than cymbalta. I didn't have any problems coming off cymbalta, but then again, I wasn't on 120mg daily. I am supposed to be driving to your neck of the woods (I see you are in FL) from NH on Monday, then onto AZ for 7 weeks, but only if this blasted diarhea stops. The docotor finally got back to me and said it is a stomach virus not withdrawal - hmmm - bite me!


#5 TryinginFL

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 12:17 PM

Laura,

I feel that the speed with which you dropped the dosage was the problem - especially from 120mg/day.  Please follow TM's advice (above) - It's usually right on!

 

Please feel free to come back with questions any time - there is always someone here!


#6 thismoment

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Posted 17 January 2015 - 12:18 PM

Laura
Could be both or either--there's no way to know without lab work.

Withdrawal produces many disease-like symptoms that has many of us heading to specialists and the ER.

Yes, they are different--but the data is anecdotal, so there will be no comment on this from the doctor. Generic Cymbalta has been reported to act 'differently' than the brand name from Eli Lilly (the entire formula isn't disclosed in going generic).

Hopefully you have a saavy medical team which is current with SS/SNRI withdrawal. If not, you are on your own, as is the case with most of us here.



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