4 replies to this topic

[Steph24]

Hi All,

 

I started Cymbalta about 2 years ago for GAD at 30 mg, was bumped up to 60 mg a few months later.  About six months of being on it, I simply could not take the side effects and started working with my psych on weaning myself off.  Over the past year, I've been moving very gradually from 60 -> 40 -> 30 -> 20, while I was given Buspar (two 15 mg, twice a day) to better help my anxiety.  I took my last 20 mg pill on 12/2 and have been off Cymbalta completely for 8 full days (I take my Cymbalta at night).  

 

Since I stopped I've had some pretty terrible side effects, the brain zaps, GI issues, and hot flashes, but no where near as bad as what it seems others go through.  I discussed with my psych and she recommended going back on at 20 mg and taking one every other day.  From what I've read online that seems like the worst course of action, so I decided to stick it out thinking this withdrawal could only get better. 

 

I'm at the point now where I've decided I think I need to go back to my 20 mg dose and start bead counting.  I take the Teva generic and have about 105 beads in each capsule.  Just wondering what the best course of action would be here - would you recommend taking 1 bead out per day until I'm completely finished?  I'm also wondering if I should just keep sticking out the cold turkey as it's already been 8 days.  

 

Any guidance you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. 

[equuswoman]

I had to do bead counting to wean off ever so slowly. It was still 3 months of pure HELL...
I would recommend bead counting.

[gail]

Hello to you Steph 24,

Welcome to the forum.

You are doing a good thing by reinstating at 20mg.

As for the beads, you could start like 3-6-9 and so on. See how that goes. If your alias that says 24 and that you are that age, it will be easier for you.

Or you could continue cold turkey. No one knows in advance if you are in the 20% to 30% range, if so, it could be rough.

Should your symptoms be tolerable, not comfortable for sure, just tolerable, I would continue the cold turkey method.

Come back anytime, we are here for you!

[Steph24]

Thanks for the advice and support!  I reinstated and am going to start taking 3 beads out each day and see how it goes.  My symptoms were tolerable as long as I was laying down and barely moving, so getting back on and tapering slowly seems like the best bet for me.  I realize now that I did experience some symptoms when I dropped from 60 to 40, and then again from 40 to 30, but they were extremely mild and lasted only a day.  I'm hoping this is a good sign for my tapering process moving forward, but I'll be listening to my body and slowing down as needed.  As much as I want to be rid of this poison, I know I need to be patient and do it the right way. 

 

Thanks again for the help! 

[gail]

Hello Steph,

Good move! Usually around the 30mg mark, that is when people begin to bead count. They encounter more difficulty at that point. You have the proof to that!

Steph, come back anytime you want, we will help you through this. While bead counting, should you have too many symptoms at a certain point, stay there for a while till you stabilize. Then go slower like 2 beads. And, if you are on the brand name Cymbalta, do not change for the generic.

Bonne route!