5 replies to this topic

[tfaff]

At what point do people experience any positive effects as you taper down on Cymbalta? Please share with us to give us a light at the end of the tunnel. Also tell approximately where you were/are in the process when you noticed those positive changes.

I'll start, I am still tapering, but when my doctor first switched me from 60 mg. to 30 mg. I noticed:


Clearer thinking (Since tapering further I have more confusion)
Feel emotions I haven't had for a long time
General feeling my emotions and thinking are waking up
No appetite ( Yay!)
Started losing 1-2 pounds a week

[fishinghat]

This is a phase out process. Usually around week 8 to 12 after finishing Cymbalta you start to realize that the digestive issues and the brain zaps are fading. The emotional issues may be increasing though. By month 6 to 8 the emotional issues start fading and most of the headaches, tinnitus, skin crawling or other peripheral physical symptoms are usually gone. Unluckily I can also say that this varies by up to 4 +/- months or more but is a general guideline.

[Raven72]

FH is right on point. But something else to remember is that everyone is different. Just be careful and come to us if you need guidance or prayer or anything. Just do you best to stay calm and use breathing techniques. My husband and FH have given me great tips on breathing when anxiety strikes. FH because he is a veteran and my husband because he has asthma. 

 

Keys to breathing:

** Take slow deep breaths (breath in deeply and slowly)

** Hold for at least 15 secs if you can

** Exhale slowly

  ***repeat as needed*

** calming music can help - silence can help - for me earphones and loud music of choice help drown distractions and sometimes it can help you go to sleep**

 

Love Raven

[tfaff]

All of that is good information. I print these things out so I can look them up easier when things come up. I did have an anxiety spell last night, so next time I'll have the breathing or music to try.

But, What I meant was, in the process of weaning, do you see positive effects, like, feel like your old self again, or even having good feelings along with the bad rather than no emotions when you were on Cymbalta? Or maybe you feel able to accomplish more, or whatever tells you, that you're on the path to being well again?

[citrusbliss]

I wonder that too tfaff. I can say that since I've stayed at 15 beads out for 7 days I really noticed that I felt more 'normal' and even began thinking about the future in an unbiased way. I'm not as negative, just more curious and aware of possibilities. 

 

That's when I'm not reeling from withdrawal effects of tapering too fast so I'm more accepting of this process taking the rest of the year if need be. Thanks to fh for keeping me grounded.

[fishinghat]

Well tfaff, when you are going through the withdrawal you stop having the no emotion effect from Cymbalta and start having moderate to severe mood swings. Once you start getting better there will be periods of feeling good followed by the bottom dropping out again, over and over, Each time the good periods get longer and the bad periods get shorter. Of course the slower you wean typically the less severe the symptoms during the bad spells.