4 replies to this topic

[CarolD]

I decided to get off of Cymbalta because it wasn't working for me anymore and the doctor wanted to increase my dose to 120mgs from 60.  I stupidly tapered off in 5 weeks.  I have now been off of it for 7 weeks and am still having the most God-awful withdrawals.  I am experiencing severe anxiety, depression, nausea (I've lost 15 pounds), weakness ( from anxiety?), & I'm cold even in a 78 degree room. 

 

Should I keep moving forward or go back on a 20-30mg dose and slowly wean from there?  I am 67 and retired, thank goodness...I don't know how any of you can carry on while working and/or raising a family.  Will my old brain ever recover?  I have some decent days very rarely.  At almost 2 months free of this stuff, should I keep on going? 

 

Lots of luck to you all....glad I ran into this place!  Thanks in advance for any advice...Carol

[TryinginFL]

Welcome Carol!

 

I am not an expert on tapering as I went cold turkey about 3 1/2 yrs ago and had 1 yr of hell.  It is probably too late to go back on a full dosage after 7 weeks, so I will suggest that you take just a few beads from a capsule and it should help.  You can do this whenever things become unbearable.  The drug has a half life of only 12 hrs. Hopefully you will need to this less and less often.

 

You need to be kind to yourself as your body is trying to adjust - rest, stay well hydrated and some supplements can be of help.  (I did not take any, but you can find them mentioned in many posts on here.)

 

I was about where you are now when I found this wonderful site!  Do you have anything for the anxiety?  Are you taking any other meds?

 

Thankfully I was retired too, because the anxiety and horrible mood swings would have made it impossible for me to work.

 

Please come back w/any questions you may have - there is always someone here for you! Some of us have stayed here to help the newbies!

 

Liz

 

PS Check out fishinghat's post from earlier today

regarding rage and anger...think it will be helpful!

[CarolD]

Thank you so much, Trying!  It helps to know there is an end to this...10 months away sounds a bit overwhelming, but it is what it is.  Taking a few beads is something I've never heard of.  I will try it!   I have alprazolam for anxiety, but I try and only take one a day when things get rough.  So glad you're here!  Carol

[marylynn]

Check out fb group Cymbalta is worse. Additional resources on tapering there. It is a closed group.

[bronxbomber]

I joined "Cymbalta is Worse" before finding this forum.

It is a good resource for slow tapering advice. I stopped following it about a week ago, as my taper plan is working well. It was too difficult having a continuous feed related to all the problems which people are experiencing.

I recommend joining it as a resource, but not following it on a daily basis. In my opinion it is just too painful and depressing to read. I use Facebook a lot for other things, but the amount of feedback relative to Cymbalta was overwhelming.

Just my two cents.