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I Have Been Inconsistent With My Dose...


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#1 auntl

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Posted 27 August 2018 - 01:45 PM

Hi all!  I have been on 60 mgs Cymbalta for about 2 years. I would like to go off it and onto a different antidepressant.  I cant seem to get a straight answer about how to taper or cross-taper (from Cymbalta to Prozac).  My doctor said to taper off C and then introduce Prozac.  He suggested I go down to 30 mgs for 2 weeks then 20 mgs to 0 and then start Prozac 20 mgs.  The thing is - - I rarely take my C as I am supposed to.  Some days I just forget (which would explain why I generally feel like crap 90% of the time)  I would say I take it every other day, sometimes only 3 times a week and rarely every day.  I know... Im all over the place. 

Some people in another forum suggested that I maintain the 60 mgs for about a month and then begin a taper.  That just doesnt make much sense to me to go higher in my dose just to come off it.  This is the first time I have really looked into the effects of withdrawal from an AD.  I realize now how little doctors actually know about the process of tapering/cross-tapering.  I feel like I am better off finding a schedule I can follow on my own. 

 

I know for a FACT that I cannot do the bead counting thing.  The scale method as well is too much for me.  Even just the thought of it makes me anxious.  Has anyone ever created their own schedule and tapered themselves? 

 

I already bought some Vitamin D and Omega 3 and have been using full spectrum CBD oil for the past month (for pain) and I will continue that as I heard it helps when going off medications like this.  

 

Please let me know if this sounds feasible or if I just sound crazy.  LOL 

 

THANK YOU!!!!


#2 fishinghat

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Posted 27 August 2018 - 03:36 PM

Welcome auntl

"Has anyone ever created their own schedule and tapered themselves?"

Yes they have. There is two general thoughts on this.

Some drs believe as yours does that coming off the Cymbalta first is better because it eliminates the risk of serotonin syndrome but the withdrawal can be terrible until the new AD kicks in (4 to 6 weeks). Some drs like to wean off the Cymbalta slowly over a 4 or 5 week period while at the same time slowly increasing the new AD. While there is a slightly higher risk of serotonin syndrome there is generally less withdrawal this way. Of course this is just a average approach some drs take longer to cross taper.

The worry with cross tapering is what if the new AD doesn't work or has worse side effects. Sometimes individuals have to try 2 or more before the are successful. All of these methods, bead counting, cross tapering, etc just don't come with a set of rules that always work. I wish they did.



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