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Did I Do The Math Correctly?


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#1 PyperJane

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Posted 30 April 2016 - 09:29 PM

Okay, starting tomorrow BF (boyfriend) is starting the weaning process. Today we are counting and getting the meds ready. I want to make sure we are counting and weaning correctly. We decided to do two days of the same dosage, as to not wean to fast. 

So 2 capsules contained, 317 & 314 so we went with an average of 315. Wanting a wean of 60 days, provided side effects are extreme of course. 

315 divided by 60 = 5

So day 1 & 2, down by 5

day 3 & 4, down by 10

and so on ... 

Is this correct? 

 

Thanks & wish us luck! 

Pyper


#2 Carleeta

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Posted 30 April 2016 - 10:30 PM

Pyper, this sounds correct to me if you feel the starting point is removing five beads.  You have done the math correctly.  Five seems a bit much from my stand point as usually it starts with removing  2 to 3 at the starting point.  Just remember this quote from Fishinghat:

 

Here is a quote from Fishinghat, typed on September 5, 2014 :

 

"No doubt about it bead counting is the best method. Bead counting, is where you open the cymbalta capsule each day and remove a few beads, usually 2 or 3. So the first day you remove 3 beads, the next day 6 beads, the next 9 beads etc. This provides for a slow steady withdrawal. If symptoms get too bad you just hold at that dosage for a while until you stabilize. Then start dropping again. Be aware that for most the last few beads give the worse withdrawal. Be prepared to slow down when you get to the very end. Now this is just an example. Some can only remove 1 bead a day and others 7 or 8 beads a day. You will have to play with it a little bit to find what works for you. This doesn't mean you won't have withdrawal but it will be lighter and you will have some control over it. Many of the brands have 200 plus beads inside but some of the generic only have 6 or 7 large pellets. "

 

Please keep a copy of this for all members refer back to.


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#3 PyperJane

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Posted 30 April 2016 - 11:23 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I knew there was a post about 1/2/3 a day to start. I also saw the formula on another post, so I went with that. Since there is such a large amount of beads, I am hoping 5 isn't that much of a jump. But I suppose it's all trial and error. 


#4 fishinghat

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 01:22 PM

5 is too much to start with AND removing 5 more beads every two days is dropping 150 beads in 60 days. If you drop 5 beads every day you would be done in 63 days. Too fast.  Start at 1 bead a day for say 1 week, then if no problems go to 2 beads a day for another week, etc. Until you find your limit then back off a little. Don't rush it and for goodness sake don't underestimate it.

 

You have the right general idea though. Hang in there. Time and patience.


#5 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 02:28 PM

I did the 5 beads a day taper and it was rough at times. Not so bad to start with as it is only a 1.6% reduction in dosage but as he gets lower, say at the half way point it becomes a 3% reduction and he may start to feel it more.

It really depends on how his body and brain react to the change. Some people can only do one bead a week whereas others can handle much more so just go by how he is feeling.

I do think that if he can stay active and really drinks a lot of water he will do better. That seems to be something that everyone who has gotten off quickly have in common.

Myself I could barely stay upright so exercise was not an option but then I decreased much too fast for me.

Just take it as it comes and don't overdo it.

Best of luck


#6 PyperJane

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 05:30 PM

Thanks everyone!

He started today. We decided on this count for the next 2 weeks:

Day 1 & 2- remove 3

Day 3 & 4 - remove 5

Day 5 & 6 - remove 8

Day 7 & 8 - remove 10

Day 9 & 10 - remove 13

Day 11 & 12 - remove 15

Day 13 & 14 - remove 20

These are cumulative. What ever number we removed is that number not in addition to the previous days. We are going to take it day by day and see how he is handling it. The big jump is at the end of two weeks. If at any time he feels like it is too much we will recount and go from there.

Day by day I suppose. He has only been on it for about 3 months, so we are hopeful for an easier-ish wean. He started taking Fish Oil as well. 

 

The part that baffles me is that anyone can get put on this junk but there is no easy way to get off. He was on Wellbutrin before and wasn't weaned. Just switched from that to cymbalta. If only it was that easy to switch to another med from cymbalta. Uggh! 


#7 fishinghat

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 06:05 PM

Pyper

 

He should be able to switch to another ssri or snri with little trouble. Now having said that there is always a chance that the next AD may not work but many many do it. I myself switched from Cymbalta to Lexapro to Zoloft. These two are considered to have an easier withdrawal. As soon as I come off the benzo they tried I will start tapering off of the Zoloft.


#8 Ahnalou

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Posted 04 July 2016 - 02:16 PM

I'm new to this forum. Today actually. I have been on 60 mg for TWELVE years. I'm researching the weaning process. My brain is wanting more than 60 mg now. So, I'm on teva generic. There are 300 beads in one capsule. Is starting my withdrawal process by going to 50 mg for a month (that's 50 less beads) too much? I'm also taking 150 mg Wellbutrin a day (have for 5 years). Is this too much of a starting reduction? So thankful to be part of this group. My intention is to be free !!

#9 Ahnalou

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Posted 04 July 2016 - 04:09 PM

I think I've answered my own question. I want to be free, but one day at a time

#10 fishinghat

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Posted 04 July 2016 - 04:13 PM

Welcome Ahnalou.

 

Time and patience. Too much of a drop at once. Instead of 50 beads all at once for a month try 1 or 2 beads more each day for a month. That way if when you start having bad withdrawal you can stay at that level until stable and then go to dropping again. At a 50 bead drop it will hit you like a ton of bricks and you may have to ho back up 20 or 25 beads to stabilize.


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#11 Carleeta

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Posted 05 July 2016 - 09:37 AM

I'm agreeing here with Fishinghat.  50 beads at once is way to big of a jump and it might hit you way to hard.  Time and patience is the key here.  Don't be in such a hurry to get off cymbalta because it truly is not worth the horrid withdrawal symptoms which you may experience.  Taking it slower with removing less beads instead of more will become a better adjustment period for you. It will take a longer time to come off although the symptoms will be easier to handle and you can control you levels of withdrawal......Time and patience win in the end....





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