Kathy's Cymbalta Taper

Hi!

I've been on C 60mg for 10 years now, I tried a taper about 5 years ago and failed. I was completely off after a 6 month taper and a month after I was off, I could not stand the pain and withdrawal anymore so I went back on. How I wish I had only gone on the 30mg. But I'm tapering again.

My C has the 12 little pills. Early December I went to 11 of the 12 pills and felt okay. Feb 1, I went to 10 of the 12 little pills and still feel okay, the only thing I notice is my tinnitus is a little louder and some slight joint pain. No zaps, no nausea, not so far!! 

I know I will get down to an amount when I will have to start the little bead counting. How do I ask the pharmacy if their brand has the tiny beads or the small pills? Will they even know? 

Happy Saturday!

Most will not know if there are a lot of small beads inside. The safest thing to do is to request brand name Cymbalta from eli Lilley for the rest of the weaning.

PS, sorry about the Kathleen thing, Kathy it will be!

I answer to that too! 

Still doing okay on the 10 of 12 little pills.

I have a little anxiety starting because I lost my job mid November and decided to take a few months off. I'm just starting my search now, so the unknown is scary!

With that added stress you will probably have to go really slow but it sounds like you already know that. Hang in there Kathy.

Still doing good! 

And my appetite is less. I don't know if that is because of less C or because I really need to start losing this 60 pounds I gained over the last 10 years!

I'm doing well, still on 10 of the 12 mini pills. No joint pain or nausea  , just fatigue.

Because I have the C that has the 12 little pills and can only go down one little pill at a time, I was on 92% (11/12) from Dec 1 thru Jan 31 and on 83% (10/12) since Feb 1. I am able to get the C with the 300+ little balls with my next prescription, so I'm going to go down 5% each month. I hope to start that March 1.

Today was my 3rd cut of C. I got the Citron brand this time. I bought a scale because I don't have the patience to count the 300+ little balls. Since I was on 83% of a full pill, I went to 95% of that. 

This is how I have to calculate: 

1. The contents of 1 pill weighs .36 (not sure the unit of measure).
2. I was on 83.33% of a full pill up to this point = .2999
3. 95% of that is .285. I decided to go down only 5% at first to see how this weighing thing works out.

Does my system make sense?

Gail, I had to switch generic brands since the Lupin brand had 12 little pills inside the capsule and the Citron brand has 300+ little beads. My insurance won't pay for the Eli Lilly brand without a lot of hassle, and I really don't want to put any more $$$ into that company's pockets!

So far I fee okay, I can feel a difference --- not sure if it's a good or bad difference. I'll let you all know!

Okay, back to watching April the Giraffe pace in her cage. Is anyone else waiting for this giraffe to have her calf? 

You sound like you are on the right track. Slow but steady. Hang in there. You are off to a good start.

I have felt so well this last week at 90%. butter than I have felt in a long time. It might be that this generic brand is better for me that the prior one....

So since I feel good, should I do another cut for the upcoming week or stay where I am? I didn't plan exactly how long I'd stay at each level, I thought I would take it as it comes.

So, should I do another cut starting Wed or stay with 90% for another week??

Thanks!

If you have been feeling good a week or more I would do another cut.

Thanks fishinghat!

I was very lazy and didn't want to weigh another week of pills at 85% with the Citron 300+ bead brand so I made 4 capsules with 9 mini pills in them with the Lupin 12 little pill brand. Today was the first, this is a 75% pill and I felt good. I know I shouldn't be changing generics and will make a few pills tomorrow at 85%.

I sometimes feel like a chemist with a math degree. 

I'm still on the 75% with the Lupin mini pills. I feel good and will cut again Tuesday. 

Sound good Kathy. Slow and steady with an emphasis on slow.

I missed cutting this past Tuesday, so I WILL make time to weight my next week's pills. I'm at 75% of a 60mg, so am I supposed to go 70% of that amount or 70% of the full pill?

70% of the full pill. Remember that is a 5% drop which is probably ok for now but once you drop below 30 mg (50% of a 60 mg capsule) then you will need to slow down.

Thanks fh. I still haven't weighed the new pills for 70% yet so I'm still doing 75% of the 12 little pills. I only have a few of those left so I'll have to get busy and get the scale out soon! 

The only thing I notice is the pain is back in my knees. I didn't go on C for pain, but when I wean, my knees hurt. 

The removal of Cymbalta from the body often brings back old pains which can even be a little worse for a while until the withdrawal is about over.

I bought some of that icy/hot stuff for my knees. I think it's only for muscle pain, but I'll try it for my knee pain too!

The Citron brand is so much better for me than the Lupin brand. I hope my pharmacy sticks with Citron.

I'm still on 65%. I'm weaning 5% every 2 weeks unless I feel awful. So far so good. I don't want to calculate how many more months I will be doing this! 

Happy Saturday!

Hang in there Kathy. You are doing well. Just remember when you get down to the last 5 to 10% be sure and slow down as they are tough.

Yep, I hear that! I think all Eli Lily execs should be forced to take this pill for a year.

I started 60% today!   I'm still feeling okay!

I had an appt with my pdoc on Friday, she's awesome! She trusts me in my taper and believes in all the problems that C causes. If anyone lives in east Central Florida, I would be willing to share her name to you privately.

I will start 55% on Tuesday.

I have a job interview on Tuesday, fingers crossed. Things look good and if I do get this job, I will probably hold at 50% (30mg) for a few months because I do not want to screw up this job.

FH, I just read your articles about Tinnitus. I've had it for many years, along with some hearing loss. I can't remember if I had it before C, 10 years ago, but I probably did. I don't think it's gotten worse since I started weaning. I hope it doesn't get worse!!

Happy Sunday!

I started 55% on Tuesday. I'm not having withdrawal, I hope this continues!

That is a good sign but be careful of the last little bit.

I was itchy the other night. I bought some benadryl, that helped.