3 replies to this topic

[MaureenV]

Help, please. I've been on 120mg (60 twice a day) for almost 5 years! My back pain is NOT better and I have symptoms I think are from Cymbalta - weight gain, fogginess. At age 63 and taking Trazadone as well, I think this is the time to wean off. Any suggestions as to how to do this? My doc is a "take more" of almost anything guy, so I'd really like a head's up on what other high dose folks have been through. After reading your stories, I can't believe he put me on this for back pain, except that I am allergic to virtually all prescription pain meds. The Trazadone was because I could not sleep and was so weepy after first my stepson died and then our house burned down. Really sucky - but I'm coping and know I had a real reason to feel crappy.

Hi Joan, the doses we've seen people on vary from 20mg (unusual) to 150g (also unusual); the general range seems to be 30mg to 120mg, so you're definitely at the top end.

Not everyone has difficulty getting off, so you may want to experiment taking just one a day. I know others will disagree with this, but you can soon start taking the whole amount again and wean down slowly if it's necessary.

Some haven't had much trouble going down from (say) 120 to 60, or 60 to 30, and then strike problems.

If you're hesitant about even attempting that, you can do a very slow wean by removing a certain number of beads each day. We can give you more details if you're interested.

Let us know.

regards, Maureen.

[nursedeborah]

Help, please. I've been on 120mg (60 twice a day) for almost 5 years! My back pain is NOT better and I have symptoms I think are from Cymbalta - weight gain, fogginess. At age 63 and taking Trazadone as well, I think this is the time to wean off. Any suggestions as to how to do this? My doc is a "take more" of almost anything guy, so I'd really like a head's up on what other high dose folks have been through. After reading your stories, I can't believe he put me on this for back pain, except that I am allergic to virtually all prescription pain meds. The Trazadone was because I could not sleep and was so weepy after first my stepson died and then our house burned down. Really sucky - but I'm coping and know I had a real reason to feel crappy.

Joan,
I am so very sorry for all you have gone through, even your doctor's care from the way it sounds.
It's like he is not listening to you at all. I too can't take hardly any pain meds, and it took
them for ever to find something that did not knock me out or make me so hyper that I wanted to
clean the house all day.

As far as your doc, trust me they do not know how to wean people off this drug, and try to just
cut it in half for two weeks, then keep you on a lower dose for a few weeks, then off. It does
not work that way at all!!!!!


You also have been on a higher dose that most, but it still work the same way, one has to decrease
by 10% every 2 weeks until done. Some can't even do 10%, and have to find the amt that is ok for them.
It does not take that long to find out, and then adjust it.

Please read lot's of post, and remember we are always here for you!

Debbie

[MaureenV]

Thanks both of you - I needed to hear I wasn't the only one on such a high dose. The reason I didn't want to even TALK to either my general doc or my neurologist is that both had suggested only three days each of 120 to 90; 90 to 60; 60 to 30; then nothing. I've just gone down to 90 now for 4 days - no problems, but will stay there for at least 2 weeks.

I think that's a good idea. You'll soon know if that's too big a drop. If you have any issues at all you can either add a bit more, or leave it until the symptoms disappear before trying a further (smaller) drop.

It's a very good sign that you've gone four days. Most people who have big problems getting off can't even skip a day without problems. On the other hand, some have had little difficulty getting down to 60, then more difficulty then on.

I'm not trying to depress you with this info, but getting off this drug it's better to be realistic rather than optimistic.

regards, Maureen.

[MaureenV]

Thanks both of you - I needed to hear I wasn't the only one on such a high dose. The reason I didn't want to even TALK to either my general doc or my neurologist is that both had suggested only three days each of 120 to 90; 90 to 60; 60 to 30; then nothing. I've just gone down to 90 now for 4 days - no problems, but will stay there for at least 2 weeks.

p.s. do remember too, that part of the withdrawals can be an exacerbation of some of the symptoms Cymbalta was intended to treat in the first place.

You feel it hasn't helped much with the pain, but the pain may get worse before it settles to what it was beforehand.

I realized afterwards that Cymbalta did ease some ongoing nagging pain I used to get; because it was intermittent (and not the reason for being on it in the first place) I hadn't actually noticed until I was getting it again.

Also, though, I got pain in every single place I'd ever had it, ever in my life. That didn't last too long though, so if it happens to you, hang in there and remember your body needs to readjust to being without Cymbalta.


regards, Maureen.