6 replies to this topic

[MaureenV]

Hi folks. I am new to the forum and have been reading for a couple of weeks to prepare to wean off Cymbalta. I have been taking 60mg for a very long time (years). I felt that C was a life saver for me, and better than any anti-D I had tried before. My world opened up and I was alive again. I still feel it was a great choice, however, I think it is time. I accidentally ran out recently and found myself cold turkey for about 5 days. I had such bad vertigo, and when I looked from one object to another too quickly, I got what I have termed "salt and pepper head." It was a "shuk shuk" sound in my brain. I did find during this time that I was not feeling any worse emotionally at all. It was then that decided it was time to get my sex life back and to be rid of at least one drug in my arsenal. When I got the mail order script delivered, I started taking 60mg again right away and after about two days the symptoms were gone and I was a full fledged C user once again. So, about 4 days ago, I decided to start reducing the tablets by 10 beads per day. This is working fine, except for wanting to sleep all the time! Is this what others have experienced? I also have little appetite. Thanks for your support! Shannon

Brilliant!! SO pleased to hear that someone's come to this forum BEFORE getting here the hard way - i.e. having intolerable symptoms by getting of the wrong way. Congratulations on your foresight!


There are so many withdrawal symptoms with cymbalta you could pretty much put anything down to it, and the ones you've mentioned are right up there. If you find them difficult you could stay on the same dose until you feel perfectly well each time, then do another drop, and repeat that process.

We all get impatient to be off as fast as we can, but the object is to be eventually off with as few symptoms along the way as possible.


regards, Maureen.

[Junior]

Hi Shannon

Just so you know, it is generally recommended to do drops of no more than 10% each time, and to wait 3-6 weeks between. The idea is to stabilise before dropping again. From what I've read both here and at another forum, it seems to produce the most success.

Good luck
Junior

[NYirishman]

Hello Jess

Yes the capsules are seperated and the the disired amount of beads/mg are removed and the capsule is put together, Then you can save what was taken out to make further caps later using gel caps bought at any pharmacy or health store.

I believe Nurse D has made some very informative posts here regarding bead counting. I too have just learned this method, and cant wait to give it a shot.

[NYirishman]

Im not a doctor and i dont pretend to be but in my past experience and from reading and talking to others i would be VERY carefull. After 4 years there is no way your body can tell itself that there is no need for the SSNI after it has been used to it for 4 years, even with a 3week wean....Please for your own sake enter this with full knowledge. I know everyone is different and we all handle drug withdraw different, but i have stopped cold turkey on some of the strongest prescribed drugs......Cymbalta still holds one over me.

I suggest preparing yourself for the wean beyond just your primary phys. instructions, I too entered stopping cymbalta lightly once and after 2weeks it was so unbareable i went right back on.

Are you taking anything else? like prozak, effexor, or any other prescribed medicine?

[MaureenV]

I am also new to this forum. I have been taking Cymbala for 4 years (60mg). My Doc gave me instructions on weaning off, though I am wondering of this "weaning" is too abrupt. 40mg daily for one week, then 20mg for one more week then stop. Has anyone else weaned off this way? What should I expect?

Vicki

You maybe lucky and be one of those who can get off easily. Weaning off way more slowly is the way to go for most people who've ended up on this site, but of course most of us end up here AFTER getting withdrawal symptoms, so who knows how many out there have no problems.

Even if you have few problems getting down to 40, you may find difficulty then doing the drop to 20 so quickly. If you do want to attempt a drop to 40, it would be a good idea to stay there for weekS rather than just one week, to make sure you feel perfectly o.k. before you drop further. If 40 gives you lots of symptoms, you could ask for a 30mg prescription so you're taking 50mg (30 plus 20).


regards, Maureen.

[rocky road]

Hi...

New to site. Glad other people know how this stuff makes you feel..... i have only been on 2 months, and starting trying to get off it after angry bouts and crying ....now as i am tapering i am just sick with all the withdrawl effects.... down to 20mg for 3 days... when can i drop down again...???/

[Junior]

Hi...

New to site. Glad other people know how this stuff makes you feel..... i have only been on 2 months, and starting trying to get off it after angry bouts and crying ....now as i am tapering i am just sick with all the withdrawl effects.... down to 20mg for 3 days... when can i drop down again...???/

Hi Rocky

It is best to stabilise on a dose - ie, feel no more withdrawal symptoms - before doing another drop. Generally it is recommended to drop at no more than 10% each time and to wait 3-6 weeks before dropping again.

Also, some people find that Prozac alleviates many of the withdrawals. It is said to be easier to get off later as well.

Hope that helps
Junior