8 replies to this topic

[QueenTimely]

Hi All -

Just want to share that I'm not having an easy time at 10mg. Not sure what happened, but it went fairly smoothly for a while, and now I've had a few really rough days -- a great deal of immobilising anxiety, sick to my stomach, just tired and tired of it all. Very hard just to put one foot in front of the other to clean the house, do the tasks before me in my day.

I find it hard to know whether it's worth it to updose a bit.

And I'll be honest: I have 15 capsules of 5mg left and I can't help thinking: I'm ok today. Could I reduce again and not need a new script? I think I just encouraged someone else on the site not to do what I'm thinking. But I'm in this Italian country town, my doctor is away and I need to see a new doctor and get a new script. AND I DON"T WANT TO! Any thoughts? Maureen? Junior?

[MaureenV]

Hi All -

Just want to share that I'm not having an easy time at 10mg. Not sure what happened, but it went fairly smoothly for a while, and now I've had a few really rough days -- a great deal of immobilising anxiety, sick to my stomach, just tired and tired of it all. Very hard just to put one foot in front of the other to clean the house, do the tasks before me in my day.

I find it hard to know whether it's worth it to updose a bit.

And I'll be honest: I have 15 capsules of 5mg left and I can't help thinking: I'm ok today. Could I reduce again and not need a new script? I think I just encouraged someone else on the site not to do what I'm thinking. But I'm in this Italian country town, my doctor is away and I need to see a new doctor and get a new script. AND I DON"T WANT TO! Any thoughts? Maureen? Junior?

I really don't know what to suggest, there are a few alternatives, but they'd work differently for different people, and you don't have the supplies to experiment.


How long before your doctor's back? That would determine MY course of action.


Are you 100% sure it's Cymbalta withdrawal, and not pre-existing anxiety that Cymbalta was masking? I also think there's an element of 'released' emotions with withdrawal - so many are like me, in tears at absolutely nothing during that period. There are so many withdrawal symptoms and they affect people so differently, I don't know if anyone can say for certain what's happening at any particular point in time.

One suggestion I'm about to make is the OPPOSITE of what I'd normally say, and that's to suggest going without for a few days and see how much worse (if at all) you get. If you do get worse (in the time it usually take for symptoms to hit you) then you can go straight to the new doctor and get a script, because you DO need it. Make sense?

I went from 10mg to 7.5mg, to 5mg, then one mg at a time, reducing after about four days each time, which is when the brain zaps would disappear, so it took me 30 days to do 10mg - zero, and I've just calculated that that meant a total dose of 130mg. You've got 75mg, about half that. Must say that my symptoms were very tolerable, and I did it that way for that reason. After dropping the 1mg, I had very mild zaps for about two weeks. That's just ME, though.

I know you don't like opening the capsules, but the other way is to take out a consistent number of beads each day so that you're on a continual taper, which may not be 'easy' but may be easiER than taking them all then stopping cold turkey at 5mg.

So... if you're doctors only away for 10 days, I'd go one way, and if he's away for 3 months I'd go another.

Not very helpful, I know.

What about the prozac idea?


kind regards, Maureen.

[QueenTimely]

Thanks very much for your posts. I'm not sure anymore what I was thinking, but around the time of this post, I actually decreased to 5mg. Three days later, my father died. By 8:35 on the 19th, I was on a plane from Milan to NYC, ostensibly for the funeral and to be with my step-mother and people who worked closely with him. It's been rough, as you can imagine. The visit to NYC was very stressful, not only because of my father's death and the reduction, but also because of the long and continuing painful history of my step-mother doing her best to cut me out of everything -- his life, his will, his
memorial.

But, Cymbalta-wise: I still have a very anxious and jittery tummy most of the time, but especially in the mornings, complete with diarrhea. Brain fog is bad, but maybe a bit better. Temper is volatile, but meditation definitely helps. The lower doses have been hard to wean through -- my step-father who is a psychiatrist tells me I'm doing this the hard way and should go the Prozac route. Even at this late stage, I must admit, I'm considering it.

I just wanted to let you know that I had a hard time at 10 mg too. I thought I could just wean past it but I decided I needed to refil my script and stay at this dose for a while. It seems to be a key area to stabilize at. I've seen it in others too. I bit the bullet and refilled my script so I could take more time. I'm doing what some one said here. Maureen maybe? I think every 4 days I'm taking 5 beads out. This week I'm going from 90 to 85 and I'm very causious and on gaurd. My husband is going to help me count down each week. I have a piece of paper with the number of beads and the dates so I don't lose track. Slow and steady. If I feel like I'm losing it again like last week, I'll just hold my does for a while longer. I wonder if there is really something to this particular dose of 10 mg. Its like a key turning point.

I hope you are well.

Debbie m.

[cookie]

Thanks very much for your posts. I'm not sure anymore what I was thinking, but around the time of this post, I actually decreased to 5mg. Three days later, my father died. By 8:35 on the 19th, I was on a plane from Milan to NYC, ostensibly for the funeral and to be with my step-mother and people who worked closely with him. It's been rough, as you can imagine. The visit to NYC was very stressful, not only because of my father's death and the reduction, but also because of the long and continuing painful history of my step-mother doing her best to cut me out of everything -- his life, his will, his
memorial.

But, Cymbalta-wise: I still have a very anxious and jittery tummy most of the time, but especially in the mornings, complete with diarrhea. Brain fog is bad, but maybe a bit better. Temper is volatile, but meditation definitely helps. The lower doses have been hard to wean through -- my step-father who is a psychiatrist tells me I'm doing this the hard way and should go the Prozac route. Even at this late stage, I must admit, I'm considering it.

Dear QueenTimely:
Sorry for arriving so late to the conversation. I am so sorry for your Father loss. In relation to cymbalta´s dosage are you taking 5mg right now??? how have you been feeling??......5mg is such a HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT. I am still on 30mg.
Hugs
Cookie

[cookie]

Wow, You HAVE had a hard time of it. I'm sorry. Tell me how your Psych famlily member recommends coming off with Prozac? Did he give any details? WHy not get the Prozac? If it will help, go for it. If not I kinds feel like you. I don't really want another drug in my body. I even have second thoughts about taking over the counter pain relievers anymore.

I'm right at 7 mgs now and the ringing in my ears is making me crazy. Not really, but its not pleasant. I'm lowering one grain a day and 2 grains twice a week so I can go down 1 mg a week. My husband said why don't you just stop now? But the thought of that scares me to death. I do NOT want to get sick again. If there is anything I can give Cymbalta its respect. Cause it will kick your a@@ is you don't.

Debbie M.

P.S. My rage seems to have mostly dissapeared since I went down to one grain a day. Hope this goes away from you soon.

Dear Debbie:
WOW it´s so good that you are down to 7mg!!!.....I am still on 30mg. What have been your symptoms lately???
You mentioned you can go down to 1mg in a week, WOW GREAT!!!!!.....I read your husband wants you to stop completely. However I agree with you to take 1mg to prevent getting sick
Hope to hear from you soon. This will prepare me to what to expect
Regards
Cookie

[MaureenV]

Thanks very much for your posts. I'm not sure anymore what I was thinking, but around the time of this post, I actually decreased to 5mg. Three days later, my father died. By 8:35 on the 19th, I was on a plane from Milan to NYC, ostensibly for the funeral and to be with my step-mother and people who worked closely with him. It's been rough, as you can imagine. The visit to NYC was very stressful, not only because of my father's death and the reduction, but also because of the long and continuing painful history of my step-mother doing her best to cut me out of everything -- his life, his will, his
memorial.

But, Cymbalta-wise: I still have a very anxious and jittery tummy most of the time, but especially in the mornings, complete with diarrhea. Brain fog is bad, but maybe a bit better. Temper is volatile, but meditation definitely helps. The lower doses have been hard to wean through -- my step-father who is a psychiatrist tells me I'm doing this the hard way and should go the Prozac route. Even at this late stage, I must admit, I'm considering it.

Sorry to hear your news. Doubly hard to deal with if you're not within a supportive family environment.

It really IS a percentage thing for most of us. I tried to drop at 10mg as I've said and had to go back and drop down 1mg at a time, every four days or so.

I was astonished that I even had some mild symptoms for three weeks after finally stopping at 1mg.

If I had my time over again, I'd go the prozac route too. I was too far down the track (and working on a weaning system which seemed to leave me with minimal symptoms) by the time I saw how effective it was for others.


regards, Maureen.

[QueenTimely]

Hi Cookie, Debbie and all -
Thanks so much for your support. There are so many things going on now, I can't tell what's causing what. Diarrhea is daily. Brain fog everpresent. Fairly irritable. Sad and angry related to my Dad's death and some ugly aspects related to his wife and how I was cut out of his life and now the will. Organising to depart Italy and return to Australia via NYC in two months.

I'm thinking -- still just thinking -- about Prozac. I just feel like there's so much stress right now -- I'm afraid of the path through last 5 mgs. And I'm just not sure, to be honest, that I trust my doctor to manage the Prozac bit. He has strong homeopathic inclinations and I'm not sure of his expertise in transitioning among ADs. I've got a few weeks left of 5 mg capsules, so maybe just reduce using them, but wait a week or so. If I don't, I'll need a new script and I'm not sure I can face that. Maybe need to book with my doctor for a chat.

Tell me again. If you transition to Prozac, how does it work? I just start on Prozac while I'm on Cymbalta? Or I stop C one day and start P the next? Do you all know? And I probably will try the iron.

[cookie]

Hi Cookie, Debbie and all -
Thanks so much for your support. There are so many things going on now, I can't tell what's causing what. Diarrhea is daily. Brain fog everpresent. Fairly irritable. Sad and angry related to my Dad's death and some ugly aspects related to his wife and how I was cut out of his life and now the will. Organising to depart Italy and return to Australia via NYC in two months.

I'm thinking -- still just thinking -- about Prozac. I just feel like there's so much stress right now -- I'm afraid of the path through last 5 mgs. And I'm just not sure, to be honest, that I trust my doctor to manage the Prozac bit. He has strong homeopathic inclinations and I'm not sure of his expertise in transitioning among ADs. I've got a few weeks left of 5 mg capsules, so maybe just reduce using them, but wait a week or so. If I don't, I'll need a new script and I'm not sure I can face that. Maybe need to book with my doctor for a chat.

Tell me again. If you transition to Prozac, how does it work? I just start on Prozac while I'm on Cymbalta? Or I stop C one day and start P the next? Do you all know? And I probably will try the iron.

Dear QueenTimely:
I can´t help you with the transition to Prozac, since I do not know about it. What I do recommend, is once you quit cymbalta, take advantage of your doctor´s strong homeopathic inclinations. I´ve taken homeopathy and it´s great. It´s not as fast acting as traditional medicine pills, but it helps to build body´s natural defenses. Since you are planning to quit cymbalta, it should be great to have something else to rely on after quitting. Homeopathy is an ancient knowledge.
Hugs
Cookie

[MaureenV]

Hi Cookie, Debbie and all -
Thanks so much for your support. There are so many things going on now, I can't tell what's causing what. Diarrhea is daily. Brain fog everpresent. Fairly irritable. Sad and angry related to my Dad's death and some ugly aspects related to his wife and how I was cut out of his life and now the will. Organising to depart Italy and return to Australia via NYC in two months.

I'm thinking -- still just thinking -- about Prozac. I just feel like there's so much stress right now -- I'm afraid of the path through last 5 mgs. And I'm just not sure, to be honest, that I trust my doctor to manage the Prozac bit. He has strong homeopathic inclinations and I'm not sure of his expertise in transitioning among ADs. I've got a few weeks left of 5 mg capsules, so maybe just reduce using them, but wait a week or so. If I don't, I'll need a new script and I'm not sure I can face that. Maybe need to book with my doctor for a chat.

Tell me again. If you transition to Prozac, how does it work? I just start on Prozac while I'm on Cymbalta? Or I stop C one day and start P the next? Do you all know? And I probably will try the iron.

You take prozac at the same time; Junior will be better at explaining why than me, or 'search' some of her recent entries which will tell you why. Then you wean off the Prozac which is a thousand times easier.

What's convinced me about the Prozac is that we've had a few people post here (yeah I know, random sample of TWO. ) who've previously tried to get off Cymbalta without success, yet found taking Prozac at the same time made a massive difference.

regards, Maureen.