4 replies to this topic

[Art]

Hello from someone new.
I got on antidepressents after I had triple bypass surgery 5 years ago at age 65. I did not start with Cymbalta but was put on it about 2 1/2 years ago. The inital dose was 60mg which after a year was increased to 90mg which I was on for over a year. This April I felt good enough that I decided to reduce the dosage back to 60mg. I cannot remember having any ill effects. Four weeks later, still feeling fine, I then reduced the dosage to 30mg and stayed at that level until 10 days ago.
The reason I took this long to take the final step was because I wanted to make sure the depression did not come back. My dear youg bride would not have been very happy with me if it did.
So, about 1 day after going cold turkey the &%?* hit the fan and I felt awful. I had most ills that everyone has discribed but at the time had no idea what was the cause because my doctor never mentioned any when I told him what I was going to do. Not happy about that.
About 4 or 5 days ago I began to think that my suffering might have something to do with Cymbalta. This morning I decided to do some research on Cymbalta withdrawal and here I am.
As bad as I feel I plan to stick it out as long as it takes or die trying. I, like many, do not want to ever put a single bead of Cymbalta in my body again.
To end, my heart felt hopes go out to each and everyone that you make it through this ordeal and once again lead a happy and productive life.

God Bless
Art

[MaureenV]

Hello from someone new.
I got on antidepressents after I had triple bypass surgery 5 years ago at age 65. I did not start with Cymbalta but was put on it about 2 1/2 years ago. The inital dose was 60mg which after a year was increased to 90mg which I was on for over a year. This April I felt good enough that I decided to reduce the dosage back to 60mg. I cannot remember having any ill effects. Four weeks later, still feeling fine, I then reduced the dosage to 30mg and stayed at that level until 10 days ago.
The reason I took this long to take the final step was because I wanted to make sure the depression did not come back. My dear youg bride would not have been very happy with me if it did.
So, about 1 day after going cold turkey the &%?* hit the fan and I felt awful. I had most ills that everyone has discribed but at the time had no idea what was the cause because my doctor never mentioned any when I told him what I was going to do. Not happy about that.
About 4 or 5 days ago I began to think that my suffering might have something to do with Cymbalta. This morning I decided to do some research on Cymbalta withdrawal and here I am.
As bad as I feel I plan to stick it out as long as it takes or die trying. I, like many, do not want to ever put a single bead of Cymbalta in my body again.
To end, my heart felt hopes go out to each and everyone that you make it through this ordeal and once again lead a happy and productive life.

God Bless
Art

Hi Art,


I respect your decision, however even the drug companies don't advise dropping cold turkey.

Many, many people find that they can (relatively) easily get down to 30mg, and then the problems start.

If you do change your mind, you can always take 15mg per day by putting half the dose in each half of the capsule and stuffing a piece of bread in the end.

regards, Maureen.

[Debbie M.]

Hello from someone new.
I got on antidepressents after I had triple bypass surgery 5 years ago at age 65. I did not start with Cymbalta but was put on it about 2 1/2 years ago. The inital dose was 60mg which after a year was increased to 90mg which I was on for over a year. This April I felt good enough that I decided to reduce the dosage back to 60mg. I cannot remember having any ill effects. Four weeks later, still feeling fine, I then reduced the dosage to 30mg and stayed at that level until 10 days ago.
The reason I took this long to take the final step was because I wanted to make sure the depression did not come back. My dear youg bride would not have been very happy with me if it did.
So, about 1 day after going cold turkey the &%?* hit the fan and I felt awful. I had most ills that everyone has discribed but at the time had no idea what was the cause because my doctor never mentioned any when I told him what I was going to do. Not happy about that.
About 4 or 5 days ago I began to think that my suffering might have something to do with Cymbalta. This morning I decided to do some research on Cymbalta withdrawal and here I am.
As bad as I feel I plan to stick it out as long as it takes or die trying. I, like many, do not want to ever put a single bead of Cymbalta in my body again.
To end, my heart felt hopes go out to each and everyone that you make it through this ordeal and once again lead a happy and productive life.

God Bless
Art

Thanks Art, I wish you all the best as well.

God's greatest blessings on you and your bride.
Deb
P.S. Keep us posted on how you are doing as you improve.

[cookie]

Dear Art:
I have been tapering slowly. From 60mg to 30mg it was easy. Then from 25mg to 20mg has harder. I am at 20mg right now, and symptoms are very uncomfortable. I can´t imagine how it feels like to drop cold turkey (all the way from 30mg to zero).

I agree with Maureen. You could go to a certain dosage of cymbalta and start weaning from there. Things might be less painful than cold turkey.

However it is your decision.

regards
Cookie

[I am who I am]

Hey Art-

Just came across your post tonight.. it is very wonderful that you are writing here as it's a good perspective for me to hear from someone older than me and also who is a guy. Sometimes I'm not sure if my feelings are so emotional or extreme just because I'm female. Ugh.

I hope you are feeling better now than your post from a few days ago. From all of my intense reading over the past few weeks about withdrawal and getting off Cymbalta- the person above was right- that it does seem like the last 30mg and less is the hardest part. For me- I'm ready to quit cold turkey and go out fighting! It seems like you might feel similarly.. I tried it and got really sick from the withdrawal effects. Then I decided that I didn't want to feel that way and also for the people around me's sake.. I would slowly wean down. That means all the way down. I think you should do the same.. don't wean down, and then quit Cymbalta completely when it's the hardest part of get off.. what's a couple of extra weeks of being on a really small dose if it not only makes those around you worry less, but it will make you feel better?! It will be worth it in the long run to wean down.. all the way down.

Feel free to read more about me if you have the time.. my page is called 'Please Help'... when I started coming on this site I really needed a lot of advice and encouragement. And I've gotten it- it's a great support system!

Best of luck to you- take care!!