2 replies to this topic

[Kayla]

I just started a weaning off process and would appreciate some suggestions on how to finish....

I was taking 30mg of Cymbalta for about 2.5 years and wanted to try a more natural supplement (like 5-HTP or St. John's Wort) because Cymbalta has caused me to gain 30 pounds and nothing I've tried helps me lose weight. My doctor told me to start taking 5-HTP and Cymbalta every other day (so the 5-HTP on Monday, Wed, Fri, etc. and the Cymbalta on Tues, Thurs, Sat, etc.). So far, I've been doing this for a week and it's been working pretty well although when it's time for my next dose of Cymbalta, I'm more than ready for it because I start to feel shaky/on edge and have frequent brain zaps. My doctor said to do this plan until I run out of my current supply of Cymbalta (about two weeks worth), but I'm doubting this will work at all. If I have withdrawal symptoms after 2 days, how will I just completely quit when I run out in two weeks?

My question for you is, what should I do next? I feel like I have a good start because I'm taking 30mg every other day, but how can I finish the weaning off process? Should I try taking it every two days? Or start taking out beads? Or any other suggestions?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks!

[JulieH]

I just started a weaning off process and would appreciate some suggestions on how to finish....

I was taking 30mg of Cymbalta for about 2.5 years and wanted to try a more natural supplement (like 5-HTP or St. John's Wort) because Cymbalta has caused me to gain 30 pounds and nothing I've tried helps me lose weight. My doctor told me to start taking 5-HTP and Cymbalta every other day (so the 5-HTP on Monday, Wed, Fri, etc. and the Cymbalta on Tues, Thurs, Sat, etc.). So far, I've been doing this for a week and it's been working pretty well although when it's time for my next dose of Cymbalta, I'm more than ready for it because I start to feel shaky/on edge and have frequent brain zaps. My doctor said to do this plan until I run out of my current supply of Cymbalta (about two weeks worth), but I'm doubting this will work at all. If I have withdrawal symptoms after 2 days, how will I just completely quit when I run out in two weeks?

My question for you is, what should I do next? I feel like I have a good start because I'm taking 30mg every other day, but how can I finish the weaning off process? Should I try taking it every two days? Or start taking out beads? Or any other suggestions?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks!

Hi Kayla, I'm no expert, but like you, I don't think the every other day method will work. For me, if I miss a pill, I am really feeling it by that night or the next morning. There are a lot of us here who are taking cymbalta every day, but cutting the dosage down. Check into some of the threads and see what might work for you! I started at 60 mg, cut directly to 30 mg (with some icky side effects) and then am knocking the 30 mg dose down 10% a week (without side effects, thus far). Good luck!

[TimC97124]

The brain zaps (paresthesia - I read the skinny paper literature with the 6 point type) feel like you touched your tongue to a 9-volt battery, except that it wasn't a 9-volt it was an 18-volt battery and it wasn't your tongue, it was your brain. And it bounces around inside your skull for a split second leaving you feeling disoriented and dizzy like you've been spinning in circles.

Like the scene in Men In Black when Jay touched that floaty energy thingy and it took off around the room like a super ball breaking everything it hit.

Minor brain zaps just feel like you're momentarily dizzy.
TimC