3 replies to this topic

[AHK85]

Hello everyone

I've recently been searching the web (using Google) about how to wean off this weird drug named Cymbalta.

But before I submit my solution, each one of us have a different body system, so what works for one person may not work for another and vice versa. I personally have just started using this weaining process and I feel like it's working so far. I hope it works all the way.

Now to the point of what I have found out:

It is recommended to wean off very slowly and not cold turkey since the body chemistry and the brain have a chemical neruotransmitter called Acetylcholine. The brain will crave this neurotransmitter, which will make you feel like it is craving the "happy - pills" again. But in fact, it's all about this chemical neurotransmitter.

But when you wean off slowly, certain areas of the brain is replaced with this chemical (the areas which Cymbalta once covered while we were taking it).

Now that we have a basic understanding, lets get to the practical part:

By removing 7 more beads/pellets out of each capsule everyday and taking them at the same regular time, you can slowly wean off without getting those nasty withdrawal effects. For example, day 1: -7 pellets day 2: -14 pellets, day 3: -21 pellets and so forth.

But it is also vital to begin taking multivitamins & Omega 3-6-9 fishoil. Starting an exercise program is also very helpful during the journey.

It might take, depending on your body, up to about 6 weeks for the brain to return to normal.

I wish all of you good luck getting off this terrible drug.

Kind regards,

/Amir

PS: Feel free to post any feedback

[truckprincess]

Hi

I too have started this method. I have been on 60mg of Cymbalta for about 6 or 7 years now. After having insurance mess with me and going without for a couple of days I realized I didn't want something that strong affecting me (not to mention the cost of this evil drug). The first day I had the brain zaps. By day two without it I was curled up crying constantly for no reason. What really makes me angry is how much ALL doctors are pushing this drug for ridiculous reasons. I was put on an antidepressant ten years ago for postpartum depression. My physician just kept changing meds and upping doses until he finally put me on this. Sure it helped for the most part. I still had spouts of depression from time to time but what really bothered me was the zombie feeling of just not really caring about anything or the only true emotion I would feel was anger. I used to be a very energetic person and I am not any more. I always felt tired with this drug even when I switched to taking it at night. I was diagnosed 4 years ago with RSD after a car accident and every single doctor I went to would ask me if I was on cymbalta. I started to realize how much doctors were pushing this drug for ridiculous reasons. I was already on it so no it didn't help with my pain. And they would all go "hmmm". I never realized the side effects this drug could cause when being on it and going off is going to be pure hell. But I want to be ME again, have some energy and feel things. It was affecting my vision and I didn't even realize it was the cause. My cholesterol has went up, I noticed my BP was higher than normal and no one ever said a word. My doctor wasn't too happy when I said I wanted to come off the cymbalta, that I just need to know for sure if I even needed an antidepressant to begin with. He told me to alternate 60mg and 30mg for a week, then go to 30mg for a week, then 30mg every other day for a week then quit. Well I knew being how long I have been on this drug there was no way that would work. I did the alternating 60,30 for two weeks and was fine but as soon as I went to 30 I just didn't feel right so I researched and found what you found with taking out the pellets. I am now taking 42 out (49 tonight). I am curious as to how you are feeling? I was feeling great then major fatigue hit me so I have just been sleeping on and off all day the last couple of days. Slight headache so far and my whole body aches. Because of that I took a regular 60mg dose the other night but I hate to keep doing that. I would love some feedback.

[Shellbell]

I can't believe your doctors pushing cymbalta on you like that! Well, I can, they just don't know!! In my experience patients and pharmacists are more knowledgeable! I did the slow weaning, bead counting method too. I just went really slow and adjusted according to how I felt the next day, or what I had to do the next day.

I am happy to say that I've been fine since I finally ended this crap the beginning of September.

Good luck and read and research as much as you can, it helped me. And keep posting, it really does help others!

[truckprincess]

Thank you Shellbell. I seem to be stuck at only removing 49 pellets right now. Typically I take my cymbalta around 7pm but the last couple of days my head starts getting weird between 5 and 6 like my body is trying to get me to take it earlier. When I was on the full 60mg I never had any problems if I was not home and not able to take my med until later at night. I noticed many have mentioned several different ideas for supplements to help with any withdrawals such as fish oil but I am a serious vitamin taker and was already taking that. I noticed someone had mentioned the 5-htp, I hope people realize they can't take that if they are still on the cymbalta as it can cause serious reactions. I am trying the L-tyrosine as that is listed as safe to take with cymbalta but I am not sure if it's helping any or not yet. I think tomorrow I will skip the L-tyrosine just to see if there are any changes. Just makes me so sad and angry that people can't get help getting off this drug and yet if someone were on crack or whatever they could get help (and no offense to anyone I don't mean to sound harsh, just trying to make a point). I also have to wonder what "miracle" drug they are coming up with next since next summer the patent will be off the cymbalta so other companies will be able to make a generic and Lilly won't be getting the big bucks. I have to agree physicians really don't have a clue. Mine tried to tell me he had really good luck with having patients wean off the way he told me. I highly doubt it unless they weren't on it very long. I'm not saying this drug is completely horrible, I realize it does help and for some they feel and do better on it and that's great. I just feel they should be warned of EVERYTHING related to it BEFORE starting it. And the company needs to come up with some type of weaning system that won't affect people so badly. I also realize that with any medication taken for a length of time there will be withdrawals but this stuff is just awful.