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Fourth Try With Weaning Off Cymbalta


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#1 maddog80

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 03:47 PM

I am going to try once again to wean off this nightmare of a drug.  I was able to drop doses from 60mg to 30mg two years ago.  I have been unsuccessful in weaning off completely since.

 

I would like some help with the bead method.  My insurance will only pay for the generic form of the drug.  I am not sure if this matters or not.  I would like to know if I removing 5 beads a day is a good method for weaning.

 

Thanks!

 

P.S. - My doctor wants me to take the 30mg every other day for two weeks.  Not sure what he had in mind after that.  I tried this before with him with no success.


#2 FiveNotions

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 04:41 PM

Well, I sure wouldn't recommend the every other day approach .... I came off CT, which I also wldnt recommend .... Bead counting makes the most sense, and several of the regulars here are experts on how to do it .... I'm sure they'll arrive shortly to comment ... In the meantime, check the discussions on bead counting that are listed in the index and/ or do a search for that topic in the search box in the upper right of the pages ....

Welcome to the group! You'll get excellent advice and support here .... It's been a tru life saver for me :-D

#3 fishinghat

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 05:59 PM

Well, Maddog welcome. Removing 5 additional beads a day is a good beginning. The key to success is to listem to your body. If the withdrawal get too bad just go back 5 beads and stay at level until you stabilize. Then go down by 4 beads a day. If 5 beads a day is a peice of cake then try 6 beads a day. Like I say, listen to your body. You don't have to suffer to much, Don't hesitate to go back up a few beads and stay at tthat level until you feel better. Good luck and keep us posted.


#4 Carleeta

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 06:08 PM

Maddog80..Welcome..As you read above me, you will notice FiveNotions as mentioned all the support you will receive on this forum. Soon other members WILL be chiming in concerning your post. So far you have down a wonderful job of reducing 60 mg to 30 mg and stabilize..Which is a wonderful start..Unfortunately it's not uncommon for individuals to have difficulty dropping from any mg to zero. There are different methods all through the forum which have worked for different people. Bead counting is not an area I a month familiar with, although Equuswoman has a wonderful method which workers for her where she drops one bed a day..FishingHat has the knowledge to most likely answer whether or not the generic brand of cymbalta plays a significant role during the weaning process. Wagtail and Clara will also have there weaning process shared with you..This forum is gifted with wonderful dedicated members who are loving, caring, supportive, knowledgeable, and always right on..Good luck to you..

#5 fishinghat

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 07:40 PM

You know Carleeta brings up a good point. The generic has caused a lot of problems for many people. Now it has only been out around 2 months so I don't want to jump to conclusions but keeps your eyes open for strange side effects.


#6 equuswoman

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 08:06 PM

I am going to try once again to wean off this nightmare of a drug.  I was able to drop doses from 60mg to 30mg two years ago.  I have been unsuccessful in weaning off completely since.

 

I would like some help with the bead method.  My insurance will only pay for the generic form of the drug.  I am not sure if this matters or not.  I would like to know if I removing 5 beads a day is a good method for weaning.

 

Thanks!

 

P.S. - My doctor wants me to take the 30mg every other day for two weeks.  Not sure what he had in mind after that.  I tried this before with him with no success.

 

md80: The every other day dosing won't work. Not at all. I am weaning off slowly and steadily. The physicians don't understand the w/d we suffer from trying to come off this drug. I know on a very personal level what hell it has been for me. I am doing the bead counting method in hope of being free of this nasty stuff in my future. Glad that you found us. Support and prayers for you from TheEquussWoman :hug:


#7 maddog80

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Posted 05 February 2014 - 08:25 AM

DAY ONE:  I opened the generic form of cymbalta capsule this morning and to my surprise, counted only 158 or so beads.  I removed 5 and swallowed the rest.  BTW, I have been on the generic for a month now and have not felt right but am not getting the nightmare side effects as my previous attempts with weaning off of Cymbalta.  I am guessing the generic is not as powerful as Cymbalta.  In any case, I hope that being on the generic and not having the awful side effects will help with weaning off.  Time will tell.

 

I will update weekly on my progress but will update more frequently if I have any set backs.

 

Thanks everyone for the kind words of support and information.


#8 fishinghat

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Posted 05 February 2014 - 09:33 AM

Good luck Maddog and clear sailing to you.


#9 Clara

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Posted 05 February 2014 - 09:22 PM

Best of luck to you maddog80! We are cheering you on!!!!  clara


#10 MUSICNOW

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Posted 06 February 2014 - 02:59 AM

After being switched to generic Cymbalta, and experiencing aching joints, tiredness, indigestion, etc, have decided to try and wean off the drug. having missed a dose in the past and had terrible nightmares, headaches, etc., I must say I am concerned, and even more so after reading some of the blogs. Plan to start bead counting tomorrow as suggested, start the ginger tea, and see how it goes. Have been on 30 mg for years, and must say that I too seemed to have no response to events that normally see tears, or other emotions. Has anyone experienced memory loss of any kind after having taken Cymbalta for an extended time?

#11 Clara

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Posted 06 February 2014 - 07:51 AM

Hi musicnow and welcome to the forum! Memory loss, oh yes! At age 58 it's hard to know if it's age or med related! But the med does do that! It is not easy even with bead counting to come off this crap drug, but with determination and support you can do it! We're all here with all the support we can give. I would def' get close fam and friends in the loop on this. They will not understand what going on with you unless they have w/drawn from a diff' med themselves, but it will help you and them if they know what to expect while weaning. Let it all out here! Some tough times will come but hopefully won't last long for you! It's different for everyone! Take it easy on yourself and go slowly with your weaning! All my best to you!!! Keep us posted! Ask questions, rant, vent whatever on this forum, it will help to get it out! We've all been there and will support you with all we have in our arsenal of weapons against this crappy drug and it side effects!  Prayers and hugs for you!!! clara :)


#12 fishinghat

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Posted 06 February 2014 - 09:47 AM

Welcome MusicNow. Best of luck on your bead counting. IT is the best way to go but you will get there.


#13 MUSICNOW

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Posted 06 February 2014 - 10:53 AM

Thanks for the welcome. I am so glad to have your support and understanding (and encouragement). Will keep you updated on my progress and maybe my experience will help someone else.

#14 FiveNotions

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Posted 06 February 2014 - 11:13 AM

Welcome, music now .... The generic cymbalta is being discussed in several,places here currently ...

https://www.cymbalta...unting +generic

https://www.cymbalta...aps/?hl=generic

https://www.cymbalta...eric#entry36624

Please keep posting about how,,and what, you're doing ...,we need more info on the generic cymbalta, as it seems more and more folks are being switched to it .....

#15 MUSICNOW

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Posted 08 February 2014 - 10:38 PM

HI friends!! Wanted to let everyone know that I am switching from 30 mg to 20 mg after talking with my doctor instead of bead counting. One daily for a week, then one every two days for a week, then one every three days for a week. Anyone ever tried this before?

Also wanted to let you know that the generic Cymbalta that I have has the tiny beads, do not know how many since I have not counted them but at least a couple hundred.

Took my first 20 mg yesterday. No nightmares last night, so glad. Just feeling really tired.

#16 Clara

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 08:07 AM

Yes, music now, that was the plan for me. you have to do what works for you, but in my experience.... by the time I was every 2 days, I felt like total crap with most of the bad s'effects you've read about that I was went cold turkey.  Most of the aches and pains subsided after 3 weeks or so. I had already taken an early retirement at age 58, (thanks to this crap drug, another long story), so I was able to take it easy on myself. It's not easy no matter how you do it, but with determination and support it can be done!!! You WILL get through this! I hope and pray all goes well for you! Keep us posted!!!  clara :)


#17 MUSICNOW

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 04:20 PM

thanks, Clara. Slowly beginning to have some of the side effects. Did not sleep well last night. Muscle aches and pains today. Is Aleve enough to help with this? Some nausea today, not much of an appetite. Clara I am more afraid of the mental and emotional side effects. Is no feelings better than anxiety, depression........I am sure these thoughts are normal, but.....

#18 TryinginFL

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 06:50 PM

Hi MusicNow...I also was on the generic Cymbalta for a short time as I was in the old "doughnut hole" and could not afford the Cymbalta.  I noticed nothing different when I was on it, but decided to go cold turkey right after Christmas.  This in combination with cold turkey regarding Lyrica.  I was sick of taking so many drugs and did not know about any withdrawal regarding my decision - wow - I found out fast!  Have survived the headache from hell (about 2 weeks of it) and had no appetite at all.  I am finishing up my 7th week now but have to admit that some days are definitely better than others.  I, too, have been having terrible dreams and am tired most of the time.  Today I had no energy and had to go to the store - wasn't sure I'd make it through!  Today I have not been feeling well either - I understand all of this is not news to many, but I refuse to go back on that crap.  I wish you good luck and support and I already feel a wonderful connection to the people on this site.  Everyone is here to help and I hope to do the same for those just embarking on this horrible journey.  I have found that alprazolam and hydrocodone take the edge off and I will probably stay on those 2 meds forever. :(

Liz :)


#19 fishinghat

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 09:05 PM

I hate to tell you this Liz but you probably won't stay on these forever. Your body builds up more and more tolerance to these as time goes by. To compensate you have to take more and more of the med to get the same effect. I know that the manufactures of benzos like alprazolam suggest not to use them for longer then 4 month, NOT because they don't work but they become very addictive and tougher and tougher to come off of. Both of these are a great source of addiction problems in the USA. I sure your physicain  will cover that when the time comes.

Hang in there.


#20 FiveNotions

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 09:31 PM

Trying, 7th week, bravo!!

I'm with Fishinghat on the alprazolam ... It helped me tremendously at first ... As did every benzo I used... But gradually my dose kept ratcheting up....I was on them for a year....my docs never told me they are addictive...and even let me take them "as needed" ... Partaaay! .....and a hospital trip resulted.... Took me 2 years to get off them ....teensy tiny reductions ....scraping off tiny particles...sometimes only every few days.... Of course, my docs said it'd only take a week or so to quit ....

Please please focus on your nutrition...I just added a new post about headaches and brain zaps... I'm currently focusing on amino acids...the core elements of what the CNS needs to repair itself during and after drug withdrawal ..... I've been able to help myself an awful lot with just diet .... But I'm also moving towards using supplemts to provide my body the materials it needs in higher concentrations ....

#21 MUSICNOW

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Posted 09 February 2014 - 10:31 PM

FiveNotions, I too am trying to look toward nutritional for help ....not only for getting off this drug, but for a better well being in general. Have been experimenting with green drinks made in the NutriBullet.........a great machine. hopefully, if I give my body the right things, it will heal itself! I have read many testimonies of the healing power of nutritious food.......it can only help!

#22 fishinghat

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Posted 10 February 2014 - 09:06 AM

"Took me 2 years to get off them ....teensy tiny reductions ....scraping off tiny particles...sometimes only every few days...."

 

Lots of fun, right FiveNotions? The best way I have found to reduce benzos is called water titration. Dissolve your daily dosage in 200 ml of water. Remove 2% of the medicine/water (4 ml) and replace with 4 ml of tap water. Take 50 ml at a time every 6 hours. Each time you feel like you are ready remove just a little bit more medicine water and replace it with the same amount of tap water. Very accurate and you can control the withdrawal by adjusting the amount of medicine/water removed.

 

A couple of notes on benzos. Once you start to taper off of them do NOT go back up. It causes a significant increase in the withdrawal. Also, once you are off them you should wait 2 years to go back on them. They do damage to the nerve receptors which are slow to heal. The sooner you go back on them the quicker you become addicted and the worse the withdrawal. I am going through water titration right now for lorazepam which the drs put me on after my Cymbalta withdrawal. It was the 4th medicine they tried to address my constant fear and crying. Sometimes we have no choice. Now that I am on Zoloft I am coming of the benzos. Another nice thing about the water titration method, you can literally come off the benzo with NO WITHDRAWAL if slow enough. Everyone says withdraw at 2% every 14 days and you will not have withdrawal. I have found that I can do 3% every 14 days with no withdrawal. I know, that is really slow but it is better than withdrawal.

 

Anyway, this is a Cymbalta site and I am just rambling.

God Bless everyone.


#23 Clara

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Posted 10 February 2014 - 10:51 AM

Ramble on, my friend! Wow, fishinghat, you have this weaning process figured out!!! My hat's off to you!! Musicnow, I took ibuprofen to help with the aches and pains. Some on the forum have said warm baths with Epsom salts help also. My spine hurt big time early on! My dear husband would put Ben Gay down my spine and it helped greatly!!! As far as anxiety, depression, oh geez, who knows!!  I am Cymbalta free since about mid/late Nov. '13 and still deal with anxiety, rambling thoughts all going on at once, crying, negative thinking. Not to be a cynic, but part of this is being without the Crapalta and part is just life and all the family issues and junk that happens in the world! (now I'm ramblin'). I don't think even the doctors know just how much "brain alteration" goes on being on ssris or snris. So that being said, in my opinion, it's a wait and see thing as to how much anxiety, etc. we will be left with. It does help to be proactive in your recovery, be it exercise, supplements, meditation, nutrition, counseling, etc. Sorry to just ramble on! My best to you, musicnow! You will be prayed for by me and others on this site, for sure! We're in this with you!!!   clara :)


#24 fishinghat

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Posted 10 February 2014 - 11:18 AM

I echo what Clara said especially about the Epsom salts. I like she said musicnow, you are not alone.

 

Hang in there.


#25 maddog80

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Posted 12 February 2014 - 10:43 AM

Good morning all.  I wanted to give an update on my progress.  Just to let everyone know, I am male, 39 years old, 220 lbs and active in sports/exercise.  My previous attempts have been unsuccessful and wanted to tell everyone that it really seems to affect a wide range of the population or everyone on it trying to get off of it.

 

Day 8 - I have estimated that I am at 22mg from 30mg.  I have been removing 5 beads a day from the generic cymbalta.  I feel great.  At the end of the day the last few days though, my head seems about more heavier, I can deal with that!  No panic attacks, crying, headaches.  I hope it lasts!

 

Will update soon!  Thanks everyone!


#26 FiveNotions

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Posted 12 February 2014 - 11:17 AM

Great to hear from you, maddog80!

Positive reports like yours give me a lot of inspiration to keep plugging along in my own effort!

Just remember, if you need to slow down, or even go back up a bead or two, to stabilize, that's just fine.

Keep us posted!

#27 maddog80

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Posted 19 February 2014 - 07:13 AM

DAY 15:  About half way through weaning off of the generic.  At 15 mg.  Some very little brain zaps in the morning but that is it.  I have been using an essential oil blend, Serenity, at night rubbing on my temples.  Not sure if it is working but it is supposed to aid in withdrawal.  I wonder also if I was experiencing withdrawal the first month I was on the generic.  Did not feel right the whole month of January.  This may be helping with getting off of it.


#28 FiveNotions

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Posted 19 February 2014 - 09:07 AM

Awesome, maddog80! I'm particularly happy to hear that you've got mostly just brain zaps in the a.m, and not much else...I pray that it stays a smooth and simple process for you the rest of the way.

EquusWoman will take her very last bed next month, so in addition to celebrating her achievement we will also have yours to celebrate....

I haven't heard of Serenity oil blend....will look into it....do you get in in the health shops or is is a special order?

#29 maddog80

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Posted 19 February 2014 - 09:33 AM

Thanks FiveNotions!  Essential oils can be purchased at a health store or on the web.  The bottles I have purchased come in 15 ml size.  I use the blended oil, Serenity, only a few drops and rub on my temples at night.  I also plan on looking at other oils and blends for my depression and anxiety, "Balance" and "Elevation".  Something that is natural and better for my health.





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