4 replies to this topic

[Soandso]

This is my second time trying to withdraw from Cymbalta. i did not taper the first time, other than to go down by dosage size. I have been taking Cymbalta for approximately 10 years. I don't even know now.  I was frustrated because I gradually found myself on the medication merry-go-round, if you know what I mean, for depression and eventually also for anxiety. At any rate, today I found this site. I am so grateful. I am finally down to 30 mg from 90, but this step seems to have been the hardest. I have been crying all day, with a headache, muscle spasms, joint pain, extreme nausea and a feeling of complete depletion. My girlfriend came over and got me out of the house but once I was out I became so agitated I had to come home. No noise. I cant take any noise. I don't recognize myself this way. It has never occurred to count the pellets, I have just been opening the capsules, 60mg is all I have, and ball parking it. I've been I've been going through this for about 5 weeks now. Where do I go from here? The sad thing to me is that I probably wasn't even "me" on the med, who am I?

[Gran23]

You come to the right place!  I don't post on here much but since no one else has, yet, I will give you my take on this.  I  think it would be good if you went back up a little in your dosage for a week or two, however long it takes to feel better.  Maybe go back to 60 mg.  I know it seems like you wasted time if you go back but it will help you to stabilize. When you feel a little more normal start counting the beads/pellets and decrease very slowly. Try to get as much rest as possible and eat well.  I have been decreasing since December. I am just now at 30 mg, down from 60 mg.  I stay at each new level for 2 to 3 weeks an I do well that way.  When I make a drop, I may have a few jittery days and it may effect my sleep some but I've not had the terrible withdrawal I had when I tried to get off Cymbalta before. The main thing is to go very slow so your nervous system can stabilize with each drop in dosage. There are folks in this community who have much more experience than I do and I know they will jump in here to help but till they do, take care of yourself.  Don't feel bad for having to increase the dosage for awhile.  Our goal is to be off the medication with as few withdrawal symptoms as possible, not to see how fast we can do it.

[fishinghat]

I agree with Gran on going up a little until stable. You need to start a standard bead count where you remove a couple beads every day to minimize the withdrawal. I would suggest you estimate the number of beads you are taking and then go up a dew beads. After that count very carefully as Cymbalta is very sensitive.

[Clara]

Welcome Soandso! You have come to the right place! I haven't been on in a while. I was on the crap for years at 120mgs per day and totally lost myself also! I know how you are feeling! You can over come this. It is tough in the beginning, but things get better very slowly. Fishinghat and others have done their research and are very helpful. Please take their wise advice. Fishinghat, TFL, Fivenotions, Thismoment, I think of ya'll often and just want to, once again offer my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for all of you and your loving support through such a hard, dark time in my life! God bless you all! For the newbies... don't give up!!!! There is a good life after Cymbalta. It takes time and effort, but it is worth it! Love and hugs to all!!!!!  clara

[TryinginFL]

Clara!

 

So good to hear from you...  I gather that you are doing well!

 

Please come back more often!

 

Liz