4 replies to this topic

[kristinamaria]

Hello my fellow Cymbalta users!

 

I am planning to go off of Cymbalta beginning next week.  I have been on cymbalta for six years, and I am very nervous because I have read all of the horror stories on the web.  I have tried to go off of Cymbalta only once before, but only lasted three days.  This was because, at the time, I was working a full time job as an elementary school teacher and could not afford to feel like crap all day while twenty-seven third graders buzzed around me.  This time, I will have time off and be surrounded by people who can support me through it.

 

The worst symptoms for me tend to be nausea, balance issues, brain zaps, and irritability.  I have been preparing for the last six months to go off cold turkey.  I am now on the lowest dose (20mg).  My doctors have been rather unhelpful in trying to formulate a plan that will work for me.

 

My plan so far is to take a supplement that helps with anxiety / stress (green tea extract), while exercising daily, and going to "biofeedback therapy."  This was a therapy that I underwent 2 years ago, and experienced great success in regards to my anxiety and depression.  Through that therapy, I was able to go from 120mg dose of Cymbalta to 30mg.  The only reason I did not go off completely was because of the withdrawal symptoms, but the biofeedback specialists have ensured me that the therapy should help.  

 

I have also read that exercising daily, breathing exercise, massage, and Omega 3s will all help.  I have read that taking tranquilizers (I take Lorazepam for Panic Attacks, but have not had to take it in more than a year), help to reduce anxiety and stress.  I would like to avoid taking these as they make me incapable of any activity other than sleeping (and being zombie-like).  

 

Any other suggestions? I am very nervous, but want to be free of this medication as I feel that at this point I am only taking it because of the withdrawal symptoms that occur when I try to discontinue.  I also feel that if I do not take this opportunity that I have (with time off), then I may never get off the medication.

 

Please help! Any / all suggestions are welcome.  Please do not respond with more horror stories, as I have read enough of those on the web.

 

[fishinghat]

First of all welcome Kristina

 

Let me start by recommending bead counting. If you open one of your capsules there should be around 300 little beads inside. Remove 2 or 3 beads more each day. If the withdrawal does rear its ugly head then you can go back up a few beads until you stabilize then start reducing again. Next, if you haven't taken the Lorazepam in a year I suggest you do everything you can to avoid taking it again. It is a highly addictive drug with a horrible withdrawal unless you take a year or so to come off. A once a week thing for a rough spot is Ok but not constant usage. I would consider using clonidine or hydroxyzine instead as they have nearly the same effect but no withdrawal. Like most drugs they work for some and not others. If needed they can be used daily.

 

I think that now that you are only on 20 mg the bead counting method by itself should be successful but it is always good to have a plan B.

 

Keep us posted and take your time. You can't force the issue.

[h2oinCA]

Agree w/Fishinghat on the bead counting.  Take it slooooooooooooooow.  Daily exercise will help, and sleeps aids, maybe melatonin, will help with sleepless nights.  I've been off this poison for 2.5 years, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.  You can do this!

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi Kristinamaria

 

I would agree with fishinghat on the bead counting method. Open a capsule over a bowl and count the beads into another bowl. Take the number of beads and divide by 20mg and that will give you the number of beads per mg. Each day you can take out the number of beads needed to get to the dose for the period you are at.

Do not go down by more than 1 mg for each 3 or 4 day period, then drop another mg for another period of 3 or 4 days.  If at any time the withdrawal symptoms become too much then go back up to the previous dose and get stable again before you continue on. Staying well hydrated helps as well.

 

I went cold turkey from 15 mg and it was not pretty. The balance issues I had prevented me from exercising which made the entire withdrawal much worse.  

 

Best of luck to you and please let us know how you are doing.

 

Nancy

[MattP]

Kristinamaria, we are on the same path. I'm finally stablized on the 20s...it's taken about 3 weeks to feel normal again after dropping from 30s. Now I want to take the next step to get off C altogether. Like you, brain zaps and dizziness have been a problem but now that I expect them it has settled my nerves. I'm probably going to start bead counting after the weekend. I'm determined to make this happen so it should be a helluva ride!

 

Good luck on your journey!