66 replies to this topic

[DepressedGramma]

It seems absolutely criminal! I will get back to you after I speak with MD this week. I am trying my best to live one day at a time.

[gail]

DG,

I agree with you, it is criminal to give this poison to anyone, specially to people that are aging like us.

But there is a way to withdraw that is tolerable. I'm so sorry that you have to through this.

We'll take care of you the best we can.

[kitchenhag]

I am removing 5 beads a day after a failed attempt at following Drs orders to skip every other day!

No way can I skip every other day!
I tried it and turned in to a blubbering monster with a heart condition.
What is with this medication?

[invalidusername]

Under NO circumstances should you take every other day!! No wonder you feel bad...

 

Cymbalta has a short half life which means there is very left in your blood levels by the end of the day. ONE day. So you start off the 2nd day with very little (25% to be exact). I like to give an example... if you are or can relate to a smoker. Let's say you smoke 20 a day, and then you are told to smoke only 5 a day. You would be feeling awful on those days. right?! This is the same deal. You need to keep the levels in balance. Your doctor needs to go back to school... this is dangerous advice.

 

5 beads a day is still fairly quick - go easy. If you start to feel symptoms, then stay on whatever dose you are on at the time and hold there until you stabalise. DO NOT rush this. 

 

If in doubt - pop a post here and we will guide you.

[invalidusername]

Just realised we had already said about the every other day thing, but we will say it a third time if needed!!!

 

We understand that people can find it difficult to not take the opinion of a doctor, especially if you tell them you have spoken to people on a forum.

 

But, how many people do you think your doctor has weened off Cymbalta?

 

Is it close to 10,381?? I doubt it.

 

We've seen it all and we know what works. We know how to help you far better than doctors - honestly we do, and do not want to see you suffer

[gail]

KB,

Good move! You will know if 5 beads is too much, but as Scrat just said, it's a little high.

Thanks for updating, don't forget to take your meds in a capsule. Hope to see you back for another update.

[kitchenhag]

Day 2-taking 5 beads out again for 5 days.
Wish me luck

[kitchenhag]

I have one issue..am almost out of 30 mg

I do have 60 mg...are the individual beads the same in strength ?
I know I still have to count.

[fishinghat]

I am afraid so. lol

[kitchenhag]

So the beads regardless of the mg of the script are the same?

[invalidusername]

In theory there should be twice as many beads in the 60mg as there are in the 30mg. However, I would err on the side of caution and count to make sure.

[kitchenhag]

Thanks. My wonderful husband is great at helping me count them! Or I would have to count 5x

[kitchenhag]

Has anyone bought empty capsules to fill?
If so would it matter what kind?

[invalidusername]

Yes - you need to get acid-resistant capsules. Most are gelatin-based and would dissolve in the intestine. Cymbalta needs to reach the liver to enter the blood stream in the correct concentration.

 

Look for "enteric capsules" on eBay or Amazon - or ask at a compounding pharmacy. These are the correct ones.

[gail]

Scrat, I didn't know that about gelatin capsules.

Fishinghat, what do you say on that? I'm skeptical, sorry my beloved Scrattage!

[gail]

One question, don't you have, like we do in Canada, natural products stores?

Scrat, be still, you can't answer this question. You have them in the UK?

Sorry KB, interfering with your post.

[fishinghat]

IUN is right. The enteric capsules will not dissolve in the stomach and there for minimizes any stomach issues.

One warning though, some only call them acid resistant and some vendors call them enteric. Same thin g though.

[invalidusername]

gelatin is cheap and cheerful for vitamins and such, hence their use! But yes, when stuff needs to "survive" the acids in the stomach, enteric is called for. We have them in the UK - got mine on eBay..

 

cha ching

 

https://www.ebay.co....tm/132869683244

[gail]

Ok, thank you both gentlemen, I learned something new today. And what about natural products stores.

[invalidusername]

I avoid gelatin as much as possible as it is animal byproduct, and being a vegetarian...

[kitchenhag]

I had a Drs appt today. My Dr does know about bead counting and is all for it.
Has anyone done bead counting of cymbalta along with 10 mg Prozac?

[fishinghat]

I have never found anything but gelatin at natural food stores and pharmacies. I can only find them on line.

[fishinghat]

Yes, KH. Some use 10 mg of Prozac to take the edge off, some have actually tapered down off Cymbalta over a 4 or 5 week period while tapering onto Prozac at the same time. Like anything else, Prozac helps some and not others. Be aware that it takes Prozac 6 to 8 weeks to kick in.

[kitchenhag]

Yes she has me on prozac for 2 months starting today then every other day for month 3. She said Prozac stays in your system longer?

[invalidusername]

Yes - you can do every other day with Prozac, but I am still lost as to why doctors do not simply adjust the dose - Prozac comes in enough amounts to do so.

[fishinghat]

Yes, Prozac does have a longer half life than Cymbalta. Cymbalta has a 12 hour half life and Prozac has a half life of 1 to 3 days.

[kitchenhag]

I am still bead counting to taper the cymbalta so I'm not just going from 30 mg to 0 when I stop taking it.

[invalidusername]

Yes - all sounds good to cross-taper over to the Prozac for the first 8 weeks, by which time, the Prozac will have kicked in.

 

I would wait to see how you are at this point before weaning off the Prozac, as Cymbalta can still have some withdrawal that isn't covered by the Prozac. Again, no rush....

[gail]

KH,

Ever wondered where KB came from? I need my eyes fixed as I read Kitchenbag,. So sorry.

You are on the right path KH

As all our lovely men said, yes to cross tapering with Prozac. A good choice. I'm glad that your doc didn't wait till you finished Cymbalta. Can't remember your Cymbalta dosage, can you remind me please?

Stick with us, you will laugh, you will cry, we're a family here. Bravo for your kind husband!

[invalidusername]

Kitchen Bag??