I need some assistance with coming off generic duloxetine. I have been on 60mg duloxetine for 4 years for major depression and generalised anxiety. Prior to this I have been on many other SSRI and SSNI. My Dr increased duloxetine to 90mg 2 months ago for worsening anxiety and some OCD symptoms. After 2 months at 90mg and no improvement in symptoms my Dr prescribed Prozac. The tapering schedule was over 3 weeks. Week 1, 60mg Duloxetine morning and 5 mg Prozac in the evening. Week 2, 30mg Duloxetine and 10mg Prozac. Week 3, 30mg Duloxetine and 10mg Prozac. Week 4, stopped Duloxetine and increased Prozac to 20mg morning.
During this taper I had headache and dizziness and felt unwell. When I stopped Duloxetine and increased Prozac to 20mg after 2 days I went into terrible Duloxetine withdrawal, brain zaps, dizziness, headache and feeling very unwell. I stopped Prozac and went back on to Duloxetine 60mg which fixed the brain zaps within a few hours, but it has taken nearly 2 weeks to feel better but I still don’t feel right.
I now know the taper off Duloxetine was too quick for me. I will stay on Duloxetine 60mg until I see my psychiatrist at the end of the month. I have changed antidepressants in the past and it is always an unpleasant transition but nothing like this duloxetine withdrawal. I am feeling really traumatised by the medication change and don’t know what I want to do next regarding trying another antidepressant or completely come off duloxetine. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.