TeenyTinyPaws Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 I'm currently on 4 psych drugs: Clonazepam, 1 mg, QD. BID if needed. Lamotragine, 150mg, QD Gabapentin, 300mg, BID Duloxetine. Have been tapering properly for 17 months. Was on 30mg, QD. I've never had such adverse side-effects from any I've taken over the last 40- some years, till Duloxetine. The list of side-effects is long. I've nearly lost my life to it 4 or 5 times since I started it 6/2017. Seventeen days later (and before I knew the dangers of it), I had an IBS attack in the middle of the night which took me to ER. I've NEVER had that kind of episode from IBS. That was the beginning of rapid onset of side- effects which hit fast and furious. I'm nowhere near the end of tapering it because I can only taper about 4%. Initially, I had to go with 1% and even at that, I've suffered tremendously. I found my sweet spot with tapering about 4 months into the taper. Very slowly and deliberately, I've nudged myself to 4%. Tapering off others will have to be one- by-one. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 8, 2019 Administrator Share Posted May 8, 2019 Welcome, TeenyTiny. Very sorry to hear of all the problems you've had. How are you measuring your 4% duloxetine reductions? What is your daily drug schedule? Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php and copy and paste the results or a link to them in this topic. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
laydefish Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Welcome to the Group @TeenyTinyPaws & congratulations on tapering the Cymbalta & for wanting to do the same with the other drugs you take, it's highly commendable. Because I'm always wanting to learn, especially about other's Journeys, I noticed in your post you were taking Lamotragine daily, I found the following info: Common side effects may include: headache, dizziness; blurred vision, double vision; tremor, loss of coordination; dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea; fever, sore throat, runny nose; drowsiness, tired feeling; back pain; or sleep problems (insomnia). The main reason I shared this w/you is to let you know that just this one drugs side effects can mimic the withdrawal symptoms you may be experiencing while tapering Cymbalta & others in the future. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage but exactly the opposite- I Know You Can Do It! How? Because I, after 8 1/2 months have been Antidepressant Free after 11 years, Benzo Free (Valium) after 7 years, all the while still on Gabapentin and Hydrocodone for chronic pain (which I also want to possibly taper and/or change). Everyday I feel like I'm doing better, more clear! Please don't hesitate to contact me anytime you like! Hang in There, Stay Strong & Take Care- Laydefish 2 years Drug History Prior to Tapering: Between 2011 & 2018 I had approximately 58 dose changes between the 4 main medications I took as well as 14 new medications add & taken away. Prozac (Fluoxetine):(Aug 2016-Dec 2016: 60MG),(June 2017-Nov 2017: 60MG),(Dec 2017: 80MG),(June 2017-Sept 2 2018: 60MG),(Sept 3 2018-Sept 5 2018: 40MG),(Sept 6 2018-Sept 8 2018: 20MG),(Sept 9 2018: 0MG). Cymbalta:(Jan 2017-May 2017: 60MG). Cyclobenzaprine: (Aug 2016: 30MG,(Feb 2017: 30MG). Diazepam (Valium):(Aug 2016-Sept 15 2016: 30MG),(Sept 16 2016-Oct 2017: 15MG),(Nov 2017-Aug 19 2018: 6MG),(Aug 20 2018: 0MG). Gabapentin:(Aug 2016-Aug 3 2018: 2400MG),(Aug 4 2018-March 26 2019: 2000MG),(March 27 2019-March 30 2019: 1600MG),(May 1 2019: 2000MG) Hydrocodone:(Aug 2016-Oct 2016: 10-325/4daily),(Nov 2016-Feb 2017: 10-325/3daily),(March 2017-April 2017: 5-325/4daily),(May 2017-April 2018: 10-325/3daily),(June 2018-Aug 25 2018: 10-325/5daily),(Aug 26 2018-Sept 2 2018: 4.5daily),(Sept 3 2018-Sept 10 2018: 10-325/4daily),(Sept 11 2018-Sept 18 2018: 10-325/3daily),(Sept 19 2018-May 1 2019: 10-325/3.5 daily). Oxycodone: May 2018: 10-325MG/4daily). Please see my Intro for full drug history. **Forgive Yourself For Not Knowing What You Didn't Know Before You Knew It! -Maya Angelou/ Link to comment
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