1 month of Cymbalta

[IndigoBunting]

Hello. I've been on celexa 40 for 8 years or so. One month ago after doing a Genesight test, I was interested in trying something else. The Dr put me on Cymbalta 40. She started it as a direct switch. 3 weeks in, so last weekend, I experienced dissociation (at least I'm guessing that's what it was. )

I now want to go back to Celexa. I've messaged my Dr and am waiting to hear back. Sat and sun night I took half the Cymbalta and 20 mg of Celexa. Last night I took 1/3 Cymbalta and 3/4 Celexa. Today I feel lightheaded. Like I took cold medicine. How slowly do I really need to wean off Cymbalta since it's been less than 30 days period that I've been on it and I'm not completely stopping but going back to Celexa? 

 

This was a hard lesson. From now on, Lord willing, if I can get my brain back I'm leaving well enough alone. 

 

Also, what does it mean that I start the day feeling weird and by the time the evening comes (med time) I feel more like myself? This happens as the day gradually progresses?

 

 

[Onmyway]

Hi @IndigoBunting, 

welcome to SA. The symptoms you are experiencing are common withdrawal symptoms - we think they are due to the surge in cortisol in the morning and our sensitized nervous systems. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to help you with your question. You are welcome to stay and browse the site and learn from our experience but we do not assist people in changing drugs, switching drugs, picking the 'right' drugs or the 'right cocktail'. That is what your doctor is for. We are here to assist people in coming off of their drugs (if and when they choose to do that) with the least amount of withdrawal effects. 

 

It is possible that in your case going back on the previous drug is not going to work as withdrawal sensitizes us to psychiatric drugs. Also, 40mg of citalopram is a very high dose and there is no evidence that it works better than the 20 but it puts you at risk of heart issues. Be careful with it.

 

Hope you feel better

OMW

[IndigoBunting]

Thank you. @OnmywayWould you guess that the initial dissociation effects I had were from being completely off the Celexa for almost a month, or from the Cymbalta coming on, or a combination of both?

 

Do you find that the less time a person has been on Cymbalta, the less time it takes to come off?

[MrHappy]

In my experience, Cymbalta can indeed cause dissociation. A sudden switch to another drug is not a good idea. Doctors may think this will work but in my experience it just causes further problems. As IndigoBunting points out, we are here to help members come off drugs, not try something new. I can't really see why you felt "interested in trying something else". This sounds a very light-hearted way to deal with powerful, dangerous drugs. 

 

There is a major interaction potential, taking these two drugs together: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=949-2273,679-335

 

Sudden jumps in dose tend to cause problems for most people. Most doctors seem to have little understanding of this or how to prescribe / de-prescribe safely. You may consider it safest just to go back on the Celexa and hope you can ride out the withdrawal symptoms. But I don't think there are any guarantees. All these drugs carry the black box warning never to stop taking them cold turkey. 

 

It seems to me you need to think carefully about your real aims and discuss it with your doctor. As a group, we are here to support people trying to discontinue. If you wish to do that, you need to complete a drugs signature before you make any further posts. Please see the following post. 

[MrHappy]

SA's tapering protocol is a harm reduction method and recommends that you reduce by no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. In the case of Cymbalta, it is now widely accepted that 5% is the maximum reduction. 

 

Jumping up and down in doses may cause issues and the nervous system may become sensitised.  Also, the effect of changing drugs and doses is cumulative.  What might have worked for you before might not work the next time you try the same/similar thing.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Post #1 of this topic has links to various drugs with information in the first post of those topics about ways to get non standard doses:

 

Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ

 

Please create your drug signature following these instructions:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

This is your own Introduction topic which is the place to ask questions about your situation and where you can journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place.