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CourtneyJ: Tail End of Cymbalta Taper


CourtneyJ

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Posted

When can I just stop taking cymbalta?

 

Currently on 15mg of Cymbalta from a compounding pharmacy. I’ve been fine with 25% decreases. Curious when I can just stop taking it. Pharmacy will compound till 1mg.

 

I’m working with an acupuncturist and about to start traditional Chinese herbs. Supplements I’m taking are: mag glycinate, multivitamin, riboflavin, coq10, vitamin d, zinc, and fish oil. Working with a functional medicine doctor and getting blood work redone tomorrow. Tested negative for sibo. Getting a gut microbiome test done.
 

In a taper support group and a group for exposure therapy to help me with anxiety and ptsd. Interviewed to participate in Hopkins pscilycbin research and waiting to hear back. Got into UPenn’s neurofeedback program but need to be off cymbalta to start. I really want to do emdr but can’t afford it. Any recs on that?

 

I’ve been gluten free for 7 years (non-celiac allergy) but getting allergy testing done again and starting the AIP elimination diet to see if it helps with my autoimmune issues. Trying to also really focus on my sleep and exercise. 

2017 Feb- stoke-like neurological attack in conflict zone overseas, followed by migraine & cluster headaches & nausea only relived by amnitripaline 

2017 Nov- tapered off amnitripaline bc gained 20lbs & back in USA. Taper over 2 weeks

2018 Jan- went on Wellbutrin bc started having panic attacks and headaches

2018 March- switched to 60mg cymbalta bc Wellbutrin gave crazy anxiety

2018- positive ana / lupus symptoms, insomnia ever since 

2022- suicidal ideation & decided to taper cymbalta 

2023 April- started taper from 60mg, dropping 10mg/ month

2023 May- diagnosed w/ hashimotos & liver enzymes high from cymbalta 

2023 September- migraines came back so held at 20mg, stablized in Nov, liver enzymes excellent tho from tapering

2023 Dec 27- dropped to 15mg cymbalta, currently here

 

also intermittently tried trazadone and adderall. Traz either didn’t help me sleep or made me sleep but couldn’t wake up next morn. Adderall made me nauseous and gave me headaches. So never took either consistently and just stopped using both bc I never took daily. Was fine after stopping both. As a teen was on accutane twice and long courses of antibiotics for acne. Getting gut microbiome test done now. Tested negative for sibo. Have deviated septum and some sleep apneas. Have tmj and chronic neck pain. Pain in lower back and hips from running/ water polo labral tears. 

  • KenA changed the title to CourtneyJ: Tail End of Cymbalta Taper
  • Moderator
Posted

Hi Courtney,

 

Welcome to SA. Thank you for summarizing your drug history in your signature.

 

18 hours ago, CourtneyJ said:

Currently on 15mg of Cymbalta from a compounding pharmacy. I’ve been fine with 25% decreases.

 

We recommend a harm reduction method of tapering which includes dropping no more than 10% of your previous dose per month. You can read more at Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

18 hours ago, CourtneyJ said:

I’m working with an acupuncturist and about to start traditional Chinese herbs. Supplements I’m taking are: mag glycinate, multivitamin, riboflavin, coq10, vitamin d, zinc, and fish oil.

 

It is best to not add more factors into the mix when you start tapering as it can be difficult to determine what is causing issues if they arise. The only supplements we recommend here are magnesium and fish oil.

 

18 hours ago, CourtneyJ said:

When can I just stop taking cymbalta?

 

Your highest dose of Cymbalta was 60mg, correct?

 

Thanks,

 

Firefly

 

Pre- October 2022: Wellbutrin, Escitalopram, CitalopramSertraline, Adderall IR, Vyvanse, Propranolol, Buspar, Ativan, and Latuda

Oct 13, 2022 - Oct 24, 2022 and Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Zyprexa (2.5 mg).  Jan 29, 2023 = 2.375mg -> Jan 22, 2024 = 0.97mg -> Jan 14, 2025 = 0.25mg

Oct 14, 2022 - Present: Prozac (40mg) upped from 20mg on Nov 1, 2022.

Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Gabapentin (300mg 3x day) -> May 3, 2023 = 300mg 2x day ->  Jan 7, 2024 = 400mg

 

Posted

Yes my highest dose was 60mg. Been tapering since April. I’m currently on 15mg via a compounding pharmacy. I’m aware I’m tapering faster than recommended but have been feeling fine. I’ve used TCM herbs before. 
 

The lowest the compounding pharmacy can go is 1mg but they said most ppl just stop taking it after 5mg. The pharmacy I’m using uses the pure powder from manufacturing company 

PCCA. They add filler powder that makes it extended release which comes from a company called Letco. I called a few compounding pharmacies and they said they all use this method bc 15mg and below is too small a dose to use beads. Would love more information from the moderators on compounding pharmacies, if they have recommended ones who can mail to Philadelphia, and what I need to ask for. 
 

Bead counting / weighing is too stressful for me and unrealistic for me at this time. 

2017 Feb- stoke-like neurological attack in conflict zone overseas, followed by migraine & cluster headaches & nausea only relived by amnitripaline 

2017 Nov- tapered off amnitripaline bc gained 20lbs & back in USA. Taper over 2 weeks

2018 Jan- went on Wellbutrin bc started having panic attacks and headaches

2018 March- switched to 60mg cymbalta bc Wellbutrin gave crazy anxiety

2018- positive ana / lupus symptoms, insomnia ever since 

2022- suicidal ideation & decided to taper cymbalta 

2023 April- started taper from 60mg, dropping 10mg/ month

2023 May- diagnosed w/ hashimotos & liver enzymes high from cymbalta 

2023 September- migraines came back so held at 20mg, stablized in Nov, liver enzymes excellent tho from tapering

2023 Dec 27- dropped to 15mg cymbalta, currently here

 

also intermittently tried trazadone and adderall. Traz either didn’t help me sleep or made me sleep but couldn’t wake up next morn. Adderall made me nauseous and gave me headaches. So never took either consistently and just stopped using both bc I never took daily. Was fine after stopping both. As a teen was on accutane twice and long courses of antibiotics for acne. Getting gut microbiome test done now. Tested negative for sibo. Have deviated septum and some sleep apneas. Have tmj and chronic neck pain. Pain in lower back and hips from running/ water polo labral tears. 

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