nanisblessed Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I was given cymbalta 30mg for 10 days then bumped to 60mg. Only took it for 6 days. Felt terrible. Ringing in ears, insomnia, weird feeling in head, headaches. Call dr. Reduced to 30mg. Said antidepressant would be changed. Appt not until a week I have taken 2 of the 30 mg. I do not want to take them that long. Called dr and did not return call about tapering. Now it's weekend. Cold turkey or taper and/or how? . Summary. 30mg for 10 days. Then 60 for 6 days. Then 30 for 2. Total Of 18 days on drug. Thanks. Link to comment
nanisblessed Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Before I go through the whole ten yards am I in the right place? Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 You are in the right place. Talk away - how can we help you? Karen 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
nanisblessed Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 I need some advice from what I can tell by reading posts on this subject. Maybe mine will be easy. I started on 30 mg cymbalta for 10 days. Then bumped to 60. For the 6 days on 60 I have been really suffering. Side effects from ears ringing to insomnia to weird shock like symptoms. Called dr and he reduced to 30 and said we would get off and get on new one at next appt. So I have taken 30 for 2 days and frankly I do not want to keep taking them till next weeks appt if there is a way to taper. Called and guess what?? No return call and it's now weekend. So: been on 30 mg for 10 day; 60 mg for 6 days and back to 30 for 2 more. Total 18 days on drug. Any suggestions? Too long to cold turkey? How do I taper? Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hello Nanisblessed, I've merged your two intros as it's just one per member. You can post all your discussion and questions in this thread, and it can be your journal for your tapering and healing progress. It's good you are here to get some information and support. Within a month of starting a drug, it is generally considered okay to c/t. If you did want to ease yourself off it anyway here are Tips for Tapering Cymbalta What you shouldn't do is skip doses - your central nervous system will find that unsettling. Depending on what you were put on Cymbalta for, you may like to look into ways to support yourself naturally. Once you have shown sensitivities to one antidepressant, you are likely to have difficulties with others. Talk to the people on this site and you'll find we'd give our front teeth to be able to go back and choose natural options over drugs. I take it from your username that you are a nan who is blessed? Hope so - that's lovely. Best wishes, Karen 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
nanisblessed Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 Thank you. So even though cymbalta is considered so dangerous on here (something the doc failed to mention but....my fault for not researching), u think it's ok to cold turkey since it's under a month? I have never experienced such strange sensations as I have this week and it has totally unsettled me! I am finished. If I cry until my dying day I will not try another!!!! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 Generally, it is considered okay - but I might get a more experienced mod to give us a second opinion on that. I'll go ask now... 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus JanCarol Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hey Nanisblessed - I'm sorry, you've been on the Cymbalta long enough and had enough side effects and drug changes that I recommend a taper. Please read: Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Because you've been on the 60 mg for only 6 days (if I understand correctly) - you can probably make the first drop 25%. But reaction to these drugs is delayed - sometimes as much as 6 months or more - so DO NOT DROP again until you've settled after the 25% drop. IF YOU HAVE AN INTENSE REACTION to the drop, plan on holding it for 3 months or more. If the reaction is too intense, you may need to reinstate a little bit - but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. If that goes smoothly, you can probably do one more 25% drop. After that, though, you probably should taper at the slower, safer 10% rate that we recommend. Please put your drug history in your signature: How to complete your Signature & Complete your Signature from Phone or Tablet so that wherever you post, we will understand your journey and be able to make intelligent comments. Your symptoms are classic SSRI/SNRI symptoms. Please treat this drug with respect. It can get much worse if you tamper around with it too much. 3 KIS's Keep It Simple, Slow, Stable Welcome to SA! You can get help and support here, and please feel free to use your thread to track your tapers, symptoms, and reach out for help. There are many Cymbalta survivors in here, unfortunately, and many others who will understand your symptoms. "Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again. My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices. A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia. CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013. Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine). Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years on Lithium). Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made. The tedious thread (my intro): JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium The happy thread (my success story): JanCarol - Undiagnosed Off all bipolar drugs My own blog: https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/ I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 My understanding is that Nanisblessed has just dropped from 60mg to 30mg two days ago. I think JanCarol's point is not to consider dropping any more until w/d symptoms have settled. Bear with us Nani. I'm a new mod and am just learning about this like you. bw , Fresh . 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted January 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hello Nanis and welcome from me too. I feel there are 3 important pieces of information missing about your situation: 1) were you taking any other drugs before cymbalta? Any information about your previous drug history (or lack thereof) would be very important. Please put that information in your signature as describe din the link JanCarol provided for you. 2) Are you taking any other drugs at the moment? 3) What has happened to your symptoms after you decreased to 30 mg? Have they increased, decreased or stayed the same? It is difficult to distinguish between the obvious side effects and any withdrawal symptoms that you might be experiencing after such a short use. That's why it is very important to keep record on paper of your symptoms. It is your symptoms that will give us a better idea of how fast you can come off. Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 9, 2016 Administrator Share Posted January 9, 2016 Welcome, Nan. bubble has good questions. Generally, if a person has been on a psych drug for less than a month, it's considered okay to go off quickly. It takes at least 4 days for your system to register a change. Are you doing okay with the decrease to 30mg? To err on the side of safety, if I were you, I'd make the next decrease 15mg or one-half a 30mg capsule -- that would be 1/4 of the 60mg dose. 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
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted January 11, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 11, 2016 How are you feeling since decreasing to 30mg Nani ? 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
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