Toni: Cymbalta / duloxetine withdrawal

[Toni]

Has anyone else managed to survive withdrawal from duloxetine?

 

[SkyBlue]

Hello Toni and welcome to SA.

 

Yes--for every SSRI, there are people who have survived it. 

 

Please tell us a little more about yourself. How long had you taken it, and for how long? 

When did you stop taking it? What are your current symptoms?

 

Please create a brief drug signature using these instructions: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

[Toni]

I have been taking duloxetine for 18 months with 17 of those trying to come off this terrible drug.

when taking it I felt like I was taking ecstasy or LSD ( not that I have ever taken either of those!)

I was told end.ess.y that it was y anxiety causing the symptoms, but after reading so much about this awful medication realised

itwasnt me but the medication.

i have since found a very supportive psychiatrist who has helped me wean off this awful drug.

i am now 8 days duloxetine free and suffering the most awful withdrawal effects, namely depersonalisation, agitation, tightness

around my throat, teeth clenching ( I have broken 3 teeth) anxiety, severe confusion , memory loss and dark depression.

is thereanyone out there further along this journey that can offer some words of support?

ps I did a very slow reduction over 17 months.

[Gridley]

You said you tapered the  duloxetine over a 17 month period.  What dosage were you on when you began and how fast did you taper?  Unfortunately, what many people think of as a very slow taper isn't slow enough, leading to the withdrawal symptoms you are experiencing.  We recommend a taper of no more that 10% of current dose every four weeks.  Some people have to taper more slowly because their systems are very sensitized.  Please describe more fully the symptoms you experienced while on the drug.  Did you continue to have the LSD-like symptoms when you got down to a low dose?  If so, it's possible that a reinstatement of a VERY small dose of duloxetine might be in order.  Reinstatement is the only known way to reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

Two supplements that we  recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

Please don't forget to complete your drug signature, which is very helpful to the moderators.  

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 14, 2018 by Gridley

[Zavo]

I'm at week 2.5 off of duloxotine.  It was hell and is still bad.

 

I found someone posted to use Prozac to help once you stop.  My doctor prescribed it.  I feel better, but not sure what is withdrawing from Duloxatine and what is symptoms of prozac.

 

I took a genetic test.  I have a moderate drug interaction to prozac, and severe to Duloxatine.

 

May be why duloxatine felt like I was taking poision.

 

I'm going to try to start tappering off Prozac and see how it goes.  I am better, but it's been a struggle.  MOD NOTE:  please see this post regarding this suggestion:   Maybe talk to your doctor about Prozac, I'm only taking 5 mg but I'm sensitive to it so I cant take a high does.  

 

Best of luck, I too am trying.  I've seen other posts on here where people have been successful.  They mentioned using omega 3 oils as well.

 

Stay strong.

 

Edited October 17, 2018 by ChessieCat
mod note

[ChessieCat]

17 hours ago, Zavo said:

 Maybe talk to your doctor about Prozac

 

This is called a Prozac bridge or switch and it does not work for everybody.  Please see this topic:  

 

[Toni]

Hello,

unfortunately prozac doesn't agree with me 🙄 Am trying omega 3 and a general multivitamin 

having to take a sleeping tab too as insomnia!!

good luck to all suffering this terrible withdrawal.....

[ChessieCat]

Please create your drug signature so we can see your drug history at a glance.  Thank you.

• details for last 2 years - dates, ALL drugs, doses
• summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Sleep Hypnosis, Guided Meditations, Calming Videos

 

Melatonin

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

[Toni]

Not sure if this post is in the right place? I’m back now trying to get off effexor.. completely non functional current symptoms include head crushing pain, feeling of suffocating, can’t get enough air, eyes very blurred, depersonalisation and de realisation,very angry. Can’t remember anything about anything, feel like an empty shell... any advice about how to move forward would be greatly appreciated 

[ChessieCat]

Yes, you have posted in the correct place.  Thank you.

 

Before we can offer any suggestions we need you to provide the information about your drugs since you were here 3 years ago please.

 

The more information you can provide, the better we will be able to assist you.  We are making suggestions about psychiatric drugs so it is important that we have the details.  I realised it can be difficult, but you helping us, helps us to help you.  Thank you.

 

My suggestion would be to start from the current drugs.  Tell us what you are currently taking and the doses.  If any of the doses have been increased, please tell us when that happened.

 

And they work backwards.  What drugs have you stopped, how did you go off and when?

 

What drugs have you added, dose and when?

 

And some other questions:

 

Q:  Are you still taking lorazepam PRN and zopiclone PRN?  If yes, how often?

 

Q:  Have you been sick and/or taken antibiotics (if yes, what type)?

 

Q:  Have you had any major life stressors?

[Toni]

Hello sorry for delay in replying Chessiecat....

been reducing effexor over last two years now ar 37.5 since Dec 2021

occasional small dose of zopiclone 1/2 a 3.75 tab approx once a fortnight

no lorazepam since Dec

 

[Toni]

Current problem severe agitation, sleep problems, major life stresses, depersonalisation, feeling unable to breathe, issues with sight and hearing, fear and depression symptoms, I desperately need some relief as feels like living hell.

psych is leaving on Friday & will not acknowledge that it’s the. Meds causing the problem.

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, Toni said:

been reducing effexor over last two years now ar 37.5 since Dec 2021

 

Q:  Have you missed any doses? 

 

Q:  Do you take your dose at about the same time every day?

 

Q:  Have you changed brand or form (changed from tablet to liquid) of your drug?

 

We need to know what reductions you have made and when.  It could be that you have been reducing too quickly.

 

Q:  During your taper have you continued to make reductions of Effexor when you have not been stable?

 

Q: Have you in the past or do you currently drink alcohol?

 

You also did not answer these questions:

 

On 11/23/2021 at 9:07 AM, ChessieCat said:

Q:  Have you been sick and/or taken antibiotics (if yes, what type)?

 

Q:  Have you had any major life stressors?

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

It is important to listen to your body/symptoms and hold for longer if you are not stable.

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

And Brassmonkey talks more about it here:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

[Toni]

Hello 

thankyou for your swift response, 

no no sickness or antibiotics 

yes to major life stresses ( husband lost job, had to. move home)

Haven’t missed any doses

yes, take dose at 7.30 pm everyday

Always take Effexor brand

have reduced from 75 mg to 37.5 over two years waiting approx 6 weeks between tapers( sometimes longer)

i don’t drink  alcohol 

its the akathesia.. causing me the most distress, my questions are should I increase a tiny amount? Stay where I am and hope? Swap to an easier to reduce antidepressant? 

Dr is no help at all....

many many thanks for your support 

[ChessieCat]

Thank you for your answers.

 

1 hour ago, Toni said:

yes to major life stresses ( husband lost job, had to. move home)

 

Both of these are major life stressors.  It is generally suggested not to make any reductions during periods of stress.

 

Please answer this question:

 

2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Q:  During your taper have you continued to make reductions of Effexor when you have not been stable?

 

[Toni]

Hello again 

no I haven’t made reductions unless I’ve been stable, we moved house last year in September and things have got. Much worse in. Last few. Weeks

xx

[ChessieCat]

It could be that the stress has slowly built up and is now "showing itself".

 

The world has also been dealing with covid for just over 2 years, and things are now sort of returning to "normal" but of course it is different and there is still an underlying stress about things.

 

Q:  When (what date) did you make your last reduction?

 

Q:  What size reduction was it?  That is, what dose were you taking and what was the new dose?

 

Q:  Are you calculating on the starting dose or the current dose?

 

Q:  Are you taking tablet or liquid Effexor?

 

Q:  Are your symptoms worse at any particular time of the day?  Does this pattern happen every day?

[Toni]

Hello 

sorry for delay, 14 th Dec was last reduction 

from 210 micrgrams to 200 MICROGRAMES not milligrams...

reducing from current dose, not original dose

im taking capsules ( weighing them)

wotse symptoms in the morning..

many thanks x

[ChessieCat]

Q:  Have you missed any doses in the last 2 months?

[Toni]

No, have not missed any doses x

[ChessieCat]

If you are taking your dose in the morning then the symptoms that you get in the morning and you feel better later in the day once the drug has built back up in your system then it might be because of interdose withdrawal.

 

You might consider splitting your dose and taking it twice a day.

 

splitting-for-interdose-withdrawal-from-short-half-life-drugs

[Toni]

I take it in the evening & it’s the slow release capsule 💊 I used to take the immediate release but had terrible interdose problems 🤔

[ChessieCat]

7 hours ago, Toni said:

wotse symptoms in the morning..

 

early-morning-waking-managing-the-morning-cortisol-spike

 

 

Edited March 25, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Toni]

Can I reinstate a little after 6 months??

 

Hello all, I’m desperate for some help.. I’ve been reducing Effexor xr for the last two years from 75 mg I’m now at 37.5 my last reduction was mid dec 2021… I have had many stressors over the last few months and currently have chronic sinusitis.. with no appt with eNT for the foreseeable future ( very long waiting lists in UK!!!)

my question is is it wise to reinstate a very very small amount of Effexor to help minimise the awful depression, depersonalisation & possibly the awful effects of sinusitis..I currently have no life and feel pretty hopeless 

many many thanks in advance 

Toni 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Onmyway]

Hi @Toni

Welcome to SA. Sorry you're having such a difficult time.

 

I'm unsure what you mean by reinstate. You seem to be still on the ADs. Do you mean updose - i.e. increase your dose up a bit? Or do you mean bring in a drug you have already quit?

 

I'm not understanding your drug signature. Can you pls write it in the format

 

Date1 --- Drug x dose, drug y dose etc date 2 (after a change) --- drug x dose, drug y dose etc

 

I need to know, by glancing at it, what you were talking last December or March etc and now, similar to my signature but mine is not ideal either any more. Goal is to see at a glance clearly all the drugs you've been on over the years and dosage changes.

 

Pls tag me when you do that so I can have a look and advise.

 

OMW 

[Toni]

Hello 

Thankyou so much for your reply, yes I mean updose… I have been weighing the capsules 

ie full cap is approx  . 325 ( average of 3 capsules)

I have reduced by minuscule amounts approx .003 at a time, the last reduction however in Dec I reduced by .010, so by my standards a larger reduction! I have waited 6 months for stability but, have also had many external stressors.

do I tag my drug signature to the bottom of the email?? Sorry common sense seems to have left me 😳

 

[ChessieCat]

Two Intros merged.

 

@Onmyway FYI just in case you wonder where your post went.