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Gloria: tapering off Cymbalta after two months


Gloria

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Can anyone give me advice. Cymbalta hasn’t worked for me. After two months of starting 20mg for two weeks then to 40mg back to 30mg my doctor  told me to stop taking it because of the side effects I was having with no benefit.

Now at 20 mg how do I stop? Any help would be welcome.

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Gloria: tapering off Cymbalta after two months
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Gloria and welcome to SA,

 

Q:  Have you been on any psychiatric drugs previously?  If you have, then you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from stopping the previous drug.

 

 

Please create a drug signature using the following format.  Keep it simple by following these instructions (NO diagnoses or symptoms please - 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

 

 

If you have only ever been on Cymbalta

 

Q:  What side effects are you having from Cymbalta?

 

Because you have only been on Cymbalta for a short period of time you may be able to reduce quickly.  It is better to reduce quickly than to stop taking the drug cold turkey.  A suggestion would be to reduce your dose by 1/4 for a few days and then reduce by another 1/4 for a few more days.  If you start feeling worse then they will most probably be withdrawal symptoms so you might need to slow down.

 

Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

Please also see this topic:

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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No, I have never taken psychiatric drugs before. The side effects I feel could be from the norco because I take a low dose and I think I have reached my tolerance and need to increase it but want to stop it also. Trying to get off cymbalta first.

Thanks for your help. I will try your suggestion.

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Please put all the current drugs you are taking in Drug Interactions Checker and copy and paste the results here in a post.

 

Are you experiencing any of the symptoms they describe?

 

Have you been drinking any alcohol?

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What are your current symptoms? 

 

Do they follow any pattern related to when you take your drugs?

 

What time do you take the 3 drugs?

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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I don’t drink alcohol. I take several anti- rejection drugs that I have been taking for two and a half years. My body seems to have adjusted to them. My side effects seems to have started after I was put on the current three drugs. My doctor checked to make sure there were no interactions with anything I was already taking.  According to her there were none.

 

When I wake up I am aching over most of my body like the flu and shaky and feel anxious. I take a 2.5mg norco and 1000 mg Tylenol. At noon I repeat same dose, then at 4pm just the norco and at 9 pm I take the cymbalta 20mg,Tylenol, norco and 2.5mg ambian.

When the Norco wears off around four hours between doses the side effect feeling comes back. I don’t need to take it anymore and need to stop it. My doctor thought the cymbalta would help me to stop the norco.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your support.

Gloria

 

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Please put the dates you started the drugs in your signature, and add the other drugs.

 

How long have you been taking 20mg Cymbalta this last time around? Have your symptoms changed since you reduced it from 30mg?

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.

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I started on 20mg Nov.1st.2 weeks

Went to 40mg for approx 10 days. At this dose I became very shaky, anxiety and headaches 

went back down to 20mg. and felt better. I stayed there for another 2 weeks.

went to 30mg  for about a week.

Had a dr appt. and she said I should taper off.

Went back to 20mg  for 18 days which is where I am now.

 

No noticeable withdrawel symptoms at 20mg.

 

 

I will complete  my drug list with dates and amounts.

Still learning my way around the site.

 

My list of anti rejection drugs are because I had a bilateral lung transplant surgery in July 2016.

That is when I was put on them. The doses are occasionally adjusted,

¡

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Generally, you reduce Cymbalta by opening the capsules and removing some of the beads. See Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

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.

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This is the second day I have reduced from 20mg cymbalta to 15mg by removing 25 beads of the 100 beads.

I take it in the evening.

This morning I have a headache, nausea, aching in my arms and legs and a little shaking.

Any advice would be appreciated 

Thanks

Gloria

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
On 1/4/2019 at 8:12 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Please put the dates you started the drugs in your signature, and add the other drugs.



 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
On 1/3/2019 at 2:14 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

Please put all the current drugs you are taking in Drug Interactions Checker and copy and paste the results here in a post.

 

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

I have completed my drug list as requested and was hoping someone could give me advice.

As I said in my last post, I reduced the cymbalta from 20mg to 15 mg two nights ago as suggested.

 

I had a rough night and today was not quite as bad although it may be because I took Norco and. Tylenol throughout the day.

It is evening on my third day now and don’t know if I should stay on the 15mg or switch back to 20mg and go slower because 

of the shakiness, headache and aching arms and legs I am having?

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
On 1/4/2019 at 8:12 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Please put the dates you started the drugs in your signature, and add the other drugs.

 

 

Alto, this site's founder, has requested more information to be added to your drug signature.  Having the information in your drug signature means that we can see your drug history at a glance and not have to read back through your posts to get the information.

 

You have made some dose changes with Cymbalta.  Please include the doses and the dates you started on that dose.

 

Please include ALL other drugs you are taking.

 

This is the current information in your signature:

 

cymbalta 20mg,Norco 10mg,Ambian 2.5. mg.

 

 

This is what we need you to put in your drug signature:

 

  • details for last 2 years - datesALL drugs, doses

 

  • summary for older than 2 years - just years and drug/s

 

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Thank you.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

I had my husband enter my medical history in my signature area. 

Please refer there

 

I took 15mg of cymbalta last night for the 3rd night.

This morning I have some shaking and my skin is crawling and sensitive to touch

The headache did not return. I am not steady on my feet

 

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator
On 1/4/2019 at 8:21 AM, Gloria said:

This is the second day I have reduced from 20mg cymbalta to 15mg by removing 25 beads of the 100 beads.

I take it in the evening.

This morning I have a headache, nausea, aching in my arms and legs and a little shaking.

Any advice would be appreciated 

Thanks

Gloria

 

 

That would be a 25% reduction in Cymbalta. We generally recommend a 10% reduction. If I were you, I'd add back 5 beads in your next dose, see if that reduces the withdrawal symptoms. Please let us know how you're doing.

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.

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Thanks and I will try that tomorrow if I don’t feel better. Will keep you informed 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Please keep daily symptoms notes on paper so you can see how updosing is affecting the symptoms.  Doing this can help you to be more objective.  It can also help you to see things that you may not feel.  When we aren't feeling very good we don't always notice the small improvements because we just feel awful.

 

Example:

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

Have reduced cymbalta 20mg down 25% for the last five days. 

Having side effects and plan on changing to 20% hoping that will help.

New symptoms today are diarrhea and being emotional.

Still have body aches and anxiety.

My hope that I could do tapering fast after taking it two months is dwindling.

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

That's not good. Did you add the 5 beads back in?

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

Tonight I am . Just finished counting..

thanks for responding

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment

This morning side effects are very minimal after adding 5 beads back 7 days ago.

Thinking of removing more beads.

Need advice as to how many or what percentage I should reduce.

My last reduction was 20% of 20mg for 7 days.

I am feeling ok with minimal side effects.

Thanks for any advice

Gloria

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I'll ask the other mods for their assistance.  Please don't lower your dose until a mod responds.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Gloria, please let your nervous system settle some more, give it a month to relax. You made a big change. You're lucky adding 5 beads back seems to have worked, don't rock the boat now.

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

OK.

THANKS,

Gloria

 

 

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

I take short acting cymbalta with a half life of I’ve read 12 hours.

Taking once a day at 8:30pm I’m noticing withdrawel effects start after 12 hours at

8:30am. Could I take split the dose to twice a day to avoid these side effects?

Currently tapering  20% of 20mg . On day 24 of taper.

Feel ok except after the 12 hours side effects become noticeable 

 

Thanks for any advice

Gloria.

 

 

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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  • Administrator
On 1/12/2019 at 4:25 PM, Altostrata said:

Gloria, please let your nervous system settle some more, give it a month to relax. You made a big change. You're lucky adding 5 beads back seems to have worked, don't rock the boat now.

 

2 hours ago, Gloria said:

I take short acting cymbalta with a half life of I’ve read 12 hours.

Taking once a day at 8:30pm I’m noticing withdrawel effects start after 12 hours at

8:30am. Could I take split the dose to twice a day to avoid these side effects?

Currently tapering  20% of 20mg . On day 24 of taper.

Feel ok except after the 12 hours side effects become noticeable 

 

Thanks for any advice

Gloria.

 

Gloria, I'm confused. You said you were going to hold after adding 5 beads 12 days ago, did you reduce by 20% instead?

 

How much Cymbalta are you taking now? How are you measuring your dosage?

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.

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I No  it’s the same 20%. I had previously dropped 25% and added 5% back. I am counting from when I dropped   The original 25% notwhen I added 5% back which makes it 24 days from the original date I dropped. Is that wrong? 

I take 20 beads out of a100 bead capsule.

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It's preferable to talk in mg doses, not percentages, so that there is no confusion.  Each time you make a dose change, you need to work from the new date.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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In that case I reduced  4mg of 20mg on Jan 12 th which makes it 13 days ago.

Is it possible to divide my current dose of 16mg into 2 doses, morning and evening?

Thanks for your help.

Gloria

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, Gloria said:

Is it possible to divide my current dose of 16mg into 2 doses, morning and evening?

 

The gentlest way to split a dose is to move part by 1 hour each day.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Oh ok that sounds good.

thanks!

 

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Needing advice.

I have been following your advice and tapering 5 mg and my last drop was Feb 10th. After approx. a month

However my husband thinks I should taper  faster since I was on it for just a short time.

He feels I am making it harder by tapering so slow.

 

On Feb 13th he reduced my cymbalta another 10% thinking I wouldn’t notice.

That is 3 days after my 5% taper! I found out about this last night.

I started having withdraws the next day but didn’t understand why.It’s been 5 days today

 

Should I stay at this dose and try to ride it out now that I’m in to it 5 days already or try to add back?

I have body aches, headaches and nausea. I am taking nausea medicine which helps. Have General flu like symptoms.

No brain zaps

Also I take Norco and Tylenol which helps a little.

 

Thanks for any advice

Gloria

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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  • Administrator

Please go back to the dosage before your husband sneakily reduced it. Let us know how you're doing.

 

Perhaps you can ask him to live somewhere else while you're tapering?

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.

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hahaha

ok and ok!

thanks,

Gloria

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

Link to comment

Can I take it early or do I need to wait 10 more hours??

My withdraws are getting worse

Gloria 

cymbalta 20mg P.O. daily 2 weeks increased to 40 1 week 60 mg 2 days decreased to 40 qd 1 week 20 mg qd 2 weeks currently taper decreasing 25% every few days

Cymbalta taper down from 20mg to 8 mg from April 2019-April  2020

Cymbalta taper  1/3 mg every 7 days for 5 weeks April -May 4th 2020

Reinstated 1/2 mg May 6 2020 . Holding at 2beads

meds since bilateral lung Transplant 6/30/16

tacrolimus 1.5mg bid adjusted to keep level between 6-8

myfortic 540mg po bid, prilosec20mg po qd, pericolace 2po bid,  vit C 1G qd ,  calcium 1500mg qd vit D 2000u qd mag oxide 440mg qd

prednisone 7.5 mg qd , Valcyte 450 mg qd, azythromycin 250 Mon,Wed,Fri

dapsone 100mg po Tues,Thur, Sat. ambian 5mg , 

Lyrica 100mg In divided doses 6am,2pm, 10pm

 

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