Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

Troyer Cymbalta taper mistake


Troyer

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone.  Just wanted to introduce myself and ask a question.  Hopefully my explanation in my signature makes sense.  I have been back on Cymbalta for about a month now and am feeling so tired and depressed.  I felt like this for 2 yrs when I initially went on it back in 2006.  But I always attributed the fatigue to a mastectomy that I had in 2005.

 

Another thing I noticed when I started tapering was the my nightly glass of wine wasn't agreeing with me anymore, and that is still the case. I know this actually might be a good thing since you are not really supposed to drink while on these things:)  I am now thinking that instead of going back on Cymbalta all at once that maybe I should have tapered back into it.  I guess my question is have I messed up my nervous system so much that I will never feel okay again?  I don't have the money right now to switch to the brand name of Cymbalta to do the taper correctly, and frankly I'm a little afraid to do it after experiencing the w/d symptoms.  

 

I wasn't really having any major problems while on it.  For the most part it has kept my terrible anxiety at bay so that I don't have to rely on benzos just to leave my house.  But I retired in December of last year so I thought this would be a good time to see if I could manage without it.  I still can't get over the fact that when I was reading about tapering down that I missed that all important part about the difference between generic and the brand name!  

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.  Thank you for reading my post.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Welcome, Troyer.

 

You're now having normal Cymbalta side effects, and the withdrawal symptoms have stopped?

 

It's likely wine does not agree with you now because it act on your nervous system, and your nervous system has been upset by Cymbalta withdrawal syndrome.

 

Here is our topic for tapering Cymbalta 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.

Link to comment

Yes, it seems like the w/d symptoms have stopped.  But now I can barely function from the fatigue.  

 

That link is where I got the info on tapering Cymbalta in March but stupidly I followed the instructions for the brand name, not the generic which I am on.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Administrator

You won't be able to split the mini-tablets inside the capsule.

 

It never occurred to me someone would confuse beads and mini-tablets. I've rewritten Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine) to make this clearer, and to provide more options for tapering the generic type containing mini-tablets.

 

Some generics contain beads rather than mini-tablets. You might ask your pharmacy if they can fill your prescription with this type of generic duloxetine. This will make tapering somewhat easier. Otherwise:

 

You can combine brand-name Cymbalta or generic beads with generic duloxetine mini-tablets to taper. (This would cost less than using brand-name Cymbalta for your entire taper. A prescription for 60mg brand-name Cymbalta capsules will go further.) You could take part of your dosage in brand-name Cymbalta beads and the rest of your daily dosage in generic mini-tablets. For example: If your 30mg generic duloxetine capsules contain 6 mini-tablets, each mini-tablet contains about 5mg duloxetine. Let's say you want to reduce 10% from 30mg to 27mg. You can take 5 mini-tablets (25mg) and add 2mg in beads to it. If a 60mg capsule of brand-name Cymbalta contains 200 beads, each bead contains about 0.3mg duloxetine; you would take 7 beads (2.1mg) to total a daily dose of 27.1mg. (BE SURE TO COUNT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BEADS IN YOUR CAPSULES  -- THEY CAN VARY FROM THIS EXAMPLE.) When you are down to 5 mini-tablets (25mg) per day, take 4 mini-tablets and the rest in beads to reduce another 10%, and so forth.

 

 

As you are taking 30mg duloxetine now, your health insurance would likely cover an additional prescription for 60mg brand-name Cymbalta this month as a prescription change (check with your insurance).

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
  • 8 months later...

*topic moved from tapering forum

 

Hi everyone,

 

I have been on 30 mg once a day for 9 yrs.  On Dec 3 I decided to start a taper.  My capsules contained 6 beads manufactured by Lupin.  I was taking 1 bead out, and on Jan 3 I started taking out 2.  My script expired so my dr wrote me a new one.  This am I opened the capsule and all these tiny, tiny pellets came out!  I counted and there were 172.  I need to do a second count to be sure.  

 

I am so embarrassed to say this but I am so very bad at math.  I have spent all morning reading how to taper with the pellets instead of the beads, and I still cannot understand.  Can someone please dumb this down for me?  My plan was to reduce 5 mg every month if things went well.  I know I can control the taper much better with the pellets but I cannot figure out how many to take out that would equal the 20 mg that I am now down to.  And then how many to take out each taper.  I suppose I could call my dr and ask that he prescribe that Lupin brand but I'm afraid he won't be able to.  Needless to say I have freaked myself out this am which doesn't help the withdrawal process.  I am not taking any additional meds except for the occasional Klonipin for panic attacks.  That is what I'm on the Cymbalta for, my anxiety.  This is my second try.  Last spring I did it too quickly.  I was taking out a bead every week.  

 

Any help would so much be appreciated.  

Edited by Petunia
added note

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator

Hi Troyer-- 114. That's using the numbers you posted.  If your recount is different just multiply the new number by 0.66 and that will give you the new number of beads.

 

Something that you need to take into consideration. A change of manufacturer counts as a "Dose Change Event" and needs to be allowed to settle for four days to a week before continuing with a taper.  This is because people sometimes react differently to the new pills especially when going from pellets to beads.

 

In our experience you are still going way too fast with your taper.  We recommend tapering at 10% of your previous dose every month as a starting point to determine how your body reacts.  Here are some links to great information on how we suggest to taper:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment

when I was on Effexor my drug store changed me to a less expensive brand generic and I had major issues.... much longer than 4 days.

 

please write to Alto and ask her advice about this. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome Troyer,

 

I moved your topic from the tapering forum to your own thread, with these kinds of questions its best to keep all your information in one place so we have a complete picture of your history and situation.

 

You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. Its a good idea to bookmark it or follow it, so its easy to find again.

 

As others have mentioned, a change of brand can sometimes cause temporary destabilization and an increase of symptoms until your body has adjusted to the change. It doesn't effect everyone, but give it at least 4 days to see if symptoms occur, a week to be on the safe side. If there are no changes, then its probably fine to continue.

 

Please read through the links brassmonkey has posted for you above. If you have any more questions, please ask them here in your thread.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

You won't be able to split the mini-tablets inside the capsule.

 

It never occurred to me someone would confuse beads and mini-tablets. I've rewritten Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine) to make this clearer, and to provide more options for tapering the generic type containing mini-tablets.

 

Some generics contain beads rather than mini-tablets. You might ask your pharmacy if they can fill your prescription with this type of generic duloxetine. This will make tapering somewhat easier. Otherwise:

 

You can combine brand-name Cymbalta or generic beads with generic duloxetine mini-tablets to taper. (This would cost less than using brand-name Cymbalta for your entire taper. A prescription for 60mg brand-name Cymbalta capsules will go further.) You could take part of your dosage in brand-name Cymbalta beads and the rest of your daily dosage in generic mini-tablets. For example: If your 30mg generic duloxetine capsules contain 6 mini-tablets, each mini-tablet contains about 5mg duloxetine. Let's say you want to reduce 10% from 30mg to 27mg. You can take 5 mini-tablets (25mg) and add 2mg in beads to it. If a 60mg capsule of brand-name Cymbalta contains 200 beads, each bead contains about 0.3mg duloxetine; you would take 7 beads (2.1mg) to total a daily dose of 27.1mg. (BE SURE TO COUNT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BEADS IN YOUR CAPSULES  -- THEY CAN VARY FROM THIS EXAMPLE.) When you are down to 5 mini-tablets (25mg) per day, take 4 mini-tablets and the rest in beads to reduce another 10%, and so forth.

 

 

As you are taking 30mg duloxetine now, your health insurance would likely cover an additional prescription for 60mg brand-name Cymbalta this month as a prescription change (check with your insurance).

 

Thx everyone for your replies.  Regarding the info above, if there are 172 pellets in a 30 mg capsule does that mean each pellet is .17?  So to get to 1 mg I would need to take 6 pellets?  Am I figuring this right?  If this is the case then when my dr hopefully calls in another script for the 30 mg capsule containing 6 beads then I can combine those with the pellets to slow my taper down.   

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

I have another question please.  I think I finally understand the 10% taper method thx to the links above.  Yay!  I'm thinking that maybe getting that other manufacturer's capsules with the tiny pellets may have been a blessing in disguise bcz I can now do the slow taper together with the 6 bead capsules that I have been using.  

 

My question is since I took one bead out (5mg) Dec 3 and then two Jan 3 should I add a couple of pellets to up the dose since I started to fast or just wait until Feb 3 and start the 10% taper then?  

 

Last spring I didn't get withdrawal symptoms until I was down to two beads (10mg) which surprises me bcz I am very sensitive usually to medication.  So maybe I will be okay at 20 mg for now.  So hard to tell.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Administrator
if there are 172 pellets in a 30 mg capsule does that mean each pellet is .17?

 

 

Correct. Each pellet contains an average of .17mg Cymbalta. (Counting beads from several capsules will give you an average number per capsule for that prescription.)

 

My question is since I took one bead out (5mg) Dec 3 and then two Jan 3 should I add a couple of pellets to up the dose since I started to fast or just wait until Feb 3 and start the 10% taper then?

 

 

How are you feeling after these two reductions? If you do not get withdrawal symptoms, I would calculate a 10% taper on your current dosage (is it 15mg now?) for your next decrease in February.

 

A lot of people can reduce fairly quickly about half-way, then they need to slow down.

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

 

if there are 172 pellets in a 30 mg capsule does that mean each pellet is .17?

 

 

Correct. Each pellet contains an average of .17mg Cymbalta. (Counting beads from several capsules will give you an average number per capsule for that prescription.)

 

My question is since I took one bead out (5mg) Dec 3 and then two Jan 3 should I add a couple of pellets to up the dose since I started to fast or just wait until Feb 3 and start the 10% taper then?

 

 

How are you feeling after these two reductions? If you do not get withdrawal symptoms, I would calculate a 10% taper on your current dosage (is it 15mg now?) for your next decrease in February.

 

A lot of people can reduce fairly quickly about half-way, then they need to slow down.

 

 

I am feeling okay.  I'm down to 20 mg.  So in February I will start doing the 10% taper from 20 mg.  When I get towards the end I will review the instructions for slowing down the taper.  Thank you so much for all the info.  It is such a shame that doctors are so ignorant about all this.  But it really doesn't surprise me.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Given that you made a fairly big decrease at once, you may wish to hold longer to make sure there are no repercussions, before your next decrease of 10%.

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

Given that you made a fairly big decrease at once, you may wish to hold longer to make sure there are no repercussions, before your next decrease of 10%.

 

That sounds like a good idea, especially since I've been taking it for 9 years.  Thank you again.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

I've been holding at 20 mg but in the last week or so have been feeling very anxious, dull headache, feelings of dread, and my blood pressure is at 180/80.  This morning I guess I panicked and took my regular dose of 30 mg but I don't feel any better.  

 

I started a low oxalate diet about 6 weeks ago for a kidney issue.  I've heard that when the oxalates start to leave your body it can cause a rise in blood pressure for some people so this might be the reason I feel so strange too.  I'm hoping this is the reason.  I really don't want to go see a dr for this if I don't have to.  

 

Has anyone experienced high blood pressure during a taper?  Will I be okay to resume 20 mg tomorrow?  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator

Hi Troyer--  I'm sorry to hear that things are kicking in the WD department.   Those are all pretty common WD symptoms.  I am a bit concerned about the blood pressure, but others have reported elevated BP at times during WD and it can make you feel pretty weird at times.  I would keep an eye on it and if it gets worse then have it checked out.

 

I wouldn't worry about the one day blip in your dosing.  It may kick back a bit for the next week or so but should sort itself out pretty soon.  It takes four days for any real change to be made in the blood concentration levels so there shouldn't be any serious repercussions.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment

Thanks brassmonkey.  Hopefully the blood pressure will get back to normal.  I so don't want to go on meds for it.  

 

Good to know that it takes four days.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

Yesterday I went back to taking 20 mg.  Today I took 25 because I still feel so depressed and very odd.  I have a bottle of generic Cymbalta with the bead and a bottle that has the pellets.  One pellet = .17 mg.  I know it's probably not good to fluctuate from 20 to 30 to 20 and then to 25.  Can someone suggest a dosage I should move up to so I can stabilize?  This is all so scary.  Maybe I'm better off on the drug.  I just don't know.  I was put on it for my anxiety not depression.  It has helped with anxiety up to a point.  I just wanted to see what it would be like to not have to take anything anymore.  

 

I do have other issues in my life that I'm dealing with, trying to find a job, and a chronic pain issue but up until now I have still been able to function during the day.  This week it's been difficult to do anything.  This really scares me.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Troyer ,   please correct me if I get this wrong:

 

Up till 17 Feb.    20 mg since December

17 Feb               30 mg

18 Feb.              ?

19 Feb.              20 mg

20 Feb.              25 mg

 

A couple of weeks ago you were feeling stable enough to begin to taper , and it sounds like a wave of

symptoms got you spooked and you panicked.

Although reasoning might suggest that "more is better" , these drugs don't work like that. 

 

I would suggest staying on 20 mg and allowing yourself to stabilize.  Obviously , the recent fluctuations haven't

helped , but if you sit tight things will even out.

Increasing the dose by 30% has further destabilized your system  and most likely made your week a whole lot

harder.  

We know that stress can intensify symptoms , so be aware of this and treat yourself as gently as possible.

 

Best wishes ,  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

Hi Fresh,

 

On 12/3/15 I decided to start the taper again.  Went from 30 mg to 25 taking the generic form which has 6 little tablets.  Then on 1/3/16 I went to 20 mg.  In the meantime I got a bottle of Cymbalta from a different manufacturer with the little pellets so that when I am ready I can do the 10% taper.  So I had planned on taking 18 mg 3/3.  

 

I see that your last dose of Cymbalta was in July of 2013, and it wasn't until January of 2014 that you had such bad withdrawal from it that you had to be hospitalized for 14 long days.  That sounds just awful.  I hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you think that happened?  Does this happen frequently with Cymbalta withdrawal?  Hope my questions don't offend, I'm just trying to figure things out. 

 

Thanks so much,

 

Troyer

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Troyer ,  I'm happy to share any info. that may help others on this crazy journey - I'm not offended in the least.

In fact , although I became sick on a whole new level in Jan. 2014 , I didn't go to hospital until May , because I 

believed relief would come soon.  At least I know I gave it all I had , and don't regret getting remedicated , because

that's what got me functioning again.

 

I don't think my reaction was a product of cymbalta specifically.   More a consequence of 27 years of continuous 

antidepressant use.  I did go off them a few times in the early years , but always got rebound depression 6 months

later and was guided back onto them.

 

With 10 years to your credit , you'll need to go slow , and let your body guide you.

' I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day."

 

Please could you add some months and years to your sig. so it's a little easier to follow.  I'm not clear which year 

you're referring to above.

Is this correct:   you were taking 30mg until 3 Dec. 2015 , dropped to 25mg , then dropped to 20mg on 3 Jan. 2016?

17 Feb               30 mg

18 Feb.              ?

19 Feb.              20 mg

20 Feb.              25 mg

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

Morning Fresh,

 

Thanks for explaining your story to me.  Yesterday was very scary for me.  When I went on Cymbalta in 2006 for my anxiety I liked it because it didn't make me feel like I had taken anything, unlike benzos which I was on from 1997 to 2006.  It just made me feel  like more of myself.  I have wanted to get off of it because I don't like the idea of being dependent on anything but I don't think I can do this.  I live alone and can't afford at this age to be too sick to take care of myself.  I decided that I just have to accept that I need this drug and so I started back on 30 mg this morning.  

 

This was my third attempt at tapering in the past 12 months.  I just hope that messing around with the dosage I haven't compromised how it is going to work for me from now on.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I didn't mean to scare you Troyer.   You've had a very rough and confusing time since you started this taper in

December , and when we look at numbers it's easy to see why.

 

Your first decrease in December was 1 bead out of 6 , that's 17 1/2 %

Almost double the 10% we recommend.

Then another bead in four weeks later January , that's another 17 1/2 %.

 

So you  dropped 1/3 of your dose in 5 weeks , and that's a terrible way to set out.  Not surprising you've had

anxiety , headaches , feelings of dread (17 Feb.)  

These symptoms are the delayed presentation of your earlier cuts.  

(btw , I made a similar mistake when I started tapering cymbalta in 2012 - I went from 120mg to 30mg instead

of the intended 90mg , because I forgot to include a 60mg cap. for a few weeks).

 

I tend to agree the best thing to do now is allow yourself to stabilize , but I think you could do this going onto

25mg rather than 30mg.   Either way , it will take a couple of months after this blip.

 

If and when you do feel ready to think about tapering , come back and do the reading and prep. first. 

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

No, you didn't scare me.  I do a good enough job of that on my own. :) You are right, I need to do the 10% taper from the beginning so it's not such a shock to my system.  Feeling a bit better today thank goodness after taking 30 mg.  Don't know if that is the placebo effect or not.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

Okay, another question.  If I take .25 mg for the next month or two to stabilize, and start to taper 10% from there is there a better chance that I won't experience horrible w/d symptoms? I know everyone is different but I guess I just need reassurance.  And just to make sure I do this correctly, 10% of .25 is 22.5.  So I will take 5 beads from the generic tablet (20mg), and 12 pellets from my other scrip (.17mg per pellet) for 2 mg?  Or should I round up to 23 mg?  This is like those scary word problems I used to cringe at back in grade school!

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator

Hi Troyer-- the whole idea behind the 10% taper is to keep the symptoms to a minimum.  There are going to be some symptoms just after the drop but they will settle out.  If you're really wanting to minimize the symptoms might I suggest doing a Brassmonkey Slide.  You would drop 2.5% a week for four weeks and then hold an additional 2 weeks for a total drop of 10% in six weeks.  I found that it really reduced the symptoms.  If you're interested we can work out the details for you.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment

I had to smile at "Brassmonkey Slide."  Maybe this might work better for me since I'm very petite and have always been sensitive to all meds.  Can you elaborate on this method please?  I'm embarrassingly bad at math.  I have to confess also that I have been drinking about 3 glasses of wine every single night for about 16 years, which I know is not a smart thing to do, but sometimes it is my only consolation.  I seem to feel it more every time I start a taper and get below 25 mg.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator

I'm still trying to figure out the "steps" but almost any music will do. lol

 

You're off to a good start in the math dept. Yes your target dose is 22.5mg.   The slide would be to get from 25 to 22.5 in four even steps. 24.375, 23.75, 23.125, 22.5.   Doing a new dose every week. So week one 24.375, week two 23.75, week three 23.125, week four 22.5, week five 22.5 and week six 22.5.  Then you'd start again with a new set of numbers figured from the 22.5.

 

If 5 beads = 20mg then 1 bead = 4mg

If 1 pellet = .17mg then 12 pellets = 2mg and 6 pellets = 1mg

 

24.375mg = 5 beads 26 pellets

23.75mg   = 5 beads 22 pellets

23.125mg = 5 beads 19 pellets

22.5 mg    = 5 beads 15 pellets

 

There is a little rounding involved but not enough to make a difference.

 

So I remember how I got there:  Target dose minus a whole number of mgs divisable by 4 i.e. {24.375mg - 20mg (5 beads X 4mg per bead)} remainder 4.375mg,                                                     gives the number of beads required.

 

                                                    remainder of 4.375mg X 6 (6 pellets per 1mg) = 26 pellets, gives the number of pellets required.

 

Boy that looks scary but once you work through it a couple of times it's pretty straight forward.

 

I can totally understand about the wine, look at my signature.  But I have to tell you that it isn't helping the cause any and will at some point start making a lot of trouble.  It would be a real good idea to start cutting back on it and eventually stop all together.  In the long run you really will feel a lot better without it.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment

Oh thank you so much for taking the time to put all this together for me!!  I hope that someday they will be forced to reformulate some of these drugs to make getting off of them easier.  But I know that is probably wishful thinking.  

 

And you are so right about the drinking.  I've known for a long time that I need to quit or at least take a very long break.  I know this will catch up with me eventually.  I wish I could just have a glass with dinner since I enjoy it so much but I always end up having a second and third after dinner.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • 5 months later...

merged content from  topic "Troyer: Medical Marijuana"

 

Has anyone used medical marijuana to taper off of an antidepressant?  I currently take 30 mg of Cymbalta for anxiety.  

Edited by scallywag
merged topic

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Troyer -- Welcome back to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
I've moved your post to the Introductions Forum so that more people will see your question.
 
Here is our topic about cannabis:
 
We don't recommend drugs - pharmaceutical or otherwise -- to assist with tapering antidepressants.  We recommend a taper that makes small dose cuts -- 10% or less of current dose -- no more frequently than once a month.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka Brain remodeling

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Cannabis is "pot" luck, pun intended.

 

If you are in a medical state, High CBD, low THC is good.

 

If you can juice the entire raw plant, it has great healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic properties.

 

But if you are buying it from the street, all bets are off.

 

Please, tell us more about yourself, instead of just talking about cannabis?

"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

Hi Troyer -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

I've moved your post to the Introductions Forum so that more people will see your question.

 

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums enlightening and helpful for your taper.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

 

Here is our topic about cannabis:

 

We don't recommend drugs - pharmaceutical or otherwise -- to assist with tapering antidepressants.  We recommend a taper that makes small dose cuts -- 10% or less of current dose -- no more frequently than once a month.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka Brain remodeling

Thank you for the info.  I just called my compounding pharmacy to see if they could compound a liquid form so I could do the Cymbalta taper that way.  She said she will look into it and get back with me because they have not done this before.  I take it for anxiety so I was hoping that taking CBD would calm my nervous system so that I could get off of Cymbalta.

 

I actually have an appt tomorrow with a doctor to get approved for a medical marijuana card for chronic pelvic pain which in my opinion is caused by my anxiety.  I hold all my tension there so I was hoping if CBD could soothe my nervous system then my pain would resolve. My gynecologist actually thinks it is worth a try and she is the one that sent my medical records to the clinic. Medical marijuana is legal here in AZ.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

It might do more harm than good:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5030-cannabis-thc-or-marijuana-to-ease-withdrawal-symptoms/?hl=marijuana

 

Marijuana seemed to make me sicker when I would smoke it after I developing withdrawal syndrome.  Although I suppose it's possible a cannabis product high in CBD and low in THC could have a different effect.

- 2002-2015: Zyprexa (Olanzapine), between 2.5mg to 5mg

- 9/15-2/16: Started a taper that jumped up and down quickly for five months.  Got really sick.  Took Xanax sporadically throughout taper.  Stopping taking Xanax in January 2016.

- 2/14/16: Increased dose to 3.75mg and held for two months, quickly got better at first and then slowly continued to get better after that

- Apr/16: 3.375mg, May/16: 3.03mg, Jun-Jul/16: 2.73mg, Aug-Sept/16: 2.5mg, Oct/16: 2.25mg, Nov/16: 2.03mg, Dec/16-Jan/17: 1.82mg, Feb/17: 1.64mg, Mar/17: 1.48mg, Apr/17: 1.33mg, May-Sept/17: 1.20mg, Oct/17: 1.08mg, Nov/17: 0.97mg, Dec/17: 0.87mg, Jan/17: 0.78mg, Feb/17: 0.71mg, Mar/17: 0.64mg, Apr/17: 0.57mg, May/17: 0.51mg

Link to comment

Yes, I'm hoping to get a strain low in THC with an ability to relax without sedation or intoxication.  A friend of mine has a grandson with epilepsy, and he just got approved for a card.  

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

merged from "Micro Taper of Cymbalta"

 

After several failed attempts because I went too quickly and dropped too much, I've decided to do a slow taper after reading about it here.   I just counted the beads and there are 173 in a capsule.  I took out one pellet and am thinking I will remove 2 next week and so on.  I take 30 mg so 1 pellet is .17 mg if I'm figuring correctly. I was just wondering what everyone's opinion is on this.  Am I going too slow now?  

 

The last time I reinstated to the full dose I had resigned myself to having to take this the rest of my life so I figure at this point it doesn't matter how long it takes.  I have been on it since 2006.  

 

Thank you!

Edited by scallywag
merged topics

  • I have been taking benzos off and on since 1986 because I started experiencing panic attacks after an unnecessary hysterectomy. In 1997 a dr prescribed Ativan and told me that I would be better off taking it daily. I went off of it finally in 2006 cold turkey with horrible withdrawal symtoms. My family dr prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety in 2006. I decided to try a taper in March of this yr, but stupidly by mistake did it with the generic brand instead of switching to the regular brand. I was down to 2 of the mini-tablets when I started having nausea, anxiety, etc. I didn't know what else to do so I went back on the regular dose of 30mg once a day.

  • Gender

    female.png Female

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy