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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 8:43:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Angela11, posted by Dr. Vijoy on September 21, 2005, at 21:40:46
I am currently in the process of coming off effexor..I am down to 37.5mg every second day with no symptoms now, I jsut cant seem to stop that last tablet so the Dr is putting me on cymbalta 30mg every second day then next week every 3rd day..he said the withdrawals are very manageable compared to effexor.... Id like opinions..thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2010, at 11:07:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 8:43:16
Personally I didn't have withdrawals from cymbalta but crossed over as you are to another ad. Are you planning on staying on cymbalta? And welcome to babble. Phillipa
Posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 17:42:26
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Starwood, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2010, at 11:07:14
Hello and thank you, no im not planning on srtaying on them, hes put me on them because the withdrawals are supposedly alot better than the effexor ones. As i am on the last step of getting off the effexor hopefully I'll only be on the cymbalta for 2- 3 weeks max. Im scared after everything ive read now that the side effects will be even worse!!
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2010, at 20:46:58
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 17:42:26
First depression? I'm betting you will do fine. Don't fear withdrawals. I didn't have them. Others don't either. Phillipa
Posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 22:23:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Starwood, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2010, at 20:46:58
hello, what do u mean by first depression?
Ive been on effexor for 5 years....I took my first cymbalrta today..I feel so sick..Im not going to take anymore copnsidering im only taking them to get off effexor. Think Ill keep on at withdrawing from Effexor considering I was almost there just needed some help for the final hurdle.. Think Ill do the other alternative..the day I dont have effexor when the withdrawals and brain zapsd get really bad usually around 3pm Ill take a valium..just enough to get me through that day...I think I like that idea better than to get used to a new drug to get off an old one then try and get off the new one.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on October 18, 2010, at 23:05:50
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 8:43:16
>I am currently in the process of coming off effexor..I am down to 37.5mg every second day with no symptoms now, I jsut cant seem to stop that last tablet so the Dr is putting me on cymbalta 30mg every second day then next week every 3rd day..he said the withdrawals are very manageable compared to effexor.... Id like opinions..thanks!
I do not understand what your doctor is doing. First of all, Cymbalta's withdrawal symptoms appear to be very similar to Effexor's withdrawal symptoms. Secondly, withdrawal symptoms appear to be very frequent with Cymbalta - probably similar to Effexor. Finally, the dose of Cymbalta is too high relative to your previous Effexor dose.
Effexor should not normally be tapered by reducing the frequency of the doses. It is too short-acting for this to work. Effexor should be tapered by reducing the size of the doses eg. by cutting tablets or opening capsules and dividing the granules. It is quite easy to do this and many people have had success. Reducing the frequency (eg. to one dose every three days) does not work well because the amount of drug in your bloodstream will be going up and down like a yo-yo, which is not a good thing.
If you are still struggling despite opening the capsules or cutting tablets, you could switch to a very low dose of fluoxetine (Prozac) in liquid form. Fluoxetine is much easier to stop than Effexor. The liquid form is needed to give a small dose eg. using an oral syringe.
Please note that if you open Effexor capsules, the granules inside should not be crushed, sucked or chewed. They are coated slow-release granules and must be swallowed whole or else the slow-release mechanism will not work. The manufacturer advises that the capsules should not be opened in case the granules are damaged, but in reality there does not seem to be any problems when this method is used for tapering.
Take care.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on October 18, 2010, at 23:08:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 22:23:50
>The day I dont have Effexor when the withdrawals and brain zaps get really bad
This is why you should take Effexor daily. For example, 18.75mg per day, not 37.5mg on alternate days. When opening capsules, you do not have to be precise, you just need to reduce the amount that you're taking gradually.
Posted by bearfan on October 19, 2010, at 16:25:23
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 8:43:16
I'm curious what your target maintenance dose of Cymbalta will be?
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2010, at 19:23:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by Starwood on October 18, 2010, at 17:42:26
Was wondering if goal besides stopping effexor was not taking any ad at all. Phillipa
Posted by Starwood on October 19, 2010, at 23:51:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal » Starwood, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2010, at 19:23:54
yes thats my goal, I figure if i can survive very easily on 37.mg every 2 days then I should be able to coem off them.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 24, 2010, at 15:48:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Starwood on October 19, 2010, at 23:51:29
Starwood, how is it going?
I second ed_uk's suggestions. Effexor withdrawal is hard on some. My doc would cross-taper with prozac, then withdraw the prozac (taper off, I mean).
One caution concerns using Valium to compensate for discontinuation symptoms because it can create dependency rather quickly for some people. Then you may find yourself left with that to deal with, which may not be your intention.
Best to you during your transition.
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