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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sac on December 12, 2005, at 17:29:57
I've decided after a six month trial with limited success that I want to dump Cymbalta. I actually think it's making me feel worse. I'm only at 30mgs. now (can't go higher due to heart palpitations at 60 mgs.). I was still depressed so my Pdoc added in 10 mgs. fluoxetine 2 weeks ago. Do these two work well together? I'm actually starting to feel a bit more suicidal??? Having dissociative episodes and alot of anxiety. I've had great success with Prozac in the past so I don't want to dump that one. What is the best way to taper Cymbalta from 30mgs.? Split the capsule and take half? Thank you.
Posted by med_empowered on December 12, 2005, at 17:29:57
In reply to How to stop Cymbalta??, posted by sac on December 12, 2005, at 5:41:11
The only thing I can think of would be to try tapering it like I tapered Tofranil (docs orders)..since I was having cardiovascular issues with the Tofranil, the taper was pretty fast. It went like this:
Day 1- Full dose
Day 2-3/4 dose
Day 3-6- 1/2 dose
Day 7- StopIt worked pretty well. I imagine if I'd had major withdrawal problems the taper could have been extended or something but...it worked OK.
With the Prozac already in the picture and your dosage so low, it would seem that withdrawal would be pretty mild. When I withdrew from Cymbalta it was kind of rough, but that was because I took 90mgs/day and I stopped it cold turkey.
Posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2005, at 21:02:57
In reply to Re: How to stop Cymbalta??, posted by med_empowered on December 12, 2005, at 6:13:39
Med when cymbalta first came out that was when I found this site. So after 60days at 60mg I cut the amt in the capsules down. I really don't think it was neccesay though. The only side effect was I at the end started waking up earlier. Maybe it was starting to work? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Billie Edmunds on February 2, 2006, at 0:17:01
In reply to Re: How to stop Cymbalta?? » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on December 12, 2005, at 21:02:57
As a long-term depressed patient, over the years I've been medicated with the usual: Prozak; Paxil; Effexor; maybe one or two others; and, lately, Cymbalta (60mg).
I've can't recall any withdrawal symptoms from any of these medications except Cymbalta. I'm somewhat of a procrastinator, so I've twice gone a few days without filling the Cymbalta prescription.
Other posts here have mentioned vivid dreams and nightmares during withdrawal. This is the only withdrawal symptom that I've experienced.
The dreams that I experienced from not taking Cymbalta were amazing! It wasn't so much the subject matter as much as the vividness; the realness. Not necessarily strange, hallucinogenic, or weird dreams as much as experiences actually involving me and my body in very uncomfortable real-world situations. Nothing sexual, that I can recall.
I didn’t record the dreams I had, but they did stick with me throughout the following days. One dream I recall was standing on the ground as large vehicles, such as trucks or military humvees, moved by and near me. I don't recall being scared, feeling chased, or trapped, but the sensation was definitely disturbing.
I recall several times when I tried to wrest myself from the sleep and the dreams. It was like those paralysis sensations – I knew I was asleep and dreaming but I couldn't arouse my body to move or awaken.
On a couple of occasions, I was very relieved to be awakened by my spouse due to my agitation or moaning.
I am very afraid to stop or reduce Cymbalta. I now pick up new prescriptions before running out of the previous ones.
I'm curious to hear descriptions of others’ dreams. It's not a Freud thing; I just wonder. Could there be a commonality among our dreams?
Thank you.
Posted by bogeydune on February 3, 2006, at 18:30:58
In reply to How to stop Cymbalta??, posted by sac on December 12, 2005, at 5:41:11
I was on 60 mg cymbalta for 1 1/2 months for anxiety (1st) and depression (2nd). Over that time, I lost 20 lbs and was having dizzy spells. I felt amped up, and my anxiety was worse. My blood pressure dropped to 100/50. I switched straigh over to 25 mg paxil, and felt better every day I wasn't on the cymbalta
This is the end of the thread.
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