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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by folly beach bum on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:42
I tried once to stop Cymbalta cold turkey at the advise of my Dr. He gave me no warning of what to expect. All of the symptoms that everyone has been describing are right on target. I didn't know what was wrong and I thought that the only thing that I was doing different was NOT taking Cymbalta. I just started back and felt better. I really appreciate finding this site...it has been very helpful. I am on 60mgs and am going to try to cut if back to 30 for a week or two and then 15 for a couple of weeks. I have a script for Welbutrin ( I plan on getting back on it ). My question is does anyone know if starting the Welbutrin right away is OK or should I wait a while. I was thinking that it may help lessen the withdrawls. Thanks to everyone....Ed
Posted by Racer on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:42
In reply to Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 10, 2006, at 7:24:51
First of all, I took Wellbutrin and Cymbalta together, for over a year. There shouldn't be a problem with starting it up right away.
Also, when I came off Cymbalta -- after being on it nearly a year and a half -- I didn't have a lot of trouble. I very much doubt that you need a couple of weeks at the reduced dose to taper down -- try a few days, and see how it goes. Yes, there is a withdrawal from Cymbalta, but it's not nearly as bad as Effexor. (Trust me -- I've done both.)
Good luck.
Posted by folly beach bum on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:42
In reply to Re: Getting off Cymbalta, posted by Racer on February 10, 2006, at 12:08:36
Thanks so much for your reply. After reading all of these horror stories, it has made me a bit anxious. Like you, I have been on a shopping list of antidepressants over the years and it just seems that they work ( well some of them do ) for a little while and then just quit. I have been on Cymbalta for probably a year and a half and have just been taking it to take something for 3/4 of that time. So I decided to go back to the beginning and try Wellbutrin again. But really thanks for your nice message. It brightened my day....Ed
Posted by DMLVT on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:42
In reply to Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 10, 2006, at 7:24:51
For me, going from 40 to 20 mg per day was not fun at all. My doc and I found out that I wasn't really OK with just the 20mg per day. We had cut from 40 to 20 to try to alleviate sexual side effects. That part worked, but the lower dosage didn't.
Once I started Wellbutrin, giving myself about 3 weeks to stabilize, I was able to go from 40 mg to 20 mg with no problems at all. I was then able to go from 20mg to 0mg, with no withdrawal problems.
I did find that on only the Wellbutrin that my brain just wasn't as happy. I described it to the doctor as being steady but at a lower level, as if someone had turned the lights down a bit.
I went back to 20mg of Cymbalta with the WB XL, and everything seems to be fine right there.
So, I think that the WB will help you to get off the Cymbalta more easily, but you and your doc still have to figure out where you need to be long term.
Posted by DMLVT on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:42
In reply to Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 10, 2006, at 13:55:14
My browser remembered an older post subject that might not seem relevant to the current thread.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:43
In reply to Sorry about that title..., posted by DMLVT on February 10, 2006, at 14:25:08
No problem for me stopping cymbalta just stopped it as the side effects from the med were making my legs jerk, sweating, and I felt like the top of my head would blow off. No regrets on stopping the cymbablta. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by folly beach bum on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:43
In reply to Re: Sorry about that title..., posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2006, at 20:09:58
Going on day two this morning and so far so good. No problems to report so far. Thanks everyone for your time and concern to help me through this. Ed
Posted by ed_uk on February 15, 2006, at 6:26:43
In reply to Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 11, 2006, at 9:20:10
Hi Ed
There haven't been many other Ed's on p-babble for a while :)
Ed
Posted by folly beach bum on February 15, 2006, at 7:31:30
In reply to Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 10, 2006, at 7:24:51
So far getting off the Cymbalta has made me isolate a lot and not feel very well....general flu-like feelings. But I cut my dose down gradually over a week and started on my Wellbutrin 2 days ago and have started feeling better as of last night. But it seems like its just an up and down thing so who knows. Will keep everyone informed and thanks for all the help ... again...Ed
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2006, at 9:00:48
In reply to Re: Getting off Cymbalta, posted by folly beach bum on February 15, 2006, at 7:31:30
> So far getting off the Cymbalta has made me isolate a lot and not feel very well....general flu-like feelings. But I cut my dose down gradually over a week and started on my Wellbutrin 2 days ago and have started feeling better as of last night. But it seems like its just an up and down thing so who knows. Will keep everyone informed and thanks for all the help ... again...Ed
If you feel like you have plateaued and remain "stuck", you can try adding Zoloft. It complements Wellbutrin very well. It might have a somewhat reduced potential to cause sexual side-effects compared to the other SSRIs.
- Scott
Posted by Karla on February 18, 2006, at 4:21:40
In reply to Redirect: Getting off Cymbalta, posted by Dr. Bob on February 15, 2006, at 6:27:41
I quit taking 30mg of cymbalta cold turkey in Jan beginning. I had no problems and felt great going off of the stuff. I feel normal again. My parents even mentioned that I got my color back and seem more interactive and talkative.
Posted by folly beach bum on February 18, 2006, at 4:21:40
In reply to Re: Redirect: Getting off Cymbalta, posted by Karla on February 17, 2006, at 16:38:59
So happy to hear that you are doing better. So far I am doing well with the withdrawal. How long did it take for you to notice your changes and what were they specifically. Thanks..Ed
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