I need some advice from peeps who have successfully weaned off Cymbalta. I’ve tried and had serious withdrawal symptoms and gave up!
Cymbalta is not helping me at all. I’ve been on it for 10 months. It took me 2 months to tolerate 30mg a day and then my doctor upped my dose to 60mg.
I’m sure that this is a great drug for some people but if my doctor had explained how hard it is for some people to discontinue it, then I would have said, “No thanks”!
I’ve gained 30 pounds. I also have psoriatic arthritis so this extra weight is NOT acceptable. My joints are suffering. My rheumy seems unconcerned about the weight. He says eat less carbs and drink only water. Needless to say I’m waiting on a referral to another rheumy.
So…if you have had withdrawal symptoms but were able to successfully d/c this med let me know how you did it. My GP is researching options for me and I plan to go back next week to follow up with him. I will be attempting this under a doctors care.
Hi, Aberry.
I am sorry the medication isn’t working for you.
I think you are handling the process safely by working with your doctor as they would be best to advise you on how to wean off Cymbalta and manage withdrawal symptoms.
Please let us know how you’re doing with the process. I wish you all the best.
Hugs,
Laurie
Hi Aberry, I tried getting off of it cold turkey. My doctor never told me about getting off of it. I know I should have done the research myself but I didn't. I had withdrawals also so I decided to just do it myself. I only take it mon wed and fri. Im doing this for about 2 months. It seems to be just fine for me. Next I will go for only twice a week. Hopefully it helps. I just don't want to be on any more meds than I totally have to be. Im sure you have the same problem. I would talk to the doctor tho and make sure this is ok. Mine really isn't much help but he is the best I have. Im sure all have the same problem. Good luck to you, I hope this helps.
I have been having tremors that my Rhumy is now saying is from the Cymbalta so I told him well if that IS what is doing this then get me off that stuff.... Mind you I was having tremors before I ever started Cymbalta just now they are a constant thing. SO Rhumy has cut me back to 30 mg. I was on 60mg and have been for about a year. It was doing real good for me until recently ...now I do not believe my tremors are because of the Cymbalta... but getting off it sure wont hurt. So far I am adjusting well to the lower dose....still having my tremors though!!!
My Rheumy told me that I should take at least 80 mg per day. I take it in 20 mg caps because I'm not really fond of the weird feeling it gives me!! But it does help a bit with the pain and it seems to help me sleep better. I just have the problem of remembering to take them every four hours. So, It's as if I'm almost used to weaning myself off unintentionally! (I have been told that is not advisable, though). You should do what you're doing, with a Dr's advice. Are they replacing it with something else?
I accidentally got off cymbalta a couple of years ago. I say accidentally, because I had begun injections for Enbrel and I wasn't happy about taking so much medication (and especially a chemo drug), so I ran out of cymbalta about that time, and just forgot all about it.
Until a few weeks later. I was loud, erratic, completely not myself. Cried at the drop of a hat, and I was a nervous wreck. So I saw a counselor and during the course of the conversation she asked if I'd had any medication changes recently. That's when I remembered the cymbalta. She said, "That's your problem. Start back immediately and your symptoms will go away."
I talked to my pharmacist, who said it's a shame that the doctors don't explain that once you get on cymbalta it is very difficult to get off. You said, "...if my doctor had explained how hard it is for some people to discontinue it, then I would have said, "No thanks"!" I agree completely, but the docs are in the pockets of the pharmaceutical reps, and it seems cymbalta is one of the first prescriptions ordered for a fibro diagnosis.
Cymbalta did help me, and I doubt that I will ever go without it again. I've been on it now for years. If I don't take cymbalta for a few days I become nauseated. Horrible feeling. But at least I'm not acting crazy now that I'm back on it. I wish you luck with getting off it, and I'm glad that you will be working with your doc during the process. And maybe your symptoms won't be as severe since you'll be doing it gradually.