12 replies to this topic

[looneytune]

After 4 weeks on 30mg (which was not easy) doc upped dose to 60mg per day. So, been on the med a total of 6 weeks thus far

 

The first week of 60mg was OK but the last week ( the 2nd week of 60mg) was diarrhea 2 or 3 times a day...proper stuff like colonoscopy prep diarrhea,almost

 

My doc is gonna phone me today to discuss but my question to you is,are the horror stories withdrawals/tapering the same for only 6 weeks on the capsules?

 

Thanks guys 

[looneytune]

Think I could safely go down to 40mg from 2 weeks on the 60mg?

[invalidusername]

Hi looneytune and welcome to the site....

 

It sounds like you are going through almost EXACTLY what I went through. I had the usual start up symptoms as I cross-tapered from Celexa to Cymbalta, and then when I was increased to 60mg and stopped the Celexa, it wasn't long before I had horribly explosive diarrhoea. I couldn't stand it. 

 

You should be fine to step down to 40mg after 2 weeks at 60mg. But thereafter, do not trust any medical advice that hints at a safe withdrawal after a further 1-2 weeks. Everyone is different, but it took me the same amount of time to withdrawal as it did to start-up. You need to listen to your body. You may be fine, but the last thing you want is to add to the issues.

 

Granted you want to get shot of the current side-effects, but hopefully that will reduce from the reduction to 40mg, but you will need to wait 4-5 days to notice any changes.

 

Keep us updated - especially if you are unsure how to go about your withdrawal.

 

IUN

[fishinghat]

I agree with IUN but believe that a drop to 30 would probably go OK.

 

Keep us posted.

[looneytune]

WoW, much helpfulness....thanks guys 

[looneytune]

Does the tiredness with depression and then the increase in tiredness with new med eventually "go away"

[fishinghat]

It usually fades away within 4 to 6 weeks but not always.

[invalidusername]

Agree with Hat - everyone has their own neurological way of getting back to the homeostasis of what the brain should be. 

 

No-one can tell you that - how long it will be. Not even the most educated of doctors. 

 

It is very much a subjective measure. No-one's brain is going to work in the same way. That is why we are here - to help people understand just how it works. 

 

Unfortunately, doctors treat every person as the same subject, but the truth is that this is not right. Everyone's brain and neurological conditioning and healing will be subjective. You absolutely need to listen to your body. If there are problems when you are dropping down, then hold, or go back to the last stable dose. 

 

Trust me. 

 

Cymbalta has left me with seizures which I never had before I stopped Cymbalta too soon. This was not my decision. My p-doc actually CONFISCATED my supply of meds to complete my withdrawal, and now I have to live with this condition.

 

Don't underestimate it.

 

I am not saying that you will end up like me - God forbid that you do. But you can help yourself by being straight with your doctor and taking control of the withdrawal.

 

Again, please come back to us. We understand (more so than anyone - in most cases). We have over 10,000 members - would a doctor have had 10.000 patients withdrawing from Cymbalta?!

 

I doubt it.

 

IUN

[looneytune]

Will be starting my new dose 1x 40mg tomorrow. Today is week 6 of my Cymbalta/Duloxetine program. 4x weeks of 30mg and 2x weeks of 60mg and now starting a drop down to 40mg usage to try and remedy the horrendous diarrhoea (up to 5x visits a day) and elevated stress and depression at 60mg

 

Is the 40mg capsule the same gastro resistant cap as the rest of the line....are the caps all the slow release type?

 

In the 6 weeks I have noticed a reduction in intrusive and morbid cycle of thoughts and guilt and so on and a noticeable reduction too in anxiety...so, pleased with that

 

I know we are all wired differently and can expect different time scales and results but could I feel better again,achieve a higher level of "wellness," in a further 6 weeks?

 

What is holding me back is the "flat" feeling and blips of depression and my indifference now to walking and exercise, which was my life blood

 

I have been depressed before and managed to get out of bed and walk for an hour but since the bump up to 60mg dose I can't find my old motivation anywhere

 

Gonna have to give myself a good talkin' to and get back on the horse now that I shall be dropping to 40mg

 

Thanks guys and Girls...GREAT site and very helpful...a Godsend actually

 

John xxx hope you are all well and coping

 

[fishinghat]

"Is the 40mg capsule the same gastro resistant cap as the rest of the line....are the caps all the slow release type?"

None of the capsules are acid resistant but all the beads are enteric (acid resistant) coated.

 

"I know we are all wired differently and can expect different time scales and results but could I feel better again,achieve a higher level of "wellness," in a further 6 weeks?"

The problem is that the longer you are on it the more difficult it is to wean off. Simple answer..,.I doubt it but like you say we are all different.

 

John, the farther down you go the more the energy will return. Just exercise when you can and you will get there. 

 This lack of interest/ambition/energy is pretty common with many antidepressants.

[looneytune]

"I know we are all wired differently and can expect different time scales and results but could I feel better again,achieve a higher level of "wellness," in a further 6 weeks?"

The problem is that the longer you are on it the more difficult it is to wean off. Simple answer..,.I doubt it but like you say we are all different.

 

I guess what I meant with this question is, many forums/Docs/articles/fellow sufferers/ state that for full results of most of these AD meds to kick in properly can take many months

In other words, the way I feel just now is not the best that Cymbalta has to offer at this relatively early stage of 6 weeks

 

This depression malarky would do yer head in 

 

Thanks all

[fishinghat]

Got it!!

 

For Cymbalta the opinion is 6 to 8 weeks to fully kick in. From what I have seen here that seems to be about right. Further gains after that seem to be minimal at best. Just an add on, normally any side effects that you have should lessen after about 4 weeks on a stable dosage. Any side effects that still occur after that will probably hang on indefinitely. This is what I have been told by the psychiatrists that I have talked to. 

[looneytune]

Thanks FH