Hi all,
I've been on Cymbalta (60mg) for many years now (for depression). My current psychiatrist just took over the Cymbalta prescription habit from his predecessor.
Recently, I decided to withdraw from Cymbalta. I'm feeling much stronger and healthier than I felt 5 years ago, so I decided to try and go 'drug-free'. I had terrible experiences with quitting Cymbalta, and had many symptoms that are being described on this forum. The brain-zaps were the most horrible symptoms.
Together with my psychiatrist, I worked out a practical method to quit gradually. This is not obvious, because where I live (Belgium) you can only get the 60mg capsules for a reasonable price. The only other dose available is 30mg, which is much more expensive (!!)
If you want to get a capsule of ,say, 55 mg, the pharmacist will charge you a lot for opening the capsules and making new ones (stomach resistent) with the desired dose. Pharmacists do not reuse the original capsules.
Ordinary people (like me) don't have access to precision/laboratorium scales to measure quantities in milligrams. However, there is a work-around. Use a plastic tab divider like they have in all offices, or a sheet of strong 'glossy' paper, and fold it firmly to create a crease.
Open the cymbalta capsule and spread the tiny cymbalta pellets along the crease of the folded tab divider. Now you can calculate and 'measure' your desired dose in inches/centimeters, and pour the desired quantity back in the capsule.
My psychiatrist has recommended me the following scheme : -5%/week (=minus 3mg /week).
Last week I have been taking 57mg, and now I'm having 54mg. So far so good.
If you'd like me to report on my progress, just leave a reply.
Success to all.
P.
