613 replies to this topic

[fishinghat]

If you have been taking it only for a week it is doubtful that it caused your floaters. It seemed to me like you started mentioning them longer than a week ago. 

[Howtostoppropperly]

the floaters were there already from March this year but not the blurry vision FH. That started earlier this week.

I'm going to 22.50mg this weekend... determined to stop!!

[fishinghat]

I understand then you may be right about the 5htp. Thanks

[Howtostoppropperly]

Hi all, is it perhaps an idea to take the Cymbalta before sleeping so I have less side effects during the day? what are your oppions guys?

[gail]

Hi there,

A member here, Anndi or anndy, did the switch from morning to evening. Cymbalta made her sleepy all morning and now she is doing ok.

So, why not? I would go for it!

Now, tell me, Moscow tomorrow? Or was it last month? I do get lost with your travels!

[Howtostoppropperly]

Hi Gail, I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Moskou but I won't see much I think because it's a tight schedule overthere.

[Howtostoppropperly]

which srri meds do you guys advise to cross tamper from cymbalta, mainly for anxiety?

[fishinghat]

The three we most often recommend is Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro. Lexapro has a shorter half life so a significant withdrawal but still better than Cymbalta, Zoloft is a typical ssri and Prozac, the original ssri, usually works fine but does have a reputation to poop out easily.

[Howtostoppropperly]

thanks FH, how do you recommend to tamper C to for example zo loft?

[fishinghat]

Most drs take 4 to 6 weeks. Dropping your dose of C around 20% each week and starting the Zoloft at 50 mg and then increasing it by 25 mg per week after. It does vary some dr to dr though.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I think I going to switch to sipralexa (lexapro) because I can't stand the side effects of C anymore... I will do it on my own because I don't believe in psychiatric doctors anymore for me.

FH, I'm now on 25mg C... how would you tamper to lexapro and at what dose?

thanks for the help!!

[fishinghat]

First choice - Lexapro takes 4 to 6 weeks to kick in. The recommended dose is 10 mg BUT considering how low you are on the Cymbalta it may not be necessary to take a full 10 mg. Lexapro tablets are scored so they may be split easily. I would suggest starting with 5 mg/day for the first 3 to 4 weeks. If no improvement in symptoms then go to 10 mg. It should not take 10 mg to handle the level of C you are at know. Once you are stable on the Lexapro then you can cut out the Cymbalta over the next 3 weeks.

 

Now this isn't a typical cross taper because normally you would reduce the C at the same time as the Lexapro but that exposes the individual to Cymbalta withdrawal while waiting for the Lexapro to kick in.

 

There is also a safety concern about being on two antidepressants at the same time. It can cause serotonin syndrome which is a serious condition. It is characterized by a fever of 102 or higher. It is very unlikely this would occur in your case as you would be on a low dose of both for that 4 weeks or so.

 

I am trying to keep the dose of Lexapro low so that you will have less difficulties coming off of it later. If need you can go to 10 mg.

 

Your second choice is 5 mg of Lexapro each day and drop the Cymbalta to 20 mg the first week, 15 the second week, and 5 the third week.

 

Your choice. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I presume that the first method is more smooth then the second method but if I choose the second one together with 0.25 Xanax each day during the transition I get through it much faster, isn't it.

isn't that the best method then FH.

thanks man!!!

[fishinghat]

The second method is faster but it may leave you with a small benzo problem afterward. You can deal with that when the time comes.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I've being thinking this through and I'm not going to taper because I'm already this far with dismanteling C and mentally I'm pretty okay.
If I taper to another AD, I will have to suffer for other side effects. I'm going for dismanteling C further and further wit 0.25mg xanax when needed.

[fishinghat]

I think that is a good idea. just remember ...slow and steady.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Like 2.5mg a week FH?

[fishinghat]

That sounds about right. Don't forget those last few beads create havoc so when you get down to 20 beads or so I would drop about 1 bead a day.

[Howtostoppropperly]

But here in Belgium 20mg has about 190 beads so that would implicate that it would last another 6 months???

[fishinghat]

I thought you were on 30 mg HTSP  at 150 beads?

[gail]

I am confused! Are you at 22.5mg presently? Off to bed!

[Howtostoppropperly]

30mg is about 300 beads. I went from 30 to 20mg and then back to 25mg because that was to fast. If I go to 20mg, I'm at 190,beads. If I lower from then with 1 bead, it takes 190 days... That couldn't be the case I think hey?

[Howtostoppropperly]

Last 3 days lots of anxiety guys so I take 0.25mg Xanax after lunch. Also much higher pain level in my skin all over. I'm confused/scared if this is the beginning of a new depression...

[gail]

30mg is about 300 beads. I went from 30 to 20mg and then back to 25mg because that was to fast. If I go to 20mg, I'm at 190,beads. If I lower from then with 1 bead, it takes 190 days... That couldn't be the case I think hey?

Fishinghat meant that the last 10 beads not mg. are to be tapered by one bead a day.

Just a thought here, cross tapering might be a good idea. I would not go lower than the 25mg and perhaps even go back up on 30mg, at that dosage, you seemed to be doing good.

You know that many people need to be on antidepressants, nothing wrong there. A certain quality of life is primordial! Let's see what the Captain has to say about this. He is sleeping for sure at this time.

[Howtostoppropperly]

That's right but there are to many side effects on Cymbalta so that med isn't giving me much joy in life! I've had it and each day I fight as a lion.

I think I'm going to ask for neurotin for my nerfpains in my skin. If that's under control, I can quit C., now I can't due to these pains, thats obvious.

[Howtostoppropperly]

Which is by the way, the easiest to get off Benzo?!

[fishinghat]

The best way to get off benzos is water titration method. Its too early to worry about that now but once you are off the C then we can deal with that.

[Howtostoppropperly]

I ment the name of which benzo is the easiest to come off afterwards?

Does someone know Something About meds for nerfpains? For example neurotin or gabapentine

[fishinghat]

Xanax and valium are the easiest.

 

Gabapentin is the generic version of Neurotin. It has a good reputation in handling peripheral neuropathy. The product is not used much here since the FDA linked it to Pancreatic and liver cancer. It has no withdrawal and usually few side effects. Many drs here use Lyrica which has a stiff withdrawal but not as bad as Cymbalta.

[gail]

FH, what about lidocaine patches?

For myself, valium is the easiest to withdraw from as it comes in small dosages. It is easy to cut. I don't use the water method. To each his own way! Worry about that when the time is right, you will know.