Should I come off duloxetine/Cymbalta after 3 months after continued side effects? I am in the UK.

Question

My doctor knows nothing about anti-depressants, the mental health service have refused help, and I cannot afford private help. I am trying to work this out myself, which is far from ideal, but I don't have a choice.

I was on citalopram for 13 years (10 of which unnecessary as I had recovered), but had relapse after stopping abruptly on doctors advice. It's now been a year and I was put on duloxetine 12 weeks ago. I was OK for about 4 weeks, but then I started getting dizzy, fatigue, confusion and agitation. This happened at week 5, 7, 10 and again in week 12. I have also had diarrhea every morning for 3 weeks. I know these are all common side effects.

10 days ago I was tired of chronic diarrhea, so reduced dose from 60mg to 30mg. Yesterday it all kicked in again. Could hardly get out of bed - still in bed now and been suicidal. The only thing that has triggered my anxiety and depression since taking the duloxetine has been these spells of side effects. They last 2-3 days, then I suffer anxiety or depression (or both) for a further 3-4 days.

Today has by far been the worst - quite likely due to the withdrawal catching up, but should I go back to 60mg and reduce slower, or stick with it? I just don't know, and I have no-one to help. Please... anyone... some help. I would be so grateful.

I should also add that I have been tapering Citalopram, but still on it as I don't know what is causing the side effects. Below is what I have covered thus far;

Week 1 20mg Cit / 30mg Dulox
Weeks 2-3 10mg / 60mg
Weeks 4-5 5mg / 60mg
Weeks 6-11 10mg / 60mg
Weeks 12 10mg / 30mg

Thank you all so much

Answer

I had to come off Cymbalta, too. I looked on FB because there is a support group called Cymbalta Hurts Worse. People actually count beads to slowly withdraw. I talked to my doctor and he put me on a "Prozac Bridge" plan. Most on the FB site said that it doesn't work, but it did for me. I could not stand the  weight gain  and the "stone" feeling - totally unemotional. Cymbalta is quite a drug. It treats so many different ailments. I did not like it at all. Speak to your doctor and slowly slowly wean if you can. Good luck!

Answer

Hello invalid-username, I too was put on Duloxetine and my doctor had to take me off. It caused me many side effects... especially with stomach upset. I needed to see a Gastroenterologist to help me out. He also, informed me that it can cause intestinal problems in some people. Contact your doctor to let him know or these symptoms.

Take care & be well

Answer

Hi iun! This is KathyInFL from CW. I am locked out of my account there and can't contact anyone, I was wondering if you could contact Ken the webmaster and have him look at my account? I did nothing wrong, the website is giving me some sort of database error.

As for coming off Cymbalta, yes, do it! Slow wins the race as the Hat says... I can't get in touch with anyone there, this will teach me to get email addresses of those I talk to on forums!

Answer

Hi invalid-user. I am going to try to give you my advise. I have been taking Cymbalta/Duloxetine for almost 10 years and I am tapering off now. It has been a nightmare for me because my doctor has no idea how this drug has ruined my life. I originally started this medication for chronic nerve pain but it caused me to have anxiety, depression and so much more. I had almost every horrible side effect that is on the list and some that aren't on the list but should be. I also gained over 80 pounds during this time. I am in a group for people coming off this drug because of all the problems and there are over 17,000 people in it now. I have been tapering since June last year (2017) and I'm down from 60 mg to 15 mg. I am tapering at 10% of the last dosage taken every two weeks. When you go off these drugs too fast you can experience what is called 'Discontinuation Syndrome'. Sometimes it can last a long time.

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You can google it to find out more information on it. When many people get to the lower dosages the tapering must be slowed down or they will have more problems. I think I went down too soon the last time because I am experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia and I feel like I have the flu and a cold. It can really mess with the sinus's too. I find the slower I taper the better I can handle it. Another thing is that the same things apply with Citalopram. Plus there is a major interaction between the two medications. I believe you should be tapering off one at a time. That's the way that I've been doing it and that's the way that it's usually advised. I have already tapered off Lyrica and that's another bad drug (imo). Personally I would start tapering the Duloxetine first but I would start with 60 mg and stay there until your body stabilizes and then start your taper at 10% ever 2 weeks. Some people can go a bit faster and some have to go a bit slower. Just listen to what your body is saying; it will let you know when you should start tapering and if you are tapering too fast. I really hope that you can make sense of this. My brain is on pause today but I really wanted to help you. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them. Please take care and I wish you the best. Cindy

Answer

Sorry you are having this trouble. If it were me I would try to titrate down fro 60 mg to 40 mg, but you have to do this slowly. First, continue the citalopram but at just 5 mg. Then you will require both 60 and 40 mg of dulox. Your titration looks as follows:
Month 1: Mon. 40 mg Dulox; remaining days of week 60 mg
Month 2: Mon. and Tues. 40 mg Dulox; remaining days of week 60 mg
Month 3: Mon., Tues. and Wed. 40 mg Dulox; remaining days of the week 60 mg
Month 4: Mon., Tues., Wed. and Thurs. 40 mg Dulox; remaining days of week 60 mg
Month 5: Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs. and Fri. 40 mg Dulox; remaining days of the week 60 mg
Month 6: Mon., Tues., Wed. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. 40 mg Dulox; remaining day of week 60
Month 7: 40 mg Dulox everyday

Depending on how you feel at 40 mg you can go to 30 mg by mixing 30 mg dosage in the same way you mixed in the 40 mg dosage above.

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These titrations must be done very slowly for both comfort sake and to avoid any longer term health issues. Best to try to find the lowest dosage of these meds that is also effective enough to allow us to manage our conditions. IMHO it is ridiculous that you were put on 60 mg of Dulox while maintaining a full 10 mg of Citolapram.

Good luck and all the best.

Should I come off duloxetine/Cymbalta after 3 months after continued side effects? I am in the UK.

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