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Woof: Cymbalta re-stabilization, after cold turkey withdrawal


woof

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Scally,

 

I went back and re-read that link on reinstatement and updosing. 

 

A lot of new information is there.

 

Thanks Again,

Woof:)

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 4 weeks later...
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I know we have spoken about it in the past, but It does seem that virtually all of the sx's I get are 4 weeks after my Valium cuts.

 

My understanding is that most people feel the Valium wd sx's after 1 week, when 50% of the Valium is out of one's system. 

 

Do you think it is more likely that these sx's are from the Valium taper or from some ripples/waves from Cymbalta readjusting to the decrease in Valium after 4 weeks of a Valium cut?

 

Any thoughts are appreciated.:(

 

Thanks,

Woof:)

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 2 months later...

This is the best I have felt since July 4 2016.

 

With each cut the sx's are less severe.

 

With the last cut, I had no sx's at all for the first 4 weeks.

 

With each cut I have had 3-5/10 anxiety during weeks 5 & 6 and then one morning I wake and the anxiety is completely gone and does not return.

This pattern has occurred with each cut.  So I have been using this as my guide as to when to cut.

 

My sx's at this point seem to perfectly correlate with job stress.  We had a real serious issue which lasted for about 3 weeks, right at week 5 of my cut, so I had a lot of anxiety for that period. Collateral damage. But all is good for now.:)

 

After an 8 week hold at 19mg Valium, I cut down to 17.5mg this Monday and as usual I feel happy with no anxiety whatsoever - at least for the first 2 weeks with the first few cuts and now for the first 4 weeks. :)

 

I strongly speculate that what I experience after the first 4 weeks have passed and the amount of Valium cut is out of my system, is the Cymbalta adjusting.

The Cymbalta is working so hard to keep me going with all of the Valium induced suppression.

 

I must conclude that the sx's are decreasing due to the passage of time which is finally allowing the Cymbalta to stabilize.

 

I never had a problem with Cymbalta, until I CT'd, because I had heard that antidepressants were bad.  I should have read-up on tapering a bit before my CT - ya think. :)

 

 

All the best,

Woof:)

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm pleased to read that you are doing well.  Thank you for updating us on how your are.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone have any experience with Kava (Kava Kava)?

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • Moderator

Stay away from it!! 

 

Here's a post I did several weeks ago about Kava:

 

"I would like to point out that SA does not condone the use of Kava Kava.  It is essentially an snri and an sdri long with having similar affects as Benzos. It is also highly active on the GABA receptors.  It can reach tolerance in as little as three months and must be carefully tapered.  It interferes with the metabolizing of most psychotropic drugs by affecting the liver and can cause severe liver damage with just a few months use.  We recommend that you stay away from this supplement."

 

Do a google search on survivingantidepressants kava kava and you'll get a lot of information.

Edited by brassmonkey
Added old post

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Hi Tom,

 

I see that you recent tapered all the way off - I am so very happy for you.:)

 

I want to thank you, Andy and all of you at SA for all of your: help, education, support and encouragement.

 

I will definitely stay away from Kava Kava; thank you for this information and the direction to go to get additional information.

 

Woof:)

 

 

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 5 months later...

Hello Everyone,

 

With my Valium cuts and holds, every cut and hold has been easier and easier to the point now where I have had no symptoms 5 weeks into this cut, except for my 2-3/10 tinnitus which I had when I first found SA.

 

This is the first cut in which I have not experienced hematochezia, which I have felt was secondary to the Valium taper. 

 

I believe that perhaps the Valium taper has led to a very slight hyperactivity of the Cymbalta, leading to increased Serotonin, sequestering of platelets and hematochezia.

 

It has now been 1 year and 3 months since I updosed back to 20mg Cymbalta q AM and the Cymbalta has been stabilizing quite nicely during period of time while I have been tapering Valium after being on it for almost 1 year. 

 

I believe this is perhaps why my Valium cuts and holds have been easier and shorter as I have gone down in dosage; as opposed to others, where cuts and holds become more difficult at lower doses and may require smaller cuts with longer holds. 

 

This last cut was the first in which I only held for 7 weeks, as opposed to 8 weeks as I had with all of the prior Valium cuts and holds.

 

My plan now is to make my next Valium cut in one week, after a 6 week hold, unless something should change.

 

I wonder if anyone else has experienced a decrease in sx's as their benzo dose has decreased?

 

Does anyone know if benzo's, Valium in my case, have an exponential dose curve similar to SSRI/SSNRI which makes cutting less and holding longer at lower doses very common? 

 

I will post this on the AD site to see if anyone there can help me to understand this, so that we can help others who come to SA in situations similar to mine - when I first found SA.

 

Thanks,

Woof:)

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 1 month later...

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 2 months later...

Cymbalta has fully stabilized and the only wd sx I have now is 2/10 tinnitus.

 

Valium taper is going great, down from 28mg/d to 8mg/d. 

 

I am finally feeling like myself again.

 

Thank you all for all of your help.

Woof

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • Moderator Emeritus

That's really good news to hear.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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ChessieCat,

 

Thank you for the positive, kind words.

 

I have not felt cruddy for about 3 months now.  I don't know for certain if this is how the taper will continue,  but I just continue to feel better and better with each cut. 

 

This was the first weekend in 2.5 years that I went out with some friends (outside my closest friends and family) and I had a really good time - that was weird, but I'll take it.

 

Kindest Regards,

Woof

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 3 months later...

90% of Benzo tapers are successful after 6 months use while only 44% are successful after use for 1 year. 

Prior to commencing with an antidepressant taper please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's, from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved.  if one has been on an antidepressant for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of withdrawal; please consider what problems an antidepressant is causing you, if any,  prior to commencing with a taper.

 

2004-2015  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain only - No problems at all with Cymbalta.   Nov 2015 CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  Jan 2015 Reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.  Planned to taper Valium after 6 months.  Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well.

 

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered.  Had 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, darkNovember 2016, UPDOSED (41 beads) to 20mg Cymbalta - from , dark to light.😀   

 

VALIUM: 2017 - 28 to 16mg.  2018 - 16 to 4mg.  Cymbalta has fully stabilized and is now helping with the Valium taper.  The only wd sx I have now, during this Valium taper, is 2/10 Tinnitus! 😀

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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2 hours ago, woof said:

90% of Benzo tapers are successful after 6 months use while only 44% are successful after use for 1 year. 

 

Hi, Woof.  First off, good to hear you are doing well where you have stabilized.  

 

Not sure where this data comes from and I'm really not sure what it means.  How does one define "successful"?  Getting off the meds?  Feeling well after getting off the meds?  Feeling as well as before getting on the meds?  I'd be very leery of trying to figure this one out and it would be highly dependent on the group that was being studied, how they went about it, any other confounding factors, etc.  Anecdotally, I'd say that over time I see much better results than that on benzo tapers that are slow and careful.

 

2 hours ago, woof said:

Prior to commencing with an antidepressant taper please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's, from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved.  if one has been on an antidepressant for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of withdrawal; please consider what problems an antidepressant is causing you, if any,  prior to commencing with a taper.

 

It's always good advice to be as stable as possible when you begin any taper, however, there are factors that will sometimes not allow for that kind of care and precisions (e.g., adverse effects, pregnancy, etc.).  To the extent one has the luxury of time, being stable after one taper before another is good advice.  The second portion of this is a very tough question and goes to the heart of why someone wants to get off the meds in the first place.  One can be stable but not experiencing the full range of emotions.  Another may be fearful of the potential for long-term damage because, as we all know, the studies of these meds were never done over the long term.  Your point that it is important for people to consider the consequences if certainly valid, however, but the answers can be very complicated and may go deeper than simply "don't rock the boat".  

 

I think you have done a great job of finding that delicate balance where you could get stable and that has allowed you to have success in the valium taper.  Congrats and continued good luck with that.  Is your expectation to stay on the Cymbalta thereafter or do you plan to try to taper it at some point in the future?  No judgment either way -- just curious since I followed your story so closely from the outset.  To be clear, while SA would love to help all members successfully taper off all drugs we recognize that is not always possible and reducing the drug load to where it has less medical significance while allowing quality of life, i.e., maximum harm reduction, is the true intent.  You are doing great.

 

Best,

 

Andy 

 

 

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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Woof, please cite the sources for the data in your last post. It's frightening to think that only 44% of people are successful when they've been on a benzo for over a year, and as Andy pointed out, context is important. 

 

We try to encourage people that with a slow and careful taper and plenty of non-drug coping skills, they will be successful, no matter how long they were on them. We don't have a reason to suggest anything else, as there are plenty of long-term users' success stories on this cite, as well as on the various benzo withdrawal cites, to support our theory. 

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

Hello Shep and Andy,😊

 

I have never had an experience like this in my life and you have helped me so much to get through this ordeal. 

 

The love which you bestow upon complete strangers is amazing.  

 

I have also learned a tremendous amount, I can't thank you enough.   

 

for the lack of reference this is not a quote I am paraphrasing.  Will Hall's book on harm reduction: 90% of Benzo tapers are successful after 6 months use 44% are successful after use for 1 year.  

For my particular case I believe I may have done things differently, only in that sense did I think it might be helpful to some others in a situation similar to mine.  

🐼

 

I am consonant with your comments above and believe them to be true, as these are very depressing stats and I don't think we really need any more depression on this site.

Your sentiment is also why I did not even attempt to make this into a topic, as it would only apply to a benzo user who had used Benzo's for less than 6 months when they get to SA.  In that situation I would recommend that the person stabilize on the AD and attempt to taper off of the Benzo first.  In this fashion the addiction and withdrawal from the benzo is not as dynamic, also I don't believe an AD is fully stable after a CT until the brain does not have additonal nueral modifiers keeping the brain from true homeostasis. 

 

My plan before coming to AD was to taper off of the Valium at the 6 month mark, that being said I probably would have taken the Lamictal when it was offered to me and then been addicted to Lamictal.  Alternatively, Lamictal could have solved all problems the old fashion way, get toxic epidermal necrosis and die in a burn unit - Thanks Andy! 

 

Or what if I would have taken Cipro for my prostatitis and gone into a siezure and necrosed my CNS - no problems there either.🙄

 

I am a man who is responsible for all of his actions and I also understand that the things I learned at SA may have very well saved my life.   Lastly I know that nothing is perfect we all just try our best. 

The civility and love I have experienced at SA is in a word, unique.

 

Doctors are still prescribing AD's like candy in particular to Peri-menopausal women for hot flashes absent evidence of depression or anxiety.


Alto, If this is a violation of the promotion of goods policy I sincerely apologize, but if we can get the word out it would not only help so many to avoid the terror of ADs, also to help them attain the care they deserve which will actually address the issue. 

In an effort to help those in need by addressing the real issue; that is, a lack of hormones perhaps we could help to make people aware of the first truly Bio-Identical hormones (no horse or synthetics) replacement which you get inserted once every 3-4 months. The company is known as BioTe.  Some very knowledgeable women advised me of Bio-Te and how it changed there lives.  I think it would be wonderful if we saw a substantial decrease of people on this site, because they had been made aware of a natural, safe, non-addicting manner in which to treat Peri-menopausal health issues - treat the genesis of the problem.  This is state of the art medicine and will be the standard of care within the next 10-15 years (big pharma is strong). This is the first attempt in modern medicine which I am aware in which true preventative medicine is being performed.   BioTe also address: Weight, Osteoporosis, Hypertension, Cardio vascular events, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer (yes, once big pharma was selling it the truth came out), minimize/eliminate dementia/Alzheimer's, energy, Libido and an overall sense of well being like when we were kids and felt so good. Why was that no stress and lots of hormones.  Why are people fatter when they are over 30 - LACK OF HORMONES not lack of exercise, like kids are so active today with their Iphones and video games...Brave New World and SOMA (AD, Benzo's  and Social Media) 

 

I am heading towards the conclusion of my 2 plus year taper with Valium and I am doing well; not w/d normal, but normal for me:rolleyes: whatever that is.  

 

I am stuck with Cymbalta for life, but I now know there are definitely worse things which can happen - ya think.:huh:

 

Much Love, Joy and Thanks to you both,

Woof😊

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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Hello woof,  Congratulations on your successful withdrawal from Valium.  When you say...."I am stuck with Cymbalta for life...."  do you mean you will maintain your current dose and not taper?  Thanks,

G.  

  

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, Multi vit., Calcium, D3,  Magnesium, Fish Oil, Melatonin,  Ambien 3.3 mg 1 or 2X/mo.  Benadryl-seldom, .......2002 - eliminated alcohol

2002- Paxil - 20 mg (3 WD attempts: 2005, 2008, 2010)

2011 - 30 mg 

2018 - 40 mg- Sept to Nov} {Dec - 37.5}

Jan 2, 2019 - 35 mg

Jan 11 -  33.75 mg

Jan 28 - 32.5 mg

Feb 4 -  33.75 mg 

Mar 4 - 32 mg

Mar 30 - 30 mg

 

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15 hours ago, woof said:

I have never had an experience like this in my life and you have helped me so much to get through this ordeal. 

 

The love which you bestow upon complete strangers is amazing.  

 

I have also learned a tremendous amount, I can't thank you enough.   

 

I can't speak for Shep, Woof, but I'm happy you are feeling so well and in a good place.  Getting off the V is a big achievement and you should be proud and thrilled.

 

15 hours ago, woof said:

I am doing well; not w/d normal, but normal for me:rolleyes: whatever that is.  

 

This brings a smile to my mouth.

 

15 hours ago, woof said:

I am stuck with Cymbalta for life, but I now know there are definitely worse things which can happen - ya think.:huh:

 

It certainly makes sense for you to move forward for quite some time with your meds unchanged after the Valium withdrawal is complete.

 

Whether or not you are "stuck" with it for life remains to be seen.  There are obviously pros and cons to taking another "run at" getting off in a couple of years, and the landscape of the antidepressant world is likely to change in the intervening period.  For now, just enjoy your life and keep us posted on how you are.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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19 hours ago, apace41 said:

I can't speak for Shep, Woof, but I'm happy you are feeling so well and in a good place.  Getting off the V is a big achievement and you should be proud and thrilled.

 

Yep, this is exactly what I'm thinking, too. 

 

On 1/30/2019 at 9:09 PM, woof said:

I am stuck with Cymbalta for life, but I now know there are definitely worse things which can happen - ya think.:huh:

 

Just a thought, and to add onto Andy's comment "Whether or not you are "stuck" with it for life remains to be seen" - in a couple of years or whenever you feel completely healed from benzo withdrawal, you may consider a snail's pace taper off Cymbalta at just 1% a month. Over a few years, you will have significantly lowered your drug burden, even if you decide to stay on a bit of it. 

 

Again, just a thought, as your phrase "stuck with for life" leads me to think you would like to - at some point - come off. 

 

And if so, we'll be here to give you advice and support. 

 

Again, very happy to read you are off the Valium and doing well. 

 

 

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Hi Shep and Andy,


Thank you all so much!

 

On 2/1/2019 at 7:37 AM, Shep said:

Just a thought, and to add onto Andy's comment "Whether or not you are "stuck" with it for life remains to be seen" - in a couple of years or whenever you feel completely healed from benzo withdrawal, you may consider a snail's pace taper off Cymbalta at just 1% a month. Over a few years, you will have significantly lowered your drug burden, even if you decide to stay on a bit of it. 

 

 

I definitely have the scenario you have described in mind (way deep for now) and appreciate your empathy and total understanding of my fear of even considering tapering off.  So while I am telling myself I will never put you (myself) through this again; I think I may  consider tapering at a time just as you have outlined above.

 

Thank you all so very much for your continued love and consideration,

woof

 

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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Hi Gracee, ☺️

 

Thank you for your kind words and support.

 

I do plan to continue on the 20mg Cymbalta until I am fully stabilized which I anticipate will be 1- 3years (probably 1.5 yrs). 

 

At that time I will consider a taper just as Andy and Shep had spoke of.   If I did taper I would like to try a micro-taper as Shep had mentioned above.

 

Wishing you all the Best,

Woof☺️

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • 1 month later...

A huge thank you to all of you most wonderful individuals!😊

 

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 ZERO!!! 

 

Thanks Again,

Woof😊

If on a Benzo for a relatively short period of time, such as less than 6-12 months, one may want to consider tapering off their Benzo first (please see Will Hall's book on Harm Reduction)

 

Prior to commencing with an AD taper please consider what problems the AD is causing, as tapering is an extremely serious endeavor.   

If one has been on an AD for more than 10 yrs. please consider the potential long term negative consequences of AD withdrawal prior to tapering. (please see Drs. Healy, Glenmullen and Shipko) 

Prior to re-starting an AD taper, please do not resume tapering until all w/d sx's from any prior taper, especially CT, have resolved. 

 

2004 - Dec. 2015,  Cymbalta 20mg/d  for neck pain - Never had problems with Cymbalta.   Dec 2015, CT 20mg/d Cymbalta.  5 weeks later reinstated 20mg/d Cymbalta - without increase in CT sx's.   

Feb 2016 STARTED VALIUM 25mg/d for CT Cymbalta wd sxs.    Jan-April 2016 Held Cymbalta 20mg/d - doing pretty well (AM 3/10 anxiety and 3/10 tinnitus)

April 2016, CT Cymbalta sx's had not yet resolved and I prematurely tapered 10% q 4 wks x 3 mos.  After 3rd cut developed 10/10 wd sx's of Anxiety, Anhedonia, Anorexia, Panic attacks, dark, incresaed Valium to 28mg/d. 

November 2016, after 3 cuts, UP-DOSED all (41 beads) back up to 20mg (193 beads total) Cymbalta - from , dark to light.

VALIUM TAPER: Jan 2017 28mg to March 2019 Zero   Cymbalta has partially stabilized and helped with the Valium taper.  The only sx I have now is 3/10 Tinnitus, which I only notice when it is quiet.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11900-woof-cymbalta-re-stabilization-after-cold-turkey-withdrawal/  Benzo Posts http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11951-woof-valium-scheduling-and-dosage-with-cymbalta-wd-symptoms/

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Congratulations.  Fantastic news and well done.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Way to go woof.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Congratulations!!💚

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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