Posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 18:33:07
In reply to Cymbalta and Amitriptyline withdrawl, posted by Fontaine on November 25, 2008, at 16:39:50
20 years is a long time. The body, brain, hormones, and nervous system are not going to adapt in days or weeks, but more like in months. Even though psych meds can be lifesavers for some people, if/when the med is ever stopped, it can leave some people with new problems they never had before, which could be temporary or they could be permanent. Either way, as you know, it does not feel good and definitely gets in the way of trying to make progress.
Cymbalta is really powerful and most people do have harsh withdrawals from it, even after just a few days or a few weeks.
As suggested already, you might consider going back to a higher dose, though lower than where you came from, and resume a longer slower weaning process with tinier steps. Cymbalta can be custom-dosed by emptying a capsule and taking a portion of the beads sprinkled on applesauce or yogurt (do not chew them, they are enteric coated). The capsule is not enteric coated, just the beads inside. Approximately 10 beads equals 1mg. Cymbalta for example, you could go from 15mg to 12mg to 10mg to 8mg to 6mg to 4mg to 2mg to 0, spending about 4 days or more at each dose. Longer if needed.
Pills can be cut into custom sizes. Contents of capsules, whether beads or powders, can be emptied out and split up into custom doses, and you can use the end of a pointed knife to dump your custom size dose into an empty gelcap (from Whole Foods Market or any natural store).
Basically, the slower you can wean off, and the smaller each step is along the way, the easier time your body will have to adjust. Too much too fast equals shock and trauma to your system, and lots of weird mysterious things happening that can be scary because you don't know what they are, if they are temporary, if so how long, or maybe permanent. Go slow.
Or if you want to tough it, people have done that too.
Personally I would skip the supplements. There is no evidence anywhere those things are helpful for cymbalta or TCA withdrawals. It is someone's well thought out idea, but certainly not a fact, not at all tested. It is just one more thing to confuse things and maybe get side effects from. Best thing is to eat lots of fresh or slightly cooked veggies...lots...and lots of proteins, go light on sugars and caffeine, and drink lots of purified water. That will give your body all it needs. If there is any one single supplement that might be worthy, it would be fish oil+borage oil, or cod liver oil+borage oil, in low to medium doses.
poster:bleauberry
thread:865235
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081123/msgs/865261.html