Yes it does fit the time frame. I was on a high dose of 90mgs. I went to 60 mgs yesterday. That was 24 hours after my last dose of 90 mgs. Today I stayed on the 60 mgs. I was suppose to go out with people I use to work with today. I had to cancel. I feel really exhausted and sick at my stomach.

I was also up a lot last night in pain but that happens to me at times. I'm hoping it is just a fluke that this happening at the same time I'm tapering off cymbalta.

What also happens with SSRI type drugs, is that they change the production and metabolism of serotonin.

When the cell senses the serotonin still in the synapse, the serotonin in the cell declines, as it is not needed.

When you go off the drugs it takes time for the cells to reactivate the synthesis of the needed serotonin under the new conditions of how the synapse works normally.

Taking some l-tryptophan is sometimes helpful in tapers, off SSRIs.. some doctors use it now. Mark on the TBI forum used it to get off long term high dose Paxil.

But early in a taper, it is best not to use l-tryptophan. This amino acid is the precursor to serotonin manufacture using B6 and magnesium as cofactors.

I think 2 day tapers off of the high dose Cymbalta, is way too fast. Most people would have adjustment problems at that schedule. Near the end of the taper, using the tryptophan may be helpful. You can search online "tryptophan SSRI withdrawal" and read what others have used. Some suggest 5-HTP, but I don't like that, as it is basically a drug, and can be harsh. The tryptophan is more natural and slower.

Hi Mrs. D.
When you wrote two days tapering off high dose cymbalta is too fast. Did you mean too soon for side effects or too much to lower my dose by?

I don't think there is really any other way to lower it. I was taking 1 60 mg and 1 30 mg. now I'm taking 60 mgs. Then the doctor told me go to 30 one and 60 the next. The to to 30 for a few days and stop. He said I should be done in a week and a half to two weeks.
What do u think?
As always thanks for your advice!

My wife just came off citalopram (Celexa) and she's been snarfing meclizine (same as Dramamine Less Drowsy, but stronger) daily. That's just about over too. If this continues, you might call your doctor about this, s/he may be able to prescribe some & call it in to your pharmacy.

Doc

Well I thought I saw in your last post that he wanted you do go down 30mg every 2 days? I thought that was way too fast.

Depending on how long you were on them.... the withdrawal may be different. Also some people seem more likely to have problems than others. So this variability seems to make tapers more difficult.

I'd say at least 7 days on each new dose. It is unfortunate that the capsules are not made for this eventuality... Lilly is known for putting capsule only for drugs that may cause problems coming in contact with the mucus membranes of the mouth and throat. Strattera by Lilly, has to be in a capsule because the drug itself is irritating.

Some people open the 30mg Cymbalta and put 1/2 the capsule contents in a empty capsule to get the taper lower than 30mg... down to 15. It is at the very end where most of the undesireable symptoms occur.

Here is one example of Cymbala taper:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsle...antidepressant

If you Google "Cymbalta taper" you'll find more.

Hi Mrs. D.,
I am going to lower my dose once a week as the Harvard chart suggest. As I said my doctor suggested I taper off in a two week period.

You had said the symptoms don't usually appear until the end of tapering. If that is the case I'm going with having a stomach virus. I had to cancel my IVIG today because I'm so nauseous I was afraid I would vomit during it. I'm also so exhausted. I rescheduled for tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll feel better!

Would it be useful after the taper is complete? DW has been off of citalopram for a couple weeks now (taper wasn't off that high a dose, and stepped down a week at a time). At first, as previously mentioned, the nausea & motion sickness were the nemesis, and meclizine helped. Now that that's over, there are severe incapacitating emotional swings.

I've been reading the suggested, but they seem to be talking about taking the l-tryptophan during the taper, as opposed to after.

Also, this article gets cited more than once
http://www.supplements-and-health.co...e-effects.html

Doc

Yes, I think the tryptophan might be very helpful, for even weeks or months after. It requires the cofactors of B6 and magnesium.

B-right by Jarrow has a moderate dose or she could get the P5P, from NOW and use one a day.

Some people get insomnia after SSRIs...because they are not making serotonin properly yet. Serotonin is the precursor for melatonin . So using melatonin for a while might help. Methylcobalamin the cofactor for the conversion of serotonin to melatonin.

Is this trading dependencies? Eventual taper off the tryptophan?

Doc

No there should be no dependency.... tryptophan is in food too.

It just boosts synthesis in the direction of serotonin. Tryptophan has trouble getting into the brain, as other amino acids compete with it. So it is best to take alone away from protein meals.

Precursors are controlled by enzymes, cofactors in synthesis.
There are checks and balances in the body, to only do what is needed. But if enough tryptophan is scarce, less serotonin will be made in the brain.

There should be no let down, unless your wife has some genetic problem with amino acids etc.

5HTP however is only one step away from serotonin, and could give a mild withdrawal. This is why I prefer tryptophan over 5HTP.

Tryptophan is mildly sedating at least for me, so I took it at night.