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Is it okay to stop taking Cymbalta (Duloxetine)?

B

boston340

Greenlighter
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
12
Greetings all,

After years of drug abuse I think I am coming full circle. About ten months ago I quit using oxycontin/heroin with the help of Suboxone. The withdrawal wasn't pleasant but also not as bad as I expected. Three months ago I stopped taking clonazepam after three years with the help of gabapentin (the withdrawals were worse but manageable). I am now off the gabapentin. The only drug I take now (aside from alcohol/occasional pot ...both in control) is Cymbalta, or duloxetine. I feel great, life is moving forward with work and grad school and all that.

I want to get off all drugs. My doctor sees no reason why I should stop taking it but things are starting to get serious with my girlfriend. She's never taken any drugs in her life. She could tell when I was getting off the clonazepam that things weren't right with me and I recently told her I stopped taking gabapentin and she doesn't really get why I was on all that shit (neither do I :). She doesn't want me to take any drugs. I've always felt the same and my goal was to stop taking all drugs anyway.

So, with this in mind, what are the withdrawal symptoms from an SSNRI/SSRI like? Anyone with experience with Cymbalta? I've heard it is the most addicting drug of them all (though five years ago when I was on it I stopped taking it so I could roll at a festival and it wasn't bad). Any other advice?

Thanks,
Boston340
 
Cymbalta can cause some pretty serious WD I believe. Nothing like opiates or benzos, but a real uncomfortable WD that can last a long time. I would taper over 8 weeks or whatever.
 
Never just quit taking SSRI/SNRIs cold turkey. First your doctor should assess if coming off them now is a good idea or not. Secondly you have to taper off them so your system doesn't experience the shock of rapidly changing up your brain chemistry. Lastly, sounds like you have been on a regimen that requires gradual steps to assure you are mentally healthy and ready to live your life clean. Remember, easy does it one step at a time... :)
 
burntserkits said:
Never just quit taking SSRI/SNRIs cold turkey. First your doctor should assess if coming off them now is a good idea or not. Secondly you have to taper off them so your system doesn't experience the shock of rapidly changing up your brain chemistry. Lastly, sounds like you have been on a regimen that requires gradual steps to assure you are mentally healthy and ready to live your life clean. Remember, easy does it one step at a time... :)
Click to expand...

This is really good advice. I was switched to Cymbalta from Lexapro about two years ago and it has been working great for me. My depression is all but gone. Unfortunately about a year ago I thought I could just stop taking it and suffered some unpleasant withdrawal. I would not recommend suddenly stopping an SSRI/SNRI. If you want to taper, work with your doctor.
 
^thanks. Every now and again you'll catch me acting like I know what I'm talking about ;) I'm glad Cymbalta is working well for you. These newer SNRIs are picking up where the older seratonin-loving anti-depressants lack that certain luster. There is another new one on the market called Savella but it's hard to find anyone who's using it much...yet.
 
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