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I began taking Cymbalta for depression on January ...

Sent to Health Experts February 10 2006 at 6:54 AM
   

I began taking Cymbalta for depression on January 10, 2005. I started at 30 mg and within a month my doctor increased my dose to 60mg. January 31, 2006 I met with my doctor and I asked to come off the medication because I was doing better. He said ok, told me to cut my dose in half for one week and then I would be done. He told me to watch out for signs of depression that I had a year ago and to call him if I had any problems. I took 30 mg for one week and am now off the drug. I am experiencing substantial emotional and physical side effects. I realize there are many theories as to how to wean yourself off of a drug, but I have lost confidence in my doctor and am not sure where to turn. Do you have any suggestions?

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February 10 2006 at 7:05 AM (10 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
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As you probably realize, you were taken off Cymbalta too quickly. It can take months to wean off of an anti-depressant if you wish to experience few withdrawal symptoms. The dosage has to be tapered off slowly. The side effects that you are having are the symptoms of withdrawal and most often they will stop within a few weeks. I don;t know what kind of doctor you are using but a psychiatrist or neurologist is probably the best kind if doctor to help with this. They may be more familiar with the weaning process. I would definitely inform a doctor of what is happenening. Then you could either choose to go back on the med, get re-established to where you feel good and come off very slowly, or tough it out over the next few weeks while you go through withdrawal. Either way, it would be best to be under a doctor's care while you go through this.

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February 10 2006 at 7:23 AM (18 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
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