Withdrawal

Hi all

I was on Cymbalta for about a year. I talked to my primary as I felt it wasn’t working. We decided I should go back on Lexapro. He told me to discontinue the Cymbalta and immediately start taking the Lexapro, at my original dose of 20 mg. No tapering down on the Cymbalta, no tapering up on the Lexapro. I believe I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms as I am nauseous, vomiting, stomach problems and a bunch of other symptoms. Has anyone experienced this? How long does it last? 😣

[Hidden]

What kind of doctor is this, primary care? As far as I know, there should always be a tapering of the dose, not stopping one cold. If you are able to, see a psychiatrist. I finally bit the bullet 8-10 years ago, and it has helped immensely.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was seeing one and she is being let go for lack of compassion. The new one starts middle of March

[kittenkisses91]

Hi Finallyfree0210, I actually just did the opposite. I was on Lexapro and switched to Cymbalta. I was taking 30 mg of Lexapro, 10 mg in the morning and 20 mg at night. My psychiatrist had my taper off the Lexapro for 4 weeks. For this first 2 weeks I cut down to 20 mg of Lexapro and I started taking 30 mg of Cymbalta. Then 2 weeks later I cut down to 10 mg of Lexapro with the 30 mg of Cymbalta. Then 2 weeks later I stopped the Lexapro and started taking 60mg of Cymbalta.

Your doctor probably should of had you taper off the Lexapro. Hopefully the withdrawal symptoms stop soon! Maybe you should talk to your doctor about it.

[Hidden]

Yes, I too have also tapered in the past. In my haste to start a new medicine so I can start to feel well, it slipped my mind. It’s been two weeks now and I’ve been feeling ill. 😖

[Marshall64]

I got brain zaps when I went off Cymbalta cold turkey. If you are not familiar with this phenomenon, you can google it. It sucked. I didn't know what it was until later when I read about it. Just google "brain zaps SSRI".

[Hidden in reply to Marshall64]

I’m feeling betrayed. What I am reading says months to taper down to switch and more time to taper onto the Lexapro. And it sounds like I am suffering from Serotonin Discontinuation Syndrome 😣

[Marshall64 in reply to Hidden]

I'm on lexapro now. I didn't taper up, I actually did it the other way only because that is how my sister did it and it worked for her. My doctor (GP) wasn't crazy about it but let me do it. He said that 20 mg of lexapro can cause anxiety. I wanted it in my system as much as possible because i was in a bad place. I started off at 20, went to 15, and then down to 10mgs where i am now. I was taking wellbutrin at the time and i tapered down on that (the cymbalta was some years back).

I'm surprised that your doctor didn't taper you down. It seems to be the prevailing thing to do on antidepressants.

[Veelala in reply to Hidden]

I’m on it too and I didn’t have to taper down from my other meds

[Hidden in reply to Veelala]

Interesting. Any side effects?

[Veelala in reply to Hidden]

I didn’t really notice anything out of the normal. But u should speak back with your doc about it maybe he can tell you something.Good luck

[Rebekah1976]

I definitely feel nauseas with dizziness if I miss a dose or two of my Cymbalta. I’ve tried coming off in the past and experienced “brain zaps” too. Weird to even say I’m taking a medication that gave me brain zaps, but it really does help my mental health a lot with the help of Wellbutrin for seasonal depression/anxiety.

[Hidden in reply to Rebekah1976]

I’m glad it’s helping you. I love my primary doctor. But there’s a reason people go see psychiatrists! It messed me up when he switched me cold turkey from Cymbalta to Lexapro. But I am doing well now ☺️. Have a good Holiday Weekend 🥰