Anybody succeed in quitting Cymbalta?

I am looking for tips on how to quit Cymbalta. My girlfriend has been on it for 9 years now because of her Fibromyalgia and I would like to be able to help her anyway I can. I am finding lots of info on weening off but I am yet to read any real success stories on quitting and staying off Cymbalta. Cold turkey is out of the question for us because we have tried it and it was to much for her to handle. Has anybody weened off the 60mg dose and been able to stay off for longer than a month? We have been going thru doctors but none seem to ever help and just want to pack on more meds. We would like to do this with the least amount of meds or at least hear some success stories on what meds work. Also what about medical marijuana? Has that been able to help anyone? Any advice is appreciated, THANK YOU

Hi there,

I am sorry for what she is going through. Cymbalta is a very hard drug to go off of, she may have to go onto another drug to get off of it and then wean off of that drug. It can be done, and there is some rough spots, but it is doable...

She may have to separate beebee's if it is a capsule form. The doc would be the best option.

I use medical marijuana. You can get it with more cbd's in it and less thc to help with pain. But it also is good for anxiety, depression and relaxing muscles. It does relax me and helps with pain. Also overall mood. I think it helps to cope with having a chronic illness.

I really would get with the doctor, if they suggest switching to another med and then tapering off, I think that would be a good idea. But if they can get her off of it without other meds that would be even better.

I hope she starts to feeling better soon. Why does she want to stop the Cymbalta? If it is working and has worked for nine years, that is a good thing. The withdrawal effects are bad, but don't last only a week or so.

Hugs, Karen...

Thanks I will look into those other medication. The Hydrocodone doesn't have severe side affects at least compared to the cymbalta? We are looking for the most natural and least side affects we can find. She is 29 and is really missing out on a lot because of side affects and I just want to be able to help anyway I can all your input is greatly appreciated.

I have been on a lot of pills for depression for years. Yes they want to hand out more pills. If your on these pills, please don't cold turkey! I lost it and went to the Dr. He said I could have had a seizure or a heart attack. Which I felt like I was having! Went back on, then with each pill I put it on the counter and spilt a fourth out of it and took that for 2 weeks, still we small amount going to feel some strange stuff, but don't let it upset you. That will be a drawback. Done this will a lot of those pills. Was on 9 at one time. Didn't help me. Now only on 50 mgs. Zoloft. Feeling fine, so will take away the last 50 mgs. Next week! Do have Clonazapam around for if I need it, not for pain, but when I'm feeling anxiety. Have hyrocodon for pain. Sure didn't work yesterday. Do watch what I eat though. Just told someone today, they give out these pills for depression and they make me more depressed.

I was on Cymbalta for a few years and just never saw it really helping. My dr. had me slowly decrease over 2 months time before I stopped and I did have a few bad days of being dizzy, but I got off.

We tried Wellbutrin and it stopped working, so i just did the same slow tapering off. I have been off for a couple of years now and really see no difference on or off that class of medication for me.

I would see what the dr suggests on how to slowly taper off. (NEVER go cold turkey off of that class of drugs.)

Hi 87,

Years ago my doctor prescribed Cymbalta and encouraged me to stay on it even though I felt it wasn't beneficial. Doctors sometimes say: you need to take it for a while to feel the benefits. I took it for about 3 months and I felt as if I was living in a fog. I felt like a zombie.

Tired of being encouraged to take meds by my doctors, I didn't call his office, I looked up how to go off of it, and I stopped. It didn't help me at all with my fibro pain like he felt it would.

I hope all goes well.