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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
        
(Message started by: Melissa on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:27pm)

Title: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Melissa on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:27pm

Ok, here's the thing. After I give birth to Ava, I'll be going back on my Cymbalta. Now whenever I go on it, or come off it abruptly, I have 2 weeks of vertigo. I've also come off it tapering (every other day) where I experienced no withdrawl side effects, so I'm wondering if I tapered ONTO the med, I might be able to avoid the vertigo again? Anyone ever try it? I'd take one pill every other day for 10 days and then go to everyday (like tapering off only backwards).

I'm going to need to be on it for my depression (especially post-partum) and to cope with my upcoming cycle.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by brewcrew on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:31pm

Whenever I go back on Sansert I ramp up the dosage. One dose the first day, two doses the second day, full dosage (3x per day) the third. If I don't, I see auras around things, feel like I'm somewhat tripping (because I am) and get diarreah and nausea.

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Charlie on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:35pm

Topamax was one that I had to taper. It's dangerous otherwise....they say. Frankly, it's a PITA.

Good luck Mel. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/pills.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Annette on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:41pm

Hi Mel

Cymbalta comes in 20, 30 and 60 mg tablets. I dont know what the final dosage you would be on but if its more than 20 mg then you really should taper them up from 20 mg per day, building it up slowly, upping the dose every 3 days or so.

If your normal daily dose is 20mg then you can try tapering it up but taking half a tablet a day for a few days then building up.

The problem with tapering up the way you described is that it will cause an up and down in the level of the med and it can make you feel unwell. Tapering down that way is OK because you have a high level of the med already in your body which will drop slowly when you do that. But when you first building it up, you dont have any med level in your blood except for the tablet that you have taken. Therefore taking it every 2nd day will only see the level yo yoing which may or may not make you sick.

This is just the general rule for tapering meds but you should discuss it with your GP because he/she knows you better.

Good luck and hope everything goes well for you.

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Racer1_NC on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:45pm

Like Brew, I have to taper up on Sansert.

B

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Melissa on Dec 9^th, 2007, 7:48pm

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will try it out and see how it goes. Luckily I am sensitive to meds and don't need a lot for it to work.

Annette- Cymbalta is not divisible. It is in a capsule with a time release.

Thanks again!

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Annette on Dec 9^th, 2007, 8:14pm

In Australia, the actual brand name Cymbalta ( Duloxetine) is not available, the equivalent of it is Fluoxetine which comes in immediate release scored tablets.

The 20 mg slow release capsule should be OK to start one daily but if that still causes you side effects then you should mention it to your doctor.

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by chewy on Dec 9^th, 2007, 8:23pm

Quote:

Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?

Verapamil.

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by purpleydog on Dec 9^th, 2007, 9:52pm

Mel,
I've had to taper up on a lot of meds, depakote, neurontin, topomax, amytriptaline, a lot of meds I've tried for CH.

You should talk to your doc, of course, but it seems you could try tapering up on Cymbalta. It just wouldn't get into your system as fast, which I know is the point, and maybe the taper could be less than 10 days. But do check with your doc.

Does it help you with CH? My doc put me on it for a different reason, but I noticed less hits after I started it. I don't think it's working so well for the CH now. It was good while it lasted, though.

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by Melissa on Dec 10^th, 2007, 8:44am

Thanks Chris, and yes, I plan on letting my doc know what I'll be trying.

on 12/09/07 at 21:52:35, purpleydog wrote:

Does it help you with CH? My doc put me on it for a different reason, but I noticed less hits after I started it. I don't think it's working so well for the CH now. It was good while it lasted, though.

Well, I think it helps just a little with less intensity, but otherwise, I can see no difference. I will say though that that anticipation I usually get between attacks is like, non-existant when I'm on it as it's working for my anxiety disorder. So to me, that's a very good thing! ;)

Title: Re: Anyone ever heard of tapering ON medication?
Post by HeadhurtinMama on Dec 10^th, 2007, 2:36pm

Melissa,
I had to taper up on the Cymbalta as well. Took 30 mgs a day for a week, then 60 mgs. About a month on 60 mgs, I ended up going up to 90 mgs, 3X30 all in the morning. Now I take 60 mgs in the morning and again at bedtime. I started it for Fibromyalgia, and I think it helps with my head. I have had to taper up on several meds.

Bridget