Abrupt discontinuation near the end of my taper

Posted in:

Cymbalta (Duloxetine)Support Symptoms & Self-Care

September 22, 2026

Hello, I thought I'd share my current story since it's been some time since I've posted. After 4 years on the standard dose, I was tapering my duloxetine for about 2.5 years. When the taper got too fast since the beads are too big and I didn't hold, my withdrawal symptoms landed me in the hospital. At the hospital, they attempted to bridge me to an antipsychotic. 1 week later, I had a second hospitalization due to having an adverse reaction to a "panic reinstate" of the low duloxetine dose I left off on. This went much better, where they discharged me with the knowledge that I would be getting off all meds. CT the low-dose antipsychotic was a piece of cake since I was only on it less than 2 weeks. My discharge from the second hospital just about marks the end of my acute withdrawal from duloxetine. It is now over 3 weeks later from this experience, and time is moving damn slow. But I am off meds. I definitely have protracted withdrawal symptoms, but as of right now they are manageable. Something that reassures me that I read is that acute withdrawal is often more of an emergency type scenario than protracted withdrawal, which is more about endurance. I'd love to learn about anyone's experience with protracted withdrawal after abruptly stopping an antidepressant after long term use. The only fear I have about this whole situation is that symptoms will sneak up on me. The whole "the crash" thing and me being in the honeymoon period. As my nervous system slowly comes back online, I definitely feel my symptoms more. But I've also felt a lot of good things, too. I want to turn the volume up on the good. That's what I've been doing lately. I walked all the way to the edge of the abyss. I started tapering too late, so I think it could be a good thing that it was discontinued. The medication was starting to collapse my system. I just have to make it through the next phase. I wish you all the best with your tapers!

Cymbalta — 5.2mg — 6 years — actively tapering | without clinician

6 Replies

Cosmic1973Sep 25

WelcomerMirtazapine · active

From my understanding of withdrawal symptoms it's a case of how much is bearable and how long can you bear it. For me, after 6 weeks of misery made me reinstate my previous micro dose and taper off slower. It's good that your symptoms are manageable and every day your brain is slowing sorting itself out. Take each day as it comes, you're in a better place then you were and will be in a better place next week.

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

Peggy WallaceSep 26

LighthouseCymbalta · holding

The discontinuation of my meds was in the hospital. The worst part of withdrawal was in another health center. I’m now 5 months at home and protracted withdrawal. It hadn’t been easy because my body behaviors are foreign to me. But when J realized that much of my symptoms are about my brain trying to steer my nervous system (bless her heart) o began to understand the panic attacks, the sweating, the word finding, the fatigue. Trying to comfort myself instead of lecturing myself seems to be working.

In my life, have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Amytriptiline, Ambien, Seroquel, Zoloft, pamelor, Nortriptiline, Clonazepam, Suboxone (for insomnia), Effexor, Valium, Trazadone, Zanax, and Gabapentin. These, I remember.
Currently on,Duloxetine 60 mg — 2 yr — holding | without clinician

anne noni mossSep 27

Trusted VoicePaxil · holding

yes! Comfort! I find positive self-talk absolutely crucial to this journey. And when I can't find it within myself, I come to the blessed forums! Thanks for sharing!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

DebbyOct 11

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

how are you feeling now

30mg — 2 years plus — researching taper | without clinician

DominicOct 19

NavigatorCymbalta · active

I'm actually off all medications and feeling better. Life is very different than it was before I started taking medication, but I'm making slow progress towards betterment and resilience. I am stable. @Debby

Cymbalta — 5.2mg — 6 years — actively tapering | without clinician

DebbyOct 28

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

Oh Domonic,, im so happy for you my life is a spiral from 60 down to 20.. and compounding pharmacy.. im presuming its the dreaded wave of depair.

30mg — 2 years plus — researching taper | without clinician

Join the conversation

Already a member? Sign in

Need a clinician who understands tapering?

Browse our map of deprescribing-informed providers worldwide.

Find a Deprescriber