Hi, I'm LuLuLiz --
From having kids to empty nesting, I have been on meds for generalized anxiety. Three different ones over 25+ years. Now that I'm retired and post-menopausal, I would like to taper down or off to eliminate something I possibly no longer need, and also in an effort to boost my ability to achieve orgasm. (Responsive desire seems fine.) Any thoughts on this?
Hi LuLuLiz,
Welcome to the community!
The decision to come off a medication is a very personal one, and it's not something anyone else can make for you. Some people find that the medication no longer serves them well over time, while others continue to do well on it.
Have you ever tried tapering off before?
Cymbalta — 17,5mg(12mg) — 17 Jahre — holding -with clinician - 90 mg – 2021: First tapering attempt. 60 mg – 2023: Second tapering attempt. With a doctor's supervision—but unfortunately, a doctor who doesn't know how to properly taper off an antidepressant.
I tried cold turkey and felt the anxiety return which I now understand was probably an effect of abruptly stopping and not necessarily a return of a previous condition.
Stopping abruptly is generally not a good idea.
This is my second time tapering off duloxetine. During my current attempt, I started having prolonged withdrawal problems once I reached 12 mg, even though I had an eight-week window where I was almost symptom-free.
It's extremely important to learn about hyperbolic tapering and to keep a daily symptom journal. That way, you can identify long-term trends instead of judging everything by a single bad day.
My advice would be to go slowly, especially if you've been taking the medication for many years, as I have. Unfortunately, duloxetine usually isn't a medication that can be stopped quickly, even if some healthcare providers say otherwise.
Feel free to ask me anything. I'm always happy to share my own experience.
How many days had you been off the medication before the anxiety started? And how long have you been back on your full dose now?
Cymbalta — 17,5mg(12mg) — 17 Jahre — holding -with clinician - 90 mg – 2021: First tapering attempt. 60 mg – 2023: Second tapering attempt. With a doctor's supervision—but unfortunately, a doctor who doesn't know how to properly taper off an antidepressant.
Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg Trazodone - 50 mg Synthroid - 25 mcg “Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.” Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.
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