Hi, I'm Mikets

August 23, 2026··

introduction

Hi I’m Mike. I’m 80 yo. I’ve been on duloxetine and before that anti depressants for half my life. About ten years ago I started taking tramadol for back pains as needed. Which is 2 or 3 times a week. Since I’m not all the time on tramadol I recognize that I get a boost in mood and energy levels when I do take it. There’s an overlap between the two medications and suggestions online that taking both is a bad idea. So I’m trying to remove dulox and keep tramadol. The opposite is not possible because of the occasional back pains. Anyone else tried this or have experience or evidence that helps me do this / manage this / decide whether it’s a good or bad idea?

Cymbalta — 90 — 30 years — actively tapering | 100 — 10 years — researching taper

2 Replies

⭐

CatinaStaff11h ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Mikets, welcome! Many people have decided that a drug is no longer serving them and they want to taper off. I personally feel that the less drugs someone is on the better. Also, you've already read that taking your two drugs at once is not recommended. We can certainly help you do a slow taper off the Duloxetine! A Hyperbolic taper is going to be the safest way to taper. You can learn about this in the Resources section. Here are some other links to get you started. I hope they help. https://taper.community/drugs/cymbalta https://taper.community/resources/blog/cymbalta-tapering-guide https://taper.community/thread/d41182b4-060b-4c2e-a1e8-da9e6777d7e5 Here is the Cymbalta forum if you want to find other members who are tapering it. Make sure to "follow" them so you can be notified of their future posts: https://taper.community/forums/cymbalta Have a look around the site. There's lots of helpful information here about tapering and withdrawal. We look forward to supporting you with your upcoming taper! Catina 💜

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 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.

Duloxi847h ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Mikets, Welcome to the community. That's really interesting. Has Cymbalta actually been around for that long? I thought it was still relatively new when I first started taking it.

Cymbalta — 13,5mg — 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.

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