Hi, I'm Tom

September 14, 2026··

I am 73 and trying hard to slowly taper off my drugs (3 yrs of many different SSRI'S. Currently on Cymbalta and Olanzapine) which didnt address any of my original anxiety problems stemming from an operation. The withdrawal is horrific and I need support to get through. It has stolen the last 3 yrs of my life and I desperately need some hope.

Cymbalta — 27mg — 1 year — actively tapering | Zyprexa — 2.5mg — 1year,6months — holding

7 Replies

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Catina4d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Tom, a very warm welcome to you! My heart goes out to you. I'm sorry for your situation, but I want to give you hope that you can do this. When dealing with multiple drugs, taper only one at a time. Are you doing a Hyperbolic taper? How often are you reducing the Cymbalta and by how much? Perhaps you're tapering too fast for what your brain can handle. There's no shame in having to hold your dose for awhile until things improve a bit. We don't want to keep pushing through symptoms. What withdrawal symptoms are you dealing with? We're here to support you so you can safely taper off your drugs. Is there anything you need help with the most right now? We'll be glad to answer any questions the best we can. 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.

Duloxi4d ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Tom, Welcome to the community. I’ve been taking Cymbalta for 17 years. Why were you also prescribed Zyprexa? Could you describe your tapering history?

Cymbalta — 15mg(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.

Debby4d ago

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

Hi Tom im 66 and have been on a number of meds for head and neck cancer in last4.5 yrs,,ive gotten off 3 carbamezapine,, gapentin, oh also i was on lyrica and palexia,, worse is cymbalta , thats why im here,, itsssss been hell, and this group is fantastic,, i was tapering myself but due to anxiousness over a fourtnightly taper weighing beads i have decided to a compound pharmacy today in fact for a script where they will putin liquid form and i proceed from there. my withdrawels were depression with suicidal thoughts, anger anxiety and panic attacks,, im under 20 mgs now from 60 mgs for 3 plus yrs,, i do know the withdrawels are worse lower and lowest you go,, so if you can find one and afford it then i suggest try,,, thinking of you an stick with it mate,, i live in Australia and the resouces were not so available than in USA😪

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

Tom3d ago

WelcomerCymbalta · active

Thanks Debbie, My wife is helping me its my hyperbolic taper b counting beads in the final 30mg capsules of Cymbalta. That's how we are trying it. Like you my biggest problems are horrific anxiety periods which leave me frozen at times for hours and OCD. We keep trying though.

Cymbalta — 27mg — 1 year — actively tapering | Zyprexa — 2.5mg — 1year,6months — holding

Tom3d ago

WelcomerCymbalta · active

Hi Catina, Yes I am only hyperbolic tapering just the Cymbalta at present. Holding each taper for 2,3,4 or so weeks at a time. The main symptoms I experience are freezing in abject fear and anxiety sometimes for hours, OCD and no ability at times to get out of bed and deal with day to day life. I force myself to go to gym 3 days a week at the Men's Shed, play chess there sometimes and my wife and I are involved in our Church life as much as we can. I just seem to be living a horrible version of groundhog day, but try and keep fighting for my freedom thru this.

Cymbalta — 27mg — 1 year — actively tapering | Zyprexa — 2.5mg — 1year,6months — holding

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Catina3d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"Yes I am only hyperbolic tapering just the Cymbalta at present. Holding each taper for 2,3,4 or so weeks at a time." — @Tom

Okay good! 👍

"The main symptoms I experience are freezing in abject fear and anxiety sometimes for hours, OCD and no ability at times to get out of bed and deal with day to day life." — @Tom

We have tips about anxiety and other things. You can scroll through this section of the forum: https://taper.community/forums/symptoms-self-care

"I just seem to be living a horrible version of groundhog day, but try and keep fighting for my freedom thru this." — @Tom

I'm sorry, I know it's hard. Maybe you need to take your taper even slower. I'm reducing only one tiny bead a month. Keep fighting, it's definitely going to be worth it in the end.

Debby2d ago

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

im 66 yrs old Tom, and life for me is also groundhog day, hubby and i go to gym together but the last fourtnight ive lost the desire, I dnt know if its the duloxotine tapering,, but in saying that ive felt like this for 3 yrs on it,,

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

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