Struggling hard

September 21, 2026

Hi again. I'm really struggling. Symptoms are getting worse despite holding 4.2mg for 46 days. (bead counting method, now at 21 beads) . More withdrawal symptoms hitting me than 4 weeks ago. I'm exhausted from it all. From my mistake in January when I did 2 reductions both too large and too fast (32 beads- 26beads-21 beads in 3 weeks) plus my subsequent erratic pattern of going up and down bead counts trying to find relief, and my switch from beads to liquid then back to beads Im now so destabilised. So I stopped all changes, stuck with 21 beads and am holding. But almost 7 weeks later, it feels like it's getting worse, not settling. I did think about going to Dr to try cross taper to something else but I've read horror stories about this and it's yet another change so not sure it's the right thing to do. Any information, experience, support etc very much appreciated please

Cymbalta — 4.2mg — 2 years — holding | | without clinician

6 Replies

DuloxiSep 21

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Sonnenblume, I know it’s terrible when you hope that things will improve by waiting, and then after weeks they get worse. That’s exactly the point where you don’t know whether continuing to hold is the best way forward or whether you need to go back. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you whether another medication would really help and bridge the gap or make things worse. Which symptoms are affecting you so badly at the moment? What exactly is getting worse? About 2.5 months ago, I slowly increased from 12 mg to 15 mg, and my perception has improved. But what is still really bothering me are these anxiety attacks when I’m in social situations. It’s terrible.

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.

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CatinaSep 21

Community AnchorEffexor

I'm sorry to hear this! My personal opinion is that trying to bridge onto another drug is risky. It gives the brain a whole other substance to have to deal with, and then you have another drug that will need to be tapered in the future, and you have no way of knowing what that withdrawal would look like. It can take many months to find stability. Have you taken a look at this? https://taper.community/thread/ff7ce496-025a-4391-95b4-cdd0063f092b

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.

DuloxiSep 21

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

I’m also very skeptical about switching from one medication to another. I’d rather slowly go back and stabilize. What was the last dose you were stable on? What I would actually be interested to know is whether there are many cases or experiences of people who managed to get off Cymbalta by switching to another medication. I keep thinking about that option myself.

MamaLaSep 21

NavigatorProzac · holding

After my last reduction, I noticed the same thing….. an increase in symptoms around the 12 week mark which was the exact opposite of what I was expecting. I decided to hold steady rather than adjusting anything and I can honestly say that once it passed, I am feeling better than I have felt through my whole taper this far. I almost feel like it was my nervous systems last big glitch before finally settling. It has been 15 weeks for me now since my last drop and for now I am enjoying every minute of this before I continue my taper.

Prozac — 2.16- tapering

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CatinaSep 21

Community AnchorEffexor

"I can honestly say that once it passed, I am feeling better than I have felt through my whole taper this far." — @MamaLa

This is fantastic news! Holding steady is an important part of this process. It requires patience, but the payoff is well worth it.

StuartSep 21

LighthouseEffexor · supporting

Hey @Sunflower 7-weeks is a long time to wait with no improvements and things worsening, sorry to hear that. What was the last dose where things felt relatively stable?

Historic experience tapering off: Citalopram 20mg | Zyprexa 2.5mg | Effexor 75mg | Valium 20mg

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