Tapering: Cymbalta

holding

213 posts

Europe

Surfing the Windows and Waves

July 20, 2026··

Surfing the Windows and Waves Does anyone else experience this? Today feels very different from my usual days. I'm not quite sure yet whether it's a good sign or not. Most of the time—aside from a few isolated days—my mood and withdrawal symptoms gradually improve as the day goes on. Today started out the same way. This morning, a trigger caused another peak of anxiety along with intense feelings of derealization. But this afternoon, something unusual has been happening. Every five minutes or so, I seem to switch back and forth between a window and a wave. One moment I feel relatively okay—sometimes even calm, peaceful, and surprisingly happy—and then a few minutes later the anxiety and derealization return. What's interesting is that, even during these fluctuations, my perception feels clearer and more focused than it has in a while. Has anyone else experienced this kind of rapid back-and-forth between windows and waves during withdrawal?

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.

12 Replies

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BasedStaff1mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Very interesting!

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Dominic1mo ago

NavigatorCymbalta · active

Yes, absolutely. It is often impossible to define just one mood for any given day; it is a constant switch between a "window and a wave" as you put it. This is normal, and will start to level out as your body adjusts. I found it interesting that you said that, despite this, your overall perception feels more focused. Can you name what it is that anchors you through these intense ups and downs?

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

Duloxi1mo ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Really savoring the good windows makes the bad waves almost fade into the background. Otherwise, there's always something to look forward to—the next good window. 😉

Masha21d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

I’m in the windows and waves. Went through a horrible mismanaged taper. Reinstated 3 weeks ago. Had a few good days and now in a bad one. Please someone tell me this gets better.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Duloxi21d ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

@Mascha, From my experience, it does get better. How long have you been off the medication? What was the last dose you were stable on? Make sure to track your five most important symptoms every day at the same time so you can see the overall trend. When you're in a wave, it can be really hard to remember the last window, and you can easily start thinking that things will never get better. But a single day doesn't tell you much. What really matters is the trend over several days. That's the best way to recognize patterns and use them to help guide your next decisions.

Masha21d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

Thanks. I tried a taper to Lexapro that was wayyy too fast. So I wasn’t completely going off Paxil but trying a switch. I’ve been back on Paxil 20mg for 3 weeks. I know that’s not enough time to feel true improvement.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Masha21d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

But I’m really hoping to see improvement in the next few weeks.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Duloxi21d ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

@mascha, Are you only taking Paxil now? What did you do with the Lexapro? What did your tapering process look like before the problems started? What dose reductions did you make, and how much time was there between each reduction?

Masha21d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

I went down 10 mg over 1-2 weeks. Very quick for Paxil! Bad advice… Lexapro has no chance of catching up. Was put back on Paxil 3 weeks ago and added Buspar

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Duloxi20d ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Mascha, Give yourself time and try not to make too many changes in a short period of time. It should gradually get better week by week. It’s a good sign that you’ve already had some good days.

Masha20d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

Holding steady with Paxil and Buspar. Travaite for sleep Right now since I got insomnia with the switch back. Trying to be patient and take on the required rest. Realize my brain is literally healing.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

Masha20d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

Trazadone for sleep

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 37.5 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day

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