Tapering: Cymbalta

holding

213 posts

Europe

Tapering duration

September 4, 2026··

I really want to talk about the length of the tapering process here. I’m reading more and more often about people who tapered over 6–12 months and are surprised when they experience withdrawal symptoms. From my experience, one year isn’t a long time. This is now my second tapering attempt, and unfortunately, after 3.5 years, I’ve reached my limits again. In my experience, withdrawal symptoms can sometimes appear months later even while staying on the same dose, and they can become worse. Is it still withdrawal, or is it a relapse? I’m not completely sure. But there is one thing I do know and have learned from this experience: whenever I had problems, I would hold my dose for 2–4 weeks until the symptoms went away. But once I got below the minimum therapeutic dose, I wish I had held for much longer. Maybe then I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now, trying with a lot of effort and caution to find the dose at which I can stabilize again. I wish I had simply stayed at 20 mg for six months or even a year to see whether my nervous system could handle it and remain stable. I hope that sharing my experience can encourage some of you to be patient. 🫶 I wish you all the best. @Duloxetin

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.

14 Replies

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Catina14d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

In my personal experience, one year isn't long either. I've heard of people taking many years to be able to get off some of these drugs. I've personally been at this many years already and will be in the future. I've surrendered any idea of a timeline and accept that it will take as long as it needs to. Everyone's journey is different. I do think that "slower is faster" when it comes to psychiatric drug withdrawal, especially after long-term use. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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.

Debby12d ago

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

omg i dont think i could last this long,, my suicidal thoughts and depression is soo bad

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

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Catina12d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"omg i dont think i could last this long,, my suicidal thoughts and depression is soo bad" — @Debby

Please don't let that scare you Debby! That is worst-case scenario. Most people are not going to take that long.

Debby12d ago

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

yes i understand,, but the depression is real,,i want this to go,, i have had probably two good dayswithout negative thoughts rest is a real struggle

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

Masha12d ago

LighthousePaxil · holding

I’m sorry Debby. That sounds really hard!

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

Duloxi11d ago

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

@debby, what I wanted to say with my post is that tapering slowly and allowing longer holds is extremely important, especially at the lower doses. I can relate to the depression and suicidal thoughts you’re experiencing. From my experience, making 50% reductions can make symptoms much harder to tolerate. A 50% reduction is an enormous change for the nervous system. In your situation, I would personally consider going back toward the last dose where you were stable. From my perspective, simply trying to push through such severe withdrawal symptoms doesn’t make much sense. I’d rather take a step back and give the nervous system time to settle. Things may improve relatively quickly, and then you can taper much more slowly—for example, in steps of no more than 5%, always calculated from the previous dose.

Janette11d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

In the past GPs have told me to taper far too quickly (a recent one said 3 weeks !). Now I have more knowledge about tapering i have sought additional support from a Naturopath who will help manage symptoms rather than introducing more psychiatric drugs to wean off. This is the first time doing so, but this Naturopath is highly specialised and qualified and is part of a respected team of clinicians. Obviously its not for everyone but this is my personal choice and I hope will ease the way this time around. Fully understand the depression and thoughts. I haven't told many people what im doing because they don't understand but I have educated my dad this time so he gets it. I have a friend going through withdrawal too, so we check in on each other. I hope you get some peace eventually. Its crap isn't it 😕

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

Debby10d ago

NavigatorCymbalta · researching

Hi Janette well today this am ,, i got up and i thankfully are feeling ok for the time being,, i think im going to remain on my dose ive been on for another two weeks,, to see if this help,, your lucky to have a friend going through it for support I too have my hubby but somedays he doesnt know what to say or think,, and sometimes our burden puts it onto them,, so today is a good day, and I hope you have one too😀

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

Janette10d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

Its slightly different for my friend. He's not coming off a psychiatric drug but was diagnosed with parkinsonism 2 years ago. Hes only 48. The neurologist started him on a couple of different meds. Anticonvulsives etc. He just couldn't tolerate them after about 6 weeks. It was he who told me about the naturopath. He's had to take time off work and has had issues with them allowing him back in the building !! HR here in Australia are idiots to day the least. Debby please hang in there and know that people do care about you. Even if we've never met or never will. We all share suffering and struggle as sentient beings. Im a Buddhist so have been taking great comfort in that. Unfortunately where I live there is no Buddhist community but I read and watch YouTube for meditation and chanting etc. I don't have a husband but a very tolerant German shepherd who watches me cry. I also have pet rats and a cuddle from them calms me a bit. To everyone of you doing your best to get well take some comfort in one Buddhist teaching that everything is impermanent and there will be an end to suffering at some point. Sometimes it feels like it will never end but it will. 🙏❤️ Om Mani Padme Hun

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

Azul9d ago

NavigatorKlonopin · active

"rug withdrawal, especially after long-term use." — @Catina

What is considered long term use? I struggle to understand what is short term or long term. If I have been taking it for one year between wrong tapering, CT and reinstating, is it considered long term?

"I do think that "slower is faster" when it comes to psychiatric drug withdrawal, especially after long-term use." — @Catina

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

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Catina9d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"What is considered long term use?" — @Azul

Very good question Azul. There isn't one universally accepted number for this, but here are some general principles: Several weeks to months are generally considered short-term use. 1-2 years is considered longer-term use. Anything over 2 years is definitely considered long-term use. However, even people taking drugs for a short time can experience withdrawal symptoms. Everyone is different. I hope this helps a bit!

Azul9d ago

NavigatorKlonopin · active

Not really but thank you anyways.

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

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Catina9d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"Not really but thank you anyways." — @Azul

Sorry, I tried.

Janette9d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

My friend i mentioned above was taking the drug for about 8 weeks before the side effects were so severe he had to come off. Its taken him weeks to wean and he's still struggling. Everyone's nervous system reacts differently to different input, whether pharmaceutical or lifestyle. What one person may perceive as a minor incident another may be traumatised. So I guess "long term" may be like saying "how long is a piece of string". Be kind to yourself no matter how long its been. Shanti 💗

Lexapro — 2mg — 17 years — actively tapering | without clinician

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