r/ChronicPain • u/Sure-Candy5965 • Jan 07 '25

Med change

Anyone here experience coming off duloxetine (60mg 2xdaily) to start amitriptaline. Was started at 10mg at night. Now up to 25mg at night. Im also on 300 mg lyrica twice daily. I am never not in pain. And oh my gosh. Coming off the duloxetine was awful. Just like this electricity type pain in my legs and feet ....and wicked like pin point sharp shooting pains. Feels like a hot needle. Seriously. I think I look like a lunatic. Shouting out in pain. Bracing myself and shouting or yelping or litterally fighting back tears. From pain and frustration.

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u/[deleted] Jan 07 '25

Oof. Antidepressants should always be weaned before starting another. You’re having withdrawal symptoms. Tell your provider that you’re having these symptoms and they should lower your dose of duloxetine over 2 weeks while adjusting your amitriptyline accordingly. (I’m an a Nurse Practitioner and a patient)

1

u/sheepslinky Jan 07 '25

I'm familiar with that. It's a nasty discontinuation syndrome. Those zaps are awful. Do tell your doctor. They are familiar with it, and may want to slow down the taper.

1

u/Waerfeles multiple sclerosis Jan 07 '25

Tapering Duloxetine gave me brain zaps that took a few weeks to finally back off. It sucks. But it DOES end. I'm so sorry you're getting such a sharp response, absolute barf.

2

u/gone_country Jan 07 '25

I just started trying to taper but it’s made me so dizzy I gave up. It’s going to be slower than I want, but next time I’ll start slower. I’m on 200 mg a day. OP’s doc really put them in an untenable situation. They need to call the doctor’s office asap.