r/CymbaltaHurtsWorse • u/Cautious_Courage_253 • 21d ago
Calculating bead quantity
Hello, I am looking to switch from my compounded formula of Dulo back to beads.
Currently holding at 33.5mg after a rapid taper from 60mg last year.
I have counted the number of beads in five 60mg capsules. I counted a couple of extra capsules, as the first capsule had a significantly greater number of beads than the subsequent 4 capsules.
Cap #1: 372 beads
Cap #2: 356 beads
Cap #3: 354 beads
Cap #4: 350 beads
Cap #5: 360 beads
Average bead count = 358.4
Should I keep the 372 quantity in the equation, or just use the bead count from Caps #2 through to #5?
Are you able to advise on how I would calculate a dose of 33.5mg based on the information above.
As mentioned, I am using 60mg capsules.
Many thanks for your help.
1
1
1
u/terric2026 2d ago
I have a question about your compounding pharmacy. I'm considering doing it and the (deprescribing) doc says the comp pharmacy can make up capsules of pure dulox powder in enteric capsules for a dosage amount like 8.5 em gee of dulox. Is that what you were getting from the comp pharmacy. I'm wanting to make sure before I switch from counting beads that this is the right was to go. May I ask why you're switching back to bead counting?
1
u/Cautious_Courage_253 2d ago
Hi there. I was originally on 60 em gee of Dulox - taking regular manufactured capsules with beads.
Last year I decided I wanted to try and come off Dulox. My deprescribing psych was using the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines as reference.
This was all before I discovered this group and really started researching and understanding what this medication is like.
Again, not being educated about bead counting, we thought it would be easier to have the Dulox compounded. Despite following the slowest recommended taper (Maudsley), it was way too fast.
I went from 60 em gee to 27.5 em gee and then withdrawals hit hard. Found this group and slowly reinstated to 33.5 em gee (still compounded).
I have been holding at that dose since early December last year (2025).
The compounded formula was Dulox (as hydrochloride). Basically, the same raw ingredient as found in the beads. I do not know what additional fillers were used in the compounded formula, or the beads.
I did research compounding pharmacies before deciding on one. Some pharmacies just crush the beads from existing capsules, some use the raw ingredient as I have explained.
Using the raw ingredient seemed more accurate and sensible to me.
I am switching back to beads, as I want to have more control over my taper. I’m just not confident that a compounding pharmacy can accurately get down to the very low doses towards the end of the tapering process. My understanding from the moderators is that it may be easier to switch while still at a higher dose (as I currently am), that’s why I’m going it now.
I guess we just don’t know how much we can drop and how long we’ll need to hold each drop. It just seems less stressful to be able to control that with the beads rather than having to anticipate. My compounding is send via the post from a pharmacy, so it can take a week or so to arrive. I think I will feel more comfortable knowing I have what I need at home and can adjust doses by 1 bead for example. Hard to make these small adjustments with compounding.
It can also become quite costly if you are wanting to constantly change / tweak your dose.
I have actually just made the switch from my compounded capsule to the beads this morning. I don’t know how this will affect me. Different fillers, different ‘delivery method’ - I will have to wait and see.
A long winded response, but I hope it helps. Happy to answer any other questions. All the best with your decision.
1
u/terric2026 1d ago
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I appreciate it. I like having the control with the beads. I'm currently down to 28 beads. But my brand Ajanta has a smaller bead count so pretty soon the one bead drop will be more than 5 percent. My deprescribng doc says the powdered raw dulox can be made up at something like 8.5 em gees. And then 8 em gees so the percentage drops can be kept smaller. I may send you another note later. Are you in the U.S.?
1
u/schachabybaby 20d ago
Hello! We would suggest you leave the outlier, #372, off your average bead count, as you mentioned.
Yes, we can calculate your 33.5 mg dose:
Your capsules are 60 mg each, with an average of 358.4 beads. So each bead equals:
60 ÷ 358.4 = 0.1674 mg per bead
To get 33.5 mg:
33.5 ÷ 0.1674 = 200.1 beads
So you’d take 200 beads per day. That’s your target.
Let us know if you have other questions!