zoloft to cymbalta

[brainhelp]

My pain mgt doc is taking me off Zoloft 200 mg and switching me to Cymbalta, ive cut the Zoloft in half for 9 days and he said after14 days go to 50 then start Cymbalta, I feel really bad I also take roxycodone my internal med doc has not been informed, should I talk with the IM doc cause I would really like to start Cymbalta, thank u

[brainhelp]

The decision to go to cymbalta was made by my pain mgt doc,I called my internal med doc after 14,days of 100 mg, down from 200 and about 4 days on 50mgs, my I ternal med doc said go ahead stop Zoloft and start  30 mgs *** and in one week start 60 mgs ***, so tomorrow will be my first day on cymbalta, I thi k biggest reason was weight and pain control so I'll keep all I formed, I am also getting an appt with psychiatrist, so thanks for help, I have not felt well

[Paxiled]

I believe this is one of the main reasons people come on these forums -- to see if their doctors are giving them good advice or not.  Of course we aren't doctors, but most of us have been on these drugs a whole lot more than the doctors have, and as I've had this a long time and seen a lot of doctors and psychiatrists, I have to say most of them do not do their homework about medications.  All of us ultimately make our own decisions in consultation with our doctors, but to assume a doctor knows what he or she is doing is downright dangerous to your health.  As the cliche goes, trust but verify.

[Anneinside]

I don't believe we should be advising people to not follow their doctor's advice. I would advise you to talk to your doctor again and express any concerns you have. Together you can make a decision.

[Paxiled]

Can you?  Of course, it's up to you and your psychiatrist.  Should you?  My own opinion is no.  When you're on two drugs at once you can't tell which side effects are withdrawal from the first drug and which are side effects from the new drug.  Stopping completely first avoids this problem, and allows your psychiatrist to deal with withdrawal if it occurs.  But it is up to you to decide.

[brainhelp]

Can I start a low dose of cymbalta before I'm off Zoloft completely, and or can I take some xtra Klonipin, I take usually 10 mg at night, but I have a presciption fir twice daily?

[Paxiled]

Personally, I'd go even slower getting off the Zoloft before going to Cymbalta to avoid withdrawal -- the protocols usually call for a six week taper just to be safe, and some need longer.  So I'd listen to the cautious docs.  I know you want to fell better quickly,  but you don't want to feel worse and you're quitting the Zoloft very quickly as it is.  Good luck.