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Did You Quit Cold Turkey?


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#31 schmb01

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Posted 07 April 2008 - 01:46 AM

Kimmy, be very careful with cold turkey. Some do manage it, but it can be pretty nasty. There are several posts here about tapering, and how to do it, so if you haven't read those, you may want to.

Also, don't be too hasty about declining the prozac. It has also shown to be effective in helping people get off of this. I'm at around day 40, and am now considering doing a one dose of prozac because I'm still having a few struggles.

Please, read some other posts and get a feel for what has worked for others, and feel free to ask questions. You want to do this as comfortably and safely as possible.

Good luck, and remember that there are others here to lend an ear or shoulder when you need it.

#32 nrsk1

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Posted 07 April 2008 - 06:31 AM

There must be something funny about this page: Every time I say something negative about herbs, The road back or the Usa... the page goes down and my posts go "missing".I would want a reply from ¨"somebody" ( right- you are my lifeline now)

#33 schmb01

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Posted 07 April 2008 - 11:29 AM

That is so odd that you are losing posts. Have you contacted the administator directly to see what is going on?

#34 nrsk1

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Posted 08 April 2008 - 08:28 AM

Sorry- I had a really bad time yesterday.The weeks after qutting coldt. have been terrible. I am at the stage when wondering anything is worth anything any more, or just to quitt everything. I have to pull myself together and go out and get some help...

#35 slant

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Posted 08 April 2008 - 09:47 AM

So closer today to my original 60 mg dose after the most horrible week on 30 mg. I have never felt so bad ....EVER ! I can't seem to get help from my GP who originally prescribed this medication so I am changing routes. I have called today for an appointment with a psychiatrist to help me with the transition. Good self care. Surely I don't have to suffer through this with no medical intervention. I've learned a lot in this process and as a result will ask more questions in the future . I really need to be more open minded about asking for help. I know that I'm feeling better today because I'm back closer to my original dose but I don't know that I could have even made a reasonable decision a few days ago......frightening. I'll update soon. Good luck to all.

#36 schmb01

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Posted 09 April 2008 - 10:02 AM

So closer today to my original 60 mg dose after the most horrible week on 30 mg. I have never felt so bad ....EVER ! I can't seem to get help from my GP who originally prescribed this medication so I am changing routes. I have called today for an appointment with a psychiatrist to help me with the transition. Good self care. Surely I don't have to suffer through this with no medical intervention. I've learned a lot in this process and as a result will ask more questions in the future . I really need to be more open minded about asking for help. I know that I'm feeling better today because I'm back closer to my original dose but I don't know that I could have even made a reasonable decision a few days ago......frightening. I'll update soon. Good luck to all.


Were you able to get in to the psychiatrist? I hope so, and that you are on your way to a safe taper program.

#37 slant

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Posted 10 April 2008 - 11:33 AM

Thanks so much (this place has been so helpful !)
I'm seeing her in a couple of hours and I'll update for sure. I'm so curious about what is happening....and even more importantly what I can do to help myself.
Wish me luck.....

#38 Kimmy

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Posted 10 April 2008 - 02:30 PM

I really appreciate the support. The first three days were the worst but today I'm actually doing pretty well. This is my fifth day of no Cymbalta and have found little tricks that help me. I have found that Dramamine helps with the nausea and dizziness very well and I take the less drowsy kind to keep away the lethargy. It seems to be more predominant in the morning so I take one as soon as I get up. I also take two bayer aspirins for headache (which I was having) This also seems to take a huge edge off of the flu-like symptoms that I had been having. Keeping my blood sugar on an even keel seems to be important also. I've read in several different medical journals that Cymbalta effects the blood sugar in your body. So I have been eating a dozen tiny meals a day instead of just three. This keeps my blood sugar level. I'm approaching this in a very scientific way and am tackling each symptom separately instead of trying to treat the withdrawls as a whole. It has worked very well for me thus far. I'm also keeping a journal, noting how I'm feeling and what I'm eating, drinking, etc. at certain intervals of the day. In reviewing this, I can see my progress and possibly see what kind of adjustments if any I need to make. Today was the first day that I didn't need a second Dramamine mid day. I see that as a positive sign. I am also taking a really good one-a-day vitamin and have made it a point to eat very healthy. I'm not saying that all or any of these things are the reason that I feel I'm doing so well but I figured that nothing I am doing will harm me so why not try it? It certainly can't hurt.

#39 Kimmy

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Posted 10 April 2008 - 02:39 PM

Thanks so much (this place has been so helpful !)
I'm seeing her in a couple of hours and I'll update for sure. I'm so curious about what is happening....and even more importantly what I can do to help myself.
Wish me luck.....


I think it is very important to see a doctor that is familiar with the drug and is familiar with the pros and cons of treatment. Like you, after my family doctor changed my dosage several different times for sexual side effects I was having with the Cymbalta, and nothing worked, I decided to pursue a different avenue. I went to a psyciatrist that specializes in behavior disorders. I really believe that my family physician, who prescribed the Cymbalta to me, meant well. He is a very good doctor and he has helped me on other things over the years. But I really think that there are certain occasions where a specialist needs to be consulted. After all ... you wouldn't go to an orthopedic doctor to get your tonsils out. ;)

#40 sylvester

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Posted 10 April 2008 - 11:02 PM

i quit cold turkey im on day 7. i too get the brain zaps,shakes and what i call fuzz brain,im cold ,hot.i do take the benadryl it seems to help so i can function if i dont take it im so dizzy i can hardly handle it.it seems to get easy one day hard another.im not crabby so much as easier crying over anything i am more ambitious. i do get tired easier than i was or should i say faster.i take omega -3, coq-10,b6 also b complex .they do help alot. i do notice my body hurts alot like flu symptems.i do alot of praying to help me get through this. i know i shoulg have never quit cold turkey but it sounds either way everyone has same kind of withdrawals any way you look at it. i wish all who is going off this the best of luck.my prayers go out to all who are going through this and ill pray for you all. by no means am i a real religous person but i do believe god is there for us and he does answer our prayers.GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND JUST KEEP TELLING YOURSELF AND GOD YOU CAN DO THIS!

#41 lindsay7

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 12:11 PM

i went from 90 to 60 cold turkey
my withdrawl was horrible for a week, then subsided, do something to take ur mind off the pain and dont sit around feeling sorry for urself like alot of the people on this site do. there are ways to make ur withdrawl easier, go to a naturopath, chiro, get a message...do things to help u feel better, be creative and take painkillers or whatever if necessary..u can do it. i did and it was hard, but im still alive and im feeling alot better

dont let these people scare you, yea it hurts, but YOU can make it easier if you have the right resources

#42 Kimmy

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 02:14 PM

I'm sure there are pros and cons to going cold turkey. But my belief is that if I just "weaned" off of the medication that it was just prolonging the misery. I wanted the stuff out of my body NOW. I remember that first day after taking myself off of it, I was feeling like I had been hit by a truck and my dizziness was so bad that I felt drunk. My doctor told me the withdrawls would be bad so it wasn't a surprise. But I had rather it be bad for a week than a month or more. So, as of tomorrow, I will be completely done with Cymbalta for 13 days. My dizziness is gone and I am feeling better every day. I can't help but think that if I hadn't gotten off of it the way I did, I would still be experiencing a great deal of side effects from the withdrawls. I definately agree with lindsay7. Just do it and take that time to do something for yourself that makes you feel better. A couple of Bayer aspirin and a Dramamine worked wonders for me. Don't be scared ... be determined.

#43 Kimmy

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 02:25 PM

i quit cold turkey im on day 7. i too get the brain zaps,shakes and what i call fuzz brain,im cold ,hot.i do take the benadryl it seems to help so i can function if i dont take it im so dizzy i can hardly handle it.it seems to get easy one day hard another.im not crabby so much as easier crying over anything i am more ambitious. i do get tired easier than i was or should i say faster.i take omega -3, coq-10,b6 also b complex .they do help alot. i do notice my body hurts alot like flu symptems.i do alot of praying to help me get through this. i know i shoulg have never quit cold turkey but it sounds either way everyone has same kind of withdrawals any way you look at it. i wish all who is going off this the best of luck.my prayers go out to all who are going through this and ill pray for you all. by no means am i a real religous person but i do believe god is there for us and he does answer our prayers.GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND JUST KEEP TELLING YOURSELF AND GOD YOU CAN DO THIS!


Good for you sylvester!! Try Dramamine also for the dizziness! I found it worked better than the Benedryl. I'm on day 12 from going cold turkey and am feeling 100% better. I went through the same things you are going through. Just know that it WILL get better ... it may take a little while but it will get better. The main things I have done is ... Dramamine for the dizziness, Bayer aspirin for the aches, a good multivitamin, lots of water and keeping my blood sugar level to prevent crashing spells. I have been eating several small meals a day. I'm not saying my method works for everyone but it has sure worked for me. I no longer take anything for dizziness and I only take one aspirin a day (usually in the morning) It sounds like you have a good plan in gear ... good luck with it and don't loose faith.

#44 Trisarde

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 09:43 PM

I quit cold turkey about 30+ days ago. I think my date was 3/9 but I'd have to check. Anyway, I was taking 60 mg a day and decided ENOUGH. I just stopped and said NO MORE. It was very difficult the first week but I got through it b/c I told myself I could do it. It was a total mindset and b/c I prepared myself for it, I was able to get through it. Trust me, I had "forgotten" to take my cymbalta before and it was hell, so I knew what to expect, but b/c I was prepared I was able to fight each and every day, determined that I would win. I feel so much better now and thought I was totally "off" but have had the same withdrawal headache the past two days in the afternoon. It's weird, but it's OK...I work through it. Overall I feel 100% better and want people who are going through the horrible headaches, shakiness, brain zaps, irritability, etc...that there is an end in site. You can do this. I did take benedryl after the first week for a couple days to help me get through the nights. I did have very vivid dreams though, but only for a few nights during the second week.
Good Luck ;) :!:

#45 urban

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Posted 19 April 2008 - 01:13 AM

I quit cold turkey (from 60 mg/day) without even realizing that it would be an issue. I was on it for about 3 months and at first it worked so well for my anxiety, although I hated that I was tired all the time. After about 3 months it didn't seem to be working as well and I figured, if it doesn't work and I'm always tired I should stop it. Then I went to visit my boyfriend and forgot to bring it, so I decided it was the right time to just stop. That was a week ago Thursday and this is how it's gone:

Friday & Saturday I felt awesome.

Sunday I felt very good, although that night had a fight with b.f. and felt sad, but just the usual sad.

Monday I flew home and felt ok, only that traveling was a little more draining than usual.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Awesome! I wasn't tired all day and that's a miracle for me, got a lot of work done.

Thursday: Woke up from vivid dreams a few times during the night drenched in sweat. In the morning had an awful migraine and body aches so I called in sick to work. Extremely hot all day. Felt these awful electric zaps all over my body and (not realizing cymbalta withdrawal was the cause) I thought I must have MS or something. Spent a lot of time online looking up symptoms of various diseases and getting weepy. B.f. and I finally realized it was probably going off the drug, although it didn't "stick" in my fuzzy brain and I was still worried I had a disease.

Friday: Night sweats not as bad as last night, although still had bizarre vivid dreams. Electric zaps are gone. Head feels achey, but not really bad. Limbs feel like sandbags. Still very hot. It's hard to describe how my head feels. This is weird, but it seems like it cleared up enough to really realize how dizzy and out of it I am. The worst part today was feeling hot and the weird swooshing sensation in my head when I move. Spent most of the day in bed on the computer or watching movies and feel nearly okay then, but when I get up feel dizzy, hot, swooshy.

Finally tonight I thought I'd look up cymbalta withdrawal and I feel a lot better because my symptoms are described by lots of people, although scared by some of the accounts of ongoing symptoms. Oh, I had been been taking benadryl every night because of allergies - although I didn't realize it, maybe that's been a factor in my symptoms being extremely unpleasant, but not unbearable.

Why aren't doctors required to tell you what will happen if you stop taking a drug? They should do it for every drug they prescribed! I really like my g.p. and she is a good, kind person. I do believe that if I bring this to her attention, she will begin to better inform patients about this drug and maybe that will help someone in the future.

#46 Sarah J

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Posted 19 April 2008 - 07:21 AM

Finally tonight I thought I'd look up cymbalta withdrawal and I feel a lot better because my symptoms are described by lots of people, although scared by some of the accounts of ongoing symptoms.

Here's hoping that by the time you read this reply, you are feeling much better.
You have to figure that in taking Cymbalta we ingested a substance that alters our brain chemistry. Your brain chemistry is unlike any other, what you may or may not experience will be uniquely your own.

If what you are feeling is bearable, and you see improvement daily, relax and rest, your body is readjusting to not having Cymbalta in your system. In reading the other experiences you are equipped with some knowledge of what might happen and what to look out for. A little uncomfortable should be expected when discontinuing any substance that alters your brain's delicate inner workings. But if things become unbearable, or things arise that concern you, please don't hesitate to post and ask any questions.

Do keep in mind that people do come off of Cymbalta with little discomfort and no problems. They don't post here, because they aren't having any problems!

Why aren't doctors required to tell you what will happen if you stop taking a drug? They should do it for every drug they prescribed! I really like my g.p. and she is a good, kind person. I do believe that if I bring this to her attention, she will begin to better inform patients about this drug and maybe that will help someone in the future.


You have posed the proverbial question - Why? Because some doctors are being told that there are no withdrawal symptoms. Some doctors do not believe that what happens to some of us exists. On the other side, many people who post here have doctors who did warn them it might be difficult, or have found new doctors that to realize that what some of us feel is real.

Please make your doctor aware of your experience - it can only help others in the future.

And also, please let us all know how you are doing - your story could help the next person in your situation feel some comfort to know they aren't alone.

Look forward to hearing how you are doing. Try not to worry about unknowns - relax and let yourself heal!

#47 nrsk1

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Posted 26 April 2008 - 12:06 AM

Thank you Sahra J and others out there! Into my 5th week of cold turkey: feeling much better now that I am off everything but Omega3 and vit.B. I have gone back a few years in my medical history and found out that I have behaved "funny" every time I have been given an antidep. This site scared me a lot, but it has also helped. Don't try the road back supplements: they are terrably expencive and you get them cheeper in the drug store. It is like lots of people want to make money by "helping" people like us! YOU will get through it too - just give it time and think of how the rest of your life
will be without chemicals in your brain. Have a super Sunday!

#48 Sarah J

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Posted 26 April 2008 - 10:53 AM

This site scared me a lot, but it has also helped. YOU will get through it too - just give it time and think of how the rest of your life
will be without chemicals in your brain. Have a super Sunday!

nrsk1 - It is hard to not be frightened by what you read here, but there is tons of help too. I am glad that you are doing much better now and hope that it continues.

It does take some time for some of us, but it does get better. Some people get through just with straight cold turkey, others have some help from another antidepressant.

To the new people reading here - we are all so individual that there is no way to know how you will react to Cymbalta withdrawal. You might be over it in a couple of days, a week or it may take a little longer. Nobody here wants to be frightened, but for some of us, the first weeks of Cymbalta withdrawal is a very frightening place to be, come here and support others, ask questions, and know that you will get through this.

Just know that you are reading what has happened to other people, and not what will happen to you. Our brain chemistry is all different, which is why everybody will have a different story, with different experiences. Educating yourself about what might happen is being prepared, you know what might happen to you, not what will.

#49 urban

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Posted 26 April 2008 - 11:49 PM

Hi all. Just thought I'd check in. I'm feeling physically a lot better...I only have a swooshy feeling in my head and sounds in my ears very infrequently now - like maybe a couple times a day and it actually doesn't feel *bad*. But, I have been an emotional basket case. 1-1/2 years ago I broke up with my boyfriend who was cheating on me and I have doing pretty well with it actually, but this past week I have been a wreck over it. It sucks! It's not in a "well, I can feel my feelings now and this is normal" way...it's in an insane, freaky, way overwrought sort of way. Unfortunately, I'm a binge eater and I've been eating myself sick for about a week.

But things are looking up! I'm not afraid that I'll feel crappy for the rest of my life - I just have to get through this rough patch. I'm going to a yoga class tomorrow...

#50 schmb01

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 12:35 AM

Urban, I know exactly what you mean! Old feelings surfaced for me, and caused me some really intense anger and sadness. I just kept telling myself that it would pass, and that "normal" responses would return, but it was really freaky. When you feel nothing for so long, it is strange to feel again.

#51 Trisarde

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 08:39 PM

I stopped taking cymbalta cold turkey over almost two months ago. One word to describe it???? HELL :evil: ...yet I had put my mind to it and got into a MINDSET that I could do it. Before I would run out of meds and be totally ill b/c I missed a day or two, but when I decided to quit, I made myself get through it. I did take benedryl at night time to help me sleep the first couple of weeks. It helped a little. I also took loretadine (clariton) during the day as it's non drowsy and it seemed to help, although it could have been psychosomatic. I don't know.
I do know that my decision to stop taking cymbalta did help me get throught the withdrawal. I thought the withdrawal was over about a month after, but I am finding I am still experiencing headaches...the withdrawal headache...every now and then. Weird.
I am a much happier person being off it. :) I don't recommend cold turkey, but I was at the end of my rope and could not do it anymore. I hated being on medicine and I had been on 60mg of cymbalta for over 3 years. I had taken different anti anxiety meds/depression meds for about 4 years before cymbalta too.
Good Luck to all of you. ;)
OH...the BEST thing is that my mind is back...I am not as forgetful and I seem to not be a spacey either.

#52 schmb01

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Posted 28 April 2008 - 07:06 PM

Greybeard, I'm sorry that you are still having such a rough time 6 weeks out. I hope you can find some good ideas here, and at least give them a try, because with a psychotropic med, it is hard to manage without some kind of support. I know it is a very personal decision, and again, I'm don't mean to be pushy, it is just that I know how you are feeling, and want you to find some relief.

#53 shatto

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 11:37 AM

Well I am now on day 4 of quitting cold turkey. I have been taking 60mg/day for the past year. The first 6 months weren't too bad, but then the last 6 have been horrible. Talk about fatigue! All I want to do is sleep and it's just not a take a 15 minute nap, it's want to sleep all day feeling. I am getting ready to buy a house in almost two weeks and haven't started packing yet. This should be one of the happiest parts of my life, yet I just don't give a crap about anything. I'm lucky I still have my job. I arrive late, leave early. I don't care. Can't concentrate to save my life and just have the I don't care about anything attitude. I have never felt this way about anything. I have always been a type A personality and always fun and outgoing. Now I just want to sleep. I have gained around 35lbs in the past year. I'm so embarressed. One way or the other its the darn drugs fault, but without excersizing I can't expect to lose any. But then not having enough energy and drive to get out and do anything doesn't help any.

I decided to quit cold turkey just to get it over with quicker. I don't want to drag this withdrawal out any longer than I have to. The past 6 weeks (medicated) have just been horrible. I was ready to throw in the towel to everything. The absolute only thing keeping me here was my 6y/o daughter. I would never leave her alone in this world.

So, day one was fine, no problems at all. I was thinking, hey this is a piece of cake and maybe I will be one of the lucky ones. Well day 2 started to get a little nausous feeling. Didn't want to be around anyone at all, but my boyfriend's parents were in town visiting, so had to put on my "happy face". Mood swings like crazy. Day 3, awful. Felt sick to my stomach and dizzy all day long. Cried all morning long and then by evening was laughing and having a grand ole time with the family. This is so weird. Today, I am dizzy and sick to my stomach. I really have to watch how fast I move my eyes and head. That seems to really make a difference. Anyone, know of anything I can do to stop the dizziness?? Trying to work, yet just can't concentrate long enough to get anything done. The dizziness is about ready to make me sick. I'm ready to go home and sit in a dark room and relax. Oh I did forget that I have had really bad headaches in the mornings, but taking ibuprofen has helped a bit.

Well I just wanted to post my thoughts for anyone else reading and would like to know if anyone has any suggestions on the dizziness. I haven't been able to find anything on duration of withdrawal symptoms. Anyone else quit cold turkey and have a time frame of how long I should have to suffer through this?

#54 Sarah J

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 05:27 PM

shatto - If your withdrawal does not see improvement on a daily basis, you might want to look at the other posts here of people who weaned off using Prozac. It has been extremely beneficial to many people and helps them get their life back much quicker than waiting it out.

Here is a post from somebody the other day that it worked for. I know it sounds ridiculous to take another antidepressant to get off of another, but this seems to be the best way to get over it quick. Best of luck to you, let us all know how you are doing.

Re: IT worked!!!!
by mamoir on Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:05 pm

My nurse practitioner used the same technique to get me off Cymbalta. I had been on 40 mg. Cymbalta for 2 months & decided to quit due to incapacitating insomnia + weight gain.

My NP stepped me down to 30 mg. Cymbalta for 2 weeks. Had some bad withdrawal symptoms during that 2 week period, so she gave me 10 days' worth of Prozac (20 mg., once a day). Was supposed to take the Prozac w/ the 30 mg. Cymbalta for 2 days, then cut out the Cymbalta & take Prozac only for 8 days, but I misunderstood & stopped the Cymbalta when I started the Prozac. Even though I didn't follow her directions exactly, it still worked like a charm for me...NO Cymbalta withdrawal symptoms once I started the Prozac!!! I finished the Prozac 3 days ago & still no withdrawal symptoms!! I'm so glad my NP knew what to do!!! Hope this works for anyone else trying it == GOOD LUCK!!

#55 LunaSea

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Posted 30 April 2008 - 12:33 PM

Urban, I know exactly what you mean! Old feelings surfaced for me, and caused me some really intense anger and sadness. I just kept telling myself that it would pass, and that "normal" responses would return, but it was really freaky. When you feel nothing for so long, it is strange to feel again.


wow this same thing is happening with me as well... It is like the cymbalta only suppressed what my brain needed to 'learn to deal with, accept the feelings, & learn to process' (HA.. if only it were that simple) so all of it all came back up & out after quitting this cold turkey... I am on about week 3 of being off the cymbalta 60mg a day...
I've lost my job... am very emotional... head pings... body aches... nausea... & get tired very easily now... however...
I've been taking the omega 3 fish oil, vit b's... & a multi vitamin... trying to eat better... all of which has been helpful...
My dr said she wouldn't give me the prozac dose... instead she upped the geodon to 40mg.. 1 in the am & 2 in the eve... well, I have only been taking 1 at night still (2 if I can't sleep after 2 hrs) & will ONLY take 1 during the day if the head pings are really bad...(as I found a site like this for geodon that I've read is very similar in its withdraw "symptoms"...) & I take .5 xanax once a day...
my goal is to be off ALL meds & be "normal" hahahhaa... my dr is seeing me in 2 weeks this time to see if I need another anti-depressant... I will refuse... as I simply do not want to deal with this crap ever again....
I also have been accepted into a therapy program called DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) this starts in 3 weeks...
I am very thankful for this site & all of its insights... most of all I thank all of you!
WE will ALL get thru this! There is a Light at the end of this tunnel...
Peace.

#56 Seastar

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Posted 02 May 2008 - 10:10 AM

Hi, I'm a first timer here.

I just realized this morning that I had failed to add my Cymbalta (60 mg twice a day) to my med box and thus have gone off, unintentionally, cold turkey with no Cymbalta since Saturday night. I take a lot of meds and supplements and just didn't notice the Cymbalta was missing. I take it for lifelong depression combined with the fibromyalgia I got following chemo treatments 5 yrs ago for breast cancer. I'm a 58 yr old woman--I am an RN and work in a state psychiatric facility in Maryland, USA. I worked on the units for many years, have done case management and outpatient work, and now I provide groups and classes to inpatients, many of whom are in for evaluation of mental competence to determine whether they can be held responsible for crimes.

Tuesday night I didn't sleep much. Wednesday after work I immediately went to bed--just didn't feel real good. Shortly thereafter I had a total meltdown, crying very hard for well over an hour in the arms of my scared and perplexed husband. Cried so hard I still have broken blood vessels on my face. Wanted to be GONE. Didn't sleep much at all that night. Went to work Thursday on the verge of tears all day.

While walking some of my dogs this morning I wondered to myself whether I might have failed to put two doses of Cymbalta in my daily med box, which I fill weekly. Checked the box, and NO Cymbalta. Realized I had been without it for over 5 days--no wonder I crashed.

Reading other peoples' stories, I realize I had it relatively easy. Reading some medical sites, I realize I was very very fortunate.

#57 shatto

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Posted 02 May 2008 - 10:47 AM

Sarah thank you for your response. I think I will contact my Dr. again. I called my Dr's office 4 days ago to let my Dr. know that I decided to stop taking it and haven't heard a thing back. I think it is very odd that a receptionist would take a message and ask personal questions and not a nurse. So wouldn't be surprised if my Dr. didn't get the message at all. Not saying anything bad at all about receptionists on a whole, but these at the office aren't the best around.

Anyway, enough of that. My biggest complaint so far is the dizziness. I sit in front of a computer all day and I guess I never realized how much your eyes move, because it feels like the whole world is spinning. Once I leave work I do pretty good. I definitely have more energy now in the evenings to get some stuff done around the house. Which in return makes me feel better knowing that I got something done and moving back towards a less cluttered house. I think I have only had a couple of the pings since quitting, but they never were never too frequent to begin with. I have a headache first thing when I get up, but it seems to subside after I get up and around. My stomach is nauseous all day long, but I think that is part of the dizziness. If I could get rid of the dizziness I think I would feel on top of the world.

Well I better get to work, but I'm going to call my Dr's office again and see if I can talk to a nurse. Looking forward to a "feel good" weekend. Cross your fingers it happens. ;)

***Update--Well I called my Dr's office and my doctor is out today (of course) and I got to speak to a nurse. Ummm, he suggested that I start back on 30mg/day so it would stop my withdrawal symptoms. Hello!! Are you freaking kidding me! I have already been off cold turkey a week, there is no way in hell that I would start taking it again. He of course refused to give me the Prozac, so I guess I will wait until Monday and see if I can go talk to my Dr. Which stinks because that is then more time suffering and more time missed from work! I want to crawl in bed with my nice big and understanding dog and stay there!

#58 Sarah J

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Posted 02 May 2008 - 10:48 AM

Seastar, sorry that you had a crash - that had to be frightening if you thought it was out of the blue but glad you figured out why.

Are you going to stay on Cymbalta? Just curious, it does help some people. Since you work in the medical field, what are you finding that the doctors think of Cymbalta (pros/cons)?

Whatever you decide to do, glad that you made it through this week and that your husband was there to help you. Let us know how you are doing.

#59 Seastar

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Posted 03 May 2008 - 08:30 AM

Hi Sara~ I really need the stuff and wonder how I managed to work and raise 4 kids before I realized I was depressed. Prozac was a huge relief for me. I switched to Cymbalta a couple of years ago. I function so much better with an SSRI. It helps me feel like my real self. So yes, I am back on it. I went to my doctor yesterday to see if there was anything I should know or do. She said just resume taking it on my regular 2x a day schedule. I did sleep better last night
but still feel very strange otherwise. Strange, but functional.

#60 Sarah J

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Posted 03 May 2008 - 09:25 AM

***Update--Well I called my Dr's office and my doctor is out today (of course) and I got to speak to a nurse. Ummm, he suggested that I start back on 30mg/day so it would stop my withdrawal symptoms. Hello!! Are you freaking kidding me! I have already been off cold turkey a week, there is no way in hell that I would start taking it again. He of course refused to give me the Prozac, so I guess I will wait until Monday and see if I can go talk to my Dr. Which stinks because that is then more time suffering and more time missed from work! I want to crawl in bed with my nice big and understanding dog and stay there!

That really sucks. Many people here have doctors who offer them Prozac, because they know the cymbalta withdrawal can be terrible. It is so strange and confirms that while we got "addicted" to Cymbalta, rarely do any of us wish to go back to get over the symptoms of withdrawal. Wait, they call it discontinuation syndrome.

https://www.cymbalta....php?f=15&t=223

That is the link to one of the articles from the internet that states this can help. If you do your own search, you will find many links as such. You might need to be armed with this information when you see your doctor.
I had to get another doctor, time off from work, damage to my bank account, time lost from living life. My best to you, this really sucks.
Is there a walk in clinic that maybe you could try to go to today that might help you?



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