[ariel08]

I don't have kids, but I have pets. I have three cats and seven rats I'm responsible for.

It's been challenging, especially with the passive-aggressive lack of assistance from my husband.

But I've been able to keep up with feeding them, and the cats have been wonderful snuggling companions when things get too bad. I've also been taking the time to play with the rats, because doing that takes my mind off the symptoms for the while, and the rats need the interaction anyway.

The litter (for both pets) hasn't gotten cleaned as much as usual, but it DOES get cleaned.

Some days the withdrawal's been bad enough I can barely do more than the minimum - food and water.

The main HUGE difference between pets and kids is I can walk away from my pets, or put them in a room/cage, when I can't deal with them, and it's perfectly OK. They don't require the attention or care that kids do. And I imagine that kids are *much* more stressful than pets are.

[nurse87]

I have a 9 yr old child and I have been so hateful to him. We are constantly fighting(about doing homework & studying) and I have spanked him more in the last 2 weeks than I ever have in my life. My husband is not a very good disciplinarian. I have always been the one who has to take charge. I even told my son that I hated him. Now what kind of mother am I. I have probably scarred him for life. I try so hard every day to think that today will be better but so far it is not. I hate coming home to have to deal with him. I have even talked to my therapist about me wanting to leave him and my husband just so that I can only take care of ME. My son sees me cry every day. Please help me. I am literally dying inside.

[coco12]

My 16 year old daughter and I have always had a good relationship but I have to say the first week I was off Cymbalta I practically screamed at anyone that even looked at me the wrong way. I was so mean to her one of the days that she was almost in tears. Thank God that she did'nt yell back and I was done yelling at her for no reason after 10 minutes. I finally realized that you just have to open up and explain to your family what is going on and what the withdrawl symptoms are . I told everyone to just bear with me, that I will go through mood swings and probably say things that I do not mean (which I have). I have also read to them what is going on with all of you, so they know that I am not going crazy (LOL). This is my 12th day off Cymbalta and I think it has eased up some for me. I have come down with Strep Throat so it is really hard to tell if the run down feeling is from that or the withdrawl or both. Now that I have found this website I have become more positive that I can get through this because I am not alone. My Dr. thinks it is great that I am going off of antidepressents and said to take 1/2 a Xanax if I get anxious feeling. I hope this helps!!!..

[chuckiesd]

For me, we trying to understand the kids what the cymbalta purposed. And why we need to withdraw the cymbalta. Softly tell to the kids. Usually to do they will understand you. Do not force scold them or do the bad thing for them. They will not understand you at all.. Talk to them softly and friendly. Your kids will be understang about it.

[That1TyGuy]

Well I'm glad to hear that many of you guys still try to manage daily lives even though suffering through such a hard time. I guess you don't have much choice than to try but it is still amazing. I wish you guys al lthe best and I hope they continue to make you get up everyday and strive to get better.

[cstrommer]

I just read these posts. And am so glad to hear your stories. I have 3 kids of different ages, and this week it's been brutal. I'm in my second week of weaning, I have not had any cymbalta now for 3 days (was doing every other day, then every 3 days - all the while lowering my dose).

I did scream at my 6 year old. I feel so bad for her. I've been a little better with my 9 yr. old son since he took a header at school on Thurs. and has 24 stitches. So I guess there is some sort of control there. My oldest (14) hasn't been around much - lucky for him. But I've been lashing out much more in general and my husband and I had a huge fight last night - I really blew up.

I was screaming and I threw something at the wall (he thinks I'm nuts). My oldest may have heard this all too (not sure). Handling every day things are difficult - and the littlest noises bother me. I'm trying my best to keep my composure, but it's not always working. You guys are great. I am sooooo happy I found this website.

Last night, I had each of the kids handle a chore, without yelling, and they actually did it. I think they know mom's not feeling great, but they don't know why.

[justintime]

I had to tell my kids, in simple terms b/c they are 5 & 7, what was going on. By doing this, I can be upfront (without being scary) about how I'm feeling and how they can help me and that it won't last forever. I keep telling them that it will be better by their summer vacation (that's 7 weeks from now). But I have a lot of muscle pain (though not on C. for that) and mood swings and exhaustion. The boys are pretty self-sufficient thank god. Had to be after 5 years of having a mom on Psyche drugs. This withdrawal reminds me of the trick I used when I first went on SSRIs - I had a 1 and 3 YO at the time - I would crash every afternoon for a month so I would set up a DVD and toss goldfish crackers all over the living room floor for them to crawl and get - sounds absolutely pathetic, I know, for a mom to do this but it kept them busy and safe. I sound like I was a junky (my 5 YO son is doodling on my desk as I type and says I should insert a happy face here so

Katie

[big_orange_kitty]

I am sooo glad I found this site. I am the mother of a young lady that has been off Cymbalta for about 2 and 1/2 years. She had a really hard time and still has some residule affects. She was 17 when she was on it and lost a lot of time. She still can't remember a lot about that time of her life. Some things are real foggy and some just aren't there. She wound up quiting school because of all the nonsense with this and just completed her GED in November. ( Almost 2 years behind her class.) She had been one of the brightest selfsufficiant young ladies you would ever hope to meet before Cymbalta. She became very dependent on me for a long time. She went to live with my sister in GA and that helped her alot. I tried not to let her be dependent but it was very hard. When she would cry and tell me I didn't love her, ect. She is getting better all the time, it is just a LONG hard road. I thank God everyday that we got her off when we did. I will pray for all of you in your recover from this awful drug!
:!:

[big_orange_kitty]

Just want to remind you " DON'T GIVE UP!!!" It will get better, it just takes time.