9 replies to this topic

[Lexosceles]

Hello all! I have been lurking around the forums for a few weeks now, and I've decided to start the process.

I've been on 30mg for maybe... 3 or 4 months now, and lately it's been making me more short fused and snappy than ever before. My husband will say something I don't like, and I'll just flick him off. 10 seconds later, I don't even remember what he said... >.>

I began taking this for depression and my back pain, and while it helped even out my moods at first, it did nothing for my back, and it's useless for depression. My Dr wanted me to take 60 mg, but I don't want to be on drugs forever. I've been depressed since around 14 or so (I am 21 now), and finally was able to receive help.

I got married in December to my best friend of 5 years, and while he is incredibly patient and caring, I don't want him to burn out on me because of my moods. I want to get over this depression, even if it's just for him. He deserves better, but he's somehow still here, and I'm going to do my best for him (Other days, I feel the opposite, but that's just my stupid mood swings).

Hmm. This became long winded. My apologies. I only have internet on my phone, and I can't find the main bread counting thread for the life of me. Could anyone link it for me? I'm worried about going too fast, because I forgot to take them 2 days in a row once and nearly passed out from the shocks and dizziness in my brain.

[fishinghat]

Welcome Lexosceles. I am glad you made the decision to get off this crapalta.

 

I would suggest that maybe you have your husband read a couple of threads to get a feeling for what you are going to experience. It might help prepare him. Luckily it doesn't last forever.

 

On the bead counting I usually suggest starting by removing 2 or 3 beads more each day. So, remove 2 the first day, 4 the second day, 6 the next day etc. After a week or two I would suggest you review this rate. Kick it up if everything is going well or slow it down if you are getting too many withdrawal problems. The key is patience.

 

God bless and good luck.

[Timbo]

Thank goodness you haven't been taking this for very long.  I would think that could make your weaning process go more smoothly.  But...I would take the advice fishinghat has given you.  You should check fishinghat's posts from the past as well - you can find everything you need to know about the bead-counting process.   You're going to feel like a chemist at first.  :-)  

 

Just note...the amount of medication in each bead is different for each of the different prescribed pills.    So...if you are removing 2-3 beads each day from a 60 mg pill and drop down to 30 mg capsules, you will need to remove about 5-6 beads per day to remove the same amount of the medication (there are about 205 beads in a 60 mg capsule and about 280 beads in a 30 mg capsule).  I don't know how many are in a 20 mg capsule.  I have just been sticking with the 60 mg capsules removing 2-3 beads each day.   I am down to 33 beads (my dose tonight).   

 

Also, it's tricky working with those tiny beads.  I have jokingly said that they are alive - they certainly seem to move quickly and are challenging to handle.   At the beginning, I would recommend opening the capsule with the blue side up (the shorter side) so it doesn't spill.    Then, I would use only glass - plastic carries too much static electricity and the beads will jump around too much).   I use a blue plate where I can see the beads.   At the beginning, I poured out a few beads on the plate an counted them.   If I poured out too many, then I would just press down with my index finger and the bead would usually stick to my finger and I would put it back in the capsule.   As I have gotten past the halfway point, I just pour out the entire capsule and place the beads into the capsule one at a time with my index finger.  Usually, 3 or 4 stick to my finger at a time.   Kind of a pain, but it is one of those logistics you have to figure out.  Others here may have better suggestions.   I just kept dropping the beads and having to start all over again.  This was the most efficient way I could find. 

 

On a final note...congratulations on your recent marriage.  I wish you the best.  I hope that all that you do is to help YOU be healthy for your sake.   You said a few things that indicate you may be afraid of his reaction to your healing process.   Hopefully, as your best friend, he will understand.   If he doesn't understand, that certainly isn't your fault.   You have to find a healthy place for yourself regardless of what anyone thinks.   Not everyone will understand...that's not what's important.  As long as you now you are doing what you need to do to be healthy and happy.   

 

Best of luck to you.   This is a very positive and supportive group of people. I know you'll get through this.  :-) 

[Clara]

Lexosceles, welcome! Congrats on your marriage! It's very hard for those around us to understand what's going on in our heads. It helped my husband a lot reading different posts! My heart goes out to you! This forum has been my lifepreserver on those days when I was sinking! Keep us informed and don't be afraid to let it all out! People here "get it" and will give you loving support! God bless! clara

[Lexosceles]

Thank you very much, you two! I recognized both of your names for other threads, haha. My husband is very understanding, and I really do want to get better. We're thinking of doing what I call "hug therapy" as well - whenever I get frustrated or start saying things I don't mean... just general mood changes, he's going to give me a big hug instead of me just counting down to the next happy pill. I almost lost my life to depression several years ago; I can barely imagine now what it must be like to have to go through these feelings (or lack of) and withdrawals alone. I'm so glad I found this site.

[Lexosceles]

Thanks, Clara! I'll definitely have the Mr look at a couple of threads. Luckily he's like a natural born therapist, or we probably would have both lost our minds by now

[equuswoman]

Hello all! I have been lurking around the forums for a few weeks now, and I've decided to start the process.

I've been on 30mg for maybe... 3 or 4 months now, and lately it's been making me more short fused and snappy than ever before. My husband will say something I don't like, and I'll just flick him off. 10 seconds later, I don't even remember what he said... >.>

I began taking this for depression and my back pain, and while it helped even out my moods at first, it did nothing for my back, and it's useless for depression. My Dr wanted me to take 60 mg, but I don't want to be on drugs forever. I've been depressed since around 14 or so (I am 21 now), and finally was able to receive help.

I got married in December to my best friend of 5 years, and while he is incredibly patient and caring, I don't want him to burn out on me because of my moods. I want to get over this depression, even if it's just for him. He deserves better, but he's somehow still here, and I'm going to do my best for him (Other days, I feel the opposite, but that's just my stupid mood swings).

Hmm. This became long winded. My apologies. I only have internet on my phone, and I can't find the main bread counting thread for the life of me. Could anyone link it for me? I'm worried about going too fast, because I forgot to take them 2 days in a row once and nearly passed out from the shocks and dizziness in my brain.

 

Hi and welcome to the Cymbalta forum. Glad that you found us!

 

When I first came abord it was fishinghat and thismoment who met me w/a warm welcome. I had seen the topic listed saying, "bead counting" and thought WTHay (I love horses btw) is that BEAD counting.  It was fishinghat who helped w/the bead count as well as thismoment. Well bead counting is my best friend and that is the ONLY way that I'd EVER be able to rid my brain and body of this nasty, evil drug. I do however, know that Cymbalta works for some. I am NOT one of those ppl. I was prescribed it for pain due to osteoarthritis of my lower back. Sad thing here, is that only approx 50% of these patients this drug helps. Again I happened 2 be "not" 1 of those. I am tho, in the 20% who has difficulty coming off this poison. It likes my brain and thismoment has helped me to get thru this w/some humor. Humor helps, LOL helps as well. 

 

I began my bead count on Thurs Nov 7th and am now down 124 as of tonites dose. I accidentally quit cold turkey and that was horrible. I then did as my pain specialist instructed me to do and WoW but that was just as bad when I went from 60mg down to 30mg and on day #10, I was knocking on hells door w/the nasty w/d symptoms.

 

Got back on Cymbalta 60 and then began searching the w.w.w. for HELP to come off this poison! Was blessed to have found this forum of compassionate, understanding and encouraging ppl. Folks who had already gone thru Cymbalta hell and "made" it...and stayed to help us coming after them to do the same!

 

I have an supportive and understanding DH and DD who at my request read the info here on the Cymbalta forum. They have been wonderful since they began to understand the affects the Cymbalta was having on me. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. YES this nasty drug affects our brains and bodies as well.

 

My blue/green name brand 60mg Cymbalta capsules contain approx 200 tiny, teeny little white beads. They have the consistency of "packing peanuts"...and Timbo is so correct in that they seem to be "alive" I am now a little over 1/2 way and have had to stop and stabilize when I was trying to wean off 2 fast. I am now at dropping only "1" bead per dose in the evening when I take this "poison"...

 

Before I began my bead count I checked out the supplements recommended here on the forum. My pharmacist recommended a B complex vitamin, I also use 'fresh' flax seed 2 Tbsp per day. U should grind these fresh daily for the omega(s) that are in them. Push the water to help flush out the drug. and physical activity helps as well. I have 3 horses I care for and I do a lotta "mucking" aka cleaning stalls...

 

Since I joined this forum back in Oct there have been many others who have found this forum and have been so very helpful to me. I do plan to stay on the forum after I'm free of Cymbalta and help others who are seeking what I was..

 

Anyhow again a warm welcome from the folks here. They are so wonderful in sharing their experiences and knowledge.

 

May God bless all of us as we continue this journey to become free of this "drug"...

 

My prayers are w/you!

 

TheEquusWoman

[Kittylover]

How do people physically manage the beads...they are so tiny...do you use tweezers to count one at a time or what? I can't figure out a good system

[Carleeta]

Oh my kittylover that sounds so frustrating. If you read through the forums you will find how others have managed to get the beads counted and back into a capsule..I did read somewhere that others moistened their finger a bit and used the larger side of the capsule to slide it in..Although I'll try and find somewhere for you to read how some did accomplish this defeat. Hold tight..

[Carleeta]

Kittylover. .I found the forum for getting the beads in the cspsules...it's Bead Counting in Generic..Hope this helps. .Have a great day and keep us posted..