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Going Cold Turkey...


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#1 AutumnRaine

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Posted 01 March 2014 - 10:55 PM

Hi,

 

I am 26 years old and have been on Cymbalta since I was 16. The main reason I was prescribed Cymbalta was for depression, but my doctor had also told me that it would help me quit smoking, and also help me loss weight. I was young, but not completely naive, and I believed it would help with my depression, but brushed off the fact that it could help me quit smoking and loss weight. I'm glad I didn't put to much hope in those two statements, because I finally just stopped smoking last May, and I'm still overweight. But as far as the depression I feel that it has helped. I have been seeing a new doctor for about 2 years now, and he has never liked the fact that I took Cymbalta. He keeps telling me that it is actually hindering my weight-loss efforts. He told me that I should consider stopping the drug. This has been a very hard decision for me to make, as my mother also use to take Cymbalta, she was on the 30mg dose, and was, excuse my language but, a heartless bitch, while she was weaning off of it. She even used the method of counting the beads inside the capsules, but my doctor says that is risking because you actually can't be sure of the amount you are taking because some of the beads are just placebos, and not the actual medicine. All of this has made me very nervous just thinking about stopping taking this medicine. Also, I had many weird side effects when I started taking the medicine, and have gotten these side effects even when I had missed a dose. I would feel as though I had bugs crawling under my skin, and would itch for hours, sometimes even 2 or 3 days. I also would have these electric shocks through my body, and pins and needles for no reason. I finally came to the conclusion that I had to stop taking Cymbalta. Last Tuesday I had forgotten to take my regular meds, so when I went to take my missed dose I decided not to take the Cymbalta. This last week has been hell. I have this continuous sensation through my entire body, I have pain in my upper back, every time I breath it hurts. I began getting extremely painful headaches. I am always tires, and can not concentrate. I have not told any one that I have not been taking the Cymbalta, because they would tell me that it is a bad idea to go cold turkey and that I should go to my doctors office to talk with him. I am a single mother of 2 children, go to school full time, and work a part time job. These withdrawal symptoms have effected my day to day routine. Is there any thing I can do to help myself get through this? Does anything make it easier? How long with the withdrawal last?


#2 fishinghat

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Posted 02 March 2014 - 08:33 AM

I can't help you AR with what to take to make it better but the withdrawal when going cold turkey usually lasts 4 or 5 weeks before you start seeing improvements. And by week 10 to 12 you have good days mixed with bad days. That is just an average. I have seen people go cold turkey with little problems and there have been those where it lasts  6 months or more. I sure hope things improve fast for you. God Bless.


#3 Leprechaun

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Posted 02 March 2014 - 11:33 AM

Welcome Autumn, You've come to the right place for help and encouragement for getting off Cymbalta. I'm in week 7 after stopping c/t. For me the process has been a rollercoaster of emotions with a bunch of physical symptoms thrown in. I experienced a lot of the side effects you describe, the shocks, zaps, itching and the like. I also have terrible mood swings. The good news is that the rollercoaster seems to be going up more now than at first. Hopefully that's the light at the end of the tunnel. There are some incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate people on this site. Keep us informed and hopefully we can ease your pain or offer guidance. Thoughts and prayers your way. 


#4 equuswoman

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Posted 02 March 2014 - 11:06 PM

withdrawal from this poison is horrid. I have tried it the CT way by accident and then again the way my pain mgm physician said to do it. The w/d was hell.

 

Then I found this forum and learned how to bead count. I was on Cymbalta 60mg every day for about 2 years. I have 17 more beads/days to go and I will be done but will have to wait and see what I'm left with after I'm done. You are in my prayers. Please let us know how you're doing. :hug:


#5 AutumnRaine

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Posted 03 March 2014 - 09:23 AM

Thank you everyone for your support. I just keep telling myself that I have to push forward. I know it's going to be a long road, it will be a blessing to have people who understand and I can talk to. I have never experienced anything like this in my life, and it's nice to know that it's not just me. I was beginning to feel crazy. I have read a lot of posts from this site, and intend to use this knowledge to help me through this journey.


#6 equuswoman

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Posted 03 March 2014 - 11:30 AM

Thank you everyone for your support. I just keep telling myself that I have to push forward. I know it's going to be a long road, it will be a blessing to have people who understand and I can talk to. I have never experienced anything like this in my life, and it's nice to know that it's not just me. I was beginning to feel crazy. I have read a lot of posts from this site, and intend to use this knowledge to help me through this journey.

Autumnraine what helped me was to ask my family and close friends to read some of the info here on the forum. It helped them to understand what it was that I was going thru. I began my bead count on Thurs Nov 7th and will swallow my "last" nasty bead on March 18th. I am looking forward to this day. I pray that I can make the best of whatever Cymbalta has left for me to work with. Hope that my brain and body can recover as much as is possible. I have no choice but to take what's left and will do the best that I can.

Prayers & hope for you from TheEquusWoman :hug:


#7 Xiaojie

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Posted 03 March 2014 - 01:04 PM

Hi Autumnraine - wow! You were on Cymbalta for a LONG time - 10 years??? Holy cow. I had only been on it for 2 years at the 90 mg daily dose. I think I'll stop complaining. In any case, I'm glad you're here. I recently found and joined this site a couple of weeks ago. The people here are awesome and wonderfully supportive, as you can probably surmise by now. And it's a good place to document and keep track of our own journeys back from hell getting off this drug.

This is the beginning of my third week off the stuff. I stopped cold turkey, like several others here have. While my own journey has been no pleasure, it hasn't been as bad as others have reported theirs to be. It's true that many of us are going to react differently as we suffer through our withdrawal symptoms. But having said that, we have more in common in our sufferings than differences, I think.

So far, my symptoms have been mild in comparison to others here. But I do sort of live in fear every day that they may get worse. No way to know that, I guess. Just taking it one day at a time.

I had a bugger of a migraine my 1st week post-Cymbalta, but none since. I experience severe nausea when I don't eat on time - so I don't dare skip meals. But fresh ginger helps immensely when I have been nauseous. Until last week, I had trouble sleeping at night and felt constant lethargy. But about three days ago, I had this great surge of energy return, so we'll see how long that lasts. I'm often dizzy throughout the day, and I suspect that symptom will die hard and I have to accept that. And - HELLO - the body aches are constant too. Legs really ache, but also back and joints. Makes me walk like an old lady. I haven't had any rages or episodes of uncontrollable crying, although I've had an occasional teary moment usually over something trivial. My dreams are always vivid, often upsetting and weird with or without Cymbalta, so I easily dismiss them when they happen. Oh by the way, since Cymbalta kills most people's libido, mine has begun to resurrect itself. For some, that alone is worth celebrating.

So far, there are no symptoms I cannot deal with. For the aches, I take ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but nothing stronger. I do take a daily multivitamin, but mostly get my vitamins through better nutrition, eg., Paleo diet. I take Melatonin for the insomnia, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Also I've eliminated caffeine and sodas, and just drink tons of water or natural juices.

Hang in there Autumn. Seriously, you can do this. We're all here for you and each other - we're in it together. Good luck on your journey, and keep us posted. :)

#8 AutumnRaine

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Posted 07 March 2014 - 10:23 AM

Equuswoman, thanks for the advice. I actually have been talking to some of my professors at school about what has been going on, and they are helping by being understanding and giving me a little extra time to do assignments. I want to talk to my family about it, but I can't. My mom was on Cymbalta for about 2 years and stopped about 2 years ago, and had a very hard time weaning herself off or it and almost signed herself into rehab because of it. She did the whole bead counting thing, and tried natural supplements to help, but it was one hell of a ride. About a week before I stopped taking the Cymbalta I mentioned that I was considering it, and she highly advised against it, she thinks I am too stressed to take on this battle right now. But her un-supportive-ness, has actually given me the push I need to get through this. I love to prove people wrong. I plan on telling her when I get to my three week mark, it has been 11 days, and I have been improving the last 2 days, so I have seen a little light at the end of the tunnel. I wish you luck with the remainder of your journey.


#9 FiveNotions

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Posted 07 March 2014 - 04:45 PM

AR...you are brave..and tough! You've made it this far, and you can keep going!

Perhaps your mom just doesn't want you to go through what she went through to get off....clearly she's brave and tough, too...so, my bet is that when you do feel ready to tell her, she'll be proud of, and happy for, you.....and will become supportive to you getting off...right now she might be mostly concerned that you've got too much going on to quit....that's how moms are sometimes....

Keep us posted...oh, and bravo for sharing what you're doing with your profs....

#10 CymbaltaMomma

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Posted 07 March 2014 - 08:13 PM

Hi All !!

 

AR,

 

I went cold turkey 5 days ago and I think I am doing ok.  GREAT support from this group, I'll tell yah.  I have noticed one major thing, my appetite, it's crazy.  I swear it feels like I am eating all the time, anyone else having this problem ?

 

Good Luck AR, you will get through this.


#11 FiveNotions

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Posted 07 March 2014 - 11:38 PM

CB....I was totally the opposite....lost all appetite for almost ten days...it was liquids only...mostly chicken and beef broth...with dry toast....then I started craving eggs....and prunes and almonds....like pregnancy cravings....

Interesting isn't it how we all seem to share some symptoms, but are so different in others....goes to show how uniquely each individual is wired....

#12 Wonderwoman

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Posted 09 March 2014 - 06:02 AM

Go to the health food store and get all natural replacements. I suffer from fibro, SAD, they will help you find something. Do some research. I take HTP and I was cold turkey it's good for depression and will help with withdrawal symptoms. There are other all natural products too for your specific needs.

#13 FiveNotions

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Posted 09 March 2014 - 08:19 AM

Hi wonder woman, welcome! You've come to the right place! I see that you've posted a number of comments...I'm going to go read them now.....



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