I have been mulling over firing my current p-doc (NOT my therapist, he's the best) but decided to honor my august appointment with him to get one more 90 day lamictal 'scrip and to have the opportunity to tell him what withdrawal from C was like. i think it is very important that he knows and that i'm on the record about it.
i told him about the physical side effects, the gastro stuff, the neuropathic pain, the general joint and muscle aches as well as the disabling anxiety, confusion, irritability, akathisia, paresthesia and the positives as well, such as losing 20 pounds, my blood pressure dropping like a rock and going off those meds altogether and my cholesterol dropping from 215 to 195. he did admit he's read about the potential for brain zaps - i told him that thankfully that is one side effect i never had. i said that i know that the manufacturer suggests withdrawal is at most a 2 week process but that i am at 14 weeks tomorrow and while i feel much much better, symptoms remain and the recovery is a cyclical process. i also told him that i was already feeling these symptoms before doing any kind of internet research and only knew i was not alone when i saw others online referencing the exact same symptoms. i also told him this very prolonged withdrawal seems to be the same for those who took cymbalta for pain and to treat poor bladder control (in europe) . i made sure i let him know that those who didn't have mental health issues prior to taking cymbalta developed them during the withdrawal, often as long term side effects. oh, i also told him about cymbalta prompting people to drink, sometimes heavily, who didn't have issues before. he said none of his patients have mentioned that. i said chances are some of his patients drink like fish and don't tell him - i was one of them! he then said that type of side effect should definitely should be reported to the FDA. i agreed and added that its not likely they'll do much
he let me talk, and boy did i ever! he probably thought i was hypomanic - but he didn't make any references to that. i was simply direct. however, i don't think i was intense. i told him about the class action suits and the preponderance of evidence counter to eli lilly's claims. he thinks i am intelligent. he is very familiar with my work and presence in the community. in other words, he takes me as a credible source of information.
i then asked if he's had any other complaints from patients who went off cymbalta who were not being transitioned onto another ssri/snri or other meds intended to replace the C. he said he hasn't heard anyone complain about side effects beyond a two week period, and that they have been the typical aches and pains, drowsiness and gastro issues. i rolled my eyes and told him to go online and see for himself. i told him i recognized that one must tread carefully among what is found on the internet however he did agree with me that when there is a lot of corroborating evidence then there is merit in it, regardless of the topic.
he seemed interested not skeptical, but totally clueless. but i cannot believe he hasn't heard this from other patients. it is simply not possible. he indicated that he's heard that effexor and paxil are worse. i said i have heard likewise but it doesn't matter, all these drugs are dangerous and should not be considered for long term use.
given his clueless behavior, not sure if it was an act, i plan to find another p-doc. i suspect that many docs feign ignorance to cover their rear ends due to liability concerns. i can't rely on someone like him to treat me. i won't need to go until december to get another lamictal 'scrip. my therapist already gave me another name. my intent is to fill the new p-doc in on my history and ask for his opinion not only of ssri/snri's but of his suggestions toward getting off lamictal. i want to make it clear that i don't want to rely on psychiatric meds anymore and want a good safe strategy.
