Jump to content



Photo

Been Coming Down For About 7 Weeks Now...


  • Please log in to reply
44 replies to this topic

#1 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 07 June 2015 - 05:52 PM

Hello out there and thanks for your support in advance. I've been reading some of the posts and some of the experiences are heartbreaking to hear. I hope that anyone having issues out there finds peace soon. I'm a 54 year old male and was on Cymbalta for 1 and 1/2 years. I started weaning off on April 20th from 60mg. My pdoc suggested a week at 30 and then off altogether. But for whatever reason I felt that would be too fast so I did my own method. I went down to 30mg for about 10 days. Withdrawal symptoms included dizziness, lightheadedness, body aches. But knowing what this was from I was able to deal with it. I then went to 15mg (opened up capsule and spilled out about half). I stayed on 15 for about a week or so and started taking a few more beads out per night over the course of about another week. Might have my dates off but above is fairly close to what I did. I've had a lot of side effects from the above mentioned to full blown head cold for 2 weeks (don't know if it was really a cold or a withdrawal), lots of body aches in my joints, headaches, some mild nausea, irritability, mood swings, anger. Basically I'm up and down a lot. I have had a couple of days here and there where I feel "ok" and hopeful those days become more frequent. But there are times all or some of symptoms are back which becomes very discouraging. I think feeling lousy physically snowballs into feeling depressed, anxious, etc. I should mention at one point after finishing the wean to 0mg I called my pdoc to let him know how crappy I felt. He gave me an rx for 3 Prozac pills as he said that should counteract some of the withdrawals and that Prozac stays in the system longer and should help. I'm not really sure if it did or not. The last 2 days were pretty lousy, tired, headaches, body aches. It's been about 3 weeks since taking the last Prozac and about 24 days since my last bit of cymbalta. I know we're all different but appreciate anything anyone on here can tell me. Just looking for some encouragement really. Thanks again and best of luck.

#2 gail

gail

    Site Partners

  • Site Supporter
  • 6,016 posts
  • LocationSherbrooke, PQ
  • why_joining:
    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 07 June 2015 - 07:30 PM

Hello CWF,

Welcome to the forum. Good thing you didn't listen to your doctor. But also, you weaned too fast. And Prozac or Zoloft are prescribed while you are tapering the big C. Not after and not three pills. I wonder where your doc got those ideas! You are one of many that have been misleaded by their own doctor.

At 24 days, its a bit late to reinstate and taper properly. So this could go on for a while, I am surprised that you have had good days at this point.

The up and down is the norm. Are you taking something for the anxiety? This must be addressed first. There are many suggestions in the archives that you will find interesting on this subject. Most are written by Fishinghat, he is our specialist in that domain.

So, brace yourself for the next few weeks to come, it is a tough route and you will make it. Keep in mind that progress is not linear. Forum
is slow, it's the week end. And I suggest that you check the box to your higher right to get instant notice. At first we do tend to lose ourselves trying to find our posts.

Do continue posting, we are here for you and we have walked the walk.
No diplomas can beat that! And who knows, you can be one of the lucky ones to get over this faster than the others.

See you!

#3 thismoment

thismoment

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,514 posts

Posted 08 June 2015 - 02:59 AM

Hi Cym

I agree with Gail.

In general, the severity of the symptoms relates to how fast you taper off: The term 'Cold Turkey' means just quitting a drug, but it also applies to a short-term fast step-down regimen such as what you were given. The shorter the taper time-- the more severe the symptoms; those who wean off over a year or more experience very few or no symptoms at all.

Your doctor would have served you better had he/she given you 3 raspberry JuJubes instead of the 3 Prozac caps!

A cross-taper withdrawal with an SSRI like flouxetine is done by slowly uploading the SSRI while the Cymbalta is being slowly reduced over a period of 6-8 weeks. After some weeks of stabilizing, the flouxetine is slowly reduced to zero over several months. Anxiety is monitored throughout and is controlled as needed with a benzodiazepine or similar, and counseling like CBT and Mindfulness.

Trying to reinstate now will be a crap shoot, and it may or may not take you to a familiar place. But nobody knows for sure. So you're probably best off to stick with what you've got and weather the storm for whatever time it takes to heal. You brain will eventually find a place of equilibrium where you can function; it could be measured in weeks or months-- everybody responds differently-- but it will come! Hang in there!

Control the anxiey, excercise, eat less than more, drink water, avoid other neurotoxins, learn Mindfulness, be compassionate with yourself, and find distractions and interests to take your mind off itself.

Take care.


#4 jmconner

jmconner

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 12 posts
  • LocationIndianapolis, IN

Posted 08 June 2015 - 05:12 AM

Hi Cym,

 

I took Cymbalta for 5 years and tapered off according to my doctor's orders, but I've learned from this forum that my "tapering" was so misguided that it was paramount to quitting cold turkey. It is has been ten weeks since I took my last 20 mg tablet -- and it's been a very difficult ten weeks. But I'm finally experiencing periods of relief.

 

There are two things I did to make things easier that I wish I had done sooner:

1. Start on Prozac. About three weeks ago I hit rock bottom. (I shouldn't have allowed myself to get that bad.) I went to my doctor and she put me on 20 mg of Prozac. I think the Prozac is just starting to kick in and is making the Cymbalta withdrawal much more tolerable. Eventually I'll need to get off the Prozac, but I've actually done that before -- and it was nothing as bad as coming off of Cymbalta has been.

2. Don't suffer through the anxiety. At the same time I started on the Prozac, my doctor prescribed Klonopin for anxiety. She suggested that I take 1/2 to 1 pill at a time. I take 1/8! That' all I need to take the edge off. And I take it as infrequently as possible. (The last thing I want is to become addicted to Klonopin.) But I DO take it when I really need it.

 

Another thing I wish I had done sooner was talk to my family about what i was experiencing. I kept thinking I could hide my symptoms from them. I didn't want them to worry. That made things really difficult.

 

Truly do take it one day at a time. And be as gentle with yourself as possible as you go through this. 

 

I wish you the very, very best. 


#5 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 09 June 2015 - 08:38 PM

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for your responses and encouragement. Its definitely good to know I'm not alone in my experiences. Today I had a very good day for the most part. Some annoying sweating episodes throughout the day but nothing I couldn't weather. I also made an appt. with a new pdoc that a friend recommended. I just want to have someone to talk to about the pharmacology aspect and if in fact what I'm going through are the effects of coming off Cymbalta. So we'll see how that goes (Monday).

Thanks again everyone.

#6 thismoment

thismoment

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,514 posts

Posted 10 June 2015 - 08:29 AM

Cym

 

"I just want to have someone to talk to about the pharmacology aspect and if in fact what I'm going through are the effects of coming off Cymbalta . . ."

 

​Many of us asked this question of our medical people. In my case, both the physician and the psychologist told me that withdrawal symptoms from Cymbalta (and other similar serotonin psychiatric drugs) lasts 2-3 weeks maximum. Therefore, after a couple of symptom-filled months my psychologist thought I was lying, and my physician was convinced that each symptom was the emergence of a strange new medical condition-- I saw a several specialists, I had x-rays, an MRI, and I went to the ER twice thinking I was dying. Also, I was prescribed a number of other drugs to address the myriad of symptoms-- but nothing helped.

 

The only thing that helped was a benzodiazepine taken as-needed (maybe once a week) for anxiety.

 

After another month I quit seeing the psychologist and took the rest of the pills back to the pharmacy to be disposed of. After 6 months it could be identified that my symptoms were all slowly fading. I started doing my own research. I gave up talking to medical people because they all sang the same mantra "two-to-three weeks and the withdrawal symptoms are gone"-- of course that's Pharmaceutical Company sales talk, and it's completely false.

 

About a year after stopping Cymbalta I still had a few residual symptoms that were tolerable, and I was now off all medication. Being off all medication was not-- and should not be-- the singular goal: quality of life is all that matters, and that may necessarily include some medications. 

 

The 'pharmacological aspect' of the experience may be best addressed by a Neuroscientist, primarily because during the highly symptomatic period of withdrawal there are no drugs in your system-- those horrendous symptoms are what it feels like to be in a state of physical self-repair: Without the drug, your brain is seeking to adapt to its new drug-free reality and it just takes a lot of time because the alterations are physical--  repairs are being made at the cellular level in order to find equilibrium in this new reality.

 

Sometimes we view stopping psychiatric drugs like changing out the oil on the car. Rather, it's as if the last oil change physically altered the engine so that it could only function with that specific oil. Now when you change out the oil, the engine won't function properly on the new oil, and it must physically self-repair to find a state of equilibrium within the world of the new oil. 

 

We know it takes more time than the 2-3 weeks we were told. How much time? It's unknown-- 6 months seems to be the point of significant change when we identify that these are symptoms and they are fading; it's like waiting for your hair to grow back in following a bad haircut-- you just have to find a way to put in the time and endure those uncomfortable hours. You will get through this!

 

Take care.


#7 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 10 June 2015 - 10:00 AM

Wow! maybe I should make an appt with you! I'd rather give you $300 instead ;) But thank you and kidding aside I get what your saying and it all makes perfect sense. But as this guy came recommended and my original pdoc is of the mindset mentioned above i just wanted to try someone new if even only for a consultation. He may very well say the same thing, who knows. I don't think it can hurt to have another medical opinion. In a lot of ways i feel like I'm going through this alone, without a plan. Yes, i do have family to lean on luckily and now the support of this group but i just want a "professional's" opinion. 

 

Thanks again for the response and very happy to have all of you out there supporting me. It means a lot to know I'm really NOT alone in the struggle.


#8 thismoment

thismoment

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,514 posts

Posted 10 June 2015 - 11:23 AM

Cym

 

By all means seek the second opinion! There are doctors out there that understand what's happening-- doctors that suggest you wean off by gently tapering the dosage as recommended by Eli Lilly (the manufacturer), and doctors that know these symptoms can go on for many months, even years.

 

We sometimes forget that these SS/SNRI serotonin drugs are fairly new-- the first biggie (Fluoxetine [Prozac]) was approved as an antidepressant in December of 1987. Since then there have been many more similar neurotoxic drugs sold as antidepressants. Therefore, long-term effects, and the science of withdrawal management are just emerging.

 

It's wonderful that you have family that supports you in this struggle. I too had family support and could not have made it alone. It's true, however, that I nearly drove them away during the horror of my withdrawal. They have returned to my side, but of course they stand a little further away than before; I accept that.


#9 equuswoman

equuswoman

    Like a Family Member

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 965 posts
  • LocationSweet Home Alabama
  • why_joining:
    In the future want 2B off Cymbalta! The physicians are no help. Looking for understanding, support & encouragement as I know this is a difficult process. Want 2 be of help 2 others who will find this site looking for same things as I.

Posted 10 June 2015 - 03:21 PM

Cymyourfalta: I was on this "drug" for 18 months for chronic lower back pain. It screwed up my short term memory so badly. Among other things in my life.

It took me 4 months to SLOWLY wean off this poison. Hang in there, you can do it. The ppl here will help you just as they did me.

I had to count beads one at a time. Dropping ONLY 1 per day until I was done with the crap drug. Even at this rate I still experienced withdrawal symptoms.

But with the help of my family, friends and God I was finally OFF the poison for GOOD! 

Prayers and support for you darlin' from TheEquusWoman :hug:


#10 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 18 June 2015 - 07:10 PM

Hello all, thought I'd report back in. It's been about a week since I last posted. "Seems" like I'm having more good days than bad. Or maybe I should say more good moments/hours than not. I did see that new pdoc and it was a good visit. Hearing that what I was going through are common withdrawal symptoms and like most people agree this can take more time depending on the person. I think the best advice I've gotten both on here and from my family support system is to just be easy on myself. That's not always doable as I'm sure many of you know, especially when we don't feel "well". But I try. It seems like I write on the days that I'm not feeling so great but in a way it's good to have a diary to reflect back on (both good and bad).

Hope everyone is doing well today.

#11 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 25 June 2015 - 04:58 PM

Hello, not having a good day. Fatigued, depressed. And on top of it all I'm outside my comfort zone, away from home and staying with my brother and wife for 8 days in Florida (I live in NY). How do I know if these are still withdrawal symptoms or new ones from being off Cymbalta? I've been totally off for about 5 weeks now. Yesterday I felt really good, happy and engaged. Before that still up and down a lot with my emotions all over the place. Today complete turn around and not good. Maybe a couple of good hours. I keep trying to be mindful and breathe and sometimes that helps. I want to feel "better" and keep it going but don't know how. Hope to hear from some of you guys soon.

Thanks.

#12 gail

gail

    Site Partners

  • Site Supporter
  • 6,016 posts
  • LocationSherbrooke, PQ
  • why_joining:
    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 25 June 2015 - 05:33 PM

Cyf,

Keep in mind that progress is not linear and that you are one of the lucky ones to have good days at this point in time.

You want to get better, but that takes time. Usually you don't have good days until the eight week.

There is no way to know how, there is none but time. You are still in withdrawal at this point. Of course, being out of your comfort zone does not help. Open up to your brother about your feelings, he will understand.

Cyf, you are getting there, there will be bad days when you think that this has been going on forever and good days where you will get your hopes up that all is over. It is not linear for anyone.

Keep the faith and count yourself blessed for having good days or hours at this point.♥

#13 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 25 June 2015 - 06:11 PM

Thanks Gail, I know you're right and I continue the fight. I was just reading on this site posts from years ago of people's withdrawal symptoms. They mostly seemed very short lived... Meaning they'd say such and such kicked in at day 3 or day 5 but hard to tell how long they lasted. Maybe they were lucky and got off this quickly. I'm concerned with long term withdrawal but I have to say everything people experienced I also experience only it seems like a much longer period of time. But as you say the bad days seem forever. I guess at this point I just have to accept what's happening to me and keep fighting.

Thank you again for sharing and keeping me grounded.

Would love to get more feedback from others too. Success stories after several month withdrawals welcome

#14 gail

gail

    Site Partners

  • Site Supporter
  • 6,016 posts
  • LocationSherbrooke, PQ
  • why_joining:
    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 25 June 2015 - 07:18 PM

Cyf,

"It seems like a much longer period of time"
"They seemed very short lived"

That is a minority, a small minority.

There is no time line. Around the eight week is when you begin to see good days or good hours.

Cyf, you are in the norm.,I would say even better than the norm.
Try to accept what is happening, I know, easier said than done.
Tough times ahead, but also good moments.

Keep posting♥

#15 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 27 June 2015 - 07:48 AM

Thank you Gail. Having the grounding and encouragement from you and everyone else on here helps tremendously!

Have a great day!

#16 thismoment

thismoment

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,514 posts

Posted 27 June 2015 - 08:42 AM

CYF

Your withdrawal at 5 weeks out is perfectly normal, and you will emerge from this experience and carry on with your life. When one is inside a trench, everything looks like a mountain!

Gail is right-- 8-10 weeks is the deepest trench, but after that you will get a better view of the surrounding countryside. Between 3 and 6 months there is palpable progress and hope takes root! After 6 months there is much light and you know you're healing well; you begin to emerge and feel the life once again.

The best you can do for the next few months is find distractions-- activities that occupy mental bandwidth to keep your mind from over-introspection. Walk a lot. Look into Mindfulness.

It's a waiting game just now, and looking back each moment and each day is disappointing because progress is slow. When you find interesting distractions you might only look back every couple of weeks, and the progress will be more apparent.

Don't worry, you will get through this.

#17 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 12 July 2015 - 03:25 PM

Hi everyone, thought i'd check back in… I'm still kinda plodding along over here and want to get a gauge on what I'm feeling... and whether its still withdrawal symptoms or possibly old ones creeping back in. I've been feeling kind of melancholy, bored and just not very thrilled with much. While i realize these can be signs of depression i don't know if they're caused by still withdrawing from Cymbalta or just me. Some background on me: From what I know about myself, i've kind of always had self esteem, confidence issues and it were these traits that drove me to seek psychological help and/or meds in the first place. I'm talking over 25 year period from young adulthood to now… The last time i went on meds (cymbalta) was at a very stressful time of my life after losing my job of 22 years. So there was a lot of worry at the time and sadness was creeping into the mix. I had been on other SSRI/SNRIs and never really seemed to benefit much from them other than gaining weight and feeling apathetic, lethargic, lazy and sexually like a unich. So i made an appt with my original pdoc and, after explaining to him that my Dad had told me he was on Cymbalta and felt good on it i felt "well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" and suggested it to my doc.  He agreed, not that he needed much convincing! Around that time i got a new job and things started working out for the better. BUT i hated the affect Cymbalta seemed to have on me: i gained almost 40 lbs, i was sweating a lot, even on winter days and just felt physically like crap! I started worrying about how heavy i was getting. I tried dieting and exercising and just couldn't stick with it. It was just easier to say "ah i'll start tomorrow…, etc, etc" That apathy slipping in again. So i decided late in April that i wanted off Cymbalta. Ergo what brought me here and to my first post above.

 

Granted things change and new stresses come up in life but nothing is going on now that "should" make me feel this melancholy, boredom, etc. I feel like these feelings have been suppressed somehow by Cymbalta and now its as if i've awakened into a new sense of self. Or is it my old sense of self? In other words the things that aren't so great in my life are staring me right in the face again. I can't get a handle on if I'm still withdrawing or not. I guess nobody really knows that but me.

 

Sorry for the digression above but given my history and recent coming off of Cymbalta what do you guys think I'm going through? 


#18 TryinginFL

TryinginFL

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,274 posts
  • LocationFlorida
  • why_joining:
    Now that I have been off this poison for over 6 years, I hope to help others as they join us

Posted 12 July 2015 - 03:46 PM

Hi CYF !

 

I understand exactly how you feel as I felt the same at that point.   l have been off the crap for 18 months now and still have residual effects - anxiety being the worst.

 

So much seems to depend on how long one has been on this poison and your age.  Those over 50 seem to have the worst time.

 

TM had a good suggestion - try to get interested in something that takes your mind off of it or even take a walk in a lovely park.

 

It seemed to me that it would go on forever, but you have only been off - what, 3 months now?

 

I wish you the best and please keep us posted - we want to help!

 

Liz


#19 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 12 July 2015 - 04:02 PM

Hi and thanks for replying. Technically my last dose was around third week of May. So I'm about 7-8 weeks into it now.

I should add that I can more easily push myself to do things whether it's exercising or doing a project at home. So that does keep me busy and my mind better occupied.

#20 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,869 posts
  • LocationMissouri

Posted 13 July 2015 - 10:07 AM

CYF

 

You have had some good advice. The only way to tell if this is withdrawal is time. If you can tolerate it and it doesn't get worse just hang in there and see if it slowly fades. If it does get worse then I suggest you consider a good therapist or seeing your shrink..


#21 FiveNotions

FiveNotions

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,686 posts
  • LocationUS, East Coast
  • why_joining:
    I want my life back!

Posted 13 July 2015 - 10:48 AM

Hi CYF,

 

I'd say you're doing darned well for just 7-8 weeks off of the crapalta!

 

Like you, I gained a large amount of weight, sweat profusely (gross, ain't it?), and generally felt horrible while on the drug ... I'm so glad you decided to get off the stuff ...

 

just remember that Cymbalta is a powerful drug that acts on the neurotransmitter serotonin ... it artificially increases the serotonin level in the brain ... serotonin not only regulates moods, but is involved in body functions like perspiration, muscle contractions, digestion, and blood pressure / circulation ...

 

when we dose down / quit Cymbalta, our brain is pretty much bewildered ... it's forgotten how to regulate serotonin on its own, and has to re-learn how to do it ... that takes time ... and, while that's happening, all the body functions ... and moods / emotions ... that are impacted by serotonin levels are also going to go a bit haywire ....

 

Age, general physical health, other medical conditions, other medications being taken, level of stress ... all these are factors that seem to impact how the process goes ...

 

Be patient with yourself, give your brain lots of time ... and rest, lots of rest ... as little stress as possible, exercise (if you can), drinks lots of water, and take some basic supplements ... multivitamin, B-complex, Omega 6, and chelated magnesium (caution on magnesium, it causes anxiety in some folks, rare, but TFL here experienced it) ... and, stay away from alcohol and coffee / caffeine drinks ...

 

And hang around here ... read, and keep posting! :)


#22 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 13 July 2015 - 12:22 PM

Thanks everyone. I was just reading another post from a new member who's going through very similar experiences as me. I just responded to him in the hopes he will gain some relief from my thread and the great advice you all have given me.

 

Thanks again and hope you all have a great day!


#23 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 31 August 2015 - 11:21 AM

Hi everyone, hope everyone is doing well out there. Its been about 6 weeks since my last post and up until a few days ago i've been feeling pretty good, not great but to the point where i felt maybe I've leveled off to my pre-Cymbalta self. But then whammy, a lot of symptoms have creeped back in lately: stiff neck, headachy, negativity, angst, scary thoughts, sadness, some anxiety (not overwhelming but couldn't get to sleep last night and usually sleep is not a problem for me). I have had a bit more stress in my life relating to my job which may have triggered this but I'm not sure. I'm about 14 weeks completely off Cymbalta and just wondering if its common to have relapses like i think this might be?

 

Hope you guys aren't tired of me coming and going like this for support… i just tend not to post when I'm feeling ok.

 

Thanks everyone and have a great day!


#24 fishinghat

fishinghat

    Site Partners

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 13,869 posts
  • LocationMissouri

Posted 31 August 2015 - 11:40 AM

Hi CYF

 

Yes the relapses are not uncommon. If you can reduce your stress for a few days and sort of kick back and relax things should improve soon. Actually you have done real well so far. Hold tight. Things will get better.


#25 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 31 August 2015 - 12:37 PM

Thanks FH, yes I'm trying to learn not to jump right into the "whats wrong with me" knee-jerk way of thinking and just be more mindful. I often say to myself "this is temporary. it will pass." etc. etc. As you know, it isn't easy when you're feeling those "feelings". I continue the fight.


#26 FiveNotions

FiveNotions

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,686 posts
  • LocationUS, East Coast
  • why_joining:
    I want my life back!

Posted 31 August 2015 - 08:02 PM

yep, what you're experiencing seems pretty much on par with what I experienced ... like FH says, when one of these "episodes" arrives, give yourself permission to relax, get extra rest, treat yourself to something special ... they're only temporary ... and, as more and more time passes you'll find that they happen less often, and the symptoms fade / lessen ...

 

I'm almost 2 years off the poison, and I still have episodes of optic neuritis (that was one of the worst withdrawal symptoms I had) ... I also find that I still get tired easily, and don't deal well with crowds or loud noise ... but all that continues to improve ... as it will / is doing for you ! :)


#27 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 01 September 2015 - 03:53 PM

FN, thanks for the encouragement. I just googled optic neuritis and it sounds horrible. But all in all its great you're getting better. I have to ask this though because it plagues my own mind... so many people are still "coming down" from this drug - sometimes years later - which begs the question: how do we know its still withdrawals or not some new demon we've acquired? I mean lets face it I don't think there's ever going to be a time where we are symptom free. Its how we cope that can make the difference.. How do we know its due to Cymbalta withdrawal months or even years later?

 

Please understand I'm not judging anybody but I am sometimes frustrated with the unknown about these drugs and the myriad of opinions we all have to navigate through.


#28 FiveNotions

FiveNotions

    God-like

  • Active Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,686 posts
  • LocationUS, East Coast
  • why_joining:
    I want my life back!

Posted 02 September 2015 - 07:10 AM

That's a wonderful question, CYF, and my answer is ... I just don't know ... what I do know is that my parents, grand parents, et al going back into ancient history lived without the "benefit" (arguable, in my opinion) of these drugs. They lived, they loved, they had fun, they were happy, they were sad, they suffered (in various physical and mental) ... and they died ... without these drugs ...

 

And, again my own opinion ... they, as individuals, and collectively, as a society / culture / civilization were stronger, richer, and more alive and interesting than the individuals, society / culture / civilization of today ...

 

Surviving CT withdrawal, that took almost a year, is the hardest thing I've ever done ... and was the most physical and emotional suffering and pain I've ever experienced. And, I am deeply grateful for every moment of it, because I came out of it stronger, happier, and more alive than I've ever been.... (and, I met the wonderful friends I have made on this forum ... without whom I would have either died, or gone back on the drug ... same thing as dying :P)

 

So, I now choose to try to live without the stuff (full disclaimer, I'm still on Wellbutrin, and am sloooooowly reducing down on that, and take clonidine for anxiety / high bp) ...

 

I also no longer run off to a doc at the first sign of an "owwie" or a "booboo" ... I wait to see if I really need to do so ... nor do I any longer just accept the drug handed to me at face value and the word of the doc (who knows, I've learned, only what the drug co reps have told him / her) ... I research the crap(alta) out of everything myself ...

 

Do I still struggle with issues like anxiety ... yes, yes, yes ... but I do for sure attribute the nature of it to Cymbalta ... it's unlike the anxiety I experienced before the drug, of a more insidious sort ... now I take clonidine to manage it ... and I also use my old CBT skills ... (working hard to face my issues, via therapy / CBT in the years before drugs became the easy way out, I learned a lot ... just stopped using the skills when I could take a magic pill :wacko:)

 

Do I experience depression ... no, actually, not a bit .. although during withdrawal I thought I was having a relapse ... but the folks here talked me out of hopping back on a med immediately, so I waited it out (very very hard), and it faded away ...

 

In sum, I've returned to feeling fully human ... I have all of my emotions back and available, and I'm fully engaged with life on a moment-to-moment basis ... not numb like I was on drugs ...

 

I apologize for this long screed ... but your question really hit home with me ... thank you for asking it ... just not sure I really gave you an answer ;)


#29 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 03 September 2015 - 10:16 AM

Hi FN, you most certainly did give me an answer or should I say "encouragement". Although I don't agree with some of what you wrote I most certainly agree with some others. I too would like to get back to experiencing life totally off these numbing medications and I've never found that they ever actually "worked" or did much for me. Yes, maybe they "evened" me out some but as we all know they come with a slew of other side effects that well, lets face it, just suck. For me they weren't crippling side effects but were enough to want off it. I applaud your courage and it makes me feel good that you and others out there feel the same way I do about this.

 

Thanks again for your response.


#30 CymYourFaulta

CymYourFaulta

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 23 posts
  • LocationNY

Posted 08 September 2015 - 03:24 PM

Hi everyone, I wanted to post about how I've been feeling lately as I'm at a crossroads and thinking I may really need to be on some type of medication. As you've seen from my previous posts it seemed as though I was possibly going to be one of the "lucky ones" to come out of withdrawals in a couple of months. The truth is I don't know that's the case or if what I'm feeling now ARE withdrawals or not. For the last 10-14 days I've been feeling anxious---that feeling of uneasiness that seems to be free floating as in I don't know where it comes from and just hangs over me. This has been lasting from minutes to several hours and all throughout the day. It seems worse in the morning/afternoon and lifts a bit at night but not always. There are also other feelings: depressive states coming and going, sweating and others I can't think of at the moment. I've tried to distract myself as best as I could which sometimes helps but I have to say im worried and scared. My thoughts are all over the place and im generally filled with worry like: will I be able to go away that weekend and be ok... worried about going back on medication... worried about my job situation... worried about people close to me dying. I don't know how to get through this. Today in a phone conversation with my brother, I broke down on the phone (not typical for me) but Im always on the edge of crying. I feel alone, I know im not but I feel isolated, trapped in these feelings of dread.

 

I know all of these things are probably best discussed with a shrink but admittedly I don't have one I feel "good" around. My last pdoc I just never felt comfortable with. I did recently meet another pdoc for consult but he is on vacation until next week and won't know if he'll take me on as a patient. I feel like im barely treading water over here and not sure what to do. I think the answer is in the cards so to speak and i'll be back on medication once I find someone I can trust. In fact if anyone knows of a good pdoc in NYC or LI area, can you private message me with their contact info?

 

Thanks in advance.





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users