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#1 Lyssa

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Posted 18 January 2013 - 09:12 AM

Okay this is my 10th day off Cymbalta..cold turkey.. What a ride.. I never would have imagined the hell that I would go thru.. Brain zaps?? Is this even healthy.. I feel like I'm going to have permanent damage after this is over. Crying?? Over anything.. Being stuck in the bathroom.. Having panic attacks and thoughts of suicide. Why in the world would they charge so much for this medicine if they know the withdraw is so painful. My husband and I moved to Orlando Florida for school. He has the VA insurance but, me? Nothing.. So  after 2 years of being on 90mgs of Cymbalta I have took my last dose 10 days ago. After thoughts of suicide my husband called all over Orlando. All they could suggest was a clinical trial... In a month. My husband says umm she will be dead in a month. I can't sleep and when I do the nightmares haunt me. Constant headaches, more like migraines The only good thing I have suffered from is the weight loss, I have lost 7 pounds in 10 days. How am I going to survive? What do I do in a situation like this. I can't just "commit" myself. I have responsibilities and a 2 year old. I feel lost and I really need help.. Please someone tell me it gets better? Is there even a light at the end of this tunnel. And will I survive long enough to see it?

Alyssa


#2 Heartfeathers

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Posted 19 January 2013 - 09:37 PM

Lyssa, get back on the Cymbalta!!  You CANNOT do this cold turkey.   You must wean down ...S  L   O  W  L  Y !!!    I have been off of this poison for 7 months, but I weaned down in small increments over a 4 month time.   Some people open the capsule and count out the beads and remove some every day.    I tried to go cold turkey 2 years ago and it landed me in the hospital. This is serious!   PLEASE go to the ER and tell them what is going on.  You cannot do it this way.  I am here for you.  I will message you my contact info.


#3 tomitsu

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Posted 22 January 2013 - 11:17 AM

You should go back on Cymbalta if you can. Then wean off. It will make your WD a bit easier. Especially since you have a baby.
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#4 Saguilar13

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Posted 28 January 2013 - 08:38 PM

There's a company called Lilly Cares that helps pay for it if you can't afford it. I just applied and I'm waiting to hear if I qualify. If you do qualify they provide you the meds for a year, which should hopefully be enough to wean off. Hope this helps.

#5 deb55

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 09:45 AM

Alyssa, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will get there.  Many of us are experiencing the same withdrawal symptoms but they do vary from person to person.  You absolutely have to do what is best for you and for your family.  I am committed to going cold turkey, but my circumstances are not like yours.  Cold turkey doesn't mean you are stronger and this isn't a contest for bragging rights.  I am not a medical professional, but from your post, it appears that your withdrawal is extremely difficult and you need help.   Weaning from Cymbalta gradually may be the best course for you.

 

Also, start to detox process now by drinking plenty of water to flush the poison from your system.  Take Omega 3 supreme  for the brain zaps, take a good balanced supplement of vitamins and minerals.  Magnesium has helped me to get a restful sleep - not every night, but most nights. 

 

Please explore the contacts  and resources that may be available to you to get help.  We are all here to help each other.


#6 2WheelHorse

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 10:47 AM

Hi Alyssa,

I completely agree with the previous writers about weaning slowly.  Taking some beads out each day (bead counting) is the way to go.  If you do it this way, you should be free from Cymbalta in about 60 days without feeling the drastic symptons you describe.  I tried to reduce too quickly as well and can confirm with the others.  Cold turkey can be dangerous... and IS very painful.  The method that follows was confirmed by my pharmacist as safe.  It IS ok to open the capsule and take some beads out every day:

My 60 mg. caps contained 200 total beads.  You need to start by counting all the beads in your capsules. 

Simply take out 5 beads the first day, then an additional 5 each following day.

So, for me it was 200, then 195 then 190, and so on.

When you get under 100 beads, you might start to feel a bit moody, cranky, etc.  If the symptoms get rough, just take a break from reducing beads.  For example, if you are down to 90 beads, its ok to remain at that level for a few days until you feel stable.  Then just keep going down until you reach zero.

I have been off for over 1 year.  After repeated attempts to follow conventional instructions for tapering, bead counting did the trick!   I hope this helps.  I originially learned about about bead counting from a post on this forum and am thankful for it.   I wish you the best!!


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#7 Heartfeathers

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 09:00 PM

Alyssa doesnt have any capsules! That is the problem.  That is why she is in horrible withdrawals.   She has no money.   I would hope that there will be a doctor with a heart out there that will give her some so she can withdraw safely.  Can you imagine what the world will be like if everyone on the drug could no longer get any?   The thought of that happening from a natural disaster scares the bejeebers out of me.    

 

 

Alyssa, call Eli Lily and demand they give you enough to be able to wean safely. 


#8 2WheelHorse

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Posted 01 February 2013 - 02:39 PM

Hi,  In my post I assumed that Alyssa would gain access to the quantity needed for weaning down.  Most Dr. offices have ample supplies of meds they perscribe. I agree withi you Heartfeathers, there has to be a Dr. that would give her enough samples for weaning.


#9 deb55

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Posted 01 February 2013 - 03:39 PM

Anyone hear from Alyssa lately? 


#10 Heartfeathers

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 01:59 PM

Anyone hear from Alyssa lately? 

No and I am so concerned.  I am also concerned about the new member that is quitting cold turkey with heart problems and high blood pressure.   These situations should never be allowed to happen.  I wish we had a "phone tree" for each other.  


#11 deb55

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Posted 04 February 2013 - 08:36 AM

A phone tree is an excellent idea for anyone who is interested!!!!  No one really understands what this withdrawal is like until you go throught is.  Yesterday marked two weeks Cymbalta free for me!!!  I am healing!!!!  The zaps haven lessened to buzzings and my gastro issues are getting better.  The emotional roller coaster ride is still ongoing, but I am getting better!!!!   This has been the worse two weeks of my life....  I am so very glad that I am getting better and wish the best for everyone else who is going through this nightmare.  

 

A support group of people who have completed the withdrawal or who are making progress would be an excellent resource for the newbies or those who are in total dispair that the withdrawals will never end...


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#12 CymbaltaCrap

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Posted 27 February 2013 - 04:57 AM

Hi I just joined up last night after a very scary night of trying to wean (was 3 days yesterday) off this toxic drug! I've now gone back on and going to bead count, thanks to some of you on this forum! :)
Has anyone heard from Lyssa, the orginal poster?? I hope she's ok!!!


#13 2WheelHorse

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Posted 28 February 2013 - 03:02 PM

Hi,  Earlier this month Lyssa said she was still struggling but that things were getting better.  She was still searching for a Dr. to take her case.  It seems so unfair that anyone would be forced into a cold turkey situation. 


#14 GreenMachine

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Posted 06 March 2013 - 12:47 PM

What happened to the members in this thread?  How's everyone doing???


#15 2WheelHorse

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Posted 06 March 2013 - 03:46 PM

Hi GreenMachine,

All good on my end.  The content in most of the threads is excellent lately.  There is a lot of high quality input and I'm sure very helpful to people who need to understand what's happening during withdrawal.  Me, being 1.5 years off cymbalta, am still learning about my journey through what others are writing.  My only contribution at the moment is to encourage readers that it gets better, much.... much better.  One thing I remember lingering for quite some time was the bowel issues.  I have a good friend who is down to 4 beads and about to graduate to zero.  Again, I can confirm, even at this low of a dose, there seems to be a period of withdrawal symptoms when finally jumping to zero.  Much less severe and shorter though. The C monster WILL let go.  Good luck to everyone!


#16 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 06 March 2013 - 04:40 PM

Thanks 2WheelHorse, I just started the bead counting after 5 days at 30mg. Always good to hear that things are better for someone who has been off long term. Things are settling down but like you said the bowels are still a major issue for me and eating lots of rice, bananas, applesauce and chicken to be easy on it.

CC is a couple of days ahead of me and feeling much like me.

Biggest issue for me is the headache/migraine but waiting for some Theanine to come and hoping it will help get the tension out of my neck muscles which will help. As long as I treat it like a migraine it is not too bad.


#17 fishinghat

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Posted 06 March 2013 - 05:04 PM

Thanks 2WH and cdollins. Like lady2882 says ... it is good to here of longterm success.

 

On another bright note - I have daffodils and forsythia blooming in my yard. Spring can't be far away!!!!


#18 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 06 March 2013 - 09:36 PM

Oh must be nice to see the flowers. The only ones I can see are inside the house. We have about 3 feet of snow out there and was -20C here this morning (I think that is about -2 or 3 F if I remember right) No signs of spring around here lol

 

Felt really down today so hoping I have a better day tomorrow.

Good night all


#19 fishinghat

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 08:02 AM

-20 C? WOW  I had my first evening/night without fear/panis so I slept well AND I am going to celebrate by going fishing!! Hang in there everyone.


#20 GreenMachine

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 08:19 AM

-20 C? WOW  I had my first evening/night without fear/panis so I slept well AND I am going to celebrate by going fishing!! Hang in there everyone.

Right on Fishinghat!!!  I actually slept really well last night too.  It wasn't a struggle to get out of bed at 5am either...things are continuing to improve...


#21 fishinghat

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 12:28 PM

You are doing well GM. Even at my healthiest it was always a struggle to get up at 5 AM!! lol


#22 GreenMachine

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Posted 07 March 2013 - 01:24 PM

lol 

To clarify that though, for most of my life, getting up early was my thing...even on Saturdays.  But, while on Cymbalta, I always fought getting up, even if I got to sleep in...every ounce of my spirit hated getting up.  But, now, alarm goes off, boom, I'm up.





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