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Here We Go - Memoir Of Survival


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#1 PyperJane

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 05:43 PM

Okay so I am creating this post to keep track of our journey of my boyfriend (we shall call him Elliott) get off of this terrible drug. So here I will post updates and such. Im hoping to update weekly, if not more as support is needed. Thanks everyone! 

 

We did bead counting (truth be told, I did the counting. LOL) Here is the first 2 weeks. He is on 60mg, each has an average of 315 beads. 

 

Starting May 1, 2016

Day 1 & 2- remove 3

Day 3 & 4 - remove 5

Day 5 & 6 - remove 8

Day 7 & 8 - remove 10

Day 9 & 10 - remove 13

Day 11 & 12 - remove 15

Day 13 & 14 - remove 20

 

These are cumulative. What ever number we removed is that number not in addition to the previous days. We are going to take it day by day and see how he is handling it. The big jump is at the end of two weeks. If at any time he feels like it is too much we will recount and go from there. 

Day by day I suppose. He has only been on it for about 3 months, so we are hopeful for an easier-ish wean.

 

Counting tools:

2 tupperware snack cups, purple in color

a dental tool, like the one they use to scrap your teeth

Pill holder - 2 weeks worth

masking take

sharpie

 

*do not pour out* Open capsule over 1 of the cups, carefully use the dental tooth to take out whatever amount for that day, they fall into the cup below, then put the top back on the capsule. Put into pill holder, label what day (11, 12, etc) and amount taken out (-5, -10, etc). Poor the beads taken out into the second snack cup and log the number on a paper. As I added more to the collective cup, I crossed out the old number and wrote the new one. 

 

 

 

 


#2 fishinghat

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 06:02 PM

Now that sounds pretty good.


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#3 gail

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Posted 01 May 2016 - 06:14 PM

Right, and isn't Elliot lucky to have such loving support!

Cheers to you!♥
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#4 Raven72

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Posted 02 May 2016 - 02:25 PM

Very well indeed. Elliot is indeed lucky to have such tremendous support. I should know because I am lucky as well. My husband found this fortress of solitude for me and he helps me more everyday.  I have put him through so much already and all I can say is only true love can keep someone with a person who is a victim of this horrible drug.


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#5 Carleeta

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Posted 02 May 2016 - 09:14 PM

Very lucky boyfriend.  I see the many here who have support and have found the extending support from genuine members here also.  

 

Please keep us informed. 


#6 PyperJane

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Posted 09 May 2016 - 02:26 AM

Well 1 week down. So far he is doing pretty well. Started to feel the effects these last 2 days though. He is down 10 beads. I told him to back off if it's too much. He wants to power through. So I assume it will likely get worse before it gets better. So scary to think just 10 little beads can have that much effect on a persons self. 

We had planned to start making bigger leaps once he hit the 15 and 20 mark, but now Im not so sure we should double the outtake. 

Thoughts? 

So here we are. Effects taking effect! LOL 


#7 fishinghat

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Posted 09 May 2016 - 07:51 AM

Tell him not to 'power through'. He will only find out how much power that the Cymbalta has!! Stay at that does until stable. There is all the time in the world and no reason to suffer.

 

I applaude his courage but he is asking for trouble if he keeps going.


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#8 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 09 May 2016 - 11:09 AM

I have to agree with fishinghat.

I tried to power through and only brought a world of hurt on myself.

Get stable then start again, that is the only way to get off this drug without causing yourself all the problems that so many of us had by trying to go too fast.

If this drug had not caused me to be so suicidal I would have gone much slower with my taper. Instead I would make big drops and suffered the side effects just to get rid of the suicidal thoughts. The result of those drops was a lot of anxiety, headaches, dizziness and fear which lasted long after I was completely off Crapalta.


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#9 Ontheledge

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Posted 09 May 2016 - 11:10 PM

Thanks so much for these informative responses. Based on what I have read here, it appears I may have tapered off way too quickly. On for 12 years .... Off in two months (bead counting) ... A huge wave of EVERYTHING hit me today. Any advice on what to go back up to so I can begin the tapering again but slower??? Help!

#10 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 09 May 2016 - 11:22 PM

How many beads were you taking before you stopped or when you felt good?

That is what I would suggest. If it is not enough to make you feel better than take a few more.

You will figure out how many you need by how you are feeling.


#11 PyperJane

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Posted 27 May 2016 - 01:14 PM

Update: He is now into week 3 of weaning. Down 50 beads. He has been doing 2 days of each decrease to lessen side effects. 

So far so good. A couple of headaches and minimal head zaps. Right now going down in 5 beads increments, will be going to 10 bead increments next week. We will see how it goes. Hoping since he was only on them for a couple of months, this process will be a bit easier. 

 

So there is it! :) 


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#12 fishinghat

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Posted 27 May 2016 - 01:45 PM

Good to hear back from you PyperJane. He is off to a good start but do not jump the gun. Once the withdrawal starts it is hard to deal with and hard to reverse sometimes even with an increase in dosage. Go slow. Start with 6 beads a drop. Remember, the further you go along the slower you will have to drop. One bead out of 300 is a 0.33% drop in the dosage but one bead out of 10 is a 10% drop in dosage and it may really pack a whallop. (Old foggy term for 'hit you hard' lol)


#13 gail

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Posted 27 May 2016 - 03:57 PM

Hello PiperJane,

So nice for you to come back for an update, and a good one also!

You will know what to do if the next week's 10 bead is too much.

What a pearl this Elliot guy has in his life! He must be a great guy also!

#14 PyperJane

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Posted 10 July 2016 - 08:55 PM

Well today is day 2 of no cymbalta!!!!  He is finally off the crap but also feels like crap! Go figure. His head feels "sloshy" as some say. He says its so weird. He doesn't want to put any more into his body, but we are wondering how long this effect should last. When he was weaning down he stayed on the same dose for 2 days before weaning down more. So the first day was rough but the second evened out. We figure since there is nothing now it may/will take longer for his body to adjust. 

Any information on final withdrawal symptoms and the average time span it takes for them to fade? 

Thanks for all the help. 


#15 fishinghat

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Posted 11 July 2016 - 08:22 AM

Congrats to your husband Pyper!! The length of time varies but 4 to 8 months with a slow improvement during that time is sort of what I suspect. Don't be surprised if there are a lot of swings up and down during that time. Also the symptoms typically change in nature as time progresses. The brain sloshing usually changes to digestive problems to emotional swings with a few other symptoms for good measure.


#16 TryinginFL

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Posted 11 July 2016 - 08:45 AM

Bravo, Pyper!

 

Yes, there will  be good days and bad...

 

As time goes on, the good days will become more frequent, but it is not unusual to have a good day or 2 and then plunge back into the "bad times".  As FH says, time and patience.  All of this varies for each individual as we are all different.

 

Good luck - and remember it will continually get better :)


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#17 FiveNotions

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Posted 11 July 2016 - 09:30 AM

Congrats to you both, PyperJane !

 

Like FH and TFL say ... the symptoms remain / continue / change, but definitely fade ... I'm 2 1/2 years off, and now have bad days, maybe a couple in a row, every couple of weeks (factoring in that I dose down and got off of Wellbutrin at the end of Feb) ... I'm finding now that after each of my "bad spells" I seem to bounce back and feel even better than before ...

 

Please check back with us regularly ... success stories are what help others here still in the process keep going !   :)  


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#18 Carleeta

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Posted 11 July 2016 - 10:19 AM

Pyper this is great news.  There is no need for me to mention more as others have said it all.  Just stay with what Fishinghat states best "Time and Patience"


#19 PyperJane

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Posted 14 July 2016 - 12:37 AM

Small Update: The Sloshy head was getting to Elliott, especially functioning. So for the time being he is taking All Natural, non drowsy, Dramamine. He takes it at night so it helps for 24 hours. Though the nightmares he is having doesn't help the sleeping situation. He also is taking St. Johns Wart to balance out the low moods. 


#20 fishinghat

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Posted 14 July 2016 - 08:03 AM

Meclazine has also been shown to help as well. St .John's Wart is a good  choice but don't take it with an AD (if you ever have to go back on one). Incompatible.


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