Did You Quit Cold Turkey?
#1
Posted 30 January 2008 - 06:33 PM
#2
Posted 31 January 2008 - 10:06 AM
#3
Posted 31 January 2008 - 11:34 PM
#4
Posted 01 February 2008 - 03:46 PM
#5
Posted 10 February 2008 - 02:49 PM
Is there ANYTHING that helps ease the withdrawal effects...anything? I'm scared...I have attempted suicide in the past and do not want to every feel that low again! I'm terrified...especially after reading many blogs and research sites that indicate the withdrawal is hell. Please help me...I would MUCH rather deal with the effects of depression that this...oh, and the brain zaps....are they debilitating? I have a job and son....I don't want to be in bed for the rest of my life just because I decided to get off this horrible crap!
HELP, PLEASE HELP!!!
#6
Posted 10 February 2008 - 04:07 PM
I tried the every other day method in the fall and it just did not work. My shrink had me take 30mg for two weeks, then stop. The first 24 hours were the worst, the first week was the worst, but then I started to feel better, smile, laugh more than I had in the past year or so. I have had withdrawal symtoms (won't list them, because they are the same as everybody elses), but the brain zaps have become less frequent, dizziness fades. Each day is an improvement, though there are times when I am very shaky and agitated. Now I am at day 28 after 3.5 years of Cymbalta.
Things I have been trying are benadryl 1 or two a day, cutting caffeine and trying to make sure I have healthy meals with good balances of protein. Been taking 400 IU of vitamin D and also Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil). I take these at the same time of day I used to take the Cymbalta. My shrink also gave me lorazepam, which I have taken approximately 3x a week when the withdrawal is making me feel like a maniac. Does it help? I keep telling myself it does. Over and over. And each day gets a little better.
You have so much to live for, your son especially. My best wishes to you and everybody else who is detoxing from Cymbalta. Hang in there.
#7
Posted 18 February 2008 - 10:36 AM
#9
Posted 23 February 2008 - 01:55 PM
Well obviously I'm here because I'm suffering. Had no idea that I was experiencing cold turkey detox from SSRI. Trying to be funny, but am very anxious about what to do next?! Started my own reduction off the cymbalta. Did not initially discuss with my doctor...but, because of some symptoms of agitation that I was having, decided to try to stop taking my medication quickly! The first 7 days I took a 50% (30mg) reduction of 60mg which I had been on for over 2 years. The following three (3) days I decreased by an additional 50% (emptying out capsule) and took that 15mg (?) maybe every other day for another 5 days(?). Today is day 8 of 0 mgs of cymbalta. During all of this I was suffering from what I thought were menopausal symptoms except for the brain swishes/shivers. I'm feeling agitated and short tempered and have the constant buzzing in my head along with a dull headache on-and-off. Can't seem to feel comfortable in my skin having incredible shifts in body temperature...my hands and feet are cold and I'm simultaneously having hot flashes, my neck and right shoulder are tight and painful. Have the eye zoomies-don't know what it's called--swishing sound when you move eyes right to left. The road back website doesn't seem to offer any help stating that I'm close to the point of no return. Am I at the point of no return or not? If I go back on drug what amount? and states that probably won't alleviate my withdrawal and likely will cause additional symptoms!!! Can't get in touch with my doctor b/c it's a Saturday. Called the service..some other Dr. called back and suggested going back on taper amount (30 mg?) till Monday and call "MY Dr." b/c he's not familiar with that drug...my G.P. basically said get help from the other Dr. who prescribed the cymbalta bye, bye!! ...HHHHHHELLLLLPPPPPP! Don't know if the worst is over or yet to come. Don't know if I'm doing some type of permanent damage to my brain going "inadvertently coldturkey." Saw something about benedryl helping but couldn't find how much...
ANYBODY OUT THERE THAT CAN OFFER ADVICE?
#10
Posted 23 February 2008 - 05:41 PM
Every other day did not work for me. It essentially was beginning the withdrawal every 48 hours. Supposedly it takes 3-5 days to leave your system, then it seems to be that your brains are in a period of readjustment.
Please be easy with yourself. My fog started to lift on the 40th day, I took it for 3.5 years. Hang in there.
#11
Posted 23 February 2008 - 11:32 PM
I wish I could offer you more than what I have, but I'm struggling and am exactly where you are right now. If you do start to feel any horrible physical symptoms, such as breathing or with your heart, don't hesitate to go to the ER. Not that you will, but I'm just throwing that out there, because it isn't worth your health or life to tough this out, even if you have to take more than the 15mg.
Good Luck
#12
Posted 27 February 2008 - 06:27 PM
I was on Cymbalta, had to get off cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant in the fall of 2006. I had a horrible pregnancy... anyways, postpartum depression made it impossible to stay off anti-depressants after our beautiful baby girl was born in April 2007. NOW, I am taking myself off of Cymbalta. I am so sick of relying on a drug to make me feel better - I need to be stronger for my daughter, and for the last few months I've been taking my Cymbalta (60mg/day), I've been telling my husband I don't think it's working... like the past few months the pharmacy has given me weaker meds or something... even when I'd take it I would swear I forgot it by the afternoon b/c of the withdrawal symptoms.
So... here I am. Day 3 cold turkey. I am having a rough time. I am motivated to be done with the drug forever.... like so many people have said, if it is this hard to get rid of it in my system, how do I know it isn't really really really affecting me negatively in other ways? It scares me.
I really feel like I am in a bubble, or a fog-like state. Does this make sense? My beautiful, wonderful little baby is driving me crazy, and I almost kicked my beloved goldendoodle when she came in covered in goose poo this afternoon, as opposed to laughing it off and throwing her in the tub. I have a gross taste in my mouth, headache, and cannot sleep.
Please, someone, let me know this is all normal and I will be ok!!! My awesome husband - he really is great - just doesn't get it, I think. And honestly, how can I expect him to?? If you've never had this happen to you, I don't think you'd understand at all. It is surreal.
PS My sense of smell is like when I was preggo... I think I can smell the dinner my neighbor's making tonight. Not really, but scents are overwhelming.
#13
Posted 27 February 2008 - 08:12 PM
#14
Posted 28 February 2008 - 02:32 PM
#15
Posted 28 February 2008 - 03:12 PM
#16
Posted 03 March 2008 - 01:46 PM
#17
Posted 06 March 2008 - 10:54 PM
I am doing a full body cleanse. I started last night, and my symptoms are not as bad as they were. This cleanse is a five day, fasting cleanse where you only eat all natural veggies, fruit, and a lot of water and take theese supplements to force all of the toxins from the medication out of my body faster. The cleanse will clean your liver, kidneys, and colon. It seems to be helping. I could finally drive today!
I have never been on drugs, but I knew that this was my body detoxing since I had the shakes, headache, cold sweats, and compete exhaustion.
I suggest that you go to your local Natural Foods store and get a cleanse, or talk to a Hollistic Health Practitioner, or an Iridologist. It really seems to help. I hope that this helps you guys. Hang in there guys, I am going through it with ya'll. I will keep you posted as to how I am doing.
#18
Posted 28 March 2008 - 02:45 PM
#19
Posted 28 March 2008 - 03:08 PM
So sorry that you totaled your daughter's Jeep. That is concerning, if you are feeling a bit disoriented after the first two weeks, you really do need to see your doctor.
Suffering is not necessary. While I am now off of Cymbalta, after 6 weeks of cold turkey withdrawal, what my old doctor said to do, I had to get some help from a new doctor and I was put on a low dosage of Celexa, and I am almost weaned off of that now. It was a lifesaver for me. Some people get some relief with one dose of prozac, we are all so individual.
But if your balance is that far off still, I do recommend not toughing this out alone any longer.
#20
Posted 30 March 2008 - 06:07 PM
#21
Posted 30 March 2008 - 11:28 PM
I am going on week 5, I think, the brain zaps are not as bad, the bionic ear is toned down.
I am severely depressed and have been the the er around 3 times in the last month.
They wanted me to check myself in and I would not. I am hoping to see a therapist tomorrow. I also left my job and Im sure it will not be there if I ever feel better again.
I am beginning to give up hope. I hate this life Im living and putting the people that love me ( I do think I have some left) through this. Good luck to you on this awful journey. It is hell.
Are you working with your doctor? You shouldn't be feeling this badly, and likely need to be on another antidepressant. (Just my non professional opinion) I am also at about the same stage you are, and while I don't feel wonderful, I am feeling fairly good. Just because Cymbalta didn't work for you, don't give up hope. Going to the ER is good, as a stop gap for those intense times, but seeing your therapist is the best thing you can be doing right now. Depression is a real illness, as I'm sure you know, and you don't have to suffer.
Please post back after your appt to update how it went, and how you are doing. You can get through this, we are here for you.
#22
Posted 31 March 2008 - 12:00 AM
Someone said C. was popular in Europe, never heard of it before and here you are not allowed ads for prescription meds. It is also on my goverment's list of drugs that they monitor and watch closely.
#23
Posted 31 March 2008 - 07:29 AM
I am hoping that you are one of the lucky ones who comes off of this with little to no problems, good luck with your work today. From your post, I am guessing that you are not in the US.
If you get to a point where you are not able to function, feel like your mind will never readjust, please see your prescriber and tell them how you are feeling. But at this point, you technically have the Cymbalta out of your system - going back on and trying to wean will give you the same results that you just went through.
Please check out this link, some people here have reported relief and success with just taking one dose of prozac to get them through the hump of the Cymbalta withdrawal:
https://www.cymbalta....php?f=15&t=146
And here is a link from a forum poster that this worked for, you can find a few other people that this worked for, but right now, I can't remember where their links are:
https://www.cymbalta...c.php?f=15&t=88
You are the one who knows your self the best and if you aren't able to function well by the end of the second week, please, don't suffer and get some help. Best of luck to you.
#25
Posted 01 April 2008 - 01:18 PM
Thanks for your comforting words!! Went to work today - I teach people who apply for asylum in Norway-and it went OK untill about 2 o'clock. Now I have the zipzip in my head... going for a nap... but I feel alive!
I know exactly what you mean! Even when I was feeling my worst, I was FEELING again, and that was such an improvement. My attention span is back, and I am actually reading again. The entire time I was on Cymbalta, I seriously had a hard time keeping my interest in even reading the daily paper, or Reader's Digest. It may sound silly, but I've always been an avid reader, and that was actually a very bad sign for me.
Good Luck! I'm guessing that you are in the UK perhaps, based on your weight loss being in kg instead of lbs.
#26
Posted 03 April 2008 - 07:56 PM
#27
Posted 03 April 2008 - 11:43 PM
#28
Posted 03 April 2008 - 11:58 PM
Based on what the link said, it may be that it was this med and not the wine that helped you sleep, as it mentions use to help with insomnia too.
I'm glad you posted an update, and enjoy your visit with your daughter and family! That should be a great natural boost!
#29
Posted 04 April 2008 - 08:55 AM
.I was given this medicine years ago after an operation and it helped then too.It is very cheap (5$ for 100) and is often used here in places that specialise in detox from alcohol or benzas. Today 1 pill (25mg) No zips.. no headache...no shivers... just a very dry mouth! PS:at work today. Thank you for support on this page.
#30
Posted 06 April 2008 - 09:02 PM
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