Did You Quit Cold Turkey?
#61
Posted 05 May 2008 - 08:15 AM
#62
Posted 12 May 2008 - 05:18 AM
Thanks in advance for any experience you can share!
#63
Posted 23 May 2008 - 03:11 PM
But I'm managing and making it thru. I don't think there would be any way I could have made it if I was still taking "the drug from hell".
Well just wanted to give some encouragement, that withdrawal gets better and hopefully with help (that I didn't have) from your physicians you can make it thru too!!
#64
Posted 02 June 2008 - 02:51 PM
So far the brain thing, the migraine and the crying aren't anything compared to getting my old self back! Any suggestions for the brain frolicking?
#65
Posted 02 June 2008 - 02:55 PM
https://www.cymbalta...19&p=2560#p2560
Omega 3 fatty acids help some people with the brain zaps or as you called it frolicking.
I understand about the not sleeping well on Cymbalta. Are you at least sleeping better now that you have been off 6 days?
Again, don't try to do this alone, please make sure somebody in your day to day life knows that you have stopped taking this drug. Hang in there, hope you are feeling better soon.
#66
Posted 02 June 2008 - 08:11 PM
Mostly, remember that when you are feeling agitated that it is your brain rewiring itself to get back to normal. Know too that there are great people here to help you through this.
I'm at 80+ days, and while I have the occasional brain zap, they are mostly gone, and are mild in comparison to the beginning of the process.
Babby
#67
Posted 03 June 2008 - 10:44 PM
Feeling brain damaged is normal too, but actually, the craziness that you are feeling is a sign that your brain is working hard to get balanced again, therefore it is not damaged, right? Okay, twisted logic, but I found it to be true. I feel such a sense of calm now that I never thought I would feel again, so take heart, you will feel better too.
Just hang on tight, and try to stay as de-stressed as possible.
I am sending the sandman across the wires to you!
#69
Posted 06 June 2008 - 04:14 PM
#70
Posted 06 June 2008 - 05:59 PM
#71
Posted 06 June 2008 - 06:25 PM
As GB said, limit your caffeine for awhile, eat lots of good healthy foods, and try to keep the stress level low. With 4 kids and getting ready for Disney, that is a tall order, so while getting ready in the next few days, enlist your family's help to keep from getting even more tired, and stressed out. Staying calm is key.
If so far your worst side effect is sleepiness/fogginess, then this may pass for you without the other nastier side effects. If you feel any nausea, dramamine is reported to work well too.
This is a great group of people, and we are here to help you out. Gee, maybe I should go to Disney with you just in case? I've been there a few times, and it is the best vacation I've ever had! You will have a wonderful time, kick back and enjoy yourself, be sure to get to a water park to relax, and ride the Tower of Terror several times and then report back!
#72
Posted 07 June 2008 - 04:55 PM
Help! HELP! Someone please respond....
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?
Awww, sweetie, if you can make it, stay off Cymbalta. The others on this site know much more than me, but I have experienced some of what you have. It's not easy, and until you know what is happening, it's terrifying. Even after knowing, it's still scary.
I went cold turkey on accident. I don't know if a slow tapering would have been better or not, but I'll never really know. Doesn't matter, really, what matters is that I'm on Day 12 right now, and I am starting to feel like I might actually end up back to ... well, normal doesn't seem the right word ... perhaps healthy. I'm not sure what day you are on, but you should count your first day without Cymbalta as Day 1. Yes, it's hell, and I don't use that description lightly. AND my withdrawals are less severe than others. BUT it's completely worth it.
When I took the Benedryl on the night it helped, I took two 25 mg pills. I haven't felt like I've needed it desperately since then. I'm keeping as much drugs out of my body right now as I can. I'm still on my Wellbutrin, and I'm taking vitamins. I also have been taking the two meds my doctor prescribed for nausea and vomiting and also the acid reducer. That's it. These guys on this forum have been super great. Stick around, and I'm sure you'll feel better. They made ME feel better.
Make sure several people that you trust know what you are going through. I actually had my cousin with me for 48 hours during some of the worst part of it. There's no way I could have gone to work without her. Also, some you tell may take it very lightly and act as if it's nothing. Please don't take that to heart. It's not your fault. It's the drug. Don't let that hurt your relationship with them. For some people, unless they have gone through it themselves, they will not understand. It hurt me at first, that people I trusted basically dismissed what I was going through. But, in retrospect, I realize that some personality types have to feel stuff first-hand. It doesn't mean they love me less. It's just part of their character make-up.
Being forgetful is driving me nutters. I can be right in the middle of a conversation and suddenly stop, having lost what we were talking about. People laugh when I do that, and it IS funny. But, it's disconcerting, too. And the dreams blending with my reality are unnerving. I'm hoping those stop soon.
Anyway, stay, post, let the others help you the way they have helped me. They are wonderful!!! Hope you do well this weekend. Take care! ^.^
#73
Posted 13 June 2008 - 11:37 AM
I think the difference in this time and the last time is noticably better because of the research I did before quitting. I went out and stocked up on St. Johns wart and also 5-HTP. Both are mood enhancers and help to produce serotonin(sp?). I got a big bottle of benadryl. I am not sorry to say that I have not been counting how many mg a day I take of each of these because I don't care!! For now I need all the help my brain can get! After I get through this then I will worry about correct dosage. Rough estimate I think in a day I consume around 1200mg St john wort and about 250-300 mg 5-HTP. I pop them whenever I feel myself about to have a melt down. If I get too much anxiety or if the brain zaps are too much at the moment. If I am getting so dizzy I can't seem to move. I reach out and take a dose of my herbs. Then if things really get out of hand and I can't stop moving and I can't stop talking and my breathing gets sporadic I take a dose of benadryl. I have found these 3 things together to make a huge marked difference in the time 6 months ago that I quit and this time I am going through right now.
Oh did I mention I am eating anything and everything that is not nailed down?? I was hoping to lose the 40 plus pounds I put on since being on Cymbalta....LOL there goes my dream. LOL. I really think this too shall pass and I will eventually lose this tub of lard that is having such a great time being attached to my middle. So for now once again like the st. johns wort and the 5-HTP I will do what my body is telling me to do while I am going through this. My body knows best. If it is telling me to stuff my face with anything fried with melted cheese on top and to dip it all into ranch then thats what I will do! The things I am wanting to eat are too gross to even mention so I will spare you. I am sure thats all you need now with your upset stomachs and bouts of diarreah! Well I hope I helped someone. My advice is to stock up on the 3 things I suggest,keep yourself busy(you may look like a crack head in the process but get out of the house and do things!!),remember it will end,and eat eat eat!!!!!
Erin
#74
Posted 13 June 2008 - 12:06 PM
I HAD 4 ORGASMS THIS MORNING WITH MY HUSBAND!!!!!!
Can you believe it??? After a year or so without one then bam the first time having sex since I quit Cymablta and I have 4! AAAHHHHH the good old days are coming back. LOL
#75
Posted 13 June 2008 - 04:45 PM
#76
Posted 13 June 2008 - 06:46 PM
#77
Posted 16 June 2008 - 06:17 AM
#79
Posted 16 June 2008 - 06:08 PM
Erin
#80
Posted 21 June 2008 - 11:56 AM
Zapie, I had the rage, too, so it's (I was gonna put the word "normal" here, but nothing about this drug makes us feel normal LOL). And It's completely unexplainable, and makes me feel helpless against it. So, just know that others are experiencing it, too.
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