I have been taking Cymbalta for treatment of fibromyalgia for over two years. I cannot recall the exact time. I started at 60mg/day and during a recent fight with depression, my dose was upped to 60mg twice a day.
During this time, I have had many symptoms that I never even once equated with it's use. I cannot sleep. I have an ache in my left abdominal area that can be exacerbated or induced, but also occurs on it's own randomly and after numerous tests(MRI/CT/ultrasound/colonoscopy), nothing can be found "wrong" with me. I have trouble with recall, for instance, I cannot immediately think of the word I am trying to use, or sometimes just memory troubles in general. I am a well-educated individual and the appearance of ignorance is noticeable.
I do not believe that in any of the time I have been taking this drug that it has actually helped me with my pain related to fibromyalgia. Fibro patients tend to have depression issues, but I don't believe that this was the case with me up until one year ago. Alot of things were going poorly for me, and I think it just put me in a tailspin. I never wanted to hurt myself in any way, but I couldn't cope with much of anything. I called in "sick" to work alot and eventually quit my job before I could be fired. Unfortunately, this left me without medical insurance and I can no longer afford to pay for the Cymbalta. About six months ago, I went back to the once a day 60mg and didn't notice any real difference in feeling better or worse. This month, I decided to wean myself as my supply has been dwindling and I knew I shouldn't go cold turkey. I decided to take an every other day approach and boy howdy has it been one hell of a week. I started Monday, the 1st, and by Friday, the effects of not being on the Cymbalta are so crazy, and I didn't even think that this could be the cause until I did a little internet search.
So, my problem I would like assistance/advice with is: 1)How long does it take to clear your system? If half-life is 12 hours and I take it once a day, I am technically in withdrawal by the time I take my regularly scheduled dose according to what I read and understand. 2)If missing two out of four days can make me feel like this, how do I ever get off of it? I have extreme dizziness and disorientation in addition to nausea and diarrhea. 3)Is there a lawsuit or something that one can file for the problems this drug causes? It is supposed to make you feel better and I am betting that once it clears my system officially, I'll suddenly become alot healthier. I doubt I'll get my life back immediately, but I can't believe that my doctors never once suggested or suspected medication could be playing such a huge role in my medical problems.
I appreciate any incite y'all can provide. And no, I am not from the south, but the people in the part of the state where I live think they are southeners and it has begun to stick. =)
Lexa,
Your coming off it way to fast, your in heavy duty withdrawls!!!
I too was nuts on this stuff, and had all the things you talked
about, and more.
You not even into the full withdrawls yet, but in about 4 more
days you really will be.
What we learn here is to do a very slow wean, and that's to just
reduce by 10 beads every 2 weeks until your done.
Some can do it 20 beads every 2 weeeks, but you just have to find out
what you can tolerate so your still able to function.
I was on 60 mg for 3 1/2 years, and started my wean Aug 31,09, and I
am at 30 beads. I had gottten down to 26, but it was too hard, so I upped
it this am, and it is a difference.
If you want the bead count look back a feew days or so,as I have put it up,
if not I can do it again just let me know.
Alos contact Eli Lilly now for free samples as they will provide this med
for you, they love giving it out!!
Debbie
