13 replies to this topic

[krisann]

I start with my Eli Lilly Cymbalta, 30 mg capsules:



I use three plastic medication cups:



I empty one capsule into one medication cup:



I count out 10% of beads. I find its easier to pour some into a second plastic medication cup, swirl it around so the beads go to the bottom of the cup in a ring shape, then count them. I can usually get it within one or two beads and only have to add a few more picking them up with my fingers:



I "bend" the side of the medication cup, making a funnel, then pour my 90% of cymbalta beads back into the white end of my empty capsule, over the top of another empty medication cup in case I spill some beads:



I put the capsule back together:

http://i807.photobuc...th_IMG02218.jpg

I place the capsule into a premarked container showing the new amount of mg:

http://i807.photobuc...th_IMG02222.jpg

I try to do one weeks worth of pills at a time, on a sturdy, flat surface such as a table. I find it is easier to do the entire weeks worth of pills at the beginning of the week, when the withdrawal symptoms aren't so bad yet (such as blurry vision, shaky hands, and dizziness which make bead counting a real joy)

Happy Bead counting!

KrisAnn

[krisann]

I uploaded the pics off my phone to photobucket. If someone could please leave me a reply letting me know if they show up okay I would really appreciate it

Thanks!

KrisAnn

[krisann]

KrisAnn

Thank you so much for such detail with pictures. It worked. I used small country crock lids this morning, and that worked better than my first try last night with a paper plate. I poured them from that into a little paper cup to pour them back into my capsule. I'll have to see how many medicine cups I can round up. I can use all the hints I can get.

Does anybody save the beads they take out? I had an empty medicine bottle I poured mine into. Right now startiing weaning from 120mg, my little beads are like gold.

Karen

I save mine in an empty cymbalta vial. When my dose goes down to a smaller amount of beads I will buy some empty gelcaps and use them.

Thanks for letting me know the pics uploaded okay

KrisAnn

[JustJulz]

I used a plastic lid a few times too, and considered making degree lines to help me estimate how much to take out. But just the other day, I put my beads out on a dark ceramic tile counter top and boy was that easy to count, and lots easier to see. The beads/balls all fit in a grout line once I had them counted out, and could scootch them back into the capsule pretty easily.

[krisann]

I used a plastic lid a few times too, and considered making degree lines to help me estimate how much to take out. But just the other day, I put my beads out on a dark ceramic tile counter top and boy was that easy to count, and lots easier to see. The beads/balls all fit in a grout line once I had them counted out, and could scootch them back into the capsule pretty easily.

Great idea JustJulz! Seeing the tiny beads is a real bugger when you got blurry vision like I do!


Gelcap Link

KrisAnn

[cookie]

KrisAnn:
I also like to do one week worth of pills at a time!!!!
hugs
Cookie

[krisann]

You know, I had an idea today. Has anyone tried one of those little seed dial contraptions they use to plant tiny seeds in the garden? Im wondering if it would work?

KrisAnn

[JustJulz]

That sounds like a good idea! You could also maybe use a 'decorative sprinkles' dispenser- like you get for cupcakes and such. Cover the holes and just leave one open. I have some at home- I'll give it a try. The holes are really small, like the balls in the capsules.

I also came across a scale that will weigh and count small items- I don't know how small though. It is for weighing silver/gold, fine metals. However, the little balls are practically insignificant in weight.

[krisann]

Great ideas Julz!

KrisAnn

[I am who I am]

Hey all-

I couldn't find gel caps ANYWHERE within 20 minutes of where I lived, and spent a whole day a few weeks ago, driving from place to place to find them!! It was nuts! I knew I could get them online, but I didn't want to wait around a week to start weaning. Here's what I did:

Counted out the amount I wanted to take (A) from the rest (.

I poured the beads of ( back into the capsule to save for when I get down to that amount.

Then I took a big spoon and poured a little bit of honey onto it.

Then I put/poured the beads I wanted to take (A) onto the honey! The beads stick to the honey, and I can just swallow it down and know that I got them all. I then drink a glass of water (or anything) to swirl my mouth and make sure none are stuck to my tongue or throat or something weird. (But I'm probably just paranoid).


I have a '7 days of the week' pill counter, that I marked with the dosage, and I put the capsule into that. For example (I'll use an even number).. it I started with 100 beads, and went down to 80 beads, then I would swallow 80 beads, and put 20 beads back in the capsule and put them in the '20' section. The next week might be 60/40, and the next 50/50. Then I would get down to the 40 beads.. and have them done already because they were the other half from the 60 that I had taken 2 weeks before.

Does that make sense? Write me if it doesn't and I'll explain it differently.



Also- the reason I use honey is because: 1- I didn't want to wait to get gelcaps. 2-I didn't want to spend money on gelcaps. 3-I love honey and it is quite good for you. 4-The beads stick well to the honey. 5-I tried mixing the beads in with different beverages-water, milk, juice.. and never knew if I was getting them all as most would dissolve to the bottom and be stuck there no matter how many times I swirled or spooned at them.

I thought of my dog when deciding how to take them without needing gelcaps... I never used a piece of cheese or bread with the beads in it (I figured I would accidently chew it).. but if someone has any better tips, I would love to hear them!! I'm open to being a guinea pig! (Or black lab in my case- he will eat anything!)

[I am who I am]

Hey all-

I couldn't find gel caps ANYWHERE within 20 minutes of where I lived, and spent a whole day a few weeks ago, driving from place to place to find them!! It was nuts! I knew I could get them online, but I didn't want to wait around a week to start weaning. Here's what I did:

Counted out the amount I wanted to take (A) from the rest (.

I poured the beads of ( back into the capsule to save for when I get down to that amount.

Then I took a big spoon and poured a little bit of honey onto it.

Then I put/poured the beads I wanted to take (A) onto the honey! The beads stick to the honey, and I can just swallow it down and know that I got them all. I then drink a glass of water (or anything) to swirl my mouth and make sure none are stuck to my tongue or throat or something weird. (But I'm probably just paranoid).


I have a '7 days of the week' pill counter, that I marked with the dosage, and I put the capsule into that. For example (I'll use an even number).. it I started with 100 beads, and went down to 80 beads, then I would swallow 80 beads, and put 20 beads back in the capsule and put them in the '20' section. The next week might be 60/40, and the next 50/50. Then I would get down to the 40 beads.. and have them done already because they were the other half from the 60 that I had taken 2 weeks before.

Does that make sense? Write me if it doesn't and I'll explain it differently.



Also- the reason I use honey is because: 1- I didn't want to wait to get gelcaps. 2-I didn't want to spend money on gelcaps. 3-I love honey and it is quite good for you. 4-The beads stick well to the honey. 5-I tried mixing the beads in with different beverages-water, milk, juice.. and never knew if I was getting them all as most would dissolve to the bottom and be stuck there no matter how many times I swirled or spooned at them.

I thought of my dog when deciding how to take them without needing gelcaps... I never used a piece of cheese or bread with the beads in it (I figured I would accidently chew it).. but if someone has any better tips, I would love to hear them!! I'm open to being a guinea pig! (Or black lab in my case- he will eat anything!)

Also- I had put ( B ) where those 's are above... I guess if you put a parenthesis next to a capital "B", the computer thinks I want a smiley wearing sunglasses. I just meant the extra/leftover beads. Which I guess wear sunglasses... cause they are the cool beads.

[andie]

Okay, I am starting to wean off of this crap myself. I tried before and it was a nightmare for me. A few questions. I have read all the posts that my brain can handle at this point in time. Does everyone suggest taking out 10% OF THE PILLS every week for 10 weeks? I am only on 30mg. I am also taking prozac to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Luckily, my doctor has given me many sample bottles so I am not paying out of pocket for them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

On a great note though, after seeing what the Cymbalta has done to me, my doctor has quit prescribing this medication, and has researched others that may work just as well. I have tried my best to educate him, and gave him this website so he could see the effects of the withdrawals for himself.

Andie

[krisann]

Okay, I am starting to wean off of this crap myself. I tried before and it was a nightmare for me. A few questions. I have read all the posts that my brain can handle at this point in time. Does everyone suggest taking out 10% OF THE PILLS every week for 10 weeks? I am only on 30mg. I am also taking prozac to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Luckily, my doctor has given me many sample bottles so I am not paying out of pocket for them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

On a great note though, after seeing what the Cymbalta has done to me, my doctor has quit prescribing this medication, and has researched others that may work just as well. I have tried my best to educate him, and gave him this website so he could see the effects of the withdrawals for himself.

Andie

Hi Andie,

good questions! I started out with 30 mg. The first week I took out 10% (27mg). The second week I took out another 10%(24mg). This week I am to go to an even 20 mg dose. I base my taper roughly on the 10% decrease, but mostly on how Im feeling. If Im getting too many side effects and the other things Im doing arent helping to decrease them to a tolerable level, I will slightly increase til the withdrawal is better, then try to decrease again. Ive had great days, okay days, and some bad days. But this still is much better than cold turkey, which was a complete nightmare.

KrisAnn

[I am who I am]

Andie-

I'm coming down from 60mgs, and am only to 40mgs so far, but just wanted to throw in my two cents from what I have read from others. It seems like the last 15mg are the hardest for everyone. I think your plan to do 10% is really good, and I agree with KrisAnn to do it based a little on how you are feeling too. Everyone reacts differently to the withdrawal effects, and will do so at different levels. My worst symptoms was the first week of weaning- I felt like I was hit by the Cymbalta truck. Ugh. But now, the withdrawal symptoms are more like being hit by a mini-cooper, which I can handle and still be able to function.

Best of luck to you- this site IS wonderful. I hope you find some great resources here! I have met some great, compassionate, and educated people! It's been a life saver!