This is my first post, and while my story is a hellish nightmare - I'm back to the land of the living (mostly).
I have spinal degeneration with four herniated discs in my lower back, and more on the way. I cannot take most pain pills, nor do I want to. I need a clear brain for my job.
When it comes to treatment, I have tried everything; from surgery to being racked like the days of old (I actually grew an inch and a half through the process). I needed help, so my family practice doctor suggested Cymbalta. He stated that some patients had success with it controlling long term pain. What's to lose? I gave it a go.
At my thirty day follow-up, I wanted to kiss the man. For the first time in years, my back pain was not even a thought. It was great! Then I started to realize some other things:
- My stomach was a mess. Some have reported constipation, that was certainly not me. I was a liquified disaster in a skin-suit. I actually had to sneak out of work and go home to change clothes - NOT GOOD.
- I was burning up. I have always been an athlete. Marathons, triathlons, you name it, I like sports. I'm 40, still in decent shape, and this little pill made me feel like I just ran for an hour. Sweat was dripping off of me when I was sitting still. And yes, before someone asks - all those activities are how I screwed my back. You can exercise too much.
- Weird thoughts. I had never experienced dark thoughts my entire life. That changed perhaps 60 days in. I was thinking of killing myself and all kinds of garbage that to this moment just makes me cringe.
- Brain zaps. If you have not had one, you are truly blessed. I would sooner lick a power outlet than experience one more of those. As a matter of fact, the experience is like someone hooked a power cord to your brain. They are from hell, 'nuf said.
I was getting all these while being a good little boy and taking my daily dose, not because I was weaning off, but because MY BODY WANTED MORE!
It sounds like I should have figured this out in short order, but realistically it took me about three months to come to the conclusion. That's when I found this site. It's now been a year, but I remember reading the stories and reaching the clarity that your stories were the same as mine. Brain zaps, suicidal thoughts, stomach issues; Cymbalta was the poison causing it...
...so, I went cold turkey. Now, I'm by no means advocating this move, I went from bad to ballistic. I just knew that if I did not quit right then and there, I was probably not going to see another birthday. Straight up, it was 2 months of life in hell. I was out of my frigging mind, but little by little; my old self returned. Today, I believe that things are 98% better, there are just little moments that still seem to be remnants.
Here's where things are interesting. Remember the FP that prescribed it? Well, he's my wife's partner, and a really good guy. She is also a Family Practice physician, and WATCHED ME GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE NIGHTMARE! She saw first-hand what this crap does to a normal person, and is spreading this knowledge amongst her peers. Please remember that your physicians are just like you and me, they learn through experience and education. If they have patients returning to their office telling them what a horrible experience a medication was, they will think twice about prescribing it. In other words, they need feedback.
To those that went through it before me, bless you for sharing your insight with me. To those currently trying to get off, stay strong; it will get better. And to those that are doing research because your doctor wants to put you on Cymbalta, run the F@#K AWAY!!
God bless.
Thanks Are Long Overdue, Please Educate Your Doctor.
Started by McJ, Jul 22 2010 07:25 PM
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