6 replies to this topic

[barney59]

Hello everyone!
I am not "new" to this site, but it has been a long time since I visited. I just wanted to check in let others know that there is truly life after Cymbalta. My "hell" began almost 1 year ago. I took this toxic drug for 3 yrs at 120mg a day for the pain I suffered from Fibromyalgia. I was weaned off over a 3-4 week period. Two days after my last pill I went into full withdrawls. It was the most devastating thing I have ever gone thru and it seemed never ending. It affected my complete being. But, gradually, I mean very gradually, I started to "feel better". It was very difficult not to take something else to help me thru the withdraw symptoms but I refused and just tried to make it thru one day at a time.Please believe me, the pain and misery will eventually subside, just try to remain strong. For me, it was a good 3-4 weeks before I could even begin to manage a few day to day activities. The "recovery" was so incredibly slow, but it DID happen! To this day, however, I continue to have cognitive problems. I have great difficulty finding my words and when I get nervous or excited I will stutter because I can't remember my words. I had some cognitive issues prior due to CFS & Fibro, but not to this degree. I don't think I will ever be the same person that I was prior to this experience, but that may not be a bad thing. What I learned is that I am the only one responsible for my health. This experience opened my mind to "Alternative" medicine, something that I never put much credence in before. My Neurologist is 100% behind me on this. I spent a week the the Mayo Clinic in April. One full day was spent in their Complementary & Alternative Medicine Department. It was my "A-HA" moment. Using acupuncture, mind/body therapy etc. I am taking control of my body and my health and getting off of as many drugs as I possibly can. I just want all of you that are suffering to know that IT WILL GET BETTER! Just stay strong! This web-site was a God send for me & I used it throughout my ordeal. One of these days I truly believe that we will see this drug pulled, until then, I,& I hope all of you continue to get the word out about how toxic this drug really is!

Barney59

[Buni]

Hello Banrey59,

Thank you so much for your post. It is so important for people like me that are going thourgh hell knowing that there is help and that there is pleople doing well after 1 year.
I have been off for 5 weeks and I am going through hell at the moment. I am having bad days and worse days. Today I woke up thinking I should take cymbalta again. But thanks to this forum I know I will survive and will win this battle (hopefully).

I fill very tired, scared, confused, my brain is in constant fog and my neck and shoulders hurt so much; all this pshysical pain are causing an emotional rollercoaster.

I hope I will be writiing in a years time telling all of you how well I feel.

All the best.

Bunvance

[cookie]

Dear Barney:
THANK YOU so much for visiting. I wish all people that are fully recovered from withdrawal entered the site, to tell us how they feel and give us hope. I am still weaning and I have experienced difficulty finding words. I totally agree on "I am the only responsible for my health". I am so interested in alternative medicine
So glad you are doing fine!
hugs
Cookie

[barney59]

Hello Banrey59,

Thank you so much for your post. It is so important for people like me that are going thourgh hell knowing that there is help and that there is pleople doing well after 1 year.
I have been off for 5 weeks and I am going through hell at the moment. I am having bad days and worse days. Today I woke up thinking I should take cymbalta again. But thanks to this forum I know I will survive and will win this battle (hopefully).

I fill very tired, scared, confused, my brain is in constant fog and my neck and shoulders hurt so much; all this pshysical pain are causing an emotional rollercoaster.

I hope I will be writiing in a years time telling all of you how well I feel.

All the best.

Bunvance

Bunvance,

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT give in to the temptation of taking Cymbalta to ease the withdrawls. That was the 1st thing my Dr. offered me, before he saw just how bad I was. I know it is tempting. I started therapy and my therapist offered Prozac to help take the edge off, but I said"I will NOT take a drug to help me get off of another drug" Please just stay strong. It has been 5 weeks, so you should hopefully be turning the corner very soon! God Bless you!
Barney59

[Buni]

Hi Barney59,

Thanks again for keeping me strong. How long did you take to feel better? I had a good day yesterday but last night and today are terrible. I feel anxious and very sick. I am very scared.

Please keep me strong and tell me more about your withdrawal.

All the best.

Bunvance

[barney59]

Hi Barney59,

Thanks again for keeping me strong. How long did you take to feel better? I had a good day yesterday but last night and today are terrible. I feel anxious and very sick. I am very scared.

Please keep me strong and tell me more about your withdrawal.

All the best.

Bunvance

Bunvance,

Everyone is different as far as how the withdrawls affect them and for how long. For me the first 2-3 weeks were complete hell. I was totally debilitated. Then it was a very gradual recovery. I also had days when I thought the worst was over, only to have the next day be horrible again. Honestly, for me I didn't truly feel better until December. So that was about 2 1/2 months. The "brain zaps", which were one of the worst parts for me, eased after about 2-3 weeks. Once those let up, I was finally able to get up and do a bit more. The rest of the symptoms (horrible body pain, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, complete emotional upheaval,plus more)gradually got better. It is a very tough thing to get through. I did have the support of my husband (to a point) and my mother, as well as my Neurologist who would call me every few days to check on me and reassure me that I was strong and would get thru it. That support system is very important. Again, this web-site helped me tremendously. It made me realize that I was not alone, nor was I crazy. I received alot of support and good advice. You do need you be careful with the information that you receive on here, and make sure that you use only what you feel will be helpful to you. Not "everything" is beneficial for "everybody" Just stay strong and know that there is a end to it, and you will emerge better off!
Barney59

[Buni]

Dear Barney59,

Thank you again for your reply. I am trying to keep strong even though it is not easy at this stage. My body hurts so much and I am very nervous and anxious, nauseas, dizzy, etc. I agree with you and only read the post that keep me positive and not all of them. My husband is supportive but is very hard on him. I have 2 girls under the age of 7 and I do not have family support, wich in this case is better because last december they and my doctor were the ones that pushed me to take cymbalta without me being very happy about it. This time I have not told anyone as I do not want people to tell me what to do. I just want to be free of this drug.

Do you know why the body hurts so much?

Thanks again......


All the best.

Bunvance