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My name is Hurl


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#1 ariel08

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Posted 23 January 2008 - 02:30 PM

Guh.

I'm in the midst of my second 24-hour period after my last dose of Cymbalta. My pdoc was so casual about the quitting process - "Oh it's nothing, most people don't deal with any symptoms at all, you can cut your dose in half for seven days, then take the half dose every other day for seven more."

Guh.

I believed him. Guh.

Anyway -

- muscle twitching and shakes (almost gone now)
- nausea
- vomiting (once, rather spectacularly, this morning)
- lack of appetite - returning, though the increasing nausea, and the vomiting, aren't helping much
- dry mouth - though this is helping me stay hydrated, which helps flush out the meds
- brain zaps - feels like a tiny evil pixie in my head, with a miniature cattle prod, randomly poking my brain (and then the snickering kinda bounces around in my head)
- headaches - seem to be associated somewhat with the zaps
- increased emotional sensitivity - that evil pixie is also wielding a small metal file and using it gleefully on the remaining bit of emotional shielding I had before I tried to quit - sometimes unreasonably irritable, sometimes uncontrollably weeping, sometimes giggly for no reason at all

The dizziness/headache/nausea is preventing me from remembering much of anything else.

The best way to sum this up: it's like the world's longest hangover. And dammit, I didn't even get to have the FUN of drinking before I had to deal with it.

Thanks, doc.

I'm off to go lie down and watch another movie. Guh. I don't watch TV, unless I feel so horrible I can't even hold a book straight.

I will also try a Benadryl or two. I hear they help with the symptoms. If nothing else, it might help me sleep for a while.

#2 jujubeee

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Posted 23 January 2008 - 07:44 PM

Hi Hurl!

I'm not sure about THAT name....this is my first post and tomorrow will be my first 24 hour period w/o cymbalta..so I hope "Hurl" isn't descriptive of HOW your feeling..hee hee...(although it sounds from your symptoms like it might be)

Anyway, I'm scared to death of withdrawal. I've been maxed (60 mg twice daily for SIX years) and thanks to insurance issues their leaving me cold turkey...crap

Best to you, Love Juju

#3 Susan

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Posted 25 January 2008 - 10:51 PM

Juju,
Would love to have you over on the post board for Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck @ http://www.whatwinne... ... -symptoms/ It sounds like you might need the support it offers us. Good Luck and I will look for you on the other side. Today is day 21, at 0mgs of Cymbalta, for me. It has been a bloody nightmare!

#4 ariel08

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Posted 26 January 2008 - 11:45 AM

Hi Hurl!

I'm not sure about THAT name....this is my first post and tomorrow will be my first 24 hour period w/o cymbalta..so I hope "Hurl" isn't descriptive of HOW your feeling..hee hee...(although it sounds from your symptoms like it might be)


My name is actually Ariel :) but hurl definitely describes part of the symptoms.

Anyway, I'm scared to death of withdrawal. I've been maxed (60 mg twice daily for SIX years) and thanks to insurance issues their leaving me cold turkey...crap


I was scared to death of it too. For me, it's only (!) been 7 or 8 months at 60 mg - 1x/day. It DID suck. It still is, though the symptoms are much reduced, and I think the only reason they're still so bad is I'm going through Ambien withdrawal on top of the Cymbalta withdrawal.

I was taking Ambien for the Cymbalta-induced insomnia. The Ambien I quit cold turkey; my last tab was Wednesday night. Two withdrawals at once are no fun.

Crap indeed. :D Stupid insurance company. :roll:

Do you have ANY time at all to taper off? Can you get free samples from your doctor? When I talked to my doctor, he gave me the 30 mg samples instead of writing me a prescription. If it weren't illegal, I'd send you all the Cymbalta from my medicine cabinet that will otherwise get flushed down the toilet.

I'm doing a few other things to help move this garbage out of my body: 4-week herbal detox, energy work (specifically Reiki), biofeedback, meditation when I can focus on it, and this next week will be getting a professional massage. Oh yeah, and I've started smoking again. I have a separate post on that. Each of these things helps, in different ways.

When I'm not so shaky I'll be starting my exercise program again. I'm also staying focussed on NOT GOING BACK TO THE DAMNED MEDS IF IT KILLS ME. NOT NOT NOT. I don't want to go through withdrawal again, or what the meds were doing to me before I quit.

Joining the suggested group would be an excellent idea.... I'm sure there will be people on it that were taking it as long-term as you, and will have more insight as to what you might expect.

Hugs,
Ariel

#5 Lisa Nic

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Posted 28 January 2008 - 03:57 PM

I don't think the tapering works regardless of the doctors.... I was on 60 and 30 for the past year. Solid, daily doses.

As of a few weeks ago I stopped the 60 and took 30 daily for a week. Then, 30 every other day. Then....zilch.

Now, I go through the BS that is this withdrawal...the electricity through my body...my head in the clouds... The inability to have any control over your body. I think I might get on something for detox...cleanse and remove it all.

I heard a few things so I may try that. Anyway, the sooner its out of my system the better! :evil:



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