28 replies to this topic

[switch04]

I am on day 7 of being without Cymbalta and found myself in the ER yesterday afternoon after a total breakdown at work. All the symptoms appeared full force and I could not handle it. Crying uncontrollably, panic attacks, chest pain, etc.. You all know the withdrawal symptoms. My primary care physician only wheened me off of my regular dosage in 7 days and prescribed me Welbutrin to take it's place. I knew none the better. The worst part about it is that I am in a new management position and now fear my peers think I'm nuts and will loose their confidence in me. But that is a different topic. I was forced to stay home today from my job due to being prescribed valium. Tomorrow I get to go back and see what happens... SCARY!!!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day but reading all the posts I fear that it will not. Anyway, I have been doing research online regarding this and found this forum. And frankly I'm pissed off! If this is such a nasty drug to come off of then why is there no structured program for coming off of this drug? I'd like to try and start fighting but I don't have the first clue as to how or what has been done so far. I will continue to research this topic and keep everyone posted. If anyone is willing to fight with me, I would be glad to have the help.

[cymbaltavictim1010]

I have withdrawn successfully. Three ****ing months but I'm there. I am on a one-man mission to get this evil drug off the planet. Contact me if you want to know how to get away from this. It is not impossible although it will not be a happy experience. My heart goes out to you but keep the faith. I am also in a senior management position and have gone through the "nuts" experience oh too often. You can get through this

[switch04]

I have withdrawn successfully. Three ****ing months but I'm there. I am on a one-man mission to get this evil drug off the planet. Contact me if you want to know how to get away from this. It is not impossible although it will not be a happy experience. My heart goes out to you but keep the faith. I am also in a senior management position and have gone through the "nuts" experience oh too often. You can get through this

Thank you for the kind words. Today is just as bad as yesterday. Trying to manage with the feelings of the withdrawal as well as the guilt for not being able to be there for my son and my employees. So I'm taking valium and of all things.. benadryl. Doc said benadryl will also help with the withdrawal symptoms? Can't speak to the outcome yet because I just took one. I'm willing to try anything at this point. However, I will not go back on it and decrease the dosage as I should have from the beginning. I've already begun this journey and will not start over again. But my question to all is this. We have rehab programs for alcohol, sex, drugs, etc. What kind of programs are there for this? This is pure hell. Especially with the emotional ups and downs. There has to be some form of structured program top assist people with this. Not saying an in-patient program would be required but at least some form of medical outreach whether it be for physical symptoms and/or emotional symptoms. Or am I making too much of this? I'm not certain at this point.

[cymbaltavictim1010]

Thank you for the kind words. Today is just as bad as yesterday. Trying to manage with the feelings of the withdrawal as well as the guilt for not being able to be there for my son and my employees. So I'm taking valium and of all things.. benadryl. Doc said benadryl will also help with the withdrawal symptoms? Can't speak to the outcome yet because I just took one. I'm willing to try anything at this point. However, I will not go back on it and decrease the dosage as I should have from the beginning. I've already begun this journey and will not start over again. But my question to all is this. We have rehab programs for alcohol, sex, drugs, etc. What kind of programs are there for this? This is pure hell. Especially with the emotional ups and downs. There has to be some form of structured program top assist people with this. Not saying an in-patient program would be required but at least some form of medical outreach whether it be for physical symptoms and/or emotional symptoms. Or am I making too much of this? I'm not certain at this point.

He's right on the button with Benadryl although I personally wouldn't touch it. This is NOT withdrawal as in withdrawal from heroin or alcohol etc. YOU ARE NOT "ADDICTED". This is an in-built mechanism to make it so horrid to withdraw that everyone goes back onto the drug. There are no programmes. I am trying to devise one and am working with my General Practitioner to create one. You are not making too much of this. Withdrawing from Cymbalta was the worst thing I have ever done. And it took AGES and nobody, anywhere could tell me what to do or how long it would take (Cymbalta is a relatively new drug and it is not understood). As far as I am aware, I am the only person who has managed withdrawal safely, effectively and permanently and my GP agrees. Get off it as quickly as possible. Cut your dosage in half for a week. Then open the capsules - which Eli Lilly "forbids", which they would, wouldn't they? - and when the zaps come, moisten your finger and mop up a fingertip of "globules" and swallow them. As soon as the zaps begin to recede, just stop. Throw all your Cymbalta away. You will feel crazy for two months. For those two months, do NO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AT ALL. I don't know why but it prolongs matters. Omega 3 will reduce (but not eliminate) the zaps. After two months the zaps (and the other horrors) will be totally manageable. The zaps are still with me - a bit - but not to any debilitating degree. At that point, use an herbal treatment called 5-HTP (which has no side effects at all) and will resolve anything Cymbalta was supposed to (this is a natural SSRI, not SSRN like Cymbalta, and you will feel the effects in fifteen minutes max). Meanwhile, try to keep away from people; don't try to engage them in anything because you will strike them as a loony. There is nothing you can do (I found that a couple of glasses of red wine in the evening made a big and positive impact - which is ironic because one of the main reasons I came off Cymbalta was the weird increase in my cravings for alcohol, which turned me from a mild social imbiber into a hopeless drunk; the two seem unconnected somehow). Try to sleep as much as you can, hard though it is. Don't talk with people - not only will they find you odd but somehow you will manage to wind them up the wrong way. Don't drink coffee. As I say, although I am a health nut, DO NOT DO PHYSICAL EXERCISE. It seems to stretch things out. The watchword - keep your head down through all of this. Try to eat as little as possible and keep to fish, fruit and vegetables. One day - and I know this sounds incredible - you will have a revelation (actually, I say one day, it will be one night when you are on your own) when you still feel awful but you will suddenly work out that the worst is behind you. It is very strange. You feel that you have suddenly turned a corner and go watch a stupid film and sleep the sleep of the just. Two to three months, not really that long, is it? And I will always be here - as I am for everyone destroyed as I have been. I have made helping people through this one of my life's missions.

[ijustdontgetit]

I have withdrawn successfully. Three ****ing months but I'm there. I am on a one-man mission to get this evil drug off the planet. Contact me if you want to know how to get away from this. It is not impossible although it will not be a happy experience. My heart goes out to you but keep the faith. I am also in a senior management position and have gone through the "nuts" experience oh too often. You can get through this

I have been without cymbalta now for 5 days. The first 4 were hell but today, the fifth day actually seems to be better? How can that be. It just doesn't seem right from all I am reading. I have had all the same symptoms as everyone has complained about but it's as though all the withdrawal symptoms have left. By the way, i was taking 60 mg for 3 yrs now.

[cymbaltavictim1010]

I have been without cymbalta now for 5 days. The first 4 were hell but today, the fifth day actually seems to be better? How can that be. It just doesn't seem right from all I am reading. I have had all the same symptoms as everyone has complained about but it's as though all the withdrawal symptoms have left. By the way, i was taking 60 mg for 3 yrs now.

Nobody knows anything about this drug. You may simply be blessed by God. However, I would warn you that this withdrawal is very unpredictable. The first time I tried, the symptoms vanished almost immediately. A week later, they hit me. By God, they hit me hard. But I am immensely happy for you and hope you keep well

[Neshamah]

Three weeks and two days - that's how long I've been without that "poison." Some days are better than others; some days I feel like I'd have improve to die.

Today is definitely not one of the "better" ones.

I am sweaty, irritable, unhappy, ANXIOUS, and overall miserable.

I was on the "poison" for over 5 years for GAD and panic attacks. The anxiety I'm experiencing today is far worse than anything I experienced before I started taking that crap. No full blown panic attacks yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time (I do take Xanax for anxiety, but it is like taking children's aspirin for a migraine).

In the interest of full disclosure, I do have Parkinson's Pugilistica (or Dementia Pugilistica with Parkinsonism, take your pick). I take Stalevo and Azilect for my condition, and I believe these medications have helped me with some of the symptoms of withdrawal described on this site. I had to stop taking the "poison" before I could start taking Azilect, since the latter is an MAO-B Inhibitor.

However, NO ONE told me how difficult it would be to stop taking the "poison." I've kicked addiction to Oxycontin and it wasn't this bad!

I know that the "poison" helps people with depression, etc., but IMHO, potential patients are not being adequately informed of the serious implications of "poison" cessation.

Thanks for this site and for listening to an old man gripe about his struggle with coming off Lilly's "poison."

Peace,

Neshamah

[cymbaltavictim1010]

Three weeks and two days - that's how long I've been without that "poison." Some days are better than others; some days I feel like I'd have improve to die.

Today is definitely not one of the "better" ones.

I am sweaty, irritable, unhappy, ANXIOUS, and overall miserable.

I was on the "poison" for over 5 years for GAD and panic attacks. The anxiety I'm experiencing today is far worse than anything I experienced before I started taking that crap. No full blown panic attacks yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time (I do take Xanax for anxiety, but it is like taking children's aspirin for a migraine).

In the interest of full disclosure, I do have Parkinson's Pugilistica (or Dementia Pugilistica with Parkinsonism, take your pick). I take Stalevo and Azilect for my condition, and I believe these medications have helped me with some of the symptoms of withdrawal described on this site. I had to stop taking the "poison" before I could start taking Azilect, since the latter is an MAO-B Inhibitor.

However, NO ONE told me how difficult it would be to stop taking the "poison." I've kicked addiction to Oxycontin and it wasn't this bad!

I know that the "poison" helps people with depression, etc., but IMHO, potential patients are not being adequately informed of the serious implications of "poison" cessation.

Thanks for this site and for listening to an old man gripe about his struggle with coming off Lilly's "poison."

Peace,

Neshamah

I am so sorry for you. This is my post - I hope it helps you in all your troubles.

I do not believe that I have led a perfect life. Far from it. However, I also do not believe that I deserved to go through the agony of being on Cymbalta nor the terrifying experience of withdrawing from this "medicine".

I should start by saying that Cymbalta destroyed my marriage and came very close to destroying my career. When you are on Cymbalta, you feel NOTHING (apart from feeling as if you have influenza all the time and that you need a glass of wine at six o'clock in the morning). Withdrawing from Cymbalta is much, much worse. There is something in this drug that is very clearly meant to make you so frightened of withdrawal that most people don't succeed. I could bore you for hours describing the various symptoms but if you are in this position you know exactly what I am talking about. The brain zaps, the nausea, the arrhythmia, the vertigo, the mood swings, the violent rage.

I have managed to withdraw successfully from Cymbalta. I do still feel after-effects even now but they are nothing like the sheer horror of the withdrawal process. Let me tell you how I achieved this. I was on 120 mg a day for five years. That is about as bad as it gets. However, once I worked out that Cymbalta was destroying my life, I knew I had to give up. I cut my dosage to 60 mg a day for one week. Following that, I did what Eli Lilly tells you absolutely not to do (they would, wouldn't they) and I split open the capsules. You will find contained therein a large number of what I call globules. Not powder. Eli Lilly refuses to issue Cymbalta in doses below 20 mg or in liquid form so rationing the globules is the only thing you can do.

Do not go cold turkey; you might give yourself a seizure (I am not a medical doctor but, believe me, the mental effects are too powerful to ignore). When you feel the zaps starting, moisten your fingertip and dip it into the globules and swallow. When, after a few days, the zaps start receding stop taking Cymbalta altogether.

Then the party starts and it is not a party that you would attend willingly. You will have two to three months of sheer agony and horror. Whatever your general practitioner or other medical adviser will tell you, there is no palliative to help the symptoms from here.

All I would advise is take no other medication whatsoever (which is against the advice that is always given by the medical profession but their advice is wrong - they have never had to live through this so what do they know), take no physical exercise at all (I know that that sounds weird but, believe me, I know whereof I speak), keep your head down and have as little to do with other people as you possibly can. Do take Omega 3 (essentially fish oil) as this will help you in part to deal with brain zaps. Eat as little as you possibly can and restrict your diet to fish, vegetables and fruit. Oddly, especially given the fact that Cymbalta has one very obvious side-effect, that is to say increasing one's craving for alcohol, a couple of glasses of red wine in the evening really helps. As does lots of sleep (if you can sleep at all because the brain zaps make it very difficult to do so).

Although it sounds astonishing (unbelievable to those who are undergoing the first stages of withdrawal) you will find that after about eight weeks all of the symptoms recede and you will stop feeling the urge to punch people in the face. Indeed, one evening you will feel absolute bliss. You will still feel terrible but you will be suddenly aware that the worst is over and you can look forward.

I hope to God that you will succeed. My heart goes out to you. For God's sake, keep the faith. I am trying to find members of the medical profession who will sanction this course of treatment. So far, I have received nothing but support from NHS doctors with whom I have spoken. God bless you all

[ijustdontgetit]

I am on day 7 of being without Cymbalta and found myself in the ER yesterday afternoon after a total breakdown at work. All the symptoms appeared full force and I could not handle it. Crying uncontrollably, panic attacks, chest pain, etc.. You all know the withdrawal symptoms. My primary care physician only wheened me off of my regular dosage in 7 days and prescribed me Welbutrin to take it's place. I knew none the better. The worst part about it is that I am in a new management position and now fear my peers think I'm nuts and will loose their confidence in me. But that is a different topic. I was forced to stay home today from my job due to being prescribed valium. Tomorrow I get to go back and see what happens... SCARY!!!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day but reading all the posts I fear that it will not. Anyway, I have been doing research online regarding this and found this forum. And frankly I'm pissed off! If this is such a nasty drug to come off of then why is there no structured program for coming off of this drug? I'd like to try and start fighting but I don't have the first clue as to how or what has been done so far. I will continue to research this topic and keep everyone posted. If anyone is willing to fight with me, I would be glad to have the help.

I would simply tell them you had a severe reaction to some medication and you are off that medication now.

[ijustdontgetit]

Do you know if anyone has attempted to contact Lilly about this? I'm just curious.

[cymbaltavictim1010]

mmo
Do you know if anyone has attempted to contact Lilly about this? I'm just curious.

I have tried repeatedly with no success - both US and UK. Their investor relations people won't even reply. What a HUGE surprise. However, I can tell you that Erin Brockovich (www.brockovich.com) is all over this and there are several class actions against Lilly re: Cymbalta underway.

[switch04]

mmo
Do you know if anyone has attempted to contact Lilly about this? I'm just curious.

I believe so, however I think I've read that it would be better to contact the FDA and inform them of this. Not 100% certain

[cymbaltavictim1010]

I believe so, however I think I've read that it would be better to contact the FDA and inform them of this. Not 100% certain

In that, you are totally correct. Given that this rubbish is sold worldwide, I should also contact the UK Department of Health and any other regulator you can find.

[happyzapynot]

I have been without cymbalta now for 5 days. The first 4 were hell but today, the fifth day actually seems to be better? How can that be. It just doesn't seem right from all I am reading. I have had all the same symptoms as everyone has complained about but it's as though all the withdrawal symptoms have left. By the way, i was taking 60 mg for 3 yrs now.

I had a good day followed by a bad day followed by a very bad day followed by a good day etc, etc, etc.
Everyone processes meds at in different ways so I hope you are one of the fortunate ones who will get over it quickly.
Please report your experience with $ybalta to the FDA. We need to get this junk off the market before it kills more people and causes more suffering and makes more money for the creeps who prescribe it without understanding what it does to a person.
www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please update us on how you fare. I'd love to hear that you have escaped the clutches of this $&*# drug quickly!!

[ijustdontgetit]

I was on it for 3 yrs. As a treatment for fibromyalgia. Cymbalta is an antidepressent. Most antidepressants are ssri and/or snri. That would be seratonin and norepenephren. The difference between Cymbalta, I think, it is also works dopamine, another chemical in the brain. I think this is the problem. Ive not found any other antidepressant that has that and it is typically given to people with Parkinsons. The pharmacist says this drug has nothing to do with dopamine. This is contrary to what both my son and I have read. At any rate, my son read to get a product called Mucuna. You get it at good health food stores. Just make sure it says 15% L-Dopa. I pd $20 for 90 and you take 2 a day. They did say that they've been selling a lot lately. Son also read to drink large amounts of green. The saleslady said she drinks something called Matcha tea. Its green tea but she said it is 10% more potent that regular greet tea. It is not 10% more potent in the caffiene department and it does have caffiene. It cost me $10 for 1 lb but you only use 1/4 teaspoon. It's a powder.

[cymbaltavictim1010]

I was on it for 3 yrs. As a treatment for fibromyalgia. Cymbalta is an antidepressent. Most antidepressants are ssri and/or snri. That would be seratonin and norepenephren. The difference between Cymbalta, I think, it is also works dopamine, another chemical in the brain. I think this is the problem. Ive not found any other antidepressant that has that and it is typically given to people with Parkinsons. The pharmacist says this drug has nothing to do with dopamine. This is contrary to what both my son and I have read. At any rate, my son read to get a product called Mucuna. You get it at good health food stores. Just make sure it says 15% L-Dopa. I pd $20 for 90 and you take 2 a day. They did say that they've been selling a lot lately. Son also read to drink large amounts of green. The saleslady said she drinks something called Matcha tea. Its green tea but she said it is 10% more potent that regular greet tea. It is not 10% more potent in the caffiene department and it does have caffiene. It cost me $10 for 1 lb but you only use 1/4 teaspoon. It's a powder.

I do take green tea. It does help. I hope that you are better soon. Nobody has any right to put you in the situation you face. Someone must one day be held accountable (by the way, Eli Lilly - I'm sure you're snooping - I am a lawyer and have a shed-load of documents with my magic circle of solicitors in London so don't you even dare come after me). This is terrible but you can overcome it. I am always here. God bless you.

[switch04]

Today is the 2nd day I've been stuck at home from work. Today I am better on the physical side of the withdrawal but the emotional side reared it's ugly head today. I'm snapping at my fiance and my son - which is not fair to them. My fiance took off of work today so he could help me with my son. So I asked them to please take a drive somewhere so that I can try and relax. Right now I'm not able to breath real well and am getting more and more pissed that I'm not at work. So I'm typing hoping it makes me feel better. I have just gained this promotion the beginning of March and it truly is bothering me that I am not there because I'm afraid to go. Afraid because I am going to either breakdown and cry or snap at someone - which usually leads into a panic attack for me. I cannot take Valium at work or drive while on it so I'm stuck... Also fear the headaches that I've been getting which doesn't allow me to focus or make a decision to save my soul. I'm useless. I do work for a great company that understands and is always caring about their employees and their needs prior to business. But I still feel like a failure somehow. I've worked so hard the last couple of years to make a name for myself and then this crap happens.

[switch04]

Three weeks and two days - that's how long I've been without that "poison." Some days are better than others; some days I feel like I'd have improve to die.

Today is definitely not one of the "better" ones.

I am sweaty, irritable, unhappy, ANXIOUS, and overall miserable.

I was on the "poison" for over 5 years for GAD and panic attacks. The anxiety I'm experiencing today is far worse than anything I experienced before I started taking that crap. No full blown panic attacks yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time (I do take Xanax for anxiety, but it is like taking children's aspirin for a migraine).

In the interest of full disclosure, I do have Parkinson's Pugilistica (or Dementia Pugilistica with Parkinsonism, take your pick). I take Stalevo and Azilect for my condition, and I believe these medications have helped me with some of the symptoms of withdrawal described on this site. I had to stop taking the "poison" before I could start taking Azilect, since the latter is an MAO-B Inhibitor.

However, NO ONE told me how difficult it would be to stop taking the "poison." I've kicked addiction to Oxycontin and it wasn't this bad!

I know that the "poison" helps people with depression, etc., but IMHO, potential patients are not being adequately informed of the serious implications of "poison" cessation.

Thanks for this site and for listening to an old man gripe about his struggle with coming off Lilly's "poison."

Peace,

Neshamah

That's another thing that ticks me off are these doctors that don't inform their patients. Of course with what my doctor pulled it's no surprise she didn't. She wheened me off only in 7 days. So when I went to the ER ( same hospital as my doctor ) the nurse practitioner was amazed that this doctor only wheened me in 7 days. I am going to contact their people somewhere and express this about my doctor. They need to be educated from the patients now vs the drug companies. One hospital is a start!

[happyzapynot]

That's another thing that ticks me off are these doctors that don't inform their patients. Of course with what my doctor pulled it's no surprise she didn't. She wheened me off only in 7 days. So when I went to the ER ( same hospital as my doctor ) the nurse practitioner was amazed that this doctor only wheened me in 7 days. I am going to contact their people somewhere and express this about my doctor. They need to be educated from the patients now vs the drug companies. One hospital is a start!

Yes, COMPLAIN. Put it in writing! Give them something to think about and keep a copy for your records because there WILL BE a class action lawsuit against this drug. Google to find a firm. We need to get this poison off the market. It is destroying innocent people.
Please file with the FDA if you have not already done so.
www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Here's some excellent info you doctor probably doesn't want to know:
http://www.fda.gov/d...dvisoryCommitte

[cymbaltavictim1010]

Today is the 2nd day I've been stuck at home from work. Today I am better on the physical side of the withdrawal but the emotional side reared it's ugly head today. I'm snapping at my fiance and my son - which is not fair to them. My fiance took off of work today so he could help me with my son. So I asked them to please take a drive somewhere so that I can try and relax. Right now I'm not able to breath real well and am getting more and more pissed that I'm not at work. So I'm typing hoping it makes me feel better. I have just gained this promotion the beginning of March and it truly is bothering me that I am not there because I'm afraid to go. Afraid because I am going to either breakdown and cry or snap at someone - which usually leads into a panic attack for me. I cannot take Valium at work or drive while on it so I'm stuck... Also fear the headaches that I've been getting which doesn't allow me to focus or make a decision to save my soul. I'm useless. I do work for a great company that understands and is always caring about their employees and their needs prior to business. But I still feel like a failure somehow. I've worked so hard the last couple of years to make a name for myself and then this crap happens.

You are feeling self-loathing. Absolutely ****ing typical of this evil thing. Why should you? You have obviously made a real go of your life. YOU ARE STUCK. Please, please find some excuse for taking a month off. As I have said before, I did all this while trying to keep tabs on numerous employees and feeding my bosses with the good stuff. Tell them you have to have tests for cancer, anything. DO NOT DEAL WITH OTHER PEOPLE RIGHT NOW. No way are they going to take you seriously (but are going to take you seriously - in exactly the wrong way). I'm sorry if I sound angry but I have been exactly in your situation EXACTLY - so I know precisely what the problems are. Can you take a sabbatical? Two months off in the Bahamas (and you don't want your wife and kids to join you, believe me) and you will be okay. I can't tell you how much I feel for you. It is terrible. Thank God for the internet so we can actually take the load off you a bit. Christ knows, you have absolutely every right to be insanely angry about this. This is NOT an addiction. It is a horrible, corporate mind-**** specifically designed to make us like this. Eli Lilly - I know you are tracking all of this, we will bloody well get you. And the moment you come after me, you will not know what has hit you. Eli Lilly, welcome to the world of litigation funding. For those of you out there who don't know what this is, just Google it and you will be afraid of corporate monstrosities no more.

[ijustdontgetit]

I have tried repeatedly with no success - both US and UK. Their investor relations people won't even reply. What a HUGE surprise. However, I can tell you that Erin Brockovich (www.brockovich.com) is all over this and there are several class actions against Lilly re: Cymbalta underway.

I went to Erin Brockovich's website. I'm glad you said something about it. That woman is amazing. I'm sure at this point, she has people hired to help her, but either way, I hope she gets to the bottom of this whole mess.

[melly]

I had a good day followed by a bad day followed by a very bad day followed by a good day etc, etc, etc.
Everyone processes meds at in different ways so I hope you are one of the fortunate ones who will get over it quickly.
Please report your experience with $ybalta to the FDA. We need to get this junk off the market before it kills more people and causes more suffering and makes more money for the creeps who prescribe it without understanding what it does to a person.
www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please update us on how you fare. I'd love to hear that you have escaped the clutches of this $&*# drug quickly!!

Hello happyzapynot, today is day 5 for me . I seem to be much like you, today was terrible but yesterday was not as bad. I am quite interested to see what forms they have sent to my doctor. I will be sure to keep a copy.

[ijustdontgetit]

Nobody knows anything about this drug. You may simply be blessed by God. However, I would warn you that this withdrawal is very unpredictable. The first time I tried, the symptoms vanished almost immediately. A week later, they hit me. By God, they hit me hard. But I am immensely happy for you and hope you keep well

Well, certainly I'm hoping you're right. I will keep my fingers crossed. I've picked up on the fact that this is an unpredictable. Thank you for your blessing.

[switch04]

Well yesterday and today have proven to be most difficult emotionally. Crying the majority if the day and digging down for all my strength to not go off on my ex husband and his girlfriend. My son who is 5 lost his first tooth and this morning I get a text from my ex stating that our son lost his first tooth and she helped him pull it out. My first reaction was rage! HOW DARE YOU TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME, I AM HIS MOTHER!!! That is what I wanted to say but I am a person that tends to rationalize every scenario in my life and do not want to create drama. Not sure if it's the withdrawal making me feel this or if it is a true and legitimate feeling. I'm a very analytical person and not sure if that is helping me through this or making it worse because now I'm bottling everything up inside. I am intending to go back to work tomorrow after having been off for 3 days last week. I wish I could take a sabbatical. But my boss is super awesome and I will be honest with her tomorrow morning - provide her the facts and ask for the rest of the week off as vacation or ask to work from home somehow. And I'm happy to report that I have a great relationship with my employees and I am going to be honest with them as well - meaning I will tell them exactly what I'm going through and in the mean time advocate to them to not go on this drug...EVER!!! Yes that goodness for the internet. It's save me from going off on people - instead I'll type my anger out.

[ijustdontgetit]

Yes I am new here even though I have already added posts to the discussions. The Readers Digest condensed verson is that I began seeing what I call a "pain doctor". He is a physiatrist not to be confused with psychiatrist. He is supposed to be the best in the state. My back problems were confirmed by MRIs and CT scans. The diagnosis was 2 herniated disks in midback and one in lower. In order for me to get some relief he prescribed physical therapy and narcotic pain meds. I took the pain meds despite the risks. I needed them just to get out of bed. Anyway some time later I developed fibromyalgia. The pain meds didn't help so he put me on Cymbalta. I couldn't afford to pay for it so he gave me samples. On one visit he told me they couldn't get samples anymore. Next day I thought I had a bad case of the flu then I realized it was withdrawal. I was very fortunate not to go through the nightmare people on here have gone through. I can only attribute it to the pain meds. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers that your pain goes away quickly like mine did. I hope you're able to keep being strong and don't give in. God bless.

[happyzapynot]

Yes I am new here even though I have already added posts to the discussions. The Readers Digest condensed verson is that I began seeing what I call a "pain doctor". He is a physiatrist not to be confused with psychiatrist. He is supposed to be the best in the state. My back problems were confirmed by MRIs and CT scans. The diagnosis was 2 herniated disks in midback and one in lower. In order for me to get some relief he prescribed physical therapy and narcotic pain meds. I took the pain meds despite the risks. I needed them just to get out of bed. Anyway some time later I developed fibromyalgia. The pain meds didn't help so he put me on Cymbalta. I couldn't afford to pay for it so he gave me samples. On one visit he told me they couldn't get samples anymore. Next day I thought I had a bad case of the flu then I realized it was withdrawal. I was very fortunate not to go through the nightmare people on here have gone through. I can only attribute it to the pain meds. I will keep all of youop in my thoughts and prayers that your pain goes away quickly like mine did. I hope you're able to keep being strong and don't give in. God bless.

You've been through enough without suffering the horrors of withdrawal. You deserve a break!
I found the info about fibro at the link below to be very enlightening:
http://www.wellnessr...fibro_class.php

My niece suffered a spinal cord injury at the hands of an incompetent doctor. She blogs about her experience, esp the constant pain. If you'd like to check out the blog just google "DR LIAR BLOG" and you'll find My Unplanned Life

I wish you the best. Compared to what you are suffering I should stop fretting over withdrawal. I sincerely hope that you can find healing and health. Blessings!

[ijustdontgetit]

I am on day 7 of being without Cymbalta and found myself in the ER yesterday afternoon after a total breakdown at work. All the symptoms appeared full force and I could not handle it. Crying uncontrollably, panic attacks, chest pain, etc.. You all know the withdrawal symptoms. My primary care physician only wheened me off of my regular dosage in 7 days and prescribed me Welbutrin to take it's place. I knew none the better. The worst part about it is that I am in a new management position and now fear my peers think I'm nuts and will loose their confidence in me. But that is a different topic. I was forced to stay home today from my job due to being prescribed valium. Tomorrow I get to go back and see what happens... SCARY!!!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day but reading all the posts I fear that it will not. Anyway, I have been doing research online regarding this and found this forum. And frankly I'm pissed off! If this is such a nasty drug to come off of then why is there no structured program for coming off of this drug? I'd like to try and start fighting but I don't have the first clue as to how or what has been done so far. I will continue to research this topic and keep everyone posted. If anyone is willing to fight with me, I would be glad to have the help.

Was the ER able to do anything? I'm just curious if you told them what was wrong what their reaction was. I really would tell them you had a bad reaction to something he prescribed, which isn't really a lie. I would try to pretend that it was a freakish thing that paassed and it's business as usual. I found a paper I got about with a script a while back. The print is so small you practically need a magnifying glass. The verbage is something only a pharmicist would know. I did read somewhere that cymbalta was only 1 chemical (?) Away from heroin. I think it was cymbalta. I'm not positive.