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#31 rogerwilco

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Posted 21 February 2008 - 06:23 AM

Thanks for your feedback. I understand your reasoning, and yet I caution that jumping off at 28 hurts more and longer. I've tried a similar big step once, chronicled earlier here, and, whoa, the high discomfort level was too much. I returned to 20 so I could think this out more.

Right now I'm for a "soft landing" with as little symptom discomfort as possible. I've been 1 month on 5 mg and I'm planning for after March first.

The zero dose withdrawal symptoms might last for months. I'm interested in using non-pharma adaptogens for relief.

#32 jiggleeyes

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Posted 21 February 2008 - 05:21 PM

Hey folks! rogerwilco in particular. I am afraid that there is no such thing as a "soft landing" that is just addiciton in a different coat. It is hard to go through but very much worth it and you should really try to find a practitioner that is willing to listen to your needs and help you. sometimes that is harder than getting off the darned stuff! I am so glad I did not cave in and start it again when I thought I could not get through it. It took a few weeks but I am back to "normal"-I know for some it takes much longer. Hang in there and don't let it controll you-you can control it with really good support.
Best Wishes!

#33 schmb01

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Posted 21 February 2008 - 08:29 PM

My taper has been fairly rapid; I was taking 90 mg a week ago, and am now at 15 mg, approximately. I have to say that I've not experienced any nausea or vomiting, just the brain zaps and disoriented sensation. Still, today I felt more clear headed during conversations, although I'm unable to stick with one topic for long. I'm chatty and all over the place, like a million things keep popping into my head at rapid speed. Has anyone else felt this, and did it suddenly "crash" at any point? I know that once this evil stuff is out of me, I may feel the nausea and other physical things, and that scares me.

I'm waiting on my Omega 3 complex to get here, and I bought a whey protein drink from our local health food store to help. I'm also being more cautious with foods and things that have nasty ingredients in them, I want to clean out my system.

Good luck to all of you dealing with this, you are in my thoughts, and not alone.

#34 rogerwilco

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Posted 21 February 2008 - 10:32 PM

Hey folks! rogerwilco in particular. I am afraid that there is no such thing as a "soft landing" that is just addiciton in a different coat. It is hard to go through but very much worth it and you should really try to find a practitioner that is willing to listen to your needs and help you. sometimes that is harder than getting off the darned stuff! I am so glad I did not cave in and start it again when I thought I could not get through it. It took a few weeks but I am back to "normal"-I know for some it takes much longer. Hang in there and don't let it controll you-you can control it with really good support.
Best Wishes!


jiggleeyes,
Of course you're utterly right about addiction. I should know better than to think there could be a sort of grace period before having to bite the bullet, so to speak. Your kind of straight talk is very good for me. There is no convenient time to kick a drug, except if one absolutely can't afford the days necessary to be sick in. I'm going to quit again starting toward the end of next week. I'll have about a month "free" for this. Thanks. I'll be checking in...

#35 edawg

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Posted 22 February 2008 - 11:06 PM

I started Cymbalta about 3 months ago. The doctor who prescribed it is not a mental health professional, she is a doctor like a chiropractor meets a physical therapist. I had been experiencing nerve pain due to a neck/disc injury I sustained almost a year prior to taking the Cymbalta. The injury was the result of an assault that came in the middle of time in my life when I ended my job of ten years, had a 40% salary reduction and the end of a long-term relationship. So the Cymbalta helped the nerve pain and it also helped the depression I didn't even realize I was going through. I had never taken any type of anti-depressant medicine before.

I did experience some of the typical side effects when I started Cymbalta: the nausea for first day, severe loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, hearing electric zap sounds in my head and right as I was about to fall asleep my body would twitch like I was about to fall. The constipation lasted the longest and the twitching kept up, but not as severe. The other stuff went away after about 2 weeks.

For about 6 weeks, I thought that Cymbalta was a miracle in a bottle despite the side effects. I experined the littlest amount of pain I had in almost a year. I felt very little depression as well. I really liked it. Then over the Christmas holiday, my insurance company let my refill lapse and I went off it for 2 days cold turkey. It was awful. I wanted to bang my head through a wall. My neck hurt so badly, and I was sweating and crying profusely. My pharmacist gave me 3 days worth on the 3rd day, because he felt so bad. I got the script refilled before his little sample ran out.

Not too long ago, other symptoms started to emerge. I nearly fell down with dizzy spells almost every time I got up after sitting for awhile. I started to feel like I was having hot flashes all the time. I'm a little too young for hot flashes, and it wasn't just that I was always feeling hot and sweaty, but I started to get body odor. I've never had an issue with that, and I used to take 90 minute yoga classes in a 100 degree room and sweat profusely, but never get B.O. But after a couple of months on Cymbalta, I'd be minding my own business and smell something, and I'd be like, "Who had the onions for lunch?" Dag.

Recently, Cymbalta seemed to lose its effectiveness for me in the nerve pain soothing. So I decided I didn't want to take it anymore. My doctor told me to just stop, but I said no way after remembering what I went through over Christmas. Then I read a bunch of sites like this one. I went from 60 mg to 30. I took 30 mg yesterday and today. I've had a pounding headache and lots of jerks and twitches. But after 2 days of half dosage, the body odor situation has improved A LOT. In the land of Too.Much.Info (look away if you don't like bathroom talk) well, after 2 days of half dosage, I had a bowel movement that was, well...let's just say I wasn't constipated today.

I'm hoping the withdrawal symptoms keep dwindling and don't last long, because I've never had a headache like the one I had earlier today, and the dizziness and twitching are no fun either.

Thanks for this site! I'm glad I finally got to vent to people who know what I'm talking about and don't think it's all in my head.

#36 jiggleeyes

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Posted 22 February 2008 - 11:22 PM

edawg:
Hang in there-really it will all pass and we are here to listen. Try to slow your breathing and focus on that (just like in yoga!) when you are having a moment that seems impossible. You can do this. and no matter what happens you can keep trying until you succeed. In the meantime to you might want to find a practitioner who really knows what to do with this drug.

#37 rogerwilco

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Posted 23 February 2008 - 10:35 AM

Hi all,
Yesterday I found a local(!) acupuncture-ayurveda practitioner experienced in helping people detox off Cymbalta (among other addictive drugs, I assume,) and boy am I relieved about treating withdrawal. Our first appointment is Monday, the day after tomorrow! Many years ago I had acupuncture and Chinese herbal help to detox from opiate addiction, and it sure works when administered by someone properly trained and reasonably experienced. Thanks for the nudge, jiggleeyes.

#38 schmb01

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Posted 23 February 2008 - 07:18 PM

Hi Angie,
Welcome aboard. My previous posts here detail my own experience trying to quit from 60mg. At the moment I'm down to 5mg/day and am in the first week of physical and emotional unpleasantness resulting from a reduction from 10mg/day. Cymbalta is a dangerous chemical, and caution and patience are very necessary. I found Dr Glenmullen's book very revealing of the situation I find myself in, and you can find it at addall.com. Good luck, and please stay in touch! 8-)


I'm glad you posted where to get this book, because I couldn't seem to find it last night. I tried to go from 90 mg to zero in a week, and had a very serious crash and burn meltdown last night. My heart was doing all kinds of odd things. So, I took a portion of a 30 mg cap, but I know I need to get on a standard taper schedule. I sure wish they could deliver this book tonight!

Thanks again!

#39 edawg

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Posted 24 February 2008 - 03:10 AM

Thanks for the support.

After 2 days of cutting my dosage in half, I just stopped taking it. I know that's not recommended, but I had a raging headache for two days, amongst other side effects that you all are very familiar with. Today, I woke up the 3rd day in a row with a massive headache, but after 2 hours it went away. It went away before I normally would take Cymbalta, so I just felt like I didn't want to put any more of that stuff in my body, no matter how small the dosage.

I still felt very sweaty most of the day, but had no body odor. I had two BMs today. I went from 2 a week to 2 in one day. The dizziness and zaps have nearly disappeared. My appetite came raging back today. I lost 15 pounds in the 3 months of taking cymbalta. It was combined with changing my diet to healthier foods. I am at the weight i really want to be at now, and I'm a little concerned with gaining weight, but that has to do with my own willpower and choices, so I'll do my best. It was easier to lose weight and eat smaller portions because cymbalta decreased my appetite though.

The worst side effect I'm experiencing right now is inability to sleep. I'm wide awake and it's 3:00 AM. But considering the other side effects, this is fine. I cleaned my condo and did out all my bills while I couldn't sleep, so at least I was productive. I don't feel wired at least. Just not tired.

I hope that you all get some of the relief I've experienced today. Wishing you all well.

#40 rogerwilco

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Posted 13 March 2008 - 07:03 AM

Howdy folks,

The worst is over for me. I kept the daily dose at about 5 mg/day by counting out 45 of the 180 little granules contained in 20 mg caps and recapping them using empties that can be bought in any health food store. I held it there for 4 weeks or so, taking the dose with supper, until quitting altogether around March 1. So, after about 2 weeks off it completely, I can report my detox a success. What a long haul. I still have sudden mood changes almost every day, and difficulty sleeping through the night, but no other symptoms of withdrawal. I see I will just have to be patient for a while longer. But wow, what an improvement over my early attempts to get off this stuff. At 5 mg/day taken evenings I was able to minimize the worst commonly reported withdrawal effects which simply just abated little by little over that long month while I gained the courage to "just say no."

So now, I'm free again. I'm a little overemotional at times when sad things happen, but I figure I'm just not used to handling much of an emotional charge without Cymbalta's years-long mitigation effects. I'm sure to keep getting better. I see a licensed acupuncturist twice a week. That's been a big help in so many ways. He knows how to help people detox. I plan to keep that going for a few more months while I learn how to better manage my negative thoughts and emotions.

I think my shrink, whom I still see twice a month, is feeling guilty for putting me on such a horrible drug, but I know he was just doing the best he can with a depressed patient. Thing is, we agreed in December I am no longer depressed (after many years of chronic suffering), and it did take over three months for me to just get all the way off the medication. That, in itself, could have been quite a depressing experience, but I managed to keep one step ahead of the blues. As I said, I still have sudden mood shifts almost every day, and difficulty sleeping through the night, but no other symptoms of withdrawal beyond a low-level jitteryness that seems to get less every week.

I hope my reports have been helpful, and I wish you all well in the battle against Cymbalta. It ain't easy! 8-)

#41 Sarah J

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Posted 13 March 2008 - 07:15 AM

I went to acupuncture on Monday for the first time. It was relaxing and peaceful and I look forward to my next visit.
The acupuncture doctor I went to says that at least 6 visits once a week to be beneficial initially.

Congratulations on your wean down and strength to get through it. Please continue to let us know how you are doing now that you are feeling your real self again. Best of luck to you.

#42 rogerwilco

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Posted 13 March 2008 - 07:30 AM

Wow, that was quick. Gee, thanks, Sarah, for your support. I'm very touched and all over-emotional now... Feels very, very nice. :(

#43 schmb01

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Posted 13 March 2008 - 10:43 PM

It is wonderful to read a success story such as yours! You should be very proud of yourself. I'm on day 11 at zero, and I understand what you mean about feeling emotional! I think though we were just so used to feeling deadened that we forgot what it was like to FEEL things!

You and Sarah both have me convinced to see an accupunctiorist(sp), so I think I will call about that tomorrow! Thanks to both of you for that!

#44 rogerwilco

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Posted 14 March 2008 - 07:07 AM

I shouldn't have written "overemotional," as you are correct. It's just that I am unused to having access to such a wide range of FEELINGS again, and expressing such hearty laughter and bitter tears as they pass through me. Personally I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.

Last week my sister-in-law broke her shoulder and was in excruciating pain. In telling my grown son about her accident, I kept blubbering on the phone. Now this is a side of me my son has never experienced, and it worried him as I had never expressed such sorrow about anything having to do with her. I explained that I'm just not used to holding all these feelings and have less control than I might--and hopefully will--as I get used to coming fully alive emotionally. I see it as a very healthy development for me, and I hope my 34 year old will come around to a more positive view of his old man's latest "phase." My whole immediate family is in therapy for one thing or another, so I'm confident he will.

Too bad in our society men aren't supposed to express emotion that way. I think of it as darned healthy and, for me at 67, just in time! :(

Acupuncture is definitely the best way I've found to treat withdrawal discomfort from pharma drugs. The thing about acupuncture is that it has side effects too... but they're all GOOD! I mean, like, WOW :!:

#45 schmb01

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Posted 14 March 2008 - 11:29 AM

Good for you! You are never too late to FEEL things, and you will likely be much healthier overall because of it! Older kids in general don't seem to cope well when we as parents "change", or fall off of that little parental pedestal that we have been on for so long. We are supposed to be this frozen image for them I think, and it freaks them out when we alter their worlds!

I'm glad you are embracing those feelings, because I know from time to time I've wanted to run from them! That is the lovely adjustment period!

Best of luck!!

#46 Sarah J

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Posted 14 March 2008 - 12:16 PM

rogerwilco - expressing emotion is healthy and it is sad that our society does not see that as a form of strength for both genders.
Imagine what a world it would be if we were encouraged to be compassionate and understanding. Keeping stuff bottled up lead many of us to seek out the help of big pharma to get us through. While some antidepressants are essential for some people to cope, I do believe that communicating feelings is a healthier way to go than putting on the pill "mask" for many of us. We live and learn.

And, I think that my acupuncture treatment rocked this week. My second treatment is Monday morning, I am looking forward to it. My first treatment was hard to describe, but I was told by friends and my husband who did not know that I went that I looked really peaceful and serene. And that is all good in my book. The needles were not scary and they did not hurt. There was a "sensation" when he hit the meridian points, and not a bad one, very releasing.

I am sure that others here would love to know how many treatments you have had and hear your experiences with them if you are able to communicate how it helps. Do tell please!

#47 rogerwilco

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Posted 15 March 2008 - 01:24 PM

I'd better explain some. The issue for me has for a long time been feeling way too much and knowing that. We're all wired differently. My normal-for-me daily sensitivity has led me through many years of therapies for chronic depression due to problems managing that chronic overload.

Anyway, I suddenly realized last December that somehow, after another decade or so of depression gone by, I simply was not, for now anyway, depressed. Yup, it looked like a duck, quacked like a d... Wow! Great, except for being for years addicted to cymbalta @ 60 mg/day! Bummer. This has been some winter, learning to kick this ugly, addictive drug from 60 mg/daily on down through 40, 20, 10 and 5 to zero and beyond.

[HOW I QUIT: Each of the 20 mg caps contains some 180 time-release grains of differing sizes. My solution was to do 50% reductions from these 20 mg caps on down to about 45 granules per cap, trying to keep the bigger-sized granules as evenly distributed throughout as I could (within reasonable patience). I figured 45 granules equals about 5mg. I remained at the 45 level for just over 4 weeks, dosing at evening. During that time I experienced mini-versions of the familiar cymbaltic series of unpleasant body and mind effects. Then things calmed down enough, and I jumped off the drug once and for all. Now, after two weeks of being completely off, I still feel mini-mini-versions of the same sequence of cymbaltic unpleasantries, but these echo effects are much easier to handle now.]

As for acupuncture, I started treatments at 3 times a week for 2 weeks beginning the day I took my last cymbalta dose, and then I cut the frequency to twice a week, which is where I'm at now and will probably remain for several weeks more if my work schedule can handle it. No hurry.

**Dear schmb01, Re: "We are supposed to be this frozen image for them I think, and it freaks them out when we alter their worlds!"
My grown kids are delighted that I'm feeling better; it makes them feel better too. Try not to let your kids see you in some "frozen" way. Try talking to them about it if you think they do. Of course IMHO if your feeling better freaks out your own kid, then there's a lot more work to be done as parent anyway. There always seems to be more of that kind of work up ahead anyhow, no matter what we're going through.
8-)

#48 schmb01

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Posted 15 March 2008 - 03:26 PM

Oh my, I wasn't very clear, I meant it is difficult for our children to see us NOT well, and perhaps a pedestal isn't the best word to use for being in a state of good health. It is more that they see us, as we viewed our own parents; as the strong ones that they can always lean upon, and it is difficult for them when that realization comes that we too are human and have life issues like everyone else. So, it is quite the opposite from your interpretation I think, kids want us to stay healthy and sound and be their parents forever, and it is hard for them to see us hurting. That is at least how it is in my world. My daughter and I are very close, and she would love nothing more than to see me be the Mom I was before health issues came up. It is hard for me today to see my own parents feeling their age.

#49 ragdoll210

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 11:13 AM

I am on day number 12 without Cymbalta. My doctor took me off, cold turkey, on Friday, March 7. Today is the first day that I am feeling somewhat more clear headed. Brain is still zapping, still hot/cold, appetite is returning. It feels like being through hell and back. If I would have known the severe withdrawal from this drug, I would have NEVER went on it. I was on it for approx. 3 years, 60 mg. People need to know about the withdrawal before going on this medication. I have printed out many posts from others going through exactly the same as me and gave them to my doctor. He has just looked at me as though I am losing my mind. I would have thought the same thing had I not searched for some type of answer on the internet. Thank you so much for this forum and the stories shared here. It has been my only sanity the past couple weeks. I will let you all know when they symptoms are finally all gone.

#50 Sarah J

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 12:19 PM

ragdoll210 -
so sorry that your doctor did not acknowledge what you are going through and glad you have made it to day 12. It is sad that we are here telling our withdrawal stories, but I am glad that you know that you aren't alone.

Still can't believe that the medical profession calls this "discontinuation syndrome". It is withdrawal, plain and simple, the medical profession needs to call it what it is. If you take something and come off of it and feel horrid without it, that is withdrawal.

Hope and pray that you and everybody else who reads and posts here are one of those people who get through this quickly with minimal suffering.



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