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I Made It, And I Can Help


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#1 Shawn

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Posted 03 January 2013 - 01:27 AM

I'm a 25 year old male, and after being on Cymbalta for over 10 years, and going through an entire year of horrific withdrawal that drastically impacted my life in every way, I have made it through this.

I am now at the 6 month mark of not having a Cymbalta pill, and I feel ,ore human than ever.

The reason I am posting this is because I learned a lot, and I can offer a lot of support. I tried anything and everything, and met with some excellent doctors and therapists along the way, and I received a lot of help. I want to help those going through the same thing, so please, if you are going through a really tough time getting off of Cymbalta don't hesitate to email me at shenschel05@gmail.com

Thanks and God bless,

Shawn

#2 Heartfeathers

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Posted 05 January 2013 - 01:16 PM

You are a lucky one. I have been off since May and I am still having cyclical withdrawal symptoms. They happen out of nowhere.

#3 muddyheaded

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Posted 07 January 2013 - 11:15 PM

congrats, shawn....it CAN be done!!!! i was on the 'devil drug' for over 10 years....at age 64, the benefits and cost made me rethink if this drug was really helpful....i decided it wasn't....after finding this site, i decided to reduce my dosage daily by removing 10 grains per day.....when i told my nurse practitioner of my decision, her only offer of support was to put me on another drug.....it WAS difficult....brain zaps, moodiness, sadness, exhaustion prevailed for months...i feel so much better now.....i can't 'nap' anymore (!), have begun losing weight and have so much more energy....yeah, i still get sad and bummed, but that's live, right?

i encourage everyone to keep working at eliminating this 'devil drug' from your life.....if you find you still need pharmaceutical help, then find a mental health provider who will really work with you to find the key to your ability to live a good life.....

#4 George1970

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 07:16 PM

I am 42 and feel totally " empty " after 18 months of 60 milligrams a day of this drug. At the start I needed something but I have not had a life for over a year so have decided to go cold turkey starting Tomorrow ...............if you have advice or not wish me luck !! Lol

#5 fishinghat

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 07:27 PM

Oh George George for god's sake don't go cold turkey!!! Use the bead method. Each capsule contains from 200 to 300 small beads depending on the manufacturer. Take your regular dosage but remove 5 beads more each day. The ends of the capsules slide off, remove 5 beads and slide the capsule back together and take it. The next day remove 10 beads and so on and so forth. The withdrawal is a lot less severe. Now you will still have some withdrawal, especially when you get down to the end but it will be alot better!! I would also suggest you read some of the old entries, They have some good suggestions on supplements like omega 3 and such which will help the withdrawal a lot.


#6 George1970

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 07:49 PM

How appropriate, the one thing that brings my son and me closer also offers advice on my medication !!!! Lol sorry fishinghat, I can't think of a better name that could help me !! I have tried various drugs over the last 20 years and truth be told I am totally at a loss to name any that have gave a "balanced" approach to my illness, I usually jump into things so I will try to take a little advice and try it your way, your name must be a sign !! God bless

#7 fishinghat

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 08:00 PM

That is so funny George!! lol I know how you feel. The days I spend fishing have given me more "cure" than any of the meds I have taken for sure. Listen George, I can tell you that everyone on this site is on your side. we know what you are facing and the people here will give you a lot of help. I am 4 and 1/2 weeks cymbalta free and on the mend. It sure is good to get off the crap. I hope you have enough meds to taper off with. Let us know if you have any questions and keep us posted on how you are doing.


#8 George1970

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 08:11 PM

Being in "sunny " Scotland the NHS supply me with the meds I need, I feel really sorry for my kindred American sufferers who have to pay to get medication they so desperately need !! Time for a change fishinghat so that's what's gonna happen !! ................on a totally different tangent our trout season kicks off on Saturday so my son and me are off to catch our dinner come the weekend so will keep you updated on that also !! Lol ................ My illness is hid under humour :-)

#9 fishinghat

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 08:26 PM

Humour in diversity is a sign of good character. Hang in there George, bette times will follow.

 

P.S. Our trout season opened two weeks ago but I must confess my wife and I are crappie prefer crappie fishing. (That will give you something for your search engine!!! lol)


#10 George1970

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Posted 13 March 2013 - 08:34 PM

Crappie fishing in Scotland means you catch nothing apart from the flu !!! Lol ............ I never thought I would say this but I hope you enjoy crap fishing and all your craps are huge !! Lol................ Thanks for the advice and it's been a real treat talking to you, keep casting

#11 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 01:31 AM

LOL - I never even thought of the name you use fishinghat. I have one of those - - - a fishing hat that is. Me and hubbie love to go fishing. Unfortunately with the problems I had this winter we didn't get to do any ice fishing - That's cutting a hole in the ice and dropping a line in and pull the fish out the hole for you warmer climate guys.

George1970

I'm glad you are to try the bead counting way. I was really worried that you would go cold turkey 

Fishinghat can really help too. Both fishinghat and GreenMachine are ahead of us so they really help with the encouragement. 

Thank you to both.

I am usually asleep at this time but the Crapalta is causing me to be very restless now. The depression is coming back like before I started to try to get off, but at least I know it is the drug this time and I am putting up a fight.


#12 George1970

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 01:40 AM

I'll just call you nancy, it's 0630 here, been up all night !! Depression and fishing must be a spiritual thing !! Lol we are better than the sum of our troubles so that's the thing we cling to, we have so much to live for and look forward to we just have to try and see through the fog !! ........keep in touch

#13 GreenMachine

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 06:57 AM

All this talk about fishing makes me want to go...I haven't been in like 12 years...is that weird? lol

 

George, so are you going to beadcount?  I was on 60mg for two years, and per my psychiatrist went to 30mg for 5 days, then cold-turkey...done.  28 days free of Cymbalta now, but it really was a horrific nightmare those first 2-3 weeks.  I would strongly suggest to beadcount as well!  Stopping abruptly gets the whole process over and done with faster, but really, it's not worth it.  If you have normal adult responsibilities (i.e. work, kids, etc.), then beadcounting is a must.  If you have the ability to hibernate from the world for 2-3 weeks, then, only then, maybe cold-turkey is an option, but be prepared for the worst... :ph34r:


#14 George1970

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 07:13 AM

Hi greenmachine, I was swayed last night to do the bead count but to be honest I had my heart set on cold turkey. I am a self employed industrial roofer and have just completed a job so I have possibly a couple of weeks off which was behind my thinking to go cold turkey to try and get the worst out the way !! I never took yesterday's dose and it's half way through the day here so I guess I have started. Got a sore head and feel a bit jittery but nothing to horrendous yet. The hibernate thing is one of the reasons I need to get off the drug, I never go out and have lost all interest in things I used to enjoy, I know that sounds a bit like I am depressed but I know the signs and it's not that, just feel like a zombie going through the motions

#15 GreenMachine

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 07:23 AM

I understand all that, especially losing interest in life...I was the same way and hated it.  As far as the withdrawal goes, maybe you're experience will be manageable...sure hope so.  But, either way, stick around the board and let us know how you're doing.


#16 George1970

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 07:29 AM

Cheers greenmachine, I'll check back in a couple of days and give you all the gory details !! Lol

#17 fishinghat

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 08:23 AM

Lady2882Nancy, This late evening routine sucks!! I was feeling pretty good last night, yawning like crazy and still laid there until midnight before I finally dozed off. But I remember it was just two weeks ago that it would have been 1 or 2 AM.

 

NOW I am depressed. All this talk about fishing makes me want to get out there!!  lol Hopefully not much longer.


#18 LINDAKAY

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Posted 14 March 2013 - 03:38 PM

Well I have been off for 4 weeks now and things are sarting to get a little clearer. The muscle and joint pain is easing up and I can think a little clearer and stay on track a little longer. The bloating is starting to subside and the crying is less frequent..No brain zaps to speak of. Still a little short tempered but controllable. My bigest problem is the extream sweating. I can only sleep if I have a fan blowing full force directly on me and in my face. Strange but it works along with a couple of Alieve.....Could it be I see light at the end of the tunnel??!! I have to stay positive because the withdrawel will end unlike the side effects of the drug caused me more long term grief. I was on 3 medications and they were treatments for the side effects of the Cymbalta. Since being off the Cymbalta my heart no longer skipps beats therefore I can do away with the pill for that and by doing away with that pill I can do away with the 3rd pill that was to treat the side effects of the 2nd pill! Wow! Unbelievable of how many issues one pill can cause and doctors just keep handing out more pills to compensate for the effects of each. Now that I have heard about bead counting I would totally agree it is the way to go. The severity of the withdrawel is different in each person so you can never be to sure. The suicidal thoughts are there and it is sometimes tough to disreguard them with a clear mind. I do not reccomend cold Turkey..expecially from 60mg. I was on 60mg for 8years and went to 30 for the past year. I used one a day.. then one every 3 days for 2 weeks...then one every week for 2 weeks... then I quit. Now I am at week 4 with none and I know I will make it..I drink LOTS of water! But i sweat so much it does not stay long. :) I just have to believe "This too Shal Pass!"


#19 George1970

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Posted 15 March 2013 - 06:11 AM

Well guys just had my 2nd night cold turkey and slept really well !! So surprised by that but I had the most vivid dream ever lol.in it an old school flame and I had a catch up and told her all about my mental health issues through out the years and it was like so good to talk !!! Lol. I know this is just the start and things will probably get a lot rougher, a sore head and slight chest pains seem to be what's happening just now but when I take the Celebrex for my back it kinda works for the sore head too.

Lindakay
it sounds like you have had such a bad experience through this drug !! I have read your post above a couple of times now and it seems that every time you describe a side effect you have something positive to say after it which shows you have a great strength of character !! We all seem to be born fighters but even the best need a rest when it all gets a bit much

#20 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 15 March 2013 - 02:04 PM

LINDAKAY  The muscle and joint pain is easing up and I can think a little clearer and stay on track a little longer. The bloating is starting to subside and the crying is less frequent..No brain zaps to speak of. Still a little short tempered but controllable. My bigest problem is the extream sweating.

aha so there is joint pain. Now was that while on Crapalta or side effect of going off the crapalta or both??  (I like my name for it)

And I can so relate to the other problems. Especially the sweating at night. It was like menopause all over again. I did the same as I did then. A flannel sheet on the bottom and a flannel pillow case. Absorbs the sweat much better so you can sleep longer before having to get up and dry off. lol

Oh how I hate this drug, it is evil. Yes the pain is getting to me and making me feel down ahead of schedule. Usually I'm good until 2:30-3:00 in the afternoon, but not today.


#21 fishinghat

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Posted 15 March 2013 - 02:11 PM

I am forced to confess lady2882Nancy, I have stolen your term crapalta and now use it liberally!!! lol Sorry  :D


#22 lady2882Nancy

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Posted 15 March 2013 - 02:17 PM

Glad you like it. I was calling it cymbalta crap but we have a member with that handle and so I changed it as our CymbaltaCrap is  a very nice person.





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