77 replies to this topic

[Mamanaka]

Took 7 grains out of my dose last evening! Doing fine this morning. I'm going to continue with tapering and not look back.
"Crap" took my brain away for awhile! This girl's determined to get it back!

[lady2882Nancy]

Good for you Mamanaka

That's just the way to get it back.

I am 16 days off but not free from the Crapalta side effects yet but it is getting better and I will win this!!!!!

I will be Crapalta Free!!!!!!!!

[Mamanaka]

Thank you gargan4130!
I'm on day 3 of removing grains from my 60mg caps. I'm weaning myself down to begin the 30mg caps when they come. I'm just going to pay close attention and do this slowly. I will keep folks updated.
I took 7 grains out the first night and 14 out last night. So far, so good!
And thank you lady2882Nancy for keeping up the encouragement!

[lady2882Nancy]

We have to support each other, that's why this site works so well.

aloneNlost just reminded me of about Aromatherapy so maybe I have another tool for the anxiety I have been having. 

Lavender is soothing and can help you relax and sleep.

I wonder what else I can dig up lol

Take care of you

Nancy

[ScaredLaLa]

Hi everyone. I stopped my 60mg a day dose of Cymbalta aka Crapalta (I like that!) three days ago. Last weekend I had a really scary thing happen that I realized shouldn't have because Cymbalta is an antidepressant as well as being prescribed for Fibro pain. I was diagnosed with Myofacia Pain Disorder almost two years ago and was prescribed Cymbalta for the Fibromyalgia that goes along with it. I also have TMJ. In the course of the last year I have started having restless legs, worsening insomnia and the pain is still there from the Fibro and Myofacia Pain. The worst thing is the worsening thoughts of just disappearing or running away and finally last weekend suicide. If my husband had not been home, I honestly don't know what I would have done. Anyway, day 3 and besides my rambling post and lessening appetite (yea!!) so far so good. I actually focused better at work today than I have in months. I'm scared because I know the worst hasn't hit yet but I have to get off this poison. I would rather be in pain than be depressed and suicidal. I just turned 51 yesterday and I have 5 beautiful grands that would really miss their LaLa. I have told my husband just tonight what I want to do and he is beside me all the way. He's my rock. I'll post everyday to keep a record of my progress. I hope this will help others who want to stop cold turkey too. Thanks for listening!!

[lady2882Nancy]

Welcome ScaredLaLa you have come to the right place

I am the same age as you and the Crapalta did the same thing to me as it did to you. I agree with you that pain is better than wanting to end it all.

I was put on Crapalta for chronic nerve pain and I will never take another SSRI anti depressant again.

I'm glad you told your husband as it was the best thing to do for your own survival and you are probably going to need alot of his help to deal with the side effects unless you are one of the lucky ones and don't suffer too much. I hope and pray that you are lucky.

There are lots of things you can do to help deal with the side effects too.

This is a great place to vent on the bad or angry days so come back just to read or to share something that works for you.

It can be worthwhile to let your husband read some of the posting on List Your Symptoms under What are you feeling? It will help him understand what you are going through.

I wish you luck and we are here for you if you need anything

Take care of you

Nancy

[ScaredLaLa]

Thank you Nancy! I really am glad to have someone that understands. Last night was bad but I'm glad it was the weekend so I didn't have to work.

Here is a quick synopsis. No sleep until around 4 am. I was tired but I just couldn't get my eyes to close. I finally gave in at 4 and took another dose of muscle relaxer and pain meds just with the hope that I would fall asleep. (I take Soma and Lorcet for the Myofascia pain at night). I finally fell asleep and dreamed crazy things all night. The dreams weren't scary just crazy. I can't remember the last time I dreamed all night long. The positive part is that when my son and daughter both called around noon expecting us to be up, I wasn't. They automatically thought I was having a bad day so just texted me to call them when I felt better. To their surprise I called them both right back. I got up and don't feel nearly as foggy headed and sleepy as I usually do even though I didn't get as much sleep. I have a headache but that's nothing new. I have been having headaches and mild nausea for a couple of weeks now. My morning pain is almost non-existant but the stiffness was still there. I pushed through as usual though.

As for my mood, it's lighter. I'm kind of "dizzy headed" if you know what I mean. Kind of "high" feeling. It's not to the point of mania yet but my husband will reel me in if it gets to that point. I've had manic episodes before during the last two years on the Crapalta and even though everything seems like a great idea at the time, the 50lbs of rusty horseshoes and welder I bought to make Christmas presents just wasn't that practical. Lol!

I think my youngest daughter is keeping an eye on me too. She came over this morning (afternoon) and brought my youngest granddaughter and their baby Nigerian goats. I love baby goats almost as much as I love my grandbabies so that certainly brightened my day. Then she showed me how to make fresh juice in my juicer that they got me for my birthday. It was awesome!! So much better than store bought. She just left taking Hannah home for a nap and said they will be back when she gets up.

I know i said a "quick" synopsis and for me, this is quick. So far so good. Keep the prayers and support coming. I am expecting the worst... But praying for the best and for everyone here who is going through this with me. Thanks for being here!!

Michelle <3

[lady2882Nancy]

Awesome Michelle that you have family around that support you so well.

Baby goats? I love baby goats and the Nigerian babies are so small and sweet. I really want to have goats but that has to wait until I can look after them completely myself.

 

I had problems with hypomania getting off and really have had to watch the last two weeks. I have had a number of rapid cycling episodes which I had never had happen before.

One problem for me has been the rage that comes sometimes about a week after getting off the crapalta (the least little thing will enrage me) and it seems to happen when I get confused when rushing around.  But the anger and irritability it is not unusual as lots of others have had the same problem when discontinuing so with hubbie's help we try to make sure I don't have to do anything in a hurry.

 

I see that you are into gardening too so that is another thing that we have in common lol. I have a nice garden about 50 ft x 150 ft and a nice glass greenhouse too. We are adding on to the greenhouse and going to add some fruit bushes this summer too.

 

The dizzyness and light headed feeling are helped with some good omega3 supplements or by adding a bunch of ground flax to the diet. The headaches are a pretty constant thing with the withdrawal but L-theanine (make sure it is suntheanine) helps more than pain killers for that and you can get that at a health food store. If you get the itchies (which most of us do) get an antihistamine meant for skin reactions, that works the best.

 

Okay so this was supposed to be a little encouraging post but ........................  my brain is all over the place today lol.

 

Have fun with those grandbabies today

 

Take care of you

Nancy

[CymbaltaCrap]

Mamanaka and ScaredLaLa please go slow if you need too! This poison is not to be messed with! I'm now having 90 beads out of 280, and have been having 90 for a few days now. I was doing the tapering that you may have read on this site by 5's. But I will probably stay with what I'm taking out now for a couple more days until I settle back down and get back to 'normal'... (I had a bit of an ususual episode 2 days ago which I just posted in 'meltdown')
Take care everyone!!

[George1970]

That's me been "clean" for around a month now and I think I have cracked it. !! Feel great being free from all that poison I was prescribed !! Cold turkey was worse than I expected but being the person I am I just had to do it as fast as I could, I feel so in control of myself now, I didn't realise how much that demon drug changes your whole outlook and character, it is quite upsetting to think about it really, those 2 years seam to have been such a waste of my life, I hope all you out there find and keep the strength to get off this stuff as the rewards seem to be well worth the pain you feel just now, I thank those on this forum for all their help as I couldn't have gotten here without them and to those just starting their detox it really is worth it at the end...................stay strong people xx

[lady2882Nancy]

Well hello CC and George

Good to hear from you both.

Thank you George for giving me hope. I am not that far behind you and looking forward to having these last side effects go away.

[fishinghat]

Congratulations George!!! I am happy for you.

[George1970]

Congratulations George!!! I am happy for you.

Thanks fishinghat, hope you are keeping well ? It's kind of you to wish me well and I for one could not have done it without you, people such as yourself are a rare breed, you help others even though you are going through your own troubles, I doff my cap to you in gratitude !!

[fishinghat]

Considering all the help I had recieved from others at the time of my withdrawal it was the least I could do to return the favor. I am humbled by your compliments.

[Kittencat]

I'm two and a half weeks off the crap. I did a very slow taper. It was worth it. I'm doing great. Every few days I feel an odd funk...nothing major....and it's getting weaker and weaker. Yay for me! I win! Hope you all win too!

[lady2882Nancy]

Woo hoo KittenCat Way to go

[fishinghat]

Congrats KittenCat!!!!

[Kittencat]

Thanks!!!!