Hi,
My husband was first prescribed Cymbalta by his GP, to help him manage the symptoms of complex PTSD, major depression and acute anxiety, more than four years ago at 60mg per day.
Two years later, his psychiatrist doubled his dose to 120mg a day.
Since then, he has come of Tramadol (300mg/day), Jurnista, Seroquel, Oxazepam and Mogadon.
The only meds he takes now are 75mcg Fentanyl patches and the 120mg of Cymbalta.
My husband also has acute arthritic pain, the reason for the pain killers, which were driving him crazy, but he would rather cope with the pain without all those painkillers and sedatives, than no life.
He gained 25kg and through sheer will, has since lost 20kg.
Most days, even though he's come off those horrible drugs, he feels like he is dying.
ALL. THE. TIME.
His GP and a new psychiatrist are reluctant to change his Cymbalta dosage.
Everything came to a head four months ago when he was taken to hospital by ambulance when he was feeling like he'd had enough and was suicidal. After waiting at the ER in a wheelchair for two hours before he got to see a doctor, he was "questioned/grilled" by a male psych nurse, which increased his panic and he ended up having an anxiety attack and threw his phone on the floor.
The nurse grabbed him in a headlock and strangled him.
My husband as a genetic bleeding disorder called Severe Type A Haemophilia, which means he has NO blood clotting, the reason for the severe joint pain and arthropathy.
His disorder was red-lined in his notes.
He could have died that day if two security men didn't peel the nurse off him.
The nurse has subsequently been removed from that hospital.
My husband's voice is still not quite right since that day.
He's ready to come off Cymbalta as he feels it is numbing his emotions, yet at the same time he has severe mood swings while on the drug.
Does that makes any sense?
He is normally a f/t course leader and university lecturer but because of his multiple health issues, and I think, the actual effects of such a crazy drug cocktail, he hasn't worked in his regular job in four years.
He tries to keep his skills up to date, but is generally so spaced out and completely numb, he can barely read.
It's driving me nuts to see my husband a shell of his former self.
He wants to work. He wants to go out.
But he stays in bed due to his deep depression, acute pain and lethargy.
When he was on Tramadol, he used to sweat profusely.
That stopped about three months after he weaned off it, but the sweating has restarted this week and it's got us both worried.
His treatment for haemophilia involves injecting Factor VIII three times a week, but he's becoming so dehydrated it's almost impossible to find a vein.
That part is life-threatening.
Please someone, could you please help us?
He doesn't want to live on prescription meds anymore.
He wants a life.
If it is not usual practise for spouses to seek help on this forum, I am deeply sorry and have every respect for those here on this forum.
I don't mean to rile anyone or cause offense.
We need all the help and advice we can get please.
Thank you,
DMC
