257 replies to this topic

[Amybc7]

I really needed to come back here and read this...and reread it again.  Five days ago I had it right.  I also notice I'm feeling closer and closer to normal.  Still some nausea.  Still some "blah" but closer....

 

Of course - I then get overconfident.  My interactions with my doctor send me to that place that doubts myself.  Suddenly I'm Alice and these damn beads become my cookies.  Go faster I say.  

 

I needed a good kick in the ass to remember we are all different.  I envy some of you and am humbled by others.  Thank whatever power that is for each of every one of you.  For this place.

 

Needless to say - dropped too fast again and have had a rough two days.  Stress (even self-induced) doesn't help.  I need to flag myself so I have a mantra every day.  There is no timeline.  Listen to your body.  There is no timeline.  Listen to your body.

[charpern]

I do have 3 capsules left and a half a one also.  How do you do the bead count?  My doctor's office said to talk half the contents of the capsule for 3 days and then every other day until they are gone. Today was the first day without any and I felt like a zombie!  I don't want to go cold turkey and will take any ideas and advice you all have.  That is why I came here - to find help and support from people who know what it is like to deal with this.  When I kicked Valium I had the support of my family - but I lost a year of my life - can't remember much of what happened that year I was on that drug - never again.

Sue

[FiveNotions]

Well, your doc/his office are idiots ... they don't have any idea how hard it can be to get off this drug, how to do it, or how long it takes. The approach they told you has put you into hard, cold turkey withdrawal. Not a good way to go.... it's what I did, and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

You need to get a refill of your rx, and reinstate at the last dose at which you were stable... stay there until you're stable again, and then start bead counting... that's done by opening the capsules and removing a few beads each day or every few days ... I'll defer to others here who've used this method to explain it to you in detail ....

 

By the way, congratulations on getting off the valium!

[smacoy1973]

Day 8: Took out 28 beads. Had a really good day. I had a little bit of nausea, but I put in some bubblemint gum and it went right away. I got all 64 ounces of water in today, so I'm very proud of that. I also walked 3 miles. I'm hoping I can just stay this motivated.

[TryinginFL]

Welcome Charpern!

 

I, like FN did this miserable thing cold turkey and sure don't recommend it!  Others will chime in here soon to give you the info on "bead counting".  You might also like to check out the forum "counting beads".  This should help you immensely.

 

I'm glad you found us, and we will be here for you - please feel free to post your questions, feelings and misery at any time.  There is always someone available to you...

 

Please keep us updated!  

[thismoment]

Sue

 

How long were you on Cymbalta 60 mg?

 

Bead Counting

 

There is no fixed length of time to bead count. I've heard of counts ranging from 6-24 weeks and as long as 72 weeks. There is good evidence that a much longer tapering period gives you virtually no withdrawal symptoms (Dr. Stuart Shipko of madinamerica.com for example) advocates a withdrawal period of about 15 months. Cold Turkey, as you know, is stopping the drug abruptly- or fairly abruptly like over 2-3 weeks. Alternating dosing days will bring on symptoms pretty quick and because of the delayed reaction in dosing, you never know where you are as there is serious up and down. What your doctor recommended is typical, but of course it doesn't work.

 

I took 6 weeks to wean off and it was horrific. If I did it again (lol), I would use the method recommended by Dr. Shipko: Reduce the dosage by 10% of the last dosage every 3-4 weeks depending on what your body is telling you. Do this until you reach 50% of the original prescription dosage (that occurs about 6 months in). Then taper off at the rate of 10% of the last dosage every week until finished. If this flow is uninterrupted, it will go about 15 months. (You may, however, have to stay at the current dosage for longer until you feel stable- then continue). Apparently there are virtually no withdrawal symptoms with this method, or at least the symptoms are easily managed.

 

Some important questions emerge:

 

How important is it that you off the drug right away? Do you think getting off the drug right away is better for your brain than staying on longer to facilitate an easier withdrawal? Can you afford to carry a prescription for that long (you'd need about 6 months Rx to go the 15 months)? Is the final product (your healed brain) better by weaning off slowly? Is the stress of a short-term withdrawal worse for your brain than a less stressful, but longer withdrawal? With cold turkey or a very short-term withdrawal you likely couldn't work- can you get time off? These are just a few questions to consider.

[charpern]

I have been on Cymbalta for 6 years and the reason I am stopping is not that it is not working but because I can no longer afford it.  I am on Medicare and before it went "generic" (ha) the doctor was given samples.  Now it was 85.00 a prescription until I hit that blasted "gap" the last time I went to refill it (last Sunday) it was $299.00.  I can not pay that - that is if I want to buy groceries and pay our bills.  So it is cold turkey for me!  I am very tough and can stand the pain - and luckily I have support at home and at work. I am glad I found people that I can talk to about all this.  Thanks all of you!

Sue

[smacoy1973]

Day 9: Took 33 beads out. (Meant to take 32, but an extra fell out). Had a good day! No symptoms at all today. I am almost out of my Ningxia Red (Young Living Essential Oils) and my next shipment is not due until Tuesday. I'm curious to see how much that is really helping. I ordered a backup bottle this time so that I do not run out again. Got all of my water in today, but did not exercise. We are having my little girls 5th birthday party tomorrow, so hoping I feel as good as I have been so far. May have to jump up to multiples of 5 if I continue to do well.

Sue, I'm sorry to hear that you have to go cold turkey. Praying that you don't have a hard time. Glad you have support!

[Crystalg1973]

Another week down ! Horrible migraine yesterday but did spend 8 hours in the car with my inlaws and 14 year old lol. The night before we went to the casino and had only went to bed at 3 am and got up at 7. Had a smoking room as that's what was available for our free coupon... Woke up stuffed up and had the migraine when I went to bed. All those machines triggered it I suppose. Fun time tho! Some swelling in my ankles , new to me maybe from the long car ride and the miserable heat here in the Midwest. I'm only 40 never had tha before. Emotionally feeling good! Was able to visit with my son and not have any crying spells which was nice. A little short with the 13 year old as she always is asking for something... Girl has it all and wants more more more. SMH. kids these days don't even get it. She has more clothes than everyone in our entire household combined! Lol. Hope everyone has a good week!! 12 more days and I'm headed to the beach for a week!!

[TryinginFL]

Welcome Pheobster!

 

So happy that you have found all of us here and apparently you have been reading about the many "trips to hell" experienced by some of us.  If you are under 50, you have age on your side and your withdrawal may not be as bad. 

 

I also went cold turkey and have been off now for over 6 1/2 months, but if I had known about this forum much sooner (I was already 2 weeks in when I found it), I would have gone for the bead counting.  There is a forum here called "counting beads" that you might like to check out if you haven't already.  If you can afford to purchase any more of the Rx this is a much gentler way to get off of this poison.

 

For 2 years I ended up in the "doughnut hole" with Medicare and was begging the Dr. for samples.  Once the generic came out there were no more samples and I felt that this crap really wasn't helping me any more and could not afford it.  I went off Lyrica cold turkey at the same time.  No walk in the park, I might add...

 

I also have fibro and arthritis and my Dr. (GP) prescribed Hydrocodone which has been a great help.  I also have been on Alprazolam (Xanax) for the anxiety which unfortunately seems to come right along with this miserable journey.  I don't know what I would have done without these during this horrible time.

 

Since you have become acquainted with many of these symptoms, I admire your courage in plunging right in with the cold turkey thing.  We have some members here who have been very fortunate due to their ages in not having very difficult withdrawal.  I am one of the "older" ones, so I must say this has been about the worst thing I have ever been through.  I still have some anxiety and sleep problems, but am greatly improved over the first 3 months or so.

 

Please feel free to come on to post your feelings, questions or just rant or cry - whatever you need to do!  It's all OK here as we have all been through it and this is a very safe place - no one judges - we just try to help!

 

Please keep us posted and I want to add that you are sooooooo lucky to have your husband on board here - I had no support and it was really the "hell" I never thought I would experience.

 

We have many members here who are very knowledgeable and will chime in to welcome you as well!  Again, welcome, and I admire you and your attitude!

 

Liz

[fishinghat]

Good luck Pheobster!! Take it easy on your self and don't try to do too much. It will just make things worse.

[FiveNotions]

Welcome, Pheobster, and congratulations on 5 days Cymbalta-free! You've got a real "can-do" attitude, a supportive husband, and a plan!

If the cold turkey gets too much, please do switch to bead counting ... like Liz, I quit cold turkey, because I had a horrid reaction to the generic and the doc didn't bother to call me back ... that was almost 8 months ago ... I wouldn't do it that way again, but, also like Liz, I was too far along to switch methods by the time I found this forum ...

Also, having something on hand, like a benzo or clonidine, to help with the anxiety that seems to hit most of us might be very helpful...

Keep us posted on how you're doing!

[Clara]

Phoebster, welcome and good luck in your journey! Listen to your body and the seasoned pros here on the forum for great advice and loving encouragement! Fishinghat, FiveNotions, ThisMoment are ones you can certainly turn to for info you may need! They are certainly well informed and will give you anything in their arsenal of weapons for this fight! God bless!

[smacoy1973]

Crystal, I'm jealous! I love going to a casino, but I have not been in a year and a half. Glad to hear you are still pushing through. Sorry about your migraine. I hope that's better.

Pheobster, welcome and I hope you are doing well. Hopefully, your symptoms will not be as bad as some.

Day 10: Took out 36 beads and no side effects at all. I'm praying that this continues to be smooth. We had my little girls 5th birthday and I did great through the whole party. I am taking out 40 beads tomorrow and, if all goes well, I am going to try to start taking out multiples of 5. I'm sure I will have to slow down eventually, but keeping my fingers crossed. Ready to get some weight off and I feel if I can get off this poison, it will be easier to lose weight. Thank you, everyone, for listening. Hope you all have a great day tomorrow!

[thismoment]

Phoebster

Welcome!

Just let your tears flow! Try not to 'resist' (fight) the symptoms- you can't stop them, so you may as well accept them while they're here. Just watch the show- it's a strange one, but it does fade away.

Take care.

[charpern]

Hi Pheobster,

 

I just joined here last week and I live in Eugene OR - I just started withdrawal from this "wonderful" drug myself thanks to the medicare donut hole I can no longer afford it.  My Husband too is very supportive. So far it has not be great but I am hanging in there.  I just want to be off this and no longer be a zombie.  I am also on extented release Morphine for back pain and I think that is helping some of the pain.  The people here are wonderful and so suppotive.  We Oregonians can face this monster together and we can do this.  I am here for you too.

Sue

 

[fishinghat]

To be honest Pheobster, you are already one week off and it will be two weeks to you get your next prescription. You will already be halfway through the roughest part of the withdrawal. Things usually start to slowly get better around week 4 to 8. Very slowly at first. My point is that you might be better off just hanging in there. Just keep it in mind and see how you feel when it gets there.

[Crystalg1973]

Had a terrible migraine when I woke up today. I sure hope these things are not returning 😒. But had a good day a work.. Saved a life today! Patient called in with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.. Of course I directed him to the closest ED, he had a massive pulmonary embolism but is stable. Good day!! Feeling blah...tired.. Usual. Short of breath myself. Think I'm just fat and deconditioned. Gotta get back in shape. Another day off cymbalta! So happy to be free of that drug !!

[FiveNotions]

"Today I could really tell reality from the crazy withdrawal world. Sounds silly I am sure but there were a couple of times yesterday I wasn't sure!"

Yep, Phoebster, that's exactly how I felt so much of the time during my early days off the junk!

[smacoy1973]

Day 11: Took out 40 beads
Day 12: Took out 45 beads
Day 13: Took out 50 beads
So far so good! No symptoms yet and I am so thankful! I'm not even halfway yet, so I may have to slow down soon, but everything is going great so far. Question for everyone: should I move my post to a different forum? For example, the counting beads forum? This is the first time I've ever joined a forum, so I want to make sure I'm in the right place😁. Thank you and have a great night!

[charpern]

I went to the doctor today for trigger point injections and they found a sample bottle of 30mg cymbalta caps and that will help me get off a little slower.  had a bad spell today at work - nausea and dizziness - got really pale and worried my co-workers but I had some peanuts and drank some water and felt much better - I also have some very strong nausea meds that help too.  all in all not too bad a day.

Sue

[charpern]

Don't move your post on my account - I enjoy reading it here!  I am glad you are doing better.

Sue

[thismoment]

smacoy1973

 

Your post is perfect here. You are a dedicated bead-counter and it's working for you- great!! I know you know- be prepared to slow down if you get a rise in symptoms. You can stay at the current level for some days- but if it's a bad spike and it hangs around you could consider backing up. 

 

Attitude is half the battle, and you have a good one! Hang in there!

[smacoy1973]

Thank you, everyone! I'll stay, then😁.

[Crystalg1973]

Hello all! Doing ok. Plagued with migraine headaches lately. Yuck! Otherwise ok. A bit melancholy ...tired. 7 more days and I'll be on the beach ! Cannot wait. Tonight going to keith urban in the Lou with my daughter. Let's hope a migraine does not appear !! Or a speeding ticket.. Lol. We went to see Luke bryan in June and I got a speeding ticket!