8 replies to this topic

[woolie24]

Hi friends,

 

My husband thought I should write here after just having a major breakdown.  The nutshell:

 

-39 years old

-On cymbalta for about 5 years for nerve pain from degenerative disc disease

-decided to withdrawl about 6 weeks ago from 60 mg/day bc I found the drug to no longer be effective.  Was down to 15mg 5 days ago when i stopped cold turkey

-currently in a world of pain = completely discombobulated, dizzy, nauseous, sad, angry....just all f'd up + I thought I had the flu for the last 5 days but in reading some of your stories, it looks like these might just be withdrawl symptoms too

 

- sorry for any typos, barely have the energy to write let alone proof

 

!!  Can anyone point me to threads or just give me the info here about any holistic aides that might help this process.  I'm downing water in the hopes it will help flush out the toxins, I'm about to jump in an epsom salt bath.  Anything natural that has given anyone relief?

 

Would really appreciate any feedback.  God bless you all. . . . I'm so sorry that we're all going through this.

-Holly 

 

 

[gail]

Hi Wollie and welcome to the forum,

You can look into Nutritional support, many posts in there about natural ways.

Wollie, after five years on the C, it's cold turkey you are doing.

Why not go back on it and bead count your way out!

I know of no products that will prevent you from going through this hell. And since you did not, as I understand, have any
adverse reaction to the C, do yourself a favor, go back,even on 30, stabilize and bead count from there.

The important thing is to stabilize first, then go "sweetly" down by bead counting.

So many horror stories about cold turkey, others will chime in.

[woolie24]

I know you are right, and thank you for responding. THe first week of my weaning was awful.  But the next 5 weeks were managable.  But these last 5 days since I haven't taken any C, have been unbearable.  At the same time, I feel like I have these 5 days under my belt, so maybe I should just push on.

 

I guess my main questions are - will I feel this way for another 5 days or another 5 weeks? (Because if these reactions will likely continue for several weeks, then yes, I'll go back on it.)  Does it vary for everyone?  And is it possible to "flush" it out? Would an intense cleanse help (because I have friends who will walk me through that if I know others have had success with that method).

 

Thanks.

[TryinginFL]

Welcome woolie!

 

We're happy that you have found us!

 

I am a cold turkey survivor - I went off of 60mg cold turkey in Jan. of 2014.  It was HELL!

 

Since you have only been off 5 days, I suggest you go back on the dosage where you were most comfortable.  When you are stable, the best thing to do is Bead Counting - you will find this method under 'Are You New Here?'  Should you need help with this, we can help you when you are ready.  This  method will keep you comfortable and you will be able to wean off at your own speed.  This can be different for everyone and you alone are in control..

 

Do continue to drink lots of water and this drug is stored in the fat cells - you cannot flush it out.  It will take time for your body and brain to heal.  There is no time line so it takes as long as it takes.

 

I agree with Gail - this will be much easier for you and it will keep your withdrawal at a minimum.  Believe me, you do not want to go the cold turkey route!

 

Please - go back up to the dosage where you were comfortable - take it now and in a few days you will feel much better!  You can do this and we are here for you!

 

 

Liz

[fishinghat]

The gals are correct on going back on a low dose then weaning slower. We usually recommend a wean of 3 months or so from the original dose with some having such bad withdrawal it has taken them 6 months or longer. This is really an exercise in patience.

 

As far as holistic....Well 500 mg Vitamin C, 3000 mg Omega 3 and forcing fluids are sort of the standard but frankly they provide minimal help. There are other things like SAM-e, Theanine, St. John's Wort, benidryl, and many others but be CAREFULL. They can cause severe reactions worse then their benefits. I just don't feel comfortable or safe in recommending some of these items. Many have had success but many have had ER trips over these compounds. It will take some time but like Gail suggested, review the 'Nutritional" section on this site. If you find something that some one found successful then carefully research some of the other posts for those that had a negative response or come back on here and ask questions. We will be glad to help. You are not alone.

[woolie24]

Thank you all!!!!!  I will review the nutritional section (that's the kind of reference stuff I was hoping for, but I didn't have the mental capcity yesterday to look for it.) I'm defintiely not anywhere closeto 100%, but finding this group and knowing that I'm not going crazy,epsom salts baths, tons of regular and healing water, and prayer has made today start off a lot better.  Seeing a friend who is a reiki master and has a lot of experience with natural detox supplements and aides today.

 

Thank you again.  I will post herein a few days to let you know how it's going.

[fishinghat]

Woolie

 

If you find a good detox supplement that seems to work let us know. It would be appreciated.

[gail]

Wollie,

Yes, please do come back for an update. Reiki and detox supplement, that seems interesting.

[kmrekl217]

It didn't help with my symptoms, but putting a little tea tree oil under my nose helped calm me a little when I was going through withdrawal.