11 replies to this topic

[gail]

Hello, I didn't know where to post this because it's not really related to cymbalta.

I have suffered from anxiety for more than twelve years. The seven last years have been worse than ever.

Five years ago, I started the merry go round with antidepressants.Anti everything. Nothing worked.

In June of this year, I had a big surgery, the metastases had eaten a big part of a vertebra. Spinal fusion, five vertebras are being held together with pins and screws.The outcome is not good.

I'm French speaking, please forgive my lack of good words. While in the hospital for two weeks, I was drugged by morphine and more.

They gave me gabapentin for nerve pain which I will be taking for a long time.
When I got home, I realized that the paralizing anxiety was no longer there. The kind of anxiety where you wish you were dead. The kind that you ask God to take you.

When I got the phone call last year from my doctor to come to the office, she told me that I had kidney cancer. They had to remove it. My reaction was, yeah, I'm gonna die. The anxiety was daily, almost. Those of you who live with that horrible anxiety will surely relate.

Almost three months free of anxiety. Bouts of depression here and there but no A. I do attribute this to gabapentin. Even though some say otherwise.

End of story. I might not live long but I wanted you to know that miracles do happen. Thank you for reading this!

[fishinghat]

Wonderful post. Gabapentin is prescribed (off label) for anxiety but not often due to its link to pancreatic cancer, etc. It reputation is iffy as to how effective but all that doesn't matter Gail feels better. Maybe the Man upstairs thought you had been through enough. Keep up the good fight.

[TryinginFL]

That was a wonderful heart-felt post, Gail...

 

Are you home now?  You are still on our Prayer List and I pray for you daily, dear friend

 

You are one strong lady  

[fishinghat]

Hey TFL!!! I have been worried about you. Glad to see you are OK.

[Merete]

Hi Gail, what a story you have, my heart goes out to you. You are now on my prayer list as well and will be lifted up daily. Thank you for sharing. Merete

[brzghoff]

Gail,

 

you're amazing! to think that you already struggled with anxiety when you got the diagnosis of cancer. until very recently i had no idea the burden you've been carrying. you've always been so full of wisdom and encouragement i am so glad to know that you are finally feeling relief from the anxiety. 

[thismoment]

Gail

 

Your story has touched my heart! 

 

I am well familiar with anxiety, and I appreciate how wonderful it is when that horror subsides; I hope it leaves you in peace.

 

Take care. Dieu te benisse!

[gail]

Hello, I didn't know where to post this because it's not really related to cymbalta.
I have suffered from anxiety for more than twelve years. The seven last years have been worse than ever.
Five years ago, I started the merry go round with antidepressants.Anti everything. Nothing worked.
In June of this year, I had a big surgery, the metastases had eaten a big part of a vertebra. Spinal fusion, five vertebras are being held together with pins and screws.The outcome is not good.
I'm French speaking, please forgive my lack of good words. While in the hospital for two weeks, I was drugged by morphine and more.
They gave me gabapentin for nerve pain which I will be taking for a long time.
When I got home, I realized that the paralizing anxiety was no longer there. The kind of anxiety where you wish you were dead. The kind that you ask God to take you.
When I got the phone call last year from my doctor to come to the office, she told me that I had kidney cancer. They had to remove it. My reaction was, yeah, I'm gonna die. The anxiety was daily, almost. Those of you who live with that horrible anxiety will surely relate.
Almost three months free of anxiety. Bouts of depression here and there but no A. I do attribute this to gabapentin. Even though some say otherwise.
End of story. I might not live long but I wanted you to know that miracles do happen. Thank you for reading this!

Update: anxiety and depression have returned in January, still there.

Anxiety is better but not as big as it was before. Depression is also there.
I had a miracle that lasted about four months.

Began to take Benadryl once or twice a week! Thank God for the inventor of dyphenhdromin.
I have hours in the day that are pretty good. But then, seems like being to square one.
I am depression resistant, I take what is needed, it'll never be like those months of being totally free.

Being this way, I so understand you members. The results of this brings more compassion than ever, love for you who suffer.

In a motherly way, I wish that I could embrace you all and tell you that you will be ok. Ok, but just not like before. Never like before. Don't expect this after being on Cymbalta for a while. For some, the withdrawal is pure hell and this, you will never forget. Comparable to PTSD. Not for all, but many. We will always be here for you, you're not alone with this and in this. Thank you for reading!

[fishinghat]

Truly said.

[AliYogini]

Thank you for your post Gail. You reminded me that no matter how hard life seems to be at times, others are facing even bigger challenges. My prayers are with you.

[gail]

Thank you Ali for your prayers.

[juli]

Gail I am so moved by your story.  What a journey you have been on.  Yours is a story of perseverance and faith.  I will pray that you get some peace and relief from the depression and anxiety.

 

I am amazed that you can still come here and offer your sweet comfort and advice.