19 replies to this topic

[thismoment]

The more I research the subject of discontinuation, the more I am convinced that the best we can do is find a way to live with what we are left with. I am fairly certain that 'waiting to recover', or 'waiting to return to the way I was', or 'waiting for the discontinuation symptoms to go away' is neither accurate nor is it a healthful way to view recovery from neurotoxic medications: we simply must re-build our lives within the framework of discontinuation.

There is no going back-- we must strive to enable the discontinuation symptoms to retreat as much as they will-- reduce stress, keep anxiety down, promote physical health, and promote mental health with the aid of regular professional counsel.

I don't find my point of view negative, and I hope you don't either; in fact I find it empowering and when I arrived at this conclusion I found it profoundly settling, as I sensed it was the truth.

I believe many of you will reject this and conclude that I lack faith. However, I ask you to consider this, and I request comments especially from those with long-time discontinuation experience.

[AnotherMind]

TM - I totally agree. The more I push to be 'over it' - the worse I feel. It's like relinquishing hope - in the best and most liberating sense of the word - and coming back to 'what is'.

[gail]

The more I research the subject of discontinuation, the more I am convinced that the best we can do is find a way to live with what we are left with. I am fairly certain that 'waiting to recover', or 'waiting to return to the way I was', or 'waiting for the discontinuation symptoms to go away' is neither accurate nor is it a healthful way to view recovery from neurotoxic medications: we simply must re-build our lives within the framework of discontinuation.

 

Yes TM. I agree. More than 4 months now, and what is left is the unease feeling, we may call this anxiety at a low level.

Of course this thing left, limits me in a certain way, and I do not feel like others that do this and that, go here and there with a easy manner.

 

But of course, I have always been a loner, always felt different, anxiety or not.

The good  or positive in that, is that it opened my mind to mindfulness and meditation.

This is what I call re-build our lives within the framework of discontinuation.

 

[Clara]

I'm in total agreement, thismoment! My son told me a few years back about a particular situation "it is what it is" and he was right. BUT we must do whatever we can do to make "it" better! Day by day, sometimes moment by moment, we need to continue to move forward! Upward and onward, my friends!!!!

[thismoment]

Clara

 

Yes of course- move forward and build your lives. But sitting still and waiting for remission, a cure, or a return to the way things used to be will not give you peace of mind, for that moment may never arrive.

[FiveNotions]

I believe that what you say has great wisdom and value, ThisMoment.... for myself, I don't hope or expect, perhaps don't even want, to be "recovered" ... in the sense of being the way I was, the person I was, before this Cymbalta adventure happened.... hell, even before the Cymbalta, I wasn't "recovered" or the "real me" ... or I wouldn't have ended up on the Cymbalta ..... I am, in fact, deeply grateful for this current "adventure"...as well as all the other "adventures" in my life ...because they make me who I AM ... and who I am is, well, who I am ... I see things, feel things, understand things, know things in ways that are unique and precious .... I understand myself as being "in recovery" ....a constant process of change and growth, that will, I hope and pray, continue until my very last breath in this life....

I think of words like "re-integration", restoration ....like fixing up an old antique car, it'll never be the new thing fresh off the lot, but it will have beauty, and usefulness, character and style ...and it'll even be "road worthy" ...maybe not zero to 60 in 3 seconds flat, but able to chug along and enjoy the scenery... so, I'm a "fixer-upper" ... never completed, always in process ... I'm my own favorite hobby, so to speak ;-)

Hell, I've got stories to tell ...some funny, some sad, some both funny and sad ....and I've learned so much, continue to learn ....

And I have so much to be grateful for .... look, were it not for crapalta, I never would have found this wonderful place, gotten to know and love all of you wonderful guys and gals!

[thismoment]

FN

 

Outstanding! The head of the proverbial nail has never been struck so accurately, so strongly, or so profoundly! My mantra has changed from "it is what it is and it's done when it's done", to this: "it is what it is- work with it!"

[thismoment]

Gail

 

I am so happy to see you continue to rise! 

 

There is an energy in that low-grade anxiety that is eminently useful: It provides getting-stuff-done energy; building energy; speaking your mind energy (which is a way of honouring yourself and expanding your personal space); and it provides energy for compassion.

 

I've always thought my low-grade anxiety was a kind of wake-up buzzer that was reminding me to get at it!

[xman]

I am a work  in process...always...

 

 

Any of you know the Starfish story? Where the young man (or woman) throws a starfish back into the ocean even when more are washing inland on the beach? A man comes along and says why are you bothering young man, there are thousands on the beach? The young man replies well it mattered to this one, as he throws it back into the surf. This has stuck with me through life-it may be a vast world but if we can help one person from doing irreparable damage to their body or help in some way, then it is worth it. Yes?

[FiveNotions]

Ever since I was a little kid, I've always liked to rescue earthworms after rain storms...the ones that get washed out onto the sidewalk or other pavement....I scoop them up on a leaf or big blade of grass and transport them back to the nearest lawn or good soil....my reasoning...I'd want someone to do that for me if I was in a similar situation ;-)

I used to get some very strange looks when I would do this on K Street in downtown DC, back in the days when I was one of "the suits" ....

Now that I'm poor and "nuts," not so much :-D

[fishinghat]

Amazing FN. I have always had the same driving force. After any heavy rain I am compelled to go out and rescue the worms on the road. ....Of course I am a fisherman.  lol

[gail]

Ever since I was a little kid, I've always liked to rescue earthworms after rain storms...the ones that get washed out onto the sidewalk or other pavement....I scoop them up on a leaf or big blade of grass and transport them back to the nearest lawn or good soil....my reasoning...I'd want someone to do that for me if I was in a similar situation ;-)

I used to get some very strange looks when I would do this on K Street in downtown DC, back in the days when I was one of "the suits" ....

Now that I'm poor and "nuts," not so much :-D

FiveNotions, I still do this, pick up worms on the sidewalk before they die or dry. Put them into the grass.

 

I dont know what people think about this, I dont care either.

I knew we had something in common.

[FiveNotions]

Wow....Starfish and earthworm rescuers.....

I always thought I was the only one who did this.....

How lovely to know not only that I'm not, but that it's my wonderful friends here who also do this......

No wonder we all ended up on crapalta....... ;-@

[xman]

:~) You are not alone in this endeavor FN!

 

I too save the worms and wonder why my neighbors over water grass only to flush out the worms. They would really think I'm nuts if I took along a bucket, collected them and brought them home to my pesticide free little yard... lol

 

YAY gail!!

[FiveNotions]

And if I recall, Fishinghat, you're the fisherman who doesn't like to catch anything! ;-)

[fishinghat]

Too much work. That is why they call it fishing and not catching!!  lol

[gail]

Reading all of this really brings a smile!

 

I had started a post saying, No wonder we all ended on Crapalta. Deleted it, too tired to continue.

 

FN, you beat me to this!

 

You are all just so, what word to use here, so wonderful.

[Clara]

I'm outta likes for today Five, but I love all you said! You guys and gals have given me a much needed reason to smile today! I had a skin cancer removed from my face today and I can barely see the keyboard to type because of the bandage and swelling, but it's all good! Y'all have lifted my spirits! Thanks!!! Now, a question.... do I take one of the hydrocodones prescribed so that I will be able to sleep tonight. I am med free and scared to death to take anything other than OTC. Hmmm. what to do??? Thanks again, y'all, you're the best!!!!

[fishinghat]

Best wishes on the biopsy Clara.

[FiveNotions]

Oh gosh, Clara! A friend of mine had to have several of those little things taken off his face and neck....the bandages and the swelling made him look like a badly done mummy......and a very very cranky one at that.....

I'm not qualified to give sleep med advice, but gee....just this once....esp. if all this is gonna keep you from falling asleep easily.....?