257 replies to this topic

[FiveNotions]

Crystal, I don't know much about asthma, but isn't it really important that you keep that managed/under control? What do you typically take for it?

Also, do you have any vacation time or sick leave you could take? Even a brief medical leave/disability or leave of absence? It's so very helpful to have a period of time ... even a week, or a long weekend... to be able to just rest and sleep and do nothing but take care of yourself ... especially in the first weeks, even months, of getting off this stuff ...

Do everything you can to be easy on yourself, gentle with yourself ... I admire you for being able to go to work as you go through this process ... you've got guts and gumption, girl!

[Crystalg1973]

👍. Thanks. Gotta keep on keeping on. Vacation august 9-16. Beach here we come!! Hoping to his it together till then

[Amybc7]

Crystal,

 

I too have asthma and have totally noticed a connection.  On those days when I'm really not feeling well I'm winded and wheezy!  

 

Listen to FN's advice.  I had some time I could use and have altered my schedule to go in later in the day because mornings were so rough (nausea, dizzy, balance issues, etc).  Yes - it's slightly annoying- but so worth it! 

[Crystalg1973]

Not really an option to
Go
In later. Gotta work, gotta put food on the table. Busy doctors, busy mornings, crappy management who cares less about their employees.

[Crystalg1973]

FN- the asthma yes needs controlled - but the medicine to control it is steroid inhalers, I do take the Zyrtec for it and I choose not to take the steroid inhalers as it gives me many side effects. I used a new hairspray yesterday- that triggered this reaction. I just have to be careful what I use or am around. Usually I am fine. I think it has been a combination of anxiety as well- using rescue inhalers which makes my heart pound outta my chest.. Hate that feeling. Just can't get a deep breath in. Feels like I'm drowning. I could take a burst of steroids and feel better quick but the side effects are bad- insomnia, anxiety, weight gain, psychosis... Good lord I don't need all that on top of what I'm dealing with!!! Just went to the doc. Lungs sounding good. Off to work I go! Hi Ho!!

[FiveNotions]

Wow... asthma is "complicated" isn't it? New hairspray, and boom ... :-(

You are a trooper, Crystal! Keep us posted!

[Carleeta]

Cytstalg1973...Love your name, as I love crystals...lol lol.  hmmmm, asthma flaring up again.. You of all people know your body best and can be the only one who knows it that well.  I have to agree with you on the possibility of the new hairspray being a trigger.  Yes, the inhalers do make your heart race and definitely mimic an anxiety attack.  Yes keep track of what your body is telling you for you are the one who knows your body best.  If I might add, during Cymbalta withdrawal many many symptoms are very heightened. 

[fishinghat]

Back in the late 40's there was a famous dermatologist who proposed the gut/skin/head connection. Over the years of treating dermatological patients he found there was a correlation as to the skin condition and how stable the patients stomach was, His proposal that when stressed the pH of the gut would change and be detrimental to the good bacteria in the stomach and support the bad bacteria. The bad bacteria do not digest food the same way as good bacteria do. The byproducts of the bad bacteria digestion is products that are inflammatory to various systems in the body. At that time only simple strains of probiotics (good bacteria) were available. Well a lot has changed since 1940's. In the 80's much work was done on the good/bad bacteria populations. Researchers showed that not only do pH changes in the stomach support bad bacteria growth but so does the loss of electrolytes like sodium, magnesium and calcium when stressed. These changes also decrease the amount of good bacteria in the gut. During the 90's there was a .big breakthrough in how to isolate and culture probiotics. By the early 2000s products were hitting the shelf with 5, 6 or more good bacteria in a capsule. Not there are probiotic capsules that contain 20 or more strains of probiotics. By taking these capsules you are encouraging the growth of the good bacteria and allowing them to compete with the bad bacteria.

 

Subsequent research in the last 10 years has shown that by taking probiotics an individual  can make a significant improvement in many conditions. Probiotics is now being successfully used to help treat, asthma, bronchitis, psoriasis, eczyma (sp). gout, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's desease, arthritis and much more. A recent study showed that the brand "ultimate flora" has the best selection of good bacteria and works the best in treating inflammatory condition.

 

Again it is the improper digestion of food that produces the inflammatory byproducts that enter our blood and help produce inflammatory conditions. Now the down side. There are other causes for many of these conditions as well such as environmental and genetic. It has been found during the research that patients usually improve from 20% to 80% depending on the conditioned being studied.

 

Case Histories. In my case starting on probiotics has relieved 80% of my psoriasis. One member at church totally got rid of his gout by taking probiotics. Another church member got rid of his asthma. As I say though it is NOT a cure all but it certainly is worth a try. A bottle large enough to last 3 months is around $35. Typically the drs around here recommend that you take one capsule (30 million bacteria) each day for 2 months. By that time you should see an improvement. If not them it probably isn't worth continuing.

 

I am going to follow up this post with a couple good articles on the subject.

 

If anyone has a inflammatory condition and want to know if there is any research showing that probiotics may help please let me know. I will look into it.

[fishinghat]

Some good overviews of probiotic benefits.

 

http://www.health.ha...date0905c.shtml

 

http://www.onhealth....s_of_probiotics

 

http://www.huffingto..._b_1934339.html

 

An remember, anytime you have bad diarrhea or take antibiotics then you should take probiotics for a good week afterward to reestablish your good bacteria.

[Carleeta]

Fishinghat, Wonderful post. Enjoyed reading this. Very informative information you provided. It's understandable how they studied the skin and found the correlation with the digestive stomach region. Knowing how well probiotics are being used to also help acne, E coli contamination, strengthen the immune system, allergies, reverses the damage antibiotics cause on our systems, urinary and yeast infections, aids in the absorption of what we eat in order to receive our vitamins, minerals, and etc.. I have at least one probiotic yogurt a day, and wholeheartedly believe in this..

Thank you for posting this!

[FiveNotions]

Thanks, FH, I will look into this ... I have a friend who swears by the probiotics stuff... I might as well add it to my little morning "supplement cocktail"!

Carleeta, do you think the yoghurt as effective as the pill? Or would I need to eat gallons of it?

[fishinghat]

Oh FN sometimes the littlest thing cracks me up 'yoghurt' . I don't know why that hit my funny bone but it did. I really shouldn't mention this as many typos that I make.

 

Carleeta, once again you are spot on. The probiotic yogurt that is available in the stores these days have more variety of probiotics in them than the ones just 5 to 10 years ago. The pills do still have an edge on them in effectiveness though. Remember one thing when taking probiotics. They are more effective when taken on an empty stomach.  

 

An for the ladies there is a special probiotic mix that has been very effective against repeat vaginal yeast infections. In case there are some unenlightened men out there the women have a different set of gut probiotic bacteria. It is the current thinking that these differences help explain the basic dietary differences. (most women like veggies, most men not so much, etc).

[Carleeta]

Thanks, FH, I will look into this ... I have a friend who swears by the probiotics stuff... I might as well add it to my little morning "supplement cocktail"!

Carleeta, do you think the yoghurt as effective as the pill? Or would I need to eat gallons of it?

FiveNotions. For me the activia greek yoqurt, which recently came out about a year or so ago is great on my system. Prior to the activia greek probiotic I was eating the activia probiotic. At first I had some stomach issues (slight gass pains) which was truly straightening out my system. I was so regular and all my vitamins and foods were being digested well and absorbed in my system. To be honestly about 8 years ago I started on probiotic yogurt when I was working in the lab. One of our lectures of course was on E coli. E Coli is detected through stool samples and once seeing how many cases of E Coli there is in ones area you begin to realize it can happen to anyone for any number of reasons. Knowing then that probiotic would strengthen my system of bad bacteria I started on Activia probiotic yogurt. It reduced the number of colds I would get in a year and colds itself were so mild I missed work only once for a bad cold. (I would always get 2 colds a year which was expected working in a lab and being exposed to the Influenza A and B, as I had to test many of them daily when its flu season among many others cold viruses) Prior to Activia and working in the lab I among all others were just living with one cold virus or another as is expected in those working conditions. Now being retired and still taking Activia probiotic I had two winters where I had one cold and the following I didn't have one.

I feel you need only the probiotic yogurt. It takes anywhere from 2 days to a week or two before you start to notice any change in your digestive system and your bowel movements. Bare in mind, you might experience discomfort (slight gas and cramping) for a few days until your system gets regulated. Do not be alarmed if you are eating the probiotic yogurt with or without fruit, such as blueberries and see a different color in your bowel. You might experience loose bowel movements in the beginning also. The different color bowel from a cardboard color to a greenish color may be due to the digestive system getting on track and interacting with the bile. This is why I believe the probiotic yogurt is good enough and all you need. The reason I eat the Activia Greek Probiotic is due to the fat free or lite. No need to get the pills... yogurt will be enough... Let me know if you decide to try it and what your results are....

[FiveNotions]

Cool ... added to my grocery list for tomorrow !

I'm eager to see what colors my poop turns ... hoping for "rainbow Skittles" ... will report back!

[Carleeta]

FiveNotions, what would we ever do without your sense of humor...ha ha ha ha ha

[TryinginFL]

LOL, you 2!

[smacoy1973]

So glad I found this site!  I read for hours yesterday and feel very excited/nervous about this journey I'm about to take.  I have been on and off Cymbalta for about 5 years now and can not stand the way it makes me feel.  I have no motivation to do anything such as keep my house picked up or go to social events unless I absolutely have to.  I have tried every diet in the book and can not lose the 30 pounds that I need to.  I am very unhappy with where I am right now in my life.  I am a teacher and I go back to work in 2 weeks, so I know I'm crazy for starting this now, but I can not stay on this awful drug any longer.  I am on 60 mg., so I started this morning with taking out 3 beads and plan to do that for a week.  Next week, should I take out 4 beads for a week, then 5 and so on?  That seems like it will take forever, but I'm willing to do anything not to have the withdrawal symptoms that so many of you have gone through.  I have tried several times to come off Cymbalta, but always seem to go back because of feeling depressed and dreary.  I am at a point to where I feel like if I could just get this out of my system, I can be finished with antidepressants for good!!  I have too much for be thankful for to depend on medicine. (wonderful husband and two precious kids)  I just pray that this transition will not be as hard as it has been for some of you.  You all are in my thoughts and prayers and I commend you on getting off this drug.  Knowing that you are hear to listen and help me get through this means so much.  With your help, (and God's) I CAN do this!!!  Thank you, in advance, for going through this with me.  I will try to post often on how I'm feeling so as to help others.  I hope everyone has a great day!

[Clara]

smacoy73, welcome! glad you found this wonderful forum where we're all here for each other! You can do this! Keep us posted! Hugs and prayers!!!!

[TryinginFL]

Welcome smacoy1973...

 

So happy you found us!  This is a wonderful group of people who are caring, supportive and willing to share their knowledge in order to help you!

 

Have you read any of our forums?  There is one on "counting beads" which will be very helpful and we have many here who have used that gentler method of weaning off this poison! It is a method whereby you will start with a certain number - say 3 if you like, and the second day you will remove 6, the next day, 9, etc...

 

Fishinghat is our expert on this method and I'm sure will chime in here soon to welcome you and explain further...

 

Unfortunately, I jumped in cold turkey and didn't find this site until I was 2 weeks in...at this point I just kept on going on my own trip to hell.  This is not what you want, especially having to go back to teaching so soon.  I have been off this crap for 6 1/2  months but am still not where I would like to be.  I have sleep problems and anxiety issues that I know will improve at some point - WHEN, I just don't know!

 

Again, welcome, and I offer my support for your upcoming journey - please keep us posted!  This is a safe place and you can say anything you need to!  

[fishinghat]

Hi Smacoy

 

Your weaning plan seems sound. I like it. Are you on brand name Cymbalta or the generic? The brand name has around 200 beads inside but the generic usually has around 6 pellets or so. Obviously that would effect how fast you come off the med. If you are on brand name Cymbalta then your plan seems like a good one. If on generic it may be too fast.

[smacoy1973]

Hi Smacoy

Your weaning plan seems sound. I like it. Are you on brand name Cymbalta or the generic? The brand name has around 200 beads inside but the generic usually has around 6 pellets or so. Obviously that would effect how fast you come off the med. If you are on brand name Cymbalta then your plan seems like a good one. If on generic it may be too fast.

[smacoy1973]

Hi Smacoy

Your weaning plan seems sound. I like it. Are you on brand name Cymbalta or the generic? The brand name has around 200 beads inside but the generic usually has around 6 pellets or so. Obviously that would effect how fast you come off the med. If you are on brand name Cymbalta then your plan seems like a good one. If on generic it may be too fast.

[smacoy1973]

I am on the brand name. Could taking only 3 beads out cause any minor withdrawals? It may just be in my head, but all I've wanted to do was sleep today. Had a little nausea today, but after I ate something, it went away. Has anyone noticed that with taking that small amount out? Just curious. Gosh, it feels so good having people who have been through this to talk to!!

[fishinghat]

Yes and those do sound like early withdrawal signs. We have on lady, Equuswoman, that could only stand to remove 1 bead a day and even at that rate she had to stop and hold many times to give her body time to adjust. I would hope that by the time one week is up your symptoms would fade. And one bead a week after that should minimize your withdrawal. First of all that means around 4 years to wean off the Cymbalta. Second of all those last 10 beads or so really hit hard so be ready for that too. If you are willing to put in the time I don't see why this method won't work.

[smacoy1973]

Gosh, I wasn't thinking about it taking that long. Guess I should have done the math. Looks like I will try and take 4 out tomorrow and see how that goes. I am so ready to get off!! Thank you, again!

[equuswoman]

Hi smacoy1973 Glad that you're here with us. It is I as fishinghat said who could only remove 1 bead per day and even then would have to hold steady and stabilize before dropping another. I took me over 4 months to slowly wean off this poison. But I did it. As a matter of fact today is 4 months anniversary for me! Hang in there, go slowly. Listen to your body. TC TheEquusWoman

[smacoy1973]

Thank you so much, EquusWoman! I'm going to try and take the multiples of 3 out each day, but going by today, I may have to just do one a day like you. I'm going to see how it goes tomorrow. I am so proud of you for making it 4 months! I can't wait to be able to say that. I am ready to be med free myself!! I'll keep you posted. I hope everyone has a great weekend.😊

[Crystalg1973]

Getting some much needed rest today. Feeling ok. Asthma a bit better. No kids or hubby so relaxing at home forcing myself to do no chores. Hard to do but needed. Tomorrow youngest home and the rat race begins again. Enjoying an evening with friends tonight that always makes me feel better. I started the probiotics. Let's hope it kicks the asthma to the curb! I hate feeling so winded going up and down my stairs. My laundry is down so such a chore. My eldest who moved that was his chore so I'm gonna miss him! Thankful my hubby is helpful too. But we have a huge yard that the eldest mowed.. Now he's gotta do that! He's had quadruple bypass at the young age of 37 due to genetic heart disease so I hate to have him do all that. I certainly can't do it tho. Guess it's time to teach the 13 year old some new tricks!! Or condo living.. Sounds better every day! This huge house we only use a few rooms. Silly to have all this and not utilize it. But the kid might come back he's only 20.. No mood swings today, just exhausted.

[Crystalg1973]

Interesting no migraines this week. A drug to help these I think was intensifying them... Still on the topamax but only 50 mg at night and have had to take no breakthrough meds. Amazing to me. I seriously hate CYMBALTA! It needs a black box label. My neighbor takes 120 mg of this stuff. Today I am 3 weeks clean. Lol I sound like a heroin addict. Heard yesterday at work Tramadol will be a controlled substance Aug 18. But drugs like cymbalta just keep on getting prescribed. I'm warning all my docs and discourage it as much as I can.

[TryinginFL]

Crystalg1973...

 

Hooray for you!   Take the day to be kind to yourself - get lots of rest - everything else will still be there tomorrow!  You need to do that for you...

 

Enjoy your evening - you will be rested and able!

 

p.s. I'm out of "likes" again, but love your post about informing the Drs. about the Crapalta!