30 replies to this topic

[momma4ks]

Anyone else out there feel this?  I have been on Cymbalta for over a year at 120mg qd. I have gained 50 lbs and have no life left in me.   I originally started the med for a combo of chronic pain after back surgery and anxiety.  It felt like a dream medication.  In a few months I was able to do 20 mile bike rides and felt my anxiety was at an appropriate level. 

The weight gain continued over this past year and reversed my good feelings. Make any sense? 

 

Today, I barely go to work with out pain. I sweat profusely. My nerves are at high response.  I crack and cry at the least emotion.

 

My family has no clue what I am going through. They think I'm just nuts.

 

The anxiety attacks come on so quick.

 

My psych MD has added Buspar to try alleviating this mess.

 

Is there hope to get past this? Or will I just die a mess.

 

 

I'd appreciate any input.  I know I can't be the only one so lost (or your website wouldn't be here!)

 

Thanks

[TryinginFL]

Welcome, momma!

 

We're happy that you have found us!  Here is a group of caring, supportive and knowledgeable people who will help you through this.  When did you stop taking the Crapalta (as we like to call it here!)?  Are you doing this cold turkey or are you bead counting?  You sure were on a pretty high dosage.

 

Most of us also had weight gain while taking this crap. Are you taking any other meds?  I'm sorry I have no knowledge of Buspar, but others will come on to welcome you and most likely someone will be able to help you with that.

 

The sweating, crying, anxiety and pain are all part of the withdrawal.  I hope you are not doing this cold turkey!! I am a  cold turkey survivor of 10 months and I DON'T RECOMMEND IT!  I went from 60mg - 0 in one day.  Not a pretty picture!!   You can come off this drug by doing bead counting which is a method where you control the withdrawal and can make things much easier on yourself.  Please ask whatever questions you may have if you do not know about this.

 

Many of us have used the cold turkey method due to loss of insurance, and in my case I just didn't know about the withdrawal and didn't find this website until I was 2 weeks into it...

 

We want to help you get through this with as little discomfort as possible.  Please keep posting and feel free to ask questions, rant, cry or whatever you need to - we have all done it.  This is a safe place and no one will judge you.

 

Do not expect your Dr. to help you with this as they know nothing about the horrors of this withdrawal.  They only know what the drug reps tell them and will say it is all in your head - IT IS NOT or we wouldn't all be here...

 

Please let us know how we can help you - and I hope that you have a benzo for the anxiety (Xanax, Valium, or such).  The anxiety can be debilitating when coming off this crap.

 

I wish you the best and please keep us posted!

 

Liz

[ShadyLady]

Welcome, momma;) So glad you found this forum. This group of dear souls has saved my life more than once through this hell of getting off the Crap.

Wow, where to start with where you are? Yes, everything you said 'makes sense!'...the 'dream medication, help with anxiety, the 20 mile bike rides' (not so much;))teehee.

Are you still taking 120mg of the Crap?

If not, what dose are you on or have you stopped taking it?

Did you have anxiety issues before you started the Cym?

I wasn't familiar with Buspar, so I went to Drugs.com and read user reviews for anxiety on Buspar. Maybe, you could check that out and read some reviews. Sounds like a good, non-addictive med for anxiety, but not sure where you are with the Cymbalta.

Others will be on soon to welcome you and maybe give you better advice. I am in my 5th month off the poison after down dosing from 120g to 30mg over two months and then diving off the cliff at 30mg! AWFUL:(((( i am trying desperately to gain some control over the withdrawal effects that have been debilitating for me. I am back on the med wheel of fortune and am not a good example here to advise you. I must wanted to welcome you and thank you for sharing;). If you could answer my questions it will help us to help you with our personal experiences. Dear soul, no one 'has a clue' except those of us who have been on this shit and are now trying to find a better quality of life after going off it. Please, stay with us and keep posting;). We DO care about one another here! Hang on, help is on the way. I would be happy to help you any way I can, broken brain and all;)

[gail]

Hello momma, wellcome to this forum of shitbalta survivors!

Are you still on the 120mg? Are you planning to discontinue?

Sure does not feel like it is helping anymore.

No, you won't die a mess, but it will be a challenge to get off.
We have all felt like we were dying, going nuts and all that.

We are all different, and if you plan to withdraw, I would begin at 90mg for a while and if it goes smoothly after a few weeks, drop to 60.

Of course if dropping to 90 is too difficult, you will have to bead count. Usually problems occurs around the 60 or 30 mg. And for some at the 15mg. As I said, we react differently, the younger you are, the easier it will be.

Others will recommend bead counting from 120. You cannot know until you tried it.

What are your plans momma? For buspar, a member mentioned it was mild for anxiety. Many options here, many!

Keep posting, we are here for you, we have been there and many members can help you.

What you have described as side effects are commun, unfortunately.

It is a bit slow this week end on the forum, but will pick up soon.
Stay with us Momma!

[momma4ks]

Thank you for responding folks.

My doctor had me go up to 120mg after a had an emotional breakdown........between anxiety and pain/should have been hospitalized, but got dumped in the local rehab house for the night.(I had hurt myself. I needed help......I was desperate. My kids (in their 20's all but told me they wanted nothing to di with me anymore.  LIttle do they know, their father who has passed away, had severe depression that made my anxiety what it is today.

So yes, I do have a long backround with anxiety and have tried so many meds....all were a fail or packed on the pounds. Packing the weight on only made things worse.

 

Psyche MD added wellbutrin first then had me cut my daily dose of CRAP to 60mgs then after a week, just stop taking it at all.  He has asked about the head and neck shocks. Don't have those, but my head is super swimmy and hurts like hell.

 

For the past year I have done heavy therapy and now I'm down to every 3 weeks. But at this point I almost feel so off whack that I think I may need more intensive therapy.

 

I just want to be whole again.  I need to vent on some of this because I really no longer have a support system other than my therapist.

 

thanks, M

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

Are you currently off the crap totally?  If so, I recommend that you go back up to the 60 mg if you felt stable there (by that, I mean no withdrawal feelings).  When you stabilize, you can begin to bead count down.

 

I had the headache from hell for the first 2 weeks of cold turkey and it was so bad that I would wake up crying.  Please make this as easy as possible on yourself!

 

Are you seeing a Psychiatrist or a therapist?  The damn psychiatrists only want to give you more meds.  I see a Psychologist and either that or a Clinical Social Worker can help you work through issues by using different techniques.  I strongly recommend anything but a Psyche!

 

I went through this alone as my sons are on the west coast and I am in FL.  I don't know what I would have done if it had not been for my therapist.  It was really a rough time.  Also, cold turkey is definitely not the way to go!  (Your dumb-ass Psyche put you into cold turkey by telling you to stop taking the 60mg after 1 week!)

 

Were you on the name brand or a generic?  Please take the time to check out the bead counting and if you need to know about it, just ask...

[momma4ks]

what is bead counting?  have been on brand name, only available in the area. My family doctor has been great support and I feel I have a therapist that is a good fit. The psych MD that covers the meds came highly recommended.......don't think he has experienced withdrawal symptom in his life.

 

My anxiety is out of control..........the idea of the holiday coming and facing them alone has me just about over the edge.  I have avoided family visits with my folks and siblings, don't want to upset anyone.

 

BTW, I am 48yrs old, a low paid nurse (LPN) and have 4 grown kids in their 20's.  My most positive points in life are work and my dogs (of course the younger one is sick with an autoimmune diease that has him spiraling down and its heart breaking) just adds to the whole picture.

 

My family was somewhat supportive when I went thryu the back surgery in 11/11. But they feel that my side effects and withdrawal sx's are just to get their attention. I raised my kids well. I just don't get it.

 

Anyone else with the family problem?

 

Thanks, M

[lady2882Nancy]

Hi momma4ks

 

I was on Buspar but it didn't touch the anxiety I had once off Crapalta.

What my Psych MD did with me was put me on a very low dose of an SSRI antidepressant with a long half life for awhile and it worked wonders. I took Zoloft for about 2 months. It was also very easy to get off of which was a blessing after the agony of Crapalta with it's stupid short half life.

 

I suffer from PTSD so I know about the extreme anxiety a person can go through so don't feel bad about trying other stronger meds to deal with this problem.

 

Hang in there and it will get better

 

Take care of you 

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

For bead counting, go to our home page and click on Are You New Here - look down to the left and you will find a forum on "Bead Counting  -  How to do it"

 

This will be of great help and get you off this crap gently.

 

Good luck!

 

PS You have age in your favor as this is harder on folks over 50, so go for it!  You can do it!

[gail]

Momma, Liz is right on going back on the 60mg until you get stable. When you feel better, bead count or try the 30mg and see how you feel.

As for family matters, I can't pronounce myself, all I know is that I wanted to be left alone.

To tell you that you want attention from them is a big mistake. Shitbalta withdrawal is rarely symptom free, it is a very hard path. One that I would not wish on my worst ennemy( which I don't think I have).

As lady Nancy said, Zoloft can help with withdrawal. Many members took that route. Easier to withdraw from because of longer life. Keep us posted, I strongly recommend that you do not try the cold turkey method. Reinstate.

[momma4ks]

Wow......you all are great here.  Today was aweful.......I about broke down in the parking lot at Sams Club because I couldn't lift my stuff out of my cart......then came home to the flippin' neighbor taking up all space to park and I had no sense of humor left!

 

I use most of it for my patients that I take care of.  As I said earlier, work is one of my happy places.  I have had a few close calls with this emotional crap,,,,can't cry in front of a patient!  I see a lot of people with anxiety issues

 

and can talk them thru procedures like a pro, but cant talk my self down from a panic attack for beans.

 

I think I am going to try going back to the 60mg everyother day......that was the MDs suggestion, but need to taper off a bit slower.

 

After my back surgery, I couldn't take pain meds, nor did I want to.  Motrin was fine for me. But with fusion of bone I wasn't to take it for a full year till the graft took. this is where the Cymbalta came in.  started slow and gradually increased.  It was when I had the breakdown that my family guy doubled the dosing to the 120mg. He knows me very well and is a good guy.... I don't think he knew the side effect of withdrawal would be so bad nor the weight gain.  The drug reps "sold" it as a weight neutral medication.

 

Going to visit my family MD and fill him in on the truth.

 

I'm going to look into the bead counting as well.

 

Thank you all for helping me not feel so crazy.  I just feel so dead inside and the pain is taking over.

 

thank you again!

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

Please take the 60 mg EVERY DAY!!  You can count down from there.  This crap has a very short half life and you will continually put yourself in and out of cold turkey withdrawal with the every other day thing.  I can guarantee that your Dr. doesn't know this...  If you mention the bead counting he will not even know what you are talking about.  We have all found that out!!

[ShadyLady]

Hi, momma;) Sorry today was awful. You can get back in control instead of the symptoms of withdrawal controlling you. Please, do not take the 60mg every other day. That is what many have posted their doctors suggest! The doctors don't know squat about stopping or tapering off this crap, truly! Go back on the 60mg every day and start tapering a bead a day. I know, sounds like forever, with approximately 270-300 beads in a capsule...I never could count those 'mexican jumping beans' in a 60mg capsule:( You love your job, yeah! What is your hurry to get off the Cym? You said your kids have turned their backs on you...I'm sorry, I do empathize. You MUST put the focus on you! I read your other post about the anxiety and the rx for Wellbutrin & Buspar. My opinion, don't add any drugs while you get back up on the 60mg dosage and begin to bead count. You will not know the difference between side effects of down dosing or side effects of new drugs. The Wellbutrin has put me in a tailspin:( The Buspar seems ineffective for severe anxiety which can be brought on by cold turkey off Cym. You have a benzo, correct?

Glad you posted;) Please consider the advice by others here who have been given the same advice about every other day dosing. It sucks! Stay here, get back on the 60mg every day and look up the bead counting here on the forum. You will read more success stories than those off who cliff dived off the poison.

Be good to yourself. Hugs, Rebecca

[ZappAlta]

heyy Cym - and Momma-We have Giants Fever going on in our Bay Area --You read so much stronger -how long now since you quit the C ?  For me it is exactly 12 months.I still get the wobbles as in vertigo but in a lot better place physically and mentally than a year ago. Momma4 Kids I reach out with caring hugs to you. I suggest do the count down or cross taper with another sri like prozac (not effexor or pazil ) Hang out with us and we will help cushion the neg you feel thru withdrawal

[gail]

Momma, all of the above about taking it everyday is a MUST.

If not, you will experience withdrawal every day. Please do not do this.

Get stable, then bead count.

Insisting here, shitbalta withdrawal is a serious matter. Do not make it more difficult by taking it very other day. Either way, we are here for you Momma.

[ShadyLady]

Hey, Zapp. Those Giants ain't doing so good tonight....aaarrgh. 8-0 KC, right now! Well, it will even it up for game 7, winner takes all. I am a few days from 5 months off the crap.

CONGRATULATIONS, girlie. One year, that is fantastic. How are you, any bothersome or notable symptoms left? Wow, you did it!!
I am taking it day by day, but I had to re-instate 20mg Prozac a little over three weeks ago as I couldn't make the cut of the cold turkey and 'time'...several mention 'quality of life' here and I must get my personal life in order. I quit the Cym at the heighth of crisis in my personal life, not a good idea, as off the crap I got SOBER (Son Of a Biatch Everything is Real!) and I couldn't manage the miserable situation I'm in with the spiraling down in depression at 4 months. Looking, again, for a therapist with CBT or similar therapy, tools, to take back control of my life and worry about stopping the Prozac later. It's a kitten compared to the lion of Cym withdrawal

You go girl, so awesome your one year anniversary! PARTY

[ZappAlta]

You always find that hint of Humour Shady  (SOBER) my new daily word since you first posted it months ago:)  Yes an exciting evening with the Giants WIN, but really they both were excellent teams .  Right I should celebrate the Cym anniversary (I do like Baileys   I never forget coiming out of the library with my 14 month old g/daughter after story time and truely did not know where I was sooo so scary and only then did I comprehend ' Awww maybe its this drug I stopped " >it surely was and from there my daily curse of defiance began -truely lol the only strength and determination I had was the F*word.       If the prozac offers you some relief luv dont fight it -apparently its the least difficult to get off .     We now pray for rain maybe this Fri are predictions.   

[momma4ks]

I folks.......adding a new symptom to this all.  Has anyone had terrible nausea and vomiting?

 

Just to add to the CRAP, I had to put my 3yr old golden retriever down on Tuesday........thought I was going to break into a million pieces. haven't kept anything down since and my head is throbbing.

Afraid to take any meds on the empty stomach because I'm just going to throw them up.

 

My buddy had an autoimmune disease diagnosed 3 months ago and it wasted away all the muscle on his head, then he couldn't get off the floor wit out help, and it ended Tuesday morning with him passing blood.  Sorry to share, but I don't know if how sick I am right now is form the stress of putting my buddy down, the meds or if I'm just plain old sick.

 

If I miss another day of work I wont have a dime to my name.....UGH......sorry to vent.

 

M

[gail]

Momma, so sorry to hear about your buddy. That alone is enough to make you vulnerable. Twenty eight years ago, my best four legged friend had to be euthanalized, I still cry when I think of it.

Maybe I missed something, have you reinstated or cold turkied?
And what meds are you talking about?

Terrible nausea is a part of the game, also vomiting. Came back for me after five months of discontinuation, for a few weeks. My God, I even took a pregnancy test, yes, at 61.

So, to come back to your main question about nausea and vomiting, normal and usual. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing.

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

My thoughts are with you as I, too, know what it is like to lose a dear four-legged friend.  I am so sorry for your loss.  (I still cry, too )

 

I'm sure this can add to your nausea and vomiting, but I don't think that you ever told us if you went back on your dose of the crap to bead count down or stayed in the horrid state of withdrawal.

 

Please let us know what is going on with the poison so that we can help you.

[momma4ks]

I'm going to start back to the 60mgs tomorrow if I can just stop throwing up.  Then the bead counting sounds like a plan. My psychiatrist...Med MD..... put me on wellbutrin 300mg. Told me to take it with the Cymbalta for a week, then everyother day, then to just stop. He added buspar, which I almost think is causing the nausea. I feel so desperate.

I need to go to work tomorrow and its now 9pm and my head is still throbbing, the idea of food makes me nauseated.....just not looking pretty.

 

Did I ever mention the reason I wanted to go off the C was because I gained 50lbs?  Being heavier just added to the depression. even my work clothes don't fit. and the extra weight is causing my joints to break down more.

[ShadyLady]

Oh, momma, so sorry to hear about your 'baby.' That is totally devastating enough without the raw, emotional & physical side effects of withdrawal. I lost two of my dog kids three years ago within six months of each other. Other than the passing of my mother, I had never experienced such a profound loss. I cry thinking about them and you as I write this. Are you still in cold turkey withdrawal or did you get back on any dose?

Nausea and vomiting? Next to the brain zaps, nightmares & muscle cramps, those symptoms were in my top ten 'when will this end?' phase of withdrawal for the first 2 months:(. Your heart is broken over losing your baby and add so early in withdrawal symptoms (if you're still doing cold turkey) to that, I don't know how you could possibly know the difference between your grief and the poison withdrawal:(

You're in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could give you a hug and comfort you just a little bit...cyber hugs from me to you (((( ))))

Keep posting and sharing. My forum friends are the only people who have helped me get through hell at almost 5 months stopping the Crap. We get it and are here for you...let us know if you are marching on through cold turkey or if you re-instated to get stable & do the gentler bead counting method.

Blessings, Rebecca

[ShadyLady]

Thanks for the info:). I was writing a reply when your post came up. Hopefully, getting back on the 60mg tomorrow will ease the physical symptoms. Let us know.

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

I'm so happy that you decided to go back on the 60 mg and use the bead counting method.  You should start feeling a little better each day.  Don't start the bead counting until you are stable - meaning NO WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS !!!  Then start easy - possibly the 2-4-6-8, etc. as long as you don't feel any withdrawal.

Should you start feeling symptoms again, stop counting  down and stay at your current count until you feel stable and then start slowly where you left off.  I know this requires patience, but that is the secret to keeping yourself comfortable as you go through this.  There is no time line here - it takes as long as it takes.  Please don't try to rush it!!

 

I wish you the best as you begin this journey and please keep posting so that we can continue to help you - we care!

 

Liz

 

PS  I understand about the weight gain - that is the last thing to worry about - it will come off though!  You will probably find that your appetite is affected as well.

[momma4ks]

back again.

 

I haven't been able to take anything because I haven't been able to keep things down.  I know I need to get back to taking meds here or else its gonna get worse.

 

Any suggestions for the nausea.  I've spent the past few nights on my knees with a pillow. my chest hurts so bad from vomiting......

[TryinginFL]

momma,

 

I'm so sorry that nausea is still hanging on..

 

Have you tried real ginger ale, candied ginger or even just dumping the ginger spice into your hand and licking it?  (I know it sounds disgusting, but whatever works..)

I'm just suggesting what others here have used - I didn't suffer from the vomiting, but had plenty of other things to take its place   You might like to check out the forum on Nutritional Support as well.

 

Hopefully someone will jump on here who has had your same symptoms.

 

I hope you will be feeling better soon - please let us know how you make out with the ginger.

[momma4ks]

I was able to eat today and started back to the 60 mg. Called my MD for an Rx for an antiemetic.  Did wonders!  Going to take the 60mgs for a week and see if I feel nomal enough to start the count down.

 

thanks for all the input. you folks are great. 

[TryinginFL]

Bravo, momma!  The best of luck to you!

 

You will be heading in the right direction shortly...

 

Please keep us posted as to your progress!

[gail]

Great news Momma, don't forget we are here for you.

What is antiemetic? Anti histamine maybe? Does wonders with anxiety, if this is what you mean.

Keeping the food down, a relief, keep us posted. Could take a few days to feel stable, keep on trucking Momma.

[momma4ks]

Felt like a new girl today!  Took the 60mg and will do so for the week, then I will venture into the bead counting.  As it turned out, I really was sick as well.  Side effect just added on.  Apparently its been going around work!

 

Thanks all!