12 replies to this topic

[Alexwheelock]

anyone else feel like no one understands what you're going through, even after explaining it? I still think people think I'm exaggerating, or just brush it off..

[Carleeta]

absolutely! we all feel the way you feel.  It takes plenty of research and time for someone to even think this unthinkable is true.  It's not easy to explain to others, it's not easy to convince others you have found your answers on the internet due to the phase "do you believe everything you read on the internet:.  It's mostly important you realize these issue are happening to you and others have only helped you verify it through their experiences.  

 

You will definitely find the understanding, support, love, and caring from all our members here....

 

Welcome.  Please feel free to post at anytime you need to...

[FiveNotions]

Hi Alex, welcome to the forum ! 

 

No one who hasn't experienced this drug can understand what we feel ... being on it ... the process of getting off it ... the process of returning to life after getting off it ... words, metaphors, allegories, similies (sp?) ... nothing can convey the experience ... I gave up trying, because even those who love us the most and are the closest to us simply can't comprehend ... it would take a Mr Spock "mind meld" to do so ...  

 

finding this forum saved my life (literally) ... you're definitely not alone ... we're all "experienced"    !

 

Keep us posted on how you're doing, please !

[Runni]

This has really helped me. One of my siblings has stopped talking to me altogether, making me feel more invisible than I already felt and another avoids me. When I was well I was the go-to person and helped them out so much, so often. I am trying not to be hurt and do not want to sound self indulgent/needy but even though my own kids and partner are amazing, they are only now getting their lives on track after caring for me, they need me to get well for them too. I can see the joy and relief on their faces and I am so happy for that.

 

I feel so alone. I feel like I have lost life lines, my friends disappeared and now as I am trying to get better and get out and around I cannot find anyone to have a coffee with and just chat. It is weird because I suffered a trauma resulting in PTSD symptoms and depression and the loneliness of recovery and trying to get off the meds without someone to talk with outside of the medical community is tough. I  did not expect this. 

 

On the plus side I have really reduced meds this past year and want to continue.

 

I just found this site so thanks for the chance to talk. It has helped me not to feel so alone.

[fishinghat]

A real friend (even family) will not judge but be compassionate and sympathize even if they don't understand. That is what love does. I have a best friend who has been there for me and while he understands mental issues (he had depression for years) he does not understand withdrawal. He thinks that once you stop a medicine it is over. Then one day I remembered when he was young he would go on alcohol binges and have a hangover and sick for several days. The next time I saw him I reminded him of his history and that was withdrawal from alcohol. He was shocked and said he never though of that as a withdrawal. Now he understands.

[Runni]

Thanks for this Fishinghat. I have tried to chat with my sibs about this but one will not talk to me at all so I have to accept it. Like you say its the word "real" that matters. I just find it hard to realize that there is one rule for them and another for me. It just hurts but getting better is a much more important thing for me to concentrate on. I do appreciate the response though. You are really helping.

[Pfritts31]

My grown son won't even 'Google Cymbalta' to try and understand...

[fishinghat]

How can we help? Is he going through withdrawal?

[siggyd17]

anyone else feel like no one understands what you're going through, even after explaining it? I still think people think I'm exaggerating, or just brush it off..

Sometimes, I don't think my husband understands. I hate taking meds, personally. I was trying to get off the cymbalta a while back, and I was having issues, as if I was withdrawing from some opiate. I explained to him I was trying to not go off the handle and such, and recognize when I'm feeling that way. It was hard, and it still is. I'm in a bit of pain today. I believe it's my nerves in my back, but it hurts like being stuck with a bunch of needles. It makes it hard to use my left hand, but I push through and I make my left side do what I need it to do: Writing, typing, carrying stuff, etc. I think the worst part for most people is trying to explain what's going on, the why's and such, and, for me, it's embarrassing because everyone thinks Cymbalta is just for depression and mental issues. Cymbalta, for me, helped with my pain in my left side after my accident, but it made me feel so weird. I also noticed how much better I slept when I took it. Now, I wake up at 3am, 4am, and 5am. I am taking prazosin and trazadone at night, but I wake up and I'm drenched in sweat, the covers are all over the place as if I had been fighting someone in my sleep, I've punched and kicked my husband (I don't remember doing those things). He said I full on, full fist punched him. The prazosin is supposed to help with my nightmares and PTSD. I don't remember any of the dreams I have had since doing that. I do know that when I wake up at those hours, I'm so dizzy and I can barely walk to the bathroom. Has anyone else had bad nightmares after stopping Cymbalta? 

[fishinghat]

The nightmares are vivid, very active, aggressive and can even be violent in nature. Actually acting them out during sleep is less common but can occur. These tend to fade as the emotional symptoms fade, crying, anger, agitated, etc.

 

It is a very hard withdrawal for many and I envy those few that have went off of with no problems. It will pass. How long since your last Cymbalta?

[siggyd17]

It's been about a month and a half since my last Cymbalta. My doctor said that this could also be due to the concussions I have had, the one more recently though. I'm afraid of falling asleep sometimes, because I don't want to hurt anyone or myself during sleep. I'm hoping my doctor can help me with this, but in the mean time, if I don't take the prazosin and trazadone, I do not sleep more than an hour or two at a time. The times I get up now are mainly for bathroom or due to a bad dream. 

[gail]

anyone else feel like no one understands what you're going through, even after explaining it? I still think people think I'm exaggerating, or just brush it off..

Good post on understanding what we are going through.

[invalidusername]

ain't that the truth...