335 replies to this topic

[redbird22]

Its been over 6 months, going on 7, and I still am in hell. I seriously don't know what to do. I hate HATE meds, so I WILL NOT subject myself to taking them EVER again. I didn't know that there were parts in the brain that the medication shuts off for good! What if these things don't grow back? Will I be in HELL FOREVER!? I'm serously SCARED!  IS MY BRAIN BROKEN FOREVER??? 
Even if I wanted to go back on the meds, or take any to counteract things, I can't afford them now!

       

[fishinghat]

Not forever!!    These compounds effect the synapses in two parts of the brain primarily. The hippocampus and the amygdala. These areas are primary control areas for depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, fear and panic. Once the meds are removed from the blood system these synapses (nerve receptors) are left sensitive to any stimuli. Many researchers are of the opinion (not proven) that it takes these synapses around two years to recover. Nervous system components recover slowly. This two year mark does seem to correspond to the typical success stories we have seen here. two to three years for a successful wean. Of course this is all an educated guess.

[invalidusername]

Roald - how great to hear from you!! And that is just awful what has happened to you - I can't believe how well you have done considering all that has happened to you. I could so easily say the same thing to my other half as I have become exhausted over the years caring for her, and it puts my mental health on the line. 

 

It got to the point that I started drinking as a means to cope. And we aren't talking a couple glasses of wine, it got to a 700ml of vodka or whiskey most nights. Fortunately, I say the light of just how stupid that was, and I am much better.

 

But again, what you have done is so brave and I am so proud of you to have taken this on the chin and carried on with your life. 

 

Having heard you say all this, you need to keep us posted for sure!!

 

You know we are always here for you any time.

 

IUN 

[invalidusername]

Its been over 6 months, going on 7, and I still am in hell. I seriously don't know what to do. I hate HATE meds, so I WILL NOT subject myself to taking them EVER again. I didn't know that there were parts in the brain that the medication shuts off for good! What if these things don't grow back? Will I be in HELL FOREVER!? I'm serously SCARED!  IS MY BRAIN BROKEN FOREVER??? 
Even if I wanted to go back on the meds, or take any to counteract things, I can't afford them now!

       

 

Hat is right - try not to freak out too much!! Neuroplasticity is a proven phenomenon, and the brain is a truly amazing organ and has incredible means of healing itself. Your brain is making millions of changes every day.

 

But yes, these drugs can wreak havoc sometimes, and it sucks! But for the most part, during these changes, you will start to see these changes for the better. I am still questioning why I still have seizures years after stopping duloxetine, and the things I could do/say to the CEO of Eli Lilly for doing this to me are way too explicit for our forum - and as an admin, it doesn't set a good example!! LOL

 

I really understand how you feel. I was still having repercussions 6 months courtesy of the switch from an SNRI (duloxetine) to an SSRI (Citalopram). It does happen - but it does - and will - improve.

 

We are here for you 

 

IUN

[redbird22]

Thank you Hat and IUN, not sure why I didn't get a notification that you guys responded to me on here... is there a glitch? Ideally I'd love to get email notifications of post replies. I just happened to happen upon these responses from you both.

I've been wondering how much is my not so great and possibly in some ways toxic job situation and how much is the cymbalta withdrawl messing with me. It's really hard to know. I do know that the dry mouth and other physical issues are most likely caused by low hormones, mainly estrogen and most likely pitutitary gland issues, all of course caused by cymblata withrawl issues, as I wrote about to one of you, [btw, feel free to send that dm to the other. It's late here and I gotta get some sleep.]
Just wanted to mention this:
I feel trapped because I don't know if I can handle a new job within this withdrawl process, but again, I don't know how much my current job is causing the anxiety and depression I feel.... I'm scared to stay and scared to go. Any advice from either of you, or anyone else would be appreciated. It's hard to know what is what right now.
 

-redbird

[invalidusername]

Redbird,

 

At the top right of every topic, there is a "follow" button. You need to activate that and you will get responses whenever anyone replies to this topic. The same works with all topics here. We understand that not everyone want to "subscribe" to all topics, hence there being one for each post.

 

I know how you feel as I am currently going through PAWS from alcohol detox. I am so happy to be free from its clutches, but caring for a mentally ill partner 24/7 and trying to keep the bills paid, do the shopping etc, I was bound to break at some point and now I am really struggling to keep going, but unless we try we will not know. But if needed, you MUST show yourself compassion and take time out. 

 

I really know how you feel. Yesterday, I pretty much stayed in bed all day. The fatigue, vertigo and head fog was just too much. It will go, but I need to work!! It can be a nasty situation.

 

Trapped... exactly.. but we are all here for each other

 

IUN