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InNeedOfHope: Cymbalta hell - is it impossible for some people?


InNeedOfHope

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Can you get Colloidal silver? It works very well, much safer than antibiotics.

 

One teaspoon morning and evening under the tongue, for 30 sec and then swallow.

 

Increase dose if needed. You can also apply it on topical areas to clear up infections quickly, and massage it into.

 

You can get Oliveleaf extract (mix with water and drink), this additional combination gives a better effect.

 

Oliveleaf extract is very potent antibacterial, like colloidal silver. No resistance problem.

 

Often, topical and internal use of colloidal silver will clear up infections in few days.

 

I wish you well! If you want to try, tell me how it goes, here!

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InNeed, have you read this:

 

http://www.mind.org.uk/help/medical_and_alternative_care/making_sense_of_coming_off_psychiatric_drugs

 

It will give you some context for your situation.

 

Also, you mentioned a doctor who apologized. Perhaps you can work with him? If he's open-minded, he might read some of the information on this site or on Mind.org.uk.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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InNeed, have you read this:

 

http://www.mind.org.uk/help/medical_and_alternative_care/making_sense_of_coming_off_psychiatric_drugs

 

It will give you some context for your situation.

 

Also, you mentioned a doctor who apologized. Perhaps you can work with him? If he's open-minded, he might read some of the information on this site or on Mind.org.uk.

 

I wonder if he might write up a case review

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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Mixter - thank you for the suggestions I am just afraid to take any supplement at the moment.

 

I will read the Mind info, I have read some of it before but not all of it. One interesting thing is it says they are trying to get a law change so that people can be forced to take meds against their wishes, even if they are classed as sane. Hope that comes to nothing.

 

That neurologist was quite open minded and seemed genuinely interested in the reaction I had had. I think it was March when I saw him. I don't know how easy it would be to get to see him again, especially as there is probably not much he can do to help. I suppose it would be useful if only it increased awareness.

 

The thing is I sometimes wonder what is in my notes. When I was sent to hospital by the GP for suspected heart problems (which came to nothing) I could see they did not take me seriously. Even though my mum and my brother had heart attacks and my other brother has angina and cardiomyopathy. The emergency room doctor said although he did not think my heart was a problem, he said I looked very ill. He looked the medicine up and said I appeared to have every side effect going. It is a shame that the doctors who sometimes are sympathetic only see you fleetingly and don't really have the answers, before you are passed on to someone else.

 

I am stuck on the sofa at the moment. Any attempt to do even normal activity results in my severe head pain and chest pain becoming unbearable, which inevitably brings on poor sleep and anxiety.

 

You know, I am sure many of you know that Traci Johnson a healthy young volunteer, killed herself, when she was taken off Cymbalta CT after a few days. Why do GP's and psychiatrists think she did this, because she was having a bad day? Or because she was in sheer excruciating pain that is indesribable. We are chemically injured but more than that, we are given no empathy or understanding, disbelieved as hypochondriacs, disrespected and made to feel tiresome. Even the weight of someone killing themselves within trials conducted by Eli Lily themselves is still not enough to make these people wake up to the damage they are inflicting on families all over the world.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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$$$$$

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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Antidepressant withdrawal syndrome is a very large problem all over the world, and is inadequately recognized by doctors under the sway of pharmaceutical propaganda.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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I am still taking 18.5mg and trying to let my body catch up. This is the toughest time of my life both physically and mentally. At the moment I feel very restricted like I am walking a tightrope. If I do too much I get joint pain (though not as bad as a couple of weeks ago), racing heart and my chest constricts and eating is difficult. If I rest too much my head and shoulder pain becomes severe.

 

I have realised stress comes in many forms and have found that it is affected by:

 

eating too much/ too little

being too cold/ too hot

too much sleep/not enough (sleep affects my pain greatly)

eating foods which I react to (when will I ever learn? No dairy, no red meat, no acidic foods, no fruit)

stress in the house (children squabbling and raised voices, make my heart race and head hurt)

 

I have discovered if I eat animal protein or too much protein this increases my kidney pain and general pain. If I keep that under control I have less joint pain.

 

It is like a balancing act, trying to find the right balance whilst resisting all the time the urge to cry (because that really truly increases my pain no end) It is so strange to hold that in, but even quiet weeping must release chemicals in me, that relieve the pain at the time, but this is followed by incredible pain.

 

Every day I feel as if this is indeed permanent. I feel that yes I may heal somewhat, but not completely and that it might take the rest of my life to do so and then my health will decline anyway due to old age. I worry about my health, I worry about the fact my children have a mother who is incapacitated. I worry I will never work again in a meaningful way and carry the guilt about what that might mean to my family and what we may lose because of me.

 

I am looking at losing my job, a job I love and people I enjoy working with. I worked hard to gain my degree to become a teacher, for five years and that is gone now. I would never be able to cope with the final training, nor be able to cope with that kind of stress. I feel as if by taking this medicine I have destroyed my life and had a negative impact upon that of my family.

 

I am glad I found this site and the people on it, but each day is a daily battle.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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InNeed,

You have been on an abrupt 'fast track' to a place that most of us took over a decade to 'arrive at'. I lost my career over 10 years ago after finishing college, some grad work, and 10 years with the company. I've fought hard to get back to that place only to realize it wasn't a good place for me. A few younger people here were hit before they finished college or began a career. I vacillate between 'why did this happen to me?' and 'DAMMIT, I must save others from this web of deceit' and then to 'I feel like s**t today and have to allow myself to heal'. If you had been in a major auto accident and suffered head trauma and other bodily injury, I think you would allow yourself the time needed to heal. I know that the denial by the medical community and lack of visible scars make that tough. For me, that disbelief and feeling of betrayal creates a whole different level of anxiety.

You've only missed a few months--a slight detour. You'll get back on track. We certainly need teachers with the awareness and insight that you've gained thru this horrible ordeal. I don't know about the UK, but many teachers here in the states are in favor of medicating kids diagnosed with ADHD. I just read an alarming report that antipsychotics are being used more for ADHD in kids.

 

If you haven't, please read Robert WHitaker's Anatomy of an Epidemic. As a teacher, you are in a position to influence many lives with your story. It may not make your days easier, but to start thinking about your role in 'the big picture' may distract you as you have done a few time for me ;)

 

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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InNeed, can you take medical leave?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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I have wanted to read that book but have been scared to, in case there are negative references that make me worry. Prozac Pandora or Panacea scared me to death. I found it to be 95% negative stuff and 5% positive at the end.

 

I doubt very much I will have the strength to go back to complete my teaching qualification. It is extremely tough and demanding even on a very fit and well person. To be honest even if I could get accepted I doubt very much I could take the financial risk to complete the qualification. I am off sick at work, but my contract runs out in July next year anyway and given the amount of sick leave I have taken I doubt I would be offered another one even if they had the work. It is a round trip of 25 miles and that too is a daily bind, especially when the snow and ice comes. I don't think I would ever get over the embarrassment of having let them down. I used to live close to where I worked and I miss it a great deal, the community the people. I am no longer a part of that and it hurts. I know no one where I live now. I suppose I will have to build some new kind of life here where no one knows me or the problems I have had being ill.

 

Last night I woke at 2am, with intense pain in my head and left eye. I walked around and massaged my head and face and eventually I feel as if I passed out in pain/went back to sleep. When I woke up it is still there. It is a feeling of pressure, stabbing and soreness in the eye. It is a little blurred too. I have the usual pain in my head. I had a bad reaction to fish oil earlier in the year, when my eyes would go blurred. I ate fish twice yesterday and wonder if the oil/omega 3 has had the same effect. Now I am worried I have damaged my eye. My left face feels numb too. I have tried to ignore it, but panicked a bit this afternoon, as of course I worry this pain may be permanent or signs of damage. It is so hard to separate withdrawal from something that may a real problem. My eye is not leaking, but it is sore both inside and the surrounding area inside, it is hard to describe.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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You describe it very well. I was down w/ a wicked migraine yesterday and no meds. Pain really messes with rational thought. I finally put myself to sleep which I was advised to do by headache specialist long ago.

Controlling exposure to disturbing info is a good idea. Several of us have gone thru the near obsessive need for more info followed by the anxiety of having too much info. It's a vicious circle.

What part of the UK are you in? I've never been there.

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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  • Administrator

InNeed, please do not worry that you are experiencing permanent damage. I know it seems very physical but it is caused by wayward signals in your nervous system. The nervous system is dynamic and repairs itself.

 

Bar, what is the method you use? Perhaps you can detail it in a new topic in Symptoms and what helps?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Still struggling, as soon as I begin to get a bit more active (nothing strenuous) just a few household jobs, the pain in my head, shoulder, kidney area is very severe. Feeling sorry for myself, don't know what to do to make this better. Wondering if it is something I am eating that is not helping. Don't know how to cope with this level of pain.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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Can you track down the Neurologist? I truly think he could help best. One open mind is better than all of the closed ones combined.

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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I need the GP to refer me back, don't know if she will do that.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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  • Administrator

InNeed, did we talk about acupuncture? Could help with that muscle pain.

 

It's understandable that you feel sorry for yourself, but see if you can focus on helping yourself heal instead of being afraid of the symptoms.

 

Kia Kaha -- stay strong! (Maori)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

I have tried acupuncture, but did not feel any benefit.

 

The last 24 hours have been really bad. I have had severe pain to the left side of my head/face/shoulder. My kidney area is hurting too. I have racked my brains and the only link I can see is that I have begun to be a little more active. By active I don't mean running a marathon, I mean a short walk and moving around the house doing a little ironing etc not much. I thought I had to be active to stimulate my brain, but it seems to take away whatever painkilling amounts of cortisol etc that I have. I assume this adrenaline fatigue.

 

The pain in my head becomes excruciating and unbearable; it is not a headache. It is like intense burning and like I have been hit with a rock and there should be blood there but there isn't. It makes me feel like passing out or crying to relieve the pain. (although crying works for a short time, later on the pain is worse than before)

 

I realise now that taking that extra tablet (going from what was prob only around 45mg to 120mg in one hit) and the subsequent drop, is kind of like going CT. I can see years and years of this pain. I am useless, helpless and see all these jobs that need doing, things I want to do with my children and can't. They have an invalid mother. I could spend the rest of my life like this. And making a drop. When, when can I do this? How do I do this when I am not stabilising. I am allergic to every med going and do not have the courage to try Prozac.

 

Everything I read says slow is better, more time to adjust, less shock to the brain. Yet, I am shutting down more and more of my brain every day taking this rubbish.

 

At the full dose I got brain zaps around the time of my period from early on in taking this. When I began to reduce down these went away. I don't know if they went away because I had the extra tablet stuff lingering in my brain. But to be honest I don't think it is this, because 9 months down the line, although I have the head pain from taking the extra tablet, I don't get the 'zaps' like I had when I went from 60 to 30 or even at full dose. So, the question is,really and truly this head pain I have now, perhaps it will never go until I am off this rubbish. If I wait for it to subside at this dose I could be waiting forever.

 

I won't reduce before Christmas, but afterwards, I don't know if I should just keep going, even though I feel so poorly.

 

I am finding it difficult to have any positivity or find any pleasure or meaning in life at all, when it is living in excruciating pain like this every day.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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Just had a thought, the brain zaps at full dose could have been from the CT off Zopiclone, which hopefully is recovered now and that is why I do not have them.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

Link to comment

In Need,

Im sorry your experience w acupuncture wasn't positive. I've found that there is a great variability among acupuncturists, with few truly gifted healers. Is there any possibility of trying another?

Have you tried any OTC topical pain products? I use SalonPas patches (menthol based) and they sometimes work well and other times just take a little edge off. Does ice help at all?

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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  • Administrator

InNeed, have you tried a nice hot bath with Epsom salts?

 

The magnesium in the salts is soothing to the nervous system.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

My symptoms have been slowly worsening. There was a little time where I felt less pain at doing little activities, but as soon as I resume any kind of normal activity the pain comes back. I have therefore moved on as 8 weeks at the same dose is a long time when there is little improvement and so and have reduced just 2 beads. So now on 179beads.

 

Overnight my world has changed again.

 

My symptoms are probably too long to mention, but include nerve pain, internal jitters, stabbing in muscles and being on fire, like a match has been set to me. I have also experienced the constriction in the throat/chest/lungs etc.

 

I truly fear that this stuff has shut down so many receptors it is impossible for me to actually get off this stuff. As I go lower it is going to get harder. I am scared I will not be able to breathe. Or take the pain. I know people, good people, say this can be done, it is possible for everyone, but what if it's not? This is what is going through my mind constantly. I was beside myself this morning, am calm now, just lying here rigid in pain.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

Link to comment

My symptoms have been slowly worsening. There was a little time where I felt less pain at doing little activities, but as soon as I resume any kind of normal activity the pain comes back. I have therefore moved on as 8 weeks at the same dose is a long time when there is little improvement and so and have reduced just 2 beads. So now on 179beads.

 

Overnight my world has changed again.

 

My symptoms are probably too long to mention, but include nerve pain, internal jitters, stabbing in muscles and being on fire, like a match has been set to me. I have also experienced the constriction in the throat/chest/lungs etc.

 

I truly fear that this stuff has shut down so many receptors it is impossible for me to actually get off this stuff. As I go lower it is going to get harder. I am scared I will not be able to breathe. Or take the pain. I know people, good people, say this can be done, it is possible for everyone, but what if it's not? This is what is going through my mind constantly. I was beside myself this morning, am calm now, just lying here rigid in pain.

 

Hi InNeed,

 

I am so sorry to hear about your troubles.

 

Personally, if you have decided you need to get off the meds, don't worry about whether you will or won't. Focus on the present and the future will take of itself. Does that make sense?

 

Have you done a google search for natural remedies for pain? Obviously, if you're still on Cymbalta, you have to be careful but something might be useful.

 

Also, I forget, did you consider switching to Prozac? Normally, this isn't recommended but in your case, it might be a worthwhile option since you are greatly suffering.

 

Would something like Asthma medicine be useful for your throat constriction? I have no idea since I am not a medical professional but was just brainstorming.

 

Here is a cymbalta withdrawal board if you haven't seen it. Have no idea how helpful it is.

 

http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/

 

Sorry if I am repeating suggestions as due to insomnia, I easily forget.

 

Hang in there.

 

CS

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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InNeed,

 

I’m so sorry about the pain you have been suffering. My heart goes out to you. I wish no one had to suffer from these horrible, horrible drugs.

 

I saw that you mentioned previously that you sometimes get a better night’s sleep after a painful day, so maybe you will get some relief.

 

The body and brain do have an amazing capacity for healing.

 

I wish I could offer more to help you, take care xxx

 

 

I came off Seroxat in August 2005 after a 4 month taper. I was initially prescibed a benzo for several months and then Prozac for 5 years and after that, Seroxat for 3 years and 9 months.

 

"It's like in the great stories Mr.Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer."  Samwise Gamgee, Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

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Hi again InNeed,

 

I don’t know if you tried the Epsom Salts, but I have just been reading some information from Beyond Meds by Gianna Kali (posted by Alto) about their ability to calm pain.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1546-gianna-kalis-toolbox-for-coping-with-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

http://beyondmeds.com/2011/08/26/healingtool/

 

The author makes other suggestions such as an anti-inflammatory diet.

 

 

I came off Seroxat in August 2005 after a 4 month taper. I was initially prescibed a benzo for several months and then Prozac for 5 years and after that, Seroxat for 3 years and 9 months.

 

"It's like in the great stories Mr.Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer."  Samwise Gamgee, Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am first of all sorry that i appear to have disappeared i am in such a bad state i could not face writing down just how bad i am.

 

I am house bound now and on some day bed ridden, i am getting worse by the week, both physically (especially physcially) and mentally.

 

I have been given some advice by Dr David Healy and I am due thanks to him and others that have fought and campaigned for me to get Cymbalta in liquid form this Wednesday hopefully. There is a school of thought that in this format it is not only more accurate and easy to titrate but that the actual compostion of the dose is more accurate as I have been told all beads in a capsule are not created equal. I know the liquid exists as i now have heard of someone else who has it.

 

I have reduced by 0.2mg in beads each week for the last 3 weeks this is because i was reaching tolerance at the dose i was on. I am now on 18mg. It is hell each and every day. When I drop I get some relief from head pain, then I have roughly three to four days of hell, it begins to subside and by the seventh day i am in hell again with severe head pain and stabbing and so i drop again. I am scared my heart and lungs and other organs cant take it, even if i can take the pain. Some days I cannot walk. I have around 3 baths a day and some days i just lie there in agony praying it will end one day. I get very panic sticken especially just before another reduction.

 

I am hoping the liquid will make a tiny difference to me, I am hoping that doing it this way one day I will catch up and it might be less intense. For now I am hanging on day by day in what i can only describe as esquisite agony. I asked about the liquid over 3 weeks ago and my doctor just asked a pharmacist and they said it could not be done. That has wasted 3 weeks.

 

I bleed from my nose it is cracked and damaged. I have eye pain. Kidney pain. Electric shocks. Stabbing. Bleeding when i go to the toilet. Burning up like i am on fire. Chest pain. Lung constriction. This can't be right.

 

CITA are concerned that all along I may have lacked enzymes to break this medicine down, but there is nothing I can do about it. I do believe one day i might heal if i can get off it. But getting off it is no easy taak.

 

My family are very concerned and fight the desire to have me admitted to hospital all the time. I pray to hang on each day. I pray for everyone on here.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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Hi InNeed ~

It's good to hear from you although I'm sorry you are having an incredibly tough time •

Did Dr Healy offer an opinion on the bleeding (Queston)

You must be very weak with losing blood in multiple ways • have you had any bloodwork done recently (Q)

I understand any hesitation or fear of hospitals and doctors however the bleeding is very concerning • please be certain that Dr Healy is fully aware of that (or whatever doc is following your case)

Please keep us posted whenever you are able

Barb

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is where I am at the moment. I am now on 17.8mg. I find at the moment I seem to be able to drop 0.2mg every 7 days or so at the moment. I did have a pattern to each reduction but that seems to have gone this week. The severity I had three weeks ago has dissipated. Things that have improved are:

 

incontrollable jerking and shakes

feeling of being set on fire

stabbing pains

rigid neck

feeling of complete exhaustion to the point I could not get out of bed

 

I do have a theory as to why this happened though I am certainly not an expert. As some of the symptoms mirror what happened to me at full dose I think I may have reached tolerance, so even though I don't feel great I am continuing to reduce so this does not happen again (though I fear it might at the end)

 

I am now able to get up but MUST rest so much or else I pay for it as I am quickly learning. This week has been difficult as my children are back at school and so I have to drive them there. The upshot of this is my kidney pain and bladder pain has been very bad this week, I am awaiting tests for an infection but hope and think it may not be, it may just be the severity of withdrawal. I talked to the locum doctor and she gave me antibiotics and said there was no way this was withdrawal. I did not have the will to argue so came home with them but have not taken them.

 

There are many times in the week I have panicked thinking oh no I CANT take antibiotics again, or I can't do this, and I think there may be a pattern that this comes around the third/fourth day after a drop. I have also had more upper stomache pain this week. I get plenty of nightmares, palpitations and the feelings of a chest infection when I wake, but which goes as the day goes on. I have lots of leg pain too, which lifts on a reduction, sometimes within a couple of hours.

 

The one thing that is relieved by the drop is head pain at least for a short time, then it comes back and intensifies as the week goes on. I also find early in the week I need more sleep, but this begins to go off by the end of the week. I am struggling to learn what my limitations are.

 

I am not where I was three weeks ago, but this is still very gruelling both mentally and physically. Am still waiting for the liquid but hopefully it will be here soon.

 

There have been lots of coverage of the problems of Benzo's and Z drugs and AD in the British press which is encouraging. Unfortunately there are lots of scare stories too, which make me wonder whether I should read them or not.

 

I have found the Epsom salts bath help at times. I find rest helps although it is frustrating to fill the day like this.

 

I continue to be eternally thankful for all the advice and support and to know there are people out there who do get it.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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  • Administrator

InNeed, it is good to hear some of your symptoms have decreased as you decrease the drug. It may very well be that you are suffering adverse effects.

 

How long will it be before you get the liquid?

 

It is grueling. As so many of us have found, it can be one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.

 

Keep on telling yourself, you can do this -- one step at a time.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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I should get the liquid on Monday next week.I am on day 3 of a 0.2mg drop and am in agony. Every part of my fibre feels as if it is being stabbed. Particularly my kidney area feet, ankles, legs. I have discovered I have crimson blotches on the soles of my feet. It isn't really a rash, almost like a bruise, but with persistent rubbing it will go away. It looks like I have stepped in food dye. I noticed it last week, but tried not to worry. It has come back again now. My husband think it almost looks like blood seeping throught the pores. I have never seen anything like it. I am finding getting off to sleep more of a problem now. I sleep an hour or so in the day and dont seem to get by very well without that. I am also developing thrush. I seem to have gone worse since getting out of bed to take my children to school and fear this will have to stop yet it is the only useful thing I do.

 

I dont know how to get through years of this, I have 171 beads to go.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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InNeed

Just an fyi on GiaK post about dyasthesias ~ wondered if that describes some of your pains

 

Under Symptoms area

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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I think you should do what your doctor says and take the antibiotics, as long as the antibiotic is not Cipro or any of the other floxins. Do you know what antibiotic she prescribed you? Many of your symptoms point to a bad kidney infection and that is not something you want to mess around with.

a.k.a JMarie

Paxil since Mar.1998

2006-2007:40-20mg
2009: 20mg to 14mg 2010: 14mg to 10.5mg 2011: 10.5 to 7.6mg  2012: 7.5 to 6.8mg

2013: 6.7-6.3mg 2014: 6.2mg-5.8mg 2015: 5.7 to 5.15mg 2016: 5.1-4.6mg

1/19/17: 4.5mg 3/17/17: 4.4mg

6/15/17: 4.35mg 8/10/17: 4.3mg

1/29/18: 4.1mg 5/07/18: 4.0mg

7/31/18: 3.9mg

 

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I got the results of the test back, no kidney infection, so I am glad I waited. It is severe wd pain, which doctor said it could not be, withdrawal does not do that..yeah right. Yes, it is very much like dyasthesias, exactly like that in fact. This week earlier on I could not put my weight on my feet for more than 5 minutes at a time, without stabbing knives in my feet.

 

I have reduced again tonight to 17.4mg. I think I am picking up a pattern but it is difficult. When I reduce I get some pains relieve, but WD starts in other ways quite quickly. Days 2 and 3 are agony, there is no other way to describe it, Day 4 and 5 begins to get better in terms of fever and stabbing etc. Day 6 is prob the best and day 7 it starts to deteriorate again, so I reduce, that is what I am seeing at the moment, but there is not one day that I am normal functional and can get about normally. It is a triumph to take my children to school whatever the pain and that has been very difficult and almost dangerous on one day this week and to be able to help make my childrens tea (if i get a chair and sit down).

 

It is hard to have faith this will work and to think after it all it will properly recover. I try to watch tv and read but on days 2 and 3, get nowhere with distracting myself.

 

The foot rash has disappeared but have taken photos of it and am watching out for it again. The next three days will be rubbish, but I keep thinking of Friday.

Sept 2010 - Citalopram 1 day

Sept 2010 - Zopliclone for ten weeks (paranoia ended a couple of months after coming off this and sleep settled down again until the last couple of months)

Ocober 2010 - Cymbalta 30mg

November 2010 - Cymbalta 60mg

February 2011 - 60mg to 30 mg (lasted 10 days)reinstated 60mg

March 2011 - Took 2 60mg tablets on one evening in error - paralysis of face, back of head, shoulder, stabbing in right kidney, lost 30% of hearing)

March - June 2011 went down quickly 1mg a day until I got stuck at 25mg, went up to 27mg, because couldn't breath.

26th June - 26mg

3rd July - 25mg

17th July - 24mg

24th July - 23mg

7th Aug - began reducing by a bead every couple of days or so went well at first then hit a wall

24th October - now on 18.5mg. Since the kidney infection at start of September, have been in constant pain and anxiety, no let up. Given Ciprofloxacin.

8th Jan 2012 17.8mg (currently reducing 0.2mg a week)

8th Jan 2012 17.6mg last reduction was 6 days ago.

15th Jan 17.4mg

21st Jan 17.2mg

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  • Administrator

Hang in there, InNeed. You're doing a remarkable job of managing this incredibly difficult task.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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So glad to hear you don't have a kidney infection. Your doctor prescribed you antibiotics without knowing for sure? That's kinda weird. Alto is right, you are so strong and you are doing an incredible job!

a.k.a JMarie

Paxil since Mar.1998

2006-2007:40-20mg
2009: 20mg to 14mg 2010: 14mg to 10.5mg 2011: 10.5 to 7.6mg  2012: 7.5 to 6.8mg

2013: 6.7-6.3mg 2014: 6.2mg-5.8mg 2015: 5.7 to 5.15mg 2016: 5.1-4.6mg

1/19/17: 4.5mg 3/17/17: 4.4mg

6/15/17: 4.35mg 8/10/17: 4.3mg

1/29/18: 4.1mg 5/07/18: 4.0mg

7/31/18: 3.9mg

 

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Antibiotics are prescribed very often without a confirmed bacterial infection in respiratory tract --often viral infections that antibiotics do nothing for ~

I'm not sure about UTIs ~usually they'll do a dipstick to determine if bacteria is present but not routinely a C&S (culture &sensitivity)to determine what the exact pathogen is and what antimicrobial it will be sensitive to ~and quite often Cipro and floxin/quinolone family are used for UTIs ~or Bacrim/Septra which also have dangers

 

All this to ask~do they always test for UTIs or do they treat empirically as is done for respiratory infections (Q)

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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