Comments for What Winners Do http://www.whatwinnersdo.com Stories, Struggles And Success of A Recovering Addict Trying to Do What Winners Do Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:28:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck by Laurie http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5514 Laurie Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:53:01 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5514 Barbara - you should definitely feel better in three weeks. I have been off two weeks and feel like I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The brain zaps started for me about a week off the Cymbalta. They were pretty regular at first and then I noticed that it only happened when I was tired or stressed. Yesterday it only happened a handful of times, late in the evening. It's a very odd sensation and scary at times as I wonder if they will ever go completely away and what I've done to my brain with this awful drug. As far as drug reps not telling you during your luncheons... why would they? For one, they may not be aware since the only education they get is from the company they represent and also there weren't a any studies done on withdrawal before the drug was released after only a few weeks of testing. I had a drug rep in my office a couple weeks ago pushing the new drug Pristiq, which is in the same class as Cymbalta. I point blank asked him if there were studies done on the withdrawal effects and he looked at me and said "that's a good question". Of course it's a good question! One that SHOULD have been asked by the FDA! He then went on to explain that he had heard of some problems with Cymbalta, but that Pristiq was released only after 8 weeks of testing (like Cymbalta) and therefore, he explained, there wasn't enough data regarding withdrawal side effects. He was nice (?) enough to point out that the new Pristiq has a lower risk of hypertension, unlike it's predecessor Cymbalta, even showing me charts and flow sheets to support the statement. I am a nurse and an administrator, and I am letting all the providers in my group know the effects of Cymbalta and withdrawal. They have all seemed surprised to hear it, but thankful for the information. No provider in my group will prescribe it or the Pristiq. The free lunch was great though. :-) Barbara - you should definitely feel better in three weeks. I have been off two weeks and feel like I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The brain zaps started for me about a week off the Cymbalta. They were pretty regular at first and then I noticed that it only happened when I was tired or stressed. Yesterday it only happened a handful of times, late in the evening. It’s a very odd sensation and scary at times as I wonder if they will ever go completely away and what I’ve done to my brain with this awful drug. As far as drug reps not telling you during your luncheons… why would they? For one, they may not be aware since the only education they get is from the company they represent and also there weren’t a any studies done on withdrawal before the drug was released after only a few weeks of testing. I had a drug rep in my office a couple weeks ago pushing the new drug Pristiq, which is in the same class as Cymbalta. I point blank asked him if there were studies done on the withdrawal effects and he looked at me and said “that’s a good question”. Of course it’s a good question! One that SHOULD have been asked by the FDA! He then went on to explain that he had heard of some problems with Cymbalta, but that Pristiq was released only after 8 weeks of testing (like Cymbalta) and therefore, he explained, there wasn’t enough data regarding withdrawal side effects. He was nice (?) enough to point out that the new Pristiq has a lower risk of hypertension, unlike it’s predecessor Cymbalta, even showing me charts and flow sheets to support the statement. I am a nurse and an administrator, and I am letting all the providers in my group know the effects of Cymbalta and withdrawal. They have all seemed surprised to hear it, but thankful for the information. No provider in my group will prescribe it or the Pristiq. The free lunch was great though. :-)

]]> Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck by Barbara http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5513 Barbara Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:15:56 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5513 Thank you all for the support. I was hoping to be done with these group of drugs but I have severe depression and ocd and am borderline adhd. I was on zoloft since 2002 until cymbalta came out. I gained 20 lbs with zoloft and 20 lbs with cymbalta but that was just recently. I hate that these drugs cause weight gain because that just makes you more depressed. I feel better today. I slept all day yesterday and my family told me my body was shaking and I had weird dreams. Can someone explain more on these brain zaps. I start nursing school in 3 weeks and hope to be normal by then. My mom has surgery on monday and will be gone 3 months and she is my support person. I am glad not to be working I would not be able to function. This is worse than when I tried topomax. Is it normal for your lips to feel tingling? I am a ma and was never told by the drug reps at our lunches how it felt to go off this drug. It is awful. I guess for people that can stay on the drug and it doesn't have an adverse effect then it is wonderful. Thank you for your support. Thank you all for the support. I was hoping to be done with these group of drugs but I have severe depression and ocd and am borderline adhd. I was on zoloft since 2002 until cymbalta came out. I gained 20 lbs with zoloft and 20 lbs with cymbalta but that was just recently. I hate that these drugs cause weight gain because that just makes you more depressed. I feel better today. I slept all day yesterday and my family told me my body was shaking and I had weird dreams. Can someone explain more on these brain zaps. I start nursing school in 3 weeks and hope to be normal by then. My mom has surgery on monday and will be gone 3 months and she is my support person. I am glad not to be working I would not be able to function. This is worse than when I tried topomax. Is it normal for your lips to feel tingling? I am a ma and was never told by the drug reps at our lunches how it felt to go off this drug. It is awful. I guess for people that can stay on the drug and it doesn’t have an adverse effect then it is wonderful. Thank you for your support.

]]> Comment on Relapse: It Snuck Up On Me? by Raj http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/relapse-it-snuck-up-on-me/#comment-5512 Raj Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:06:58 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/relapse-it-snuck-up-on-me/#comment-5512 Yeah, like you said at the end of the post, having to fight all the time just to remain sober seems unfair and even tiring at times. It's unfortunate that just not using on a daily basis is a path of so much resistance for addicts. Yeah, like you said at the end of the post, having to fight all the time just to remain sober seems unfair and even tiring at times. It’s unfortunate that just not using on a daily basis is a path of so much resistance for addicts.

]]> Comment on Happy Fourth Of July by Raj http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/happy-fourth-of-july-2/#comment-5511 Raj Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:34:57 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/?p=244#comment-5511 Here's wishing you a happy independence day 3 days late! Hope that you were serene at the end of the day. And then thanks for another nice post from you, Erin. Thank you for putting in the effort it takes to identify even the minutest of things in your head and then posting them over here; things which may seem unimportant but aren't; thanks for telling us just how you are living in the moment what that actually means. Here’s wishing you a happy independence day 3 days late! Hope that you were serene at the end of the day. And then thanks for another nice post from you, Erin. Thank you for putting in the effort it takes to identify even the minutest of things in your head and then posting them over here; things which may seem unimportant but aren’t; thanks for telling us just how you are living in the moment what that actually means.

]]> Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck by Kate http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5510 Kate Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:32:41 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5510 I cannot imagine what I would have done without this website. I was in the middle of my "taper down " from Cymbalta and thought I was going alittle crazy. I actually thought this really can't be this bad, it's just me overreacting to this withdraw. I had accidental gone cold turkey from effexor and it put me in bed for a couple days - nothing,I mean nothing like this. I began weaning myself from this drug two months ago - thinking if I do this the right way I'll be fine - yea - I have now been cymbalta free for about a week - I honestly can't remember- failed to mark on calendar but it has been several days. I have every symptom - I turn my head and almost expect to see trails - my responses to people were off. Saying your welcome - for nothing - turning right when I should have turned left. The buzzing in my head is loud and constant .I always have a clenched jaw. I can't hold a thought - I want to sleep yet at the same time feel driven - my temper is just off the charts - I yelled no screamed so loud at my husband - I lost my voice (he is a medical professional and was just horrified at my behavior - so was I ) finding this site has made all the difference in the world - I wanted to write a couple days ago but could'nt remember how to spell - I am noticing little by little that I am getting better - I wake up and feel more positive about my day. I just wish you all the best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your personal experiences it has saved me much grief. I cannot imagine what I would have done without this website. I was in the middle of my “taper down ” from Cymbalta and thought I was going alittle crazy. I actually thought this really can’t be this bad, it’s just me overreacting to this withdraw. I had accidental gone cold turkey from effexor and it put me in bed for a couple days - nothing,I mean nothing like this. I began weaning myself from this drug two months ago - thinking if I do this the right way I’ll be fine - yea - I have now been cymbalta free for about a week - I honestly can’t remember- failed to mark on calendar but it has been several days. I have every symptom - I turn my head and almost expect to see trails - my responses to people were off. Saying your welcome - for nothing - turning right when I should have turned left. The buzzing in my head is loud and constant .I always have a
clenched jaw. I can’t hold a thought - I want to sleep yet at the same time feel driven - my temper is just off the charts - I yelled no screamed so loud at my husband - I lost my voice (he is a medical professional and was just horrified at my behavior - so was I ) finding this site has made all the difference in the world - I wanted to write a couple days ago but could’nt remember how to spell - I am noticing little by little that I am getting better - I wake up and feel more positive about my day. I just wish you all the best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your personal experiences it has saved me much grief.

]]> Comment on Happy Fourth Of July by Coline Bettson http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/happy-fourth-of-july-2/#comment-5509 Coline Bettson Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:23:03 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/?p=244#comment-5509 Thank you for this post. It makes me feel very calm to know you & I share such sensitive natures. You sure are not alone. What about the forth of July 2009 ? keep up thinking - if we slip, we do better the next day. Just about to give up smokes - AGAIN - at 57, it has been 40 years of another addiction - this will be my last quit. We do what we do...try & try. I am proud of us...it will happen. Shalom ! Thank you for this post. It makes me feel very calm to know you & I share such sensitive natures.

You sure are not alone.

What about the forth of July 2009 ?

keep up thinking - if we slip, we do better the next day.

Just about to give up smokes - AGAIN - at 57, it has been 40 years of another addiction - this will be my last quit.

We do what we do…try & try. I am proud of us…it will happen.

Shalom !

]]> Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck by Laurie http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5508 Laurie Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:07:50 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5508 Barbara - I am sooo sorry you are feeling this way. Unfortunately you are in the throes of withdrawel. I have heard the Benadryl will help, but unable to take it due to sensitivity to it. My doc rx'd me Ativan for sleeping and I took Darvocet at night for the headaches. It's 13 days later and I feel almost normal again. The headaches lasted an entire week, and I wasn't able to take anything for them at work, so basically suffered through them until I got home. I know that's impossible to do with Migraines though. I had all the sypmtoms you are describing, and then a week later the "brain zaps" began. I noticed a decrease in them yesterday and today I feel pretty good. I guess, what I'm trying to say, is there's not too much else you can do to get through this. Decrease your stress. (probably easier said than done.) Have a family member take your daughter to see the fireworks - I know that's not ideal, but right now you have to take care of yourself and get through this. Also, with only having a week to wean you basically quit cold turkey, which will make the withdrawal more severe at first. I did not switch to another anti-depressant, but I have heard that that has helped people. Just be careful and research it thoroughly. Be sure and let your doctor know of these symptoms - I work in the medical field and I tell all the doctors I know about this nightmare. Nobody in my practice prescribes it anymore. Doctors aren't aware of how serious this is. They rely on the drug reps and journal articles to inform them. Another great support site you might want to look into is http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/index.php I found both of these sites so helpful during withdrawal. People know what you're going through, can offer suggestions and just give you overall support during this time when you feel your world is topsy-turvy. Hang in there, you have a lot of people pulling for you. Be good to yourself and know that there will come a time that you start to feel like yourself again. Barbara - I am sooo sorry you are feeling this way. Unfortunately you are in the throes of withdrawel. I have heard the Benadryl will help, but unable to take it due to sensitivity to it. My doc rx’d me Ativan for sleeping and I took Darvocet at night for the headaches. It’s 13 days later and I feel almost normal again. The headaches lasted an entire week, and I wasn’t able to take anything for them at work, so basically suffered through them until I got home. I know that’s impossible to do with Migraines though. I had all the sypmtoms you are describing, and then a week later the “brain zaps” began. I noticed a decrease in them yesterday and today I feel pretty good. I guess, what I’m trying to say, is there’s not too much else you can do to get through this. Decrease your stress. (probably easier said than done.) Have a family member take your daughter to see the fireworks - I know that’s not ideal, but right now you have to take care of yourself and get through this. Also, with only having a week to wean you basically quit cold turkey, which will make the withdrawal more severe at first. I did not switch to another anti-depressant, but I have heard that that has helped people. Just be careful and research it thoroughly. Be sure and let your doctor know of these symptoms - I work in the medical field and I tell all the doctors I know about this nightmare. Nobody in my practice prescribes it anymore. Doctors aren’t aware of how serious this is. They rely on the drug reps and journal articles to inform them. Another great support site you might want to look into is http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/index.php I found both of these sites so helpful during withdrawal. People know what you’re going through, can offer suggestions and just give you overall support during this time when you feel your world is topsy-turvy. Hang in there, you have a lot of people pulling for you. Be good to yourself and know that there will come a time that you start to feel like yourself again.

]]> Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Suck by Barbara http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5507 Barbara Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:35:10 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/severe-cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms/#comment-5507 Help! I lost my job and had to go on a new insurance that does not cover cymbalta. My doctor had no samples and gave me instructions to wean off but the thing is I only had a week left of 60 mg pills. I have been off them 3-4 days and now feel like crap - my migraines have been off the chart. I feel out of it, dizzy, nausea, diarrhea. Its july 4 and I can't even take my daughter to the fireworks. My mother is bringing me benadryl. I start celexa next week I have never taken it. If anybody has any suggestions please help me feel like normal again. Help! I lost my job and had to go on a new insurance that does not cover cymbalta. My doctor had no samples and gave me instructions to wean off but the thing is I only had a week left of 60 mg pills. I have been off them 3-4 days and now feel like crap - my migraines have been off the chart. I feel out of it, dizzy, nausea, diarrhea. Its july 4 and I can’t even take my daughter to the fireworks. My mother is bringing me benadryl. I start celexa next week I have never taken it. If anybody has any suggestions please help me feel like normal again.

]]> Comment on Happy Fourth Of July by Happy Fourth Of July http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/happy-fourth-of-july/#comment-5506 Happy Fourth Of July Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:29:40 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/happy-fourth-of-july/#comment-5506 [...] on this day I was about 6 months into my recovery. On the morning of July fourth I had written a Happy Fourth of July post talking about what this holiday meant to me. All of the reminiscing had gotten me pretty down [...] [...] on this day I was about 6 months into my recovery. On the morning of July fourth I had written a Happy Fourth of July post talking about what this holiday meant to me. All of the reminiscing had gotten me pretty down [...]

]]> Comment on Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms Being Kept Secret? by Lesly http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms-being-kept-secret/#comment-5505 Lesly Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:35:09 +0000 http://www.whatwinnersdo.com/cymbalta-withdrawal-symptoms-being-kept-secret/#comment-5505 Thank you Laurie. Reading posts in which people have made it through is very encouraging. I am heading off for a 2 week vacation, but will definitely file a report with the fda when I come back. Right now, just praying that I can enjoy my trip with my family... Thank you Laurie. Reading posts in which people have made it through is very encouraging. I am heading off for a 2 week vacation, but will definitely file a report with the fda when I come back. Right now, just praying that I can enjoy my trip with my family…

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