dear Jude, patti, Jim and Marieke,
While I haven't spent a long time thinking about getting off The
antidepressant because I had not noticed my improvements until they
reached the level of obvious and dramatic but I did weigh the pros
and cons and I was the one who asked the doctor to put me on it in
the first place.
I know I have more to come to terms with in my life after TM but my
body was not as affected as many others have been, Although my
damage is at C4-C5 I never lost mobility. My gait is natural and
none of my friends ever suspected I was Ill. but the pain from my
chest down was shocking... literally! its like I've had my finger
stuck in a light socket for over 2 years. When I went on Cymbalta I
wanted to quell the urge to jump off a cliff to make the pain stop
and I was angry that my otherwise able body should be filled with
incapacitating pain.
Now that the pain has lessened I feel that the drugs side effects:
drowsiness, fogginess, weight gain and some funny attitudes that are
hard to describe are getting in the way of my goals for this day and
the future. I've got 40 capsules left and I thought I'd take a full
month or more to slowly ween down. today I took a cap with 10 grains
removed and I figured I'd stay with that for a few days before moving
to 20 grains. I am still on Lyrica and it doesn't make me so sleepy,
If I miss the pain reduction of Cymbalta I'll ask for an increase of
Lyrica.
I will also have my Husband and Kids watching me 24/7 now that school
is out (hubby teaches High school) my 14 year old daughter is very
observant and we communicate quite well so she'll be in on the "mom
watch" if any time is good for me to try to go off this is it. I
think I'll also write in to you guys every reduction I make.
Thanks for all your help!
Mindy the Artist
On May 30, 2009, at 9:59 AM, heyjude48...@aol.com wrote:
Dearest Mindy,
It has only been two years for you. That is not a long time and
even though you may feel that you are emotionally healed and have
accepted your life the way it is now, I doubt that you have. You
would be exceptional if you were that stable. I'm not saying that
you are not stable, but from experience, I know how big the losses
are with TM and they sneak up on you years after you think you are
finished with them.
I would like others to comment on this one. It's very important
and I am interested in what you have to say.
Even with blessings from your doctor, Mindy, I would be very
careful and think this through thoroughly. I love you so much and
only want you to be safe, healthy and happy.
Love and Prayers,
Jude
In a message dated 5/29/2009 2:45:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
we4king...@verizon.net writes:
Dear friends.
I am continuing to feel better. Now that I look back I can see
that I have been Improving for about a month even though I'm passed
the 2 year mark. The hope it has given me above and beyond the
general "coming to terms" and "acceptance" that one should reach by
their 2 year mark, has made me decide that I am ready to get off my
antidepressant. I have read that Cymbalta is very difficult to
come off of and that other people have had good results opening the
capsules and reducing the dose incrementally themselves every few
days. I just spoke with my doctor and have her blessing in this
endeavor as she has had other patients wean off successfully doing
this.
Cymbalta saved my life and helped with the nerve pain in ways that
other antidepressants do not but I am ready to face the world
again. Will keep you all informed of my progress!
Mindy the Artist
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