Second Guessing

I believe there comes a time during the withdrawal process that one begins to second guess if this was the correct decision.  Whether you made the decision on your own, or if it was made for you (ran out of meds, couldn't pay for them, etc.), the feelings of regret kick in. ...  Can I really make it without (insert drug name here)?
That's pretty much what I am experiencing now.  It's been a little over  a month Cymbalta free and I am feeling on the low end as far as my emotions are concerned - but after the terrible withdrawal that I have been through - do I really want to go back again?  I think not!  So the question I need to ask myself is, how do I support a healthy mindset so that I don't get sucked back into the black hole?  Well, I have a few ideas:

• writing;
• reading, but keep it light (think fashion/gossip mags or funny/romance books);
• exercise -which in various studies has been shown to work BETTER than antidepressants;
• playing with the kids (if you don't have any, play with your friends' or neighbors' children);
• more girls' night out (or, if you are a guy, make the appropriate adjective change);
• a new hobby, or even an old hobby that you may haven't nurtured in a long time and;
• video games - puzzle, shooter, action, RPG, racing, whatever suits you

This is a good starting point, I'm sure you can think of more.

Now, I'm off to read OK! Magazine.

Cymbalta come down part duex

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I'm into week 4 of my detox from Cymbalta and I must admit that I am finally beginning to feel more like myself.  Whoopeee!!! When I first ran out of my pills, I had no idea that the journey would be so hard.  Who knew that coming off of an antidepressant would cause one to feel like they had a major case of the flu? 

All I can say for those of you considering stopping this drug abruptly -don't, if you can help it. 
It is definitely NOT a walk in the park! 

While getting off this drug you will:

• Cry for no apparent reason at all
• Feel like you have a killer case of "morning sickness" that last all day
• Snap at your children, husband, wife, co-workers and other innocent bystanders
• Be completely exhausted
• Experience muscle aches
• Want to make hasty, rash and often ill-advised decisions that make absolutely no sense (i.e. quit your job that you love, run away from home, or shave your head bald ala Britney Spears)

This is just some of the unpleasantness that you can expect to encounter when you decide to discontinue the use of these meds.  Actually, let me rephrase that - this is just some of the unpleasantness that I encountered when I was thrust into this predicament! :)  Your individual experience may vary and I advise you to proceed with caution. 

There are many websites out there that can offer advice about the best way to get off of Cymbalta and other antidepressants.  You could use your favorite search engine to find them.  A couple of good ones that I like are cymbaltawithdrawal.com and theroadback.org.  Both offer forums where you can connect with others seeking to break free from antidepressants and get some pretty good suggestions on natural supplements you can try to ease symptoms.

The good news though is that there is a light at the end of the "withdrawal tunnel" and thank God that I have seen the light!  Now, I just need to focus on keeping myself from getting back on that horse again.

Cymbalta Come Down

About a month ago, I ran out of my beloved Cymbalta. The first week went okay, but by the second week I was miserable. It was about this time that I decided that I was through with taking this medication. Here's a little bit about how it's been going so far.

Oh, Cymbalta, Cymbalta...how I loved thee - but after this month of misery I will never pop another one of your beautiful, ocean-blue pills into my mouth again!

The nausea, nightsweats, shakes and anxiousness that kept me awake...
My mood swings and crying spells were just too much to take.
Joint pain and muscle weakness - could you give me a break?
All I want is to be free from your tight embrace!
Thoughts of suicide no longer swim in my head.
My life is amazing and I don't want to be dead.
In fact I'm moving forward -striving to new heights.
But now that I don't need you anymore, you still put up a fight.
Like an abusive lover who does not want me to leave.
Not having you has beat me down recently.
Let me go! Let me go!
Is all that I scream
For I am sooooo determined to break free.
Don't get me wrong, Cymbalta. I appreciate you.
For all the tough times, that you helped me get through.
The time is now, for me though, to move on.
I won't forget you or the road we tread on.