LynnG Tough Turkey

[LynnG]

Hi everyone, I suffer from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and when I say suffer I mean SUFFER. I had been taking Cymbalta, Lyrica and Lamotrigine for years, even though they did help somewhat, I felt that the effects of taking them were out weighing the symptoms of my illness. As my way of taking charge of my body again, I went cold turkey! For 8 days now....in complete and utter agony. Besides being in pain from the Fibro and extremely fatigued from the CFS, I now have this incredible headache that also brings along with it dizziness and nausea. I have flu like symptoms, inability to maintain my body temperature, I shiver even though I am not feeling cold. I am so irritable and hate everyone and every thing including myself. I question whether to continue with this or to retreat and go back on the meds and taper off as recommended? I hope to find answers here, something has to give and soon.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Lynn.

 

As I'm sure you know, cold turkey off psychiatric drugs is not recommended, for the reasons you're experiencing.

 

I suggest you IMMEDIATELY go back on half-doses of every one of the drugs you cold-turkeyed. Severe withdrawal syndrome can last a very long time.

 

I hope half-doses are sufficient to quell the withdrawal symptoms. You may need more.

 

Having shocked your nervous system by cold turkey, to take care of it, you'll need to take all the drugs consistently for at least a month to let your nervous system stabilize. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

At that point, you may wish to consider tapering Cymbalta see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/283-tips-for-tapering-off-cymbalta-duloxetine/

 

and http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/

[LynnG]

I sit here in tears as I read your reply, I want this to be over, so I will follow your suggestions. How do I know when my system has stabilized? Also, do I take a dose that completely takes away my withdrawal symptoms or do I take just enough to have some relief?

[Petunia]

Hi Lynn,

 

I'm sorry you are going through this, but you only went off your medication 8 days ago, so there is a very good chance you will be able to reinstate and stabilize and then begin a slow, safe taper.

 

I didn't know about this site when I stopped taking my meds, and came off them much too fast, by the time I tried to reinstate, my system was so out of balance, it didn't work, everything I tried, just made me feel worse.

 

Please read the links that Alto provided in her first post, read them in the order she listed them.  They will answer your questions, there is a lot of information, you may need to read them several times.

 

No one can give you a guarantee, but taking a half dose of what you were previously taking is a good starting place.  You may need to wait several weeks before you start to feel better.

 

You will find a lot of good information, friendly help and support here, I hope you start to feel better soon.

 

Petu.