I CANT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED

[guv338]

Today I went to my first visit to a MD/Shrink.  I'm 4 1/2 months off OC and 3 1/2 months off Suboxone.  It has been the hardest 3-4 months of my life, but some better as time goes by.   I did not go in for medication but felt like I needed to talk to someone with knowledge of all of this since my pain level is creaping up.  Within the first 10 minutes, the Dr. tried to put me back on the Suboxone.  Blew my mind.  Within the next 20 minutes, he offered me Tramadol, Ultram and several others.  I told him he could give me the Sub, but he would have to come to my house and ram it down my throat each morning or else I would never take it.  After about 45 minutes of this, I walked from his office with NO prescriptions, my choice, not his.  I had a big smile on my face as I left the building.  I really dont think these Doctors understand what we go through trying to get off of these pills.  For him to sit there and offer me more of these darn pills, OMG.  On my way out, he handed me some samples of Cymbalta, for the depression.  Has anyone had any luck, good or bad, with this drug?  If there is any chance that there are any type of withdrawals from it, I dont want it,  But if it will help with energy and drive, I might consider.  What do you all think?  Thanks.  Guv    

[lady67]

Kudos for turning down all the meds.  Why don't these doctors realize that the tramadol and ultram are just as addicting as the narcotic painkillers?  I think you are a very strong person to leave there without any meds.  I will keep you in my prayers
Susan

[Florida_Guy737]

If it was me, I probably would have messed with the doc by asking him if he really knew what he was doing....cool for you for doing what you did.  Stay away from the anti-dep and start exercising; nothing like natural endorphins to prevent depression.

Guy

[allaboutmary]

Cymbalta works great but.........you will have withdrawal from it. It has to be tapered off of.  It's also very expensive.
Congrat's on leaving there with no scripts !      It seems there are a lot of doctors out there like that.

[wanttobeclean]

Great job for turning down the scripts.  I don't think most docs have a clue about what addiction really is and what we do day in and day out to stay clean.  Its very sad.

I've been on Cymbalta for a year.  Started it about 3 weeks after I stopped oxycodone.  It has made a big difference for me.  2 things to keep in mind.  The first few times I took it, I had such a terrible reaction...about 3 hours after taking it, my skin was on fire, I felt my heart was going to beat out of my chest, I was nauseated and thought I was having a panic attack.  I called my doctor and he warned me that it was common, but only with the first few doses.  Your body gets used to it and within 3 or 4 days, I didn't have any more symptoms. And I noticed a significant difference in my mood and pain after about 2 weeks. It is covered by my insurance, so I just have to pay a 10 dollar co-pay, but I'm sure they can hook you up with more samples if you stick with it

Good Luck!!

[goldenarm]

I tried cym too for the same reasons.It made me feel really wierd for 4 days and i stopped it..

[jillian6]

Congrats for walking away.  I had to see a doc that was not my regular one - he offered me my DOC too - says he never even looked at my chart or he was seeing if I would take it, but I  think he seriously never looked at my chart.

I was tempted to take the script but turned it down too.  If you take the Cymb let me know - I take prozac and it does nothing for me.  I am bipolar so I've been on a lot of stuff - tried Cymb once but had the horrible side effects - I always tend to quit any med that has bad side effects without trying to get thru - probably a mistake.  I felt like I couldn't breathe so it scared me.  Good luck and post again with how it works!

[dominosarah]

Congrats on walking away from the scripts!!!!  Do you ever wonder if they REALLY listen??  Stay strong        sara

[guv338]

Thanks for the replies.  I woke up this morning and realized I had passed a fairly significant test.  I could have walked out of that office with any script I wanted, even my DOC, just for the asking.  At the time it just seemed like another dr. pushing his pills.  However, today I think it could have been a major turning point.  Could have gone either way.  I'm glad it went my way, not his.   He said I was setting myself up for a relapse, but I disagree.  If I dont have it, I wont take it.  I have decided not to take the Cymbalta and keep pushing through it my own way.  I have come to far to start relying on another pill.   Thanks again.  Guv

[indiana2008]

Cymbalta not only helps with depression, but it also is supposed to help with pain issues.  I tried it for a short time didnt notice that it was doing anything for me so I stopped it.  Just know that if you are suffering from depression there are so many depression meds out there so if one dont work talk with your doctor and find one that will work.  I feel there is one drug that will work for each individual.......good luck and way to go
Scott

[123456m]

Nothing at all wrong with a good SSRI. The trick is getting the right one for you.
With SSRI you just need to keep trying differnt ones. I like Celexa its very much like Lexapro but was made just before Lex it has less side effects but its a very specific SSRI it will work great or do nothing. Try a SSRI for 2 weeks if you do not feel better ditch it and try another. Some like Celexaa or Lexapro treat buth depression and aniexty and have very little sexual side effects like many others do just my opinion.
Peace

[Kevin_Bacon]

Nice job ... Cymbalta may indeed be useful for some people, but it's just Eli-Lily's slapped-together version of Effexor -- they were losing a fortune, mot having an SSNRI to compete.

You're wise to be equally cautious about Cymbalta -- class-action suits underway for liver failure, and it's un-guines-pigged AND it's very expensive.

Why mess up what you've accomplished?

P.S. Addiction docs always want to put you on Meth/sub; some for the dough, and some who really care about you and have read that "home-detox" is more dangerous than it is. Certainly the spike in blood pressure and the suicidal ideation in many during w/d is cause for concern, but you've really done well.  Just surviving the agony of getting off pills -- even in the short term -- is a test of resolve. That some can't do it is not a sign of a defective person; it's all in the wiring and the depth of your sadness.

Good Luck.