I went to a pain management clinic for the first time today. I feel hopeful, but at the end of the session, the doctor told me she wants to take me off some of my meds (I’m currently on Cymbalta, Percocet, propranolol, trazadone, Lyrica, and lorazepam).
I’ve tried tappering off my cymbalta and percocet before. The withdrawal from both left me basically non functioning. I’m also a type 1 diabetic and because of all the stress and added pain, my blood sugars sky rocketed.
The thought of going off the cymbalta and percocet is so daunting. If it were just the getting over the hump, that’s bad enough. But the added pain? I’m already barely hanging on as it is.
I just don’t know what to do. I hate being dependent on the medication. At the same time, they’re what gives me enough relief to push through each and every day.
I’m so sick of being so sick. I just wish I could have my old body back. The constant pain is getting to be too much to handle.
I know, it BLEEEEEP sucks!!! Do you have a mental health therapist? Do you still have the same physician when you were weaned off the last time? Is it in your medical records on what happened to you? Can you talk to your pharmacist & get any ideas from him/her? Can you find a good Psychiatrist that understands the effectiveness/reactions of drugs & human bodies? M
I feel for u keep your head up y day I was unable to even think because of pain but gd nite sleep and pain not as bad today that’s what I find hard about this illness everyday different and it’s trying to find how to cope with daily changes big hug hope u feel better soon xxx
Luna,
Yes, I’m with the same physician who just so happens to also be my psychiatrist. I had decided myself to try to wean myself off cymbalta because I’ve gained over 50% of my body weight in less than 2 years since taking it. He has in his records my horrible reaction to it. The smallest tappering regiment he gave me was still too much. I take 60 mg twice daily. At 10 am and at 2pm. 2 hours after my missed dose, I can begin to feel the withdrawal side effects. And by day 2/3 my pain level has sky rocketed.
I’m also worried about the percocet and propranolol. After about a day without my propranolol, I get a migraine.
And as for the pain meds, it would be easier if I was simply a recreational user or an addict. At least then once the withdrawal process was over I’d feel better. All I have to look forward to is pain.
Chell,
Thank you for the support. I know exactly what you mean. It takes such a mental toll not being able to makes plans and be confident that I can keep them. And the daunting idea of waking up every morning to drudge through another day of pain sometimes is too much to think about.
Hi Olivia, I understand the idea of tapering off medications is scary, I've been there before. However, I can let you know per my personal experience a number of years ago, sometimes it can help to go off some medications. I was taking a few medications about 10 - 11 years ago and I wasn't really seeing benefit. I went off the medications with my doctor's support. After an initial period, I found I felt better. I started a gentle exercise program and slowly increased my physical activity. Along with stress management techniques and meditation and prayer, I managed to handle to Fibro symptoms pretty well without any medications for about 9-10 years. This last year I have added a medication for Neuropathy (nerve pain) which I now have - the medication is Gabapentin which also is commonly used for Fibro. I was pretty hesitant at first to start a med again but I am glad I did (after trial and error, the first med I tried I didn't tolerate and had to go off of it). I still use a lot of stress reduction techniques and now I do physical therapy exercises to help with pain control. I know that no one knows exactly how you will do with a medication taper but I wanted to share my story with you. The one thing I would strongly suggest is talking to your doctor about making only 1 medication change at a time. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Hugs!!!! Michelle
i agree about going off one med at a time. additionally i would not just skip a does but lower. it. that is how i have tapered off meds. please this discuss with you doc.. all the best
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGggs
suzie
Hi Olivia,
Sending you hugs, this is a tough time for you. It sounds like you have received some great advice and suggestions, and I will echo their words of talking to your doctor, and suggesting the tapering off of one med at a time. May I ask why it has been suggested you get off some of your meds? Hoping this time round things go better for you.
Singingtrees,
It was during my initial consultation with an MD at the pain management clinic that she suggested it. All she said was “I’d like to get you off some meds. You’re on a whole boatload.” Other than that, she didn’t specify. I know myself, even with the lorazepam and trazedone I still have issues staying asleep. So those I would be comfortable tappering off and replacing with a different treatment approach. I’m just hoping she agrees to wait until we implement other therapies BEFORE taking me off anything.
And thank you all for the support. I will keep the situation updated!!
Hello Olivia,
Just like to add my support to the situation you find yourself in. Lots of good advice on here already. All I can sy is work closely with your doc, mini steps and you might find you can get the same relief with less drugs. I know from here there are a lot of people on a lot of drugs, and that may not be the way forward with fibro. My doctor will only prescribe amitriptylene for me.
Take care, Anne
What is your doc's reason for taking you off some of your meds? Has she given you one? Do you feel it's a valid reason? The other thing is how have you been feeling on your meds, is it time to make changes? When I say a rheumy who specializes in Fibro I was already on Klonopin, Flexeril, and Gabapentin for my Fibro. I also take Percocet for my spine pain, seldom just as needed when my back kills me and the heating pad is not doing it's work (it does not help at all with the Fibro pain and 2 Metformins for my Diabetes. The rheumy added Celebrex and Prozac to the mix and it has worked wonderfully for me. My pain level has reduced tremendously.
The rheumy explained to me that it usually takes a multipronged approach. I wasn't sure, at first, if I should be adding even more meds, but what can I say it works for me.
Hugs, Farida
i totally know how u feel after 2 not so bad days im down again got so much pain my daughter made plans yday to spend day with me to watch film she seen i wis in pain and tired she went home to let me rest now i feel bad that she never stayed but i do need to rest i sometimes think how did i get here ?
big hug hope u ok xx
Chell,
Thank you for the support. I know exactly what you mean. It takes such a mental toll not being able to makes plans and be confident that I can keep them. And the daunting idea of waking up every mor