It’s taken me several months to get cracking on this particular subject, partly because I think it’s meant having to face up to reality.
I wanted to ask the question: Can we truly justify taking the medication that we do?
Now first, let me tell you. My family has time and again conversed with me about the long term dangers of taking medication for anything.
And I have been adamant that if medication gives me some quality of life, then I’d rather take the quality than live a longer, miserable life in pain, with such debilitating exhaustion and other symptoms, that I can’t work or do any of the simple things that would make me feel fulfilled.
Might sound daft but when you face the harsh realities of living with fibromyalgia and depression you become desperate to find a way to live and not just exist. I’ve been tired of existing.
Tapering off?
So many sufferers can’t work, have a family life or partner, and pursue their dreams… Sure, I hear you say all things are possible with sacrifice. I know it. But it is not easy doing any of the aforementioned things when you’re so exhausted you can’t life yourself out of bed, or hold your arm up long enough to comb your bloomin hair.
So I say gimme some quality of life and I’ll take what I get with the meds thanks.
I started questioning my position on this when I forgot to renew my prescription a couple times and went for some days without my Cymbalta and then, another time Lyrica.
I cold sweated, and felt so nauseous and dizzy I didn’t know what to do with myself. I started thinking, is this what I’d have to relive when and if I decide to taper off? Especially since my meds have been causing much weight gain?
Suffice it to say, I couldn’t function at work or home. The meds have helped me to function, but I wondered too, if this is what I suffer for withdrawing, what’s happening inside of my body in the long term?
This is a difficult one. Is there really a way to weight the pros of taking the meds over the cons? I’ve still not found the answers I’m looking for, and I am exploring to see what the alternatives are, when I’m in a better position to taper off the meds.
I really like this post. It hits close to home. I have had questions over the years about the medication I was on. Was it too much, was it not enough, was it the right medications, etc. Having found myself without a pain doctor (his license was revoked), I had no choice but to taper off the meds I had left. I had no where to turn. The doctor they were sending patients to refused me because I lived in another state. So I tried a new pain management place in the town I live, needless to say I was in more pain than before. Going through 4 months of shear hell,, withdrawls, pain, new pain the new doctor caused, no pain medication (he did not believe in it)., etc. I became reclusive, withdrawn, anti social, could not eat, could not sleep because of the dang gone nightmares. I was a mess.
Finally, I got some senses back into my through the use of Protandim. It gave me a better sense of who I was and I was able to again reach out to my Primary Physician for help. Although she cannot prescribe the harder meds, she did help me with what she legally could. She is now trying to locate a GOOD pain management doctor closer to me.
I am now coming out of the dark box I have been in. I was swallowed by the darkness. And I know anyone with any type of chronic pain understands what I am saying. I would much prefer to grow and see my grandchildren and live a half way normal life, than live in a dark box with now way out. I want my meds.
thank you for your time
Sara Davis
HI Sara, thanks so much for taking time to share with us. I empathise with you. It is a great dilemma but in the end we know how badly we want some quality of life, and some chance to live with those we love. If medication gives us some degree of this, it’s very hard to turn away from that. I hope you’re able to find a decent pain management doctor soon.
Gentle hugs:)
You can just type in the site address http://www.invisiblef.com and post it as a comment on your Facebook page. If u want a specific post to show up, like this one for instance, click on the subject of the particular post ‘Can we justify the meds’ and copy and paste the URL on ur Facebook page. Understand?
I am currently in the process of tapering off my meds – Cymbalta, which I have been on with a 60mg dose for about a year and a half (or maybe a bit more) now. I never planned to be on it for more than a few years and while it has been helping with the fibro pain I have still been experiencing major depressive episodes. The depressive episodes became too much and I decided that if I was going to be depressed it wasn’t going to be while on anti-depressants. The tapering process has been going very smoothly, and I am even doing it a bit more quickly than the doctor recommended. While my pain has increased slightly I am managing it through other methods – epsom salt baths and magnesium oil – and the depression has not been nearly as severe. I say do what feels right for you when it comes to meds. There’s no harm in trying them but personally, I believe that other methods such as lifestyle choices and natural, homeopathic methods are just as effective and better for you. It takes longer to find what works, but it allows you to have more control over your body and symptoms.
Thanks for your input fiercefibrogirl! Very glad that the tapering off has been going well for you. I agree with you mostly, only that I think each sufferer is so different and what works for one might not work for all. Gentle hugs:-)
Yes I totally agree! I wish you the best of luck in finding what works best for you. It’s a difficult and ongoing process and it definitely sucks. I am so impressed by how positive you manage to stay, keep that up through it all!
Aww thanks hunny! I hope it continues to go well for you! Ultimately I’d like to come off as well but right now I’m struggling with anxiety over how I’d cope when faced with bad pain phases.
Lovely smile btw! 🙂
Wait until you’re in a place where it won’t cause you anxiety. I’m sure you will figure it out in your own time. So far so good I am down to the lower dose almost daily and hopefully will be med-free within a month!
Thank you for the compliment 🙂 I try to share my smile with the world the way you are sharing your smile and laughter!
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
I really like this post. It hits close to home. I have had questions over the years about the medication I was on. Was it too much, was it not enough, was it the right medications, etc. Having found myself without a pain doctor (his license was revoked), I had no choice but to taper off the meds I had left. I had no where to turn. The doctor they were sending patients to refused me because I lived in another state. So I tried a new pain management place in the town I live, needless to say I was in more pain than before. Going through 4 months of shear hell,, withdrawls, pain, new pain the new doctor caused, no pain medication (he did not believe in it)., etc. I became reclusive, withdrawn, anti social, could not eat, could not sleep because of the dang gone nightmares. I was a mess.
Finally, I got some senses back into my through the use of Protandim. It gave me a better sense of who I was and I was able to again reach out to my Primary Physician for help. Although she cannot prescribe the harder meds, she did help me with what she legally could. She is now trying to locate a GOOD pain management doctor closer to me.
I am now coming out of the dark box I have been in. I was swallowed by the darkness. And I know anyone with any type of chronic pain understands what I am saying. I would much prefer to grow and see my grandchildren and live a half way normal life, than live in a dark box with now way out. I want my meds.
thank you for your time
Sara Davis
HI Sara, thanks so much for taking time to share with us. I empathise with you. It is a great dilemma but in the end we know how badly we want some quality of life, and some chance to live with those we love. If medication gives us some degree of this, it’s very hard to turn away from that. I hope you’re able to find a decent pain management doctor soon.
Gentle hugs:)
Thank you so much. I knew you would understand.
No worries my dear. We must support each other:-) stop by anytime x
I have a question. How can I get this site on my FB feed?
You can just type in the site address http://www.invisiblef.com and post it as a comment on your Facebook page. If u want a specific post to show up, like this one for instance, click on the subject of the particular post ‘Can we justify the meds’ and copy and paste the URL on ur Facebook page. Understand?
think so, thank you
I am currently in the process of tapering off my meds – Cymbalta, which I have been on with a 60mg dose for about a year and a half (or maybe a bit more) now. I never planned to be on it for more than a few years and while it has been helping with the fibro pain I have still been experiencing major depressive episodes. The depressive episodes became too much and I decided that if I was going to be depressed it wasn’t going to be while on anti-depressants. The tapering process has been going very smoothly, and I am even doing it a bit more quickly than the doctor recommended. While my pain has increased slightly I am managing it through other methods – epsom salt baths and magnesium oil – and the depression has not been nearly as severe. I say do what feels right for you when it comes to meds. There’s no harm in trying them but personally, I believe that other methods such as lifestyle choices and natural, homeopathic methods are just as effective and better for you. It takes longer to find what works, but it allows you to have more control over your body and symptoms.
Thanks for your input fiercefibrogirl! Very glad that the tapering off has been going well for you. I agree with you mostly, only that I think each sufferer is so different and what works for one might not work for all. Gentle hugs:-)
Yes I totally agree! I wish you the best of luck in finding what works best for you. It’s a difficult and ongoing process and it definitely sucks. I am so impressed by how positive you manage to stay, keep that up through it all!
Aww thanks hunny! I hope it continues to go well for you! Ultimately I’d like to come off as well but right now I’m struggling with anxiety over how I’d cope when faced with bad pain phases.
Lovely smile btw! 🙂
Wait until you’re in a place where it won’t cause you anxiety. I’m sure you will figure it out in your own time. So far so good I am down to the lower dose almost daily and hopefully will be med-free within a month!
Thank you for the compliment 🙂 I try to share my smile with the world the way you are sharing your smile and laughter!
Woohoo!! that’s great news!! almost meds-free!! you must let me know how it feels when you totally come off and what changes you notice.
And thanks again for sharing all the positive and good stuff;)