Cymbalta Withdrawal - Cold Turkey!

(Cathy) DON'T DO IT! 

Last week was a blur for me. It started with my appointment with the specialist who confirmed that I did have Reflex Sympathetic Syndrome. I was really not prepared to be told that I was still unable to go to work and I now have to take a "Fit to Drive" test to see if I can keep my driver's license. I was happy that my specialist told me that I could stop taking the Cymbalta cold turkey. If the pain came back in a rush I could start it again. As it did not help the pain I had no desire to keep taking it. 

Early the next morning my dad took Hubby and I to the hospital as Hubby had an appointment for a procedure. (that's a post for another day) We arrived at the hospital by six o'clock in the morning. By the time Hubby was discharged at about two o'clock in the afternoon I was starting to feel a little off centre and not sure if I was hungry or nauseous. We came home and I looked after Hubby all the while feeling like I needed someone to take care of me! Needless to say we went to bed early. I felt like I did not sleep a wink. I always dream, but these "dreams" where nothing like I have ever experienced. Strange and bizarre and surreal and made me feel sick. When I woke in the morning I thought... I cannot explain how I felt. Everything hurt, I was starved but felt like I was going to throw up. My eyes hurt to keep them open and also to keep them shut so I squinted. The worst was my head! I felt like there was someone inside stomping around and constantly ringing jingling bells. My brain felt like it was melting and oozing through my ears! I could not stay upright. I felt like hell but I had to look after Hubby. I just thought I was sick with the flu or something.

Hubby wondered if I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. We googled: Cymbalta withdrawal, cold turkey, and a plethora of information came up:

http://www.cymbaltawithdrawal.com/topic/3498-went-cold-turkey/

 Yes, I was experiencing withdrawal. One person wrote that every time they moved their head it felt like it was zapped with electricity! We could not get a hold of our doctor so we called our pharmacist who was quite surprised that at my dose of 60mg/day I was told to stop cold turkey. Cymbalta plays with your neurotransmitters so it was no wonder my head felt the way it did. Needless to say, I started taking it again and I have an appointment with my doctor to work out a schedule of withdrawal. 

Never did I ever feel like I did and I hope that this post and all of the information available on the Internet will help other people avoid going through what I went through.

Cathy

Fall Harvest of Garden Herbs using a Microwave Oven

(Cathy) I love to cook. As a result I have amassed a large collection of spices and herbs. Many of the fresh herbs that I use come straight from my garden. Nothing beats their flavour in cooking! The main issue for me at the end of the growing season is what to do with all of the fresh herbs still thriving. Over the years my mom and I have tried both drying and freezing our bounty of herbs. We have not liked the result. The frozen herbs do retain their colour and flavour somewhat but they are soggy and are only good for soups or stews. As for drying we have tried both hanging the herbs in bunches and placing them in a single layer on old window screens. The window screen method did work out the best for us but takes up a lot of space and time.

In my garden I grow: parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme; (anyone singing yet?), added to that is dill, mint, chives, cilantro and tarragon, oregano, bay laurel, basil and lemon thyme. Most of them are grown direct in the garden. The bay laurel, some basil and some rosemary are grown in pots which I can bring indoors for the winter. Over the years I have read many books and articles on the subject of drying and preserving herbs and one method has always piqued my interest: the use of the microwave oven for drying herbs. This year I turned to the trusty Internet to see what methods people prefer. There was an abundance of enthusiasm for the use of the microwave oven! I found one blog post that I really liked: http://simpledailyrecipes.com/5921/how-to-dry-fresh-herbs-in-a-microwave/

In her blog, Simple Daily Recipes, by Jill McKeever, she outlines step by step with photos the entire process start to finish. So, after reading Jill's post I went outside and started with my chives. Great success! I moved on to sage and I was off on a roll! The entire process takes little time and the result is so bright and fresh! 

I am so pleased with the result and look forward to enjoying my herb bounty all year long!

Cathy

It's Official, I Have Been Diagnosed.

(Cathy) After many months of frustration my doctor's have finally confirmed my diagnosis as "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" (CRPS), formally known as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" (RSD). I had understood that my doctors were leaning toward CPRS and I tended to agree after reading up on it on the Internet. I will provide a link to a very good clinical explanation of CRPS  below. 

Definition: CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is prolonged pain in the area of a previously injured arm or leg. The condition was previously known as RSD, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The pain is often associated with tissue swelling, increased sensitivity to touch, and hair/nail growth changes.

Also Known As: RDS

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/abbreviationsandterms/g/CRPS.htm

At the moment the hardest part for me is the realization that there is no known cure. Also, before I can ever drive again I have to take a capability test so as not to void out our car insurance. I am off work indefinitely. THIS WHOLE THING SUCKS! There, I said what I am feeling. I know and totally appreciate that my situation could be a lot worse. I just have to get used to a new way of living. Adaptation is a human speciality. I am just not ready to adapt yet. I am tired and upset and angry and in pain. My specialist took me off my pain medication "cold turkey" because of the drastic side effects on my personality. 

Here is a really good link: http://www.rsdfoundation.org/en/en_clinical_practice_guidelines.html

Thanks for listening.

Cathy

My Mother the Queen of Guilt

I am not much of a phone person.  My family would laugh at this comment as I do sleep with my Blackberry. Let me explain a little bit more.  I am not a phone call person.  I don't call friends or family to just have a good chat.  If I do call it is for a reason and I like to get to the point.  Now this doesn't mean I don't think of my loved ones but I like most people don't have a lot of time to sit a chat on the phone.  I am a huge fan of Text,  I can type up a sentence or two in seconds and I feel it is a great way to keep in touch with the people in your life.  A quick text here and there.  My sister who lives on the other side of the country can attest to my texting skills as we text each other two three times a week.  My oldest daughter and I have some of our best conversations through text.  So with all that being said I texted my Mom a couple of weeks ago asking her to start to think what she would like for Christmas this year.  I understand it is only August but I like to be organized and as most women I am busy and have limited shopping time.  Also just like my phone calling I don't go browsing, when I shop I have a list and like to get the job done as quick and effortlessly as possible. 

A week later I received this email from my Mom.

Good afternoon and welcome home.

I got your text the other day in regards to Christmas and yes you are shopping early. Right away I new what I wanted. However I thought I should think about it for a day or two just to make sure that it is what I wanted. And yes it is.

Here is my list:

• 1. to spent one weekend every second month with you at your house.
• 2. for you to come to the city one day every second month to spend the day with me.
• 3. for you to call me once a week and chat for at least 10 minuets

I heard through the grape vine that you can find these items in your heart and that they are going for an incredible low price of just 18 days a year and 520 minutes.

If you can get me these thing then there is no need for any other gifts for Christmas.

Love from your eccentric old mother who will be collecting her old age pension by the time Christmas rolls around.

So I ask what the heck am I supposed to do with this!  As usual I sent a text to my sister and she replied "LMFO".  I texted back how do you handle this guilt emails and how often does she call Mom.  She  took a few minutes to reply and when she finally did she apologized as she had just got off the phone with our Mother.  Obviously my sister was not going to be of any help. 

I thought about it for a few days and then like the loving daughter I am I replied.

Hmmm,  gift cards it is.  :)

Sent from my BlackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

Carolin

Keeping in Touch

(Sunshine)  Hello everyone.  How are you all doing?  (Carolin) Just hunky dory Sunshine, how you doing?

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping.  It is hot, hot, hot.  I am getting a tan right now as I am blogging and my computer is by the window.  This is officially week 2 of summer vacation and the kids being off school.   It was very hot last week, thankfully it has cooled down a bit this week.  The little one is in swimming lessons this week and last.  Her lesson is 45 minutes long so while she swims I go for a brisk walk around the lake by the rec centre.  I can do three laps of the lake in 30 minutes.  It is much easier to walk this week then last that is for sure.  Today after my walk we came home I made breakfast for us and then we went in the yard and weeded the vegetable garden.  Holy Weeds Batman!  The cool part is once the weeds were removed I found two large yellow zucchinis ready to be eaten.  I think I will cook them up tomorrow as we are just having burgers tonight.  Tomatoes are coming along and the corn is getting very tall. The peppers are starting to form but the plants are still small.  I was pleased to see there are some peas actually growing as both the peas and beans are small due to the rabbits constantly eating them. 

I was at the farmers market this past Saturday, I haven't been in a long time and Wow has it grown.  The farmers I used to buy from are still there but there is a lot more stuff.  Lots of ready made food, artisans, crafters, meat farmers, cheese makers etc.  I was pleasantly surprised and will try to go more often. 
Is anyone watching the bachelorette?  I am hooked as usual and can't wait to see who she picks and if it will finally work out.  Sorry Sunshine I don't watch this show but I have been getting Anthony Bourdain's, "No Reservations", from the library and enjoying them.

We are going  away next week for 10 days or so to Boston and surrounding area.  I booked the hotel last night on line.  Boston is very expensive to visit so I was fortunate to find a hotel outside of Boston for $100.00 a night.  We are planing to do all the sights in Boston, visit Salem, and perhaps go to Cape Cod.  I am looking forward to the trip as I have wanted to visit Boston for a long time now. Also, I always enjoy driving vacations were we can stop whenever we want and take detours and have adventures.  The Teenager who isn't a teenager anymore will not be going with us as she has to work.  So if any benchers are in the neighbourhood you are welcome to keep an eye on my home.  Especially on the weekend!!!!


(Cathy) Hi all, I am late to post this week and I think we missed last week. Thanks Ladies for all of the news. I really enjoyed reading it all. Sunshine, will you keep us updated on "the Bachelorette"? I always enjoyed your updates from the past. Carolin, have a great time in Boston! Hubby  has also always wanted to go. One day we will get there I hope. Your garden sounds great! Mine needs work. As for the farmer's market, I did read in the newspaper that it was expanding this year, maybe I will get there.


Have a wonderful day everyone!!!!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi everyone. So, here's what is new with me. I went to the Physiatrist last Tuesday morning. She spent about an hour and a half with me. Everyone says that that is really good. She did her exam and after seeing all of the results of my previous tests she wants to do a bone scan and MRI my brain! Yep, MRI my brain! What next? Will this ever end? She changed my medication, which I was only on for two weeks, and now has me on something that I cannot remember at the moment. Chris the pharmacist sees me every two weeks! The Physiatrist gave me enough repeats of this new drug to last me eight months! What does that mean? Does anyone else out there suffer from a chronic nerve injury? How are you dealing with it? Can you work?

(Sunshine) Cathy, this thing is sounding stranger and stranger. You must be getting so frustrated.

About last weeks post, I thought it made sense. Would you like me to explain it all over again? LOL!

NO THANK YOU.(Carolin) I wasn't really paying attention the first 50 times so please don't explain anymore.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!!!



How is everyone celebrating? Happy Birthday to Mr. Sunshine! This is the first time in forever that I have not been home for Mr. Sunshine's Birthday. I was working and it was such a strange feeling not to be there but he had a good day with Little Miss Sunshine. We are all off on the Monday even Miss Teen Sunshine so we will be celebrating then. However, you know Mr. Sunshine, he likes to absolutely nothing and see no one but me and the kids on his Birthday. He is back on his health kick, so he is eating next to nothing and he went for a run this morning. He and the girls took grandma and grandpa out for lunch and came buy to see me for my break at work before Miss Teen Sunshine went to work. Its always fun to see them part way through my shift as they come by often.

I as well worked Canada Day, but I have catered Canada day events for a few years. I get myself all worked up before I cater things. Can't sleep, making a zillion list, double, triple checking. But in the end all went well, the Beef Kabobs were amazing, and I was told by one musician that my roast potatoes were 'BOMB!'

I went and meet with the psychologist who preformed the ADD testing on the little one. After two hours of blah, blah, blah the results are she has a new label ADHD. It seems from April to June there is no longer ADD all have variations of ADHD. So the little one has ADHD with out the H part. Now I am working on trying to get an appointment with the little one's cardiologist so we can discuss what meds are best for her with all her other issues. I was very upset and angry at first but i am slowly coming to terms with it. Now we need to learn about the different medications that are available and what we feel is best for her if any.

I cant seem to change the colour here to green :(
We are having a problem with are cat and maybe someone out there can give us some help (getting rid of him is not an option by the others in the family)

We now have two litter boxes for him and he still will pee on the spare bedroom bed and pillows. I have thrown them all out last week and will have to go buy a new mattress and pillows. Also we have some big pillow in the living room for extra seating and he has started to pee on them. I have washed them all power washed the pillow inside (thankfully the cover comes off). The pillows in the living room is a more recent thing. I have had it so I told the family he is now an outside cat and can only come in at night so he doesn't get hurt by raccoons and such. Does anyone know why he would do this and how to stop it. He is not aggressive and puts up with a lot from the little one. He is affectionate and the girls have him trained to lick there cheek when they say "give me kisses" . He just a year old and has been fixed. What do I do?

Summer is really finally here. What a heat wave. Gotta love that sunshine. It is a hot one out there.

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

Keeping in Touch

(Cathy) Hi all! How is everyone? This past week's weather has been amazing! I love it! (I did finally turn on the air conditioning for the men in this family who cannot sleep with the high heat and humidity) My garden is doing so well. Hey Carolin, the famous irises from me to you to me finally flowered this year. Guess what colour..... you got it.....yellow! The name of this particular iris is, " Iris Florentina". Aren't your Iris's always a different colour ever year?  I purchased it at Richter's in Goodwood, ON. Richter's is a garden nursery that specializes in herbs of all kinds. Click on the link above to see their web site. I love this place! I haven't been in a while because they always have a booth at the garden shows I attend. It's a nice drive.  (carolin) Have you ordered anything from them online?  I am interested in the Stevia seed packs. I think I have met the owner years ago while working for a photographer.  Caroline, you have had so many interesting jobs.  You are one of those people who never stops doing new and interesting things.  I didn't even know that you could buy a stevia plant.

 So, back to the iris. I purchased it as I was into making my own potpourri with flowers and seeds from my own garden. The root of the Iris Florentina is called, "orris root". Orris root when dried and ground up is used as a "fixative" for scents. In other words, it helps the scent last longer. So, mom and I would dry our flowers and seeds and then mix them with a few drops of whatever "essential oils" we chose. After, we would lightly dust our mixture with the dried orris root powder. It was a fun way to use our garden. We used to have old window screens supported on chairs in the basement. This was our drying factory. It took up a lot of space but it was a fun time. I haven't made pot pourri in a long time. I still have some essential oils and ground up orris root powder. Hmmmm....  Hmmm is right, you lost me on Orris Root, I don't know what you are rambling about. (Sunshine)  I am so lost, I thought that I was reading someone else's blog.


O.K., I think I have taken up a lot of space. Ladies, what have you been up to? It has been my first week of summer vacation.  I did alot of errands, and running around.  The little one finished school on Friday (22).  Grade six is behind us :)  . 

I went to the movies last night and saw Snow White and the Huntsman.  It was not bad as a story line.  I am not much of a fan of Kristen Stewart (her character style is the same as in Twilight).  It got a little long or maybe it felt that way cause I had to pee but was so cold I was afraid to move.  Why do movie theaters have the air conditioning so low.  I had a sweater on but my nose was frozed.  We saw the movie Brave on the weekend.  It was ok.  The story line started our really good but we all kind of lost interest in the middle and then the ending was better.  It reminded me of the Brother Bear Movie. 

I have been planning a Canada Day menu for 30 people on and off today.  The client wants the same as last year but different! 

This is the last week of school for :Little Miss Sunshine, and Miss Teen Sunshine starts work full time this week.  I am working all weekend.  I think that it is going to be a very different summer this year.  We will have to see how it all works our.  It is now four weeks until the knew deck goes in.  This coming week is a busy one.  Lot of running around and work.  I actually think that this week I may be logging in more hour then Mr Sunshine.




Enjoy your week everyone!