Withdrawal Facts

In her previous article, Laura Vigiano, 68, a former licensed clinical social worker described working alongside psychiatrists in a psychiatric hospital for 18 years and never hearing one word about withdrawal.

Then she tried to go off Cymbalta and “all hell broke loose” and “the akathisia hit with a vengeance”.

“When I began to fall asleep my body would jolt awake as if sleep was dangerous. I felt like I was shaking inside. I could not eat food. I forced myself to drink soup and smoothies. My arms felt like they were burning—not painful, but hot and prickly (this burning sensation is called paresthesia). In the pit of my stomach was a ball of fire sending out electrical shards of terror. The ball of fire and the burning on my arms came and went with waves of dread. At times while lying in bed, my pulse was 160 bpm.

The burning, intense fear and inner shaking were overwhelming. All I could do was lie in bed clinging with white knuckles to my sanity like I was a tiny dinghy in the middle of the ocean being battered by waves much too big for my fragile boat, with no hope of rescue.”

Read Laura’s full article here on her withdrawals, slow tapering journey and akathisia battles: https://www.madinamerica.com/2025/04/akathisia-after-a-five-year-taper-chained-to-an-antidepressant-forever/?

Laura wrote her previous piece for Prescribed Harm Awareness Day 2021, link in comments section. A true warrior and safe tapering advocate 💜

#StephensVoice #YourVoice #LaurasVoice

𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨

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Author: GreatCosmicMothersUnited

I have joined with many parents affected with the surreal , yet accepted issue of child abuse via Pathogenic Parenting / Domestic abuse. As a survivor of Domestic Abuse, denial abounded that 3 sons were not affected. In my desire to be family to those who have found me lacking . As a survivor of psychiatric abuse, therapist who abused also and toxic prescribed medications took me to hell on earth with few moments of heaven. I will share my life, my experiences and my studies and research.. I will talk to small circles and I will council ; as targeted parents , grandparents , aunts , uncles etc. , are denied contact with a child for reasons that serve the abuser ...further abusing the child. I grasp the trauma and I have looked at the lost connection to a higher power.. I grasp when one is accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like discrimination.. Shame and affluence silences a lot of facts , truths that have been labeled "negative". It is about liberation of the soul from projections of a alienator , and abuser ..

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