Positive input for Cymbalta relieving anxiety, depression and pain

Do you mind if I ask how much your husband weighs and if he has any side effects?

Thank you for your input. I am having right sided diaphragm pain and muscular pain. I am on 20 mg for 5 days and now on 40 mg for 6 days. Was hoping I could get by on a lower dose and did not know how long it would take to start working. Also treating anxiety and depression. But pain control is a big goal for me. Ty!

@crbarefoot I am on 20mg of Cymbalta (duloxetine) for anxiety and depression. This is a low dose that I have stayed on for a few years. I don’t take it for neuropathic pain so I cannot comment on that. It works for me for anxiety and depression. If I increased the dosage (at one time I was on 30mg) I get more relief from anxiety symptoms but I decided that I wanted to use my mindfulness practice and coping skills along with this lower dose. So I do get anxiety symptoms that are triggered for a situation or event and I use my skills. I can function and live a good life even when anxiety symptoms do occur because I know now how to manage. The Cymbalta helps to make anxiety and depression manageable. By the way, I haven’t had any side effects even when I started Cymbalta.

Are you taking something else for anxiety, depression and neuropathic pain and you are switching to Cymbalta?

Can you please explain your mindfulness practices and coping skills? How and where did you learn them ? My primary care wanted me to take Cymbalta but I always check any new medications interactions with present medications and I take Eliquis so Cymbalta is not for me. I do suffer with terrible anxiety. I take Xanax as needed presently. Thank you!

@kathy513 There are a number of mindfulness practices that are helpful and it took me many times of practice to figure out what works for me. I now have a toolbox of mindfulness practices and coping skills so if one practice doesn't work then I try another.

It's important to practice these when you don't need them. Then you will have the practiced skill when you are feeling anxious because you've already learned how to practice these.

I figure it's like swimming. I learned to swim as a young child and I practiced a lot and took swimming classes. If I never fall into the water say from the side of a pool, pier or a boat I'd be less likely to drown because I already know how to swim and I have lifesaving skills I learned in these swimming classes. (this assumes the water is warm enough).

I have a practice where I combine mindfulness with cognitive/behavioral skills.

1) Aware - look around, be aware of your surroundings, look at what's around you and describe it to yourself.
2) Feelings - What am I feeling? This refers to emotions. Where am I feeling this in my body. I put my hand to the places on my body where I feel anxiety. This is most often in my belly because this is where adrenaline is released in the adrenal medulla stucture.
3) Thoughts - What are my thoughts? Pay attention to these thoughts? Are these thoughts rational? Reasonable? If not, how can I reframe these thoughts?
4) Breathe - I breathe at the end of all these steps however I am also taking slow breaths during this practice.

Here are some good mindfulness practices guided by Tara Brach. I learned many of my practices online from. her:

Tara Brach Guided Meditations:

-- https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/

I learned many practices on my own after first suggested by a psychologist I saw many years ago. I also do Yoga with Adriane and she incorporates following your breath.

Yoga with Adriene:

-- https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

Does these help explain?

@crbarefoot That all sounds like a good plan. Is Cymbalta what your medical provider recommended when you discussed tapering off clonazepam and gabapentin?

I am on 60mg of Cymbalta and it has helped me a lot with fibromyalgia and neuropathy pain. I have more energy and can get through my days now. The only side effect was when I started it I had a bit of nausea so doctor told me to take it after breakfast, which helped.

Thank you! I am wondering if I can get pain relief on 40 mg. I think I already feel better. I would like to keep it at the lowest dose possible. Glad you are doing so well!

Thank you! I am wondering if I can get pain relief on 40 mg. I think I already feel better. I would like to keep it at the lowest dose possible. Glad you are doing so well!