Has anyone ever been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for nerve pain?

Posted by dougs72 @dougs72, Jun 22 7:24am

Has anyone ever been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for nerve pain? I've had 2 doctors push this on me. I know that the side effects can be terrible and getting off of it difficult as it requires titration. One time I remember taking one pill, and not liking the way it made me feel, so not taking any more, and still feeling the "weirdness" from it 2-3 days later. and that was only 30 mg Please pass along any experience or advice from this medication?

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ahenrybird7 | @ahenrybird7 | Jul 11 8:24am

In reply to @raynay56 "Yes, my doctor has me on this!" + (show)

Yes, It helps a great deal with my fibromyalgia and worsening osteoporosis.
I do have a deteriorated cervical vertebrae, so I think this is nerved
being impinged, too. PT also helps!

mordy | @mordy | Jul 11 8:44am

I was started on Cymbalta and didn't do anything for me. Then I was put on Lyrica. That stopped working as well. Then I was put on Morphine pills. Also stopped working. Unfortunately I had to have a Morphine pump installed in my belly and I recieve Morphine 24/7 ongoing without a break for my neuropathic pain and Cronic Pain Syndrome.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 11 6:58pm

In reply to @AlwaysHopeful "Stay away from it. I had a horrible experience while withdrawing from it even though I..." + (show)

I hope I can avoid the need for any med for pain, but my insurance requires me to try Duloxetine before they will cover Lyrica.

littlewoman22 | @littlewoman22 | Jul 11 10:27pm

Yes. I am on 60 mg a day for trigeminal neuralgia, a damaged nerve in my face.

KarlosWaterman | @KarlosWaterman | Jul 12 5:34am

It works for me. I was a long time Gabapentin and Lyrica (Pregabalin) user and needed to change to another med to manage my peripheral neuropathy pain. The transition was rough. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is a powerful medication. I had slight nausea, feelings of fatigue, and a sensation of being slightly disoriented. The initial dosage was 30 mg which was increased to 60 mg four weeks later for long-term maintenance.

Overall duloxetine has proven to be a better pain manager than the gabapentin and pregabalin mix that I was previously using, but for many people it has one very serious side effect - erectile dysfunction. Due to my age, past 80, and the age of my spouse, this is no longer an issue for us, but were we younger it would be quite significant.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 12 6:43am

In reply to @KarlosWaterman "It works for me. I was a long time Gabapentin and Lyrica (Pregabalin) user and needed..." + (show)

I’m so glad you posted this. I’m female, so wonder if it would affect my sexual response. That is a vital thing for me. Hope my burning stays down, so I don’t have to make that decision.

ichbindck | @ichbindck | Jul 12 12:32pm

No can do. I have Chronic Kidney Disease (eGFR less than 15 mL/min)

Always Hopeful | @AlwaysHopeful | Jul 12 9:06pm

In reply to @celia16 "I hope I can avoid the need for any med for pain, but my insurance requires..." + (show)

Sorry to hear that. I'm quite happy with Lyrica - so just focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and do be very precise and deliberate about tapering down from Duloxetine if you do take it and then taper down.

germangirlvt | @germangirlvt | Jul 13 9:48am

Hi there

I have been on 90mg duloxetine and 900mg Gabapentin for a couple of years now to control nerve pain related to my cervical spinal stenosis and other ‘pain in the neck’.

It has managed to keep the pain in check but the side effects are definitely present with a lack of libido, drowsiness, etc.
I had been on Zoloft and Gabapentin before and that combo had stopped working.

I think all of these anti depressants used off label for never pain will have their pros and cons and in the end it was a discussion I had with my pain doc about what side effects are more acceptable.

I’ve been dealing with severe sciatica and back pain the last year due to three herniated lumbar discs on top of spinal stenosis in my lumbar region none of the available meds, including steroid injections and nerve ablation made a difference, so surgery is the next step.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | Jul 13 10:26am

In reply to @KarlosWaterman "It works for me. I was a long time Gabapentin and Lyrica (Pregabalin) user and needed..." + (show)

Tried Cymbalta to get off ametriptoline at age 78 still a terrible and impossible transition for me. Side effects horrible stomach aches, sleepless nights