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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@bunnybear

Cymbalta helps me greatly with no perceived side effects on my 2nd time trying it at a reduced dose. It also was a “miracle” for my mother (her description) . It took away severe arthritis pain in her hands.
However, the first time I took it, I was started at 40 mg and had such nausea, I couldn’t get off the couch all day. In desperation and knowing how well it had served my mother I tried it again years later, only at 20 mg plus an anti-nausea drug and had absolutely no problems after that.

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Side effects after two months rendered my wife immobile. Ie. Unable to walk 200 ft. On level surface. Beware terrible drug, just saying the truth!

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Ya currently on that and Pregabalin..tried to wean off duloxotine and had same problem, was on 30 mg e very other day and started having shocks from it so went back to every day. This was in November before back surgery. Had laminectomy and discectomy done. Stayed on duloxotine and am still on it as im on plethora of other drugs. The surgery helped but now pain shooting down my leg again as i wean off pregablin. Was on 600, started weaning off several weeks ago. Now down to 400. It wasn't too bad at first now i can hardly sleep at night anymore cause of weaning off effects

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@dianeflorida

Cymbals made me feel great but caused low sodium and some side effects from that

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I am also dealing with low sodium. How did you establish the connection? I wasn't aware of it. Thank you.

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@danhofsink

Ya currently on that and Pregabalin..tried to wean off duloxotine and had same problem, was on 30 mg e very other day and started having shocks from it so went back to every day. This was in November before back surgery. Had laminectomy and discectomy done. Stayed on duloxotine and am still on it as im on plethora of other drugs. The surgery helped but now pain shooting down my leg again as i wean off pregablin. Was on 600, started weaning off several weeks ago. Now down to 400. It wasn't too bad at first now i can hardly sleep at night anymore cause of weaning off effects

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I share your feelings about the pain, and I am very sorry. Several actions worked to control my pain. 1. Notify your doctor or go to the ER immediately. you may have a clot in your leg, and they are obligated by law to control pain to the limit of what's possible. 2. Make sure your nutrition is sufficient and complete. 3. Keep the leg at a level higher than the heart. Clonidine (the medicine adjuvant to blood pressure) helped me with the weaning anxiety for several hours, under medical supervision. 3. Ensure your nutrition is OK. 4, Relax, listen to music, and have a good conversation, trick your pain with distraction. ALL PAIN IS TEMPORARY AND TREATABLE.
Good luck!

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Yes! Vertebral and disc injury in lumbar. Duloxitine does wonders for the neuropathy that always comes with.
Duloxitine (Cymbalta), is an snri antidepressant with a built in pain reliever. Yup, depression causes physical pain.
Often, when managing pain, a decent doctor will use Duloxitine in tandem with an actual pain killer.
What a great thing that is.
Yes, Duloxitine is a hard med to get on and to get off. It takes everyday of 8 weeks to get on it. There's good days and not so good days. Just get past that 8 week mark ( assuming there's no allergic reaction) and you're good to go!
If/when this med stops helping, you'll know it. Pain level rises ( breakthrough pain). You may even feel like you're suddenly getting the worst flu you've ever had.
That could be serotonin syndrome.
Of course you'll need to stop that med, if it happens. Getting Duloxitine out of your system can take , again, 8 weeks. It's not fun, but you will feel better.
Patience, distractions, physician and family/friends support will all help.
Once you're on Duloxitine and a pain killer, you're set for a long time.
My combo lasted 18 years.

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@duendecito3

I share your feelings about the pain, and I am very sorry. Several actions worked to control my pain. 1. Notify your doctor or go to the ER immediately. you may have a clot in your leg, and they are obligated by law to control pain to the limit of what's possible. 2. Make sure your nutrition is sufficient and complete. 3. Keep the leg at a level higher than the heart. Clonidine (the medicine adjuvant to blood pressure) helped me with the weaning anxiety for several hours, under medical supervision. 3. Ensure your nutrition is OK. 4, Relax, listen to music, and have a good conversation, trick your pain with distraction. ALL PAIN IS TEMPORARY AND TREATABLE.
Good luck!

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Thank you!

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