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

Posted by dougs72 @dougs72, Jun 22, 2024

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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jriemer | @jriemer | Dec 22, 2024

It made me have bad thoughts but the worst thoughts came with nortriptolene. I thought it was my end game.

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eileenalana123 | @eileenalana123 | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @ripley "How much Savella do you take a day and what symptoms have been helped, pain? I..." + (show)
@ripley

How much Savella do you take a day and what symptoms have been helped, pain? I also have fibro and my dr suggested a low does of Lyrica. Did you ever try that medication? Thanks.

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Hello!
I apologize for the delay!
I was first prescribed 12.5 MG of Davella to start because I also take Lexapro, an antidepressant, and Lamictal for severe depression, and also Trazodone for sleep. I increased it to 25 MG. That hasn't helped, so I'm raising it to 37.5 MG. It takes 4 weeks to work. I took it before while I was on same medication, but I don't remember dosage. You have to be careful you don't take a higher dose because it can cause serotonin syndrome if you have too high dosages of serotonin, and that can be dangerous.
I also tried Lyrica, but it turned out I'm allergic to it. Had trouble breathing. I think that's a rare reaction.
Good luck!!

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cgs | @cgs | Dec 27, 2024
In reply to @emo "I know that some have benefited from Cymbalta and other similar medications, but everything you and..." + (show)
@emo

I know that some have benefited from Cymbalta and other similar medications, but everything you and others have mentioned are reasons I personally chose with my care team not to try it. I’m very sensitive to medication, and even things that are “generally well-tolerated” either aren’t, or I need to start at a much smaller dose.

But for what it’s worth, my neurology NP specifically didn’t recommend it for me when it came up because I tend to experience strong side effects. She also said her patients have had significant difficulty weaning off it if they need or want to stop it. I’m always very cautious around any kind of drug like that, but everyone has a different comfort level.

PT geared toward pain neuroscience and neuroplasticity has been a much better fit for me, and in a way it’s the most effective thing I really have access to because my central sensitization affects how I process medication. From living with chronic pain for almost a decade (!) now, it’s my opinion there still aren’t great options for chronic pain, especially for those of us hesitant or sensitive to medications. Then again, some people report life changing experiences with things like Cymbalta, Lyrica, etc.

I also take LDN (low dose naltrexone). It helps with fatigue, but I can’t really say for certain it’s helped my neuropathy.

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My Primary DR and Neurologist said to try an electric stimulator for moderate to severe peripheral neuropathy I have several years at a Maximum dose of Gabapentin which has worked well but may be the cause of shortness of breath since I have taken Klonipin since 1995

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dmmeyers62 | @dmmeyers62 | Dec 28, 2024

I just went off and I am having so many problems. I would not suggest this drug. Also did you know they pulled doloxtine off the shelves it had something in it that people were getting cancer. I have been on so many of the meds for neuropathy and the side effects are horrible. Good luck.

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robertwp | @robertwp | 6 days ago

I started Cymbalta three months ago after five different back surgeries in six years left me with all kinds of nerve pain. I had been on Gabapentin for years but it would only help some. Well,it's been a life changer for me. Within two days all of my leftover nerve pain was gone. Yes I had a few side effects but they go away after a couple of weeks for me. My pain and my mood are much better since starting it.

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apex | @apex | 6 days ago

I've been taking Cymba for more than a year with no apparent side affects. Can't say anything negative about it, though I think it does help with the back pain to some degree.

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carolynmcn | @carolynmcn | 5 days ago
In reply to @robertwp "I started Cymbalta three months ago after five different back surgeries in six years left me..." + (show)
@robertwp

I started Cymbalta three months ago after five different back surgeries in six years left me with all kinds of nerve pain. I had been on Gabapentin for years but it would only help some. Well,it's been a life changer for me. Within two days all of my leftover nerve pain was gone. Yes I had a few side effects but they go away after a couple of weeks for me. My pain and my mood are much better since starting it.

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Hello. Could you please explain more about the side effects that you experienced when you started on this medication? I have experienced so many negative side effects from medications and I am worried about adding one that could make me feel worse for a few weeks, Thank you.

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2 replies
cantab | @cantab | 5 days ago

I have been taking 80 mg of Cymbalta for almost 2 years with no side effects except feeling better and stopping the burning pain I had.

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robertwp | @robertwp | 5 days ago
In reply to @carolynmcn "Hello. Could you please explain more about the side effects that you experienced when you started..." + (show)
@carolynmcn

Hello. Could you please explain more about the side effects that you experienced when you started on this medication? I have experienced so many negative side effects from medications and I am worried about adding one that could make me feel worse for a few weeks, Thank you.

Jump to this post

For me it was mostly my stomach getting used to it,they started me on 30mg for two weeks and see how you do and then bump you up to 60mg. I had a small amount of nausea for a couple of weeks right after taking it. It also makes me a little groggy when first waking up in the morning. It helps me way more than the side effects bother me.

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kerriihart | @kerriihart | 5 days ago

This medication can be used for several medical issues. I take it for Fibromyalgia. You have to get online and make sure your medications don't interact with others. I have taken it for three years, started at 90 milligrams and titrated to 60 per day. When trying to quit my Fibro came back horribly. Yes, this medication works for me, I don't have any side affects. Good luck.

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