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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It didn't suit me at all no help for pain and I gained 15k in 3 months. I know it works for some people though.

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and needles" in my hands and feet ago, it completely stopped my symptoms. I had no side effects or difficulty stopping taking it. Great medication in my case.

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

I share your concern. I have the bottle of meds in my cabinet. I’m preparing to start it. Dreading it….but I have to try it, before my insurance will cover Lyrica.
And, Cymbalta may actually serve me better. Idk.

I’m ambivalent. I’ve read so much about it. Different people have different experiences. What I know is that my intermittent burning is excruciating and I can’t tolerate it long term. I’m scared and looking for answers, since my only diagnosis right now is Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Klonapin does help, but that’s a short term thing. If my burning continues, I’ll need something daily. I wish there was something to take on as as need basis, that’s not a Benzo, since I feel great on days there isn’t burning.

When do you think you’ll start and what symptoms did you have trouble with?

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Cymbalta made me really sick, nausea and vomiting++. Lyrica worked really well but the dry mouth caused severe gum disease so now I’m on gabapentin. Not pain free but manageable. Moist heat helps my pain as does physio and acupuncture but having nerve pain has been expensive for me. I do take Vit D3, B12 and magnesium which help some too.

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Profile picture for oolizzzie @oolizzzie

It didn't suit me at all no help for pain and I gained 15k in 3 months. I know it works for some people though.

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It did not help me either. I didn't gain much weight.

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I've been on Lyrica for years. That seems to work for me. However one time I was on cymbalta for years and ultimately it caused brain freezes of some sort when I put my arms above my head. It was weird so I had to ultimately stop. So Lyria works best for my nerve pain in my feet. And supposedly my lower back however that I'm not so sure about.

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I have used Cymbalta for several years. It helps prevent anxiety for me.

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Profile picture for mic1953 @mic1953

You’re so kind…hugs are welcome! I do appreciate your advice. I have read about the bad symptoms of getting off duloxitine. I feel fortunate to have my problems compared to others. This is kind of my last resort as I have tried other pain meds. Tramadol doesn’t really help that much. Hated Gabapentin. Anyway, thank you so much. Hugs to you as well.

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The ONLY thing that ramps my pain down is hydrocodone. I have tried everything including cannabis. My husband as been taking hydrocodone for at least 15 years for spinal stenosis because they couldn't operate due to his heart condition. I only take hydrocodone or half once a day at most and try to get by as much relief as possible with Advil Dual or Aleve. Some of my friends about have a spell if I tell them I take it. My doc feels that if you have exhausted the alternatives and use it responsibly and as prescribed ,it's fine.
Yes, depression goes with pain. The duloxetine did help with that to begin with. It put me in the hospital twice and I couldn't eat for 2 weeks when I went off of it. I don't want anything more to do with SSRIs/SNRIs

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I had terrible side effects, ending in vision loss. There are few medications I am able to take. Someone said gabapentin and it's the only one my doctors said a definite no to.

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Profile picture for buttercup55 @buttercup55

I've been on Lyrica for years. That seems to work for me. However one time I was on cymbalta for years and ultimately it caused brain freezes of some sort when I put my arms above my head. It was weird so I had to ultimately stop. So Lyria works best for my nerve pain in my feet. And supposedly my lower back however that I'm not so sure about.

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I appreciate your comment. I have been on Lyrica for two years. It helps the back pain enormously, thank goodness. But I have gained 10 pounds which is a lot for e as a 5'1" person. Can't take it off. Darn! Did you gain weight?

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Profile picture for bunstuffer @bunstuffer

The ONLY thing that ramps my pain down is hydrocodone. I have tried everything including cannabis. My husband as been taking hydrocodone for at least 15 years for spinal stenosis because they couldn't operate due to his heart condition. I only take hydrocodone or half once a day at most and try to get by as much relief as possible with Advil Dual or Aleve. Some of my friends about have a spell if I tell them I take it. My doc feels that if you have exhausted the alternatives and use it responsibly and as prescribed ,it's fine.
Yes, depression goes with pain. The duloxetine did help with that to begin with. It put me in the hospital twice and I couldn't eat for 2 weeks when I went off of it. I don't want anything more to do with SSRIs/SNRIs

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You are very helpful. I think I will stick to my plan to not increase the duloxitine and if quits working, I will have to find another solution.

I don’t care what it takes. Living with pain isn’t living.

Thanks again and God bless!

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