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Has anyone ever been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for nerve pain?
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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I have yet to have a doctor go over side effects of the medication that he or she is recommending. The inserts are not included in the prescription medication. One may spend a lot of time doing his/her own research but don’t always have access to drug interactions and interactions due to comorbidities. If only medical management of multiple health problems was easier.
I can certainly understand your point, but all my prescriptions come with a print out from the pharmacy that details the side effects. Unfortunately, these days you’re pretty much responsible for your own health care as doctors are so over worked. I use an app called Epocrates to research drug interactions. It’s free to use.
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1 ReactionI appreciate your response and info on the app. Best wishes
I haven’t found a darn thing that helps my spinal and left leg nerve pain which I’ve had for 24 years, and believe you me I’ve tried EVERYTHING over that timeframe, Cymbalta, three back surgeries, coming up on the fourth to ablations and numerous nerve blocks that last at the most, eight days and nothing works. Whoever invented Gabapentin should be shot for fraud, it does absolutely nothing!!! I feel so badly for you but in my experience of 24 years, absolutely nothing has worked. I hate to say this but I’m afraid your pain is only going to get worse to the point where you can’t even stand let alone walk!
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2 ReactionsIt never helped me unfortunately
Do you mind answering a couple questions?
What type of surgeries have you had and what type of ablations?
What is your diagnosis and what did your MRIs say?
What are your symptoms specifically (ie what area of your back is bothering you, where is the pain in your leg/foot?)
What are your pain triggers and what makes you feel better?
Has any medication worked for you at all?
Also, Gabapentin is actually an anti-seizure medication for which it is effective. It was accidentally discovered that it had some nerve pain relief properties for some people.
I was on it for peripheral neuropathy and it did help with pain and numbness. After 7 years had to get off it and I couldn't believe how much it had helped. I was suddenly hit with all the pain it had been blocking in my back. My issues aren't as severe as yours but I'd give it a try. Gabapentin had helped minimally for me many years ago but there was no comparison. Cymbalta was significantly more effective. I hope it helps you. I am also a proponent of alpha lipoic acid which helped my neuropathy and my back. God bless you.
Anasthetic shots have helped. Just staarted on Cimbalta, Steroids had caused additional dammage so no more cortisone or other steroids.
I know people who but its a very very difficult drug to get off of. A CRPS specialist said it should never be used? I don't know about its effectiveness but a hard withdrawal would cause me to think twice. That's all I know, or have read. Best of luck.
I was prescribed Cymbalta 120 mg (60mg x 2 daily), LDN and Alpha Lipoic Acid all around the same time. I have RA, peripheral neuropathy, electric/shooting pain. I will say, I cannot say exactly which of these medications or perhaps a combination of all 3 , but I am feeling significantly better. I have been on all 3 of these since January 2025. I hope this helps.