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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for jotansella @jotansella

same here - given for depression and was told it might help with nerve pain. Been taking it for 6 to 8 months - no unusual side effects. I also do PT 3 times a week. that helps a lot more than any drugs. Find a place that has a therapy pool and therapist that will do hands on manipulation.

Jump to this post

I swim 3 to 5 days a week. I find the water helps with the pain. I wish I could live in it at times lol

REPLY
Profile picture for jotansella @jotansella

same here - given for depression and was told it might help with nerve pain. Been taking it for 6 to 8 months - no unusual side effects. I also do PT 3 times a week. that helps a lot more than any drugs. Find a place that has a therapy pool and therapist that will do hands on manipulation.

Jump to this post

Are you saying that Duloxitine has helped with your nerve pain? I would try just about anything if it would help with my nerve pain.

REPLY
Profile picture for codakay @codakay

I’m currently on 60 mg of duloxetine for what we think is fibromyalgia. I started at 30mg after trying gabapentin which was horrible for me.
I honestly don’t think I could survive without duloxetine for my physical issues and depression. That’s just for me though. Gabapentin made it so I couldn’t walk so I stopped taking it after only after a few days and it was terrible getting off of even after just 3 days.

Jump to this post

Can you please say what issues you had with walking? I'm on gabapentin for neuropathy too BUT...I've had back issues for 20 years. My thighs will get numb if I stand too long in one place. That's from my back. I'm also on chemotherapy since March so its hard to discern what's from the back nerve issues and what's from the chemotherapy. My last treatment is June 30th, Monday so maybe I'll see shortly. Anyway, my legs will get wobbly sometimes. I can't cone up my steps anymore without holding on to something. My knees just don't feel strong enough to make that step up supporting my weight on just 1 leg. I take 4 400mg a pills a day. I've never had problems before and have actually fallen twice in the last month. I know chemo makes you weak but I was just wanting to know what your exact issues were. Thanks

REPLY
Profile picture for carol1024 @carol1024

Can you please say what issues you had with walking? I'm on gabapentin for neuropathy too BUT...I've had back issues for 20 years. My thighs will get numb if I stand too long in one place. That's from my back. I'm also on chemotherapy since March so its hard to discern what's from the back nerve issues and what's from the chemotherapy. My last treatment is June 30th, Monday so maybe I'll see shortly. Anyway, my legs will get wobbly sometimes. I can't cone up my steps anymore without holding on to something. My knees just don't feel strong enough to make that step up supporting my weight on just 1 leg. I take 4 400mg a pills a day. I've never had problems before and have actually fallen twice in the last month. I know chemo makes you weak but I was just wanting to know what your exact issues were. Thanks

Jump to this post

Absolutely!
I have back and neck pain and limited mobility with turning my head. I hurt worse after trying to lift anything and have muscle fatigue from doing simple activities such as stairs. It pretty much affects my whole body. Extreme fatigue, headaches, and numbness in limbs. Mostly my feet. Since it may be fibromyalgia I have read a lot of forums and take all advice. When I was on gabapentin my steps were extremely shaky, to the point where my coworkers would walk with me anywhere in my place of business. I was so uncoordinated I couldn’t walk without leaning. It also made me extremely mean. It just wasn’t for me.

I’m so sorry you’ve been going through this for so long. I really hope they find you some relief. I’m at 6 months of chronic pain and have never had more empathy for medical issues in my 36 years.

REPLY

After 6 years of unsolved neck, jaw and shoulder pain and every test and treatment tried, I am getting a prescription filled for it. If it doesn’t relieve the pain, I will once again cross that off my list and I can say I think I’ve tried everything known,

REPLY
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

Are you saying that Duloxitine has helped with your nerve pain? I would try just about anything if it would help with my nerve pain.

Jump to this post

I'm saying that it may help me somewhat - but I am more a proponent of physical therapy. Everyone is different and reacts different - if you have not tried it it might be wise to discuss with your doctor to give it a try. Good luck to you!

REPLY
Profile picture for jotansella @jotansella

I'm saying that it may help me somewhat - but I am more a proponent of physical therapy. Everyone is different and reacts different - if you have not tried it it might be wise to discuss with your doctor to give it a try. Good luck to you!

Jump to this post

Thanks for your response. I would like to do PY, but the last time I tried it back in April, it only served to ramp up my pain. I ws hoping that it would help to moderate my chronic pain a bit. It did not. Just about any physical activity causes an increase in my pain.

REPLY
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

Are you saying that Duloxitine has helped with your nerve pain? I would try just about anything if it would help with my nerve pain.

Jump to this post

I was on duloxetine for 30 years for central nerve pain. It made the nerve pain manageable, which is a very big deal

REPLY
Profile picture for akila12 @akila12

After 6 years of unsolved neck, jaw and shoulder pain and every test and treatment tried, I am getting a prescription filled for it. If it doesn’t relieve the pain, I will once again cross that off my list and I can say I think I’ve tried everything known,

Jump to this post

@akila12 those areas are what you lean on if you are a side sleeper.
Have you considered a new pillow, or mattress?

REPLY

I started taking cymbalta for depression and anxiety which helped thankfully (especially since I had tried all the other anti depressant medications without any success). After taking it for a month or so I found that my overall “soreness” (I have fibromyalgia and my muscles ache and burn constantly and taking a shower was hard bc when the water hit my skin it felt like a million mini Mack trucks slamming into skin) was decreased! I still have pain, aching, and sore muscles but my overall day to day symptoms have gone down from being a 10 to close to a 6 or 7.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.