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

I’m sure that was awful! I’m on 90 ml a day and it helps my nerve pain a lot. I also take gabapentin and compounded naltrexone. Have you tried those? Best to you.

@fishnuts99
Duloxetine, I started with 90mg and now have reduced it to 60 mg a day. I took it for depression, but it supposedly helps with neuropathy, leg cramps, etc. Diarrhea, not here, but the so called help with neuropathy I don't believe so as it (neuropathy) has worsen over the years. I do throw darts at the Rx chart to see if I can find relief, still throwing.

@srush I could have written this reply almost word for word. I live with life-restricting pain day in and day out. It is just the odd few hours now and then pain will diminish. That almost pisses me off because it reminds me what life was like without debilitating pain. I also expend a good deal of time trying to avoid depression and claustraphobia which can lead to panic. Godam it, how did this happen to a coupla good guys like us?

I was taking this for years due to chronic back pain due to severe lumbar and cervical stenosis, along with bilateral neuropathy and OA. Unfortunately, it didn't work well enough. As my doctor stated, Chronic pain trumps any possible medication. Switched to Dilaudid for years but needed to wean off due to potential addiction. Since then, I have tried micro dosing Suboxone, Lyrica gabapentin, and various other meds. Not much helped, since my pain increased post a failed back surgery 5 yrs ago. Tramadol did help, however, but again, poses possible addiction. Currently trying Low dose naltreone, along with celebrex , Tylenol and zanadol (muscle relaxer). Its a daily struggle with OA, pinched nerves and stenosis. My daily pain level hovers around a constant 7 with all these meds. The frustration is overwhelming which goes hand in hand will major depression. My mantra remains "it can always be worse" but pushing through is exhausting, especially when you have a healthy spouse that wants to be active and doesn't grasp the intense pain

@lchop I can identify with most of this, except your diagnosis. I'm about to go for the trial for a spinal cord stimulator. They have gotten really good compared to years ago, and from what I'mhearing, your a perfect candidate.

@dougs72 I took it, but it made me very sleepy with Lyrica and Panacod. What a cocktail! I tried to get help to my pains in lower back.

@lchop
No one understands unless they are going through it. My spouse didn’t even want to talk about it. I wish you luck and prayers

I had a tkr almost 3 years ago. I’ve had pain and nerve pain ever since. I had a genicular nerve rfa, A manipulation,
epidural to see if the pain was coming from my back 30 session of P.T., cortisone injection in my tkr scar, and different meds like gabapentin. Nothing has helped in fact I feel like the nerve pain is spreading. Any suggestions I’m miserable.

I was on 60 mg of Duloxetine for 9 months for neuropathy in my feet/lower legs. Couldn't tell that it helped much but one thing it did do which was uncontrollable diarrhea. Caused me to get microscopic colitis. Dr. weaned me off it going from 60 to 40 and then 20 mg for two weeks. Been totally off it now for several weeks. Withdrawal symptoms have been nasty. Have terrible insomnia, not falling asleep until 1-2 am. Also have restless legs which drive me nuts while trying to fall asleep. Avoid this drug like the plague.

Many people have taken Duloxetine for nerve pain and report mixed experiences some notice a meaningful reduction in burning, tingling, or shock-like sensations after a few weeks, while others feel early side effects such as nausea, fatigue, or a “weird/off” sensation similar to what you described (which can persist for a couple of days even after a single 30 mg dose due to how the medication affects brain chemistry), and although these effects often lessen with continued use and proper dose adjustment, the medication does require gradual titration when starting and tapering when stopping, so whether it’s worth trying again depends on your sensitivity, your tolerance for the initial side effects, and a careful discussion with your doctor about alternative options for managing nerve pain.