I’m starting Duloxetine for spinal stenosis pain, anyone have success?

I think it does nothing for the pain. You’re just emotionally better as you’re suffering!

@barbarav1 I’m not certain how to interpret your comment, but it made me giggle a bit, that too is good Medicine. 😊

That’s what I hoped people would feel. If you only had feelings of depression because of your pain, life would be miserable! I think the anti depressant helps me feel some hope that things will get better.

I had a pinched nerve at L4-5 caused by stenosis and did the physical therapy with minimal results for pain relief, then went to a pain doctor who gave me several steroid injections. These injections completely relieved the pains, but each one only lasted about 2 months. It was recommended that I see a neurosurgeon, so I did and he eventually performed a procedure called MITR (Minimally Invasive Tubular Retraction). It was an outpatient procedure and I went home the same day. He made an incision that was about an inch to an inch and one half in my back, inserted a tube to separate the muscles and working through the tube he removed some bone from the vertebrae that was pinching the nerve. The pain that I was having from this pinched nerve is gone.

I suggest that you look into this procedure as it helped me a lot.

I have been taking Duloxetine once a day for 1.5 years and have no negative effects at all. I take it in combination with Gabapentin 60mg 4xday.

@margi45 That’s great to hear !
I just started on my 60mg a day maintenance dose two days ago after initially being on the 30mg starting dose. I was on an antidepressant for many years before I even started with by back Issues, so I had to be titrated off before starting my trial dose of duloxetine(used also as an antidepressant) for my spinal stenosis pain. So I am now on Gabapentin for my CRPS and small fiber neuropathy in my left leg this along with my spinal cord stimulator implant take care of my nerve pain. Sadly not the musculoskeletal pain in my spine with stenosis. Duloxetine will help with that issue . Naturally I’ll always have to be aware of my body mechanics when bending and not twisting. Resting with my legs up gets me back on my feet after an episode too.
Best wishes and thanks for your encouraging words. 😊

I was prescribed this and immediately did not feel okay. It turns out I am carrying a gene CYP26D that prevents me from metabolizing anti depressants properly. It didn't work for me for that reason.

Been on both horrible.

I have spinal stenosis as well and also have fibromyalgia. I was on duloxetine and it did cause me to have tremors. Which is a possible side effect, so do look out for that.
I am currently on gabbapentin and to be honest I am not getting any relief. I would recommend getting the genetic testing done to see what your body metabolizes the best. That way you are not wasting time on meds that your body cant handle.

Please read up on all the negative effects of duloxetine and Gabapentin. Duloxetine is the genetic name for Cymbalta, an anti depressant. It is not a pain reliever. I have heard that Cymbalta takes away feelings of emotion (I can’t laugh and I can’t cry type of feelings) Research has shown that Gabapentin is linked to Dementia. I took Gabapentin for 6 months with no pain relief but a weight gain of 15 pounds. Gabapentin is known for weight gain as a side effect. Doctors are getting kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies to prescribe these dangerous “off label” meds that do not work for pain relief. Be informed about the meds you are taking.