Duloxetine for fibromyalgia: Does it work long-term?

@egayle187 thank you so much for your thoughtful response and suggestions. I do use a walker (that has a seat) for short distances - or a self propelled wheelchair (that can also be pushed) for longer distances or visiting shopping centres. I intend to use the wheelchair chair for the wedding as I can not stand for very long. - 2 minutes and every bone and fibre is screaming at me to sit….😂😂😂 Please, take care of yourself and also please heed your own warnings. 🇬🇧😊

I was initially on duloxetine for my GORD,( gerd) . I didn't have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia back then, I was only diagnosed in September last year. It did help with my unexplained pain but I was really unbalanced on it and fell over twice and was hospitalaized both times. I stopped taking duloxetine for this very reason. It was my choice and it was me that connected the dots not the doctors. I am intolerant to alot of meds and I honestly thought it was helping with my severe chest pain and general all over body pain. I think fibromyalgia can make us intolerant/ highly sensitive to meds. I am currently on pregabalin and amitriptyline and had increased my tablet by one and it caused me to have hallucinations and speech problems. It's probably very much a personal choice, what works for one doesn't work for another. I would have been happy staying on duloxetine if it wasn't for me becoming dizzy. The worst part of it was me lying on a pavement outside school for 1 1/2 hours whilst waiting for an ambulance with blood coming out of my head wound while the pupils I teach walked home .

@johnc777 I have been on duloxetine for 6 years and it was prescribed to me for depression. I just want to let everyone know that I do experience fibromyalgia pain. I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia 11 years ago. At that time I was experiencing magnificent excruciating pain all over my body. In addition I was suffering from a lot of other symptoms.
I mean I guess it's possible that the Duloxetine is helping, and I'm not going off of it to find out whether or not it is!

Hi!
So I've been on duoloxetine since 2024 and its honestly changed my life so much. It's the most effective drug so far to help with fibro. I also added LDN this year and it helps, but its not life-changing. Best of luck with everything ❤️

@medicalunicorn thanks. so you've had no mental side effects such as sadness or motivational apathy? thanks

@phobson thanks. yes i still have pain on duloxetine, but nothing like the magnificent excruciating pain (your wonderful phrase!) that I used to experience.

@guineapiglover thanks. yes I feel a bit unsteady on my feet, and actually currently I have bad backache I think from carrying my granddaughter around in the wrong sort of way. thanks again

Duloxetine definitely made me unbalanced....watch out for this symptom, it's not worth the risk if you are unsteady on your feet.
Best wishes
Guinea pig lover.xx

@guineapiglover Many thanks. At age 65 sometimes it's hard to separate age from fibromyalgia symptoms!

It was a no brainer for me to stop taking the duloxetine. It's now much easier to stay upright!. I have to say it's a balancing act with side effects from any drug , it's kind of trial and error and remember everyone reacts differently.
Good luck in getting your meds right everyone.x