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

Posted by Mariette R. @marietter, Aug 7 10:26am

My primary care has started me on Duloxetine for my chronic spinal stenosis pain. I felt that the Tramadol was not helping me enough. My pain clinic also started me back on Gabapentin. I do not want surgeries at my age 71, I just want to get to a pain level I can tolerate. I do have a NEVRO SCS which helps with CRPS and small fiber neuropathy in my left leg , but this doesn’t help with musculoskeletal pain and my stenosis pain. Opinions on Duloxetine?

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Mariette R. | @marietter | 6 days ago
In reply to @humblyhoping "I have terrible neuropathy in both legs. I was taking 3 300 mg of gabapentin and..." + (show)
Profile picture for humblyhoping @humblyhoping

I have terrible neuropathy in both legs. I was taking 3 300 mg of gabapentin and it was killing me mentally and it bought me a little pain relief but not enough to justify taking it. My doctor suggested cymbalta "duloxetine" as a better alternative. We started with 20 mg to see if I could tolerate it. I was very nauseated for 4 days but I also weaned down to 1 gabapentin at the same time. After two weeks I was prescribed 2 20mg per day. I am still using 1 gabapentin. This has made a significant difference in leg pain that last longer and far less brain fog. I am going to try 60 mg a day in hopes of letting go of gabapentin completely. My doctor said over 60 mg is where you start to feel pain relief. I do yoga stretches everyday and that helps. I also added Gundry olive oil a week ago in the morning and my gut health plus skin and other benefits has been life changing. I did start R ALA supplement two mornings ago for nerve health. I must finally be doing something right because the pins and needles are improving and I am not giving up.

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@humblyhoping
Sorry you had such a bad experience with Gabapentin .
Luckily I haven’t .
I’m on 60mg maintenance dose of duloxetine and doing pretty well now. You may ask your doctor about what I read regarding dosing of duloxetine higher than 60 mg not providing anymore pain relief than the recommended maintenance dose of 60 mg I’d like to know ok?
Feel better .

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humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | 5 days ago
In reply to @marietter "@humblyhoping Sorry you had such a bad experience with Gabapentin . Luckily I haven’t . I’m..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mariette R. @marietter

@humblyhoping
Sorry you had such a bad experience with Gabapentin .
Luckily I haven’t .
I’m on 60mg maintenance dose of duloxetine and doing pretty well now. You may ask your doctor about what I read regarding dosing of duloxetine higher than 60 mg not providing anymore pain relief than the recommended maintenance dose of 60 mg I’d like to know ok?
Feel better .

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@marietter thank you for letting me know what dosage works for you. I don’t want to go any higher than 60 mg even if that mean 1 gabapentin each day.
The high polyphenol olive oil is making a big change in my body all good everyday.
The R-ALA I saw recommended on this site is all about nerve health. Lots to choose from. I bought Totaria R-ALA .
I will keep you posted when I get to 60 mg. Take care

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sunnytoday72 | @sunnytoday72 | 5 days ago

So happy you have found somethng that works for you! I've been trying 20 years to get to your state, and it so hard. Just makes me happy to know YOU found your "feel better" state!

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jwcarroll54 | @jwcarroll54 | 5 days ago
In reply to @joepyzyk "Is the pain so bad that you have to take these drugs? I am 73 years..." + (show)
Profile picture for joepyzyk @joepyzyk

Is the pain so bad that you have to take these drugs? I am 73 years old and have had spinal stenosis for 5 years. Have had injections that helped and later did not. Just had a Minuteman device inserted between my L4 and L5 vertabrae. 1/2 hour
surgery done by a pain doctor. It has taken away 40% of the pain. I had pain in my left leg(nerve was getting pinched). The device has taken away this pain. Now have back pain on my right side. I feel good when I haven't walked much or done any
strenuous work. I've never considered any of these pain killers. Too much risk on addition and more damage to your body.
If I have pain that I can't handle, I take two Ibuprofen. You can even take 3. I would not mess with these hard drugs. Can't believe your Primary Care doctor gives you a RX for these.

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@joepyzyk In many cases the pain is bad enough to need stronger medication! It may be you aren’t in that much pain. And, you did have surgery, so you must have been pretty uncomfortable to have that be the treatment.
Many insurance companies have protocols which require a patient to do x, y, and z before surgical treatment is covered.
Lastly, many of us are trying to avoid surgery as it may make things worse.

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ams | @ams | 4 days ago

I am on it. Been at least 6 months and still no relief. I need something more as I am getting no relief with these drug.

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Mariette R. | @marietter | 4 days ago
In reply to @ams "I am on it. Been at least 6 months and still no relief. I need something..." + (show)
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I am on it. Been at least 6 months and still no relief. I need something more as I am getting no relief with these drug.

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@ams I just had a severe pain episode today. Worried about that too. Going to give it another few weeks before I check back with my primary care.
Hang in there too friend.

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carolonly | @carolonly | 4 days ago

I am on Duloxetine and have been for years. It helps with my pain. If I forget to take it for even a couple of days, my aches and pains come roaring back. I was put on it initially for depression, but I have learned it is also helping erase my pain and believe it or not, stops my urinary accidents.

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robertwp | @robertwp | 3 days ago

Duloxetine has been helping me with chronic low back and leg pain for a couple of years now,helps your mind to slow down when trying to fall asleep also. Does wonders for me but everyone is different.

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