I can't sleep when taking Cymbalta: What else can I do for pain?

@boo55, Good afternoon. I am grateful for the relief that Cymbalta has given me from the uncontrollable anxiety that was taking over my life. Although my PCP suspected that the neuropathic pain was causing neurobehavioral issues including memory loss, it was confirmed by 4 hours of neurobiological testing. The bottom line....my pain was creating anxiety and the more anxious I became, the greater the pain. It was a huge dilemma for me. I had withdrawn from a volunteer marketing role in the community. I could not play mahjong or other distracting games unless someone at the table helped me remember what was happening next. I had some bouts with suicide. We approached it slowly with Cymbalta because, like you, I am sensitive to meds. Started with 20 mg for a month, then 40mg for the next month and now 60 mg. We decided that morning would be the best time to take this med. That solves the sleep issue and helps me when I need it most...during the daytime. Hope this helps.....have a safe and pain-free day. Chris

A year ago in April, my PCP tried me on Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia. After 3 days I had diarrhea so badly that I ended up in the ER. It was complicated by having a UTI. Within a few days I lost 8 pounds which for me was not good because I am very thin. After getting well (3 to 4 weeks of being pretty sick) we tried the Cymbalta again. Within a day, I was back to being sick. We put Cymbalta on my growing list of meds I can’t take. Lyrica has been somewhat helpful but I’m not ready to do a commercial for it. My best medicine has been varied but regular exercise.

My fibromyalgia acts differently from that of most fibromyalgia patients I know. It comes and goes in huge waves. I will have a wave of bad days lasting as long 3 or more weeks. Then I will have a reprieve for a while. Right now I am extremely grateful for a “downtime “ of nearly 6 weeks with pain only reaching up to about 3 on a 1 to 10 scale. I’m waiting for this unbelievably good period to end without warning. That is how it usually goes for me. Does anyone else experience high and low waves like this? What do you think causes the come and go?

Took Cymbalta for months...same issue...no sleep...Dr. that prescribed it ...said take in the morning...for pain!!!

@rubbob1 Hello there.....thanks for sharing your experience with Cymbalta. I would like to know if your statement "for pain" refers to the primary reason for taking the medication.

I have just worked through a 3-month process of increasing the dosage from 20mg to 40mg to 60mg. I must say that this medication has done more for me than any other I have tried.

My PCP said it was an anti-anxiety medication which works to decrease the anxiety which fosters the increased pain which then leads to more anxiety, which then leads to additional pain, etc. etc. etc.

I went through neurobehavioral testing from a clinical psychologist for recent memory loss. Evidently, the anxiety was also responsible for my memory issues as well as neuropathic pain. I was caught up in the anxiety which then caused more pain and eventually depression.

So...I take it every morning and my day begins a lot more joyously. In fact, it works so well that instead of anxiety, I now suffer from "who cares" and "so what" demons. Have a day free of suffering and filled with comfort. Chris

May I suggest Trazadone for sleep. It is an Antidepressant taken before bed. I sleep through the night. Have been taking for a long time, for me no side effects that I know of. I took Cymbalta for 1 day. I have Thyroid Autoimmune Disease that has effected me for years, Uticaria I was in remission until I took the pill. Incase anyone has same Autoimmune Disease thought I would add that.

I forgot Trazadone does help my Pain.

I take Cymbalta first thing in the morning and it doesnt interfere with my sleep but I tried the evening and it kept me awake. Try taking early on the morning

Does it help for pain. I take gabapentin but it is not that great.

Yes the Cymbalta does help with pain,fatigue,and depression. I tried gabapentin and it did not help me

If it were not for Cymbalta I probably would not be alive. I am now taking 60 mg dose, an just increased the dose to 2 60 mg tablets. One in the morning and one tablet in the evening,