Has anyone had experience using cymbalta for pain relief?

I take 175 mg Lamotrigine now. Hard to know if has any effect. Was taking 150 until July of last year. Gave some relief; could walk for 15-60 seconds. But on July 25 stopped working entirely. Then we increased to 175 which did not help. but I'm still on the 175 2x/day, but pain starts after 10-20 steps. If I sit, doing nothing I'm ok. Obviously PN is a weird disorder. Only took one Lyrica and later one Cymbalta had to stop because of serious side-effects. In fact, one Cymbalta put me in hospital!! My PN is idiopathic.

EVERYONES'S physico- chemical system is different. Had to stop Lyric and Cymbalta after only one day due to side effects. In fact, oneCymbalta put me in hospital. We have to remember that when pharma companies conduct clinical trials in order to get FDA approval for their drug the trial is based upon about only 1500 people. also age is specifically excluded in these trials. I'm 84 years old; so that may be part of my problem. It is definitely known that the elderly are usually affected differently from medications than the general population,

Would like to hear your comments and history concerning Cymbalta. I think I have a reaction to it because I also take 10 of Lexapro in the evening and Cymbalta in the morning. I can't tell if it is Sertonin Syndrome or just my anxiety or a combo of both.

Hello @wheelerma,

I appreciate your concern and desire to find out what might be causing your reaction. It might be helpful, if you are comfortable doing so, to share with Connect the nature of your reaction. Is it increased anxiety, chills, skin rash, etc.? You mentioned the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome. Is that something that you have had before?

I'm also wondering if you have talked with your prescribing physician about this reaction.

@wheelerma There are numerous past discussions on Cymbalta that I think you would benefit from scrolling through and reading previous discussions, posts, experiences, and suggestions.

I agree with @hopeful33250. In order for to properly connect you we need a little more information so.

May I ask the purpose of the medication serves/symptoms you were having before and what has changed since the introduction of the medication?

I would love to read all that you mention, I just don't know where to look. I have severe pain in my SI area although the cause is Scoliosis, Deg. Disc., Spinal Stenosis, Arthritis and Spondylolisthesis. My pain is constant, usually a 7-8, and then it will go to a 15!! I have to sit down. This is a burning pain from the SI area that goes around to my quadriceps. Pleasel et me know if there is anything else.

Have you tried canabis ? From experience with my wife who suffered from pains and took both cymbalta and Lyrica -the canabis made a major improvement.

It is not legal in Indiana and I would know what to buy or where. Anysuggestions?

Good morning @wheelerma

Finding the discussions on Connect can be confusing if you are new to the forum. I have listed here some of the links about other Cymbalta discussions that you might find helpful. Just click on the link and read the different posts.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cymbalta-2/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cymbalta-20-mg-and-100-mg-of-neurontin-and-bad-upper-gi-symptoms/
You mentioned in your first post about having a "reaction" to the Lexapro and Cymbalta. I would like to ask you a couple more questions so that we can help direct you to the right discussion group:

Did the reaction occur when you started to take both meds together or did you have it before adding the second med? I also wonder who is the prescribing doctor. Is it a primary care physician or a psychiatrist?

@wheelerma Below I have listed a previous discussion related to Cymbalta. You may want to scroll through the posts and read previous suggestions.

- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cymbalta/

May I ask if you had a chance to take a look at @hopeful33250 discussion links she provided?