@sandytoes14 I know Cymbalta messed me up. The pain specialist I see did give me 5 mg of Hydrocodone. Not much help. I am going to ask him about options as my quality of life is slipping away. I do what I can. Doctors are fearful I suppose. It is discouraging and I don’t mean to be whining. All things considered I think I do pretty darn well at sucking it up. The Fibro is frustrating and throw in the scoliosis, DDD of the spine, TMJ as well as depression, anxiety and the challenges it presents...yes, it could be worse, but I want to believe it could be better. The structural issues cannot be fixed, but I think they could be treated to better improve how life is now. Maybe I am a
dreamer.
Always Hopeful,
I'm glad you started a new topic dedicated to Cymbalta (generic name: duloxetine). It has been discussed in various discussions throughout Connect by a number of members, like @sandytoes14@kdubois@jimhd@oldnana@kathyv@lauriedr@jenapower@janie56 to name a few.
Always Hopeful, while we wait for others to join the conversation, can you tell us a bit more about why you are asking about Cymbalta? What type of pain are you managing? Do you already take Cymbalta or has it been recently suggested to you?
I was on Cymbalta for about six months and have winged off the medication. I have been off the medication for ten days and I am still nauseated to where I cannot eat and I feel miserable. Is there anyone else going through withdrawal. I am so miserable when will this end does anyone have any insights on how to help with the nausea?
@longhorn1 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I have lived with chronic pain from arthritis, spinal issues, old injuries, bad lung...for a very long time, and have tried most pain relievers. In general, they are either not safe for long term use or not effective on chronic pain.
The medical community is now recognizing that chronic pain is very real condition that is a combination of what the body feels and the brain perceives, that pain medication alone does not provide adequate long-term relief, and that a comprehensive plan to understand the stressors and manage them provide a better result.
The purpose of Cymbalta (duloxetine) and similar drugs in treating chronic skeletal and muscular pain is different to the usual purpose of what we think of as a "pain reliever." Chronic pain is caused in part by the brain's response to pain stimulus, and duloxetine is intended to help our brain interrupt or modify the pain response. BUT... it works best in conjunction with other therapies like meditation, counseling, PT and lifestyle changes. And, it takes some time to determine an appropriate dose & medication, level of activity, and make other changes.
So the answer to your question is, as part of a comprehensive pain management plan, duloxetine or a similar medication can help. But I don't think it is very effective if you just take the medication alone and don't change thought patterns and activities.
Were you offered Cymbalta as part of a pain management program?
Sue
@longhorn1 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I have lived with chronic pain from arthritis, spinal issues, old injuries, bad lung...for a very long time, and have tried most pain relievers. In general, they are either not safe for long term use or not effective on chronic pain.
The medical community is now recognizing that chronic pain is very real condition that is a combination of what the body feels and the brain perceives, that pain medication alone does not provide adequate long-term relief, and that a comprehensive plan to understand the stressors and manage them provide a better result.
The purpose of Cymbalta (duloxetine) and similar drugs in treating chronic skeletal and muscular pain is different to the usual purpose of what we think of as a "pain reliever." Chronic pain is caused in part by the brain's response to pain stimulus, and duloxetine is intended to help our brain interrupt or modify the pain response. BUT... it works best in conjunction with other therapies like meditation, counseling, PT and lifestyle changes. And, it takes some time to determine an appropriate dose & medication, level of activity, and make other changes.
So the answer to your question is, as part of a comprehensive pain management plan, duloxetine or a similar medication can help. But I don't think it is very effective if you just take the medication alone and don't change thought patterns and activities.
Were you offered Cymbalta as part of a pain management program?
Sue
Thanks for the insights Sue. My pcp is recommending CYMBALTA but I’d be happy to join a pain management program if I could find one in my area. Any suggestion on that question?
Thanks for the insights Sue. My pcp is recommending CYMBALTA but I’d be happy to join a pain management program if I could find one in my area. Any suggestion on that question?
Finding the right place can be a lot of searching and a little luck.
I was in the "lucky" category - my PCP knew exactly where to refer me.
My sister had to search - she started with her PCP, who only believes in PT and medication, got frustrated and began asking every medical professional she knows (she's a retired nurse.) After a few "false starts" she finally found someone in her insurance network who she thinks she can work with.
I was able to go to my insurance company website on the provider page and search for pain management clinics. This is what you want to see - staff with a number of specialties - internal medicine, pain management, psychology, PT or OT...
Do you live in or near a metro area? That seems to be the easiest place to find outpatient care. Or you can apply to one of the Mayo Clinics, which it is a 3 week commitment, full time at one of their facilities.
Sue
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If you can find someone, massage therapist, that does myofacial release, that will go a long way with the aching part of Fibro.
I didn't see anything like a discussion.
I was on Cymbalta for about six months and have winged off the medication. I have been off the medication for ten days and I am still nauseated to where I cannot eat and I feel miserable. Is there anyone else going through withdrawal. I am so miserable when will this end does anyone have any insights on how to help with the nausea?
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1 ReactionHas anyone gotten significant muscle/skeletal pain relief with CYMBALTA?
Has anyone gotten pain relief from CYMBALTA?
@longhorn1 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I have lived with chronic pain from arthritis, spinal issues, old injuries, bad lung...for a very long time, and have tried most pain relievers. In general, they are either not safe for long term use or not effective on chronic pain.
The medical community is now recognizing that chronic pain is very real condition that is a combination of what the body feels and the brain perceives, that pain medication alone does not provide adequate long-term relief, and that a comprehensive plan to understand the stressors and manage them provide a better result.
The purpose of Cymbalta (duloxetine) and similar drugs in treating chronic skeletal and muscular pain is different to the usual purpose of what we think of as a "pain reliever." Chronic pain is caused in part by the brain's response to pain stimulus, and duloxetine is intended to help our brain interrupt or modify the pain response. BUT... it works best in conjunction with other therapies like meditation, counseling, PT and lifestyle changes. And, it takes some time to determine an appropriate dose & medication, level of activity, and make other changes.
So the answer to your question is, as part of a comprehensive pain management plan, duloxetine or a similar medication can help. But I don't think it is very effective if you just take the medication alone and don't change thought patterns and activities.
Were you offered Cymbalta as part of a pain management program?
Sue
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8 ReactionsYes. I didn't do well. My PCP pushed for it over two months. I couldn't handled it.
Thanks for the insights Sue. My pcp is recommending CYMBALTA but I’d be happy to join a pain management program if I could find one in my area. Any suggestion on that question?
Finding the right place can be a lot of searching and a little luck.
I was in the "lucky" category - my PCP knew exactly where to refer me.
My sister had to search - she started with her PCP, who only believes in PT and medication, got frustrated and began asking every medical professional she knows (she's a retired nurse.) After a few "false starts" she finally found someone in her insurance network who she thinks she can work with.
I was able to go to my insurance company website on the provider page and search for pain management clinics. This is what you want to see - staff with a number of specialties - internal medicine, pain management, psychology, PT or OT...
Do you live in or near a metro area? That seems to be the easiest place to find outpatient care. Or you can apply to one of the Mayo Clinics, which it is a 3 week commitment, full time at one of their facilities.
Sue
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYes, the drug worked very well for neuropathy in my feet and hands. I had to stop taking the drug due to severe mood swings.