Internal Body Tremors and Tinnitus

My oncologist prescribed it to me just recently; 30 mg, which I took late at night since it is a timed release capsule. When I awoke in the morning, I felt very lightheaded. It didn’t start to leave until 11:00 pm the next night. I had taken it at midnight the night before. That is one of the side effects when taking this. That was two nights ago. So I haven’t taken anymore. My pharmacy told me today that there is a smaller dosage; 20 mg that is available. I’m going to call my oncologist on Monday to have them prescribe that dosage of 20 mg. Then I will see if I can tolerate it. I just don’t want to have to go through being lightheaded all day; and for god only knows how many days of it.

D13, any updates? Did you get a revised prescription?

Yes, I did get another prescription for the Duloxetine 20mg. I took last night at 7:00pm. I noticed a little flushing on my cheeks, but that was all for the rest of the night. This morning after about an hour after waking up, I did feel some lightheadedness, but nearly as much as when I took the 30mg capsule. So, 24 hours is almost up and I’ll take my second one. It would be nice if the more days that I take; the lightheadedness wouldn’t come on. But it’s doable for now.

Hi @d13,

I'm glad to hear that the reduced dosage is working better for you.

Since you have been taking the lower dose for about a week now, are your side effects lessening?

After taking for 8 days, I decided I needed to quit taking. It was affecting my appetite, which is not a good thing for me. I was just getting to where my appetite was getting better before starting on the Duloxetine. I’m trying to gain back some weight. Whatever the chemotherapy treatments did to me besides the neuropathy is affecting my abdomen area and my head, such as brain fog. I also have tinnitus and it seemed to be getting worse. I never had the pain in my feet and hands, just numbness. I didn’t notice any difference. Mainly needed to stop because of the loss of appetite. I just know what my oncologist said was that these things could take up to two years to disappear. From what I have read, maybe never. That is what is troubling!

Hello @d13

I'm sorry to hear that you had to give up on the Duloxetine. I understand that weight loss is concerning. I've had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract and find maintaining my weight is a struggle. I have been able to take the Duloxetine with no further weight loss problems, but we are all different in how we metabolize and react to different meds.

Are you still taking Gabapentin and is it still helping you with sleep?

I’ve never taken Gabapentin. I take a half of a Alprazolam at bedtime for sleep. As I said; everything started when on chemotherapy treatment.

@d13, Sorry about the Gabapentin referece. I had you confused with another member. If the Alprazolam is helping with sleep that is great. Did your doctor want you to try the Duloxetine so that it would replace the other med?

Yes, I understand that cancer treatment can cause problems of all types.

He actually didn’t sound too convincing that it would even help me as far as I’m concerned; the Duloxetine that is. The only other medication he prescribed is hydrocodone 5mg. It does more help with the stomach issue I’m experiencing. There isn’t anything else that I’m taking for my discomfort. The neuropathy in my feet and hands doesn’t bother me so much, since they aren’t painful, just numbness. I’m just really tired of the discomfort in my stomach area and the brain fog; also the tinnitus gets to me at times. Maybe it’s time to see an endroconologist. It could be a cellular connection to the two chemotherapy medications.

I would certainly support your idea to have a consultation with an endocrinologist, @d13. Endocrinologists are amazing doctors who have a strong background in all of the body's systems. Developing a relationship with a good endocrinologist would be a good next step for you.

Is the abdominal discomfort related to numbness as well?