What's your experience with duloxetine (US Brand Name; Cymbalta)?

Teresa,
Hi, I will try to make my story as brief as I can.
I am 67 years old and until 4 years ago I was active running, biking , hiking, cross country skiing etc. I was healthy and happy.
In June of 2018 I had an electrocardiogram done and experienced some burning in my rib cage where the technician was pressing with the probe.
Two days later while lifting a table I got electrical shocks all through my thoracic region. This went on for three days and I was afraid to move, if I used my arm I would set off a shock. I went to the emergency room and they could not find a cause. I had an MRI of my spine but it was fine. My upper back thoracic region was very painful when I walked or used my arm, I could not rotate my trunk. I developed chest wall pain.
My Dr. tried prednisone but it didn’t help. I then took gabapentine for a while but it really wasn’t helping. I tried CBD tincture and lotion but it didn’t help. Tried Prozac , that helped a little.I saw numerous specialist , did massage, acupuncture etc nothing helped.
I was unable to run, swim, hike cook etc
This has been going on for 4 years, has interfered with my and my husbands retirement dreams. He has been a saint.
Recently a friend of mine who has neck pain told me she just started taking duloxetine after trying various other things and that it was really helpful. She had no side effects.
It convinced me to give it a try. It is helping, I’m not 100% but feel a lot better pain wise. I started swimming and will try biking once it warms up. I live in Maine.
First time in 4 years that I am hopeful that things will get better.
I am also starting a meditation class through the Benson Henry institute in Boston at the end of the month.
Hope this info helps.
Carol

In the past I have taken Hydrocodone and Cymbalta together. I did for many years. I did not have any adverse reactions. I’m no longer taking the hydrocodone.

Hello @pattykakes

It is so good of you to join in this discussion on Cymbalta. It sounds as if you had a medication routine that worked well for you. You mentioned that you took the two meds together for many years.

As you are comfortable doing so, could you share what type of pain you were dealing with when you took the Hydrocodone and Cymbalta?

Good Morning,
I’ve been taking Cymbalta for approximately 5 years and was on Hydrocodone for around 10 years. I’ve been wanting to stop the hydrocodone due to all the controversies surrounding hydrocodone. I ended up with Covid on Feb 4th this year and have not taken it since. I may have had some withdrawals but I don’t remember due to Covid impacting my memory. My doctor and I decided I would not take it anymore. My PCP suggested medical marijuana. I don’t know about that. I not much into having my mind altered. I’m still taking the Cymbalta. The meds were prescribed for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

I have taken Cymbalta and Norco together for years. My mother did too. Never have I or her had any issue with it. Cymbalta has worked great for me with depression and it does assist with pain. But that’s my experience. I am not a medical professional.

@d13, and all...I've taken Cymbalta for several years with excellent results. It was first prescribed for help with fibromyalgia pain, peripheral neuropathy as well. It may help with depression, I hope so since that's part of the whole picture with fibromyalgia and other health issues I have. I've tapered off several other drugs with the help of my physician, at my request as I was on far too much chemical medication and was determined to reduce the stuff.

I now take 120 mg of Cymbalta. It helps my fibromyalgia and the peripheral neurology is much improved. I'm off hydrocodone, 800 mg ibuprofen 4x daily for years, Neurontin, Lyrica, and others. Now, I take Cymbalta, use medical marijuana 1:1, CBD:THC capsules and/or tincture at night, Requip for restless legs and it helps a lot with walking and daytime movement, and other meds I'll take for a long time. But, I'm off the really strong chemicals that affect the brain and cause fuzzy brain and other side effects. Now, I'm closer to my real self than I've been for as long as I can remember. It's wonderful. I feel free. And, Cymbalta is part of that free feeling. It's a good drug for me and my needs. I will continue to take it until I'm healed or ???

I hope this little testimonial from a patient with multiple health issues. Of all the drugs I've taken over the years, it helps the best at what it does and with no negatives. I have less pain and better control with the changes I've made. I send you blessings as you walk this journey through the medical system and your health challenges. Blessings, elizabeth

Hello, @d13 I agree that a pharmacist is a good source of information on medication interactions. Still, your prescribing physician (oncologist) is the best source of information. Is there a patient portal that you can use to communicate with your oncologist?

I've been taking duloxetine for several years for depression and anxiety. I didn't have any side effects from the beginning and still do not.I started at the 30mg dose and about two years ago decreased to 20mg. That 20mg is effective for me but of course it's different for every person. I'm in the midst of being treated for a cancer recurrence (endometrial cancer) and I can say that the duloxetine has helped me get through some difficult periods of time along with my toolbox of mental health strategies.

Will you return and tell us how you are doing?

I was put on Cymbalta 12 years ago. I should never have been put on it without being told there were side effects that would prevent you from ever coming off it. There were law suits and still are pending against the Lilly Co. I am 74 yrs. old now and will tell anyone and everyone that is about to be given a drug, read up on it before you take it. Once you are on it, (for me it was 4 months on it when I tried to come off) you become a slave to it. lm still on it. Be wise!!