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
Good luck as you look for a solution. Even if Mayo cannot accommodate you, there are other programs available. It will take some work to find a suitable one near you.
Sue
Seriously the worst drug ever! I had every side
Effect but when the whites
Of my eyes started turning yellow that was it! Took me 3 months to get off of it and i itched so bad I thought I would lose my mind! I also was working full time and commuting… I had two daughters in college and I needed to work. God the thinks we go through- we are Guinea pigs.best of luck to you.
Cymbalta is an anti-depressant. I was already on lexapro so when offered the chance to try this I switched over from lexapro to cymbalta. It worked well as an antidepressant with some added benefit of some pain reduction. It is one tool I can use and since I needed the antidepressant it was one change I could make so it worked for me.
Was on Cymbalta for 5 years. Supposedly was to help with the pain of two ruptured lumbar discs along with taking Prozac. Never one bit of help and took a whole year to get off of it! Thought I would lose my mind before I was finally shed of it . Best of luck truly.
Good luck as you look for a solution. Even if Mayo cannot accommodate you, there are other programs available. It will take some work to find a suitable one near you.
Sue
I sympathize with @nhgirl, @lgumerman, @deb1972, @trents & all of you who have bad experiences with Cymbalta (duloxetine) for pain relief.
Duloxetine is not, itself, a pain reliever, reducing inflammation like NSAID's or reducing the brain's response to pain like opioids. "Duloxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance and stop the movement of pain signals in the brain." (from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604030.html)
Chronic pain has a component wherein the brain has become sensitized to pain, and the body and mind overreact to each new pain stimulus. Managing chronic pain requires elements of cognitive therapy, whether biofeedback, meditation or other tools, sometimes used in conjunction with duloxetine to modify the messages being sent to the brain, and how they are interpreted. Sadly, throwing an SSRI/SNRI drug at the pain without the other components is not effective, but that seems to be what many doctors are doing.
For those of you with chronic pain, for whom opioids are not an option, either due to current protocols or inability to tolerate, have you considered a Pain Rehab Program that focuses on alternate options? I know not everyone has the option of a program like this one at Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691 But there are many local in and outpatient programs around the country.
Sue
Sue
@AlwaysHopeful
I take 60 mg of Cymbalta daily for pain relief of fibromyalgia. Most of the time I find it reduces the pain to a manageable amount.
Along with fibro, I have Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) arthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) to name a few aliments. A plus for me is that Cymbalta also reduces anxiety. I'm looking forward to your response to Colleen Young's questions and getting to know more about you.
I have experience with Deloxetine. I find the side effects, most problematic for me was extreme sweating. Also from what I have read is that it is pretty difficult to stop. As in withdrawing is a pretty rough ride. However, I was able to reduce from 60 to 30 and did not notice any issues. I did not notice that it helped with my chronic pain. I've heard that it works well for chronic neuropathy.
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Sue: can you send me a link to the Phoenix 3-week pain clinic. I can’t seem to find anything on Mayo’s website. Thanks liz
Hello Liz -
Here is the information about the Mayo Clinic Pain RehabilitationCenter:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691
If you prefer to self-refer, here is the link for requesting an assessment at any Mayo Clinics.
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
After you fill in the identifying information, you get to the page where you tell them what you need & where you can travel.
Good luck as you look for a solution. Even if Mayo cannot accommodate you, there are other programs available. It will take some work to find a suitable one near you.
Sue
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1 ReactionSeriously the worst drug ever! I had every side
Effect but when the whites
Of my eyes started turning yellow that was it! Took me 3 months to get off of it and i itched so bad I thought I would lose my mind! I also was working full time and commuting… I had two daughters in college and I needed to work. God the thinks we go through- we are Guinea pigs.best of luck to you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsCymbalta is an anti-depressant. I was already on lexapro so when offered the chance to try this I switched over from lexapro to cymbalta. It worked well as an antidepressant with some added benefit of some pain reduction. It is one tool I can use and since I needed the antidepressant it was one change I could make so it worked for me.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was on Cymbalta and quit cold turkey! This was a horrible drug for me. It helped nothing but but drive me insane.
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3 ReactionsWas on Cymbalta for 5 years. Supposedly was to help with the pain of two ruptured lumbar discs along with taking Prozac. Never one bit of help and took a whole year to get off of it! Thought I would lose my mind before I was finally shed of it . Best of luck truly.
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5 ReactionsThank you! Liz
I wouldn't if I were you. Terrible to get off of. Some people it takes months
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1 ReactionI sympathize with @nhgirl, @lgumerman, @deb1972, @trents & all of you who have bad experiences with Cymbalta (duloxetine) for pain relief.
Duloxetine is not, itself, a pain reliever, reducing inflammation like NSAID's or reducing the brain's response to pain like opioids. "Duloxetine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance and stop the movement of pain signals in the brain." (from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604030.html)
Chronic pain has a component wherein the brain has become sensitized to pain, and the body and mind overreact to each new pain stimulus. Managing chronic pain requires elements of cognitive therapy, whether biofeedback, meditation or other tools, sometimes used in conjunction with duloxetine to modify the messages being sent to the brain, and how they are interpreted. Sadly, throwing an SSRI/SNRI drug at the pain without the other components is not effective, but that seems to be what many doctors are doing.
For those of you with chronic pain, for whom opioids are not an option, either due to current protocols or inability to tolerate, have you considered a Pain Rehab Program that focuses on alternate options? I know not everyone has the option of a program like this one at Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691 But there are many local in and outpatient programs around the country.
Sue
Sue
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI have experience with Deloxetine. I find the side effects, most problematic for me was extreme sweating. Also from what I have read is that it is pretty difficult to stop. As in withdrawing is a pretty rough ride. However, I was able to reduce from 60 to 30 and did not notice any issues. I did not notice that it helped with my chronic pain. I've heard that it works well for chronic neuropathy.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions