Hi there @cookierockwell, welcome to Connect. (BTW....that's an interesting name you have chosen). I wanted to say hello and welcome you to Connect. If you have been reading a lot....that is a good way to start. Have you noticed that by sharing our experiences, we help each other? That truly is our mission.

In response to your first post.....I notice that you haven't mentioned a diagnosis. Do you suffer from a form of neuropathy? Have you had a punch skin biopsy yet? That would help you identify SFN (small fiber neuropathy). There are other tests for PN (peripheral neuropathy).

I am sorry your attempts with Cymbalta have been unsuccessful. As you might imagine, everyone is different. What works for me might not work for you. And that is true about Duloxetine (Cymbalta). It is my "go-to" for SFN and has been for several years. I have migrated from 60 mg to 120 mg a day. You might ask, "what can it possibly be doing for you?" And you might be surprised that what it does for me is reduce my anxiety. I was caught in a round-a-bout. My pain caused anxiety which then created more pain which then............you've got the idea.

At this time, after being diagnosed 10 years ago, I take my Cymbalta dosage as soon as I get up in the morning. It ensures that I begin the morning with mental and physical control.

I hope there is another medication that can do the same for you. And just so you know, the rest of my pain control is accomplished with medical cannabis......another 10-year treatment for me.

Do you feel ready to share a little more about your symptoms and the diagnosis you have received? As a mentor, I can then help you be introduced to others experiencing the same symptoms or conditions.

Are you seeing a specialist clinician in addition to your PCP?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@cookierockwell, @colleenyoung, @artscaping, @johnbishop, and all...
Cymbalta has been a lifesaver for me over the years past. I count it as one of my most important and helpful drugs. 120 mg is perfect for me. I take these meds thankfully!

You mentioned RLS and sleep issues. That's another topic that requires a bunch of input from some of us here. I have serious obstructive sleep apnea, use a BiPAP nightly and get good help from that. I use a heated hose and distilled water, with daily auto cleaning with a SoClean 2.
I was in the hospital last week for a couple of days and was given oxygen added to the BiPAP each night. Best sleep I've had in years. I may need oxygen added at night. We'll see.

I was diagnosed with RLS several years ago during sleep testing at Mayo. It's pretty bad and has bothered me for years w/o any diagnosis. The sleep doctor had my ferrous levels tested 2 years ago and found extremely low levels, 15. She added Vitron-C, an OTC iron+C
supplement, as docs found low ferrous often affects RLS. My level increased to 25 after a year of supplementation. So, as I was having serious fatigue still, shortness of breath, etc., I had 2 iron infusions. The docs think the ferrous level needs to be at least 100 to relieve RLS. Wow!

I had great RLS improvement almost immediately. Actually, it took a week or 2 to feel the good effects throughout and get some bounce back in my step, missing for decades. I had energy, a change in attitude, and thinking ability, my personality improved and I began to see the real me. Less depression. Less anxiety. Better sleep. I was also given Requip at night to help with dopamine levels, which helped the RLS and daily balance and walking.

Now, for the last several weeks, fatigue has increased, balance and dizziness worsened, RLS has been getting much worse, neuropathy is much worse and more pain/burning, and my iron ferrous level is 88, the best it's ever been as an adult. Additional tests showed the absorption of the ferrous by my cells is quite low. Since my grandfather died of pernicious anemia, I'm concerned about this series of events and poor absorption. Could also be behind the low oxygen levels in the hospital during the day and night.

These test results were on my PCP portal last Wed. I haven't been able yet to get a response from my PCP's office other than a nurse suggesting I might need to start iron supplements. I'm taking the proper amount daily, and more iron supplements by mouth aren't always better, according to my PCP last year. She hadn't even read my file to know the history, so I relayed it by portal message. No response, even yet.

So, as this has been a multi-year issue getting in touch with and communicating with this office, I emailed my PCP whom I adore and have worked with for 20+ years, for a referral to a new PCP. I also contacted my Mayo rheumatologist's office to see what I should do or whom to contact for advice. You know, if all is ok, just tell me, and let's move on. If, as I think, I have an absorption issue, let's address it and move on.

As it happens, my rheumatologist is a blood specialist and this is right up his alley! God is so good! He got me to Mayo years ago and saved my sanity and my life.

All this is to say to you...Cookie...don't overlook your RLS. It's quite disruptive of your sleep which can lead to other physical and emotional issues. Address this as well as the pain and more pressing issues. My legs/feet are bothering me so much now, I'm using the magnesium lotion recommended by dear @johnbishop, MM lotion, and whatever. I'm not sleeping well. Cramping, burning, hurting, and painful feet and legs can be tough, so don't wait to get that help.

Now, I've shared my most recent issues. Still in process of addressing this, but I know I'll get the answers and treatment if any to take care of this, too. Guess I just needed to share.... haven't had anyone to vent to about all this mess. It was a serious cluster mess even getting the PCP office to send the correctly signed test requests to Mayo or to the local hospital so I could get the tests done. Anyway, I'm being proactive and staying on this until answers are available.

I love Mayo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be your best advocate and find answers, without becoming overly obsessed with your individual health issues. It's a fine line many of us walk with pain, auto-immune illnesses, that can be challenging to diagnose. A line from advocating for ourselves to obsession.
Be better, and be blessed....Elizabeth