Has anyone ever been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for nerve pain?

Posted by dougs72 @dougs72, Jun 22, 2024

Has anyone ever been on Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for nerve pain? I've had 2 doctors push this on me. I know that the side effects can be terrible and getting off of it difficult as it requires titration. One time I remember taking one pill, and not liking the way it made me feel, so not taking any more, and still feeling the "weirdness" from it 2-3 days later. and that was only 30 mg Please pass along any experience or advice from this medication?

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Profile picture for susanblan @susanblan

I’ve been on Lyrica for pain for 10 years. It’s a miracle for me. I would not be able to live without it. It is something you have to take when the pain starts. It does have withdrawn side effects if you stop using it , but your doctor should help you manage it.
I have been on cymbalta for a few years for mental health. It is Not at all helpful for physical pain . It does nothing for me that way. I take magnesium to help with sleeping.
Lyrica did make me gain ten pounds very fast and I have never been able to lose it. I eat very healthy and nothing works. But, I have stopped worrying about the ten pounds and remind myself that without the Lyrica I would be bed ridden and utterly miserable.
Hope you find this helpful .

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I am also on lyrica (pregabalin) but it does not seem to be helping keep the pain away. I just know that if I stop it is much worse. But does this suggest that I should have a higher dose?
Duloxetine (cymbalta) did nothing for me with regards to the pain.

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I had the same experience with Lyrica as you did. I had cut back on calories greatly, but couldn't shake a plateau at 187 lbs. I stopped the Lyrica (pregabalin) cold turkey after about 4 weeks of being on it, then dropped several lbs over the next 3 days. I was grateful for that, and I look forward to losing more belly fat and love handles. I think gabapentin may have the same disappointing weight loss effect. Males, 77 years old, 181 lbs now. I didn't miss any pain relief wafter stopping Lyrica, but I thought it would help with never pain emanating from my spine down to my feet, but it has not shown a resumption of that since I stopped taking it. Was at Lyrica 50 mg daily before bedtime. What good does Cymbalta do then, just mental health/mood/depression effects?

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Profile picture for laughlin1947 @laughlin1947

I had the same experience with Lyrica as you did. I had cut back on calories greatly, but couldn't shake a plateau at 187 lbs. I stopped the Lyrica (pregabalin) cold turkey after about 4 weeks of being on it, then dropped several lbs over the next 3 days. I was grateful for that, and I look forward to losing more belly fat and love handles. I think gabapentin may have the same disappointing weight loss effect. Males, 77 years old, 181 lbs now. I didn't miss any pain relief wafter stopping Lyrica, but I thought it would help with never pain emanating from my spine down to my feet, but it has not shown a resumption of that since I stopped taking it. Was at Lyrica 50 mg daily before bedtime. What good does Cymbalta do then, just mental health/mood/depression effects?

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Lyrica at 50 mg. is very low dosage. Maybe you need higher.

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Profile picture for susanblan @susanblan

Lyrica at 50 mg. is very low dosage. Maybe you need higher.

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Oh, I'd rather get off the Lyrica so I can lose a few pounds. I just wonder if Cymbalta is a better nerve tonic than Lyrica of gabapentin without the side effect of weight gain.

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Profile picture for rrenaut @rrenaut

I am also on lyrica (pregabalin) but it does not seem to be helping keep the pain away. I just know that if I stop it is much worse. But does this suggest that I should have a higher dose?
Duloxetine (cymbalta) did nothing for me with regards to the pain.

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Duloxatine is not for me. The side effects were such that I was instructed to come off, in a managed way.
I haven't resolved the question of what I can take instead.

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Profile picture for rrenaut @rrenaut

I am also on lyrica (pregabalin) but it does not seem to be helping keep the pain away. I just know that if I stop it is much worse. But does this suggest that I should have a higher dose?
Duloxetine (cymbalta) did nothing for me with regards to the pain.

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Replying to @susanblan also to @rrenaut
According to arthritis.ca - Duloxetine may be used to treat depression and anxiety. Duloxetine is also used to treat different types of pain, such as diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia pain, chronic low back pain, and chronic osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. However, from personal experience - I do know that it can take between 2 to 6 weeks for it to become effective. Now on a dosage of 60mg duloxetine in the morning and 60 mg in the evening - plus - a weekly Butec Bupronorphine pain relief patch, my pain is at a reasonably tolerable level.

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Yes I have it helps for a while but wears off or stoped working after about a year unfortunately.

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Profile picture for dollydutchgirl1946 @dollydutchgirl1946

Replying to @susanblan also to @rrenaut
According to arthritis.ca - Duloxetine may be used to treat depression and anxiety. Duloxetine is also used to treat different types of pain, such as diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia pain, chronic low back pain, and chronic osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. However, from personal experience - I do know that it can take between 2 to 6 weeks for it to become effective. Now on a dosage of 60mg duloxetine in the morning and 60 mg in the evening - plus - a weekly Butec Bupronorphine pain relief patch, my pain is at a reasonably tolerable level.

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I've been taking Duloxetine, along with another med to treat my depression for several years(10). I still have good days as well as bad days, depending on my levels of pain, along with the weather up here in the PNW.

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Profile picture for rrenaut @rrenaut

I am also on lyrica (pregabalin) but it does not seem to be helping keep the pain away. I just know that if I stop it is much worse. But does this suggest that I should have a higher dose?
Duloxetine (cymbalta) did nothing for me with regards to the pain.

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I am on 60 mg of Cymbalta at noon and Lyrica (25 mornings and 100 at bedtime) and together they work pretty well for Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which is similar to fibromyalgia but without the fatigue. The cymbalta has also lessened the anxiety that comes with chronic pain. I think it is just different for everyone.

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I also hated it for the first 2 weeks for neuropathy BUT if you give it some time and you may require a light xanax dose initially due to the anxiety it is a life changer for nerve pain. Lyrica is also good but you will put on weight. I was on 60mg duloxetine and later changed to lyrica due to its effect on my rls.

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