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  4. What was your experience with duloxetine (US Brand Name; Cymbalta)?

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

Posted by d13 @d13, Jan 11 2:06pm

I was prescribed by my oncologist for the neuropathy in feet and hands. The chemotherapy treatments did this. This drug also states that it is used to treat depression and anxiety. As with any prescription medication, there could be side effects. And a huge list of what not to take with this drug. He also prescribed hydrocodone 5 mg, but to take half of pill four times daily for cancer pain. We’ll, when I got home and read about the Duloxetine use; one of the medications on the list was hydrocodone. I’m now waiting for a call from the oncologist office to see if I can take the Duloxetine with the hydrocodone. Can anyone at least tell me if they have ever taken this medication; Duloxetine? And any side effects?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 4 9:01am
In reply to @crlwks269 "Teresa, Hi, I will try to make my story as brief as I can. I am..." + (show)
@crlwks269

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

Jump to this post

Hello @crlwks269

It is good to hear from you. It sounds as if the past four years has been difficult for you. The discomfort you are feeling has certainly changed your lifestyle. I have to commend you, though, on searching for answers and trying new meds, therapies, etc. to find some help. It can be easy to give up when you don't experience relief right away. Persisting as you have done is the key.

I'm glad that the Duloxetine has helped, to some extent, with the discomfort. I am glad that you have been able to increased your activity level and are now hopeful again. The meditation class sounds like a great idea!

I would like to hear from you periodically with updates. Would you be willing to reach out to others who have unexplained chronic pain?

REPLY
1 reply
crlwks269 | @crlwks269 | Mar 4 9:07am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @crlwks269 It is good to hear from you. It sounds as if the past four..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @crlwks269

It is good to hear from you. It sounds as if the past four years has been difficult for you. The discomfort you are feeling has certainly changed your lifestyle. I have to commend you, though, on searching for answers and trying new meds, therapies, etc. to find some help. It can be easy to give up when you don't experience relief right away. Persisting as you have done is the key.

I'm glad that the Duloxetine has helped, to some extent, with the discomfort. I am glad that you have been able to increased your activity level and are now hopeful again. The meditation class sounds like a great idea!

I would like to hear from you periodically with updates. Would you be willing to reach out to others who have unexplained chronic pain?

Jump to this post

Thanks for the positivity!
I would be happy to help others if I can.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 4 9:13am
In reply to @crlwks269 "Thanks for the positivity! I would be happy to help others if I can." + (show)
@crlwks269

Thanks for the positivity!
I would be happy to help others if I can.

Jump to this post

That is just great! I'm going to tag @rwinney who is the mentor for the chronic pain discussion group. I'm sure she would be happy to get to know you and have you as a resource for others she comes in contact with who have chronic pain.

REPLY
1 reply
crlwks269 | @crlwks269 | Mar 4 9:45am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "That is just great! I'm going to tag @rwinney who is the mentor for the chronic..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

That is just great! I'm going to tag @rwinney who is the mentor for the chronic pain discussion group. I'm sure she would be happy to get to know you and have you as a resource for others she comes in contact with who have chronic pain.

Jump to this post

Sounds good!

REPLY
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Mar 5 2:59pm
In reply to @crlwks269 "Teresa, Hi, I will try to make my story as brief as I can. I am..." + (show)
@crlwks269

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

Jump to this post

@crlwks269 Hi Carol, I'm Rachel, its nice to meet you. Thank you @hopeful33250 for the introduction and inviting me to the conversation.

Carol, you had quite the 4 year run of trying various treatments and medications. Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm glad you have landed on something that is bringing relief. How great that you are getting back in the water and swimming again after having had exercise be a big part of your life pre-symptoms. I like your spirit!

What other approaches have you taken towards symptom management besides medication, that have worked for you? You mention meditation. I benefit from meditation and think you will too.

REPLY
pattykakes | @pattykakes | Mar 5 7:01pm

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.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 6 12:11am
In reply to @pattykakes "In the past I have taken Hydrocodone and Cymbalta together. I did for many years. I..." + (show)
@pattykakes

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.

Jump to this post

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?

REPLY
1 reply
pattykakes | @pattykakes | Mar 6 8:18am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @pattykakes It is so good of you to join in this discussion on Cymbalta. It..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

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?

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Mar 7 10:50am
In reply to @pattykakes "Good Morning, I’ve been taking Cymbalta for approximately 5 years and was on Hydrocodone for around..." + (show)
@pattykakes

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.

Jump to this post

@pattykakes Congratulations my friend on discontinuing hydrocodone! That is a very big accomplishment and one that will greatly benefit you overall. I also discontinued my use and have found other ways of working through and managing pain. My PCP suggested medical Marijuana which after one year I discontinued. My whole life I have detested mind altering drugs, opiates, etc…but when chronic pain upregulated I was desperate for relief and function. These decisions weren't best for me and I knew all along. I just never knew another plan, nor did my doctors. I ineveitably sought a different way of managing chronic pain and symptoms by attending the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC). It was life changing for me to learn ways to live with my condition of Center Sensitization Syndrome (CSS) from a much healthier perspective. Many fibromyalgia patients attend PRC as well.

Have you worked with pain rehab ever? Is it something you might consider?

REPLY
dixie47 | @dixie47 | Mar 15 3:57pm

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!!

REPLY
1 reply
rosa66 | @rosa66 | Mar 22 8:21am
In reply to @regalrottweilers "I have taken Cymbalta and Norco together for years. My mother did too. Never have I..." + (show)
@regalrottweilers

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.

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Considering cymbalta….but concerned about side effects of sweats and restless leg….do you have these?

REPLY
rosa66 | @rosa66 | Mar 22 8:24am
In reply to @ess77 "@d13, and all...I've taken Cymbalta for several years with excellent results. It was first prescribed for..." + (show)
@ess77

@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

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May take cymbalta for depression and anxiety but worried about side effects…sweats? Increased restless leg? Will it help my mental health?

REPLY
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