1. < Neuropathy

Gabapentin and Cymbalta

Posted by jeanniem @jeanniem, Mar 15, 2021

I am taking 300mg of Gabapentin twice a day and my neurologist seems to feel pretty strongly that I add 30mg of Cymbalta. Does anyone else take this combo? I really hate adding new medications!

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glennathill | @glennathill | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @daphnebattle "I was just just prescribed both of these. I’m afraid of the side affects and my..." + (show)
@daphnebattle

I was just just prescribed both of these. I’m afraid of the side affects and my doctor had the nerves to tell me to worry about them later as they come. I feel there is really no help for nerve pain with out taking something else out. 😰. I suffer on a daily with my Arms and hands im not diabetic.

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I feel the same way. I took gabapentin once and it's not for me.

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pamelaz | @pamelaz | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @pamelaz "I just started taking 60 mgs of Cymbalta and 100 mgs of Gabapentin. So far I..." + (show)
@pamelaz

I just started taking 60 mgs of Cymbalta and 100 mgs of Gabapentin. So far I am walking a little funny but sleep through the night.

Do anyone else take this combo and how long does it take to work?

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I take 60 mgs of Cymbalta and 100 mgs of Gabapentin. I am to up the Gabapentin to 3 time a day today. It makes me very sleepy ad I do walk funny.

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1 reply
pitepalten | @pitepalten | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @dbeshears1 "I agree that all of probably do have SOMETHING in their lifestyle that we can change..." + (show)
@dbeshears1

I agree that all of probably do have SOMETHING in their lifestyle that we can change to better ourselves and conditions. I was by no means perfect, but I was in peak form when I got blindsided one day by my idiopathic PN, which put me in a wheelchair chair for 6 months before I was able to climb out of it. Lifestyle changes would have meant that I should have run/biked exercised less, eaten more fried foods, gained weight, or started smoking or doing illegal drugs. No doctor or other person would have advised me to do that. But when the disease hit me, and took away my ability to exercise as I once did, I made changes like eliminating my weekly glass of wine, praying more, and taking doctor’s advice on Gabapentin. Nothing else could reach that internal nerve pain.
So I was set back, and put on an entirely new journey, with brand new goals and objectives. Your advice is right on so many levels. Today I need to see what physical therapy and exercises help me balance and keep strength. There are new nutritional ideas to help what ails us. I agree that some doctors are easier to push pills, and none of my doctors EVER mentioned alternative therapies and support groups.
But I found this wonderful forum on my own, and have learned so many things from other folks here, from exercises, medicines, oils & lotions, socks & shoes, alternative therapies, and most importantly, what I needed the most and am still trying to learn: positive thinking!
I like your thinking and your message, we don’t have a condition that pills can cure, and we should expect to make lifestyle changes in order to make our lives simpler, so we need to help ourselves! However, many of us have tried to go without Gabapentin and even with positive lifestyle changes, Gabapentin provided the best nerve pain (or numbness, tingling, temperature) relief. Praying for all of us to find the right formula to live with our conditions and enjoy life to its fullest!

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You found that one glass of wine a week affect your condition?

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1 reply
pitepalten | @pitepalten | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @pamelaz "The pain is unbearable. But decide if it’s worth a try. It may help. I just..." + (show)
@pamelaz

The pain is unbearable. But decide if it’s worth a try. It may help. I just started gabapentin Monday and Cymbalta. It does seem to effect my stomach. I have Gerd on top of everything else.

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I take Cymbalta and it has helped tremendously. I’m on 30mg morning and night. I tried to taper back but that made my symptoms get worse. I haven’t noticed any side effects. I have been taking it for close to a year.

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1 reply
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @pitepalten "You found that one glass of wine a week affect your condition?" + (show)
@pitepalten

You found that one glass of wine a week affect your condition?

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Oh No, not at all. I didn't mean to imply that any wine would affect my condition, especially since they have no idea what has even caused my neuropathy. But after reading what some others try to see what, if anything, might help them in any way, especially after Gabapentin in the mix, I decided to just eliminate that wine/alcohol/sugar. Plus, with my handicap, then the pandemic, we just didn't go out for dinner much anymore. Now, some folks cut out caffeine... I could NOT do that, I faithfully have my 2 cups a day, black! And chocolate, I still get a dose of sugar in chocolate...

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pamelaz | @pamelaz | Jul 24, 2022

Do you have any problems with Gerd? Sugar and chocolate greatly effect both.

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1 reply
pamelaz | @pamelaz | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @pitepalten "I take Cymbalta and it has helped tremendously. I’m on 30mg morning and night. I tried..." + (show)
@pitepalten

I take Cymbalta and it has helped tremendously. I’m on 30mg morning and night. I tried to taper back but that made my symptoms get worse. I haven’t noticed any side effects. I have been taking it for close to a year.

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Have you ever smoked?

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jip499 | @jip499 | Jul 24, 2022

How do all the doctors mentioned here not know that there is an interaction between Cymbalta and gabapentin? It can make blood sodium levels too low. Google it and read about it. If you are on Cymbalta, do not add gabapentin.

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Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 25, 2022
In reply to @pamelaz "Do you have any problems with Gerd? Sugar and chocolate greatly effect both." + (show)
@pamelaz

Do you have any problems with Gerd? Sugar and chocolate greatly effect both.

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I won’t say I have a problem with GERD, but I try not to be excessive with sugar. I have hypoglycemia so I have to have some sugar in my diet (though there are healthier sugars)

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kratz5 | @kratz5 | Jul 25, 2022
In reply to @pamelaz "I take 60 mgs of Cymbalta and 100 mgs of Gabapentin. I am to up the..." + (show)
@pamelaz

I take 60 mgs of Cymbalta and 100 mgs of Gabapentin. I am to up the Gabapentin to 3 time a day today. It makes me very sleepy ad I do walk funny.

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Try taking the Gabapentin at night if it makes you sleepy. I take 600 mg, and I take it at night. My legs ache and are painful at night, this is why I take it. But if it helps you, but makes you sleepy, then take it at night.

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