Cymbalta

[Pata]

started Cymbalta (20mg 2x a day) 3 wks ago, pain has reduced a little, my frfog is better, I developed an itchy rash & still have problems sleeping. I go back to the dr tom not sure what will happen. the reduction in pain has allowed me to a least walk and exercise a little. I use willow bark lotion to deaden the pain dr said take Aleve but my stomach can't handle it. Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Sdfoxy]

I just started cymbalta also. I’ve had fibro since mid forties I’m 58 now. I pretty much new I had it because my mom does but it wasn’t to bad. In the last two years it has progressively gotten worse. I work retail 40 hours a week and walk about 6 miles a day there. I couldn’t move by the time I got home. I went back to my gp. (Rheumatologist who diagnosed me is useless) and he is trying me on cymbalta. I was already on low dose
Celexa for anxiety so I just switched to 30 cymbalta wirh no trouble. Pain may have reduced a little. But I will probably a my go to 60 at my near visit. I have a friend who is on 60 and her pain Ans stiffness completely gone. She had no side effects except sweating which went away. And mild headaches are first. I hope this is my answer. I did take ultracet for about a month. It’s is 37.5 tramadol and 325 Tylenol mix. It helps tremendously. But it was left over from a surgery mrs that I never took and I didn’t want to be dependent on it. I do want to say I had no side effects from a kind or or going off of it. And my gp who is up on all medicines did tell me that it is not an opiate per say. Like opiates that are made of opium. But it does stimulate the same receptors as an opiate. He said they are backing off of it being so addictive. It is a class four like klonopin which my husband takes for a sleep disorder. It I will say some people will and can get addicted
To anything. Especially if they start I nees
More. So I will take that as a last resort. I will not take lyrica or any nerve medications. Message me if you would like to talk

 

[sunkacola]

I suggest to both of you that, if you have not already, you read the post of advice that is pinned at the top of the General forum. It has many things you can start doiong that will greatly assist you to be in better health both mentally and physically, and that will in turn help with your fibro symptoms.

Pata, have you tried using medical cannabis combined with CBD? It has helped many people, including myself. I usually do a mix that is about 75% CBD and 25% THC, and I mix it myself using tinctures. I have found that with practice and experimentation I am now able to do just the right amount for what I need and I do not get high because I prefer not to. It takes some time to learn how to do it for yourself, and it doesn't work with the same efficiency on all the different kinds of pain I have, but it beats taking chemical medications.

Many people have bad reactions to Cymbalta. Just keep an eye on it and if you develop any other reactions, or it gets worse, then you should discuss with your doctor and see about trying something else.

Other people here have had good results with supplements, and can tell you about that.

 

[sandieh]

I took Cymbalta for 2 years with no problem. Then I started getting every side effect in the book. It is a horrible drug and it took me almost a year to get off of it, after careful weaning by my primary care doctor. I have no alternative suggestion, because I get bad reactions from all the fibro drugs. The only thing that helps my pain is tramadol and tylenol, but I try not to take them too often.

 

[Mirador]

I didn't take Cymbalta for my FM, but I took it for a long time for anxiety/depression. The dosage I took is the same as for when it's prescribed for FM. I always had mild side effects with it, nothing earth-shattering, but annoying. Ultimately I chose to discontinue it, as it had ultimately caused a kind of apathetic, flat mood for pretty much everything. I didn't get too upset about anything, but I didn't get too happy about anything, either. It just sort of dulled my emotions. So the doctor (who was also my employer) advised me to wean off of it rather than suddenly stop taking it all at once, as there can be withdrawal issues. He suggested a few weeks wean before stopping.

Long story short, the withdrawal issues were so significant that I ended up with an extremely long wean of 9 months, and I could have easily extended it longer, because even that long taper didn't prevent disturbing withdrawal effects.

Cymbalta is in a meds class called SNRIs, and while they may be useful for some people for some mental health conditions (or for FM, diabetes pain, and arthritis, which are much more recent applications), I wouldn't recommend them to anyone without warning them about what it could be like to get off of them. It's not so much an addiction as a dependency. Your brain gets accustomed to the changes Cymbalta (or meds like it) makes, and it doesn't want to give them up without a fight, more or less.

Listen to your physician above all, naturally, but keep in mind that most of them haven't personally dealt with SNRI withdrawal. I went into it not knowing what could happen. I wish someone had filled me in on what could happen when I ever tried to discontinue it. So that's what I'm doing.

 

[Mirador]

Pata, just one more thought. Naproxin (like Aleve) and ibuprofin (like Advil) wreak havoc on my gut, too. I told my doctor that it feels like they're eating a hold in me and she said, "They probably are." She advised me to take an antacid whenever I take them - like Prilosec or something similar. It made all the difference in the world for me. It's worth a try, maybe.

 

[Jemima]

I know that some people get along with it, but I also had an awful experience with Cymbalta. That's not to say that it can't be helpful to you - it might be a great fit - but I would advise being very aware of any emerging side effects! This might be rashes, heart palpitations, oedema (swelling/puffiness), nausea, temperature de-regulation, dizziness, sexual dysfunction (oh yes - not fun!) The thing with medication is often that we have to decide what side effects we're willing to tolerate in exchange for the benefit they provide - which is really tough.

Finally, keep in mind that the longer you take Cymbalta, the more challenging withdrawal may become. Not everyone has such a hard time, but for some coming off the drug, awful migraines, panic attacks, and so called "brain-zaps" can occur. Weaning off can take months, and stopping suddenly is potentially dangerous. Your doctor is not supposed to advise you to do it, but you can pop the pills open and count the little balls inside to taper more slowly. Self awareness is key I hope all goes well for you!

 

[JayCS]

pop the pills open and count the little balls inside to taper more slowly

Jemima - do you mean pills as in capsules? Does duloxetine come in capsules? With little balls in them? With amitriptyline I had 10mg & 25mg-tablets and 2mg-drops and I used a combination to wean them off. My wife was a bit wary, but I got out that zombifying-hell inside of 2 weeks with no more bad effects than the 8 side effects the stuff (incl. increasing my focal seizures) was giving me. (BTW haven't had any focal seizures since April 23rd, thanks to the continuing success of the GABA )

 

[Jemima]

Jemima - do you mean pills as in capsules? Does duloxetine come in capsules? With little balls in them? With amitriptyline I had 10mg & 25mg-tablets and 2mg-drops and I used a combination to wean them off. My wife was a bit wary, but I got out that zombifying-hell inside of 2 weeks with no more bad effects than the 8 side effects the stuff (incl. increasing my focal seizures) was giving me. (BTW haven't had any focal seizures since April 23rd, thanks to the continuing success of the GABA

I'm glad you got off of something that wasn't suiting you. Can be so stressful!

Yes, duloxetine comes in capsules, filled with tiny little pearl-like balls. They're discussed a lot online as people try to navigate the withdrawal, so I'm guessing it's the same internationally. Several class action lawsuits have been filed in the US because of the medication's side effects but all were so far dismissed

I'm so happy for you that the GABA is working so well! That's next on my list - I've had a major win with the Magnesium Glycinate

 

[JayCS]

I think I'm doing OK without the magnesium malate, but I'm still gonna order it again now. Great to hear how it's working for you!
I'm now ordering empty gastroresistant capsules for the GABA, since taking it sublingually is bad for my stomach and I want to dose more finely than the 750mg....

 

[Jazzie]

I'm taking Cymbalta 60 mg without difficulty, Gabapentin. I can't tolerate any NSAID so can't take ibufrofin, Aleve, etc cuz they all tear my stomach up. I am going to contact my doc tomorrow bc something else has to be done (I'm taking Extra strength Tylenol), but I'm in so much pain I can't sleep at night. I've been so good about not asking for more bc I know they don't want people to get addicted, but come on! I've tried so many other things that haven't helped! Acupuncture, heat, vitamin B, magnesium, different strengths of cbd/thc.

 

[Edit]

started Cymbalta (20mg 2x a day) 3 wks ago, pain has reduced a little, my frfog is better, I developed an itchy rash & still have problems sleeping. I go back to the dr tom not sure what will happen. the reduction in pain has allowed me to a least walk and exercise a little. I use willow bark lotion to deaden the pain dr said take Aleve but my stomach can't handle it. Any advice is much appreciated.

Hi Pata!
I am on Cymbalta 2 x 60 mg a day because a major depression and fibro , and Restless leg, it is normal if you have sometimes itchiness or little rush is different part of your body. for my most of my torso area. Unfortunately I am using Alprax or Endep for insomnia but not always helping. Some days I can not go to sleep at all until 6 am morning. Lately I tried the technic: I am not go to bed until I am not feel sleepy. it happened twice I did not sleep at night at all, but after my morning chore (feeding my cats, dog have shower etc) I went to bed and after 10 minutes I did fall a sleep and slept until lunchtime. Because I am not working I can do this but If you are working maybe it is not for you. sometimes after 2 -3 days this strange technic a next 3-4 days i can go to sleep normally around 11 pm and sleep to 7 am in the morning without any sleep medication. This is working for me but I am not give this an advice because maybe this could harm your biological clock. I always had problem with insomnia what is not every night, but sometimes here for week sometimes for one or two night. I tried to go to bed at 11 but just tossing and turning until at last was dawn. it was terrible, I was so tired next day my symptoms flared up, I cried and get more stressed. Some doctor said if you go do routine, same time go to sleep, not reading no TV or computer after a while you get sleepy even without tablets. I tried so many time it is not working for me. Maybe for me my body has to reach the point when tied enough to fall a sleep. I am happy to hear from you ho thing going with you. take care

 

[JayCS]

Hi Edit - I've had the same experience as you that we can have success with a different sleep rhythm to what is generally taught, if that isn't working anyway. Generally it is wrong what that doctor said: you will not nec. get sleepy by going to bed, esp. if you have a sleep disorder like we have with fibro, so sleep hygiene says try getting to sleep for about 30-40 mins., but then do NOT continue, get up again - exactly like you think is a strange technique: It isn't, it's exactly right. Esp. for fibro I've heard several times to do exactly what you did. For me this wouldn't work, I don't think, but I have other really strange techniques like a 1' cold shower, my secret weapon.
What I've found out this year is that if I get feverish-fluey at daytime that is ALWAYS tiredness and sleeping immediately (or as soon as possible) is best, and it doesn't affect my biological clock whether it's a 20-40' power nap or deep sleep for 2 hours. I wish I'd realized that before, but I listened too much to general sleep hygiene advice and not enough to my body. That's because no one has ever told me that that feverish-feeling is actually tiredness.
To me it sounds as if you are listening to your body well - don't stop doing that!
BTW: I make my devices go to night shift mode from 4pm to 9am, so I don't get blue light from them. And that doesn't affect me much anyway, apart from sometimes inspiring me to something, so I try to avoid anything interesting. And if I don't, then I just enjoy the freedom of doing what I like.

 

[Edit]

Hi Edit - I've had the same experience as you that we can have success with a different sleep rhythm to what is generally taught, if that isn't working anyway. Generally it is wrong what that doctor said: you will not nec. get sleepy by going to bed, esp. if you have a sleep disorder like we have with fibro, so sleep hygiene says try getting to sleep for about 30-40 mins., but then do NOT continue, get up again - exactly like you think is a strange technique: It isn't, it's exactly right. Esp. for fibro I've heard several times to do exactly what you did. For me this wouldn't work, I don't think, but I have other really strange techniques like a 1' cold shower, my secret weapon.
What I've found out this year is that if I get feverish-fluey at daytime that is ALWAYS tiredness and sleeping immediately (or as soon as possible) is best, and it doesn't affect my biological clock whether it's a 20-40' power nap or deep sleep for 2 hours. I wish I'd realized that before, but I listened too much to general sleep hygiene advice and not enough to my body. That's because no one has ever told me that that feverish-feeling is actually tiredness.
To me it sounds as if you are listening to your body well - don't stop doing that!
BTW: I make my devices go to night shift mode from 4pm to 9am, so I don't get blue light from them. And that doesn't affect me much anyway, apart from sometimes inspiring me to something, so I try to avoid anything interesting. And if I don't, then I just enjoy the freedom of doing what I like.

Thanks JayCS , I thought my technic is totally abnormal I am happy, you said it is not. Yes, that is what I try listening my body, sometimes is much better then the doctor advise. When I tried my specialist advice " go to bed every day the same time, no matter you sleepy or not" did not worked for me, I was alert ALL NIGHT, I hardly wait have to get up feed my animals and make breakfast to my HB and me. I thin this illnes is so different to every person, hardly you can give the similar advice to everybody. I t is funny Ican sleep much much better in daytime from about 9- 1 or 2 pm , this is the time I am much more relax. take care thanks for your responding

 

[JayCS]

- After a few good nights, last night was wonky once again, but typical: Bedtime good (21:30). Woke up after the first sleep phase (these are usually 1.5-2h long my sleep psychiatrist told me, which means I almost always wake up and have to get up after every one). Unrest in my torso as often: 1' cold shower helped as usual. Another 3 phases. Then a thought that I cdnt get under control with autogenic training etc. for 2h. Added GABA to see if that can improve my bladder problems, which have got a bit worse again of late, drinking earlier yesterday hadn't helped either. Then another 3 sleep phases, so 4 and 3, separated by a wake/dozing phase, altogether 11h sleep (some of that dozing) due to the additional GABA, instead of 9-10h *sigh*. Just so you see neither you nor your technique are abnormal - or I am too.