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Cymbalta a bust! See PM Monday

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Posted 6/28/2013 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Howdie All,

4 weeks now and I've gotten no relief from the Cymbalta trial -- moreover, I've been more depressed over the past few weeks than I have been for years.

While my routine pain was formerly 2-3 (with a few daily spikes to 5-7) on 300mg of Tramadol ER & 10mg Oxycontin, over the past month, pain has been a near constant 5-6. I've not been sleeping well due to pain, getting up in agony and before anything else, taking a BT, and then turning to BT more often than I used to. (instead of once or twice, more like 4 times per day).

So, I see my PM Monday afternoon. I assume I've given the Cymbalta long enough to kick in, and if I get no benefit from 30mg, it doesn't seem worth stretching this out or moving up to 60mg. Opinions? Has anyone found 60mg helpful whereas 30mg did nothing?

Thanks.
Posted 6/28/2013 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cognito,

I'm sorry that didn't work out for you. Based on the depression side effect, I wouldn't try to go up in dosage. It might only get worse. Most side effects would have gone away at this point if they were not permanent. I'm sure your doctor will have better insight than I, but I would not continue.

I believe that's one of the "Call your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects" for that drug isn't it? Worsening depression?

Please let us know how it goes. I hope they find the magic combination for you.
Posted 6/28/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta did not work for me either, when I was on it I never got a full nights rest as it would wake me at 3a.m. with nightsweats and night terrors (nightmares gone wrong!), These got worse at the 60mg dose....
So time for you to talk about other medications on Monday and I' m very sorry this medication did not give you any helpful relief.
Many well wishes and keep us posted on how things go with your pm visit on Monday.
Posted 6/28/2013 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't work for me either. Side effects: tiredness, insomnia, tremor, hot flushes, nausea, blurred vision, headache, tinnitus, weakness. None of the other "nerve meds" worked either, just side effects.

I don't get much relief from tramadol ER. The IR Q4h works pretty well, just can't take it at night because it keeps me awake. I'm on 1 1/2mg melatonin at 8:30 and 5 mg Ambien at bedtime to get any sleep at all. I get to sleep, but wake up 3-4 times.

For my spine pain (similar to yours) I got facet joint injections that worked, so I was allowed to get the ablations which are helping a lot. I still have all the fun fibromyalgia pain, but tramadol eases that and makes me happy - a great side effect!
Posted 6/28/2013 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Cymbalta for about 3 years and it didn't really work well until I got to the 60mg. But I would make sure you express all the side effects with your Dr. It could be the Cymbalta or it could be the fact that you aren't on the Tramadol in high dosages anymore, (I think this is right and you have lowered or stopped taking it), because that has SSRI-like properties to it and many people report uplifted mood while on it.

That is pretty amazing that you have been used to getting a 2-3 on the pain scale previously! I haven't been there in 8 years!

I hope you can figure out a good combination again..

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 6/28/2013 9:43:12 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/28/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I had severe depressive and anger issues with Cymbalta. Both on 30 and 60 mg. dosages. Everyone is different, but.... It's not fun.
Posted 6/28/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta didn't work for me either, and I had really serious side effects relating to the Cerebral Palsy. Would never try it a second time at any dose. It seems like one of those meds people either love or hate..it either works beautifully or horribly.

Maybe you could try Lyrica or something else instead? I would definitely mention the increase in depression, since that would be a good argument against trying a dose increase and would lean towards a med switch instead.
Posted 6/29/2013 9:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sorry to hear you are in more pain at the moment I would agree that you go back and have a chat with you doctor to see if there are any alternatives. I have been put onto Cymbalta and I am now on 90mg and have found it to be a reasonable medication apart from the insomnia but I feel it has helped with my pain but I use it in combination with other medication which are listed below. I hope you find something soon keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 7/2/2013 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on Cymbalta for six years, went from 30 mg to 60 mg in the first two months and then to 90 after five years. It has been a godsend for me which just shows that we all have different metabolisms. If Cymbalta hasn't helped you by six weeks I'd try another AD.
Posted 7/2/2013 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I also had anger and depression problems on cymbalta and it didn't work.

Tried lyrica and did great so it's each to his own with these meds it seems.
Posted 7/3/2013 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Howdie All,

I saw my PM on Monday and he wanted me to try 60mg for a month before abandoning the whole trial. He said that the norepinephrine benefit often doesn't kick in until 60mg so if I was getting no relief at 30mg, that may not show 60 won't work.

Fortunately, no major side effects from the 60mg dose (other than moderate constipation). I woke up today, btw, in less pain (a 4 vs a 6) -- and slept through the night. That may be just ebb and flow, but it was at least better than last month.
Posted 7/5/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Cogito,
I have been on Cymbalta for about 5 months, I started at the 30mg level and now take the 60mg. For me it works well. If I remember right my rhuematologist said it would take 6-8 to notice changes; however, if you think this a cause for your depression I would not wait long before consulting my doctor. Good luck.
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