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Anyone take Cymbalta?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 11/8/2007 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Currently taking Prozac and several people have told me Cymbalta much more effective for pain relief. Anyone have experience; has it worked for you; any negatives or annoying side effects?
Posted 11/8/2007 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
OMG Gramps! Do you remeber my previous post about when do u go to the MD again? I've been in constant chronic pain and was told by many people that they've heard wonderful things about Cymbalta for pain paitents--two were psychiatrists, who happen to be personal friends. I'm specifically going into the MD's tomarrow to ask him to put me on Cymbalta, but now I'm not sure it's worth switching--why switch one drug for another if it won't do anything better. FYI: I'm not taking Prozac for clinical depression, so that's not a consideration. What about Effexor ER for pain relief, but I didn't get into that one too much because everyone was hopeful about Cymbalta??? What to do, what to do? Maybe nothing?--don't worry, I'm still going to the MD's tomarrow.
Posted 11/8/2007 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta can be a crazy med so beware . It made me nuts. Be careful and read side effects

Posted 11/9/2007 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
FYI: I went to see my primary MD, who specializes in chronic pain (that's why I chose him and he's been great so far--been with him only five or so months). He says in his experience he hasn't seen any significant difference in pain relief between prozac and cymbalta, although "others" are claiming it. He was willing to go with anything I wanted, but I decided not to take Cymbalta, why? if it doesn't help any better with pain relief. This whole process has been eye opening, like all the others--it amazes me how many people, including the friends of mine who are doctors swore that Cymbalta was the better drug. Sometimes it's too complicated or should I say exhausting, but I guess the only thing to do is go on.
Posted 11/9/2007 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I don't take it anymore cuz it maybe helped w/ depression a lil better but as far as cost affectiveness/pain it did nadda. I thought about going on prozac and someone warned me to stay away from that as I already am moody,irritable and crabby. I have been on depression meds for so long and it seems like they just don't want to work anymore. Uff'da. Kota eyes
Posted 11/10/2007 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have Lyme Disease and was previous dx w/Fibro. I was put on Cymbalta for one year. It was the worst medicine I have ever taken.
When originally started, i was sick with flu like symptoms for 6 weeks. I tried to go off slowly several times throughout the year and ended up having to open the pills and COUNT BEADS at the end. Once I was finally off, i did not feel right for at least 6 months.

It was a nightmare! This is just my opinion but I highly recommend anyone considering this med to google "Cymbalta Problems" or something like that. You will come up with PAGES.

Best of Luck!

Anne
Posted 11/10/2007 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Forgot one thing....

Your libido (if you have any) will be in the toilet. It is one of the most common side effects.
Posted 11/11/2007 11:05 PM (GMT 0)

I have been taking it for about 5 months, I guess. My Dr. thought I should change from Prozac to Cymbalta because I was  still very depressed. I am still very depressed and maybe even more so lately. I cry at the drop of a hat! Of course I am in constant pain, also. I lost my sexual desires a long time ago due to antidepressants. I am now losing my ambition or get-up-and-go, or whatever you want to call it. I was a good housekeeper,, now I do the minimum I can get away with. I am not excited about anything. I'm not saying the Cymbalta did all of this to me, but I think it played a role. I have been in pain for 16 years. I have several bulging discs, DDD, DJD, Fibro, Depression, Insomnia, Osteo, Hypothyroidism, Diverticulitus. IBS, Chronic pain syndrome. There's more I just can't think of them. Ha Ha

I'm going to ask my DR. to change me again. What to? I don't know. I've been on almost all of them.

Posted 11/12/2007 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
I have never used the one that you have mentioned…..whenever I got back pain I took advil pills…this medicine is commonly known as Ibuprofen…..you must have heard about it.
Posted 11/14/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto on Razzle and PainInFL. It was fine while I was on it, good for depression, useless for pain. Be forewarned, withdrawal is hellish - flu-like symptoms, digestive system irregularities, brain zaps (Google, it's everywhere), tremors, hot flashes, extreme moodiness, nausea, ADD-like symptoms... I could go on forever.

I took Prozac for longer than I took Cymbalta with fewer side-effects and no withdrawal symptoms. I actually had to go back on Prozac to control the Cymbalta withdrawal. I've been off for two months and figure I'm about 80% normal. Do your research before you start it, PLEASE.

Stephanie
Posted 12/16/2007 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

Cymbalta did help with pain but causes weight gain. Zoloft better

Posted 12/16/2007 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
My husband is on 120 milligrams of Cymbalta daily for depression and pain. He is disabled for the last 5 years due to a back injury.
All he does is sleep (about 18 hours a day) and has a complete lack of interest in anything. Plus, the doctor who prescribed the Cymbalta prescribed Ambien so he can sleep at night. Now he sleeps about 20+ hours a day.
I've tried to intervene--talking to his doctors, nurses in the field, and crises intervention. They say they can only do something if he is a physical harm to himself and others....what about mentally????
Posted 12/16/2007 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good Gosh!!! I didn't know all the horrors of taking cymbalta. I myself have been on it for some time now. I wasn't feeling depressed as I know it but I was getting angry at the drop of a hat. I was lashing out at my young son who is a great kid and road raging like a crazy person. I thought it was from being in so much pain and sleep deprivation so I discussed it with my pain doc who is also is a psychiatrist. He began addressing the issues slowly and put me on cymbalta. He also told me that it may help the neuropathic pain. I still take gabapentin but have decreased the dosage since starting the cymbalta. Cymbalta has done a great job in controlling anger and may have helped a little with nerve pain. I switched from cymbalta to something else and had to go back on cymbalta. Other med did nothing. Has gabapentin caused memory problems for anyone else? I also take lunesta and occasionally seroquel for sleep. It takes me hours to fall asleep if I don't at least take the lunesta. How addictive is lunesta? I too could sleep for hours but I don't let myself. A few times I have slept in until 10:00 or 10:30 and it made me feel like crap. I feel much, much better when I get up early and start my day by taking my youngest son to school and then on to the gym. Any way cymbalta seems to be working for me but now it sounds like I may have something else to be concerned about.
Have a wonderful and Blessed Day!
Posted 12/18/2007 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Took it for about a year for both pain and depression. I think it may have worked as an anti-depressant but didn't do doodle for pain. Withdrawal was hellish to say the least, four months later and I'm just getting back to normal. I wanted to die for almost a month because my brain chemicals were so messed up. Part of me thinks that that isn't a big dea lfor long term effects, but the experience was terrifying. The plus side is that I was so nauseas that I lost 15 pounds (too sick to eat). Not worth it in my opinion. I wasn't depressed enough to warrant the side effects of coming off of it. I've taken Elavil and Prozac with decent results for depression and been able to come on and off without issue. Since the Cymbalta didn't help with pain, seems it was an unnecessary evil. If you can try something lighter, it would be my strong recommendation to try it first.
Posted 12/18/2007 8:12 AM (GMT 0)

Been taking it for about 3 years now, the only thing that I've noticed is lack of sex drive. Besides that, no problems. I'm sure when the time comes to stop taking them, I would consult with my P/C and go down very slowly to avoid my soul being rippid out feeling going cold turkey. I guess if there is no neuroligical benefit to it, at least Is doing ok as a ANTI-D so I guess until they pull a viox scam I'll keep taking them.

                                            mike

Posted 12/20/2007 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Took a several week break from the forums; my whole world was revolving around being ill, just wanted to stop "talking" about it for awhile. Surprised to see my last post still being replied to, but sooo appreciate the responses. Thanks everyone for the imput. By the way, still sticking with Prozac--pain is currently managed.
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