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Another Med Change

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/4/2013 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Howdie All,

I saw my PM today and reported the results of my month on Butrans.

Here's an overview.
- began on 10 mcg/hr -- got a migraine so took the patch off after about a day.
- went to 5 mcg/hr -- only mild headache, but no pain relief
- after a week on 5mcg, moved back to 10.
- first day, seemed very strong, second-third day, helpful, after that not enough, by sixth day, negligible

So, after talking about it for the better part of 2 years, I'm finally trying Cymbalta. The PM is having me cross-taper from Tramadol. Tomorrow, I go down to 200mg of Tramadol ER and start at 30mg of Cymbalta.

After a week of that, cut the Tramadol again and move up to 60mg of Cymbalta.

My last time trying a SNRI (Savella), I had some nasty side effects. But my PM said that this hits the S more than the N -- so maybe it will suit me better, given how great Tramadol was for me for so many years.

Also, they want me to continue with the Butrans -- but I'm going to hold off for a while and just see how the Cymbalta does for at least a few days.

Now that my book is in the hands of my publisher, I figure I have the window for a bit of experimenting.
Posted 5/4/2013 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well hopefully the Cymbalta will give you some relief. I know that for me none of them worked and they all caused horrible side effects. I am very sensitive to medications though so I'm sure you will have better luck. The only thing that helps me is hydromorph contin for my long acting med, dilaudid for bt, and ibuprofen for inflammation. I am also allowed to take a flexeril a couple times a week and a toradol a couple times a week when the pain is really bad. I guess we all have to try so many different things to find out what works for us. This may do the trick for you. Good luck with it.
Posted 5/4/2013 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Cogito....

Sounds like a good plan to me, lol.... hopefully the meds will work for you.... keep us updated....

Take care,
Tina
Posted 5/4/2013 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a plan. I hope you have good results on the cymbalta, I tried it when it first came out but didnt do well with it. Moved to lyrica and have done good.

Some folks do well on one and not on the other. Hope it brings you relief.
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