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Put on Cymbalta

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Posted 10/13/2011 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
So i had my follow up appointment yesterday with the rheumatologist. Told him that the Amitriptyline wasn't realy working for me, that the pain wasn't better in fact was worse and that my sleep is stills as screwed up as can be. He reckons the meds aren't aggresive enough in my case, but for whatever reason he said to stop taking them and he has switched me to Cymbalta 60 Mg.

Took my first pill this monring, made me feel a bit funny but not in a bad way funny. Anyways guess it's gonna take a few days for it al to kick in (or it might just nor kick in like the previous ones, but hey i'm trying to stay positive :) ) Doc dis say with most patients it takes 1 to 2 weeks.

When do you guys take cymbalta, morining or evenings?

Doc told me to first try taking them in the morning, but if i get any bothersome side effects that i could switch to taking it in the evening.

I'll just try it mornings first and see how i feel, but it would be nice to hear bout your experiences :)

Ow and before i forget i did mention my weird 'hands-going-numb-and-weird' episode. Now i'm not good at scientific explanations so i only realy got about half the stuf the doc mentioned, but basically it probably has something to do with to much oxygen going to my limbs and screwing with my nevers. I was told to observe the symptoms if and when they return and to note down when it happens, how long it takes etc.... Just hope it doesn't happen again so i don't have to worry about that any more.

Fiona

Posted 10/14/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
He started you at 60 mg? Interesting - it is advisable to start at 30 mg and work up. Thankfully you did not have major side effects! I started on 30 mg two weeks ago and just began 60 mg today. My first week was nearly torture - severe nausea, headaches, tight throat (actually listed as a symptom!), dizziness, insomnia, etc. I nearly gave up twice but decided I would never know whether it helps or not if I did not try it. I see my doctor tomorrow. Feeling much better - much like myself. My doctor told me it would likely take at least 4-6 weeks for pain relief to begin. My pharmacist told me the same thing (her husband has fibro). So far I feel no pain relief at all but will wait another month or so. If I have no relief I am going to wean off slowly.

Hope it works for you, Fiona!
Posted 10/14/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe you were put directly on 60mg since you were coming off the amitriptyline. I had horrible withdrawals from stopping that.

I take my 60mg in the morning, after breakfast (on full stomach - instructed by dr this way). It did cause some drowsiness the first few days but I'm glad I stuck with mornings as it does give me a boost of energy after taking it. I have a friend who switched to nights after 2 days because she felt drowsy but now has trouble sleeping. I am glad I stuck with mornings for that reason alone.

Yes, most drs put you on 30mg for a week, then go up to 60mg for maintenance dose. I noticed relief within days to a week as I was in such a bad flare at the time. Still good here, at almost 2 months time.
Posted 10/14/2011 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
When you mention Cymbalta I get horrible thoughts. I had a life threatening reaction on first dose. Never want to see that drug again. It amazes me how we all react to meds so different.
Posted 10/14/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
So far the only side effect i am having is that tight throat, feels difficult to swallow, not in a painfull way or anything, it's just weird is all. I also get an energy boos from the stuff, just like luv2ride, so it's really doing someting for my fatigue wich is something i love about it allready. No real change in pain yet, but even if it wouldn't make much difference in that area, i think i would stil kep taking them cause of the energy and buzz they give me.

The fact that i was put on 60 straight away, don't really know why but what luv2ride said might make sense, i guess it could have something to do with making the transition between drugs easier. Now i'm stuck with about 50 amitriptyline pills in my drug cupboard lol (they only sold it in a 100 pil jars).

Yeah it is funny how different people react to different treatments. But he main thing is we all find what works for us :)

Sorry u had to go through that ak angel, must have been scary... I've only ever reacted bad to a drug and that wa a real drug, someone spiked my drink once years ago, that was horrible!

Fiona

Posted 10/14/2011 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
OMG, I hadn't realized the tight throat was a side effect. I had that also. It went away after a few weeks. I was finding it hard to swallow pills... wow. makes sense. Femangel I have the same first name as you! Small world.
Posted 10/14/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Shoot - saw my doctor today who told me I must go off Cymbalta (gradually) because my BP is extremely high. My heart is beating very oddly - sort of like irregular swooshing. He did not like it that my throat was still tight, either. Darn it - I had such hopes for this having tried nearly everything else I can possibly think of. Better now than later, though. So, now begins the weaning process...
Posted 10/19/2011 9:36 AM (GMT 0)
Luv2ride, well isn't that a cool coincedence! Nice to meet you Fiona ;)
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