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Posted 8/22/2017 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Neurologist suggested Cymbalta for neuropathy. Anyone been on it before?
Posted 8/22/2017 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
"Physician suspected anxiety as the #1 possibility" = BOGUS !
Posted 8/22/2017 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
UC, I have read your thread here about neuropathy issues. Cymbalta is an antidepressant, often used off label to treat various other health issues. It can be compared to prednisone, the love hate relationship. People either love it or hate it. Hate it because of the side effects, but like what it can do for us.

If you used the search bar above & typed in Cymbalta you will find a lot of negative feedback & here is why. Every medication comes with potential side effects. Most people will not stay on it long enough for the SE's to dissipate. The side effects usually go away in a few weeks, a lot of folks will not give it time. I would try it on a weekend if you have weekends free to see how you feel. You may not have any problems with it all.

My husband has diabetes & later developed severe neuropathy in his hands & feet. The numbness in his feet is a huge issue for him because he has zero feeling in them. He has cut his feet, stubbed toes & had no idea until I saw blood. Now, I try to make sure he has shoes on, no slide ons or sandals. He is on Gabapentin (Generic for Neurotin) plus B12. His B12 level is fine, however, his internist has him take 2500mcg per day for the nerve pain. I have known many diabetics going back 25 yrs or so that their dr had them on a daily low dose of B12 for the same.

I suggest that you go to Drugs.com & read up on Cymbalta. It gives detailed info, much more than a print-out from a pharmacy.

Take care.
Posted 8/22/2017 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Suzie. I've read through many of the threads and agree about the love/hate thing. I initially declined the med but continue to deal with the issue so am weighing my options. It has progressed to mild pain in my jaw and teeth. The bizarre thing is how it travels around on me, then will settle into one area for a while. I am taking 1000 mcg of B12 as it is and will have my levels checked this week. Sorry your husband has such a bad time with the neuropathy.

@ TT, yeah I rolled my eyes at that one when she said it. I think there's more correlation between IBD and neuropathy than most doctors realize but maybe it's just bias on my part.
Posted 8/23/2017 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
If Cymbalta prevents permanent nerve damage then it is probably worth it. *shrug* I know nothing about the drug, you could always try it and if it drives you batty with side effects then I'd just discontinue it.
Posted 8/24/2017 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting Connor. Did your blood tests show low B12 and iron? Mine were fine according to bloodwork. I am supplementing with oral B12 but it hasn't done anything for me. MRI was fine as well. Ive only taken mesalamine drugs aside from the 2 months I switched over to Uceris to see if the mesalamine was causing the neuropathy. That experiment was inconclusive, although I feel as though perhaps things improved slightly during that time. I may try a longer experiment before making any drastic changes in meds.
Posted 12/19/2017 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Any update on your neuropathy Uniform Charlie? I've had some neuropathy lately, and it was getting better. But now being on Apriso for about 2 months it seems to be getting worse. No real way to know though. Also I had some bad neuropathy stuff over the summer that seemed to improve on it's on, but feels like it is coming back. Might cut out the apriso and try some B12 supplementation.

My profile sig won't edit, this is what I am currently running:
Paleo-like diet
Homemade kefir
Jarrow formula probiotics
4 Apriso
Vitamin D (5000IU)
Posted 12/20/2017 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I wish I could say I've discovered some breakthrough but I have not. I haven't updated my signature lately but I no longer follow SCD. I currently take 1 generic Lialda a day (Shire brand), 60mg duloxetine (generic Cymbalta), and a multi-vitamin. The duloxetine has been great for my neurological symptoms. They are mostly gone aside from some involuntary muscle movements in my jaw. It will snap shut occasionally, causing me to bite my cheek. It will also shift left to right as I am falling asleep. All numbness and nerve pain is gone 95%.

I had comprehensive bloodwork and MRI...all normal. I may try maxing out my Lialda dosage again for a couple weeks to see what happens but I feel great at the moment and don't want to mess around with things too much.
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