Anyone tried Cymbalta?

[Tammy826]

I saw my PCP today & calmly confronted him on my lack of care. He ordered a MRI of my brain & cervical spine but have to check & see which hospitals offer financial aid programs & I'm also still hoping the MSAA comes through. He prescribed me Cymbalta & said it was good for nerve pain. I was wondering if any of you have tried this & if so did it help & are there any side effects I should be aware of? I already take Requip, Zanaflex, & Amantadine not to mention Phenergan & Dramamine for the nausea at times. I hate taking meds & with this it seems thats all I do. Thanks for your help!!

[slightlybroken]

Hi,

I tried Cymbalta for about a week. I couldn't tolerate it. It made me sick to my stomach all day long, which can be a side affect listed on the package. I felt like I was going to lose my cookies. My doctors switch me to Neurotin now, and it has helped a great deal.

Hopefully, you don't have the same problem. I know a lot of people have gotten a lot of relief with this RX.

Good Luck

[SickMomma_PDX]

I've been on Cymbalta for almost two years now. I requested it as an anti-depressant a few months after my mystery illness hit when it became obvious that I wasn't getting better anytime soon. We've increased my dosage over time and I'm now on 120 mg per day.

As far as I know, I don't get any help with my pain from it. I didn't notice any improvement when I started it, and I've developed neuropathy/parasthesia since then. But it has been approved by the FDA for nerve pain and for fibromyalgia as well as depression and anxiety.

As others have mentioned, Cymbalta is unlikely to cause weight gain like most antidepressants. In fact, for many people, it causes some weight loss. It also has a stimulant effect, which if you're having trouble with fatigue, is a real boost. (Because of that, you definitely want to take it in the morning because it can give insomnia.) It can also raise your heart rate and causes tachycardia for some people.

Good luck with it! Let us know how you do on it.

[uk2]

Hi Tammy

Pleased that the dr has done something, you sure are on alot i was last yr and then i decided to come off some as they were not helping and i found that some were even giving me sx i am on baclofen now for spasm and that is good and reducing my morphine patches i am on a antidepressant as they say sometimes it helps you cope with pain but the neuro said i had fibro so they often do that i have to say the cymbaltar is used alot for fibromyalgia so maybe your PCP thinks its that, its used for anixty disorders mainly and some say its great but others have problems with it i would be careful you being on requip too i had some awful times mixing other meds with requip but saying that i dont tolarate dopamine agonist well which requip is they make me depressed effects my moods but some are ok on it. I am glad you are getting some more MRI done i sure pray they show something this time and you get some answers i know how you feel being in limboland.

sam x

[wadeheather]

I take it too.  My PCP told me she doesn't think that I'm depressed, but gave it to me to help me through this battle.  I like it.  It's no miracle,by any streach of the imagination, but  I do feel like I am able to stay a little more level.

[Tammy826]

Thank you Meg & Shelley for the info! I'm glad it doesn't cause weight gain because I sure don't need to gain anymore!! Hopefully my energy levels will improve also!! Thanks so much for your replies.

[meg321]

I take cymbalta and have been taking it for almost a year.  It is the most wonderful drug I have  ever taken.  It also helps with some pain and anxiety.  I could actually feel it working when I started it. I do take a double dose which the insurance Co did not want to cover but my Dr told them i needed it.  They always want to take the good stuff away from you...

Good luck with it, meg

[shawnie31]

Hi there Tammy,

I've been taking Cymbalta 60mg since July 09. The first week was incredible. My mood and energy level changed and I enjoyed the new me for a short time. Now I'm back to myself. I'm not sure if I was to discontinue at this time if I would actually feel worse. I was told to wait 8 full weeks before discontinuing it to see it's full effect.

As for side effects: Weight gain isn't one I've been having. It's one of the only anti-depressant that doesn't cause weight to increase. I have not been able to have an orgasm since I started this med. Dry mouth and other symptoms I can't tell if they are my old symptoms I already had, such as lightheadedness.

I was told that Cymbalta is prescribed for many other issues so don't worry that it's an anti-depressant if it helps with what you are going through sometimes it's a good thing. I too do not like taking meds but I feel like I needed something.

Take care

shelley

[Tammy826]

Thank you for your replies! I didn't realize it was an antidepressant. Geeez ...this Dr. is crafty. Oh well I guess we'll see if it works or I goo the rest of the wqy crazy lol. He told me it was for nerve pain. I guess I can just add it to my collections of meds thats starting to resemble a pharmacy lol. Thanks again.

[Ufrustrated2]

Hey Kaintuck woman,

I take it. it has helped some. it helps me with my irritability and some nerve pain. it was originally given for my spinal pain due to neck and lumbar injury prior to having the doctors label me with a demyelinating disease. i didn't take much meds for my symptoms for years and there were consequences for that decision as i look back.

i do not normally work well with ADs but this one is ok. i had to go to a lower maint dose due to the normal maint dose zonked me too much for my taste.

mind you, my irritability could well come from the pain and the disease and i just didn't want to admit to it or something but the Cymbalta is helping a bit with that now and is ok with me.  no wait gain really but i'm on a low dose. that is to say, i don't hit ballistic mode very often these days. ;-)

your mileage may vary but give it try and see if it helps.

i do the dramamine dance too. you would thunk the researchers could come up with something better than that for the nauses from the dizzies, ya know?

good luck ...

[Lulu54]

Tammy,
I am so proud of you for tackling this tough topic with your doctor.  Now more waiting, right?  I'm hopeful that the financial assistance for the MRI's will come through soon.

Sorry I can't help with the question about the Cymbalta, but I know what you mean about hating to take the drugs.  

feel better,
Lulu