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1088430 tn?1259159773

What to help w/Cymbalta side effects?

I'm being treated for chronic headaches/migraines.4yr history,only within last 6 months went back to neurologist to seek MD help again after MANY pro-active "natural" then OTC methods had failed.(4yrs ago several CT's/MRI's, then arterialgram ruled out a possible AVM or any other serious cause) Other than aboritive Relpax or Imitrex, was started on combo of Lyrica/Amitriptaline(?) Topamax ruled out due to "nerve" symptoms he said it wouldn't help. After couple rounds of increasing the mg's of both, was swithced off both due to Lyrica begg to cause weight gain/feeling "drugged" and the other not feeling effective @ all (pillow @ night still hurt head so much, sleeping sitting up alot). Then went to a combo of neurontin/Cymbalta. Month into an increase of mg's to 600mg neurontin 3x daily, 60mg Cymbalta my head now feels a little better (reduction of migraines, although "sore" no longer sleep sitting up @ night, still wearing sunglasses driving @ night/altering routines in the day due to constant light sensitivity). I'm very thankful for the progress, however small...Problem is the insomnia and feeling on "speed" from Cymbalta, even w/the neurontin in system. Neur. says no other comparable RX suggests reduction back to 30mg's if 60mg is bothersome. I'm scared to though fearing my head progress will decrease.I had already cut caffeine/sugar alsmost down to nothing, taking Magnesium/B-2, many "relaxing" things, natural/organic diet to help w/headaches anyway. What can I do now to commbat the 60mg side effects? I've looked into Melatonin, 5-HTP, and actually purchased a bottle of L-Tryptophan but havn't taken it yet due to not knowing if safe w/Cymbalta yet. Can you help me decide what to do? Can't see neur. again for awhile and can't get even his nurse right now-
2 Responses
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1083596 tn?1313394676
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Tia,
I would suggest you to meet you doctor at any cost because dose adjustment would require his expert opinion. As far as the side effect of high dose and drug interaction is concerned, there is only 0.5% chances of adverse drug reaction.
However it's very difficult to explain that whether you will fall in that 0.5% category or not. We can keep our fingers crossed.But still, you need a back up of your treating doctor as , if God Prohibits, but still some side effects happens, then urgent consultation would be required.
Do you have any other General Practitioner near your area, whom you can contact any time, in case of an emergency?If you, then you can try for the change, else i would suggest you to postpone it till you get any nearby appointment of the treating doctor.
Feel free to discuss more.
Regards...
Helpful - 1
1088430 tn?1259159773
Thank you for your honest, caring answer. My gut was telling me the same thing as well. After posting this question to you I continued to call my neurologist until his nurse did call me back. Instead of recc. a supplement to help me sleep, he is called something RX in to help with the sleep. I'm picking it up actually later today. You are most right that with things of that percise nature, it's truly best to stick with your eprsonal doctor. I was just impatient (:
Helpful - 0

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