Antidepressants that actually help eliminate MS Pain

[deborah0904]

For over a year now, I have been taking Cymbalta for depression.  I didn't find out until last December that I indeed have MS. I have noticed that the Cymbalta does help the MS pain along with relieving my depression.  Due to insurance changes, it will be less expensive for me to take a generic antidepressant in the same category as Cymbalta.  I believe it is a Seratonin Uptake.  I could be wrong.  Does anyone else take Paroxetine (Generic for Paxil) and does it help you with the MS pains?  I took Paroxetine before and switched.  I think had I been on a higher dose I would have done better on it.  Instead, my PCP switched me to Welbutrin (I call it Hellbutrin because it made me CRAZY!!!!!)  Any of your opinions will be much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Thanks!

[Charley123]

I am on Prozac and tolerate it pretty well.  I don't know if it has helped with pain or not.  I agree with all who have taken Hellbutrin.  It is crazy making.  I know people on it and they've all gotten off it.  Paxil works, but definitely do not suddenly stop taking it.  It can be a horrible experience.  Research that on on google..'detoxing from Paxil'.  I've watched people try to get off that one and almost go really crazy.  Not all people have these reactions, but a lot do.  I've know people on Cymbalta and for some it works really well and others no.  A lot of the problems come when people get off drugs too fast.  I don't know why docs are not really schooled in the detox part of drug taking.  Hugs, Charley.

[meg321]

I have been taking cymbalta for several months, maybe a year, but my insurance to stay on it and keep my dosage.  It does help some pain but its one of the drugs that i felt a difference when i took it.   I also take a double dosage which they started  for my depression..  It worked within hours...

Its got my vote !

hugs, meg

[Ufrustrated2]

i take cymbalta. it has been one of the rare ADs that don't make me feel too weird and it does work a bit. i take a small dose at bedtime. taking it during the day whacks me out.

for me, it has reduced the irritability associated with chronic pain and it takes a small edge off it for the mild pain.

i do from time to time supplement with one or two other meds to help with the pain. they have really helped my quality of life. for years i wouldn't take any and i suffered and others around me suffered. LOL

my brain and ID just doesn't like ADs for some reason, beats me. i will say a few when i first started them i felt like WOW, great, it's working. but after awhile, nada.

took paxil to help with social things. the VA thought i had social phobias. truth is i didn't feel well most of the time and never made plans because i never knew when i would feel just decent. the paxil helped at first the fizzed out. DO NOT ABRUPTLY QUIT THIS MED!!! trust me on this. i did and thought i was in the midst of some withdrawal episode or something. nope, not going to take that stuff again! LOL besides, didn't make me anymore social anyways.

i'm social when i'm feeling decent, it's as simple as that. is that so hard for a doctor to understand?

[PastorDan]

I've taken both generic paroxetine and generic bupropion (aka Wellbutrin) together at maximum dosages, and had no problems with either.  I didn't notice any pain-relief effect, though.  I did notice, at times, an overall feeling of emotional numbness, but my doc at the time said that was likely due to the underlying depression, not the drugs.

Paroxetine is in the SSRI class, a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.  Bupropion works on some of those other brain chemicals whose names always escape me, norepinephrine and dopamine, also serving to inhibit their reuptake.  I think all three of these chemicals in the brain help to keep us happy & calm, but I don't know how, nor in what ways they differ.

[deborah0904]

Heather,
It does help with the pain but not 100%, however; I am very thankful that it even helps a little.  I still suffer but am very afraid that I will suffer more if I change meds.  Thanks!

HVAC, thanks for your input!  I really  appreciate it!

[Heather3418]

I am SO glad to hear that an anti-depressant works at relieving your pain.  That is such good news.  Oh, how happy I am for you.

I hope and pray that it continues to work for you, the way it is now.  Keep the good thoughts and continue on your course.  You are one of the lucky ones dearheart.

All the Best,
Heather
An MS Forum Old-Timer

[deborah0904]

Thank you, Karen99.

I sure hate that you also had a problem with Welbutrin.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.  

I didn't have any problems at all going from Welbutrin to Cymbalta.  I was so afraid to make the change over because I thought I would go crazy and wind up in a Psychiatric Hospital.  My psychiatrist assured me that I would be fine and I've never regretted it.

I hope you find what works for you.  Thanks again, Deborah

[HVAC]

I was on Paxil for depression and it does cut off pain. I felt good. Unfortunately for me it did not discriminate which "sensations"  to block so I got off it. Each person is different.

Alex

[Karen99]

Hi.  My neurologist has suggested I give Cymbalta a try for pain.  I've not yet done this because there is so much stress in my life that I don't want any drug to mess with my brain chemistry.  Not a good time to introduce anything to send me over the edge.

Many years ago I was on Wellbutrin (to stop smoking) and ended up in the ER with a horrible "psychotic" reaction.  I know what you mean about Hellbutrin.  They gave me a shot and I went about my business.  Quite embarrassing. It gave me a better appreciation of what a psychotic person deals with.

If Cymbalta works well for you, try to stick with it.  I don't believe Paxil has the same pain relieving effects.  

Take care.