sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I have really been against using any kind of anti-depressant but my doctor recommended Cymbalta for nerve pain.
He sent me a couple of samples & I tried it. It seems to help. I have been using it for about 11 days or so.
I also had a stomach flu but I did notice a difference in the level of pain I have. I am not taking it for depression.
It seems that it is being used by people with diabetes for neuropathy as well as for depression.
Has anyone used this drug? What experience have you had?
I never really wanted to take any of these types drugs but it does seem to help.
I'm just concerned about any dangers of long term use.
I tend to prefer herbal remedies or supplements but I am open to drugs as long as they actually work & don't have too many negative side effects.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Hi, I also have nerve pain, this was recommended for me but I turned it down.
If you are taking it and it helps you then I would think that it is ok.
Lyme patients in general have a hard time using antidepressants at "normal" prescribed doses.
Other side effect, increased depression or anxiety, feeling tired and diarrhea to name a few.
The best nerve pain relieve I have found is Xanax, better than neurontin, Lyrica, etc.
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
the antiseizure drugs seem to work best for neuralgia
neurotin tegretol trileptal
all have a antineuralgia effect my doc changes from trileptal to tegretol but not getting as go as an effect.
i could not take neurotin.
these also are used for mood swings and work great on lymies ie. bipolar disease.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I was told cymbalta doesn't help most people with any type pain until they reach the 120 mg a day. I tried to slowly ramp up to that dose.
First 60, couple months later 90mg a day. Couple months later up to 120 mg. I was on 120mg for about 2 months and my husband said I was jumpy and even more on edge.
After talking with my nurse practioner about the 120 mg dose, we decided it was too much for me. I slowly dropped back down to 60 mg.
It really has NOT made a difference in my pain level, other than I will say that the muscle pain seemed to be better in the winter since I'm not freezing all the time now.
Winter would generally make my achey all over muscle type pain worse. I could never get warm enough. Cymbalta has raised my body thermostat so I'm not cold all the time.
Cymbalta has serotonin that is a body temp regulator in it. My therapist & nurse practioner had never heard of someone feeling their core temp was better from cymbalta. I did my own research and sure enough found information on seritonin & body regulator.
Seems I lacked any natural serotonin in my body. Don't know where it went or who depleted it? But I would guess one or more of those nasty bacteria was in control of it. They seem to suck alot out of us?????
So if you can mentally, physically, emotionally tolerate the higher levels of cymbalta....it may very well help with some pain levels.
I didn't find that to be a benefit for myself. I was one wired lady on 120 mg. I don't want to lead my life wired and high feeling. I try to do the least amount of medication that will allow me to still function somewhat in life.
On non-stressful days in life, cymbalta has really helped me. On days when stuff happens, like life sometimes, stress from outside sources can make everything tough. It wouldn't matter if I did triple the dose of cymbalta.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Thanks for the replies.
I'm only taking 30mg. My doctor gave me 2 prescriptions if I want to get it refilled - one for 30mg & one for 20mg.
He didn't mention that you have to take such a high dose as you did - map1131.
He knows that I'm pretty sensitive to drugs.
I usually take it around 6pm & I forgot to take it yesterday.
I noticed much more pain & realized that I forgot to take it.
Since I had a stomach flu, I don't know if it caused any extra diarrhea or nausea. I definitely had the flu, though.
I'm just concerned about any long term side effects - I don't want to be taking this for the rest of my life or have a problem stopping it.
I didn't really notice any psychological effects other than relief from pain from the Cymbalta.
I notice that I get anxious about everything when I'm in pain but if I take a pain killer it is diminished.
I think it's the pain that causes the anxiety.
I'm not normally depressed but I can be alittle neurotic (LOL).
Being ill does have it's ups & downs but I usually get through it on my own.
Life is stressful for everyone.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I have heard a lot of great things about this drug. There is an excellent website where you can see other peoples thoughts and experiences on different drugs. Askapatient.com I have heard that cymbalta greatly helps with nerve pain as well as depression. However I have also read that it is a horrrrrible drug to come off of and that the withdrawal effects are horrible. But hey i think ive come to the conclusion that us lymes can handle anything and everything : ) I did have a Rx for this drug but I never took it regularly to see if it made a difference
Posts: 370 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
I have been on this drug for about 5 months. I can
not tell you what a difference it has made in my
life. My pain is now almost gone. I used to
scream with pain in the morning when I got out of
bed. Now I have barely any. I noticed it helped
right away. I am taking the 120 dose and It did
make me hyper at first, but that goes away. Now
the only side affect is it makes my muscle
twitches worse. But I will take that over pain.
but I do have to take it in the morning otherwise
I can not sleep at night. For me it is a miracle
drug. I guess its like anything else. What works
for one person may not work for the next. but it
is definatelly worth a try. As for comming off of
it. It is just like any other antidepresant. You
have to do it very slowly and yes you will be
sick. but the time you feel better is worth it.
-------------------- Love, Merrie Believe in the power of your spirit..for it will carry you through the darkest hours of your life Posts: 261 | From minnesota | Registered: Sep 2004
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
There are certain considerations regarding Cymbalta - liver function & heart issues.
I'm just wondering if there is a difference between taking Cymbalta & Oxycontin. I have taken low doses of Oxycontin for years now for pain. I don't have any ill effects from it & I'm not addicted to it. If I'm not in alot of pain I don't use it at all.
The thing with Cymbalta is that you can't just stop it & it seems to have worse side effects than Oxycontin. I just read there is a time release Oxycontin. Opiods have been around for a long time, whereas Cymbalta is new.
There hasn't been alot of long term studies on it's effect on the body. Does anyone have any idea how the 2 compare?
Oxycontin works for me so does Cymbalta. Why risk the withdrawal of Cymbalta when I know I'm not dependent on Oxycontin?
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
Greetings:
Well, here is what I know, as far as my own experience. Tried cymbalta and it interacted with my other medications badly. So quit it.
Have been on effexor for years for lyme anxiety and it works like a charm.
Reducing any of these medications is hell, but if you know that what you are experiencing is from the reduction and that it will go away in a few weeks, then you can dig in and get through it.
When I went from 300 mg effexor down to 75, my husband actually took a few days off work so I could hide out and be miserable. Watched a lot of T.V. to "escape" reality, and he took care of the kids and prepared meals. He's a gem.
I have tried lyrica and did not find it helped.
What helped my nerve pain the most is elavil. Yes, it is a weight gainer just like lyrica, but you just have to remember that the little voice in your head telling you to eat is not coming from your stomach.
Should you take a medication?......
I am stoic as much as possible, and take as little as possible of the many things I do take, but I figure since I'm going to be sick for a very long time, and my children will only have this one memory of living at home and their childhoods, it is better to be as stable as possible and decide to enjoy part of my life.
O.K. Don't know if any of that helps you, but I hope so.
Mary
Posts: 1034 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Yes, I've heard some horror stories about cymbalta and getting off it. But I had also heard horror stories about getting addicted to Xanax, pain meds, sleep meds, etc. I haven't experienced it myself.
I'm not an addictive type person. I can slowly wean myself off of any meds and be done with it. My pain meds I use aren't suppose to be addictive. Sleep meds have changed many times for me in the last 6 yrs, no issues. Just slowly decrease and wean myself off.
Right now and in the foreseable future, I am going to need cymbalta to help me. I will worry when the day comes that I need to come off of it.
I will just wean myself off and if I have to detox to get it out of my system. So what? I've become an expert at detoxing stuff out of my body.
I'm sure I could detox myself off oxyco if I needed to do that too. I've learned to do somethings that I'm sure some of the members on this site would call my advice voodoo or way to alternative for their attitudes.
Works for me. That's all I know for sure.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Most of the withdrawal horror stories I read were from people who were depressed. I'm not trying to knock them but I don't think any of them know what it's like to deal with something like Lyme neuro-pain.
Withdrawal - no problem! We're all stoic about dealing with this horror of an illness... LOL
I'm only taking 30 mg & it seems to be helping - to my surprise! I'm going to ask my doctor what he thinks about Oxy in comparison to Cymbalta on Monday.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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