cymbalta for chronic pain ?

I think it's strange that you should be taking cymbalta solely as a pain medication. Anti-depressants shouldn't be taken unless the pain is obviously as result of depression. Have you been diagnosed with depression?

Don't be mad at yourself for not starting them. You should never feel pressured to take something that you are uncomfortable with. Is there an injury that you had or some kind of repetitive motion that could cause this pain rather than depression?


You can always try alternative medicine, like chiropractic and massage.

Cymbalta is also used for chronic pain either with depression or not.
some studies have shown it helps chronic pain, fibro, nerve damage, etc..

If you are not comfortable taking it, talk to your doctor about other options such as what mominashoe recommended.

Another thing if you do start it, it's always good to start a new a medication when someone is with you and don't have work or go to school the following day.

I had a terrible reaction to Lyrica, over the years I've learned to take new med's when someone is home due the sensitivity I have with many things.

I am taking Cymbalta for migraines and persistant daily headaches second to viral meningitis. It is working well on the head/face pain but has not helped the pain from a degenerative L4,5 disk. I still have to get steroid epidural blocks every 5-6 mos.

The side effects I have experienced can be intense and annoying but anything that helps the head/face pain I am ready to try. I have been on 60 mg for six weeks now. So far I am sleeping a full 8 hrs each night and my mood has evened out. Some of the dreams I have had are beyond bizzare and disturbing. That alone may make me find another med. soon.

Also have persistant ringing in the ears, painful urination, decreased sex drive, carb cravings, inability to concentrate, over heating/extreme sweating.

I dread dealing with the withdrawl problems if I choose to go with another med.

I too was precsribed Cymbalta. I was in a near miss accident that severely aggravated my already bad condition. I made the mistake of asking for just a couple more Percacet this month only. I got the big stink-eye look of you'll be an addict. I've been on this medication for 5 years and have done well unless an aggravation occurs and I have also demonstrated no addictive behaviours. The reason for my pain can not be fixed so it is constant.
So I researched Cymbalta since I've seen many problems with people I've known on anti-depressants. I found that if you ever want to get off this drug it is harder than any narcotic. People on blogs reported more problems even 9 months after trying to quit. They experience bizare and painful symptoms and get no Doctor support because of all the Phamaceutical based propaganda.
I would ask your doctor for other solutions. Have you tried Chiropratic, therapuetic massage, excercise like Yoga designed for people with physical problems, dietary things like anti-inflamatory diet, adding omega fish oil. There's a lot more you can do than going on the easy-fix all the doctors are steered toward. I do all of these and even though my condition can't be fixed I do notice a big improvement and I can keep the percacet at the same level.