cymbalta for chronic pain ? Posted: 05-20-08 18:35pm
Hi. I[m new here so I will try to get to
the point. Has anyone been on cymbalta for
chronic back pain and or shoulder pain? My
doctor gave me some samples to try a few
days ago and I am scared to take them.He
wants to start me out at 30mil. then to 60
mil.I am so mad at myself for not
startting on them. He says that I will
feel so much better. I guess I don't like
the idea of taking anti depressants.
Scares me. I have chronic back pain and
shoulder pain and have had shots but can
only get so many of them. Thanks for any
information that you can give me.
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mominashoe
Moderator
Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 1774 Location: , KS USA
Thanks: 40
Thanked:24
Posted: 05-21-08 04:21am
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.
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^Serenity^
Moderator
Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1384
Thanks: 133
Thanked:154
Posted: 05-22-08 06:42am
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.
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Brent R
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 4
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Thanked:0
Posted: 05-26-08 10:14am
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.
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BlueDragonfly
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Edmonds WA
Posted: 09-07-08 16:14pm
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.