Morning,

New here but read the thread & thought I'd throw in my 2 cents ... I tried Cymablta for ~ 2.5 months. 30 mg/daily attempted an increase to 60 mg/daily but could not handle it. Aft. about 1 month I really started to question the effects of Cymbalta - if anything I seemed to be getting worse! Totally aggitated, stressed out, could not sleep, irritable, happy, then annoyed all within 45 sec span - as I put it "losing it"! No effect on the pain what so ever. I did not even know about the potential for weight gain until reading this forum but, I was gaining weight as well Thank God I am off now, as of 5 Jan 09 - the 1st night I did not take it I actually slept!! We all know how important that is!!

Cymbalta works magic for some, for others - it has the opposite effect - if you're taking it for the first time and "don't seem to be yourself" - remember to consider the Cymbalta as a possible source. Its hard because often we're at wits end to begin with by the time we agree to try the latest pain-relief drug; especially one that just so happens to treat the depression brought on by suffering with chronic pain as well!! So you end up questioning ... "is it me" ???

My response: No, its the Cymbalta!

As to hair loss - never on Neurontin, almost immediately on Lyrica!! Another of the latest pain relievers. Drs. did not believe me since this had not (yet) been reported as an issue w/Lyrica but aft ruling out other posibilities through subsequent visits to PCP and Dermatologist I cut dose 50% - hair loss dropped accordingly within 48 hrs. Discontinued completely - no more problems. Since then its often reported - at least on "Ask a Patient".

As to feeling "stiff" in the AM, I always describe this as feeling like I've been "hit by a truck" - the size of the truck varies but its sadly always there! This has to do with pressure on the muscles and they're remaining in fixed positions for prolonged periods during sleep - the best thing I've done to help w/this is buy a new matress! We opt'd for one of those tempurpedic-LIKE ones and it has made a significant difference. If a new matress is not feasible then other research indicates that using a memory-foam egg crate matress topper has a positive effect as well. Bottom line is reducing the stress/pressure points experienced during the night.

Lastly, have any of you done any trigger point work at all? I suffer from chronic myofascial pain due to extensive trigger points. This began with numbness & tingling in the left hand back in '03 which progressed into the right side by '05 and finally acute head pain begining in Aug '06. All issues are chronic at this point. I've been diao w/Ulnar Nerve Compression, often possible TOS, evaluated multiple times for CTS, had numerous EMG/NCS, nerve blocks, facet joint injections, etc! Through chance I came across pain referal patterns that resembled mine on the New Earth website and began investigating myofascial pain and its treatment. Since then I've reduced the Ultram 50% (400mg>200mg daily) and its the ONLY thing that keeps me going!! Unfortunately I keep perpetuating the problem through extended work hours & heightened stress levels & now find myself in a battle w/insurance company but ... we just keep going don't we

Hope you all don't mind the lengthy post - its been some time since I've found a board with relevant topics.

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K