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Cymbalta or Duloxetine ?

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Old 05-02-2014, 09:37 AM #1
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Default Cymbalta or Duloxetine ?
Since my insurance company doesn't want to pay for Gralise (time release gabapentin) they are having me try Duloxetine.

I am still taking the Gralise in the evening and now the Duloxetine in the morning.

Can anyone who has tried the Duloxetine tell me how long it took them to adjust to it. Specifically the drowsiness & foggy feeling. Its been 2 weeks and I'm still in a fog for what feels like 6 hours after I take it.

FWIW I'm not liking it, in fact I swear its increasing the PN pain.

Thanks
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Old 05-02-2014, 07:15 PM #2
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Originally Posted by MikeK View Post
Since my insurance company doesn't want to pay for Gralise (time release gabapentin) they are having me try Duloxetine.

I am still taking the Gralise in the evening and now the Duloxetine in the morning.

Can anyone who has tried the Duloxetine tell me how long it took them to adjust to it. Specifically the drowsiness & foggy feeling. Its been 2 weeks and I'm still in a fog for what feels like 6 hours after I take it.

FWIW I'm not liking it, in fact I swear its increasing the PN pain.

Thanks
cymbalta inflamed my nerves. worst pain I have everbeen in.
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Old 05-06-2014, 09:29 PM #3
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Sorry to hear you are not doing okay with the duloxetine/Cymbalta.

I've been taking it for 9 days, the PN pain is so much better, sleepy/groggy a little, but seems to help a bit to relax me, which I need big time.
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Old 05-07-2014, 08:17 AM #4
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Default small update
6 days later I have found waiting until I eat breakfast until taking my meds seems to have reduced the foggy drowsiness somewhat. I haven't noticed any decrease in pain during the day but the increase in pain at the end of the day has returned. I guess my fight with the insurance to get Gralise approved will continue this month.
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My PN is considered Critical Illness Neuropathy. In October 2010 I left for a golf trip not feeling well, woke up in a hospital 21 days later. I was in an induced coma for treatment of Legioneers Disease. First day out of ICU I noticed the pain in my feet and as they say the rest is history.
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Old 05-07-2014, 08:59 AM #5
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If the Gabapentin works for you, why not just take it throughout the day (until the time release is approved...or even if it isn't approved)?
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Old 05-07-2014, 09:06 AM #6
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If the Gabapentin works for you, why not just take it throughout the day (until the time release is approved...or even if it isn't approved)?
Thats probally where I'm headed. Its a shame if it comes to that due to the insurance the Gralise has treated me well. Very few peaks of pain when its time for a pill.
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My PN is considered Critical Illness Neuropathy. In October 2010 I left for a golf trip not feeling well, woke up in a hospital 21 days later. I was in an induced coma for treatment of Legioneers Disease. First day out of ICU I noticed the pain in my feet and as they say the rest is history.
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Old 05-07-2014, 10:24 AM #7
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Can anyone who has tried the Duloxetine tell me how long it took them to adjust to it. Specifically the drowsiness & foggy feeling. Its been 2 weeks and I'm still in a fog for what feels like 6 hours after I take it.

FWIW I'm not liking it, in fact I swear its increasing the PN pain.
I never experienced drowsiness or fog with this medication but I can tell you that it took me about a month before it kicked in. If you think that the Cymbalta might be a good fit for you I'd stick with it for a little while longer as some side-effects can dissipate after a few weeks. How much are you taking? If you're not starting at 30mg I would try that and see if side-effects subside.

However, having said all that, I find that Cym is great at masking muscular or myofascial pain but I don't find it that it helps my nerve pain at all.

Have you tried R Lipoic Acid yet Mike?

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Originally Posted by Lewie View Post
cymbalta inflamed my nerves. worst pain I have everbeen in.
Interesting. Didn't make mine worse afaik but certainly hasn't helped. Otoh I can barely feel my muscle pain anymore which is a mixed blessing because I don't know where to massage . But at least I'm off the opiods now!
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Old 05-07-2014, 10:38 AM #8
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Originally Posted by MikeK View Post
Can anyone who has tried the Duloxetine tell me how long it took them to adjust to it.
How Long Do Antidepressants Take to Work?
Quote:
The most commonly prescribed modern antidepressants include SSRIs — such as Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa and Paxil — and SNRIs — such as Pristiq, C[y]mbalta and Effexor. Although the claim is made that some people may be able to start to feel less depressed within 2 weeks of taking one of these kinds of antidepressants, most people won’t start experiencing the full positive effects of the medication until 6 to 8 weeks after beginning it.
....
You shouldn’t be overtly concerned if you experience any of these side effects while taking an antidepressant, but you should still tell your psychiatrist or doctor about them. Some side effects may go away on their own once your body adjusts to the medication. Others may not, and may be addressed through an adjustment of your medication dose or when you take it.
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Old 05-07-2014, 10:50 AM #9
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Yes, true of all antidepressants. Good reference, Dr. Smith.

Interesting for me with the Cymbalta is the pain masking was the first sign to me that it was having some effect after a week, which was welcomed.
Thanks to the good doc who Rxd it for that as an adjunct to its antidepressant action,
upon which I am still awaiting, though a bit less uncomfortably so.
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1993, Fell on black ice; first closed-head injury; life-altering. // 2014 Now dealing with Peripheral Neuropathy, tremors, shakiness, vestibular disorder, akithesia, anhedonia, yada yada, likely thanks to rx meds // 2014: uprooted to the cold wet gray NW coast, trying to find a way back home ... where it's blue sky and warm!
.

__________________________________________________ _________
Each and every day I am better and better. I affirm and give thanks that it is so. // 2014-This was still true for me last year, I truly felt this a year ago. Unfortunately it holds no meaning for me now. Odd, it was the Theta mantra for years. Change change change.
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