September 3, 2015

Dear Mrs. D:

I am dealing with a perplexing problem that I hope you may be able to shed some light on.

I began using Cymbalta in 2005 at age 46 shortly after it first came to market for my small-fiber pain (caused by Lyme Disease). I used it on an as-needed basis (generally several months at a time) with great results (an overall average of 75% fewer days in pain).

Once I had been feeling better for a while I would then taper myself off, so that I generally had at least several months break completely off it. I continued this successful pattern as needed from 2005 through 2010 (when I was 51 years old).

Fortunately, after 2011, I began getting some lasting resolution in the S.F. pain, so I began using Cymbalta with less overall frequency and longer breaks off it.

However, in 2012 (at age 53) I felt the need to use it again twice during that year nine months apart. Unfortunately, to my surprise, I found that I got little or no benefit from it after 5-6 weeks on it at 60mgs full-strength both times that year.

I also tried it once during 2013 as well, and again had no benefit (just awful sweating and sexual issues).

Two years then when by off it, and I again tried using it this summer for five weeks, but again without benefit (at age 55).

I have certainly had plenty of time off Cymbalta to achieve a drug holiday, so I just do not understand what is going on. My underlying S.F. neuropathy has also been relatively stable.

Cymbalta 60mg has always been my magic bullet to fall back on if I ever have a serious stretch of time in pain, and I am sorry to see that it suddenly stopped working circa 2012.

Can you offer any insights into what might have happened?

Thank you!

David