Cymbalta - does it help?
 

I started taking Cymbalta 30 mg yesterday, prescribed by my doctor after I told him that this has helped some other PCS patients. I felt very sleepy, tired and with "flat emotions" about an hour after taking the pill but it has actually made my headache go away completely!! Usually, I have headache 24/7. Why does Cymbalta help against headache? I tried to Google it, but did not find any good answer.

However, I do not like the tiredness it gives me and tonight I was extremely nauseous, but this has improved now. I'm not sure whether I should take anymore of it. Any advises? I find it strange that a "anti depressant" can help with headache. Does that mean my headache is a merely psychological cause?

I have thought about taking cymbalta often...have never gotten around to it for fear of side effects. I know some people do well with it. I was told it takes a while to get used to it.

I habe no answers but only support! Others can comment on how they feel with it.
Good luck!

In my case YES! It was the turning point in my recovery.

Cymbalta does have side effects such as nausea, fatigue, dizzyness amongst others. Most of these go away in the first two weeks, so you just need to ride this out, it will get better.

In my case PCS was causing light and noise sensitivity, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, low mood - àll these symptoms are very closely tied together.

Cymbalta reversed all of these symptoms I believe, and gradually over a period of 5 months I am completely better. My headaches and insomnia went away straight away, and gradually over time all the other symptoms.

Cymbalta is a painkiller, this is why it's helping your headaches, it is very effective with nerve pain - its painkilling qualities are not fully understood, they were discovered by accident. It does increase serotonin which naturally narrows blood vessels, so this can help reduce migraine headaches. I am really pleased it is helping you.

It is more effective to take it in the morning apparently. I was on 60mg but am now on 30mg with no symptoms after 9 months since hitting my head, I am going to withdraw off it when I come back from holiday as it is a temporary measure to help with PCS, and boy has it worked!

Thanks for the info.

Does it also reduce/ cure/ manage "brain fog"?

That, and short-term memory "challenges," have been my main problem (they are perhaps really the same thing...).

Tom, I dont know because I didn't have these symptoms.

Tried it for 17 days
 

I was on Cymbalta for 17 days and thought it was helping the side effects were getting better however on the 17 days I broke out in a rash from head to toe particularly bad on my throat (outside).

I am not completely sure if it was caused by the Cymbalta but stop anyway because I was out of town and not sure what else to do.

I am back in town and saw my doctor yesterday, I got medication for the rash and when it is resolved I want to try it again. I thought it was making things better and want to be really sure it was the Cymbalta that caused the allergic reaction. If I get the rash again I will have to discontinue and look for a new drug.

I would say stay on it for at least 6 months to a year, that was my plan in hopes of really clearing something up.

Good luck

My question is: Does this medication heal or just mask the symptoms? I wonder because I was almost symptom free for 4-5 days after I took the cymbalta (I just took one 30 mg capsule that one time).

It takes awhile
 

It takes a about 2 weeks to build up in your system and then will probably have the most effect at 6 weeks. (so I have been told). I found a difference right away which I was told that anxiety symptoms can have an immediate effect.

What you are trying to do is to minimize you symptoms while you heal. If you give yourself a good period of time on the medication it will help your healing process.

This is just my opinion but maybe others have different ideas.

Good luck.

It is hard to tell and I know why you ask if it disguises symptoms, because I felt the same.

I think the more important question is, has Cymbalta improved the quality of your life? If it has it could be a useful medication to take on a temporary basis.

Many of the physiological symptoms are exacerbated by psychological symptoms of PCS. Medication can break this cycle.

In my case it has greatly improved the quality of my life, and things are pretty much back to normal. The next step is to withdraw from it in the next few weeks under the advice of my doctor. I suppose only then will I know if I am healed.

Yes, I would love to know the same as Tom. Does the Cymbalta seem to help anyone with memory/brain fog? If not Cymbalta, has anyone tried anything that's made a significant difference with this?

No meds have shown to help with memory directly. But, reducing anxiety can help with memory and brain fog. Brain fog can be a manifestation of anxiety.

There are plenty of meds that can reduce anxiety. Benzos (clonazepam, Ativan, Xanax, etc) have questionable use due to withdrawal and other issues. They are not good for brain health. SSRI's, SNRI's, tricyclics (ametriptyline is common for PCS) and others are used successfully even though they all have side-effects. Cymbalta is just one of the many meds.

I've been using Cymbalta for over a year now. Originally I was prescribed a dosage of 60 mg targeting my depression. To be honest, I'm not sure if it did much but it may have helped a bit with mood.

I've had many PCS issues but debilitating headaches (migraine and tension type) have and continue to be my biggest nemesis. I've posted previously on my meds that I've tried that have had limited impact on pain reduction.

About 6 months ago I had my Cymbalta increased from 60 to 120 mg with an incremental step at 90 mg. Every time the dosage was increased, the first 2 weeks are terrible and got better every week after for the next 6 weeks. My Psychiatrist said it takes 10-12 weeks for maximal effect, and I would agree with this.

At 90 mg my headache pain was more effectively reduced than any other intervention I've tried and at 120 mg it was reduced further, though not hugely. It took my headaches from 8-10 (10 being horrendous) to 6-8s. It might not seem like a huge reduction but it was to me. I no longer required narcotics on a daily basis.

However, I still have constant/persistent headaches. Also, increases in activity do take the headaches to a 9 at times. My participation in a 6 week concussion clinic (ongoing at this time) have made the headaches brutal as of late, and I do require narcotics to help, but only 2-4 pills a day.

From my perspective, Cymbalta has been helpful but it is only a "cover-up". The pain is only being masked and certainly can be helped (bear in mind this is with a very high dose!). In a more positive light, it does enable me to be more active and engage in activities that could lead to benefit... exercise, family time, etc.

As for the brain fog, much of my fog was gone after the first 12 months of my recovery so I'm not sure about that but I suspect it would not help this. My guess the fog relates to early injury and healing processes.

Interesting! Thanks, good to know.
How is your experience with the concussion clinic?