My skin is so very sensitive today...what's up with that?
 

Even wearing my thin little pajama pants are driving my legs crazy today? My knees and ankles are still swollen and very sore. I have stopped taking all meds with the exception of the gabapentin and the amitriptyline. Upon stopping the cymalta my stomach problems are better. Never did take the tramadol, and I am not mentally ill so do not believe that I need to take the fluoxetine. I actually stopped taking it all except the gabapentin, then found that I could not sleep more than a few hours without being on the amitriptyline, so the doc at the cleveland clinic called in a new perscription for the amitriptyline in 100 mg tablets. I cannot stand without wobbling, I am thinking maybe I should start using a cane. I won't drive anymore because I am in a fog all the time. Walking up and down the steps is just about too much for me...So, at 42 I am living like an 82 year old. My husband, family, friends and pets take such good care of me, but I am the one that is supposed to take care of them.

Hi,

Well - two things come to mind.

First, you have small fiber neuropathy. That will do wacky things to your skin in terms of sensations. Mine is still pretty sensitive after little more than a year from Dx and still cannot wear certain of my clothes unless I wear Land's End interwoven silk long underwear underneath them.

Secondly, you mention the swelling is still there. Are your hands/face/eyelids swollen as well? Certainly not to scare you, but I'm thinking kidneys. Any chance you can call the doc and be seen tomorrow just in case?

Sheltiemom

I just went last week about the swelling and he was not worried about it at all! Went home from my appointment and called my neurologist and she was not concerned either! Very discouraged with my medical "team":(

not that i think amitriptylene is the cause of your problems but starting at 100mg can certainly knock you for a loop. most people start at 10 mg and titrate up only after a long period of time and usually only 25-50 mg for PN.

strange sensations or exaggerated pain on arms, legs, feet etc. are very common with PN

Well if neither of your docs was concerned about the swelling, did you ask them why.

It's there for a reason. Every symptom/condition/disease happens for a reason. These things don't happen in a vacuum. A cause is not always apparent or found.

It's at least worth a little investigation by your medical professionals. Diagnosing oneself can be dangerous, so that's why we go to them in hopes they'll do their jobs.

You desscribe yourself as a 42 year old living like an 82 year old. There's something very wrong with that picture. Hope you get some help soon.

Good luck,

Sheltiemom

sorry she started me at 25 then 50 now 100 mg over about 2 months time:)

If you suddenly stopped the Cymbalta, without tapering off, there can be side effects to that.

Examples are at the bottom of this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duloxetine

Also here:
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...VVGGjQ5jVePOJQ

There are even videos on YouTube about discontinuing this drug.

If you were only on it a short time, the likelihood is less.

Have not diagnoised myself I have been going to the cleveland clinic since august of 2010. My neurologist has run over 10,000 dollars worth of tests...so many I could not even name them all. I just know that with every new med she added it caused a new symptom. The gabapentin has lessened the burning in my hands. And the amitriptyline helps me and my husband sleep.

I had only been on the cymbalta for 2 weeks, and could not take the stomach pains.

coming down off a med and adding a higher dose of Amtrip can knock you around. Im trying to come down on Lyrica at 50 mg a week from 300 and yesterday I was a basket case so adjusted the dose to 30. The stress of not knowing if its the meds or new symptoms can be too much at times.