Reaction to cymbalta
 

I started taking 30 mg of cymbalta Two weeks ago and today i woke up with a rash and small bumps all over my body.

I went to a pharmacist who thought it was from the cymbalta and Said to stop.

Is there another drug i could try. I have had a headache for almost 18 months plus i was trying to address Depression issues. The cymbalta had an immediate effect on my mood but not alot for the headache.

Sorry to hear about your itchiness and bumps! Have you taken some benedryl (at night because it'll make your drowsy) or reactine (during the day)?

Amitriptyline seems to be a popular choice for headaches, maybe ask your doctor about it and see if it might be worth a try?

I take topamax (200mgs/day) for my headaches and while I still have not had a headache free day, hour, minute in 18months, topamax has helped reduce the severity somewhat. I no longer wake up crying at night from the pain, I do still wake up from the pain, but not crying, so that to me is an improvement. Topamax does not address depression, however.

My rehab doc has prescribed many different drugs to try to help with my headaches and so far I've not had any success with any others. I've been very medication sensitive since my fall and since my two biggest complaints are fatigue and head pain, so many of the meds increase my fatigue to unacceptable, sit and stare at the wall kind of levels, when I'm not passed out cold 20+ hours per day.

I think on my next visit we are going to start exploring beta blockers, like propranolol, but being as they can also cause fatigue, I don't hold much hope for them to be acceptable.

The drugs aren't useful to me if I can't "run" my hobby farm (which these days mostly means keep everyone alive!) or attend physio and OT for cognitive therapy.

Anyhow, my point is, you might not be able to find one drug that both helps your headache and helps your depression, you might have to look into two drugs.

Best of luck Norma!
Starr

Benadryl and calomine lotion
 

Thanks Starr

I have tried amitryptolene and like you Said I slept 20 hours and it did nothing for my headache. Even the cymbalta made me sleep and nausea was an issues.

The idea of Two medications might be an idea. Unfortunately my concussion doctor has moved to Newfoundland and she was until able to find someone to follow me. This leaves me to find my own solutions in consultation with my gp.

I am really going to miss her support. Perhaps the vision therapy will help with the headache.

Thanks again I will check out those drugs. I had really high hopes for the cymbalta.

How's your rash today Norma? Is it clearing up?

Sorry to hear about your concussion doc leaving the province. That's a shame. Its hard enough without extra challenges like that.

Any chance your GP could refer you back to the rehab center (I think we spoke that you'd had a consult there once before?) to the brain clinic there, for further treatment?

How I got there was I just asked my GP for a referral and he refused (he did not and still does not believe in concussion :confused: ), this happened several times and then I asked in writing and he went ahead and made the referral. Then the intake nurse called and did a phone interview and triaged me based on that.

Not sure if that would work for you, but maybe worth a try? Also maybe worth a try talking to your other professionals... not sure if you got in to see the rehab psychologist or if you see an OT or go to physio, they will often know of doctors that will be able to help you, that have knowledge in this area.

Good luck... so much to navigate when everything is already hard enough! :hug:
Starr

Next week I seemed my OT and the psychologist, I will discuss it with them.

My rash is still there, I think it is a bit better. I have been taking benadryl which is making me sleep.

I would like to know definiately that it is the cymbalta as I hate to give up on a good drug which I think is helping. My doctor is on holidays so I will have to wait.

Thanks

Norma, I am glad the Cymbalta is helping you. At 60mg it was a breakthrough drug for me for my headaches, it also really helps the mood. I am now on 30mg with no symptoms, so hopefully will stop it soon.

It is a temporary medical solution to help with PCS, it doesn't work for everyone, but I hope it helps you in the same way it helped me.