Took Cymbalta (1st time), woke with unbearable headache
 

I have been having migraine every day for more than two weeks. I had my regular appointment with a pain specialist yesterday. He gave me Cymbalta for CRPS and said it may help with migraines too. I took one before bed.

I woke up in the middle of the night with an unbearable headache. It is truly horrible. I am coming out of my skin with pain. I have taken tramadol and may wind up going to A&E. I really don't want to go though. You all know how it is with CRPS. There are so many risks for us in hospital.

Has anyone had a reaction like this to Cymbalta? Obviously with the way my head has been, it may not be the new med but I thought I would ask anyway.

KimA

So sorry about the migranes! For me, I'm fine on Cymbalta but I don't get migranes anyway. I was however also given to try for CRPS: Topamax (Topiramate) which is actually FOR migranes but for me I think it affected my
GI tract. Hope you get relief Kim :hug:

Kim, I'm so sorry :confused: you poor gal, why does the crap have to get crapper before it gets better???

I hope you managed to cope and avoid A&E, but at the end of the day, your health is the most important thing, and if you are having some kind of severe reaction to a new med, then you maybe need to get checked out. Only you can know how horrific it is - don't feel like you shouldnt go if you have to...

I have everything crossed for you Kim. This might be a temperorary blip - I really hope it is! - just try not to panic. And as always, hang on in there my chick. You'll be ok.

Bram :hug:

I've been taking Cymbalta for years. I already had migraines before I started taking it.

I do believe that since my RSD started my migraines are more frequent. I'm not sure if it is because of the RSD, all the medications I take or just because migraines suck :confused2:

Migraines sure do suck! Lol.

I was diagnosed with migraines about 20 years ago when I had a transient ischaemic attack (mini-stroke) and have continued to have migraines pretty frequently since then, so I am very used to them. I have migraines with aura, so I usually get the aura symptoms before the pain starts. I am also familiar with my triggers - disruption to sleep patterns is a big one for me and of course I always get a migraine before my wretched aunt arrives (I'm so looking forward to the end of the curse).

However, I have never experienced non-stop migraines for such a long period of time. I am on day 20 now which is just ridiculous. I don't think last night's horror migraine was caused by Cymbalta. I only took one 30mg tablet. It seems a very extreme reaction to such a low dose. But I'm not a doctor so I don't know. I have called the doctor and am waiting for him to call me back.

I would be really interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with Cymbalta. I really hope it wasn't the Cymbalta because I am really hoping that it will help with the CRPS pain. I need to find something that helps me without turning me into a zombie.

I guess since you have been taking it for years you find it helpful and the side effects aren't too bad. Can you remember if you had side effects at first and, if so, how long it took to adjust to the med?

KimA

Ugh...20 days that's horrible!

I get ones for long periods. Not sure what my longest one has been, but I have had them last weeks.

I hope it goes away soon!

Hi Kim,
I've read your post and felt the need to tell you of my Cymbalta experience which is opposite of your's.
The reason that I was prescribed Cymbalta was for the headaches I was having. But my headaches seemed to be in the middle of my brain and my neurologist said the cause of them was from the central nervous systems being over activity due to my cerebellum shrinking.
Taking Cymbalta (60mgs twice a day) has helped me greatly. But I did experience for a short time at the start where my headaches did seem to last longer. I told this to my neurologist and she just had me brave trough continuing taking it.
Now it helps a lot. If I skip a day my headaches return.
I'm not trying to sound like an expert. I just wanted to hear my side of things.
I really hope you find relief because I know how constant headaches can be... :(

Russell

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Russell. Like I have said, I really don't think Cymbalta caused my headache last night. I took it for the first time last night when I was already 19 days into my migraine marathon. But since I did just start a new medication, I thought I should call my doctor just to be on the safe side. I also really wanted to check with all of you because I know many of you take Cymbalta and it is always useful to learn about other people's experiences. It is interesting to me that you had that initial period where it seemed your headaches were lasting longer.

My doctor prescribed the Cymbalta for CRPS and migraines. He said he thought the side effects (for me, zombification) would be less than with Nortiptyline. So, I am very much hopping that Cymbalta works for me.

KimA