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Neuro took away gaba and added lyrica..so now I'm on lyrica and cymbalta
Hey everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my thread :)
My short version: I've been on gaba since this started last May. Got up to 2700mg but couldn't take the mental issues so he lowered me back down to 1800 mg. He added Cymbalta in Jan (I think) and the 60 mg seemed to clear my head up a little from the gaba but didn't help with the pain at all. He then increased to 90 mg Cymbalta and I only made it 5 weeks before lowering myself back down to 60 mg due to side effects. I saw my neuro last Monday and he said for me to not take the gaba that night and instead take a 75 mg lyrica. So now I'm on 75 mg of lyrica 2 x's a day and 60 mg of Cymbalta at night. This is in addition to my metformin, glimerpiride, paxil, and tinormin that I take for migraines and not BP issues. Vicodin and Xanax as needed. This has not been a good week......I've been in lala land, doing a lot of sleeping, the pain is almost back to what it was when I started this journey and I've been taking 1/2 a vicodin every 2 hours, sometimes 1 hour apart depending on the pain level. I can't stay up more than 30 minutes before I'm looking for somewhere to lay down.....after about an hour I can get back up for a little while. I know it will probably take 2 weeks for this to level out in my system and the neuro wants to see me back in 3 weeks to see how this med is doing. I'm guessing plenty of you have been through this changing of meds and how it effects everyone differently. Neuro said he didn't have many options left to treat me with. As I've said before....all I want is to be able to clean my house, grocery shop once a week and cook dinner. And I'm nowhere close to being able to do that. Makes me sad, angry and a whole lot of other feelings come and go. I did get some good news.....I had a CT scan last week as part of my third 3 month post cancer visit and it was all clear. That was from my gyn.....will see my oncologist next week for blood tests. That chemo is some mean stuff :) Debi from Georgia |
Gosh I am so sorry. I just do not know enough about the drugs side of this and it seems all I read is that the drugs are useless and cause more problems.
I hope you come up with something that gives you some relief. :hug: |
Thanks Stacy :)
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Then again I wonder what would happen if I went off the lyrica and Cymbalta ? Would the vicodin be enough to get me through.....it wasn't before so who knows ? Hope you have a good day Stacy....we're looking for rain here in West GA. Debi from Georgia |
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If you need to take anywhere near those levels on a regular basis, I'd suggest taking some NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) with it to help protect your liver. Doc |
Thanks Dr Smith :)
The vicodin/narco I'm on is 7.5/325 so my 1/2 a pill has approx. 162 mg of Tylenol in each dose I take. At 8 doses throughout the day (for example) it totals appro 1300 mg.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to take the NAC anyway....I'm going to the oncologist next week and he'll be running a liver panel along with all the other stuff and I always get a copy of my results. I'll look at it and let you know the results. Just for conversation :) Thanks again. Debi from Georgia |
Then you might want to run it by your oncologist first. It's one of those cases where the articles/claims run both ways... nac cancer
Doc |
I've tried gabapentin and was on 3600/day for a while -- I can tolerate it. Lyrica was okay but not as good as gaba, and I started gaining weight so I went back to gaba. I'm now on Gralise, a new time-release version of gabapentin. It might be interesting for you with regards to grogginess since it's taken at night with the evening meal and a big part of it is absorbed while you sleep.
For me, it seems basically as effective as the three-times-a-day gabapentin, but I don't feel any edginess as my dose wears off (or if I forget a dose). The max dosage is less (1800/day) so I can still add a little extra gaba during the day if I feel I need it. Unfortunately, it's a new drug, still under patent and expensive. I'm surprised my insurance hasn't put it on the highest tier of their formulary, but it's on the second tier so it's affordable for me. So your insurance may not have the same generosity. |
@Debi.... You just posted that you take Paxil with your other meds?
You need to check on that because it is not safe to use Cymbalta with Paxil as both have serotonin actions. This is very important so do be careful . |
Lyrica
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Hi St George!!!. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well and can't do the things you want to do. Didn't your Dr. wean you off of the GABA? I too am on LYRICA from GABA but was weaned off of the GABA probably because of the withdrawel system. I feel the Lyrica is helping me more than the other. It did make make me tired the 1st week but after that I was fine. I work 6 to 8 hours a day and have no issues with it. What I do have issues with is sitting in front of a computer for that length of time working although I do get up several times. Yesterday I had a time of it with numbness and deep aches in my legs by night time I took a Xanax and Oxycodone and finally went to sleep. A couple days before I was fine very little discomfort from the monster neuropathy then I had some whole grain pasta with vegetables and my sugar went up and I feel this is what triggered that episode. You have other health problems as I do too but my other one seems under control at this time. Finally after waiting for 3 months I have an appointment with a Neurologist this Friday. I already had the EMG and have Severe Poly Neuropathy with severe axonal damage. You will get over this hump soon. I understand and yesterday I had tears all day over this but today was a new day and the symptoms a little burning are there but nothing like the day before. Awesome on your Cat scan that's something to celebrate. :grouphug: |
And mrsD does it again :)
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I'm going to have to see my PCP next month before going to FL and I may see if we can lower the Paxil back down to 20 mg from the 40 I'm on. I went up to the 40 last May when all this started and I was a wreck. I've been on the lyrica for a week now and I think I'm a little better mentally. Have been up and around in the house. But I hurt all over....just achy...dizzy as usual and the neuro pain in my hands and feet are the worst. I've had 3 headaches this past week which is very unusual for me. I've also had some little spasm thingys going on in my bottom lip. Have gone back to taking the vicodin every 3 hours vs 1 or 2 hours. My left leg and foot have always bothered me the most but I'm having trouble with my right leg now. From the toes to the thigh. This happened after I had slept and didn't take my pain med until 5 hours later. All of this is so hard to explain to where I feel like I'm making sense. And in the bad of my mind is always my issues with heart PVC's. Had to have 11 places burned on my heart during ablation surgery a few years ago at Emory in Atl......was have 33,000 within a 24 hour period......after ablation they were back to approx. 672 per 24 hours....after chemo they were up to 7,000. Heart dr says chemo will do that. Wonder if any of these drugs will cause my PVC's to increase....I sure do not want to do that surgery again....you're awake during it which was weird and hurt toward the end of the 11 burnings. Seems like we all have a mixed bag of stuff wrong with us. To me it's easy to forget what I'm dealing with when my mind is occupied by the neuropathy all the time. I go back to my neuro the end of next week so we'll see how it's going then. I know I've only been at this for a year but I swear....I'm so tired.....so tired :( I looked up taking the combo of paxil and Cymbalta and I have had some of those symptoms all along. MrsD......are there certain symptoms that I should be looking for ? Thanks and more comments associated with this post will be greatly appreciated. Debi from Georgia |
I don't think you should be on ANY Paxil while taking the Cymbalta. Serotonin syndrome is serious, and if you have high serotonin for long periods of time, it can damage heart valves, and possibly cause pulmonary hypertension.
This is why some diet pills were taken off the market as they raised serotonin too. Your pharmacy should have stopped you at some point, and explained this to you. So do be careful, please! I think you should discuss this ASAP with your doctor...and come to a safe solution with him/her. |
Thanks mrsD :)
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After I read your last post I looked this up again and decided some of the same symptoms may have started after going on the Cymbalta approx. 12 weeks ago. Not going to take any chances per your suggestion and get it discussed. I'm guessing I'll have to titrate down on the Paxil ? I have had the worst day as far as pain goes. Like I said before since dropping the gaba and Dr Greer adding the Lyrica the pain is sharper and there is more of it.....the fingers and toes are really doing a number on me and I can't sleep last night or tonight. Didn't realize until I dropped the gaba how much it was effecting my mind....my head is clearer but with dropping that came the change for the worst in my pain levels. Oh well....I'll discuss with Amy tomorrow and see what we can come up with. I see Dr Greer at the end of next week to discuss my 3 weeks on Lyrica. If this pain doesn't let up some I'm thinking he'll have to change it again.....if there is something else for him to change me to. Thanks again and I'll let you know what she says. I'm guessing she'll be ticked at the neuro and pharmacy for not noticing the Paxil and Cymbalta thing. Debi in Georgia |
I'm another person that has been using Gralise for almost a year with good results. The bad news I've been fighting with the insurance for almost that long to get it approved. Now they want me to try cymbalta but when I went to pick that up they said the insurance declined it, this was 3 hours after the Dr. said it was good to go :confused:
Like the earlier person said since you take it in the evening you sleep through the "cloudy issues" that the GABA causes. It has reduced or eliminated that period where it too early for a pill and the pain is increasing. I'm not pain free but it's much more tolerable. Good luck |
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Cymbalta is either available generically or on the verge (I haven't tracked it that closely). If so, they may have wanted him to write the scrip generically; or if not, wait until the generic version is on pharmacy shelves. ...or a case of the left hand not knowing the where the right hand has its head up... :rolleyes: Doc |
Just wanted to give a follow up :)
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It's a beautiful morning in GA. Sun is shinning and I hope All of us on here have a good Sat. I did go see Amy on Wed of this week and by then had a sinus infection that put me in bed for 3 days. Not the worst I've ever had but was very painful. I really do believe this SFN makes anything you get worse :( This is the 2nd sinus infection I've had in 4 weeks. We discussed the Paxil/Cymbalta combo and she said yes, the neuro and the pharmacy should have noticed and notified me. But she does not want to take me off the Paxil. She well remembers what I was like a year ago when this started and doesn't want me to get back to that 'place' mentally. She also knows I'll probably be coming off the Cymbalta since the 60 mg a day is not working and I had too many side effects when increased to 90 mg. Bad news: Amy, my PCP, is cutting her full schedule to 1 to 4 days a month for the next 18 to 24 months. I will really miss her and hopefully I'll be able to 'catch' her here and there for an appointment. She's going home to stay with her kids (one being a step-son in 7th grade that his mom doesn't want) and her 2 younger boys. Don't blame her one bit. I will be staying at that local office because the other 2 dr's can call Amy at any time if they need to discuss my case and she is the only one that prescribes my pain meds. Saw my neuro yesterday morning. I've been on the Lyrica 75 mg 2 x's for the last three weeks and have developed stomach problems. Mainly stomach aches that knock me off my feet for about an hour.......this occurs on and off all day long. Neuro said he had never heard of Lyrica causing stomach issues but agreed to take me off of it for 3 weeks to see if it's the Lyrica causing it. I'm about 99% sure it is. I never have stomach aches or issues and these just started after I added the Lyrica. So as of today I'm off gaba, Lyrica and only on Cymbalta 60 mg a day. Not sure where this is going pain wise but my head has been so much clearer since I stopped the gaba which I have been on since last year at this time at some dose or another. The only difference I've noticed in the pain is that it is 'sharper' and my fingers and toes seem to be worse pain wise. Or maybe it's just sharper because my mind is clear of the cobwebs that are now gone. Good PS: I'm looking at my 20 lb cat, Bob, that I had shaved into a lion's cut yesterday and he is so handsome....he's a long hair and I usually shave him twice a year. He has 3 layers of different fur and my very black cat is now gray....lol...with a black head, tail and legs :) Debi from Georgia |
This link provides a pretty good list of symptoms from serotonin syndrome:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...s/con-20028946 I'd keep this list handy if you continue with both Paxil and Cymbalta. (you will not be able to take any cough/cold products with DM in them either OTC). Serotonin is the main neurotransmitter in the GI tract and an excess of it will cause cramping and diarrhea. |
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Just a note my Walgreens pharmacist informed me of the serotonin risk and said if you are taking tramadol with the antidepressant I won't fill this for you I can't take either as hard to get on the antidepressant and I think the Tramadol started my morning jerking
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Doc |
Finally made it back :)
My sinus infection did not go away....just got worse. Wound up on 2nd round of antibiotic and 6 days of steroids. Of course this past weekend I felt like Superwoman because of the steroids and managed to have a few good days.
But alas that's over now......went to the mall on Sun...only went in to 2 stores but that did it for me.......now my right leg from butt to tips of toes is staying a 10+ unless I take 'whole' pain pills......and for any of you that have read my past posts I only take 1/2 a pain pill at a time.....it got so bad yesterday I was icing down the whole leg. I'm trying to nip it in the bud this morning......just went ahead and took a whole pill. My 17 year old granddaughter is spending the day, her grades are excellent so her mom let her have a day off, and having her here always makes me feel better. I would like to say that just when I get to thinking maybe I've got this under control...even having to use pain meds......my body knocks on the door and says "Hello Debi, you still have SFN"....lol......and guess I always will.....the nerves in my feet are dead and it seems to travel over my body here and there. Boy I better go.....I'm a little whoozy and I'm sure some of this is the pain meds talking but at least my leg is not hurting at this exact moment....love those moments. Debi from Georgia |
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Sometimes when you are in extreme pain it is better to take your pain meds before the pain gets away from you. When you wait to long the meds really don't work as well. Also, try to be sure to take them on the schedule given by your doctor. Not unlike myself, many of us here don't like to do that. But, when your pain is a 10+, it is the smart thing to do. At least for a day or two until your pain level subsides a little. I really understand what you mean when you say your body knocks on the door or should we say SFN knocks on the door.:( I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Enjoy your granddaughter. Mine are a wonderful gift to me that keeps me fighting!:hug: |
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