Cymbalta question (from another new member)
 

My counselor told me this helps with peripheral neuropathy and depression. I have those, anxiety disorder, arthritis in my knees, ulnar nerve pain (going to pt for it) and had a large right frontal meningioma brain tumor removed in 2009.

I'm going to talk to my doctor next week and if I ask her to let me try Cymbalta, I'm sure she'll be okay with it. I've done my research and I can afford it (on SSDI).

If anyone has used it, does it help with pain and stabbing in your feet (and did it help your depression/anxiety if you had those too)? I am moderately depressed. So, I've heard good things about it helping with depression, but getting off it I've heard is very, very hard.

I stopped taking Lyrica without a doctor's supervision b/c I could not afford it anymore (went thru divorce). It was very difficult, but I was determined b/c I couldn't afford $300 a mos for one med when I take 5 meds. I went from 900 mg day to 300 mg 2 x day to 300 mg 1 x day to 100 mg 2 x day to 100 mg 1 x day to zero. It was very difficult, but I did it - yay for me. I've never felt the same, never felt as good, but I can't afford it, so whatever, right?

Can anyone tell me their experience with generic Cymbalta? Does it help with both the pain and depression? If you tried to get off it, did it make you crazy (as I've read)?

I see my doc on the 12th, so any feedback would be really appreciated. I'm scared, no family, on SSDI, just went through abusive marriage/divorce, depressed, scared, alone (did I mention depressed, scared and alone)? Really. I'm pulling away from all my friends, social life, etc. I need something to help with my foot pain and my depression/anxiety. I'm hoping this is my miracle.

Charliebird (woman with man's username, I guess)

I have found Cymbalta to be very helpful over the years for neuropathy; however, it must be used properly.

You must first take 30mg once daily for the first seven days, and only then start taking it at a dose of 60mg once daily thereafter.

Do not judge your results until you have been on the 60mg daily dose for a full three to four weeks.

Overall, I have found it gave me anywhere from an average 50% to 100% reduction in pain (primarily small fiber), as well as a nice mood boost.

I may restart it myself again after being off for 16 months, and am also debating whether to try the generic version too (and trying to get feedback).

Best of luck with it!

David

I tried to get a bunch of Cymbalta reviews on my own thread with few people responding. I have much pain in the ball of my feet when I'm walking & am using Tramadol for this. Is that the type of pain you are referring to? Different people may be talking about burning, pins and needles, etc. when referring to pain relief. My new PC Dr wants me to try Cymbalta. I'm less than excited about it.

Many people have posted here over the years about Cymbalta...

Some have moved on but their posts remain. Lately I've noticed fewer using it. So try a search (the link is at the top right of the first page or use the link in my signature), and use Cymbalta as a keyword.

If you go to other forums here you will find mixtures of positive and negative experiences. That is the best way for you to see the information you seek. Remember many end up here when most things don't work well for them, so there will be many negatives.

You can also go to :
http://www.drugcite.com/?q=Cymbalta

These are collected FDA reports on this drug reported to them by doctors and hospitals. Keep in mind that only about 1% or so actually report things...so the numbers are not representative of potential actions.

Keep in mind that Cymbalta is the only antidepressant that has reports of damage to the liver. You cannot drink alcohol while while using it, and if you already have any hepatitis virus or cirrhosis, it is best not to use it either.

This is the link to our Cymbalta thread of this week.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread219640.html

Hi Charliebird,

I'm a cancer survivor too, 21 months this time, and suffer severe Depression and extreme Anxiety.

I understand financially how things are, but is Therapy not an option? Many people benefit greatly from Counselling. For me, one couldn't cope with MY cancer dx and another deliberately triggered a Panic Attack to 'prove' I did not have control. There are good ones out there, though.

Then there is Meditation. Simple Breathing Meditation teaches control and strengthens the mind. Many here practice some form - and it's free - it just takes peace, practice and dedication.

Also, you have found here a Community of caring peers who will listen to your concerns, issues, ideas or opinions and offer advice or support - or just be a sounding board to vent to.

I am not against ADs, I have to take a heavy dose of Mirtazapine myself to help me cope, but there are other aids.

Dave.

MrsD: I just googled "antidepressants causing liver damage" & found that amitriyptyline & other tricyclic antidepressants can cause liver damge. Nortriptyline was not included on the list, however. Your take on this?

The doses used for PN are far below the old therapeutic doses for depression. At that level, side effects are much much less, when used for PN.(tricyclics like nortriptyline)

Perhaps I should have said of the SSRI and SNRI family, Cymbalta is the only liver toxic one. More on the liver toxicity aspect:
http://livertox.nih.gov/Duloxetine.htm

Welcome Charliebird. :Wave-Hello:

Charliebird, Sorry to have seemed to have hijacked your post. I've really been trying to get more input about cymbalta before I see my neurologist on Mon. The combination of Nortriptyline and Tramadol, seems to be working reasonably well for me, but wanted to give my new PC Dr the benefit of my doubt. I think I'll stick with what seems to be working, at least for awhile. It took me long enough to get here. Hope you may have benefited from my interference.

Cymbalta
 

Dear Charlie:

I've taken 60 mg of Cymbalta daily since 2010. It works very very well for me.
It is on label for the pain of arthritis and PN among other pains...and of course helps stabilize mood.

One note: My husband tried it, and it took away his pain completely, but it also gave him explosive diarrhea. So it wasn't for him.

We must all use trial and error to find the right treatments, I have found.

Best wishes, ElaineD