My Doc weened me off my Oxy about two weeks ago. It went real well. About two weeks before that she put me on Cymbalta. It takes about 6 weeks to totally get into your system but hey I'll try anything.

All was going well until about last week, both my legs started aching more than usual. I mean I have Restless Leg Syndrome and Peripheral Neurophethy as well as RSD but it has never been real bad or annoying. One Requip per night and I was good to go. Well the aching in my legs got more intense centering around my knees mostly and going up and down to my feet and up to my hips. Getting bad enough to keep me from sleeping.

I started finding I had less and less energy to walk as the days went by and the pain (BAM!!!) shot through me like a rocket. But than quieted down to a very very intense dull ache now from hips to toes 24/7 nonstop. Well last night I hobble up the stairs, got to the top and simply collaped. Not a lick of energy left in me. My legs weighed a thousand pounds and hurt like crazy. I crawled to my room and died.

I toss and turn all night only to get up this morning to find both my knees are the size of large melons. They are hard as a rock and I cannot move my legs from the knees down. Hips down to knees is okay. I can wiggle my toes a little but not much. The skin is stinging burning but ice cold to touch. It is not blue but bright red.

If I had gone my local Emergency Room they would treat me like I should be used to this "Mr Chronic Pain Man" and accuse me of seeking drugs. I don't need the added aggravation.

What is happening? Any ideas. It hurts soooooo bad. Please offer anything you can throw at me.

Signed - "So Desparate I'd Concede To Admitting To Be The Real Father Of Anna Nicole's Baby - Just For Five Minutes Of Relief"

Hi Mark,

When I went off the the strong meds. I decided to go very slow. I also was told to drink a glass of Merlot. I am still on valium, never tried Cymbalta.

Big Huge Hugs, Roz

Hey

I have experience this before and I have the ache that you are talking about - it's like tooth and ear ache in your bones?

Can't suggest anything really that will help - I just try and get on with mine and occasionally bite holes in blankets.

loads of love

FRxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I found cymbalta to be a very dangerous drug. it does mess up the fluid balance in the body. after two days on it, i spend three days in bed, i could barely move. the bad part was i felt so relaxed and pain free, i hated giving up the drug. the doctor and pharmacist said it took all the fluid out of my system and into my extremities. so be careful.
i think so many drugs are unproven and we are the guinea pigs ....
joan

i wish i had something useful to offer - i don't - but have to tell u i laughed out loud at your signature.

i wish i could send u a big laugh too.

liz

I also found Cymbalta very serious drug for my daughter.
I would be so cncerned for fluid build up. If your not peeing well too it can be backing up with poisons in your body.

Many meds made my daughter's brain unable to tell the bladder to pee. Also she retained fluid, and had high blood sugar.

I would call, insist the only change is the addition of cymbalta and how bad things are.
Something has to be done.
dianne

Hey there Mark

Oh dear, sorry about the football knees - I don't think you should be taking this lying down, though, better get that fluid out soon as poss...I think you should get the docs to do something pronto!

Lots of hugs to help you on your way
all the best!

Hey my brother!!

The RLS will get worse for a while after gettin off the opiates. I last took opiates Jan 3, 2007, and just now are my legs starting to not be as sensitive. It seems that at night they are worse too. And it isnt all in your head, for some reason nights are worse.

Believe it or not, the opiates were actually helping me. But like you I kept being labeled a drug seeking addict, very annoying to say the least. If you have any amiltriptalyne (sp), that helps with RLS and letting you get some sleep.

I thought there is a resemblance there to Anna's baby!

First so sorry you are suffering. first I agree sounds like the new medcine is not for you ... it also sounds like now you do not have adequate pain control and the rsd is soaring- it is so opportunitstic. letting the pain of rsd run rampant is not a good thing- I belivie it causes it to spread- it definitely causes it to intensify. good luck, I hope you can find a dfiferent medication.

RLS is a major withdrawal symptom. I don't think it causes the swelling of the knees, though. My pain doc has me taking high doses of magnesium for the restless legs. It DID seem to get better when I started taking it...BUT RAMP UP. Otherwise it will cause a ruckus int he tummy, and with all the other stuff you have going on, you don't need that on top of it. Start with about 500 mg's for 3 days, and go up to 750 mgs for 2, then 1000 - if you are a "big" guy go to 1500 but the max for women is 1000. If you have an electric blanket, trying wrapping your legs (if you can tolerate it). Only other idea is walk if you can, get on the computer, read...anything to talke yuour mind off it. I have restless "body" and it's been bad the last few days cuz my patch isn't sticking well. I'm hoping it kicks in soon so I can get some sleep.