Cymbalta (Duloxetine) for chronic pain and nerve pain? Experience?

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OAme11

04/30/2019 at 5:13 AM

Good advisor

Hello everyone,

I posted this in the OA forum, but I also wanted to post it here to see if anyone had any information or help. My doctor has put me on an anti-depressant to treat my musculoskeltal, nerve pain, and muscle pain from surgeries and OA (knees and shoulders and elbows/hands)

She said that even though it is marketed as an anti-depressant, for some reason that is not known, it helps a lot with chronic pain patients from studies.

I am taking 60 mg a day. I have been on it for almost 2 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with this? Did it work?

How long does it take for you to notice if it is going to work or not? The doctor told me it takes a few weeks. so far have not felt any change.

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achy38

05/14/2019 at 3:36 AM

Good advisor

Hi @OAme11‍ I just started this medication a couple of weeks ago. I have RA, and have not noticed any significant reduction in pain because of it. The doctors prescribed it to me because of my depression and brain fog - it was supposed to help with that. It has helped with the brain fog I believe.

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) for chronic pain and nerve pain? Experience? https://www.carenity.us/forum/chronic-pain/treatments-for-chronic-pain/cymbalta-duloxetine-for-chronic-pain-and-nerve-pain-experience-943 2019-05-14 03:36:58

Unregistered member

05/16/2019 at 12:22 AM

@OAme11 hey friend, I have been using Cymbalta since 2015 for depression. I also have Lupus.

Recently I have been going through a bad flare and my Dr. upped my dosage to what you are taking now. I'm feeling much better on this increased dosage. So for me it's great.

I don't know if it works on pain because pain is associated with depression so I can see how it would make sense that it would work.

Keeping in mind it works differently on each person. I have a friend and it didn't work for them but their issues were totally different.

If it were me, I would give it a good 6 weeks for it to get into your system.

Tip:. Keep a journal on how you are feeling each day and in different situations. Google play or Apple store will have them and usually you can find a good one for free.

I hope I have been of some help. God bless you in your journey.

OAme11

05/29/2019 at 2:20 AM

Good advisor

Thank you both for the responses. Sorry I have not returned to update.

@naturalremedygurl‍ what app do you recommend I use? That sounds like great advice for me to track how I feel... are these journals for pain or depression? I guess, you can say I have both.

I am about to be 6 weeks in and the pain really hasnt changed?!? She said it worked on pain for an unknown reason, but that studies have shown it worked for people in pain that were not diagnosed with depression... she also recommend Wellbutrin... have you heard of that? She said that works better for nerve pain. She may start me on that in addition to Cymbalta as no pain meds have works and I hate the way they make me feel.

Your friend. what kind of pain did he have?

Thank you so much for your kind response. It is sooo much appreciated.