Duloxetine for Pain User Reviews

• Bluef...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2019

"I've been on Duloxetine about 5 years (@ 60 mg/day), and want to encourage people considering trying it not to be scared off by negative reviews. I do believe the negative reviews are (generally) legitimate, and that a lot of people have had negative experiences. Their voices are also critical (as are all patient's) in helping to create awareness. But I believe the experience most people have with duloxetine is not dramatic. It either helps (sometimes a lot; other times just enough to keep taking), or doesn't. It helped significantly in my case, making my pain bearable, allowing mostly-normal day-to-day activities. I did have initial drowsiness (which went away in 10 days - 2 weeks), and nausea (still have occasionally), dizziness & balance issues (still remain, but not major). Don't be afraid to try Duloxetine, it presents a reasonably good chance to provide you with meaningful relief. Best of luck:-)"

• jomanda
• September 27, 2007

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Cymbalta provided amazing relief for my neuropathic pain and depression though it also seemed to have bad side effects. The night terrors I experienced were unimaginable and occurred almost nightly. I had taken this medication for over a year and after choosing to discontinue it, the withdrawal symptoms that followed seemed severe. I would advise a cautious approach."

• Suzz
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2020

"I just wanted to share my experience on duloxetine. I was terrified to try this because of the reviews. I have nerve pain. The first thing I tried was Amitriptyline. I slept really well ,but it didn’t help the pain and I had little energy. Next was Gabapentin. It didn’t help much with the pain and made me agitated. Also I had a huge appetite and started to gain weight. Next was Topamax. I was a total zombie on a low dose. Next was Cymbalta (I take the generic.) I started at 20 mg for 6 weeks. The side effects were mild. I would feel a little nauseous, but only if I went to long without food. It took about 4 weeks to really feel a difference in my pain. After 6 weeks I went up to 30mg. I am so happy with this medication. I feel energetic, but not anxious. I have energy during the day and sleep well at night. I feel a calmness and happiness, but not zombie like. I have been on 30mg for about 6 weeks. I hope it keeps working because my quality of life has been much improved."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "This drug is fantastic. I had neuropathic pain and depression, due to the chronic pain, for over six months. I tried NSAIDS and other drugs which did little, if anything. Cymbalta really saved me. I tolerated it well and had few side effects, dry mouth and a little wired for the first week on it but that was it. It did reduce sexual performance and cause difficulty with orgasm, but it was worth it. After 10 months I got off of it and everything returned but the pain. Fantastic."

• dcaju...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2018

"I was prescribed Cymbalta for Migraines. It was wonderful! My migraines were so bad that I could not function. I had to stay flat on my back with no light or sound for days at a time. I would get sick every time I ate. If it wasn't for this drug I think I would have died. I took it for 2-3 years and then my doctor weened me off of it. I no longer had migraines. It's been 5 years and still no migraines."

• Charles
• March 2, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I've had Occipital Neuralgia for nearly 3 years and have gone through 8 Neurologists who tried all the current treatments including radio frequency ablation (burning) without long term relief. We decided to try some of the anti-depressant medications and started with Cymbalta. In 3 months I was pain free and have had no problems since I started the drug about 2 years ago."

• nanalou
• August 20, 2007

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I used Cymbalta for a year. The first 8 months were great in alleviating my all-over pain, which is why I was taking it. After that, slowly it came back until I asked to be taken off. In the first few days I had pounding of my heart which was so bad I never slept all night. MD put me on another blood pressure pill which helped after upping the dosage a couple times. After weaning off, heart pounding & insomnia started again."

• Hopeful
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 23, 2020

"I was on Duloxetine 60 mg for pain for approx 17 years. I decided to get off of it due to weight gain, sweating and lethargy. It took 4 months to slowly wean myself off (with doctors help). Soon after, the fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and pelvic floor pain started and by June I was in a tremendous amount of pain, anxious and depressed. I tried Effexor, but it did not give me the relief I had hoped for and it came with it's own set of side effects. Needless to say I am starting back up on the Duloxetine. While I'm not thrilled with the side effects, Duloxetine gives me a better quality of life."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I've been on Cymbalta for fibro pain for about two months. For me, it's working well. I have no side-effects, and it's made me feel like I've only been hit by a compact car instead of a mack truck! lol!"

• Serafin
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2018

"For pelvic pain syndrome. Started on 30 mg, made me a slightly more nervous for 5 days. Then it kicked in, the pain decreased within a few weeks substantially. Now I have been for all practical means without pain for more than 18 month. I decreased the dose to 15 mg (yes, I open the capsule, take about half the little pellets out and swallow them). I'm generally happier, less anxious, I sleep well and enjoy life again. I do feel very grateful to the scientists who developed this drug."

• Nikki...
• August 3, 2011

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have had severe lower back pain for many years. I have 2 bulging disc, 1 ruptured disc which causes paralysis and severe pain in my left leg, degenerative disc, arthritis and a small deformity on my lower spine and I'm only 40 years old. I'm on the couch and unable to walk a lot of the time. The pain was so severe. The doctor put me on Cymbalta and referred me to a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon finally said they would do surgery to fuse my lower back. I have been on Cymbalta for a little over 3 months now and I'm pain free. I have canceled my surgery. I have my life back. Love it."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2010

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "My MD prescribed Cymbalta for chronic pain caused by disc bulges, in addition to treating my previously diagnosed depression and anxiety. I took my first dose around noon, and by 2pm had a pounding headache. As the day continued, I began to have tremors and convulsions, blurred vision and was very disoriented. At 10 pm my heart rate and breathing were very rapid and I had mild hallucinations. I rode it out for the rest of the night and after about 3 hours most of the side effects had faded with the exception of the headache. Unfortunately, the worst side effects was yet to come, graphic vivid nightmares. My doctor took me off the medication, after one dose, three days ago. "

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I've been on Cymbalta for a year now. I had a bad truck wreck and had to have my neck fused. I was taking 60mg of hydrocodone and it kept me from taking care of my company. Started with 60mg of Cymbalta and after about six months went to 30mg. Things so far have been great. My wife is happy because my bad temper has gone. Side affects have been, sweating bad at night and less sleep. Over all it has been a life saver."

• weezie
• January 31, 2017

"Was taking all kind of pain medicines then my pain doctor put me on the generic of cymbalta ,I could not believe I was not hurting ,I take 60 mg at night just before bed.when I awake in the morning I'm in no pain. And I get better sleep now then I have in a long time .I have degenative disc disease,fibomy,thinning of the bones,bulging disc,sciactic,.they were taking me into the surgery room and giving me injections in my spine ,it helped the right lower back but did nothing for the left side of my back.could hardly get out of bed in the morning. Now everything is much better since I started the cymbalta.I just hope I do not get the side effects they are speaking of so far so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2016

"Been on Duloxetine for 4 weeks now at 30 mg. First day had terrible diarrhea, then felt groggy and almost in a dream like state for the first week. I was prescribed Cymbalta for migraines and general anxiety. Week 2 started to feel more normal but my anxiety was worse (to be expected). Week 3 I noticed my migraines were less frequent and I tolerated the pain better, also started feeling happier and less anxious. Week 4 my anxiety is almost gone n migraines have gone from daily to maybe every 3 or 4 days and are less severe. Worth the first two weeks of feeling crappy."

• Kell
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

"I started taking this drug Duloxetine 4 weeks ago for leg pain, I started on 30mg and went up to 60mg. The first week was hard with stomach pain and I was very nauseous. But that’s all gone now and I feel great. Pain has decreased by 80 % I sleep better and have more energy. I’ve lost a little weight and my appetite has decreased but that doesn’t bother me to much."

• Stuck...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2014

"I'd been taking Cymbalta for about 2 years when I decided that I didn't want to pay $30/mo anymore, so I decided that I would wean myself off. I tried and I started getting the brain zaps, like lightening in my head. So I started back, slowly I just started missing a dose here and there until I was able to stop them without the side effects. I've been off for several months now and I've noticed that I've been in more pain and everything that was hurting me before has compounded. So needless to say I'm starting them back. Appears that I'm not going to be able to do without it."

• Willow
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2018

"I take 20mg of this drug in the mornings. I also take Gabapentin and Amitriptyline plus use Lidocaine patches for nerve pain from breast cancer surgery. I was really scared to start this drug because of all the horror stories on the web but I have had none whatsoever. All I can say is ignore all the horror stories, everybody is different and react differently to drugs but until you try it yourself you won’t know. I have felt a slight improvement in nerve pain each day and on the plus side I have a bit more energy."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2011

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been on Cymbalta for 2 months and it has really help my back pain. I have had chronic back pain for 3 years due to a fall. I have had my back MRI and I have no disks problems, so it is muscle pain. Cymbalta has really helped. It does still bother me some days but not as much as before. In the beginning I had a lot of nausea with Cymbalta but that went away after about a week, I was determined to give it a chance. With some of the side effects it is easy to give up, but it does get better. Now I have no problems, maybe a little less of an appetite, but that might not be such a bad thing."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have neuropathy in my feet and slightly in my hands. Amitryptiline made my pain livable - still bad, but I could function. When I began taking Cymbalta along with the amitryptline, almost immediately the pain subsided and practically disappeared! I no long take the Amitryptiline and Cymbalta keeps the pain to a low ebb, allowing me to sleep and join in activities I had long given up. Doesn't do a thing for my "attitude", but being relatively pain free does make me happy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2012

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Cymbalta is a wonder pill for me. I was in a car accident almost a year ago and still suffer from neck pain. My GP refused to prescribe me any pain medication that worked because they were narcotics. I was depressed from the pain and the effect it had on my work performance and romantic relationship. I begged him to take the pain away and swore I didn't want to get high. He referred me to a psychiatrist and he put me on Cymbalta. My pain dropped from 7/10 to 3/10 with Cymbalta. It took two weeks on 60mg to kick in, but once it did, wow the difference was incredible. I'm thinking that in a few more weeks my pain may drop even more. The best part is there are NO side effects for me!"

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been taking Cymbalta for leg pain for about a year. It was very effective in relieving my leg pain related to back problems/Anklylosing Spondylitis. However, it has been necessary to increase my dosage twice. I am now on the highest dosage and pray that it will keep working as a miracle cure for my leg pain. By the way, I have had no side effects except dry mouth."

• BiPol...
• October 12, 2007

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was originally prescribed Cymbalta for relief of pain caused by neuropathy in my leg. I have bipolar disorder. At the time I was unaware it was an anti-depressant. Bipolar patients should monitor themselves for symptoms of mania while taking Cymbalta. I was thrown into a wild episode of mania within 3 weeks of taking a 60 mg dose of Cymbalta."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2012

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I started taking Cymbalta 10 months ago after developing Fibromyalgia. I am a 40 year old male in good physical condition. It is very effective for pain - not 100% - but enough that I have mostly pain free days. The pain in my hands, fingers, wrists, groin, hips and back is very manageable now. I've also noticed that my plantar fasciatis pain is completely gone, and headaches are rare but easy to manage. Side effects include memory loss, some fatigue and difficulty with orgasm. I could not have a job or even be a good father/husband without it. My insurance covers some of the cost. "

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have had chronic pain from nerve damage when I had a mastectomy 11 yrs ago. Have been to many pain doctors, tried epilepsy medicines, antidepressants, and now I am taking Tizanidine, Lyrica, Cymbalta and a wonderful compounded pain cream that is a lifesaver for me! It has Lidocaine, Ketoprofen, and Cyclobenzaprine. Mention to your pain doctor. I put a small dab on my arthritic knee too. My insurance covers it 90%. Good luck to all with chronic pain!"