Cymbalta for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Kelly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2016

"I've been in chronic pain for YEARS... just the other day, I took Cymbalta... it worked the first day... unbelievable, I was amazed. I read a ton of bad reviews, so I was skeptical. But it worked... I don't have to take any pain meds at all. I have fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, lupus."

• John
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2024

"I have been on Cymbalta (60 mg/d, ER) since late 2009. My Dr. prescribed it for pain from stenosis and bone spurs in my cervical vertebrae. It took a few weeks to work. When it did, my neck pain went down so much that I completely forgot about my neck. It continues to work now even after 14+ years. I am writing this review because I am away from my home for 3 days and forgot to pack my Cymbalta. It is Sunday, and I haven’t taken Cymbalta for three days. My neck pain came back this morning like the pre-Cymbalta days. Is this a coincidence? Perhaps, but I was virtually pain-free for over 14 years until I missed three doses in a row. I will be back at home tonight and will take my Cymbalta the very minute I walk in the door. I recommend Cymbalta wholeheartedly."

• plkc
• June 21, 2016

"I have been on Cymbalta for 5 years. I am bipolar and found it to be an excellent SSRI for depression. I also have osteoarthritis with 2 replaced knees before 50 years old. My meds were being changed around (which we do now and then for efficacy) and I came off the Cymbalta. By day 2, I was in agony. Every joint in my body ached, and I was in terrible pain. I went back to my psychiatrist, and by that point, he had heard about the connection. I went back on Cymbalta, and by day 2, I was up and working in the garden just like before. Absolutely no pain."

• FlyGu...
• November 24, 2016

"I've had RA for 56 years, and of course pain. Before having my gastric surgery I had tremendous pain in my lower back. A nurse friend who also has RA said I should try it. I took 30mg the first night and rocketed out of bed the next morning, the second night/morning the same thing, no pain and the flexibility to jump right out of bed. The third night I was wondering if I was just having a good couple of mornings, so I skipped the dose. I woke up at 2 am with excruciating pain and downed the Cymbalta. The next morning around 9 am, I launched out of bed forgetting all about any pain. Bottom line, for me, it was a godsend, like most meds, you can't expect everyone to react the same. It's not rocket science people, get a week's worth of samples."

• Jack...
• May 1, 2015

"Cymbalta has enabled me to come off Tramadol for back pain. I don't urinate frequently from anxiety, I sleep better and feel 20 years younger. I guess I was depressed and didn't know it. Best med I have ever taken."

• Issie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2014

"After just having begun my regimen on Duloxetine (2 days now), I am very encouraged with the relief I am experiencing. I have fought the pain from rheumatoid arthritis since age 6. I am now 69. In the interim, I've since had aggressive fibromyalgia and aggressive debilitating brain fog with memory loss. Prior to this, I've been thinking seriously about checking my brain for Alzheimer's. Now, I am encouraged with results so far... Happy day! May this keep on working in my case this time. Many thanks."

• mel
• May 6, 2013

"I have been seeing my doctor for the last 3 years starting from back pain and fibromyalgia. I tried so much medication, including 6 epidural injections in my lumbar and sacroiliac joint, nothing seems to work. Finally, I was referred to an internal doctor, and after reviewing my case, she asked me to try Cymbalta. I finally get relief from it, my life is back to normal, and I'm very satisfied."

• Ponch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2016

"I had such terrible pain and lost my ability to walk. My doctor put me on Cymbalta and within 48 hours, my pain had decreased. I had to up my dose from 20 to 30, and everything is fine. I am walking, and my back and pelvis pain had greatly decreased. Thank God for the drug Cymbalta."

• Always...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

"Cymbalta is somewhat costly. Initially prescribed for lower back pain. The first 2-3 months, it worked VERY well. It helped with the back pain and improved my general mood. Bonus feature, it was helping with my permanent migraine. I had only a few side effects at first, but they started building up. Insomnia to the point of 15 minutes of sleep or less per day (for over a month), spontaneous ejaculation, cold sweats, no sex drive. Started to get a few electric shock-like sensations in the extremities. Started to feel zombie-like. I came off the stuff cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms included MANY shock-like jolts to hands and feet (for about 6 years), a few months of a zombie-like feeling (low drive). I'd rate it GOOD for short-term use (1-2 months). Anything longer than 3 months, I would strongly advise against (as any other anti-depressant)."

• SeeTo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2015

"The only reason it's not a 10 for me is side effects, which were very significant at first but have gotten well into a reasonable range. I researched heavily before starting, know it can be hell to discontinue, and if the relief hadn't been so immense within days from both pain and anxiety I probably would have stopped it--glad I didn't. Took about 5-6 weeks for depression to get under control, but I feel great now. No cognitive issues like Neurontin, pain meds, and Ativan, no sleepiness for me (sleeplessness was a bigger problem at first). I have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, lumbar disc pain, GAD, chronic depression issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2019

"Cymbalta did not help my pain. I have myofascial pain syndrome. It made it worse because it caused me to clench my jaw. It also came with severe side effects, and then I found out it is almost impossible to get off. Withdrawal symptoms are horrendous and last months to years. I am on a 2 to 3-year taper schedule to get off of this drug that never helped. I gained 40 pounds and have terrible daytime fatigue. If you are considering taking this drug, please do a lot more research."

• anony...
• July 2, 2013

"I have been on Cymbalta 60mg for chronic abdominal pain for 3 years. It has been a life saver for me and dropped my narcotic use (hydrocodone) down to a 30-day prescription lasting me a year. I did notice earlier this year more pain, and with that, more of the narcotic need and depression. My doctor raised me up to 90mg (one 60mg and a 30mg), and I haven't had the need for the hydrocodone for 3 months. I'm very satisfied."

• Extreme...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2018

"I had two major strokes 4 years ago that caused permanent central nervous system damage, severe depression, and anxiety. I had RLS, 'needles and pins' pain, sharp stabbing pains, shaking, quivering, lack of motor control, and more. My neurologist and surgeon suggested I take 30mgs of Cymbalta (Duloxetine) once before bed for pain. Since I started it two years ago, I am now about 80% pain-free. The spasms and intense nerve pain only come when I am very fatigued. The only side effect has been some hot flashes and insomnia, but I take Melatonin to sleep. Originally, my doctors suggested OxyContin, but I'd heard it was addictive so I tried the Duloxetine for pain and it works."

• Neenah
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2019

"This drug made me so depressed to the point of having suicidal thoughts. When I finally realized that it was causing this, the withdrawal symptoms are worse than anything I've ever experienced. Anxiety, extreme nausea, intense vertigo, muscle spasms. Do not take this drug, there are so many better options."

• AGnn
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2015

"While this med is fairly effective in the treatment of chronic pain, unless you plan to stay on it for the rest of your life, you should not even consider taking it. Discontinuation of this medication has to be done under the supervision of a physician, and the withdrawal is horrific, leaving one unable to function in a normal capacity for weeks, or even months. Most doctors don't mention this. Some aren't even aware of it. I urge you to be cautious in your decision to take Cymbalta. Google 'Cymbalta withdrawal' first!"

• Pus
• August 21, 2017

"This is the worst drug ever put out. I'm 70, and it has ruined my life. When weaned off, it has nearly killed me. I have been over a year of withdrawal and am still going. They should be stopped from selling this and tell everyone you know to never be put on this crap - it will ruin your life."

• Diver...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

"My personal advice to anyone thinking of starting Cymbalta: don't do it. I only wish someone had told me before I took it. Granted, it did take the edge off of some of my pain short term. The side effects just aren't worth it. I was fortunate enough to only suffer mood swings, anger, brain zaps, and so on for about a month because I wasn't on it that long. They don't tell you that once you start taking Cymbalta, it's near impossible for someone to safely come off on their own if they have been on it for more than a couple of months. Just please do your research. Some people have had great success, but others barely lived to tell their horror stories, and others aren't here."

• Tuna
• November 5, 2016

"I developed a chronic pain syndrome post chole 25 years ago. My pain waxed and waned. Pain medication did nothing. The only thing that helped a little was muscle relaxants. My doctor suggested Cymbalta. The effect was immediate. I just thought I was having a good week. I took 30 mg daily (lowest dose). The pain never returned. I still have muscle stiffness but the pain associated with it is gone. I have an arthritic thumb from an injury that still causes me pain. So for arthritic pain, it does not seem to help. All I can say is give it a try. The effects for me were immediate."

• Fiverlo
• May 30, 2017

"I was prescribed this medication for depression several years ago. I did not think it was helping me, so I had my doctor take me off of it 8 months ago. I was determined to handle my depression without it as I just wasn't seeing a big difference. Whoa. Was I wrong. I finally went back on it three days ago, and I can tell you that everyone I knew with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis (as I do), my depression only worsened once my pain level increased each day, until finally I tried it again. Everyone I know who has pain from arthritis and tried to stop taking Cymbalta has returned to it much, much sooner than I did. I am sorry I suffered as long as I did before trying it again. It is a lifesaver and has given me my life back."

• Merytle
• May 22, 2014

"Cymbalta has given me such great relief from pain for many years. Unfortunately, I fall into the 1% of severe side effects. I've had no need for narcotics except for acute pain from migraines or injuries during this time. Unfortunately, I have put on so much weight, and my liver is enlarged, and enzymes are high due to taking this medicine. Even with years of intense exercising 3-5 days a week, I was unable to lose any significant weight. I must now stop taking it, and I don't know of anything else that will give me this relief. I still highly recommend this for others who are most likely not going to have this trouble. But be aware just in case you fall into the 1% also. Especially if taking other medicines."

• Pyj
• May 27, 2018

"I was taking amitriptyline for chronic pelvic pain for 6 years and was frustrated with the morning fatigue and weight gain. It did well to control the pain but was becoming less effective. The gynae changed me to duloxetine to hopefully spark some energy. The first two months later were awful. My pain returned, and I felt like I had a sleeping sickness. I was irritable and nauseated all the time. Pain was decreasing slowly, but I had to rely on strong painkillers. Two months in, I woke up one morning with no pain, feeling good. This feeling came more frequently over the next month until it was daily. The changes compared to amitriptyline are that I’m losing a bit of weight and the pain management is better. My memory is also improved. It seems to be helping more with the depression from the loss of my partner to cancer. I feel generally happier. Sleep problems are worse."

• Colleen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2024

"I have chronic pain and bad anxiety for many years and have been living untreated and struggling. In the last few months, I started taking pain pills. But then a few weeks ago, I met two totally different strangers who, within five minutes of each other, shared their experience with CYMBALTA - it was like a light bulb went on! I had two or three previous doctors recommend it in the past, so I felt it was a SIGN or a NUDGE to give this prescription medication a go. I’m currently on day five of 30 mg with some side effects such as mild nausea, mild headaches that come and go, and some insomnia. But because of the positive reviews on here, I have decided to push through the side effects and give Cymbalta a chance to CHANGE my life! I have decreased pain meds to 3 a day and feel encouraged that my anxiety will be greatly helped!"

• Kimmy
• March 17, 2016

"I thankfully have never had depression! However, I have chronic severe pain (ankylosing spondylitis). I tried Cymbalta in my mid-30s... YES, it made me EXTREMELY nauseous and I got headaches... But only for the first week! I felt like it gave me my life back. But it was short-lived, and I only took it for 6 months because I ended up getting immune to it. At 60 mg/day, it did nothing for pain! I went back on it at 39 after many failed attempts of other meds! But this time, I also take Dilaudid with it for breakthrough pain (usually only need once but sometimes twice a day). I've been back on Cymbalta for almost 2 years now and feel like I have my life back! I'm able to work (I'm a waitress) and drive and LIVE life!"

• JeanT
• October 12, 2014

"Cymbalta has helped enough for me to justify taking it for both chronic pain and dysthymia but do not stop it suddenly! I ran into a doctor vs. insurance problem and went cold turkey for a week and thought I would die. Wean very slowly. If you stop this medicine or taper down to a SSRI, then eliminate that. It was the most horrible thing I had ever experienced. It has helped me, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2014

"I had blissfully forgotten how much pain I had been living with before taking Cymbalta, until I ran out unexpectedly. Pretty short half-life. The pain was debilitating and constant; much worse were the very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which took hold very quickly - won't list them as they probably were related to my brain trauma. Obviously it's best not to run out, but if so, be aware of the withdrawal symptoms and pain returning. The good news is that all that unpleasantness is gone relatively quickly: 2-3 days. Another point: not covered by my insurance, and I take 90mg/day ($$$), but my G.P. spoke to Lilly (manufacturer) who agreed to provide me with 6 months worth at a time - gratis! Worth checking into."