Duloxetine for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 3)

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2018

"I've been on Palexia SR 100mg and Pristiq 50mg for more than 2 years for chronic pain. It kept me functional, able to work, etc. I told my doctor I wanted to go off Pristiq, I weaned off over 3 weeks with no problems. After 2 months, my pain increased to unbearable even while still taking Palexia. I revisited my doctor about the pain, and he suggested Cymbalta 30mg. I read all the horror reviews but needed to try something. Right from the second day, my pain was reduced by 60+%. I experienced no side effects. I can move like I have not moved in months. Amazing."

• Twi...
• September 14, 2015

"My doctor put me on Cymbalta for chronic pain with fibromyalgia, arthritis, bursitis, and bulging discs. I have been taking it for a week now and can't seem to shake some of the side effects. My pain is almost completely gone and I am so thankful for that. However, my eyes are so dilated all the time that everything is blurry, and I practically live in a cave. In the 6 days I have been taking it, I have lost almost 10 lbs. I am not sleeping well (though they say this will get better), and during the day, I am feeling so tired that it takes everything in me to stay awake at work. My reflexes are lacking as well: I am dropping things, losing my balance, and my reaction time when driving is a little sketchy. But all that aside, my pain is gone :)"

• Cis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2018

"I have had fibromyalgia for 30 years. My M.D. was supportive and resorted to hydrocodone. It worked, but I hated taking opiates. Then my husband died. My doctor upped my hydrocodone to 4, 10 mg a day. My fibromyalgia was worse. I went to a pain clinic. Awful. I went to a psychiatrist. He put me on a low dose of Xanax for crying nightly. Still pain! I returned to the psychiatrist. I was on Cymbalta, 60 mg, for depression, but still had fibromyalgia without opiates. The psychiatrist told me to take 60 more mg of Cymbalta. The next day, I was a new person! No pain, wonderful mood. Everyone is different. I am off opiates and down to 0.5 Xanax."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2018

"I was prescribed Cymbalta 90 mg for nerve pain. Previously, I tried gabapentin and Lyrica with significant side effects. However, with the Cymbalta, I noticed a huge difference within 24 hours after I started taking it. I did recently miss a couple of days, and there is a noticeable withdrawal, mostly headaches. After missing the couple of days, it has taken longer this time to kick back in. This tiny little pill has actually allowed me to lower my pain meds significantly and is treating my depression. I was able to stop both Prozac and Fentanyl (75 mcg/48 hrs). I do think, because of the possible withdrawal symptoms, that one should first try gabapentin or Lyrica. For me, Cymbalta was a life changer; my miracle medicine!"

• 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."

• rus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2013

"My rheumatologist had me on a very high dosage, so much that I had to pay for two separate scripts at the pharmacy. I guess so many people do have a positive response to this med, my doctor thought increasing the med mg would result in symptom improvement, however that wasn't the case. I hated (that's a strong word for me) Cymbalta. I was told I acted like another person while on it and not in a good way. Even though I strictly followed my pharmacist and doctors' directions when tapering off this med, I still had severe withdrawal during and after reducing the mg. I even called the doctor and pharmacy because I was so concerned; I all but went to the emergency room in the beginning stages since I had never had withdrawal symptoms before."

• 6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2017

"It works in subtle ways. It was supposed to help with RA pain, but it has actually helped my outlook on my daily life as well. I feel hope and have extra energy. This relief of pain has helped me be able to draw better boundaries around situations I was allowing to happen in my life. The side effects are mild. I also like that I am not gaining weight. Subtle changes, but it works great and in ways I did not expect. It has not taken away my RA pain, but has muted it a bit."

• Swa...
• October 6, 2019

"I was given duloxetine to help with depression and pain after I revealed to my psych that I feel random aches and pains nearly all the time. First day taking it was hard - terrible stomach pain and diarrhea. But, after that, my tummy settled. I am at 90 mg, and I no longer notice these random pains that I got for no reason. It's great to be comfortable. I cannot comment as to whether it helps with my depression, as I take a few different meds for that."

• Tou...
• February 18, 2014

"I've been on Cymbalta for about one month. 1st week on 30mg and 2nd week on 60mg. Only side effect for the first 2 weeks was lucid dreams and insomnia. I have really bad nerve problem in the upper and lower back which causes a lot of stress to my shoulder, trapezius, and chest muscle. Cymbalta helps me manage the upper back, shoulder, trapezius, and chest pain well enough, but nothing for the lower back. I noticed the pain reduction in the 2nd week. It's not a miracle pill but it sure helps."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2017

"I was in an accident 3 months ago. I had extreme pain, and finally, I found a doctor who listened to me. After my accident, my lower buttocks, legs, and heels hurt, I could hardly move, not including all the neck problems I had. The first week, I felt some flu symptoms, however, one day I woke up, and I have to say it made me 75% better. I just got increased from 30 to 60, it seems like I might have some of the side effects. I first had a little flu-like feeling in my body and a little fogginess in my mind, however, if you're really taking this for nerve pain, I would suggest this to anyone. It has helped me more than anything. Starting next month, I'm going to wean off of the narcotic pain pill I've taken for 3 months. All the bad reviews on most scared me, but I tried."

• CNP...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2024

"Worked great for me within one to two weeks. Started with 30mg with some relief in a week. Dose increased to 60mg with total generalized pain and stiffness relief within the following week. No side effects. Symptoms returned when I stopped after 2-3 couple of months and were relieved when I restarted. This was about 5 years ago and still works with no side effects. FYI: I'm a 77 yr old female. Sources of generalized pain and stiffness undetermined after complete medical assessment by Rheumatologist."

• LJn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

"I was prescribed Cymbalta 20 mg once a day, first thing in the morning, for severe sciatic pain. After about 3 days, I experienced considerable relief from my pain, which stays away until around 8-8:30 PM. What I don't like is the constant sweating. I can be sitting still and start to sweat. It's all facial sweating, and it can last for hours. I spoke with my doctor about it, and she prescribed Wellbutrin to be taken with the Cymbalta. I tried it for a few days, and that gave me diarrhea, so I opted to deal with the sweats. Another side effect is muscle or involuntary jerking, especially when I'm lying still in bed. I just wish big pharma could invent a pill that doesn't have so many side effects and just does what it's designed to do."

• mir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2023

"I suffered a cheerleading accident that resulted in a fractured neck and a bad concussion, causing terrible migraines, motion sickness, and loss of feeling in my hands and feet, making it difficult to sleep. Seeking medical attention, I was referred to a neurologist who prescribed 30 mg of Cymbalta. Initially, the medication was a godsend, helping me sleep through the night, eliminating my migraines, and restoring feeling to my limbs. However, after three months, my doctor decided to increase my dose to 60 mg and then to 90 mg. Missing or taking the medication just 30 minutes late would render me unable to function. My weight fluctuated randomly, and I experienced passing out, teeth sensitivity and yellowing, brain zaps, and depression. Over a year, I tried to taper off the medication, but with no success. Withdrawal symptoms were intense, including intrusive thoughts, changes in appetite, vivid dreams, and severe mood swings. Prior to taking this medication, I urge you to research the '33-page document of Cymbalta symptoms.'"

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2013

"I started taking Cymbalta approximately 4 weeks ago. It's a miracle as far as I'm concerned. I have low back pain, fibromyalgia, and increasing anxiety disorder. Within 4 days, I felt immediate relief from pain all over. I haven't felt this good in years. I am also on Lyrica and am going to see if I can lower my dose or even discontinue it and see if I'm still pain-free. My anxiety is starting to lessen now as well. I don't have many side effects, mostly more tired, so I will take it at night. Definitely try it. It's worth it!"

• Izz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2019

"I gave it a 2 because it helped with my pain, and I saw a very quick change in my anxiety. But I've lost so much sleep over the last year due to insomnia and severe night sweats. My doctor told me to take it in the morning instead, but since I needed help sleeping, this was already doing the opposite. If I miss a single dose, I get severe electric shocks starting in my head going to my feet. Burning head but freezing extremities, shakes, nausea, and that's the physical symptoms. Mentally, I would be wailing and almost hitting my head against a wall, begging whatever was going on to stop. I tried going off it cold turkey after a year on 60 mg, and the physical and mental pain is what I'd imagine heroin withdrawal to be. Now my dosage is halved, my chronic pain is back with a vengeance, so it was working for my pain, but I feel pushing through the pain from the get-go would have been easier than going through the side effects of this medication for a year. Be warned, this drug is for life."

• Div...
• 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."

• suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2014

"Almost 2 months on just 20 mg pain mgmt narcotics for chronic pain, many procedures little help, also CPTSD, GAD, pos. bipolar, depression. MY BACK PAIN AND SCIATIC GONE after 5 days on a low dose. Reserving judgement on the rest. Increase dose to 60 mg. I expect to get a hint in the next week. May have overactive mind/severe difficulty sleeping tho. Higher dose may help. But the pain relief - wouldn't have believed it if someone told me. So have to weigh pain vs insomnia or other side effect I might get. Good luck with this medicine! Insanely expensive and I know from girlfriend's experience withdrawal can be bad."

• Kei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2012

"I have had chronic pain/numbness/tingling sensations in the left side of my face for over 15 years. It was slight when it first started, but turned really bad around 2005. I have been on a Vicodin, Tramadol, Fioricet 'cocktail' for 8 years. I tried Neurontin for 5 months but it made me sluggish, lazy, and depressed. Neurontin didn't solve anything. Last week a neurologist strongly suggested I try Cymbalta, and ease off all other prescription/non-prescription pain killers. Within 24 hours I noticed a significant easing of pain sensations in the area of concern, and I have reduced my painkiller intake by 50%, and will cut it down to zero in another week to ten days. This happened in only five days of one 30mg pill a day. A miracle for me."

• Gra...
• March 27, 2016

"The relief of pain was almost immediate. I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis as well. The meds localize the pain to a tolerable condition. I take the pill first thing in the mornings, and it leaves me light-headed and fatigued until late afternoon. I wonder if these symptoms go away after a few months? Will my body get used to it?"

• Nan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2019

"Cymbalta was very helpful for my fibromyalgia pain. My pain was reduced by 80%. It was also very helpful in reducing my anxiety. There was one side effect I could not tolerate any longer after 3 years, profuse head sweating. I could be sitting in an air-conditioned house and break out in a horrible sweat. Once I realized it was the Cymbalta, I had my doctor wean me off. Please don't stop this medication cold turkey, that can be dangerous."

• Los...
• November 10, 2015

"I have had fibro, depression, anxiety, chronic horrible pain. Cymbalta does nothing at all. I don't even know why I take it. If you stop, it's worse than stopping anything else I have ever tried to except maybe Xanax. I am so happy for all you that it works for. Life is depressing and miserable. Pain meds were the only thing that has helped for pain, but I have been on them so long I want to try something else. So sick of people who think pain meds cause the problem. Of course, I am on a higher dose than someone who just started. It's been ten years. I wish Cymbalta helped as much as you guys."

• aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

"I have had three back surgeries, the latest was back fusion. I now suffer from nerve pain, especially in my right thigh and knee. At times, I can hardly walk due to the pain and weakness in my leg. X-rays and MRI show the fusion is in the correct position, but the specialists have said I may always have this nerve pain. They prescribed Cymbalta, and oh, what a calamity! I only took this medication for three days, and that was three too many. I was not warned about possible side effects, these are numerous: massive increase in pain, massive increase in weakness in the leg (had to use a walker), chest pain, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, mood swings like anger, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, hot and cold flushes, sweating for no reason. The list goes on."

• Fib...
• April 22, 2019

"I was prescribed Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and depression. I was taking it for over 3 years, but I developed a tolerance for it because it stopped working. While I was on it, it worked really well. It took some time to take effect, like 15 days, but when it did, it worked very well. I was able to continue working 50-hour weeks. The only horrible thing was when it finally stopped working, so I had to resign from my job and subsequently lost my health insurance. I couldn't afford the Rx, so I stopped taking it cold turkey. The side effects were horrendous! I was shaking, nauseous, had really bad headaches, dizzy. I finally had to borrow money to get the med back and then weaned off slowly."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2016

"Taking since 2005 for a numbness, icy, electric zapping feeling in my thigh. Started mild and escalated to unbearable over 15 years. Kaiser had ignored it for years, and I finally consulted an outside doctor who prescribed Cymbalta. No side effects at all. Within weeks, the unbearable electric zapping began lessening. Over time, a multitude of issues I thought were untreatable went away. I quit falling down (I am no longer afraid of stairs), I could tap my toe in time to music (previously, my reflexes couldn't keep up), the almost constant neuralgia that made my teeth hurt went away. At $350 per month, it was worth twice the price. Now I can no longer afford Cymbalta, and the generic makes me so nauseous I cannot take it."

• che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2015

"I just started Cymbalta 5 days ago for chronic neck pain as well as depression. The first few days were hell, I will admit that. I have had every side effect-nausea, dry mouth, constipation, extreme fatigue. But now at day 5, everything is starting to wear off and my neck honestly feels so much better, and it's only been a few days. The only thing that seems to be sticking around is restlessness at night. I can fall asleep fine, but I wake up at around 3 a.m. and can't get back to sleep. But I'm sure my body will adjust. I would suggest sticking with Cymbalta and pushing through the side effects if you can. This is supposed to be a great med."