Duloxetine for Peripheral Neuropathy User Reviews (Page 2)

• Bri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2023

"I was put on Cymbalta in 2017 for depression/pain relief. I have non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Started me on 60 mg, then it was increased to 120 mg for 4 years. Within a week of starting it, my foot pain was gone. No bad side effects. Finally, in 2021, I asked about decreasing it, so I went down to 90 mg for one month, then down to 60 mg since I didn’t have any increase in the foot pain. I’ve done well on the 60 mg, and as long as I take one once a day, I don’t have foot pain, but I’ve noticed if I miss a day, the pain in my feet comes back. I take oxycodone too, but it’s not nearly as effective on my feet as the Cymbalta. By the way, anyone who takes Cymbalta along with an opioid is at risk for something called serotonin syndrome, there are other drugs that can cause the syndrome also, as well as other anti-depressants and other opioids. Look it up, you need to be aware of it. Most of the time, doctors or pharmacists won’t even warn you about it."

• Fal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2022

"I had terrible neuropathic pain in both arms for a number of years caused by cervical spondylosis. Finally, I was referred to Pain Management and began duloxetine. I started with a lower dosage but went to 60 mg once a day within 3 months. It took a while for the side effects to stop (constipation, sweating), but the neuropathic pain is almost nonexistent. I no longer wake up during the night with unbearable pain in my shoulders, arms, and hands. This is a HUGE improvement for me, and I am so thankful for it."

• Bob...
• May 16, 2017

"Duloxetine at 40 mg did nothing for my neuropathic pain, but on increasing the dose to 60 mg, I did get some relief. Unfortunately, as one of the previous reviewers suggested, I had problems urinating, so yes, it probably does help with incontinence."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

"Side effects of duloxetine for me were severe sweating and also a prostate problem, but it did work very well on my neuropathy, and it also works very well with depression. I was on it for about five weeks. I got off of it because I didn’t like the side effects, and now I’m thinking about going back on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

"I took this for two days for depression and anxiety. This stuff made me have bad dreams and made me feel like I was seeing things that weren't even there. Wondering if I should stop it cold turkey because I don't like the side effects. Does anyone else have this problem?"

• Jay...
• November 24, 2020

"I took duloxetine in conjunction with gabapentin for my neuropathy, but it didn't work, not relief at all. With the time, this medication caused more harm than benefits. I started to get dizzy, confused, and depressed. I decided to stop it and start a natural treatment."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2023

"Cannot say how much better I'm feeling. I must have also needed some kind of depression medicine, though I have never been diagnosed with depression. But I feel unworried or agitated by nothing. In fact, I have tried many times to quit smoking and couldn't because of my very bad mood swings and temptation that I could not stop. But thanks to duloxetine, I can say I really doubt I will ever smoke again. I have no worries and truly nothing changes my mood. Though in the 2 months that I have been on duloxetine, issues in life have occurred, yet no mood swings nor need to smoke to calm me down. In my opinion, it's a very good drug."

• Jac...
• November 6, 2015

"I have experienced HIV-related neuropathy for years, finally getting to the point I had to address the illness. My doctor recommended this drug even though I thought it was not a good idea to use an antidepressant for pain since I had been on Lexapro for years for depression and panic disorder. The Lexapro works well for my mental health issues. But since the doctor knows best, I caved and made the switch. At first, I did not notice anything good or bad, but within the first couple of weeks, I began waking up in the morning almost in a state of panic. I contacted my pharmacy, and they recommended taking it in the morning and that this was fairly common. In about a week or less, I posted a suicidal post on social media, I don't even recall."

• Dul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2023

"For over 15 years, I took increasing doses of Gabapentin, ending with 1800 mg a day. It was increasingly ineffective at allaying my peripheral neuropathy, and as I aged into my late 70s, it began causing serious memory issues, i.e., I was finding it hard to call up even very simple nouns. As a retired psych RN, I knew this could be a side effect of Gabapentin. I talked to my primary care MD, and slowly tapered myself off of the Gaba, and the doctor started me on 10 mg of Duloxetine. I experienced some relief, but it was of short duration, and I asked my doctor to up my dosage to 30 mg a day. She also suggested I take it mid-afternoon, as the pain and burning in my feet are always most difficult at night. I am very pleased now after 6 months on this dosage with its effectiveness. I sleep much better."

• Ppp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2021

"I have been taking this drug for one month. The first two weeks were completely fine, the third week I started to get headaches, felt like my brain was being squeezed in a vice. The pressure in my head and behind my eyes has been awful, I ached all over, much more than ever before. It’s only tonight, after having a complete breakdown, crying all day, feeling like I wanted to scream and cut myself, that I have realized it’s this awful drug that has done this to me! I feel so ill and awful. I now have to try and wean myself off of it… avoid this terrible drug… it’s horrific."

• Reg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2021

"No improvement in neuropathy symptoms. Developed nightmares every night and extreme tiredness. Weaned off at half dose for 10 days. Now, over 5 weeks later, still dizzy most of the time, limiting most activities, especially driving."

• Lar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2020

"I have been on Duloxetine for 4 years and gained about 50 lbs. I recently have suffered depression and have been prescribed sertraline, so I have asked my GP to help me come off the Duloxetine. I was on 120 mg and went down to 60 mg for one week, now on 30 mg for a week, then I will take 30 mg every other day. Currently on 30 mg, my brain feels clearer, I have had sickness and bad headaches, which is very inconvenient but bearable. I also feel very strange, like I am not here, but hoping that will settle. On the whole, Duloxetine has helped my pain and mobility, and I have continued to work 2 days a week. But the pain is back, so I shall speak with my GP when I am off these awful tablets."

• Sni...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2021

"Took the duloxetine to try and combat hot flushes, feeling just pants, pains in hands, feet, knees, and hips. So, within 2 days, pain under control, but I couldn't tolerate the headaches - just blinding and debilitating. Spoke to the hospital pharmacy and breast consultant who all said carry on for a little longer - no good, had to stop at 10 days. So, so disappointed as I had the rest of my life back, but blinding headaches aren't an option."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2021

"Have been taking duloxetine for almost 4 months now, and my peripheral neuropathy has gotten much worse. Never had the numbness in my hands... just my feet. Now, after taking the drug, the numbness has not only moved into my hands, but has also gotten worse in my feet."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2022

"Duloxetine works for neuropathy for me, typically within 5-9 days on 60 mg. This time, however, it's given me horrible fatigue and malaise. The problem is most other meds poop out and/or have even worse side effects, that is if they do work (Gabapentin). Bit of a catch-22 really."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2023

"My doctor recommended Cymbalta for nerve pain in my arms and hands due to herniated disks. I started at 30 mg every evening. Within 2 days I was pain-free! The only side effect was extreme fatigue for the first 2 weeks. Please, if you are thinking of quitting Cymbalta because you are too tired after taking it please push through! The fatigue disappears after a couple of weeks. I highly recommend this medication!"

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2012

Duloxetine "It keeps the burning within tolerable limits, but I am never pain free."

• Anonymous
• June 26, 2011

Duloxetine "After experiencing post-mastectomy nerve pain and post-chemo neuropathy, Cymbalta truly changed my quality of life."

• dmf...
• October 20, 2011

Duloxetine "Did nothing for depression + did nothing for neuropathy."

• 47m...
• August 27, 2009

Duloxetine "Caused a decrease in sex drive and harder to maintain an erection."

• Cap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 11, 2019

"I also take Lyrica for PN (peripheral neuropathy). My doc added duloxetine when my symptoms became worse, it took about a month for it to have an impact on my peripheral pain."

• Smi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 28, 2018

"So much easier to manage and more effective than pregabalin/Lyrica. One dose a day. Turns out I had anxiety as well... So bonus."

• Gan...
• March 13, 2017

"I could never tell I took Cymbalta. No help whatsoever, even at a dosage of 60 mg two times a day."

• pmr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2018

"Along with gabapentin, duloxetine also had no results. Have stopped it and am now using one of the 'natural' caplets that seem to be working."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 26, 2025

"Duloxetine helped with the pain, but I'm now struggling with side effects as I am trying to reduce the dose."