Any one out there taking this drug? If you are, I would be grateful for any feedback on how it affects you and your symptoms. Side effects suffered/relief gained etc.
Thanks in advance,
Tilly
I take 30 mg at night. Found it really helped with the muscle aches and overall body pain. It took about a week to start helping and during that time my stomach was not a big fan of it! After the first week it quit giving me diarrhea.
Hi, Tilly.
I just started taking Cymbalta about 6 weeks ago. Besides EM, I have some inflammation going on in my nerves and joints. The prescription is for neuropathy.
I have seen a slight improvement in my EM conditions. I've actually been able to drive without my gloves several times the last couple of weeks (which is cool... it was previously a daily issue). I'm not really sure how much it has relieved my inflammation as the pains come and go and move around.
The side effects that I have experienced are fairly mild, but noticeable. I experienced mild nausea and a mild loss in appetite. When I first started taking it, I was sleepy a lot, but not so much any more. I take it at night before bed, so I'm assuming that the nausea would be less if I took it after a meal. However, I'm afraid I'll forget to do that so I just deal with it.
Hope that helps,
KC
Hi Tilly:
I am a female with no other health problems than EM. I had tried many other meds with no improvement. With Cymbalta, there was about a 50% to 75% improvement in the intensity of burning and the number of flareups. I had headaches, dry mouth and trouble sleeping for the first couple of months of taking Cymbalta, but it was definitely worth it. None of the side effects were severe. I have been on Cymbalta for over 5 years. I would recommend trying it!
Beth
I tried it - helped my EM about 25%, but I had all 8 of the top 8 adverse effects, so couldn't continue with it.
Thank you for all your replies. So far they have given me a good outline of what to expect. Don't like the loss of appetite side effect as I am underweight as it is. The dry mouth is a daily problem with me anyway but I hope the nausea gives me a miss. Lack of sleep is a constant with me too so it looks like I'll just have to suck it and see how I go.
Of all the answers, I liked the look of Beth's best as she had the best relief result. I live in hope for that outcome but won't hold my breath. I'll let you know how I get on with it in a couple of weeks when it has got into my system.
Thanks again one and all.
Good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you!
i was on cymbalta, it never helped my pain and i gained 40 lbs......which is harder to get off these days because it hurts to be as active as i used to be.
but i havent had any success with any other med either....they all either dont work or they make the pain worse
MsLovelyNikki said:
i was on cymbalta, it never helped my pain and i gained 40 lbs......which is harder to get off these days because it hurts to be as active as i used to be.
this is all the side affects. i took it once and i wanted to slam my head in to a wall !!!
July 11, 2012
Drugs & Medications - Cymbalta Oral
Cymbalta Oral
Does Cymbalta Oral have side effects?
The following side effects are associated with Cymbalta Oral:
Common side effects of Cymbalta Oral:
| Dry Mouth | Less Severe |
| Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements | Less Severe |
| Drowsiness | Less Severe |
| Dizzy | Less Severe |
| Chronic Trouble Sleeping | Less Severe |
| Low Energy | Less Severe |
| Excessive Sweating | Less Severe |
| Loss of Appetite | Less Severe |
| Feel Like Throwing Up | Less Severe |
| Diarrhea | Less Severe |
Infrequent side effects of Cymbalta Oral:
| Feeling Faint | Severe |
| Feeling Restless | Less Severe |
| Orgasm Problems | Less Severe |
| Blurred Vision | Less Severe |
| Abnormal Dreams | Less Severe |
| Indigestion | Less Severe |
| Inability to have an Erection | Less Severe |
| Itching | Less Severe |
| Muscle Spasm | Less Severe |
| Sensation of Spinning or Whirling | Less Severe |
| Sleep Disorder | Less Severe |
| Chills | Less Severe |
| Involuntary Quivering | Less Severe |
| Temporary Redness of Face and Neck | Less Severe |
| Weight Gain | Less Severe |
| Weight Loss | Less Severe |
| Head Pain | Less Severe |
| Yawning | Less Severe |
| Gas | Less Severe |
| Urination During the Night | Less Severe |
| Sluggishness | Less Severe |
| Feeling Weak | Less Severe |
| Anxious | Less Severe |
| Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse | Less Severe |
| Problem with Ejaculation | Less Severe |
Rare side effects of Cymbalta Oral:
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | Severe |
| Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction | Severe |
| Heart Attack | Severe |
| Hemorrhage | Severe |
| Hemorrhage of Blood Under the Skin | Severe |
| Stomach Ulcer | Severe |
| Burning Stomach | Severe |
| Liver Failure | Severe |
| Hepatitis | Severe |
| Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Bile Flow Problems | Severe |
| Bleeding of the Stomach or Intestines | Severe |
| Erythema Multiforme | Severe |
| Stevens-Johnson Syndrome | Severe |
| Redness of Skin | Severe |
| Seizures | Severe |
| Rash | Severe |
| Stomach Cramps | Severe |
| Abnormal Liver Function Tests | Severe |
| Bruise | Severe |
| Giant Hives | Severe |
| Needing to Urinate Immediately | Severe |
| Underactive Thyroid | Severe |
| Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion | Severe |
| Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood | Severe |
| Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity | Severe |
| Mood Changes | Severe |
| Suicidal | Severe |
| Having Thoughts of Suicide {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{look at this}}}}}}}}}}>>>>>>>>>> | Severe |
| Aggressive Behavior | Less Severe |
| Ringing in the Ears | Less Severe |
| Earache | Less Severe |
| High Blood Pressure | Less Severe |
| Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing | Less Severe |
| Painful, Red or Swollen Mouth | Less Severe |
| Bleeding Not Related to Menstrual Period | Less Severe |
| Sun-Sensitive Skin | Less Severe |
| Contact Dermatitis | Less Severe |
| Abnormal Manner of Walking | Less Severe |
| Numbness | Less Severe |
| Excessive Thirst | Less Severe |
| Nosebleed | Less Severe |
| Bad Breath | Less Severe |
| Fast Heartbeat | Less Severe |
| Heart Throbbing or Pounding | Less Severe |
| Cough | Less Severe |
| Difficult or Painful Urination | Less Severe |
| Cannot Empty Bladder | Less Severe |
| Excess Urination | Less Severe |
| High Blood Sugar | Less Severe |
| Collection of Clotted Blood in an Organ, Space or Tissue | Less Severe |
| Not Feeling Well | Less Severe |
| Easily Angered or Annoyed | Less Severe |
| Extreme Discomfort in Calves when Sitting or Lying Down | Less Severe |
| High Cholesterol | Less Severe |
See 3652 Reviews for this Drug. - OR -
Related to Cymbalta Oral
I have just been put on this, I took my first one last night without any trouble (fingers crossed it will stay like that) My pain specialist wants me to reduce my Gabapentin by a third because he says it sedating me rather than giving pain relief. I have started this but wont's start reducing the Gabapentin for a few weeks. Hopefully you won't have any annoying side affects that come with all the drugs we have to take Tilly xx
I have been given the gastro resistant capsules, so hopefully they will help prevent nausea. Do let us know how you get on with them please.
I was checking for drug interactions online for Cymbalta and Amiltriptyline and it came up with a red warning. I have been reducing the Amiltrip by a 5mg amount daily before starting the Cymbalta but double checked with my local Boots pharmacist just to see if I was doing things right. She said I was right to not combine the two drugs but that she would do a bit more research and call me back. When she got back to me she said that if I was not taking the pills for depression then it was ok to take the two together. I said I was depressed enough as it was with the condition but that I was prescribed the Amiltrip for neuropathic pain and that was also the reason my Doctor had started me on the Cymbalta as the Amiltrip was not giving me relief any more.
I wonder how the pills know whether I am taking the pills for pain or depression? Go figure!! Perhaps I should tell each pill as I pop it out of the pack so it knows how to work.
Whatever, I am not going to take them both but will try out the Cymbalta starting at the weekend. Watch this space and we can compare notes.
I found dr. in manhattan, who was able to tell me I had EM,after going to 5 foot doctors, he did some blood work and instead of putting me on cymbalta which is what my pain managment dr. wanted to do (I am already taking Lyrica)
he started me on neurotransmitter supplements, a gluten free, wheat free and dairy free diet and microvas treatments I have primary EM..since April I have seen a decrease in my flare ups and pain, if you live near new york let me know I will give you his information..he has been the only one who has helped me.....try not too ice your feet, it did more damage to my foot
Good luck with the Cymbalta Tilly. I read some US research that said a lot of people find it really helps (Dr Jay Cohen's website) - so fingers crossed! Let us know how you get on.
Frances
Very sorry for not posting re all your kind responses to my question on this drug. Truth to tell I have not yet tried it (apart from two tablets) due to other health reasons. I won't bore you here with the details but shall do a blog explaining why before the week is out. Thank you all for replying in the first instance and if I do try it out properly I will let you know the outcome.
Hello Frances, Just a quick ask. Am I right in thinking that you have been to the Royal Free Hospital in London for your EM? If so, can you tell me how you got on, what treatment/tests you were offered, if any. I have an appointment there at the Rheumatology Dept., on 13th September. Thanks, Tillyp
FrancesE said:
Good luck with the Cymbalta Tilly. I read some US research that said a lot of people find it really helps (Dr Jay Cohen's website) - so fingers crossed! Let us know how you get on.
Frances
i started at 30mg back in october and it wasnt helping so i went up to 60mg and that didnt help, i didnt have bad side effects but i did gain 40 lbs which for me is sad because i lost 105 six years ago and had been keeping it off all that time and now i am not happy that that drug caused that. it is harder to lose the weight this time because i cant be as active anymore.
I have read many times that people have trouble with weight gain due to medication. Sadly it doesnt work for me that way and I struggle to maintain my miserly 86lbs. Doesn't matter what I eat either, I just can't put on the pounds. Knowing my luck, if/when I try the Cymbalta I will suffer the diarrhoea side effect and lose even more weight that way! I hope you manage to shift your extra pounds again. I take it you aren't taking the Cymbalta any more.
MsLovelyNikki said:
i started at 30mg back in october and it wasnt helping so i went up to 60mg and that didnt help, i didnt have bad side effects but i did gain 40 lbs which for me is sad because i lost 105 six years ago and had been keeping it off all that time and now i am not happy that that drug caused that. it is harder to lose the weight this time because i cant be as active anymore.
You mentioned that you have used Microvas treatments and gluten/wheat free diet. How helpful do you feel the microvas therapy is? Gluten free? I ask because I am trying the gluten free diet and I have been thinking about the Microvas as well. I have found that just cutting back wheat and other simple carbs like potatoes and rice has helped some. Cutting dairy seemed to have no effect but I have never consumed much in the way of dairy to begin with.
I would love to hear your experience with Microvas. How often were your treatments? Any information you would have on it would be greatly appreciated.
waiting to walk said:
I found dr. in manhattan, who was able to tell me I had EM,after going to 5 foot doctors, he did some blood work and instead of putting me on cymbalta which is what my pain managment dr. wanted to do (I am already taking Lyrica)
he started me on neurotransmitter supplements, a gluten free, wheat free and dairy free diet and microvas treatments I have primary EM..since April I have seen a decrease in my flare ups and pain, if you live near new york let me know I will give you his information..he has been the only one who has helped me.....try not too ice your feet, it did more damage to my foot
Hi Tilly - sorry not to reply sooner, have been away on holiday (northwards, needless to say!!) Yes, I saw Dr Ong at the Royal Free and have another appt to see him in late September. I thought he was nice, familiar with EM, took lots of time and also has run a battery of tests on me and has some more coming up - thermal imaging and thermal threshold tests, whatever those are). They are mostly to make sure I haven't got any other underlying condition (I think). The treatments he mentioned as possible for me are something called Iloprost, which is a kind of infusion thing you have to have over a few days, or Losartan, which is a drug. They are both aimed at dilating the blood vessels, as he thought I might have a type of EM which is related to over-constriction (my feet get really cold as well as really hot). I think they really try to listen to your experience and symptoms and work out what might be helpful for you, specifically. I haven't tried either of these yet as I'm waiting to hear about the other test results.
Who is your appointment with? Does this mean things have got worse for you?
Frances
tillyp said:
Hello Frances, Just a quick ask. Am I right in thinking that you have been to the Royal Free Hospital in London for your EM? If so, can you tell me how you got on, what treatment/tests you were offered, if any. I have an appointment there at the Rheumatology Dept., on 13th September. Thanks, Tillyp
FrancesE said:Good luck with the Cymbalta Tilly. I read some US research that said a lot of people find it really helps (Dr Jay Cohen's website) - so fingers crossed! Let us know how you get on.
Frances