Cymbalta Approved for Fibro

Teresa Isphording
on 6/30/08 11:29 am - Knotts Island, NC

I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with Fibro along with arthritis in my knees and lower back. I've pretty much been in pain my whole life but too****il recently before I found a doc that would actually listen. Anyway, she wrote me a script for 75mg twice a day of Lyrica. I have been on this for a month now and have not noticed any improvement. Not sure if I'm just on to low of a dosage or just not been on it long enough yet to tell a difference. I have a follow-up appointment this Thursday (July 3) and will discuss this with my doc at that time. I get emails from the Fibromyalgia Network and just received one today stating: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cymbalta (duloxetine) on June 16 for treating fibromyalgia (FM). Cymbalta is the first serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that has been proven to reduce pain in FM patients. This is the second FDA-approved medication to treat the disease. The first was Lyrica (pregabalin) in June 2007." ( http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-news.php ) Has anyone been on Cymbalta and noticed any improvements with their Fribro? I was interested in some feedback from people with firsthand experience. I will talk to my doc about this Thursday when I go to see her as well. Any experience, good or bad, would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs
Teresa

Hislady
on 6/30/08 3:27 pm - Vancouver, WA

Lap Band on 10/19/07

I haven't taken the Cymbalta but my pharmacist told me about it being used for fibro a couple of years ago and she said it is similar to the Lyrica in that for some people it works great and for others it does nothing. Alot of the drugs used for fibro you just have to try and see if they work for you. I did take Lyrica for awhile and it worked great for me except it caused weight gain and that I don't need. My dose was worked up to 150 mg over a few weeks time. I quit the Lyrica and just stuck with my oxycodone that I take for arthritis in my back because I still had to take that anyway. Hope one of these drugs will help you as we know how painful fibro is.

Teresa Isphording
on 7/1/08 11:51 am - Knotts Island, NC

RNY on 10/03/03

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm not impressed with the Lyrica at this point but maybe if she went up on the dosage it might work...

Along with the arthritis in my lower back I also have a protruding disk and a bulging disk so that is not helping matters. My ortho doc wanted me to do PT 4 times a week for 4 weeks. With my insurance I would have to pay $25 at each visit. Well with a 2 year old in daycare there is no way I can afford $100 extra a week. The Vicodin has helped and my back is actually feeling a lot better. My biggest problem is the pain in my legs and arms. Seems like it is hurting non-stop lately. I'll see what the doc has to say Thursday when I go to see her. Thank you again for your reply!

Hugs
Teresa

Hislady
on 7/1/08 3:16 pm - Vancouver, WA

Lap Band on 10/19/07

I recently discovered something that helps my achy arms and legs. I'm usually horribly stiff and sore when I first get up in the morning. I found if I keep my electric blanket on all night it really helps! Of course it's too hot in the summer so I use my fan and the blanket. I know I'm an energy hog but if it helps my pain I don't care! Doesn't the Vicadin for your back help the fibro pain? My oxycodone takes care of the majority of the fibro pain along with the back pain.

Jeannie D.
on 7/3/08 9:10 am - NE

Lap Band on 06/19/07

Do you folks have trouble with other issue, ie. memory, clear thinking, when you take the oxycodone or other strong pain meds? I pretty much gave them up and live with the pain for that reason. Jeannie

Teresa Isphording
on 7/3/08 11:47 am - Knotts Island, NC

RNY on 10/03/03

Hey Jeannie, I take Vicodin along with Lyrica. I usually take one Vicodin & one Lyrica in the mornings as soon as I get to work. I don't have any problem doing my work (desk job) after taking one. In fact I honestly function better after I take one because of how much pain I'm in if I don't. Mornings and evenings are the worst for me. At night I take 2 Vicodin & 1 Lyrica to help me sleep better. This past week has been really bad for me and I've been in a lot more pain than usual so a couple times this week I’ve had to take a total of 3 Vicodin (spaced out over 3 - 4 hours) just to get enough relief so I can go to sleep. I have a 2 year old little girl so if I'm home by myself with her I won't take more than 1 at a time just to be on the safe side. I'm sorry you don't have any thing you can take right now. For years I've had to just live with the pain and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Hugs
Teresa

Teresa Isphording
on 7/3/08 11:54 am - Knotts Island, NC

RNY on 10/03/03

The Vicodin does help but it doesn't seem to be as affective here lately as it used to be. I was actually thinking about getting an electric blanket but need to make sure I get one of those with the dual controls. DH stays so hot all the time and if it was up to him he would have our house like a meat locker. lol He is fianlly realizing that the cold just makes me hurt even more so he has been really good about not setting the A/C to 20 below.

Hugs
Teresa

Hislady
on 7/3/08 9:42 am - Vancouver, WA

Lap Band on 10/19/07

I haven't had any problems but my dose is the lowest they make 5mg oxycodone and I take it 4x a day. The first few days I started it I stayed home and didn't do anything until I figured out how it would affect me. It didn't cause any problems other than occasionally being a little sleepy but not so much that I fall asleep or anything. I drive and don't have problems with that and trust me DH would let me know if I did drive badly! So far I haven't seemed to build up a tolerance for it so am getting by with my small dose.

Hislady
on 7/3/08 2:28 pm - Vancouver, WA

Lap Band on 10/19/07

What is it with men and needing the temp to be 30 below zero? Mine is the same way, we have thermostat wars over the AC. I'm lucky cause DH and I have our own bedrooms so I can sleep however I want. We decided a few years back when I moved to the spare room because of a bad hip that we both sleep soooo much better alone. Love him dearly but love him better in another room.

Kat W.
on 7/7/08 10:45 am - Bedminster, NJ

RNY on 07/28/08

I was diagnosed with Fibro about 10 years ago and have been taking Cymbalta for a little over a year. It seems to do a good job of maintaining my pain at a manageable level; definitely better than SSRI only. Last month I got disorganized and missed 2 days between refills. It sure didn't take long to go down hill. In preparation for WLS on 7/28, I've also switched my anti-inflammatory from Relefen to Celebrex and am noticing additional improvement. That was a nice but unexpected outcome. My doctor isn't crazy about the Celebrex, but says I should be okay if I commit to taking an acid blocker every day. He also thinks that weight loss may help with some of the pain coming from weight bearing joints. We'll see. Thank goodness for better living through chemistry!

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Cymbalta Approved for Fibro

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Cymbalta Approved for Fibro