hello...i can understand your frustration...it took a couple of years to get my med cocktail right...my dr just added Cymbalta to the mix...today is my first day taking it...i hear good things about it...i just hope it helps me with my depression AND pain...good luck on finding your right mix, i wish you only the best

thank you, let me know how that goes, my doc suggested this med to me. Ive been trying for a couple yrs to find out what works.

Have you tried the nerve meds? Things like neurontin, cymbalta, trileptal. There are a dozen or so and you really need to give them time. Most have some side effects when you start but they go away in a week or so. And you might need to try a few to get the one that works right for you.

I have taken Cymbalta for almost a year now, we've tried other things like Lyrica but Cymbalta does help so much with depression and pain. I am in a ton of pain currently but if I didn't have it the pain would be soooo much worse, which would suck cause I'm stuck in bed! But honestly I would recommend trying it to anyone. Hope you feel better soon!

Wow! You can ride a harley for an hour and walk a mile? Oh to be able to do those things! I want your pain doctor.
Seriously though, I agree with the advice on Cymbalta. It worked nicely for me but I had to stop it because it raised my liver enzymes too high.
It worked really well though and helped my depression more than anything else did. I'm also on Lyrica, 600 mg a day. But you can't be on Cymbalta and high dose Lyrica. Lyrica works pretty well for my fibro/lupus pain but doesn;t do anything for my RSD pain. It''s a real recipe, finding the right ingredients!
Good luck!
Sandy

I don't even ride in a car for an hour! How do you get your pain doc to approve that one? I'd love to not havfe to stop all the time to stretch and exercise.
I can't take lyrica or neurotin or any of those nerve meds.

Hope you get some answers

To be honest, i think what you are experiencing may be like most of us. At my average worst it's a 7-8 pain level. With pain meds on board (Oxycodone 15mg up to 9 times a day) I get about an hour relief with a level of 3-4 at a time.I can leave the house somewhat comfortably for about an hour at a time. It's frustrating because it takes longer then that to buy groceries or "run to Target". This is life with pain and that's why it sucks, along with the pain.
I'm sorry this is the only experience I have. wish I had better news for you.

I can ride on my harley and walk with pain,but I have to do something besides sit here. My pain doc is awesome, she will let me try anything, its just that nothing works very well, I guess I should be happy?

i agree that you should try the meds for nerve pain, but we all react differently to each one.
also, if certain meds worked, but stopped, you should check with you pharmacy to see if they changed suppliers b/c somehow meds so vary between suppliers.
riding a harley, as great as that sounds, could be hurting your spine.
there are many things to take into consideration, so try to check them one by one and take notes to share with your MD so he knows you're paying attn and want to find a good solution not just being over medicated.
wish you luck in getting to a good place where you can enjoy those rides and all else.

My pain doc isn't that nice about my pain meds, so I never get the relief I need. It doesn't matter though because everyone is totally different. Unfortunately, you may never get full pain control but I will pray that you find some relief. My pain has gotten so bad lately that I am starting to feel like it would be okay to give in to the depression and pain and just lie down and go to sleep. Good luck! I hope that all goes very well for youu.

I am on Cymbalta and have been for a few years, I take it for depression. I went off of it once for a few months and that's when I noticed more pain in my back. I went back on it and the overall pain that I had in my back is gone. I do have lower back pain now but that is due to wearing a brace on my left leg for a year which is throwing my hips off so I get severe muscle spasms from walking.
Uou can vent anytime you need to. Hope you are feeling better soon.
debby

I started the Cymbalta about 7 months ago and it is fantastic.

Tamale

I was on Cymbalta for about a year and it worked ok but had to switch to paxil because of insurance, yes it seems they are the doctors now a days and that works also about the same so not sure what is up with that as Cymblata is supposed to help pain.

I recently came down with shingles and the doctor put me on Lyrica and it really helped with my nerve pain in my leg as with the shingles pain wish she would of done this sooner. I never thought these meds would work for me. I dont know if your pain is muscular or nerve pain as Lyrica does not touch my muscle pain in my lower back.

Walking is great to help control the pain but the riding might irritate the pain or make it worse, I know we just want to have that little bit of being normal and do the things we once did but I would shorten up the rides if you still want to go. it might help the pain.

I would try the Cymbalta and see how you do, I think it might work for you

Everyone has recommended meds to try, depending on what type of pain you have.
I would personally tell the doctor & pharmacy about the experience your having with the generics.
Find out if your pharmacist can order the one the helped the most & if not ask if they will call around for you. I go to another for the same med your speaking of for the same reason.

Would your insurance pay for the brand name if your doctor wrote dispense as written?
There is a difference & don't let anyone tell you different.
I wish you the best of luck.
Sammy

I wanted to add perhaps finding the right generic/brand & talking to your PM about raising the dosage. You may find you need less per day. Your on 30mg of MS Contin that's on the low side. I took the same as anything higher caused nasty side effects. I did try going from 30mg to 45mg, the doctor can add 15mg if your fearful of raising it to high.

Pain levels, hmmm...I don't know, I guess aim at at least a 5.
Hate the pain scale but I realize its hard to relate without it.
I'm happy as long as I'm up & moving & able to complete something.
The only real relief I get is a combo of my meds & steroids. Can't live on steroids but for that time I feel decent.
Sammy