Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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Cymbata / Duloxetine

Pumpkin31
Pumpkin31

I have a question I'm hoping you wise fibro-fighters may be able to assist with...


My fibromyalgia has spiralled out of control for many months now as I have had to stop 4 out of 5 of my pain meds due to becoming severely allergic to them, sigh, plus a whole batch of rubbish life-stuff that's happened -,no stranger to anyone I'm sure. It's been rough (horrific even) without them, although it has helped reduce muscle pain a bit too (drugs are always complicated, benefit/side-effect balance etc).


Yesterday I saw my pain management doctor and, as well as confirming I know most of what to do but have fallen out of doing many of them-balanced life, physiotherapy, etc, he suggested I stat taking Duloxetine (cymbata). Hallelujah, a new *simple* (meaning not options, few) med to try. He didn't have this when I saw him last, 3 years ago (always worth checking new developments I guess) so I'm glad I asked to go back.


Here's my question...how many of you have tried Duloxetine/cymbata and how was or is it for you? I know a few people who found it helped and a few who didn't but they didn't have fibromyalgia. And are there any tips for how to get the most our of taking it, such as time of day, with / without food, were that's my guesses done but hopefully you know what I mean :-)


I'm grateful for any help or info, nothing's too odd -I'm all about odd ;-) from a very rumpled ouchy scrumpled but oh-so-grateful Pumpkin.

curlykraut
curlykraut
I have been on Cymbalta for 8 years, it has given me a lot of pain free days. The downside is that it can make me even more tired than usual. I take wellbutrin to offset the side effect. Some people take it before bed, but I can't seem to remember to do that, so this works for me.
Fantod
Fantod
I've taken Cymbalta since my initial diagnosis in 2008. I take a very low dose due to drug sensitivities. It does seem to help as I did notice a change in my symptoms once I started it. I take it in the morning with the rest of my day time meds/breakfast. It can disrupt your sleep so taking it during the day works for me. This is a medication that can be difficult to get off of once you've been on it for awhile. You have to be weaned off of it. Don't just stop on your own without talking to your doctor. Good luck.
basketballmom23
basketballmom23
I took it for six months and didn't feel any different except a large weight gain.
Shakota6
Shakota6
Just a wee warning: if you've had any manic-type reaction with an anti-depressant, Cymbalta is in that class of drugs'.
Pumpkin31
Pumpkin31
Thanking you all hugely, it gives me a good starting point. I'm going to suggest starting low as I'm v sensitive too, take it in the morning and hope there's no weight gain (had that with sertraline, still trying to shift it, sigh). Fingers crossed it helps straight away.

Thank you all so much :-)
Pumpkin31
Pumpkin31
I'll be watching for those manic reactions, as I did have a few days of irrational thoughts about going under buses and sharp knives before. Thank you for the tip, forewarned is forearmed :-)
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