Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (or MPS) is a term used to describe one of the conditions characterized by chronic pain. It is associated with and caused by "trigger points" (TrPs), sensitive and painful areas between the muscle and fascia. The symptoms can range from referred pain through myofascial trigger points to specific pains in other areas of the body. It may be related...
Hi everyone, I just wanted to share my experience so far with Cymbalta. I was very hesitant to start Cymbalta (about 5 months ago) but was convinced to take it to help with nerve pain and depression. I recently started weaning myself off of it because of the constipation side effect. I literally tried everything to try and get the constipation under control. During this time, the trigger points in my stomach got reallllly bad and my doctor and I agreed this is probably because of the constipation. For this reason, I decided to stop taking Cymbalta. I am now experiencing some weird withdraw side effects - brain shivers/brain zaps (feels like an electrical impulse is going through my brain every couple minutes), insomnia, and blurry vision - all normal withdraw side effects that hopefully wont last past 2 weeks. I do think that Cymbalta helped me get through my worst time and think that it may have helped with the pain from the dry needling treatment I get a couple times a week, but if I could do it over again, I probably wouldn't have started taking it because of the problems the constipation caused me and these creepy side effects I am getting now.
Anyone experience something similar?
Anyone experience something similar?
Diane
I am thankful that I don't experience many side effects from taking it. The only one I can think of is that it causes me to sweat a lot when I exert myself. I get constipation from all the codeine I take, and yes I do think it is bad for my trigger points.
So MP, how is your recovery going generally, aside from this setback?
On a side note, pain is treated with high doses (60-120 mg max). Many docs are still prescribing it at levels to treat depression and it's not enough to touch the pain.
I hope you feel better, Myo.
I was taking a dose of 60mg. Chimerical - hopefully since you are taking 30mg, when you stop the side effects wont be so bad.
The side effects are more creepy than painful. Compared to the pain from trigger points, the side effects are kind of a walk in the park. My main complain of Cymbalta was the constipation. I tried everything to try and get it under control - stool softeners, mirolax, activia, prunes, ect.. and nothing worked. My stomach trigger points are SO much better now that constipation isnt an issue for me anymore. My stomach trigger points were for sure also contributing to my lower back pain.
So a quick summary of my treatment plan.. January 2011 - started getting dry needling treatment 3x a week, moved to twice a week in May and am still going that often. In January, I had widespread myofascial pain and hit rock bottom - couldnt function and had to stop working. Since then, I have dedicated my life to getting better. Although I still think I have a few more months left of treatment, I am SO SO SO much better. I truly believe in dry needling and feel like I have gotten my life back. I have been through ups and downs since January but overall am 80% better I would say! :) I am working on getting back in the gym and getting stronger while still treating any flares and stubborn trigger points. I feel like I have gotten my life back. I have posted in the past about dry needling but if anyone wants any more info on my treatment plan please let me know. I have had to live away from my husband since January which has been really hard and also lost my job. My recovery so far though makes it all worthwhile. I would encourage everyone with myofascial pain to try dry needling. It makes so much sense to me how it works and you can literally feel your muscle jump and release when the needle is in there. As a side note, I believe the reason I have responded so well to this is because I go frequently. I dont think going once every 2 weeks or so is enough, atleast at the beginning.
Hope everyone is having a great day today! Not sure if it is stopping Cymbalta or what but I have felt more down than usual lately but when this happens, I always try and remind myself that it can also get worse...
Another side note... a friend has taught me to knit and I am really enjoying it. it is a great activity to do after a treatment or if I just need to rest. Makes me feel like I am doing something instead of just laying down watching countless hours of TV....
xo!