I was prescribed Cymbalta some years ago (It was new then) for fibro pain. My whole body was one big mass of pain. Cymbalta didn't do a thing for me. Later when I was diagnosed with RA and put on plaquenil and prednisone, that whole body pain disappeared. It wasn't fibro after all (although I do still have fibro pain).
I would go to the doctor back then and say "I hurt" and of course would be asked "where?" and you know what.............I couldn't answer that because I hurt Everywhere. A lot of doctors don't take you serious when you tell them that you hurt from head to toe. On plaquenil I still hurt, but I can now tell where. Does that make any sense? I can feel the pain, in my hips and back and toes and wrists, etc now. Back then the over all pain was to overwhelming to pinpoint spots. That seems like a big improvement to me.

I was on Cymbalta for IBS, and it reacted with my methotrexate to create liver toxicity. It is highly unlikely to EVER do that, but it did it to me. We watched my liver enzymes crawl as methotrexate increased. Then, they skyrocketed. Upon being referred to a specialist (Liver doc), I had a biopsy. Cymbalta is a prime culprit for liver enzyme creep. My rheum doc had no idea.

Just keep in mind - but man, I really wish I could still take the methotrexate. It and Cymbalta really helped.

Wow those are 2 completely different experiences... ! Thanks for the info and here's hoping the MTX and cymbalta mix works for me.

Hi Indy, I have been on cymbalta for 2 years now for fibro and it has really helped.that pain. Unfortunately not much helps the RA pain. I had some trouble adjusting to it. About an hour after taking it in the eveningit made me sleepy and readycor bed. I thought great I'll finally get some sleep. But low and behold,in the middle of the night I was WIDE awake. Dr said this happens to some folks. Now I take it in the morning with my cjp of coffeeand I'm fine. Good news is now this is available in generic so it is much cheaper. I hope this helps you. Take care!

I was just prescribed that too and am apprehensive I haven't liked antidepressants in the last but the dr said mayb it will help. It's not really being given as an antidepressant.

cymbalta is one of the SSNRI medications (selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) that somehow works with the neural processes in relation to stimuli. it's believed that fibro, chronic pain, and diabetic neuropathy can all be positively affected by these types of medications because it interferes somehow with the neural processes of these disorders.

there are quite a few medications that work for things they weren't originally intended for (methotrexate anyone?). other antidepressants have been used in smoking cessation; wellbutrin for depression and zyban for smoking cessation are basically the same medication.

Kimberley, mine is also not prescribed for use as an antidepressant and I'm a little uncomfortable with it too. My pharmacist talked to me at length about it when I picked up the pills and said it would likely work well, but to be aware of the possibility of mood changes so that definitely makes me nervous.
Starting at 30mg for 7 days then going up to 60mg.
First pill yesterday and I was so nauseated but it was also MTX injection day so don't know for sure it was the cymbalta. Guess I'll see how I feel after today's pill.
Let me know how you're doing on it.
Fingers crossed for both it helps!
And thanks Steph for the info. Gonna read up on that more today.

The fact that your methotrexate is by injection is good - it's less taxing on the liver because of the absorption route. I meant to say that in my post and forgot.

I've been on cymbalta for not sure how many years, around 10 or so, for fibro pain initially. And yes, it helps me. When my co-pay increased to $123.00 I tried to get off of the drug, however, I was unsuccessful with that, due to severe pain in my feet (I have neuropathy in both feet). I was almost unable to walk from the pain! So back on Cymbalta I went! I have talked with my rheumy about the high cost (my co-pay) and the possibility of trying a different drug BUT he said he wanted me to stay on it plus it was going generic. So I hung in there and last month it did go generic, thank God!
PS I think the feet neuropathy is from both of my ankles continuously staying swollen from RA.

Can RA cause neuropathy? I wished Cymbalta worked for me. :-(

Well - I think I've already given up on Cymbalta.

I've taken it the last 3 days and I had to call in sick to work because the dizziness is overwhelming and I constantly feel like I want to throw up.
And - I'm only on 30mg for 7 days, then she wanted me up to 60mg. No chance of that happening.

Sorry but I'd rather feel the pain than feel like this.
Frustrating.

I got put on Cymbalta Monday (today is Wednesday), I've had a non stop headache since on it and I haven't barely eaten in 2 days cause of the nausea. I am more miserable now and still in pain! :( I take plaquenil daily. I refuse to do biologics. I'm 41 years old with 2 kids, 7 and 9. My aunt had stage 4 lymphoma cancer and has RA with no treatment ever in her life for the RA so the lymphoma is not from meds. This increases my chance of cancer extremely and I am not going to push along an early death age and leave my kids alone. I'll stick with my pain med to control pain and take my chances I guess. :(

I don't know anything about fibro but there is a study that showed Tramadol (for pain) and and anti inflammatory (Celebrex or Lodine) combined was as effective for pain as Vicodin (hydrocodone). I tried combining the 2 on several occasion and it really helped decrease joint pain. The only reason I mention this is because some doctors won't prescribe stronger opiates like Vicodin but will prescribe tramadol. Many will c me back saying that the tramadol is useless and I felt the same way about it until I took it with an anti inflammatory. Just something you guys may want too ask your doctors about,

been on Cymbalta for about 1 yr and it doesn't help the pain at all.

Replying to Sheri234,

I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy by a referral to a neurologist. He blamed it on the use of methotrexate. So he asked that I discontinue it so that there is not further damage. Ah the wonders of modern medicine.