Posted by Cairo on December 8, 2004, at 10:18:14
In reply to Chronic pain and Effexor vs Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on December 6, 2004, at 14:52:14
I have chronic pain with Fibromyalgia. Effexor, even at small doses, did not help with pain and I believe the SSRI component gave me flu-like muscle aches, not to mention that my blood pressure went sky high, I couldn't sleep, I felt agitated and my muscles trembled all the time. Time did not lessen the side effects (which was also my experience with the SSRIs, too).
I began Cymbalta at 30mg, but could not tolerate the side effects - extreme agitation, stiff neck, sleeplessness, elevated blood pressure, headaches, flu-like muscle aches, etc. I tapered down to 5mg and although it didn't seem to help with pain, I felt more energized and lost weight. I stopped the Cymbalta to try low dose Elavil for sleep and have noticed the fatigue coming back and appetite creeping up. My pain level seemed to increase when I went off it, though I didn't think that Cymbalta helped the pain when I was on it. When I stabilize my Elavil dose, the PDoc said to add Cymbalta back slowly to see how I do. I think I'll probably do that as I miss the energy.
I have many symptoms that sound like yours and I know many of them are due to tight muscles. I can't tell you the different problems I experience - chest pain due to tight sternal muscles, sciatica brought about by driving in the car, severe knee pain due to tight L4-L5 segment, etc. I see a physical therapist who uses a variety of techniques on me, including releasing the tight paraspinal muscles and much of my pain goes away. The only problem is that it doesn't last long. Because Fibromyalgia is a pain amplification problem, any little thing is perceived as pain and magnified. I'm hoping Botox injections will help and am scheduled to see a neurologist next week for my first course of injections.
Everyone is different and it's hard to tell which person will benefit from which med at which dose.
Cairo
> Hi!
>
> I was on Effexor which did wonders for my chronic pain: sciatica, joint pain, and migraines. I've switched to Cymbalta and the pain is coming back. I've been feeling the sciatic pain again and I have my ankle wrapped today nursing it from a ?pull? of an old injury. I'm taking 40mg Cymbalta and wonder if I'd benefit from an increase to 60mg seeking the pain relief from increased NRI. Anyone with chronic pain and how are you treating it?
>
> Thanks,
> Colleen
> PPD, GAD and OCD
poster:Cairo
thread:425325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041206/msgs/426128.html