Posted by Cairo on December 21, 2005, at 0:35:11
In reply to should I try Cymbalta for fibromylagia?, posted by spriggy on December 17, 2005, at 15:03:20
I've tried many things for FMS pain, including Cymbalta. I had to titrate a starting dose of 60mg downwards very fast due to intolerable side effects of akithisia, anxiety, panic, and an increase in pain due to muscle tension and stiffness. At 5mg, most of the above stopped and I had lots of energy, but some muscle tension remained, therefore the pain was still there and it didn't do anything for the "don't give a flip" attitude you mention or the fibrofog. I cannot tolerate any SSRIs due to side effects of agitation, muscle tension and sleep disruption, so I don't know if the Cymbalta side effects were due to the SSRI effect or my sensitivity to noradrenergic effects (can't tolerate caffeine or chocolate or any type of stimulants).
If you're going to try Cymbalta, I would suggest starting VERY LOW on the dose (you can open up the capsule and count pellets as long as you don't crush or chew them).
Right now I'm doing better on Nortriptyline 20mg at bedtime and Klonopin (playing with the dose, but 0.5mg at bedtime and 0.25mg in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon as well seems to help.)
I think Fibromyalgia symptoms are due to different things in different people. You need to find what works for you. Look for FMS patients who post on this forum who have similar reactions to meds like you do. You might see what works for them. Also, look for underlying "perpetuating factors" such as arthritis, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, myofascial pain, thyroid, etc. Correcting these can help towards controlling the FMS pain.
Cairo
> I've been reading online that Cymbalta can be helpful in fibro pain..
>
> If I wigged out totally and completely and thoroughly on Lexapro- does that mean I will also wig out totally and completely and thoroughly on Cymbalta? I know the properties are a bit different but it still hits seratonin.
>
> My guess is that if you mess with my seratonin, I should be put in the psych ward. That's what happened before.
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> They had good food but I don't feel like going back again. BUT, I would like some relief from this pain/aching- and maybe a lift in this "blah" depressed feeling.
>
> The depression isn't overwhelming like it used to be, it's just more of an "empty/dull/who gives a flyin' flip" feeling.
poster:Cairo
thread:589801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/590906.html