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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Colleen D. on December 6, 2004, at 14:52:14
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
Posted by hawkeye on December 6, 2004, at 15:40:21
In reply to Chronic pain and Effexor vs Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on December 6, 2004, at 14:52:14
The recomended dose of Cymbalta for pain is 60 mgs/day.
Posted by JackD on December 7, 2004, at 2:32:33
In reply to Chronic pain and Effexor vs Cymbalta..., posted by Colleen D. on December 6, 2004, at 14:52:14
Strange thing that I happened upon this thread, because I don't frequent this forum as often as I should like and your question addresses something unique that I'm still contemplating.
Effexor (Venlafaxine HCL) and Remeron (Mirtazapine HCL) are the only two aantidepressants that I have ever had any luck with. I've recently finally found relief of my depression by adding an agent that theoretically prevents and can even reverses tolerance to pain medications (Memantine HCL). The reason I decided to add this agent was because I have read reports about the same two aforementioned antidepressants that described their particular relationship involving physical pain and depression.One train of thought is that Effexor's underlying mechanism for treating pain lies in its ability to raise serotonin and norepinephrine levels via reuptake. Your experience with the medication Cymbalta (Duloxetine HCL) now suggests otherwise.
Please allow me to apologize for my post because it does not specifically address your problem. Hopefully this interjection of information will help someone nonetheless.
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
Posted by craig getty on December 10, 2004, at 14:26:19
In reply to Re: Chronic pain and Effexor vs Cymbalta..., posted by Cairo on December 8, 2004, at 10:18:14
Cymbalta at 40 mg has helped my back pain and sciatica, which resulted from L4-L5 injury. I had been on Vioxx for several months, and the recall occurred, coincidentally, around the same time I went on Cymbalta for depression. It has been about 2 months and the pain has been kept at bay despite no Vioxx. *I do need the occassional extra strength Tylenol.
Posted by craig getty on December 10, 2004, at 14:28:36
In reply to Re: Chronic pain and Effexor vs Cymbalta..., posted by craig getty on December 10, 2004, at 14:26:19
One more thing - I have been on Effexor in the past and it did not help my pain.
> Cymbalta at 40 mg has helped my back pain and sciatica, which resulted from L4-L5 injury. I had been on Vioxx for several months, and the recall occurred, coincidentally, around the same time I went on Cymbalta for depression. It has been about 2 months and the pain has been kept at bay despite no Vioxx. *I do need the occassional extra strength Tylenol.
This is the end of the thread.
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