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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by creepy on October 1, 2010, at 13:38:22
Has anyone here taken cymbalta for pain and fatigue along with PTSD?
Ive been off celexa for about 6 weeks in the hopes it was the cause of my fatigue and things havent improved so Im looking to switch to something else.
Since I have general body pain the doc suggested cymbalta (Id prefer a SSRI + NRI combo personally).
Im worried about the reports of agitation and irritability that Ive heard of from some folks since those are some of my pre-existing symptoms and if they worsen I may lose my job.
Has anyone taken it with pre-existing irritability / agitation and had these symptoms improve?
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2010, at 13:56:20
In reply to cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD?, posted by creepy on October 1, 2010, at 13:38:22
Took 60mg cymbalta three months higher benzos plus chloral hydrate at the time. It did help pain though. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 1, 2010, at 14:46:04
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD? » creepy, posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2010, at 13:56:20
Haven't tried cymbalta. How are you with new ssri / snri's? That my be somewhat predictive of your response. I understand you do not want to be incapacitated.
I have heard favorable reports from some regarding cymbalta and pain. Can't recall hearing anything negative other than it doing nothing at all.
Good Luck. Would you post about your experience? I'd like to know how you do.
Posted by creepy on October 2, 2010, at 0:28:14
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 1, 2010, at 14:46:04
I did well on celexa for a number of years but the weight gain and apathy were too much. zoloft made me very very irritable but it -may- have been the cessation of celexa at the time that was the problem. prozac didnt address the irritability I get, but it helped the depression a little.
NRIs dont seem to help the depression but they do help the fatigue and pain.
If I go on another drug Im adding topamax back in at the first sign of weight gain. Its becoming a major health issue for me. Doc thinks im crazy, but I swear a tiny 12.5mg dose helped me a lot with carb cravings and pain.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 2, 2010, at 0:37:45
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD?, posted by creepy on October 2, 2010, at 0:28:14
Heck w/ docs. Many of them do think we're a bit crazy. But they don't usually take this stuff while we do. So, we should know....
Never used topamax (sp?). For pain?
I've been helped by ultram er. Don't know if you're a candidate or not.
Zoloft and the like make me
fuzzy-headed and sleepy. I don't tend toward irritable response, though. Except for Abilify. I felt like Spock minus the IQ boost.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 7, 2010, at 2:49:25
In reply to cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD?, posted by creepy on October 1, 2010, at 13:38:22
Another thought. Effexor. Have you tried it? I'm not suggesting it's better than cymbalta, and it has a terrible reputation for discontinuation syndrome, but I've noticed a small resurgence of effexor as a double acting agent for pain and depression. Maybe will not work as well for pain.
Tramadol has been helpful for me. Granted, it contains a mild opoid, but I suspect some of it's action comes from it's chemical resemblance to effexor. See Wikipedia entry on tramadol.
Good luck, and I hope some cymbalta savvy babblers post.
Posted by creepy on October 8, 2010, at 15:05:39
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD? » creepy, posted by floatingbridge on October 7, 2010, at 2:49:25
I had heard that effexors structure was similar to opioids. Wonder if that factors into the discontinuation problems?
I dont think the pain relief starts until you reach higher dosages where the NRI effect begins. Its not a 1:3 ratio like cymbalta.
Effexor is also bad on weight gain. I cant gain any more weight. Also I dont think its completely generic yet.. Teva and wyeth may still be fighting that out and making a generic potentially cost more. If I lose my job I want to be able to afford what Im on, out of pocket.
So far Im considering going back on celexa or trying zoloft. But I may do effexor, depending on what it costs if insurance doesnt pay.
Posted by Maxime on October 9, 2010, at 18:55:43
In reply to cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD?, posted by creepy on October 1, 2010, at 13:38:22
This is more of a FYI really. The usual dosage for Cymbalta is 60 mg. But for pain the suggested dosage is twice that, 120 mg. It didn't help my pain but it helped my depression for a while. I had no trouble coming off it so that I could start Parnate.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 10, 2010, at 16:21:23
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD?, posted by creepy on October 8, 2010, at 15:05:39
Is lexapro generic? I did well on that. Sounds like we respond a little differently. I did poorly on zoloft and celexa because of sedation and fuzzy headedness.
Posted by Phillipa on October 10, 2010, at 19:29:06
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD? » creepy, posted by floatingbridge on October 10, 2010, at 16:21:23
Lexapro not til 2014 think I read. Celexa made me very tired and zoloft also. Was sick at time and chalked the zoloft tired to that. So many I know say stimulating? Phillipa
Posted by creepy on October 13, 2010, at 12:25:17
In reply to Re: cymbalta for fatigue/pain and PTSD? » creepy, posted by floatingbridge on October 10, 2010, at 16:21:23
I tried lexapro and celexa. Worked ok for awhile but I gained so much weight. And they really numbed me out. I became apathetic.
Granted that these effects are common to most SSRIs.
Im hoping to avoid the whole class in the future if I can get some benefit from EMDR and exercise. after t0 years, These meds are ruining my physical health. I know many of you have similar experience, it sucks.
This is the end of the thread.
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