Duloxetine?

[Tibby3a]

For four years now I've taken Pregabalin 600mg, Tramadol 600mg, Amitriptyline 100mg, Cocodamol and paracetamol. I am into my third week of withdrawal in order to go on the Duloxetine. I have read I can't take the Tramadol and the Amitriptyline. What else is out there I can do some research on. ANY help please.

[Lruk]

Hi Tibby, can I ask which medication you are stopping to go on to the duloxetine? I am on gabapentin which is very similar to pregablin, amitriptyline, cocodamol and paracetamol. I don't take tramadol because they make me very itchy. I also take duloxetine. I know some doctors prefer not to prescribe duloxetine with amitriptyline but my GP is happy prescribing it and I have had no issues taking them. I take the duloxetine in the morning and the amitriptyline at night. I hope that helps a little, Linda.

[littlemissk in reply to Lruk]

Hi there.I had an itching reaction to tramadol which I was gutted about as it actually gave me some pain relief during a flare up I'm having that has resulted in me being signed off work for the past 4 months.weeks after and in desperation I took tramadol again and a piritize, this actually worked.my GP has now added cetirizine hydrochloride to my prescription.weeks later I've trialled taking this out whilst still taking tramadol and so far no itching! Maybe worth a punt if tramadol eased your symptoms

[Hidden]

Hi Tibby, can I ask are you stopping all the medications to go on duloxetine or just the amitriptyline?

[Tibby3a in reply to Hidden]

Hi Pippa. I have been on all the meds for four years and still suffering major pain, when I saw a GP three weeks ago she asked me why I wasn't sedated taking all the meds, I cried. I've been asking for help from GP and consultants and they pass me from one to the other, until I decided I was going to do something about it. I have taken myself off everything and demanded duloxetine. Yesterday my GP finally referred me to the pain clinic...

[Hidden in reply to Tibby3a]

I know how you feel at the moment I am being sent from GP to Rheumatologist and back and each one is saying the other needs to refer me to the pain specialist! I'm back to the Rheumatologist in March and the GP (who is great apart from this) in April, so I am going to demand I get sorted. I was on Amitriptyline and it didn't work for me. I am also on Pregabalin, Mefenamic acid, co codamol , omeprazol (for my stomach because of the mefenamic tabs) and Duloxetine for the last five months which sadly isn't working for me and I am up to 120mg a day, the highest dose my GP says I can have! It may work for you though everyone is different.

I do sometimes think I should stop taking everything and start again as I am having lots of side effects but no pain relief. But I would not do anything without asking my GPs advice.

I hope you are doing ok and not suffering bad withdrawal.

Take care and keep in touch x

[Hidden]

Hi, I take tramadol m/r and duloxetine and am about to have amitriptyline added too to help with sleep. I understand I could take gabapentin with this also? I take codeine as and when, so I'm not sure why you are having to withdraw..? I only don't take gabapentin because it doesn't agree with me but otherwise all are ok. The only contraindications is amytriptyline in large doses with duloxetine but it is possible to RX with close monitoring. Good luck with the change x

[chellshock]

I take duloxtine, amitriptyline, tramadol and paracentmol. It's my combo at the moment but am seeing rhumey this week coming so may change

[TheAuthor]

Hi Tibby3a

I just wanted to say how much I admire you and how you are coping with the withdrawal of so many medications. I can only imagine how you are having flare ups etc. I sincerely hope that when you start taking Duloxetine that it works really well for you.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[andreaef]

I use Butrans Transdermal patches with paracetamol and duloxetine. I also use imigran and naproxen. I have piroxicam for flaee ups and epiderm to fix the mess of my skin after flare ups. Then my asthma medication.

I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, seasonal affectiveness disorder, carpal tunnel syndrone and asthma. I find the mix of butrans and duloxetine can make me sleepy on occasion but so far quite effective from the perspective that usually I can function without too much query about my health from people who know me. Ive been on this combination for a year anf and expect that at some point in the near future it will be all change again.

I find nothing stays the same for long and finding the best combination is key. If you have supportive medical help and you are happy with their reasons for changing then go for it. Strangely enough, Wikipedia has amazing suggestions but remember that they are specific to fibromyalgia only and if you have other conditions you may have to try balanving a mix together. Ive been on my combination for nearly a year and with new diagnoses on the horizon for other conditions, it could be all change again.

[shezzz]

nothing realy works and that includes morphine at least for me i use co dryamol but have come off just about everything else the sleeping pill i take helps at night at least Zolpidem but other than that after twenty years i have found the best results come from walking even if its just a little way every day it hurts like hell but you go through the pain barrier and the rest of the day is easier not easy . in the end your body adapts to the pain it takes a long while though i am sorry i dont have a more positive reply lots of sunshine helps and i take vitamins and have a light box for the winter as most fibro sufferers are also suffering from winter blues and that makes a big difference in the cold weather i dont feel from Jan i need to sleep 18 hours a day