What are people’s experiences with Duloxetine?

[AmyFx]

Interested to see if it helped with body pain management and if anyone has tried it for headache prevention?

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi AmyFx ,

I couldn't tolerate it at all. I had awful hallucinations when I started taking it, so GP advised me to stop immediately.

I hope you find it helpful x

[AmyFx in reply to M0AL61]

Thank you. What did you try instead or what have you found helps?x

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer in reply to AmyFx]

For me the best combination has been Gabapentin and Maxitram (slow release Tramadol). I'm also on medication for osteoarthritis and they also help a little with the fibro pain too. x

[AmyFx in reply to M0AL61]

Thank you, do you experience side affects?x

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer in reply to AmyFx]

Sorry only getting back to you now, as I have been off line for a couple of days.

No, I've had no side affects at all xx

[FRreedman]

I have found them fine, they have reduced my pain although I am taking them with Nortiptyline and Zomorph. I think they would be too strong ( wanted to put heavy) for headache.

[Aishahb5364]

I took them and ended up with suicidal ideation. I reacted very badly with them and the doctor made me stop them immediately. Within in a week of stopping them I felt better and the depression and suicidal thoughts lifted. Very very scary! On another note, not everyone will have the same reaction. I am pretty intolerant to most dual use medication. Duloxitine is a anti depressant medication that has been found to help pain sufferers. I used it for pain and it had a terrible side effects for me.

[trudym]

I suffered chronic allergic reaction to it - itchy all over & medicated oedema in my lower thighs. I also tried Pregabalin, again with the same allergic reactions & chronic nausea, so went back on good old faithful Gabapentin. It helps with a fraction of my pain, more masks it than takes it away...

[Issy2504]

I didnt get on with it unfortunately. One of my biggest problems is jaw pain from uncontrollable clenching day and night and the Duloxetine definitely made me do that even more and so actually added to my pain rather than take it away. I also couldn't sleep on it and had weird uneven pupils.

The only thing I've tried that helps me somewhat is Tramadol but that also makes me clench more. I think it's because it has SNRI properties. I cant get on with any antidepressants for the jaw clenching reason.

[ShootingStars]

I've taken low dose duloxetine (30 mg) for muscular pain in my upper back. I took it for about a year and I had no negative reactions. More people report adverse reactions when they go above 30 mg. I believe it did help a bit with pain. I have never heard of using it as a headache preventative. I am a long time migraine sufferer (25+ years). No, it did not help my migraines. I take prescription migraine medication (sumatriptan works best for me, Northstar brand only) and I just got Botox for migraine last week (see my post in National Migraine Center) .

As a preventative, my neuro recommends everyone should try what studies have shown to be effective for some people: 400 mg riboflavin (B2) and 400 mg magnesium (not mag oxide. it's got the lowest percentage of bioavailability out of any type of magnesium.). You can also add CoQenzyme10 to that. He also says that it is really important to greatly reduce caffeine intake because caffeine can trigger migraines. So can aged cheeses. Aged cheese for sure has triggered migraine in me. I greatly reduced my caffeine intake at the same time that I started taking the riboflavin and magnesium. I had a decrease in migraines intensity, but the type of migraines that I experience are complex, involve spasmed muscles and possibly progesterone (another trigger of migraines people often forget about.), as my menstrual cycle abruptly changed at the same time the migraines became daily and all day/every day events. At age 38 I was diagnosed with menstrual migraines and I took Loestrin birth control pills every day with no break for about a year. I am 51 now, but until this Feb, my period was regular every month without a blip.

This spring I had an event that triggered daily migraines and an increase in throbbing head pain. I stopped taking duloxetine because I was not sure what was causing the increased throbbing. Well, it wasn't the duloxetine because I still have throbbing, but to a lesser degree. I am starting duloxetine today. Thanks for reminding me that I have some! My first week of Botox I had less daily or constant migraines than I'd had in the previous 5 months. However, this week I've had a set back. I now have burning pain in my right posterior shoulder area in my trapezius near where an injection of Botox was placed. I have never had this strange burning pain before and my right shoulder/posterior deltoid is not my problem side. Left is. This is triggering some spasming up my neck and into right side occipital muscles. I think what happened is this lateral portion of my trapezius was already spasmed. I thin the neurologist injected an area that wasn't very spasmed, so the more spasmed area became more taunt as the injection site relaxed. I'm going to start duloxetine right now and hope that it helps. Thanks again for the reminder!

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., morning, I was put on duloxtene one tab 60mg a day as was very anxious/depressed through trying to cope with fibro/ Cfs, I have been on it over a year now , 100 percent worked for me, how much it helps me with pain not so sure as I have read people on a lot higher dosage to help with pain can work, but I’m happy to stay with this amount, I do have prescribed codiene which I can take when pain is at a high but not for every day use as addictive. I ve posted a link above if you would like to lock your posts as only our community can see . I do get headaches but a combination of wearing a mask for sleep apnea and get can heads with fibro as well. It is very much trial and error to get something that helps . Take care xx

[AmyFx]

Thank you all for your comments. You’ve all been very helpful. This is why I love this website!

[Nutcracker]

Hi Amy, I am on 120mg duloxetine. I've been on it over a year now. I did experience some strange side effects when I first started taking them but I persevered with them and I'm glad I did. I also take etoricoxib 60mg which is an anti inflammatory. I have fibro, osteoarthritis, patella tracking disorder and had a disc replaced on my spine and I'm only 38! If I have a flare up I take codeine so although the duloxetine is good for everyday it doesnt stop the flare ups. Hope this helps 😊

[victoria1000]

For all nerve pain we need to take B Vitamins. Vitamin B1000ugs and BCOMPLEX from a reputable company