Do anti depressants help with pain?

[2thebeach]

Morning I have been on Sertraline for 6 months which is an SSRI anti depressant that can also help fibromyalgia.

I'm currently coming off it due to some side effects but my GP is going to give me a different anti depressant, undecided at the moment. . I'm wondering if it has been helping pain in my limbs as the pain is worse now I'm coming off them. Although I hadn't noticed it wasn't as bad when on them!

So has anybody noticed less pain with anti depressants and if so which ones please? Thank you.

[Smilesalot]

No. I've just been put on duloxetine and they're meant to help you with pain. I know it does for a lot of people. The duloxetine is good for my mood tho which help s me cope with pain better .Hugs 2thebeach

Dawn

[2thebeach in reply to Smilesalot]

Thank you. Yes I guess when your mood is lifted the pain is less noticeable. I'm definitely going back on something else! Xx

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Yes - certain types of anti depressants are used for pain relief (amitriptiline and duloxetine are commonly used).

[2thebeach in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you. Sounds like Dulozetine might be a possibility then. I'll see what my GP says, she's very supportive luckily and fibro aware. Xx

[Laupecyndi]

Hey there, I'm on sertraline. I think it does help with the pain,. On low days I forget to take tablets and realise I'm in pain more than usual.

[2thebeach in reply to Laupecyndi]

Thank you. Yes I really would have said it made no difference but now I can tell it does!

[Iamthemedicalmystery]

I have found Duloxetine has helped with all the nerve pain I get from peripheral neuropathy on top of the fibromyalgia. I am also on venlafaxine for my mood and this is another that's prescribed for fibromyalgia.

[2thebeach in reply to Iamthemedicalmystery]

Thank you. I've not heard of Venlafaxine I'll look it up on the NHS site. It sounds like Duloxetine is quite popular.

[Ninapod]

Your question could very well be my question! I came off of Fluoxetine last July and then from September to March, I had a lot of physical pain - I am an active person but suddenly the pain was so bad I could not swim. Several times I was on the floor crying not even able to walk. I had a major flare up in February (lots going on with my elderly parents) and realised that I wasn't coping so I went back to my GP. He prescribed Sertraline which has really helped mentally but also physically! I don't know if this is coincidence but I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you continue to improve and it will be very interesting to find out if antidepressants really do help with physical pain.

[2thebeach in reply to Ninapod]

Thank you. Well it certainly sounds like anti depressants can help with pain from the responses. I guess it's just finding the right one with least side effects. I wonder if there has been a survey on their effects on pain. SSRIs anti depressants are known to be beneficial for fibromyalgia patients.

[Alice2004]

I have been on sertraline and and Pregabalin for 22 months it was helpful but the downside of the treatment is that I gained a lot of weight, around 4 stones in that time and it developed extra healthy issues and I decided to stop all medication, I have 2 weeks since I stopped taking them . Is difficult because I have to find new ways of managing the pain and now on top of the pain I have to lose weight which is complicating my health. I don’t know how and what to do 😞

[2thebeach in reply to Alice2004]

Thank you. Yes there's never an easy answer with this illness! Good luck with finding ways to reduce your pain.

[Chickens44]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 20 years ago and I have never found anything that helps with the pain. I have been on SSRIs all that time. I am currently on sertraline but am slowly reducing it as I am fed up with taking something that’s not working. I have also tried amitriptyline, pregabalin and naproxen. None helped, just mucked up my metabolism.

And also I have recently been diagnosed with low levels of B12, iron, folate and vitamin D, which the specialist thinks will help. He is of the opinion I never had fibro, as all the symptoms I have had over the last 20 years he says are vitamin deficiencies. I have just started B11 injections so fingers crossed it will help.

[2thebeach in reply to Chickens44]

Thank you. That must have been a shock that you not have fibromyalgia after all that time. The problem with all meds I find is they all have side effects. You have to decide whether to put up with them or take the hit. Not easy. Hope the injections help.

[Hidden]

I've been on fluexetine ( sorry can't spell) for over 2 yrs now, before that I was on duloxetine

they all have their own merits I suppose what I still have chronic depression and anxiety problems, I'm on a mixture of 20 tablets a day and I still hurt, and depressed 🙄

Hope you find your own elusive way or drug that helps

Take care

Debs

[2thebeach in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That's hard being on so many tablets but still not feeling right. I will see what my GP says when I go back a week on Monday. I think she will want to try me on another. The Sertraline definitely lifted me but I really didn't like the side effects.