Re Duolexetine: Hi all, My G.P has... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Re Duolexetine

Cooper02 profile image
33 Replies

Hi all,

My G.P has just prescribed me Duolexetine 30mg which is a low dose to start with so i believe. Pregabalin didnt work for me and luckily i didnt get side effects taking that.

I am worried more about the duolexetin than the pregabalin as i have read a lot about side effects and the effect they have or dont have, also that not effective.

Its a bit of a minefield to be honest and i am even considering staying in pain. The only problem when wanting to opt out is my family then think i dont want to get better.

My query is if Duolexetine has been a positive choice for anyone and had good outcomes or if it has caused awful side effects and has been inneffective.

Such an open question but talking to friends and family about my concerns is useless and they dont understand, so your advice and experience is so much more relevant to me making my decision as you understand what i am going through.

I am so glad you are here :)

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33 Replies
Smoothie2go profile image
Smoothie2go

Hi, I was prescribed Duloxitine a few months ago now. Everyone is different I know, I felt dreadful and stopped taking it. I now just take 40mg of amytrptyline at night. I wish there was something I could take for the pain during the day. But because so many medications have side affects I’m afraid to ask for anything else. It is truly dreadful being in so much pain but feeling worse through taking medication really adds to the problems that we already have. Yoga , meditation and mindfulness just try to nourish your body. Bit airy fairy but when I weighed up the pros and cons this was really my only choice.

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toSmoothie2go

Hi, thank you for your reply. Unfortunately Amytripytiline is another drug i tried about a year ago and the effect was feeling permanently drunk so G.P told me to stop. Also the pain was worse because i was so drowsy and didnt move much which increased the pain, prob due to stiffness.(This was when i was diagnosed with PMR which then was changed to Fibro)

I have found a way to help me a little bit where i have started to try and have a shower every morning and evening (If i am up to it) and this is now possible since i bought a chair (lucky i have a walk in shower). I just sit with with the hot water running down my shoulders and back. At least i find a little relief for a short while.

I am also reluctant to take the Duolexetine as i have a constant dull headache and dont need that to be any worse. That with my brain fog is enough to cope with.

It has been really interesting with all replies and definitely has made me think that i will give it a miss. Also it shows my family i am researching it as much as i can and other peoples experiences with FM is more meaningfull than a doctors recomendations.

Thank you

Diy2 profile image
Diy2

Hi, after a serious allergic reaction to amatryptilin, then blood pressure issues with pregablin l was prescribed 120mg of duloxetine. However, l only take 60mg once a day. I won't lie. The initial 2 weeks were horrendous with constant nausea. It was tough & l did think several times that l would stop taking them. But l persevered , they definitely help with the pain , l can now get out of bed without feeling like l am 90 years old. I also take naproxen when l am having a flare. And l try to do 10mins of yoga every day. I hope this helps. X

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toDiy2

Thank you for your reply. Amytriptiline is also a no go for me as it made me feel very drunk. I now dont feel confident to try the Duolexetine as i dont think i could tolerate side effects. I already have constant headaches and feel generally unwell most days. I am pleased it has given you relief but it seems you went through such a lot . I am not sure i can persevere like you did. I think when my doctor says there is something else we can NOW try, its like her saying she hasnt really got a clue and its hit and hope. I think thats the worse part of having Fibro, Its lonely and debillitating and the support from my g.p is limited. I think i have just lost my trust in her. Reading through all my replies has supported my initial decision to give it a miss. Yoga is definitely something to consider (I have never done anything like that before) and I realise i need to be more proactive by looking into lifestyle changes and not relying on the miracle treatment from my G.P

Thank you and take care

Diy2 profile image
Diy2 in reply toCooper02

I hope you find something that suits and helps you. I have also suffered with constant daily headaches in the past but they are a lot less frequent now. I had never done yoga either until the consultant at the hospital suggested that l try it. I only follow a lady on you tube at home for 10 mins but it definitely helps. I am currently halfway through a 8 session CBT course which l am finding really interesting & very useful. Again this is something l had never tried

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toDiy2

Hi again, I tried CBT but i am not sure it was the right time for me to do it as i was very negative about the goals they were setting for me and couldnt see the goals as postitive outcomes. I think this was at the time just after the rheumatologist told me it wasnt Polymilgia rhuematica (which i was on long term steroids for) and it was fibro. It took my 3 months to wean off the steroids and pain had returned in abundance. I think i was in total denial it was Fibro and wasnt prepared for that kind off support. Now months later where medication hasnt worked and this is now my life, maybe i should give it another go

Diy2 profile image
Diy2 in reply toCooper02

I am sorry to hear you've had a tough time. I sincerely hope you can find some relief in some form or other. Take care of yourself x

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toDiy2

Thank you for your support

Take care x

Chuckles11 profile image
Chuckles11

Hi Cooper02, I have never been prescribed pregabalin but I am on Duloxitine. I started on the lowest does of 20mg, made no difference so after 6 month increased it to 40mg, this worked for a few months apart from the pain in my hands. Now I am on 60mg and it’s worked, even the pain in my hands are almost back to normal. I have resigned myself that it will never go but the 60mg Duloxitine has made life so much bearable. Because of pain, self discipline, depression I piled the weight on, eating all the wrong things and no exercise. Now I am feeling more positive and starting some very gentle exercise, not for to long as I have to build my body up to it, I am ready to fight the flab 😂. My sleep has improved a lot, most mornings I feel like I’ve had a good sleep. I feel alive again.

If you do decide to take the Duloxitine, don’t make the mistake I did, I first took them before bed….oh my goodness….I was wired all night, my mind wouldn’t stop, it was like I had way to much caffeine. Bear with the side effects, every one is different and you may not have any, but I had headaches and feeling of nausea but after 2 weeks they eased off.

In short., for me, there was two weeks of symptom and I am finally almost pain free, but my days are so much better now than before.

I wish you the best with which ever ones you decide to take 🥰

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toChuckles11

Hi, Thank you for your reply.

Its so good to hear that Duolexetine is working for you. Although your response is positive i do worry that i will not tolerate side effects. You are right that i may not have any but i already suffer with constant headaches and generaly feel unwell most days. I was lucky i didnt experience so called side effects with the pregabalin but the one symptom that i already had was headaches which felt more intense especially at night where my head was pulsating. My G.P didnt believe the pregabalin was the reason as these headaches was not a new thing and due to my fibro. The pregabalin did not do nothing for my overall pain.

i believe she has now recommded the Duolexetine as the next thing on her list to try. I just think i am done with the route of her throwing the next drug at me, however i am still wating for the pain team to see me so maybe they will have the answers. Being in pain sucks and enough to cope without losing faith in those who are meant to know how to make it go away,

I do try and get some relief with having regular hot showers and it helps for a short while and helps me relax. Not always up for it as it also exhausts me but i think the route for me is self care and lifestyle changes which needs to be my new focus. I have increased my weight over the past year and i need to do something about it bit It is very hard to be motivated.

Thank you again and take care

557755 profile image
557755

I am on 120mg in a single dose. I started on 30mg and increased 30mg every 3 months which allowed the side effects to settle. It’s made a huge difference to my overall pain and it was so worth the side effects, which are now rare.

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply to557755

Thank you for your reply.

I am so please it works for you but the one thing i have learned and is possibly based on my experience is not to take it. Side effects may happen or may not but when my base line is feeling unwell, in pain and already suffer from headaches i dont want to chance it. Then if it didnt work its just another drug off my G.P's list.

I am waiting to see the pain team so may they will have more experience. I think i have lost my confidence with my G.P which dont help

Thank you for your support, take care

Littlefighter82 profile image
Littlefighter82

Good Morning. I take 40mg Duloxatine a day after Gabapentin and Pregabulin stopped working. Currently it is working for me but am aware that I may need to increase or change drugs. I also take Co-codamol as PRN.

At this point, I want to point out that I am unable to take any anti inflammatories or Aspirin. This somewhat limits me.

As Fibromyalgia affects everyone differently, I guess, it's trial and error.

Good Luck!

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toLittlefighter82

Thank you for your reply. I was also on Naproxen twice a day for quite a while but constantly felt sick even though i was on Omeprazole which was increased but didnt help. G.P advised me to stop and thats when she prescribed the Pregabalin. Also took me off Sertraline. None of these drugs were actually helping and this is why i am so reluctant to try the Duolexetine.

I agree its trial and error but overall i think i will leave the duolexetine alone until i at least see the pain specialist.

I dont know what is worse, having all these debillitating symptoms every day due to the fibro or taking these random drugs which then dont help. Its quite depressing when you dont believe there is an answer.

Take care

Littlefighter82 profile image
Littlefighter82 in reply toCooper02

Oh I am sorry you feel this way. It gets me down too, knowing that it's only downhill from here.

hope it works for you , I personally did try that but had absolutely no effect at all , so I basically try to manage pain with my own little concoction, but keeping medication to a bare minimum unless absolutely unbearable!! I’m sure my concoction would be dissed by drs but I think you have to do what works for you we’re all different, good luck 🤞🏼 it helps you .☺️

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toApplespearspeaches

Thank you for your reply. I have decided to give the duolexetine a miss and try and focus on lifestyle changes. Maybe that will help but at least i will feel more in control

Take care

misspicky82 profile image
misspicky82

I sweated profusely on Duloxetine and put on so much weight with it. My weight really shot up! Due to the side effects, mainly the profuse sweating, I decided to come off it. I then went onto Gabapentin which has been great for me, no side effects at all. It's very similar to Pregablin in the way it works but it's less harsh on the side effects. I'm surprised they haven't suggested you trial Gabapentin instead first. Mind you, it was my pain clinic that suggested I went onto Gabapentin not my GP and I believe GPs are resistant to prescribe Gabapentin and Pregablin but given you were already on Pregablin I wouldn't have thought it would be an issue.

Maybe suggest you trial Gabapentin and see what you're like on that first. For all the meds I've been on since I got diagnosed, Gabapentin has been the only one that's actually done anything positive for my pain.

Good luck, Angela xx

RainbowKitten97 profile image
RainbowKitten97 in reply tomisspicky82

I’m on 90mg duloxetine a day as well as naproxen and pregabalin. The duloxetine was prescribed for my mental Healy and has been the only medication out of 8 that has kept me fairly stable but I really struggle to regulate my body temperature and sweat a lot even when it’s cold. I wonder if it is a side effect of the duloxetine 🤔

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply tomisspicky82

Thank you Angela for your reply.

Your message was helpful and i have decided to give Duolexetine a miss. I am waiting to see the pain specialist so at least they might be experts. I will mention the Gabapentin as to my knowledge that is kinder then the duolexetine and although Pregabalin didnt work you never know.

I am just fed up with it all and have lost faith in my G.P. I have decided to manage without drugs at this time and try self care and look at lifestyle changes.

Thank you again, take care

catherine19611 profile image
catherine19611

i had duloxatine what a nightmare it was, it did nothing for the pain at all, i felt sick all the time, and then there was the rash, it was hard raised very rough patches some 3 inches across, somebody asked me if i had psoriasis, that is what it looked and felt like. this was only on the front of my right arm, but was covering almost all of the surface upper and lower arm. my gp took me off it and the rash went away, my arm looked normal from then, but everytime i came out of the shower there were red marks in the same places where the rash had been, these marks slowly went away over the day, but next shower they were back again, this kept happening for around a year after i stopped taking them

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply tocatherine19611

Thank you for your reply.

Your message has just confirmed to me that my decision to give the Duolexetine a miss is the right one. I am not willing at this time just to try another drug which can potentially make me feel worse. Fibro is already hard to cope with every day as it is. I am now focusing on lifestyle changes to see if that helps.

Take care

doowac profile image
doowac

I'm 70 yrs old and was prescribed duloxetine over 10 years ago 60mg. In that time I have gone up and down with dose but find 60 is my go to. Never had any side effects and find it helps me enormously. Sue

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply todoowac

Thank you for your reply

I am so pleased that it works well for you but i am going to hold off untill i least see the pain specialist.

Take care

Ronzanijane profile image
Ronzanijane

Hi Cooper02 , I’m using a long time and it’s help me and I don’t have side effects, but the doctor keeps increasing the amount a day for Melchior results

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toRonzanijane

Thank you for your reply

Soverytired11 profile image
Soverytired11

hi there,

I’ve been on duloxetine for nearly a year after being swapped from fluoxetine to that to help with pain (i was depressed because of the pain and immobility if that makes sense) I’ve had no side affects whatsoever and whilst I’m not sure how helpful it’s been as I’m on all sorts of opiates for inflammatory arthritis rather than fibromyalgia it certainly hasn’t caused any problems! I have been on both gabapentin and pregablin in the past - both made me gain huge amounts of weight which made the arthritis worse and offered very little positives in return. I think from looking at all the responses here every drug has an individual affect. My approach has always been to try the medication and give it 3 months before getting to stressed about side affects. Most do settle and I think sometimes when you’re looking for the side affects they seem more obvious than when you don’t. Also I think to myself are the possible side affects outweighing the benefits ie if you can manage to work/socialise/etc etc with the meds despite the side affects then maybe they’re worth it? That’s just how I see it. I also can’t take any anti-inflammatories because of a history of unprovoked blood clots. I take duloxetine before bed as the pain management specialist advised that was the best thing to do. Good luck!

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toSoverytired11

Thank you for your reply

I am so pleased it works for you. I have tried different drugs and the fact my doctor said well maybe we can now try Duolexetine when nothing else has helped now frustrates me as she doesnt really know what to do with me. I unfortunately cant work or even go out due to my pain. I just feel my life is Fibro and whatever miracle treatment i am on at the time hasnt worked and i get disappointed that i dont get any relief. I would say that i have not expereinced major side effects but the ones i had was enough for me to feel worse, and if the medication was working then maybe i may have persevered.

I am waiting for the pain specialist so i will wait until then

Thank you again and take care

Yassytina profile image
YassytinaFMA UK Volunteer

Hello, everybody is different of course , some settle on Duloxtene and some get awful side effects. I’ve been on it for a few years now, I normally can stick too one tablet of 60mg at night and I don’t get much in the way of side effects , maybe alittle heady in the morning, I was originally put on it for anxiety which worked 100% for me , i do use strong ibuprofen some days for fibro pain , I’ve found that effective ,but I’m always aware too give it a break when I can . Yes agree sometimes a lot easier too chat here , family/friends do not always mean too but they do not walk in our shoes every day and can say the wrong things xx

Cooper02 profile image
Cooper02 in reply toYassytina

Thank you for your reply

I have decided to give the duolexetine a miss and dont want to risk the side effects. The fact that other medication hasnt worked for me doesnt give me faith in trying something different again. I am waiting to see the pain specialist and hooefully they will help. `i just think my G.P try's her best but just goes to the next drug on her list to try.

I already suffer headches as well as overall body pain. These medications make my head worse and i cant think straight as well as fibro fog.

I have also tried regular naproxen but they just make me feel very sick. I do take paracetamol but thats to keep on top of my headaches and doesnt help with any other pain

Everybody on here has been really helpful and its good to get feedback from those who really understand what i am going through. My family just want me to be pain free and get my independence back. I just wish i could have there faith that things will improve

Take care

LaurieLee profile image
LaurieLee

Hi, before you try Duloxetine, maybe you could try Warrier Balm and Muscle Magic from M.C.C. Developed by someone’s partner who had fibromyalgia, who was a chemist. It’s all natural and really helps, although there are ways of using that help, but they have a support group that will guide you.

Keke1812 profile image
Keke1812

I currently take 60mg duloxetine in a morning and just started 30mg at bedtime too. This first week I struggled with the nausea but then I started taking it with my breakfast and this seemed to stop the nausea. I feel loads better on duloxetine then I ever did amitriptyline. I still have pain but on a good day its a dull ache rather than searing pain x

Catsandcakes77 profile image
Catsandcakes77

HiI was on Pregablin at night and low dose I the day for a few years, but recently weaned myself off them. Unfortunately, I had a really bad flare up and have now been prescribed 900mg Gabapentin a day. I also tried Duloxetine for t months. None of them stop pain or flare ups. Nothing really works except a bit of yoga daily, but I haven't even been able to manage that since the last bad flare up. I am just trying to walk a bit daily and go from there Xx

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