So, still waiting on news from Rhumatology, looks like that appointments still a long way off. But positively, lots of other stuff has been happening whilst I wait. Have had heart scans and 72 hour monitor and get those results in a few weeks. Eye specialist next week. Occy health on Wednesday, and yesterday I saw a fatigue specialist at my practice to try and come up with sone kind of management plan until I see the rhuematologist.
I spoke to them again yesterday about trialing hydroxychloroquin whilst I wait for the appointment, but the GP is adamant that they can't prescribe this or any thing else (he mentioned methotrexate) until I've been seen. They said one thing they could do is add on Duloxetine to my nortryptaline to try and help with my energy levels and pain in the mean time.
Any thoughts or experiences? I'm really worried about potential weight gain (anyone experienced this as a side effect?). People seem to have issues coming back off this as well.
Would be keen to hear people's experiences!
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Bubble89
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My GP has only prescribed hydroxy after rheumy started it.
I’ve checked duloxetine on the BNF and one of the first most common side effects is decreased appetite. Everyone reacts differently but you may find that reassuring.
That's interesting! And a bit of a relief. It seems every medication I end up on cones with sone kind of weight gain bonus! Definitely worth considering. I think my main concern is if it's going to be a nightmare to come back off of, but it sounds like it might be worth it for the time being.
I would make sure you understand the evidence base. It has some efficacy in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and moderate evidence for fibromyalgia but hasn’t been trialled in other types of pain.
It’s the numbers needed to treat that’s important as well as how more effective it is than placebo.
I take 60mg duloxetine delayed-release for neuropathic pain (in addition to Gabapentin, and Topamax for migraine etc.). The duloxetine was added after all the others. Other than a little daytime sleepiness the first week on 30 mg when I was adjusting to it, I have had no issues with it. It has worked well for the year I have been taking it to help with extreme pain (etiology unknown) and has helped even out the mood extremes caused by flares (usually the hole isn’t pitch black anyway)😂. No drug is perfect and I was offered, amitryptiline, duloxetine or LDN and I chose duloxetine for its profile and my personal situation of not knowing my long term diagnosis etc. Only you and your doctor know your situation and can make that choice. I can share my experience and hopefully that gives you some insight but I don’t know all your details so keep that in mind. If I can help or answer questions, I’d be happy to though.🙂
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