Duloxetine

[22buteo22]

Hi All,

Has anybody been offered this drug as an analgesic. I know its prescribed for depression, but not sure whether it will affect my chronic pain?

Anna x

[Boozybird]

Hi Anna, I used Duloxetine for pain and the depression that living with chronic pain inevitably brings. I found that it really did wonders for the depression which in turn made me less 'involved' with the pain. So it affected the pain in a roundabout way rather than directly targeting it. A bit like anti inflammatories work on inflammation which reduces pain by reducing inflammation. Hope that helps. It would be a recommend from me. 👍🏼😜

[joannie1964]

Hi I am due to see my pain specialist in September who plans to take me off citalopram and start me on Duloxetine. I am a little nervous too about changing my anitdepressants, but he says it is very good for fibro and me pain. so I am going to give it a go. Nothing ventured eh?

Hugs

Jo x

[Hidden]

My husband has chronic back and nerve pain from an accident 5 years ago. They tried him on all the usual, OxyContin, oramorph and gabapentin but they did nothing to ease his pain. It was only recently that we discovered that antidepressants have other properties that may help with chronic pain... And the doctor said it was an added bonus with the mood lifter! So my husband is trialling some... Early days yet,he has only been taking them for about 2 weeks. I hope they help a little as its terrible seeing him in constant pain. And yes he is taking duloxetine. As my husband had tried other medications he thought what has he to loose by trying this? So I guess only time will tell

[22buteo22]

Hi Boozybird,

I've just picked up my prescription for this drug so got to see how it goes. I have chronic back pain and osteoarthritis. I've recently had a hip replacement and the staff were concerned that I was on a very high dose of ibuprofen so referred me to the pain clinic. My gp however is bemused by all this but says we'll give it a go!

Yes, I can see how, if it lifts the mood, it makes the pain seem less troublesome! Here's hoping!!

Hi Jo,

Yes, I've had to come off citalopram too. I was only on a very low dose, and didn't feel any different! I hope it works for you too.

Hi happy-smiles,

I'm glad your husband hadn't had any nasty side effects yet. Apparently they kick in within the first few days. But it takes some time to feel the full benefits of a new drug. Fingers crossed then!

Anna x

[NFDK in reply to 22buteo22]

Worrying that your GP is bemused...you would think that he would be keeping up to date with new medical findings...?

[Hidden]

hi there best ask your doctor or pharmacy that's my best advice take care bigalan

[Suzysheep]

My new consultant also wants me to come off citalopram and gabapentin and start on the duloxetine . I'm waiting on results from an echocardiogram though before he will start me on them.

I'm a bit scared about coming off the citalopram as I fear turning into a tearful mess again!

Good luck with it... I hope it provides the relief you need!

Xxx

[22buteo22 in reply to Suzysheep]

Hi Suzysheep,

I was fine coming off citalopram. Saw my gp today and shall take the duloxetine tonight.

Im sure youll be fine as duloxetine as an anti depressant too.

Fingers crossed for us both then!

I'll let you know how it works for me. I have to stop taking it if I get any nasty side effects.

Anna x

[Suzysheep]

Yes, keep me posted how you get on with it!

I hope you settle into it smoothly

Xxxxxx

[shellysanders]

I've been on duloxetine for over a year with good results although I am also on pregabilin, targinact and paracetamol

[earthwitch]

I don't know what the cause of your chronic pain is, but I did read an interesting article recently that said that of the three groups of antidepressants used commonly for chronic pain (SSRI, SNRI and tricyclics) it was only tricyclics (amitryptylline) that were proven to be of any real use in fibromyalgia pain. Personally, having tried all of them, I would not now take SSRI or SNRIs for pain relief, as for me they really muck my mood as well as give me awful withdrawals, and from my expeirience I'd say try amitryptylline first, as that is proven to be useful for chronic pain, whereas there is only very limited evidence for the others. Of course, if depression is a big part of your chronic pain problems then that is a different matter.

[Hidden]

Hi I have just been prescribed it for pain by my consultant as a last ditch attempt to give me some pain relief. I took a couple made me a bit sleepy then I came down with a v v v v v v bad chest infection as I have a conic lung problem I decided to stop it until I had got over my chest infection I am feeling a lot better and thinking of re starting I am about to go away so think I may prospone it until I come back I don't know coz it made me sleepy or I asume it was that. !!??!! I do have a conic pain problem I have knackered back left shoulder I have a fracture in my right foot won't heal been like it since Nov 18th 2014 I was in plaster up until a month ago when I asked if I can have a splint which thank goodness I do no more smelly feet !!! I have ulcer on left foot under little toe I always have a broken rib or 2 I do them by coughing I am a wheelchair user and about to start a pain management course..but plenty of bods worse off than me ...is this of any help? ?? I will let u know how I get on ??☺🐶

[22buteo22]

Hi earth witch,

I don't suffer from depression. I have fibromyalgia/CFS and a spinal condition and osteoarthritis. I've recently had a hip replacement.

I've tried amitriptyline, Dosulepin, citalopram. I was advised to come off any nsaids because they are affecting my kidneys. I also take paracetamol, butrans patches.

I took my first duloxetine on Friday night and had a terrible night of sweats and dreams. But that could just be a coincidence! I took yesterday's tablet at 3pm and I had a good night and feel better today. So we shall see whether this drug works for me - given time! I keep my fingers crossed!

Hi Shelley,

I'm glad this drug works for you. Long may it last!!

Hi tadie,

I do hope that duloxetine finally works for you. We all live in hope of that magic drug, don't we!?

Love to all, Anna x

[Hidden]

I took duloxetine for chronic pain and it did help, I was amazed. Unfortunately though I suffered from side effects (twitching muscles and horrific nightmares) so I decided to stop taking it. Coming off it is quite difficult as it has to be done slowly by reducing dose, but they are capsules so you cannot cut them in half etc. I was not well at all for a week or so after stopping completely. Don't be put off trying cos we all tolerate medications differently, but be careful if you ever need to come off them and do it gradually with your doctors help.

[22buteo22]

Hi Sueboo,

Thanks for the info. I suffer from nightmares at the best of times so I hope it doesn't make them worse!

Anna x

[22buteo22]

Thanks Dan, I'll stick with it and see how it goes. Fingers crossed!

Anna x

[22buteo22]

Hi Suzysheep and other duloxetine users,

I've been taking duloxetine for a week now and am having really bad nights - waking in the early hours and not getting much sleep. Does this pass? I hope so, as I need my sleep!

Anna

[bentleyfox]

hi Anna

Yes I am taking it along with amytriptiline, lyrica and clonazepam. I had been on this regime minus the duloxetine for several years and the level of lyrica reached a dosage I could not tolerate.I saw another consultant who prescribed duloxetine and reset my lyrica dosage. Now I am largely pain free and not too fatigued. I work out with a personal trainer three times a week to strengthen my muscles and improve my balance and I am doing well.

I hope it also works for you, but it isnt a painkiller on its own I think- it needs to be an adjunct to other drugs.

Good luck

[22buteo22]

Hi bentleyfox,

Thanks for the info! Yes, I'm also on a cocktail of other painkillers. Duloxetine has been prescribed to take the place of ibuprofen. But so far I haven't noticed any change in my pain levels. Ah well, worth a try, I guess!

Anna

[wheezybronch]

I have no personal experience of Duloxetine. Amitriptyline is used extensively and I have heard only good things about it. I have tried many antidepressants as an aid to pain relief whilst performing as an antidepressant also. I use 40mg morphine morning and evening in slow release form I have Gabapentin as well. I now use Mirtazapine which is very good for helping mood and helps somewhat for the pain. I wish you the best.

[BadHare]

I was prescribed this by a pain management doctor, had an extremely bad reaction, & also to nortriptyline.