Duloxetine

[Kernowdot]

Hi

I have just been prescribed Duloxetine to be taken along side:

Pregabalin

Omaprazale

Tamsulosin

Codiene

Just wanted to know what people’s experience is from taking this?

Thanks

[FRreedman]

Hi, before you ask the question, you should be certain that you are asking the right people. I would be wary of any general comments as your drugs indicate at least two separate conditions. One being GERD-related and the other a prostate problem. I personally take Duloxetine to reduce the amount of Morphine I require to make my pain bearable, but I know it is also used for nerve pain. If you have a specific query I will try to answer it for you. In the meantime keep well and stay safe.

[Kernowdot]

I have no diagnosis aside from complex neurological disorder leading to incontinence and did also lead to difficulties swallowing. I would expect when I have my next medication review I could drop the omaprazale as swallowing seems under control.

They have prescribed to help with pain also.

[Twinkle3131]

I agree with Freedman below about being careful. I take Cymbalta/duloxetine for nerve pain (neuropathic) for a 20 year old lumbar injury. It took 8 years to get a correct diagnosis as opposed to the ' complex neurological disorder.' I would suggest that you insist on referral to either a neuro-surgeon or orthopaedic spinal specialist who can order the appropriate investigations. I had a Sinu vertebral nerve block and study done under fluroscopy. I then found I have a reason for the incontinence, both bladder and bowel as well. I was not imagining my symotoms. That was whne I cried with relief.If I had my time again I would consider any anti-depressant instead though Cymbalta does suit me. It did not do anything for my pain. I have since discovered that CBD 100 (marajuana ) is much more effective on the spinal discomfort. I have stopped all the codeine etc. This is the non-THC product.

[Kernowdot in reply to Twinkle3131]

Thank you for your reply.

I’m under investigation currently with neurology, however it’s going very slow, for obvious reasons (albeit i wouldn’t have expected it to be this slow). Waiting on results on Nerve Conduction Studies.

I take it as a positive that I’ve not had any replies saying “Stay away, it’s a horrible drug” and appreciate both your points in that it could impact different people differently as used on various conditions.

[Twinkle3131 in reply to Kernowdot]

I'm sorry I was not very clear yesterday. Duloxitine is an ANti-depressant as well as having some pain control content. A I said it does not touch my pain but does work as an anti-depressant. Understand the time it takes. My diagnosis took 8 years. If you are in severe pain and discomfort your mood is always affected so as a combination it could be really good. If you were able you could mention Adhesive Arachnoiditis which could be the base cause. If you look this up on line try a Handbook by Forrest Tenant. A quick but very informative (almost too much) Where do you live? I am in NZ Good luck anyway.

[Kernowdot in reply to Twinkle3131]

Yeah will give it a look thanks for the recommendation. I was aware that it can be used for different things including anti depressant.

I know a lot of diagnosis take a long time. I guess it can be trial and error and tests not alway being fully accurate. Also some consultants think outside the box more.

[JackyGT]

My husband has just started on Duloxetine - he is already on maximum dose of Gabapentin for a severe case of ophthalmic shingles which has now been going on for 6 horrific weeks. He had continuous excruciating pain in his right eye and over his head. He had very little pain relief, if any, on the Gabapentin alone but since he had started taking Duloxetine as well (recommended by Pain Clinic) he has seen some relief. He had to increase from 30 mg daily to 60 mg daily before any effect. However the combination has made him very dozy and spaced out but he says he would rather that than the pain he was/is experiencing. I have briefly researched combining these two drugs and it seems relatively common. Fingers crossed it seems to be helping him. Fingers crossed for you too.

[Kernowdot in reply to JackyGT]

Thank you for your reply and sharing your husbands experience.

I’m on a low Duloxetine dose currently, bits it’s good to know your husbands experience.

[cyberbarn]

Everybody metabolises drugs differently, so not everyone gets the same benefits from the same drugs. For some, Duloxetine works really great, it did for a friend of mine, it gave her back her life. But it didn't for my son, it was horrible, and he has gone back to amitriptyline. So if you try it and it doesn't work for you, don't be afraid to go back and discuss things and try something else.

[Kernowdot in reply to cyberbarn]

How easy was it for your son to stop taking it?

[cyberbarn]

If I remember he tapered one off as the other built up, so there was a week of feeling out of it and severe constipation (which is one of the reasons he wanted to stop taking it) then he was back to normal with the amitriptilyne

[micox]

Beware. Duloxetine is grossly addictive and at one stage was banned in the USA and Holland. It is an absolute nightmare to withdraw from.

[Kernowdot in reply to micox]

I’ve heard before which was the reason for me posting. So far from those who have posted, none have mentioned this, which is a positive at least.

[Newby31]

Hi, I have a curved spine and spinal stenosis and have suffered back /leg pain all my life. After double laminectomy surgery it just got worse and worse over the last 10 years. I had numerous lumber steroid injections which helped have been refused any more on NHS, so I finally gave in reluctantly and firstly took gabapentin and then changed to pregabalin. They both really did help with the nerve pain all down my legs and feet. but I put on so much weight,.. (3.5 stone) and my arthritis in my knees and ankles got worse that I stopped it. I managed to lose the excess weight over 1 year, but the pain has retuned. I now have the dilemma of whether or not to start on it again. I find that Omeprazole also bloats me and makes me look 9 months pregnant. I can’t take NSAIDS as 49+ years of them have given me stomach ulcers and chronic stomach inflammation. I am just about coping with cocodomol and voltorol gel. When I have really bad pain flare ups (shoulder hands/ thoracic and cervical arthritis too) I take diazepam for few nights to try to relax the tight muscles. I also visit a private physio/acupuncturist. I can only say give them a try and if they work for you then good. I wish you much luck and pain free times.

[Kernowdot in reply to Newby31]

Thank you for your reply and sorry to hear about your bad times.

My GP has said it’s hard to prescribe whilst waiting on test results to come in, but also felt I needed something else.

I’m hoping will get something back from my nerve conduction study next week.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I take codiene, tamsulosin, pregablin, Baclofen, for neurological disorders because of my neck and I'm waiting to talk to GP about having to start Duloxetine it still doesn't work properly but I have to take. Clive.

[Kernowdot in reply to Hidden]

Have you got a diagnosis Clive? Or are you like me waiting for one?

I’m hoping a diagnosis will help with how to manage me, but then again people can have the same illness or disorder and require very different treatment

[Hidden in reply to Kernowdot]

I have Cervical myelopathy because of my neck c3c4c5 fused which led to that it's effects my bladder and bowel and all body aches

[Sunrise58]

Hi there, I was prescribed duloxotine for my thoracic nerve pain. After taking only 1 tablet I felt my head having small shaky movements. I then took one the next day and oh my goodness ! Not only was my whole head jerking uncontrollably but my eyes also jumping up and down. I was very scared and didn't take another one.That was my experience but these tablets affect everyone differently. I hope they help you.

[Kernowdot in reply to Sunrise58]

I’m two days in and haven’t felt those yet, so fingers crossed. Been more tired than normal on it so far.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

[Lesleyann421]

Hi there are all different strengths of preagablin and duloxitine my hubby on different strengths throughout the day starting 125mg 1st thing in preagabling decreasing to 60 then duloxitine last thing 60mgs hes high as a kite most of the day but only just covers his pain now as he is getting over a subracnoid brain hemorrhage.He tops up with codeine but still feels pain in his spine.

Hope this may help but not sure what strengths you are taking

[Kernowdot in reply to Lesleyann421]

My Pregabalin is 125mg 1st thing, then a 75mg top up and 175mg in the evening.

Duloxitine they have started on the lowest dose of 10mg, with a view to increasing it.

Hopefully your husband has the pain ease a little more soon.