Duloxetine Query

[Bassettbabe]

Has anyone else been prescribed Duloxetine for peripheral neuropathy and does it work? After finally getting a face to face appointment with my GP, I think I have been put into the “depressed” category!

[Jillymo]

I have had both Duloxatine and Pregabalin prescribed me for nerve pain.

These meds are often used for this so dont feel you have been put on the depressive list - but can understand your concerns.

It can help with nerve pain if you can tolerate it so give it a try and see how you get on. Fingers crossed you get some relief.

[Bassettbabe in reply to Jillymo]

Thank you Jillymo,I have always been anti antidepressants, maybe irrationally so, as I hate the thought that we are just masking symptoms instead of dealing with the underlying cause. That said I am at the stage where I am willing to stop being stubborn and give it a go. Thanks for your reasoned response.

[Jillymo in reply to Bassettbabe]

I feel you misunderstood when I spoke of masking.

If your folate is low (as mine was) and prescribed folic acid this can mask the symptoms of an underlying B12 issue.

Has your Dr checked your B12 ? If not request that they do so.

[Bassettbabe in reply to Jillymo]

Hi Jillymo, my apologies I think I have confused the issue. I was speaking in general terms of GP’s prescribing antidepressants for many ailments. I have PA and received 6 loading doses of Hydroxy in early December. Over the last month many of my original symptoms have returned with a vengeance. I am on the 3 month pathway and have my next one in 3 weeks. As many have found my GP is reluctant to consider more frequent doses in between. I have started taking high dose B complex in the hope this will help the shortfall somehow. Folate levels weren’t mentioned at the time, but my preloading B12 was at 105 and is now in the mid 600’s.

[Jillymo in reply to Bassettbabe]

If neurological symptoms persist tell your Gp and ask 'how am I suposed to sustain the symptoms without more frequent injections ' she might if your lucky give them every two months - but dont count on it. 💉

I agree, they are quick enough to prescribe antidepressants but when it comes to our muched needed B12 injections we have a battle on our hands. 🤺

I took the liquid, sprays and patches of B12 and still had the symptoms so now I self inject which has helped. Remember you cant overdose on B12 so if you still have symptoms keep it going in.

It was the burning and stinging in my legs thar was driving me to distraction and I were desperate for some relief so can sypathise. Have they done any other tests other than B12? I am having a MMA test on Monday a year and a half after starting the injections !

It seems there is no rush for these Gps to come to our aid. Your B12 is bound to be high mine is the same because we are having injections but we are still not symptom free.

Signing off for now I need to lay down I have been up since 4am this morn. 🥱 Bye for now

[Gen89 in reply to Jillymo]

Can I ask whether you are able to have your MMA test done at your Gp or do you have to go to hospital for that.? My Gp says she can’t do it at her surgery but I’m not sure if that’s true or not.

[Jillymo in reply to Gen89]

It has to be done at the hospital because it needs to be frozen I was informed. My gp made the mistake of sending a nurse out to take the blood at home which got thrown out at the lab !

[Gen89 in reply to Jillymo]

Thanks. That’s useful to know. Did you have to starve or anything before the blood test?

[Jillymo in reply to Gen89]

I questioned that with both the Dr and the lab and was told no.

If you have yours early morn perhaps go on an empty tum - mine is at 2 so I shall have an early breakfast and nothing else.

But as I say when I asked they said no need to.

[Gen89 in reply to Jillymo]

Thanks. Hope your test goes well.

[Ninagreen in reply to Bassettbabe]

When mine was in the 600s it wasn't helping. Even when it got to 800 it didn't help. That's because I was taking sublinguals that I wasn't absorbing. Now I get weekly injections and I'm getting better. The day of my injection it goes up over 2000. By the end of the week it's back to around 900.

[Hamayeshguy in reply to Bassettbabe]

Take slow release B12 or pour B12 liquid in water and drink it whole day. It is more effective than injection. I take 15000 mcg timed release ( slow release) methylcobalamine and inject every five days if hydroxocobalamin. I think it's so effective. But methyl folate and b complex vis required with low B6 and medium B3. The other B also should be low to medium. You can buy hydroxocobalamin from Germany. My symptoms bare really so bad and now it's improving slowly but at least is tangible.

[wedgewood in reply to Bassettbabe]

I think that you need more regular injections than 1every 3 months . You should be able to get 1every 2months ,if you have a good doctor . But as someone else said , don’t count on it . Doctors are very quick to prescribe anti -depressant drugs , but cheap B12 injections are so difficult to get — Have you every wondered why that is ? I have ! …………Anyhow if it’s impossible ,then consider self-injection . So cheap and convenient . You can obtain information on here should you so wish .

[Nackapan]

I have been 'offered ' this several times. I've yet to trial it.

J hate things you can't suddenly stop.

Or use when needed.

Br interested to know also I'd it actually works fir nerve pain.

[Bassettbabe in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you Nackapan, watch this space. I will let you know how it goes.

[Hamayeshguy in reply to Nackapan]

My psychiatrist doctor prescribed it to me today but I don't want to take it as like SSRIs it has bad interaction with NSAIDS. But this one is SNRI. I take lots of naproxen. My psychiatrist doctor even didn't ask about it's interaction.

[Horsey07]

I’ve been on duloxetine for several years now. It was prescribed when I was diagnosed with spastic paraplegia to help with the pain. I take one at bedtime, it definitely helps me.

[Bassettbabe in reply to Horsey07]

Many thanks Horsey07, I was thinking that if one of the side affects is drowsiness I would take it at night and it might also help me to sleep better. Glad that it helps you. All responses have been very helpful and I guess I won’t know if it works for me unless I try it.

[Kim4315]

I was prescribed Duloxatine and had a terrible nauseous feeling all the time. Couldn’t eat or even drink water. Only good thing was I lost weight. I was prescribed Pregabalin after with no problems

[Jennygal]

I was prescribed duloxetine. I was anxious but also suffer pain from having M.E. The doctor told me it might help with pain. I was extremely reluctant to take it. I had been on citalopram for many years and had spent two years weaning off it. I never felt it that useful and always felt upset that doctors never tried to dig deeper in to my symptoms. 15 years after suffering many symptoms that I now know were related to b12, I finally got injections. No one had ever suggested b12 deficiency to me. I did the test privately myself and was horrified at the low result. I started duloxetine last year and it did not go well. I don’t mean to frighten you - just reporting my story. I spent many days like a zombie in bed - completely ‘out of it’. Couldn’t do anything at all. Developed awful tingling in my scalp. It was really frightening. I came off it after 4 weeks. That was a very small dose too. It did help with some pain though - but this paled in to insignificance. After that, I decided to begin self injecting b12. M6 doctor prescribes every eight weeks but I now inject every other day. I’ve seen improvements in many aspects - but still suffer a good deal of pain.

[Lovemycats2]

I was put on duloxatine about 5years ago didn't go well, for fibromyalgia anxiety . Felt so bad, leg swelling, pain in joints , lots of tummy problems that still have now. I now know that I am b12 deficient. I am now on Fluoxetine and seem ok with it.

[Hamayeshguy in reply to Lovemycats2]

I wanted to take flouxetine but like mirtazapine is SSRI and shouldn't be taken with NSAIDs painkillers. Severe interaction causes gut bleeding.