Cymbalta for arthritis?

[teresita]

On my last dr. visit he prescribed cymbalta along with my ultram and valium. Ive seen the new commercials about it but never heard of anyone using it for pain relief or it helping other than ads on TV.

I thought it was strictly an antidepressant and questionable at that.

Ive had the script and have not had it filled because there is no generic and it is not on my "preferred drug" list for my insurance and Im sure its expensive.

[fnh]

Well, it looks like it is an approved drug for Arthritis: Lilly Wins Backing to Use Antidepressant Cymbalta for Back, Arthritis Pain - Bloomberg

Maybe your DR can prescribe a medication for arthritis that is covered by your insurance plan.

[eagleweasel]

Cymbalta has become a pretty common treatment for chronic pain, according to my pain doc. I am on it. I do a lot of things for pain, so I can't say if it is effective on its own, but it is an approved and common treatment.

The nice thing about it is that it is non-addictive, has few side effects, and you won't build up a tolerance.

If you can't afford it, you can apply to the company to get it at a reduced rate, even free. Here is the link to the program: Eli Lilly and Company » Patient Assistance Programs

[Peaches]

I'm not sure about arthritis, but it is good for menopausal symptoms.
I've been on Cymbalta for approximately 2 years, & it has been great for that, not much else for me though, didn't seem to help my depression all the well.

I have tried to get off it a few times, & it is the worst withdrawals I have ever experienced from any anti depressants, & I have tried so many.

Then with the withdrawals which include brain zaps or brain shivers, among other horrible feelings, I get my menopausal symptoms back also, then I realize it is better for me to stay on it. If it helps me for that reason, then it has a use for me, so I will continue taking them.

I am concerned however that some day I will read bad reviews & this medicine will end up being taken off the market as so many others had in the past because of bad things they have discovered over time, but that's just a chance I have to take.

I would never recommend cymbalta to anyone because of the withdrawal factors, if you can take something else for arthritis, then I think you should do so, JMHO.

[ishmael]

I was recently prescribed cymbalta for chronic pain. As is my habit, I immediately began researching the details, and, in particular, withdrawal symptoms. What I read was enough to scare me off. Perhaps foolish, but when it comes to the newer, less "obvious" medications for pain, I get uncomfortable. After all these years, I "understand" opiate pain relievers, their modes of operation, attendant problems, withdrawal issues, etc.. These newer things, and the withdrawal horror stories, scare the bejeezus out of me...

Edited to add: I decided against taking the cymbalta...

[Jolie]

I was prescribed Cymbalta to treat both my depression/GAD and potential fibro/chronic back pain. It didn't really touch my pain and gave me restless leg syndrome which then required me to take meds for that. It was more trouble that anything else. It actually really negatively effected my relationship as my now fiance and I couldn't share a bed because my constant need to move and kick around would wake him up leading to grumpy middle of the night fights. It was really, really bad.

Also, since I had the constant need to move my legs it made my insomnia even worse. My ambien didn't work even though I've been able to take 10mg almost every night for 3 years of so without upping my dosage.

[Keith K Stone]

I'm on Cymbalta for depression & chronic hip pain. I have found that it does little if anything for my symptoms. antidepressants for pain? It's just another scam by the drug co. to get Drs. to prescribe it to more patients. Afterall the good Dr. would rather prescribe a safe addiction free antidepressant with pain relieving abilities, rather than an established painkiller. It would be the right thing to do?

[Hyperspace]

Drugs effect everyone differently. Cymbalta helps with my back pain better than the NSAIDs I've tried. It doesn't eliminate my back pain, it reduces it to where it's tolerable. It's said to work by enhancing your body's natural pain-suppressing system by increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and spinal cord.

[Keith K Stone]

I'm glad it worked for you.

[Jolie]

I'm glad it worked for you. Maybe it was the depression causing the pain. You know psychological. Placebos even work for some people.

My Mom is a firm believer that when my depression acts up and especially my anxiety, my pain level is in direct correlation. I definitely agree with the anxiety, but a lot of that has to do with my whole body tensing up and knotting up my already knotty back.

[teresita]

Thank you all for your responses. After reading this and my own research, I see no solid evidence that it would help, it may help for pain in some but research even states that it may not work in all patients. So I have decided not to fill the script and save my $100 for something else.

Yesterday I saw commercials back to back, one was "depression hurts cymbalta can help" the next was the commercial about cymbalta helping with pain and the side effects it may have. The side effects they list are enough to make me sway away. But all of these prescription ads list the side effects, but the last statement in many is " and it may cause death". Yikes

[Jolie]

@teresita, it's not for everyone. DEFINITELY wasn't for me. Restless leg may not be the worst/most dangerous side effect but it sure was annoying as hell and not being able to sleep in a bed with my bf (now fiance) because I had to kick around every two seconds after just moving in was a real mood killer. Plus it meant being on another med. At this point it's just adding to the list but my body can only take so much.

On the other hand, my friend's mom with fibro (not the one with multiple personalities and fibro that got kicked out of PM for those who know me) says it helps. However, that could be the diluadid and perc she is prescribed.

[mustang]

I recently tried Cymbalta @ 30mg day for 30 days then up to 60mg a day for three weeks until I couldn't ake it any longer.

Horrible headaches, nausea, insomnia, agitation and seemed to increase my pain levels.

Coming off it was a hell withdrawal. I used Prozac to taper off and it was still extremely unpleasant.

It is extremely expensive. From my perspective Prozac and Wellbutrin are a much more attractive option and actually seem to work better at least IMHO.

[gotpitbull]

I recently tried Cymbalta @ 30mg day for 30 days then up to 60mg a day for three weeks until I couldn't ake it any longer.

Horrible headaches, nausea, insomnia, agitation and seemed to increase my pain levels.

Coming off it was a hell withdrawal. I used Prozac to taper off and it was still extremely unpleasant.

It is extremely expensive. From my perspective Prozac and Wellbutrin are a much more attractive option and actually seem to work better at least IMHO.

same as you- after 60mg a couple days, nausea, dry mouth, almost depressed feelings, I opted to wean off. 1 tab 1 day, nothing next,1 tab, etc.. til saw doc. he said please try the 30 at least! 1 tab 1 day, nothing next,etc... I'll be telling him cymbalta doesn't help w/pain for me. Bet you that one gets pulled too. Push them on us too soon! I got a problem w/all the "new great" drugs that doc gives tons of samples of. Just stick to what works, we can afford for Pete's sake!

[lolathesweet]

Cymbalta is one of the drugs I take in the drug regimen established by my doctor. I take 60 mg and I take it in the morning when I get up. I'm over 60 with arthritus and I can say that Cymbalta does contribute some help, although not enough to those of us who suffer daily with the back, etc problems. The point I want to bring out is I believe we need professioal help to establish a regimen , and this may be an establishment requiring the input and working together with 2 or even 3 specialists to make us feel whole.

[nelladeandill]

My doctor told me (and scornfully) that Cymbalta was no better than any other anti-depressant for releiving pain.
He was so disgusted with Cymbalta, extra money for nothing is how he put it.
He seems to think any pain killing abilities people say it has is just a psychological effect.

[mustang]

I think I would tend to concur with that. Ever notice how the " IN " samples are the " best " drugs on the market. They also happen to be the most expensive and profitable. Hmmm - go figure that one out.

[redline99]

My Psychiatrist prescribed it for me for pain & depression.
Didnt work but the sweating is just gross.
I mean seriously ive never sweated as much as on cymbalta.
Unacceptable therefore i quit.

[novalentinehere]

Cymbalta must be a wonder drug. First I hear it is prescribed for depression. Then my doctor prescribes it to me as an anti-anxiety... Now I'm hearing anti-arthritis. Holy hell is this drug a fix-all or what?!

[Keith K Stone]

I'm prescribed Cymbalta, didn't do anything for my anxiety or arthritic hip.
I recently had a cortisone shot to the hip, helped very little.
Vicodin works the best for the pain, yet pain mgt. is very stingy with them, only 60 a month.
Go figure!
Wonder drug? I think not!