Cymbalta?

[stefanies]

I spoke to my nuero today and we (she) decided to try Cymbalta for the atypical TN pain. I was pushing for Wellbutrin b/c I've been reading about it, but she said she didn't know about it helping nerve pain. The pain doctor was pushing Elavil, but I refused due to the side effects. My neuro understood and recommended this drug.
She has to check to see if I can take it b/c I have another neuro issue, but I'll talk to her tomorrow and hopefullly pick it up tomorrow night.
Any experience with this? It's rather new....
Stefanie

[Jill1004]

Hi Stefanie,

I am taking Cymbalta for occiptal neuralgia and have been on it for about 7 weeks now. I started off with one (30 mg) capsule each night, and after a week was taking two for a total of 60 mg. I usually take it about 10:30 or 11 pm and it makes me incredibly sleepy within an hour. Once I am asleep I sleep rather soundly for 3-4 hours, then I'm back to my rather shoddy sleep patterns. (I have cervical spine issues and had surgery almost a year ago, so my sleep has been awful for about a year and a half).

The med has helped to relieve the constant "vice like" pressure I've had around my head, but not so much the shooting pain. The side effects I experienced were an AWFUL dry mouth for the first 2-3 weeks, nausea for the first week, and loss of orgasm (hope that doesn't offend anyone) for the first month. Once my body acclimated itself to the drug, everything subsided. It is a pricey med ($267/mo)... so hopefully you have a good prescription plan (thankfully, I do!).

Good luck to you! Let me know if you have any more questions.

[IRead2]

Hi Stefanie,
I'm usually a lurker/wallflower/shadow mostly because I don't have TN. I have AFP or trigeminal neuropathic pain (aching, burning, pulling, tingling pain but no sharp stabs). I began taking Cymbalta (30 mg) 6 weeks ago in addition to 2400 mg of Neurontin. The first day I was quite nauseated, but the nausea was totally gone within a week. The 30 mg makes me feel as if I just had a double espresso. When I took it at night, I didn't sleep well so I've been taking it in the mornings. Yesterday my neuro lowered my dose to 20 mg to try to get rid of the jitters.

So far I haven't had any breakthrough pain, but I also haven't had any major stress, which is what usually lays me low. (I'm not complaining!) As you might expect from an antidepressant, I also feel much more cheerful (not complaining about this side effect either). I hope this med works for us.
Pat

[ella138]

Hi Stef
i have nothing to add about the Cymbalta, but I just wanted to say something about the Wellbutrin. I have a close friend on that drug (amongst other ones) who takes it for Bi Polar and she is having a h*ll of a time getting off of it. They have even considered putting her into the hospital in a detox program to get her off of that drug. Glad you are trying something else first. Hope it works.

[IRead2]

P.S.---I don't mean to mislead you. I'm not saying I don't have discomfort. A certain amount of discomfort, numbness, tingling is always with me. So far with the Neurontin and Cymbalta I'm able to ignore the discomfort and go about my normal life. We'll see what happens when all heck breaks loose; meanwhile, I'm enjoying the peace. Pat

[stefanies]

The Wellbutrin I wanted to take b/c it has less side effects than the Elavil. But the Cymbalta seems ok. The dr is going to call me back today. I have Myasthenia Gravis as well, and she has to make sure I can still take it.
My mom is on Wellbutrin and loves it. I was on Zoloft for 10 years and took my time coming off. I really didn't have any issues. A few, but nothing that was too hard to deal with. And I was on that for 1/3 of my life at the time.
I won't be on Cymbaltra for long due to a pregnancy someday...I hope!
I don't have the zaps much anymore thanks to my wonderful MVD, but the achy/pushing atypical TN is where I need the help. If it helps with the ON, then that is good as well. As long as something helps for crying out loud!! LOL I'll give this one a try.
I do have great insurance, so I assume it won't be an issue, but you never know! Thanks for the head's up! :) You people are fab!
And I'm already on ant-nausea pills each day, I hope it's not too bad! (another plug for Zofran!)

[karenina]

Hi Stef,

I was prescribed Wellbutrin for depression because of the adrenalin rush it gives one and as a result masks the depression to a certain extent. Somehow though with more energy, induced by W, one seems to land onesself into stressfull situation more often, which again could be a trigger for TN.

Good hunting for your potion
Thinking of you
Karenina

[KIMMERS]

Hi there,

I have been on Cymbalta for several months and never had a side effect. Before the Cymbalta, I was on Effexor XR. These were prescribed to help with pain. I take them with trileptal. To be honest, I'm not sure if it works for the pain or not. I have 2 neuro-stimulators that I use to help when I have horrible pain. Medication has never really helped me that much. There are times I would love to stop taking all my meds but my dr. said that I could have worse pain and it could take longer to get it under control. I do know that the Cymbalta helps with my depression. I am really never depressed anymore. Sometimes I wonder how I hold it together. I truely believe it's a combination of the Cymbalta and having an excellent Dr.

I hope it works for you without too many side effects.

Kim