Cymbalta anyone?

I obviously have too many "specialists" because they are all telling me what the other ones should be doing, LOL! Yesterday my pain Dr told me that my depression person should have me on Cymbalta. What my question is can I take it? I know that it is an anti-depressant that is also helpful with pain issues like mine. I can't figure out if there is an NSAID component in it. It says not to take it with NSAID's without your doctors approval. My pain doctor doesn't seem to remember visit to visit that NSAID's are out and I didn't say it again. He is moving to California in a couple of months so I am switching doctors anyway.

It makes me wonder why I haven't tried it before..... I go to my depression person on Wednesday, but I thought that I would ask here before then.

Thanks, Martha 

I was on cymbalta last summer for pain issues (before my RNY). I have an extreme sensitivity to NSAIDs as it triggers asthma, so I'm pretty certain it does not contain NSAIDs. Unfortunately I did not have good luck with it from a pain standpoint. It also made me extremely dizzy and I discontinued it after 3 weeks or so. Good luck.

Thanks Bella,

It sounds like it might be worth a try!

Martha 

No, it's not an NSAIDS. It's an antidepressant.  I actually just started taking it last week and so far it's making me really nauseous.  I'm hoping that side effect goes away soon or I may have to stop taking it.  I feel like I have all day  morning sickness or something, and I swear I am not pregnant!  It is supposed to help with pain, which is the main reason I let my doctor talk me into trying it.

That's the reason that it interests me; helping with the pain AND depression too. I might give it a whirl and see if it helps.

Thanks Kelly 

I have been on Cymbalta since 2004 when it was first released for use for depression (I know 9 years is a long time!).  Cymbalta has been life changing for me.  I have depression and anxiety and it is well controlled with the Cymbalta.  I do remember that I had a lot of nausea the first few week but that dissipated after awhile (my doc had me start taking the Cymbalta at night instead of in the morning).  Originally, when Cymbalta was prescribed for me it was only used for depression.  I do have chronic knee pain (my doc won't do a total knee replacement before 50) so I can't even imagine how bad the pain would be without the Cymbalta.  

I will caution you this though...twice I tried to stop taking Cymbalta with the assistance of my doc titrating the dose down.  I tried to stop taking it because one time I lost my insurance when I was laid off and one time my insurance changed and wouldn't cover it.  Cymbalta has horrific withdrawal symptoms (google Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome).  I've taken many antidepressants in my life but I have to say Cymbalta is worst to try to stop.  I couldn't do it.  The first time I tried to stop and couldn't (was trying to switch to a cheaper antidepressant because Cymbalta is over $300 without insurance) my doc ended up making sure I had enough samples to get by.  The second time I tried to stop Cymbalta my doc didn't have enough samples every month so I ended up buying my Cymbalta from a Canadian pharmacy.  

I haven't had any issues with my Cymbalta since RNY last August.  

Hope this helps!

Sonja

Yes, that does help. Thank you very much! Do you mind me asking what dose you are on?

I am on one 60 mg pill at night which is the normal therapeutic dose.  They typically start you on a lower dose and work you up to the higher dose (I used to be a supervisor at a mental health agency).  

Wow! I can't believe it's been that long! I started it shortly after it came out, too.

I know Katie!  I can't believe I've been on a med for 9 years!!  I do so well with it they will have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands when I croak!