6/16/08 People with fibromyalgia who haven’t responded well to other treatments now have another option. Duloxetine HCl (Cymbalta) became the second fibromyalgia drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on data from approximately 1,400 patients in five drug studies.
In clinical trials for patients with fibromyalgia, Cymbalta significantly eased pain. Those who were treated with 60 mg or 120 mg of the fibromyalgia drug daily experienced greater reductions in the severity of their pain one week after starting medication compared to those taking placebo. After three months, patients treated with Cymbalta showed significant reduction in pain as well as improvement in Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scores – based on a questionnaire designed to measure how the patient has felt overall since beginning to take the medication – compared with patients taking placebo.
Cymbalta is the first in a class of medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors proven to reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia. Although its precise mechanism for pain relief is not well understood, experts believe it increases the activity of two naturally occurring substances, serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain and spinal cord. The substances are believed to mediate mood and regulate pain perception.
Fibromyalgia is the second pain indication for Cymbalta. Previously, Duloxetine HCl received approval for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. It is also approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
In 2007, the anti-seizure medication pregablin (Lyrica) became the first FDA-approved fibromyalgia drug.


































I'm truly sorry you have fibro. It's not easy, but I am now drug free and feel better for it. Take care.
Thankyou
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeq4gSfMXdo
I hate for this to happen to anyone else.
And yet everyday someone else puts tha first pill in their mouth and swallows. It makes me want to cry.
Because I am a medication controlled Diabetic, I cannot take any Cortisone drugs. I also have degenerated discs in my back, so, I do take a combination of prescription pain medications. I am in a quandry as to what else to try. LYRICA has soooo many side effects. I am really leery about trying that.
What over te counter could possibly help?? And, you can forget about the Miracle pill ALEVE. What a joke.
Thank you for your input. I have noticed some of these side effects from 60mgs. I am not going to up the dosage, and am going to start looking for alternatives. This is for my 18 yr old daughter who is planning to go off to college in the fall. Do you, or anyone else have some alternatives that have worked for you?
No bashing here of any pharmaceutical company, or their medications, for what doesn't work for one, may work wonders for someone else, we are all different. God only know's, I have tried them all. Yes, at times I've felt much like the designated ginny pig, reporting for work. But, when you are desperate to feel better, for just one day, that's the chance we must take. I am currently taking 60 cymbalta and 60 XR Adderrall for the Fog that presents the inability to focus, it has helped me complete tasks. And I thank God, that I have a physician who threats me with respect, allows me to keep some self dignity, when asking for pain meds. I am convinced that without them, all the lyrica, cymbalta, etc., alone, would not do it for me. Be careful of inevitable stress in your life, eat well, get sleep, whenever, naps help, if you can get one. I sleep with a heating pad or microwavable heating bags, even in 90 degree weather. Acupuncture has helped me tremendously manage my pain, as does massages. Although very expensive and I know not everyone has the luxury of such services. If I cut down on Hair, nails and some grocery purchases, and instead put towards Acupt & massage- my days seem better. But all this being said, I must be honest, as much as I'd like to go back to work. I could not do that to any employer unless he or she knew the severity of flare ups that would keep me from doing the job that I was hired. How fair would that be? So for all you,to whom are fortunate enough to have understanding bosses, remember to thank them! Otherwise, you left at the mercy of Social Security Judges that will decide you fate. Thank God, for now I am able to still meet each morning with hope for a pain free day. If not, I know that things in my life could be a lot worse. Just look around and see what others deal with day in and day out! God Bless us all!
Many doctors only know what drug reps tell them about drugs. I read that Eli Lilly made six billion dollars on Cymbalta last year.
I am sorry I ever took that first pill! It has changed my life forever.
I have two questions. Do you take your meds two times a day, and if you do, at what times? Also, does Cymbalta make you tired?
Thanks,
Nancy
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I just started Cymbalta last week. My old anti-depressants stopped working. I talked with my doc about the side effects of Cymbalta and he said that I won't know until I try it. I told him I had heard nightmare stories about the drug...and he asked if I had been on the internet again. He said that most patients who have had problems with it was because the went off the drug cold turkey.
However, I will try it anyway even if it lessens my use of pain meds and helps with the depression and fatigue. I can't use anti-inflammatories because I have gastric ulcers and IBS. I think the fatigue is the worst symptom for me because I have always been a very active person.
My rheumatologist put be on Neurontin and a new anti-inflammatory called Arthotec. Arthotec was developed for people with GI systems like mine. It has an awful side-effect, it makes you very nauseous, even with food. He warned me it would do this, I tried it and then quit, but he wants me to continue. He also did shots in the skull and shoulders which helped for awhile.
So, my next plan of attack is the nutritional side, we'll see what happens!
Hang in there folks!
I've actually lost weight because I am so much more active now. My doctor sent me to physical therapy to learn some stretching exercises. She also gave me Celexa (anti-inflammatory) to help me adjust to the significantly higher activity level.
It's only been a few weeks since the Cymbalta kicked in but I feel like I have my life back.
I find the sweating a pain but I live most of the year in Florida and mostly use the 'humidity' as a disguise. lol I wish I could find a cure for the itching. I am wondering if an increase in dosage, I am on 60 mg once a day, would help. May check in with my DR and ask. Good luck to all. JUDY
I was diagnosed with post viral fatigue syndrome after having shingles. I seem to be prone to the virus as I have had the chicken pox and ramsay hunt syndrome in the last 2 years.
possible immune problem but has never been discussed seriously with doctor.
Anyway the muscle pain, extreme stiffness, heavy body lethargy and total mental fog making it hard to thinks were predominant.
I also had stomach problems and now have IBS.
I had headaches for days on end. I had excessive sweating, mainly to the head. The breathlessness can be quite distressing, getting stuck on the stairs makes me feel like an old woman, I am only 45.
Some days I would lie in my bed after waking and not be able to move, my whole body felt numb. I was also a bit weepy at times, felt like I was losing control of my emotions.
Any form of activity would leave me feeling like I had been kicked repeatedly by a horse for about 4 days before the pain would ease of a bit.
Anyway my doctor put me on duloxitine to try and deal with the pain and because I was running to the toilet up to 27 times a day indicating bladder problems just to add to the fun!
Started on 80mg daily which made no difference to the pain. The sweating is a nightmare, but I lost half a stone because I just didn't feel hungry
To try and combat the pain and fatigue he upped my dose and I have now been on 120mg daily for 12 weeks and finally I am getting a bit of relief, I only go to toilet about 15 times now! The headaches are gone and the fatigue has lifted a little bit. The downside is the pain hasn't been relieved at all. I have gained weight as the dosage has gone up, 14stone now, was 11 1/2 before.
The seritonin has improved my mood though.
Still sweating at the drop of a hat, very slow on my feet with little stamina.
I have lived with the pain for 2 years now with no real pain relief out of a bottle.
I have to stop on the hill I live on 3 times to stop my out of control breathing, it is close to hyperventilating, bit scary!
The last time I saw the doc, he said he didn't know what to do with me so doesn't bode well.
having read the posts here, I think I will ask to be taken off duloxitine and put on a separate anti depressant and ask to be refered to urology for the water works.
I don't like being the weight I am now and still having the sweating, pain and stiffness, I see no point on staying on it.
My Doctor is asking me to try Cymbalta and I to struggle with the weight issue, I have lost some to have it put on again, I don't know about that.
I'm curious as to why you stopped taking the Cymbalta? I understand and am very aware of the issues that usually come with stopping an antidepressant as I have personal experience with it as well. However, I mad a choice to stop taking the antidepressant (Zoloft) due to a side effect I could no longer deal with. Anyway, that was about 12 yrs ago and it was not prescribed for pain as I did not suffer with pain or fibromyalgia until after a car accident in Nov'04. I'm simply agreeing that withdrawals and the possible side effects from them are often not thoroughly discussed at the time of prescribing these kinds of meds to patience, etc. That said, I guess I’m also not just wondering why you chose to stop taking the Cymbalta after 3 yrs of use (most especially if it was benefiting you), but I also wonder if it’s possible you may not have been weaned off the medication properly? I was weaned off of the Zoloft accordingly, that was not an issue, but I still experienced withdrawal symptoms that I would have much rather done without; so I do feel your pain, only my withdrawal symptoms improved over a 3-4 mth period and never gave me trouble again. I’m sorry to hear that yours have persisted for so long.
My second question is a general one to all. Has anyone experienced weight gain after starting Cymbalta treatment for fibromyalgia? That is my BIGGEST fear. I struggled through most of my 20's with a serious weight problem (standing 5’4 in height and fluctuating between 185-220 lbs) but had lost the excess weight over a 2 yr period then maintained a weight of 122-127 lbs throughout most of my 30's (I’m now 39) with exercise and diet. However, in the last 18 mths I've gained 22 lbs due to a 2nd car accident which seems to have made my fibro. symptoms more bothersome than before, most especially my fatigue and the pain I experience in my arms and lower back. I am very upset and frustrated by this weight gain and absolutely will NOT be able to endure that kind of side effect...the extra 20 lbs on my body is already making the pain in my back, hips and legs, worse. Weight gain is not a side effect I’m prepared to deal with and accept.
This now brings me to my last question. For those of you currently taking Cymbalta and benefiting significantly from it, would you say that the pain and fatigue has improved enough that you’re able to begin and maintain a more regular workout regimen? I don’t mean heavy weights and going fitness crazy, but I very much like the thought and hope of being able to start walking longer distances and/or at a faster pace more regularly (w/hope of losing my recent weight gain). If anyone can answer my questions, please let me know.
Sincerely yours,
Lorie
Even after you quit cymbalta & still having problems 3 yrs later is a huge red flag. If you don't ever want to experience this you must be on for life which means you can kiss sleep away. I only get to sleep 2 hrs a night if I'm lucky so thats about 12 hrs a week. Very dangerous. I'm just trying to help. I was put on cymbalta for fibro & depression for 3yrs. Still suffering & have additional symptoms & problems because of it.
Cymbalta has ruined my life. Depression hurts, CYMBALTA hurts more.
The only down side to the cymbalta-excessive sweating of my face and head. It is terrible. If it is at all warm or humid..I have sweat dripping off of me. If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do about that, please let me know. It is embarrasing and uncomfortable. I take 30 mg a day...can't imagine if I took a higher dose.
To my fellow RA and FM sufferers...hang in there and keep smiling thru the pain....and never give in or give up...on the days you don't feel like it, get up anyway, take a shower, put on your lipstick and go out somewhere..even if it is to walk in the neighborhood..got to the store or mall and windowshop..just get up and move...and never, never give in to these diseases.
I am on my tenth year of a Fibro diagnosis.
Since I began taking Cymbalta, I have noticed a considerable reduction in pain, Fatigue, and fog.
Since I have been on antidepressents for ten years, I was surprised to learn that Cymbalta boosted the neurotransmitters (serotonin et al).
Sleep is still a problem, but that is nothing new.
Any info on sleep would be appreciated.
I couldn't walk and I couldn't use my hands. Well, of course, I stopped the drug immediately. I was free of pain but wouldn't be able to function in my daily life!
I am a fellow fibromalgia patient and also have PSA arthritis, with Psoriasis diagnosed at age 8 years old. Back then, all dermatologists treatment consisted of coal tar ointment and photosynthesis or sun light treatment. No one knew there would be other problems to tend to when the Psoriasis becomes dormant or in my case went inward and affected my joints. I remember my knees being covered with large white patches, that resembled someone kneeling in "flour". I have painful knees now and also the affects of muscle weakness and severe muscle cramps to legs and lower back during the night. I am a nurse and work 7 on and 7 off, which keeps me on my feet. I know I must continue to walk and be active or I have a severely painful day. I have been taking the Humaria SQ injections every two weeks and give them myself. I also take Ultram ER and occasional arthritis strength Tylenol 1 every 4-6 hrs. and not more than 4/day.I have also been placed on Cymbalta and find it to be very effective in assisting the "break through" pain and depressive side of the disease which is manageable. I also take Skelexia when I havee the muscle spasms. It does not last as long as the narcotics, but are much safer and I function well while working and still having to take the medication. Being a nurse I know only too well how someone can become addicted to pain pills, even for a short time. People be aware that pain medication was originally designed for short term use. Now with the "Chronic Pain" patients. and fibromyalgia sufferrers, they have become first choice. Exercise is also the key to good coordination and muscle strength.A good nutritious diet will continue to provide the protein muscles need to stay healthly.Keep on working you guys,
Very truely yours,
Teresa M. Smith RN/CCM
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