Cymbalta

[bella2]

Hi
I hope everyone had a great weekend. My insurance finally approved Cymbalta and I started taking it a few days ago. I don't know if it's the drug or what, but I have not felt this good in months! I have had ton of energy and hardly no pain in joints and muscles! I had a very productive weekend and even went out for a run. Am planning on running a 10k June 30. I feel like I am on top of the world. Does anyone else take this drug? Just wondering if you got results like I did. Still taking Plaq. But I don't think it has done anything yet. Just finished 1st bottle.

Thanks for listening....just wanted to share my "feel good" moment! I seem to have so few of them anymore.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Bella

[Ark mom]

Wowza!  That is wonderful news.  Let me celebrate with you!!!  I have taken Cymbalta in the past with good results, not for sjogrens, per se, since I didn't know that I had that, but it did wonders for my mood.  I really loved it.  I tried it again recently but stopped due to increased dryness in my mouth. I'm waiting for Plaquenil to kick in, too, as it has only been 2.5 months for me.  I cannot wait to get back into sports, tennis for me.  Good luck on your run! 

[quietdynamics]

Really happy to hear the Cymbalta is helping you.

I have been taking it for quite awhile and it helps with my leg/tendon pain. So I can now walk further...yeah.

You might want to monitor yourself. You are recently Dx, and started new meds.

Start a short daily journal...note symptoms and activity, possible trigger? time....a pattern may develop and this will be a valuable tool for you and your doctor. And "NO" you won't remember if you don't write it down..lol. Sometimes it may be an extra dose at dinnertime. Bedtime kept me awake. It was the only change in my diary at the time when I could not get to sleep. Each person is different.

I have a clear short 1 page chart on Word, that I keep and give the Dr. a copy. PS...it was his idea (the neurologist...now I do it for all of them 
cut and paste is my friend.)

[bella2]

Hi ark mom and quiet dynamics,
Thank you for your responses. I really appreciate it. Only us folks that hurt all the time can appreciate a good day or a few days if we are lucky.  I will take as many days as I can.  I did another short run this evening. It wasn't as good as Saturdays run but I was also tired from the weekend and it was very humid! I will keep pushing!
I really do need to keep a journal...it will be easier to share with the dr instead of trying to remember everything. Thanks for the idea.

Take care. I am sure we will chat again soon.

[Cdbhappy]

I also take cymbalta and plaquenil. The cymbalta was given for fibromyalgia pain and it definitely worked. No downside so far for me.

Glad to hear its working for you !!
CINDY

[Cindy]

So happy for you. I hope it continues to help for a long long long time

[jujubeee714]

I have always sang the praises of cymbalta!  I've been on max amount for almost 8 years now!  The first two yrs I didn't cry.  It totally evened out my "moods" and character and took the edge off my nerve pain.

I fought for it to be covered on my insurance, and have been winning that fight.  So happy you are seeing benefits.

HUGS, Julie

[deeindiana]

Wow! This is so encouraging! My fibro has me limping around like a little old lady and feeling like crap ALL the time. I saw the commercials for Cymbalta and thought about asking my rheummy if I could try it instead of my normal Zoloft, but the warnings sort of scared me. After reading this, I'm going to try to screw up my courage and try it!
Deb

[mews]

Sorry hate to be Debbie downer but it did nothing for me...just make sure you stay active, or it will put  a good 20 to 30 pounds on. I had to go on gabapentin which is my life line to a normal life.

Good luck I really hope it's the best for you!!!

Stay well Mary

[quietdynamics]

Since I have positive experience with Cymbalta I wanted to share that experience in "practical" terms. I did start taking it before I was Dx'd with SJS/Fibro for the following; and I had always been an active person out adventuring..

- pain in groin area that would literally stop me from walking.....got stuck in NYC
- could not walk the whole grocery store to shop for food
- going up a flight of stairs I used my left arm to haul my body up/ rather than push with left leg
- stumbling...and I don't drink
- slept on the couch/sofa for a year with my left leg up over the back

While I was being bounced by Medical Dr. as "Depressed" I was seeing a Nurse Practitioner/Mental Health Therapist, who had attended Columbia University Medical and NYU and taught college courses...how lucky could I be??? She eventually weaned me onto Cymbalta and works VERY closely with me. I give her copies of all tests and she reviews them. She insisted medical problem....

For me all of the above symptoms are gone.  It was not overnight and muscle atrophy/weakness in my arms and legs is evident. Stamina is only at 25%....and I am not ready to lower the bar as a point of reference (been about 4yrs), but, in real life I do...so mentally I feel I achieved my goals for the day 

I am taking the maximum dose 60mg x 2.  We did adjust to taking the 2nd dose at dinnertime; not bedtime as it interfered with the sleep med I am taking. The simple adjustment has worked out fine.   

The side effects of a med are reported to the FDA, but they are not put into a percentage. 10 or 100 people (we often do not know the number) had XYZ side effect (and to what degree?) out of how many?10,000....100,000.....1,000,000?  And then we do not know did these people give complete histories, follow directions?, keep appts?   

* I have had symptoms that I "thought" were side effects of a med....then I was later Dx'd with a new condition...so not the med. Really a quagmire, and why it is important to keep ALL Drs. updated on all drug changes including supplements/herbals and keep a diary.

Next, fear mongering news @ 10 and TV ads for lawsuits.....while WE are just hoping and praying for pharma to come up with a better treatment.

Hope this helps someone.