I'm so very sorry about the pain you are in....and I see by your posting that you probably were not getting much sleep at 5:00 a.m. I've tried both Cymbalta and Lyrica but not together. Neither helped me. The best med that took my pain away in 10 years was methadone. I know the first concern is addiction but I never had to increase my dose in all that time. The two side effects I hated was, I could fall asleep anywhere, even in a noisy room, and, it effected my memory. I already have chemo brain and fibro fog so adding another component did not help, and in my line of work, I depend on a memory for details (law enforcement). Then, last year my new pain doctor didn't like me on methadone so long and took it away. I'm now on ultram and a muscle relaxant at bedtime as needed. By accident, I discovered that using a tanning bed has made my pain level go down so much, I have never had such a good winter, before. During chemo, not only did I get fibro, but psoriasis. As part of my skin treatment I started using the tanning bed and accidently discovered this benefit for fibro. I googled it and found there are some studies on it, where some people have benefited. As you know, everyone is so different. Taking vitamin D nor laying in the sun has the same benefit as the tanning bed. Perhaps you can try it just to see if you get any relief. Prayers to you!
Hi Carol Remember it’s a long road to relief and to never give up. I’ve had FM for many years and now find stretching ex and very light gym work helps. I take cymbalta and an anti-inflammatory, vit D and 4 strong fish oil and CoQ10 and potassium each day. Life is so much better now. Good luck dear Carol hugs Mary Michelon
Hi , I have just gone through withdrawal symptoms from lycria , I was on them for two years but then I had oedeama and was also in hospital due to anephlectic shock.
it wasnt very nice , I was constantly in discomfort on top of everything else.
it has taken a few we3ks to get the lycria out of my system .
it took the edge of slightly still flared the same though. Everyone 's body reacts differently , sending big hugs , hope they ease your pain x
I take both Lyrica and Cymbalta. I think the cymbalta has truly helped me. The Lyrica I am not so sure about, but because I started both at around the same time (the cymbalta was first, however, and within a few weeks I did start to feel better) it's hard to know if just the cymbalta is what works or the combo. I am only on 100mg of lyrica per day. My doctor did try to increase it at one point and I immediately started having weird vision issues and that was only by up-ing it to 100mg from the 150. For me, the lower dose is ok. Overall, by taking these meds my pain and weird nerve issues has been reduced by at least 80-90%. I still get flare ups however. But, the medication is DEFINITELY work taking or at least trying.
Hi Carol
Myself and my son are on lyrica and have fpund it very useful. It takes the edge off and you can do things. But we take pain killers to.
Hope this is helpful
I am currently taking 200mg Lyrica and 60mg Cymbalta daily. I have been on this combination for 2 years and I would say it helps a lot with my pain. I am also on 10mg amytriptylline and .25 mg zanax to help with sleep. I have Fibromyalgia, GAD, IBS and hypertension. It seems like a lot of meds but it does help me sleep and stay pretty active daily. My biggest side effects are weight gain, memory problems and brain zaps. Speaking of which, does anyone else have brain zaps? When I mentioned them to my PCP she shrugged it off and said she'd never heard of them.
I don't know if any of these side effects are caused by the meds or the fibromyalgia. I would try a low dose to start with and see if it helps. It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust and everyone reacts differently, so you won't know if you don't try.
I have only tried Cymbalta. I'm on 120mg. It doesn't help with my pain or depression. I'm transitioning to a rheumy from my gp. Neither one will take me off the Cymbalta until I see a psychiatrist for the depression. In the mean time I'm in pain and hating life. So helpful. I can't take myself of it. If I miss 3 doses, I have brain zaps and feel like I'm falling over. The rheumy has got me on tramadol er 100 twice a day. It helps with the creepy, crawly feeling I get. That is a huge help. I prefer the pain over wanting to rip my skin off. I think Lyrica is our next step.
Oh my gosh...you dear thing you. I've been on lyrica by itself, but not with Cymbalta. Lyrica didn't do anything for me but I'm now on gabapentin and meloxicam, in addition to Zoloft, lamictal and abilify as well as flexeril for muscle spasms. Lots of pills, but I think the gabapentin/meloxicam combo is helping.
Let us know how it turns out...we're here to support you!
I have been on cymbalta for two years. It helps with my sadness (which is directly related to feeling pain and exuastion all the time). On 120 mg but it doesn’t help me with pain. Just started lyrics in addition to cymbalta. First @ 75 mg worked great 1st 3 weeks then not so much increased by Dr to 100 mg same effective for few weeks now having pain again. I am resistant to taking large dose and cannot take this medication when working. I am a nurse and need to stay as sharp as possible mentally. I can go up in dose at bedtime but afraid of dependence and tolerance . not sleeping well anymore either. Was afraid to take lyrics at all but have not had any side effects. Everyone responds differently. Overall it had helped with no side effects for me. Just wish effectiveness would remain the same.
I just recently met with my doctor and we have been trying Lyrica and Cymbalta together and it does seem like it is helping the pain. I do have many side effects which are less than pleasant but I had to decide if I wanted to have less pain or less side effects. I still have some flare ups but the pain is generally much better. If I can lose the water weight that I have gained as well as the extra fat pounds that would be the best. I am still working through the side effects at this point and hope that down the road they will diminish some. I know your question is from last year but I wanted to chime in since I just barely have been using both meds at the same time. Maybe it will help someone else that may read these posts. Hope you are having less pain at this point. Hang in there…
I have been on Savella, and Lexapro. I also have Lupus, Sarcoidosis, + others things I won’t go into. About 2 weeks ago I started weaning myself off of the Lexapro, because of the cost. I take Plaquenil, and during flare ups I take steroids, Tramadol, as needed. To help me sleep I take Flexeril. When the weather changes it triggers migraines. I really don’t think anything helps a lot. The medicine helps it to bearable. I get Remicade infusions for the Sarcoidosis.