Any Cymbalta and/or Lyrica Users Out There?

[Elphaba]

I have Fibromyalgia. After quite a while of using the same pain killer and muscle relaxer combo, I recently saw a new doctor who prescribed Cymbalta and Lyrica to me. Is there anyone else out there (either with Fibro or without) who is taking one or both of these drugs, and can give me some advice or share their opinions with me about them? I'd really appreciate it. My doctor told me to take the Cymbalta in the morning and the Lyrica at night, but I am finding out that it might be better to take both of them at night, from what I have been reading. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[dragonfly28602]

I took cymbalta for depression. I had to stop taking it because I had an odd side effect. I yawned all. freaking. day. And it drove me bonkers. Maybe taking it a night would have been a better idea for me. I don't have any clue about treating fibromyagia with it, but it did help my depression. I just couldn't take that goofy side effect.

[carrie9142]

I have chronic joint/back pain. It isn't fibro, but is more due to my stupidly built joints.

I tried Cymbalta in the early Spring. It didn't help my pain at all, but did give me more energy in a manic sort of way. There was also a lot of change and excitement going on in my life, so I don't know if that or the Cymbalta contributed to the lifted spirits. I didn't really have any negative side effects (which is rare, as I am the side effect queen!). Ultimately, it didn't seem worth it to me and I stopped it.

I am trying out Lyrica now. Zoooombie. I am on 75 mg am/pm and am trying to titrate up to 150 x 2. I am not really sure how effective it is for me. It is a stronger derivative of Gabapentin (which worked AWESOME for me when I first started it and after 2 years has worn off. Boo.) but you can get higher concentrations with Lyrica. One of my DH's co-workers has a pharmacology PhD and did his dissertation on Lyrica. He had nothing but good things to say about it, so I am trying to stick with it but I am sleepy!!! And then can't sleep, of course :rolleyes: It seems like I have to take less painkillers, but I still definitely have pain. I have one specific joint that kills me in my lower back, and it kind of diffuses the pain all over my sacral area. ?? It is very weird. I am reserving judgment.

I haven't tried the two together, so I can't really help with that. Lyrica seems to have really great benefit to fibro patients. My dr started me off only taking Lyrica at night since it can make you sleepy. I took Cymbalta at night, but it didn't make me sleepy. I *personally* like to add one drug at a time to see if it is one drug, the other, or both that is effective. But, some drs just like to prescribe you everything they can think of at the same time! What dosage are you on? Only taking Lyrica x 1 is a very low dosage. I think you can get up to 600mg/day which is quite a bit. I would talk to your dr before you adjust how much or when you are taking your meds (which I totally don't do and just adjust mine as I see fit. I am the worst patient ever.)

How have they been working for you? Are they controlling your pain any better?

[skyblu]

I take Cymbalta for generalized chronic pain.

I can't take it at night because it jacks me up a bit, but in the mornings, it's just fine.

When I first started it, I was very slightly nauseated for a couple of days, and it does seem to decrease my appetite a bit. But nothing bothersome.

Oh, and the weird side effect I get from it (I've gotten it from other anti-depressants before) is that I get EXTREMELY vivid and realistic dreams. As in, you wake up and are disoriented for a bit because you're not sure whether something happened in real life or you just dreamed it. Odd, but not bad.

I've never tried Lyrica (too afraid of the weight gain), but I hope you find relief!