Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Hello I take 60mg Cymbalta daily and my gp just started me on 300mg gabapentin which is supposed to increase over the next few weeks. Last night I was vomiting and today I have felt dizzy sea sick nauseous etc also feel ill like I have aching joints headache etc. I am looking after two small children on my own during the week. Can anyone tell me if this is a normal reaction and how long it will last for? Thanks xx
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Well first off, 300mg is a normal starting dose. And you should be aware that lots of people have problems with the side effects, with gabapentin. (I am a bit biased here as I was one of them, so I will not say much more about that!) However there are also lots of people who take it with no problems whatsoever so I suppose it balances out, also it is cheap, you see. All the things you mention are on the list of side effects.
I would mention also that side effects are always worst when you first step up the dose, but having said that, what you are going through sounds completely horrible and out of proportion to what anyone should expect.
Could I suggest that you ring the pharmacist first thing in the morning and tell them what is happening. If they suggest that you see your GP (as I expect they will) then you can ring the surgery straight away and it will be very helpful getting an appointment, if you can say that the pharmacist has instructed you to see the GP immediately. (See, I know all the helpful tricks!)
You will possibly find that you are ok with gabentin if you have a smaller starting dose, and go up in smaller steps. But your GP will of course advise what is best for you to do.
I will just mention in passing - there is an alternative medication called pregabalin, it is much better with regard to side effects, but it costs more so GPs can be reluctant to prescribe it.
I do hope that you feel better soon.
I would mention also that side effects are always worst when you first step up the dose, but having said that, what you are going through sounds completely horrible and out of proportion to what anyone should expect.
Could I suggest that you ring the pharmacist first thing in the morning and tell them what is happening. If they suggest that you see your GP (as I expect they will) then you can ring the surgery straight away and it will be very helpful getting an appointment, if you can say that the pharmacist has instructed you to see the GP immediately. (See, I know all the helpful tricks!)
You will possibly find that you are ok with gabentin if you have a smaller starting dose, and go up in smaller steps. But your GP will of course advise what is best for you to do.
I will just mention in passing - there is an alternative medication called pregabalin, it is much better with regard to side effects, but it costs more so GPs can be reluctant to prescribe it.
I do hope that you feel better soon.
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Thanks again for your reply so helpful. I am feeling slightly better today thankfully. Will definitely speak to the doctor about the alternative and post on here. Ps the suggested final dose was 900mg twice a day and 600 once a day does this sound excessive?
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
No,this is within the normal limits for a person with PN. The maximum dose is actually 3600mg. You do have to increase very gradually though. I tried to take 800mg three times a day but I could not put up with the brain fog. For example I could not remember things or even talk properly. The words just would not come out right and people were definitely noticing. I could still feel pain although a bit less. Gabapentin does affect people differently so it could possibly help you at a lower level. It would make sense to take the largest dose at night as it does definitely help with sleeping soundly.
I have taken pregabalin also 300mg a day and it did help some. It also cased me to forget things but not as badly. I certainly slept very well. I stopped taking it so that I could see what the pain was like with neither of these gaba drugs and have my brain back. I do like to be able to think again but I also feel pain more and can't sleep as well.
Glad you are feeling better.
I have taken pregabalin also 300mg a day and it did help some. It also cased me to forget things but not as badly. I certainly slept very well. I stopped taking it so that I could see what the pain was like with neither of these gaba drugs and have my brain back. I do like to be able to think again but I also feel pain more and can't sleep as well.
Glad you are feeling better.
Diagnosed with left side PN by Dr Renney, March 2010, after over 2 years of searching for help
Left TG Surgery, Dr Ansell, August 2010, failed to relieve pain
Left TG Surgery, Dr Ansell, August 2010, failed to relieve pain
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Would just suggest - don't go to the next step up in dose until the side effects have settled down from the last step up. If that makes sense.
With gabapentin my GP wanted me to take it up to at least 1800mg and keep it there for a certain number of weeks, cannot remember how long now. It did have an effect on the pain, but for me it was not worth it for the brain fog and I could not face stepping the dose up any higher. But! - lots of people do take this with no problems, and I know we've had people taking it up to 2400 mg on here - and that's not the maximum, I know...
With gabapentin my GP wanted me to take it up to at least 1800mg and keep it there for a certain number of weeks, cannot remember how long now. It did have an effect on the pain, but for me it was not worth it for the brain fog and I could not face stepping the dose up any higher. But! - lots of people do take this with no problems, and I know we've had people taking it up to 2400 mg on here - and that's not the maximum, I know...
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Thank you again, I was meant to increase on monday but probably won't be able to because today I got sick again 
The thing is it does have an effect on the pain somewhat.
It is so hard trying to get through it when it feels like a massive hangover every everyday!
I really hope that my body gets used to it soon I think I will give another week and then ask to change
The thing is it does have an effect on the pain somewhat.
It is so hard trying to get through it when it feels like a massive hangover every everyday!
I really hope that my body gets used to it soon I think I will give another week and then ask to change
Re: Gabapentin and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
If you are feeling an effect on the pain from just 300mg then that's brilliant. You could always ask for a smaller starting dose, you know.