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Hep C Discussion Forum -> General Discussion -> anyone else taking cymbalta for fibromyalgia?
Post Info TOPIC: anyone else taking cymbalta for fibromyalgia?
Iris Dragonfly


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RE: anyone else taking cymbalta for fibromyalgia?
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So many drugs are metabolized through the liver, the rest thru the kidneys. I was prescribed the cymbalta also,(it metabolizes thru the liver) but after reading the enclosure, I decided against it.

As for Tylenol, I wouldn't use it. (acetaminophen) is the drug that can kill you if taken with alcohol, and they are finding out it isn't good for people who don't even have liver disease. Interestingly enuf my dr. gave me Tylenol with codeine after my 2nd liver biopsy (that was back in 1980), and man did that stuff make my side ache.furious Pain relief? well trade one or the other, it was weird. When they removed my gall bladder, I got Vicodin, that **** gave me the worst headache in the world!furious, but it helped the belly pain...go figure.

BB. Iris



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in the silence of the woods, you will not be alone- Chief Seattle

60 years on planet, Female, diagnosed 1978 as non-a non-b, VL 8mill+, Fibro f-1f-2, Genotype 1a, treatment naïve....UNTIL 7-01-18  !!!! started Harvoni 12 weeks. :)

4 weeks=UND, 8 weeks=UND, 12 weeks=UND (EOT= 09-23-2018)
John William


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I took the presription for Cymbalta without researching it. Comments here have made me start digging a little deeper and here are a couple of links I found interesting. Not sure if I am going to continue the prescription or ask for something a little less risky. I know that it does work for me as an AD.

http://depression.emedtv.com/cymbalta/cymbalta-side-effects.html

http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/drug_info_details.asp?brand_name_id=4033



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"my plan is to live forever.........so far so good"

Genotype 3a, started 2 X tx Aug 19/11on Rib/Peg 36 wk tx, VL <43 UND in wk 8, Enzymes were 78 now at 22.

August 31/12 alls good in the blood work!

November 5/12 SRV Obtained, YAHOO! YEEPEE!
Isiscat2011


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I just read the links provided by Becca (thank you) and permit me to correct my last post.  I was under the impression that cymbalta was used only off-label as an a-d but apparently it is specifically prescribed to treat depression as well as pain.



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
Isiscat2011


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You are right.  Sometimes docs don't know all they could about the drugs they prescribe and cymbalta is a relatively new drug.  Cymbalta is prescribed for fibromyalgia but used off label as an anti-depressant as well.

Here my experience with that: my specialist wants his pts on an A-D before beginning hep c tx so he instructed me to work that out with my primary care provider.  My pcp prescribed cymbalta but called me back straight away and apologized because he did not realize cymbalta is not good for hep c livers.  He then prescribed another a-d which gave me bad side effects and ultimately we nixed the a-d idea alltogether. 

Based on what I have read and my conversations with my doc I would not use cymbalta with a compromised liver.



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Diagnosed in 2011, Incivek triple in 2011, tx discontinued, Genotype 1a, CT, VL 7mill, cirrhosis dx in 2012, age 67, waiting for new DAAs.
DGiga


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Hi Brenda, My name is Dee. In answer to your question about the Cymbalta, I was given it for pain and depression. It was wonderful for the pain but it made me feel too groggy. All I wanted to do was lay around and sleep.  But remember now, I am not on tx anymore. It may be different for you as it was for me. But it does take away most of the pain. If I would have given it more time, maybe I would have gotten use to it and the groggy part might have gone away. My pain is in my neck, back and legs. I have 3 herniated discs in my back and 3 in my neck. By some miracle even after I stopped the Cymbalta the pain isn't as bad as it was before the Cymbalta. Don't know why but .......... Hugs Dee

I hope this helps a bit.



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Type 1b with cirrhosis. Started treatment April 9, 2010 for 48 wks. Maintained negative PCR from week 11 during tx but now I am detectable again.
                                                                                                           
John William


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Hey Brenda,

I didn't realize that the Cymbalta was also used for pain management. I have regular blood work (min monthly) and it is monitored closely for results. Over tx my enzymes have come way down and are now steady at 21. 

All sx meds have to be reviewed by my liver dr. and my General Practioner. I have no pain so can not comment on the effectivness of cymbalta with pain. I know it has helped me tremendously with depression.

Best regards,  JOhn



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"my plan is to live forever.........so far so good"

Genotype 3a, started 2 X tx Aug 19/11on Rib/Peg 36 wk tx, VL <43 UND in wk 8, Enzymes were 78 now at 22.

August 31/12 alls good in the blood work!

November 5/12 SRV Obtained, YAHOO! YEEPEE!
truredhead


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Yes I have a infectious disease doctor I keep for my hep c  treatment. It is just that some of the docs seem to say you can take certain things without really researching the results of others experiences. I still am confused whether to take tylenol or ibuphroen for pain, they seem to all have different opinions on that. Between my gastronologist and hep c doc I get a few contradictions sometimes on meds! But thks for the reply, My rheumatolgist wants me to take antidepressants for the fibro and arthritis and she is not skilled in hep c matters. So frustrating if you have other health problems!



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truredhead


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Actually I have read all the drug info about Cymbalta. Of course there is lots of drugs that give the liver disease warning. It seems to be the worse with alcohol use on the fatal side. I do not drink a drop with the hep.

 Thks for the links, but had already researched that. I know that everyone is different and I was hoping for feedback from people that had severe enough pain with fibro or osteoarthritis that the cymbalta benefits outweighed the risks.



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truredhead


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Thanks John for the feedback, I have been so miserable with the fibro aches and pains and was so afaid of the cymbalta. Have you had labs since you been taking it? I need it so badly for the low back pain. Your reply certainly make me feel better about starting it. Since I was prescribed it, the drug company has helped with the cost of it. I just kept seeing the warnings about  taking it with liver disease and it scares me. I've read it makes your enzymes go through the roof. Thks again! Brenda



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John William


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Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I am also on Cymbalta 60's and have been for 16 weeks + during my tx to help me with depression. This aide is approved by both my Gastro & GP. I find it helps tremendously with the depression and so does the rest of my family.

I found it took a couple of weeks to get used to but learned to take it in the morning with the last mouthfull of breakfast and lots of water. No problems!

Hope this helps, regards, John



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"my plan is to live forever.........so far so good"

Genotype 3a, started 2 X tx Aug 19/11on Rib/Peg 36 wk tx, VL <43 UND in wk 8, Enzymes were 78 now at 22.

August 31/12 alls good in the blood work!

November 5/12 SRV Obtained, YAHOO! YEEPEE!
BeccaJune


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Scroll down and read the part that say to discuss that says "Talk with your healthcare provider"

http://www.cymbalta.com/Pages/importantsafetyinformation.aspx

or better yet, read the prescribing information sheet

http://pi.lilly.com/us/cymbalta-pi.pdf

 

 



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Diagnosed Dec. 2008. Genotype 1b, enlarged liver.  Started triple tx with Incivek on August 12, 2011.
Lindsay


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Do you have a liver specialist that you could consult with? If not, perhaps talking with your doctor about what you've found may be helpful. I hope that your pain issues can be resolved or minimized. Best of luck to you.

Lindsay

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truredhead


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I have hepatitis C and am going through a bunch of pain with it, Doc says I can take cymbalta with hep, but I read all over the internet it can be fatal with liver disease. Sometimes I think the docs do not read the fine print you know, just wondered if any one else has fibro or arthritis and what they take for it?  I am geno 1 and F2 as of several yrs ago.



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