Just been prescribed duloxetine

[Angelmonkey]

After a discussion with a doctor, I have been prescribed duloxetine for anxiety, depression and fibromyalgia. I have never taken anti-depressants before. Has anyone taken this medication before? Are there side effects?

Hi. There can potentially be side effects, but they can and do wear off if you persevere with the course of treatment. Duloxetine is good for pain as well so hopefully you will get benefit from it for your fibromyalgia as well as mental health. It does take a while to feel a benefit from drugs like this, I take venlafaxine which is similar and it was about 8 weeks before there was a definite perceptible improvement. Good luck.

Duloxetine always worked really well for me, and after the initial month i didnt have any side effects.

Does anyone know if this drug is better or worse than amitriptyline? I have been offered amitriptyline for nerve pain recently and the reports of tiredness really put me off trying it! Sorry to hijack, op!

I think most AD’s have a tiredness effect on taking them.
amitriptyline Is supposed to be helpful with nerve pain, your probably only on a low dose anyway

With AD’s everyone is unique
There’s 2 in the ssri group duloxetine & venlafaxine so both very similar
As said, if you haven’t taken ad’s before
They do take anything I’d say from 4-12 weeks to kick in properly
You may feel nauseous, so take med with food at the same time everyday.
Your anxiety may heighten, appetite may go just for a while.
BUT everyone is different, and they do eventually settle in time.

What I would say is
Don’t let the gp push you to up it to the next dose to quick( they have tendency to do this)
Give it at least 6 weeks on starting dose.

I’m on venlafaxine

@EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide I have had amitriptyline in the past, I was started on about 10mgs which gave me a nice sleep. Gradually worked up to 150mg and it was difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I was on it for sciatica and it really helped with the pain.

@Iamnotmad thank you for that, I was given it for sciatica and I was told it was a very low dose, I did not even try it but every time my sciatica flares up (right now!) I am so tempted. Just really can't function when I'm tired though as I've got three young children. I suppose trying it is the only way to find out! Did the low dose help you initially?

@EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide iirc it took a few weeks to take effect but yes it did help. It was kind of like I felt less troubled by the pain, if that makes sense. In my case amitriptyline was way more effective than gabapentin or pregabalin for sciatica which are the alternatives.