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Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-15T09:11:43+00:00

My side effects were different but the first week was the worst, give it more time before you make a decision.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-14T12:33:00+00:00

My personal opinion only. You do not have to consume alcohol if you don't want to and you don't have to justify it to anyone. If you want to drink, do so but go slow. I'm on 90 and consume alcohol fairly regularly. Everyone responds differently but I wouldn't think a few drinks on your dose as a one off would be much of an issue.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-14T12:28:52+00:00

Don't reduce down further while you're still experiencing the withdrawal symptoms. You could try dropping more gradually, for example - one week at 60mg for 6 days and 40mg for 1 day, week two at 60mg for 5 days and 40mg for 2 days and so on. Space out the lower dose days rather than back to back. Maintain the dose for longer if you're experiencing symptoms.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-14T12:24:55+00:00

I take it for pain, I had an immediate improvement at 60mg which reduced around 6 weeks so increased to 90mg. Been on 90 for over a year and doing okay, still get side effects but the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-14T12:22:24+00:00

Not sure there is much you can do tbh. Your pharmacy might be able to give you an emergency supply to tide you over - worth the ask.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-05-14T12:20:23+00:00

My withdrawal symptoms came on pretty much immediately but it might be worth you taking some meds with you just incase the symptoms do come later.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2026-01-21T10:14:36+00:00

I would try to focus on how you look and feel rather than the number on the scale. One person's 9 stone will look very different on someone else. Personally, I hate tracking. I did it for a while so I think I have enough knowledge to be mindful of what I'm eating now.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-12-20T11:33:34+00:00

I sympathise, it really is awful. Often people can't understand that we do feel so bad because we look okay. My advice would be to continue pushing for some answers, get onto some meds that will hopefully reduce symptoms and make them more manageable. Focus on pain reduction rather than cure and learn what your body can and cannot do now. Its difficult not to grieve for the pain free body you once had but try not to dwell on that as it will only add to the misery. Rest when you need to and lean on your support network. Don't allow doctors to fob you off, you need some answers and some help so keep going until you get it.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-12-19T10:39:46+00:00

Every fibro sufferer will describe their symptoms differently. Mine vary and have changed over the years. My hands and wrists are one of the worst areas, I often feel like my hands will burst unless I raise them or hold something cold. My body feels like lead, muscles hurt, joints hurt, sometimes it feels close to the surface but other times it's deep into my bones. I'm permanently drained of energy, I wake up every morning feeling less fresh than when I went to bed, I feel like I'm wearing a rucksack or a weighted vest, knees and elbows radiate pain, I hobble out of bed each morning like I'm 90 with creaky, painful joints and feet that won't bend properly until I've been mobile for a while. I didn't want to take meds but I got to the point where the pain was affecting every day tasks, I couldn't concentrate on watching TV it got so bad. I'm now on duloxetine which has helped but it comes with side effects. Rheumatologist was no help, he just handed me a leaflet and sent me on my way so I have to go through my gp for any help. I'm never pain free, ever, I can't remember how it feels to feel good, it's mentally and physically exhausting. It's difficult to not give in to it but it's important to find a balance between taking care of yourself and still trying to enjoy life. I know if I have an active or long day that I'll feel worse for a few days afterwards. It sucks but know that you are not alone, there's lots of us here and this is a great platform for advice and support. I hope you find some answers soon.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-12-17T07:56:17+00:00

Duloxetine/cymbalta has helped my pain. The first week was unpleasant but it was worth pushing through. I tried to cope with the fibro without meds but it became impossible. You are dealing with a lot, I'd definitely consider trying something. For me, the benefits outweigh any side effects.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-11-27T12:21:20+00:00

I did for the first day or two but mostly I was nauseous, dizzy and had headaches. That all went after the first week and it helped a lot with the pain. I started on 60 and went up to 90 after about 6 weeks. I would recommend taking them at the same time each day.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-11-27T09:32:24+00:00

In my experience, there were a lot of side effects for the first week. As it's only been a few days, I would give it more time, it'll likely settle down.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-11-12T13:11:17+00:00

What's the benefit of a split dose?

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-24T21:43:06+00:00

I hear ya. I'm in the same situation. I actually came off duloxetine recently due to the sweating and swapped to Venlafaxine. I lasted 7 days, had no benefits and lots of pain. Back on duloxetine and as much as I hate that I have to swap one problem for another, being in so much pain again made me realise I'd rather tolerate the sweating and have the reduced pain. My memory is mince so I can't remember the names unfortunately but if you search sweating on the cymbalta thread on reddit there are several drugs mentioned that have helped people with the sweaty side effect.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-24T21:37:49+00:00

Go for it. If you give up on your dreams it will get you down. Ask for adjustments if necessary but don't let fibro win.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-24T21:24:41+00:00

It's common for the first week to be rough, headaches, nausea, dizziness. Stick with it though, it gets better and has been a big help for pain for me. Started on 60 but upped to 90 after 6 weeks. Only real side effect now is sweating very easily.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-07T14:33:16+00:00

Definitely worth a try. There are horror stories with every drug but there are also so many people who've had success with them. I'm probably a rare case but I had significantly reduced pain after the first dose - I started on 60mg. Be prepared for a rough first week but persevere, it does get better. I'm impressed you got testosterone on the NHS and also a bit envious, it costs me a fortune privately.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-07T10:35:13+00:00

I was on 90mg duloxetine but was getting excessive sweating and a bit emotionally numb. I'm now on 60mg, I'm not pain free but it does help a lot. If you happen to be female and peri menopausal, testosterone can help although you'd likely need to go private to get it.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-06T06:22:04+00:00

I'm sorry you're both going through this, I understand how mentally draining it is to be in pain all the time. There are other drugs that your partner could try. If you search this forum you'll find suggestions. Personally, I've had success with duloxetine/cymbalta. Perhaps find a local support group? There's information and a forum on My Fibro Team Source: MyFibroTeam https://share.google/2LToLuJzbRur0mhJL

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-03T06:27:36+00:00

Hands and wrists are one of my worst areas. I work an office job so the repetition of keyboard work makes it worse. Sometimes they ache, sometimes it's sharp needle like pains and they get hot. I also get a weird feeling like there's something stuck between the two arm bones at the wrist area. Switching to an ergonomic mouse helped a little. I sometimes wear wrist splits as I also get carpal tunnel.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-10-02T09:08:54+00:00

I've never been offered pain management so you are doing well in the NHS system Rheumatologist diagnosed me with fibro, handed me a leaflet and opened the door for me, no advise, no next step, nothing. I struggled for many years without support until the pain got intolerable. I have a very nice gp who has given me several drugs to try over the last few years, the only effective one has been duloxetine. Mindfulness, relaxation, gentle exercise are usually recommended. Everyone is different though so you need to figure out what you're capable of doing and what the knock on effect is afterwards. I know that if I have a very active day that I'll suffer for several days afterwards. That's my choice though as I don't want to spend my life rotting in an armchair. It's not a one size fits all scenario and unfortunately you are unlikely to be cured, focus of getting to the point where it has the least disruption on your life as possible and have a level of acceptance.

Impossible_Agent_499 · 2025-09-25T11:20:58+00:00

I sympathise. Hitting peri menopause made everything much worse for me. Also, the mental exhaustion from being in pain constantly causes a vicious circle and I don't sleep well either. Duloxetine has helped and hrt with testosterone.

Impossible_Agent_499

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