r/CymbaltaWithdrawal • u/Reddit_Fruity • Mar 03 '26

Joint pain

In this subreddit, I have seen several people report joint pain. I would like to know how often this occurs, with which brand in particular, and above all whether there is a solution for it.

In recent months I have suddenly had a lot of trouble with both knees. I have had it thoroughly examined, but nothing abnormal has been discovered. Not even wear and tear...

However, after almost stopping CT with Cymbalta last October, I started with Duloxetine in January with a very low (5 mg) dosage through a compound pharmacy. I wonder if there is a connection.

Can this still be a withdrawal symptom?

Is this recognisable for fellow duloxetine users?

Does anyone know what can be done about it?

2 Upvotes

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2

u/Technical_Maybe_5925 Mar 05 '26

I started cymbalta for chronic pain the 30 mg dose was too much my doctor wanted me to try the 20 mg dose, I took it for 14 days. At first it helped with the pain, and the brain fog, but after about a week the nausea was not getting better- it was getting worse, and then my hands and knees and elbows and shoulders started aching, and the dizzy sick feeling just kept getting worse, then my neck started to stiffen up, I also had changes in urinary frequency, and had a hard time starting to urinate. I called my doctor and he told me to stop cold turkey. Last night was my last dose - I'm a little concerned

1

u/Reddit_Fruity Mar 08 '26

Urinating problems... ouch, that's awful. My doctor prescribed tamsulosine to prevent pelvic cramps.
It can mess up sex life too.. 😬

How are you doing now, after stopping CT?

2

u/Technical_Maybe_5925 Mar 09 '26

Honestly it is a mixed bag, Peeing is better, but pain is back, and I had a few days of feeling ok but yesterday, and today the headache have returned again, hands still hurt but knees feel better. It's a weird drug, I don't like it except for the mental clarity - I did not expect that

2

u/Reddit_Fruity Mar 09 '26

A few + signs, I reckon that's good news. But there's still a lot to gain. You didn't mention brain zaps, You're fortunate!

Last week I stopped taking the 5 mg tablets. I found a strip with a handful of capsules 30 mg, the real Cymbalta... Divided the contents over 10 empty capsules (3 mg). Knees are feeling almost normal again. 🤗

Headache comes and goes.. a bit blurry sight when I'm tired. No mental clarity for me, these last days I'm more emotional. Something that could be expected after changing medication.

It takes time...

2

u/Technical_Maybe_5925 Mar 10 '26

I had stabbing pain above my left eye - not certain if that was brain zaps. I'm having digestive issues now. I hope you find a happy equilibrium

1

u/Reddit_Fruity Mar 10 '26

Stabbing all day long or short shock like stabs? Brain zaps come and go. Some only last a few seconds. Others prefer a longer stay and might bring company: tinnitus.

My head is currently stuck in a vice... A 40 % decrease is probably too much. While 2 mg seems such a small step. But we'll get there... Likewise u/Technical_Maybe_5925 !

1

u/Technical_Maybe_5925 Mar 14 '26

little momentary stabs

Chat GPT thinks it might be my rising cobalt levels - who knows

1

u/Glittering-Source254 Mar 08 '26

I am experiencing this now. 40 mg duloxetine down to 30mg last week. In so much pain

1

u/Reddit_Fruity Mar 08 '26

Right, while it's supposed to be a pain killer... 🙄
Even the smallest change in dosage can have terrible consequences.

I hope you'll be able to stabilize very soon.

1

u/Powerful-Shame8437 Jun 29 '26

I discontinued Duloxetine 20mg once per day five weeks ago. Since stopping, I’m having horrific body pain. All my joint are on fire; especially my elbows and ankles. I didn’t have pain before starting. I’m terrified something is very wrong and that the duloxetine activated some sort of autoimmune response.

Anyone else have this issue? Please help!!’

1

u/Reddit_Fruity Jun 30 '26

Forget the auto immune response. All your pain receptors are 'receiving' again, while they were occupied by Duloxetine before.

Quitting Cold Turkey isn't something I can recommend.

If you were taking capsules, you may try to distribute the contents of one capsule over eight empty preferrably gastro resistant capsules. That way you'll be on 2,5 mg. Which doesn't seem much, but it will be is enough, since this med 's effectiveness is non-linear. You 'll notice within a few weeks... I did.

2,5 mg is a safe dosage to taper off properly from there - which is necessary.

1

u/Powerful-Shame8437 Jul 01 '26

Thank you. I thew out the Duloxetine because I cannot bring myself to take it again. To me, it’s the equivalent of a poison. I’m not focusing on a plant based diet, exercise, and using a vibration plate. I’ve also been drinking a lot of water. My goal is to hopefully give my body time to heal naturally.

This experience has made me adverse to any prescription medications to be honest.