Can Cymbalta hide symptoms?

[NYMomOf4]

Hi. I know I am a little old to be diagnosed (41 yo female), and I did have an MRI which was normal, but I am still not convinced. Actually, I do not have ANY diagnosis at ALL from my neurologist, but yet I still have symptoms. So frustrating. Anyway, he put me on Cymbalta, and although my symptoms are better, I still have them. Here goes.

Not sure what is related and what isn't so I will share them all.

First issue was last year when I would get a quick spell of dizziness/weakness when I would yell. Was at my daughter's ball game and yelled out loud, I had to grasp chair in front of me as I was about to fall. Happened a few times.

About 2 months later, working out at the gym (I was not working out and just started), I would really work myself up and would get a pain above my right eye... would be sharp and quick, and lasted only a few seconds. As a result, I went for bloodwork, echocardiogram, EKG, stress test, corotid ultrasound, all normal.

After a while, I wound up starting to get pain BEHIND my right eye when I would move my eyes right and left. Doctor sent me to a ophthalmologist and I had an MRI (normal). Eye doctor listened to me and said my symptoms sound like optic neuritis. All her tests came back fine. No sign of inflammation on my optic nerve. She suggested I see a neurologist.

Neurologist was first looking into other eye diseases, and sent me for more specific bloodwork.. One of the things he mentioned was trigemminal neuralgia. I've always had TMJ pain, but otherwise, no face pain. Bloodwork again normal.
I told him all my symptoms. I get a pain in my left foot that I can best describe as when you jump down from a high surface and get a quick sharp pain in your foot... but mine stays for a while. I notice that when I am on my feet more, it is more prominent. I've also had similar pain in my left hand. He says we may have to test for carpal tunnel, but I am a righty... If I have carpal tunnel, I'd think I'd feel it in my right hand first.

There are some days I just can't get out of bed, but I drag myself as a wife/mom of 4. I feel tired even if I get 10 hours of sleep. I get twitches in my fingers. I've seemed to have lost my sex drive most of the time, which is a downer.

Cognitively, let's say I am disciplining my kids telling them to pick up the 5 things on the floor... I will name two things and then I get stumped, not remembering the name of the third item. SO FRUSTRATING!

With four little kids and a husband with serious cardiac issues, my anxiety levels have been pretty high the last few years. Telling this to my neurologist, he put me on Cymbalta. It is for anxiety but also for pain such as fibromyalgia. I have to admit, it does help. The eye pain has subsided IMMENSELY. One night, however, I had a fever. The next day the eye pain was worse than ever. And last week, I forgot to take my cymbalta and the eye pain was starting up again along with the foot pain.

So the neurologist does not have a diagnosis. He says to take the cymbalta a few more months and I will go for a follow up in October. He seems to be treating the anxiety and the pain, but with no reason FOR the pain. SO FRUSTRATING!

I thought I would share here and ask if anyone else knows if taking cymbalta would help pain associated with MS?
Any thoughts are helpful. I am also considering a second opinion neurologist and/or an optic neurologist.
THANKS!

[Scott1]

Hi,

Make sure you know how Cymbalta interacts with other medications and what the side effects can be. This is a simple guide- https://www.drugs.com/cymbalta.html

It doesn't sound like MS but you obviously have an issue. I would look for infection in those blood test particularly herpes family (the family that gives you cold sores, shingles etc). They can aggravate nerve endings.
As you have joint pain I would check your uric acid level in case it is elevated.

Good luck.

[lyndacarol]

… Actually, I do not have ANY diagnosis at ALL from my neurologist, …

Bloodwork again normal.

Welcome to ThisIsMS, NYMomOf4.

In my opinion (I have no medical background), every patient presenting with neurological symptoms, such as yours, should be evaluated first for possible nutrient deficiencies.

If your blood work included a vitamin D test (the "25-hydroxy D"), I hope you will share the actual test result number with us. A vitamin D deficiency is very common and can result in neurological symptoms. I think this is the test to begin with.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause neurological symptoms. Thorough, initial testing should include 4 tests: 1) a serum B12 test, 2) RBC folate test, 3) serum homocysteine (HCY) test, and 4) a methylmalonic acid (MMA) test. Do you have these test results?

Magnesium deficiency also presents with neurological symptoms – did your blood work include an RBC (red blood cell) magnesium test?

If these tests, which are not part of any standard panel, but which require a specific request, have not been done, I suggest you call your GP (or neurologist) and ask for them. Also, request your own copy of any test results so that you have the actual numbers.

[Snoopy]

ask if anyone else knows if taking cymbalta would help pain associated with MS?

Cymbalta can help with neuropathic pain associated with MS but it also helps with pain caused by other conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Diabetic nerve pain as well as a treatment for depression and anxiety. Anxiety and depression can also cause physical pain/symptoms.