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Can Cymbalta Help Alleviate Chronic Thoracic Pain?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Dec 2015
Question: Taking Cymbalta for major chronic thoracic pain , back and front due to car accident. It rids me from the worst pain I ever had, but still have to take Norco and Valium for breakthrough pain . If that doesn't help I lay on a heating pad. 1. Why doesn't the generic work for chronic pain and when a talk I forget the words of normal things. As I look at a bush, I know what it is but I can't remember what it's called. I caNn be in a conversation with an important person and I know what I want to say , I tell the person , I'm sorry I have a problem remembering what things are called, feeling stupid, and say I'll remember it sooner or later. As for my injury orthopedics tell me that because the problem is thoracic , there is nothing that can be done. Does this medication make me forget symple words
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Several points.

Detailed Answer:
First, cymbalta is quite weak as a pain medication. It has some effect and some damping down of nerves to lessen nerve pain. BUT there are better pills out their both for pain, and for damping down painful nerves (lyrica, gabapentin, lidocaine, and amitryptiline). Glad it is working at all.

Second, there are several reasons why the generic NORCO won't be the same as the brand. While the FDA more or less controls how much drug is in each generic pill. And it is supposed to be at least 90% of the non-generic. The FDA does not and can not control how fast the medication dissolves and gets into and out of your system. They control that the TOTAL amount that gets in is roughly the same as the non-generic. Most people notice the speed of onset and the peak effect but not so much the overall effect on pain by the drug.

THIRD, it is very common to have some difficulty finding words after a car accident. it is from a concussion if it occurs soon after the accident. It can last weeks but certainly not months. Brain INJURY can last for years and a cat scan or MRI of the brain would show the damage if it were there, but will not show a concussion.
BUT LASTLY
Valium is well known to cause sedation and confusion. INdeed mixing it with narcotics is potentially quite dangerous. Cymbalta is less associated with sedation and confusion.
There is always balancing between the good parts and the bad parts of medications in using them. So, you would have to decide how much confusion and sedation is acceptible for pain relief.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Can Cymbalta Help Alleviate Chronic Thoracic Pain?

Brief Answer: Several points. Detailed Answer: First, cymbalta is quite weak as a pain medication. It has some effect and some damping down of nerves to lessen nerve pain. BUT there are better pills out their both for pain, and for damping down painful nerves (lyrica, gabapentin, lidocaine, and amitryptiline). Glad it is working at all. Second, there are several reasons why the generic NORCO won't be the same as the brand. While the FDA more or less controls how much drug is in each generic pill. And it is supposed to be at least 90% of the non-generic. The FDA does not and can not control how fast the medication dissolves and gets into and out of your system. They control that the TOTAL amount that gets in is roughly the same as the non-generic. Most people notice the speed of onset and the peak effect but not so much the overall effect on pain by the drug. THIRD, it is very common to have some difficulty finding words after a car accident. it is from a concussion if it occurs soon after the accident. It can last weeks but certainly not months. Brain INJURY can last for years and a cat scan or MRI of the brain would show the damage if it were there, but will not show a concussion. BUT LASTLY Valium is well known to cause sedation and confusion. INdeed mixing it with narcotics is potentially quite dangerous. Cymbalta is less associated with sedation and confusion. There is always balancing between the good parts and the bad parts of medications in using them. So, you would have to decide how much confusion and sedation is acceptible for pain relief.