This was a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.   That means that no one knew whether they were getting the Cymbalta or the ‘fake’ pill.  The trial ran for 24 weeks.

The following is an abridged version of the findings taken from the ProHealth.com Research Library.

Flexible Dosed Duloxetine [Cymbalta] in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial – Source: Journal of Rheumatology, Sep 15, 2010

by LM Arnold, D Clauw, et al.

September 17, 2010

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of flexible dose duloxetine [trade

name Cymbalta] 60-120 mg/day on changes in fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms assessed by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale.

Results: At Week 12, duloxetine-treated patients reported significantly greater global improvement with mean PGI-I scores of 2.8 compared to 3.4 in the placebo group (p < 0.001).

Significantly more duloxetine-versus placebo-treated patients (57% vs 32%; p < 0.001) reported feeling “much” or “very much better” (PGI-I score ≤ 2). There was significantly greater improvement with duloxetine versus placebo treatment in BPI average pain severity, mood (including BDI total), anxiety (patient-rated only), stiffness, CGI-S, fatigue, all SF-36 domains (except role-physical and physical component summary), and being less bothered by pain or sleep difficulties.

Adverse Effects: Treatment-emergent adverse events occurring significantly more frequently with duloxetine included: nausea, headache, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, and hyperhidrosis [excessive unpredictable sweating].

Conclusion: Treatment with duloxetine 60, 90, and 120 mg/day was associated with feeling much better, pain reduction, being less bothered by sleep difficulties, and improvement in mood, stiffness, fatigue and functioning. (Clinical trial registry NCT00673452).

Source: Journal of Rheumatology, Sep 15, 2010. PMID: 20843911, by Arnold LM, Clauw D, Wang F, Ahl J, Gaynor PJ, Wohlreich MM. From the Women’ s Health Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center , University of Michigan Medical Center , Ann Arbor , Michigan; Lilly USA, LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Cymbalta, for me, worked 3 ways;  Depression, Anxiety and Fibromyalgia(FM).  Out of the three I feel it worked best for depression and anxiety, which in turn does improve my FM.  The only adverse reaction was drowsiness.  Not good if you are taking this in the morning.  My eyes feel like lead weights everyday, until about dinner time.

Has anyone tried Cymbalta?  What has been your experience on this drug?  I am very interested to hear your comments.

Have a GREAT Day!

Donna