Does Cymbalta help bone pain? (3+ studies)

In this article, we will try to answer the question “Does Cymbalta help bone pain?”. We will discuss what the research suggests, what users have experienced while using Cymbalta for bone pain and some strategies to help manage bone pain.

Does Cymbalta help bone pain?

Yes, Cymbalta helps in the management of bone pain. Although it is not the first-line treatment for bone or joint pain, it may help individuals if other medications do not work. 

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is an antidepressant approved by the FDA for the treatment of depressive illnesses as well as fibromyalgia, chronic musculoskeletal pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) (1).

Bone pain is any type of pain you feel in one or more bones. It can be limited to the bone or can feel more like a joint pain. Some clinicians also refer to it as ‘bone tenderness’. Sometimes the cause of bone pain can be obvious, like injuries and fractures, and at other times the underlying cause might not be easy to pinpoint.

Bone pain can occur due to a variety of underlying issues some of which can be bone cancer, infection, arthritis, excessive usage, calcium and vitamin D deficiency and even pregnancy.

Bone pain can be treated with medications like OTC painkillers, NSAIDs, antibiotics (in case of infection) and calcium and vitamin D supplements. Sometimes your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or antidepressants like Cymbalta if these medications do not work.

What is the mechanism of Cymbalta for the treatment of bone pain?

The exact mechanism by which Cymbalta relieves bone pain has not yet been understood. However, Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which blocks the reuptake of the two most important neurotransmitters in the brain.

Both these neurotransmitters are thought to also have a role in pain regulation. So by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain Cymbalta can relieve pain.

What does research suggest?

Many research studies have been published assessing the safety and efficacy of Duloxetine when used by individuals undergoing treatment for bone pain.

One study assessing the safety and efficacy of Duloxetine in the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain (OAKP) reported that duloxetine is effective in treating OAKP and can be used as an adjunctive therapy to NSAIDs (2).

Another study also assessing the use of Duloxetine for osteoarthritic pain, concluded that almost 67% of patients receiving 60-120mg/day of Duloxetine showed improvement in pain and physical functioning (3).

A research study evaluating the role of Duloxetine in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain stated that Duloxetine may be an option for patients who do not respond to monotherapy with other medications (4).

A clinical study has assessed and reported that Duloxetine can be used as an option for patients with chronic osteoarthritis and depression. This study also stated that individuals given this therapy as an adjunct to NSAIDs did show improvement in pain, but also had a much higher rate of gastrointestinal adverse events (5).

One study conducted on elderly patients, aged 65 years and above also stated that patients on Duloxetine, for pain management in knee osteoarthritis, showed a significant reduction in pain after receiving Duloxetine for 16 weeks (6).

What are users’ experiences with Cymbalta for bone pain?

Some users have shared their experiences after using Cymbalta for the treatment of bone pain. One elderly female who was prescribed Cymbalta for chronic muscular pain referred to it as a ‘miracle drug’ for decreasing her pain.

Another user, who was on Cymbalta for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis stated that although Cymbalta did help with the pain, it did cause gastrointestinal side effects and withdrawal syndrome when discontinued. She said, “I would ‘NEVER’ have taken Cymbalta.” 

One user who was prescribed Cymbalta for chronic lower back pain after no success with other painkillers explains Cymbalta to be effective for pain. The only side effect she experienced was indigestion.

An elderly user also taking Cymbalta for chronic lower back pain says “My lower back pain is 95% gone.” She goes on to say that she did experience side effects like nausea and anxiety at the start of treatment.

While Cymbalta has been effective for bone pain, gastrointestinal side effects like an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, indigestion or acid reflux have been experienced by many individuals.

What to do if Cymbalta does not help with bone pain?

Not all individuals prescribed Cymbalta for bone pain, will react positively. As every individual is different the effects of Cymbalta on bone pain may also vary from person to person. Some individuals may benefit, while others not that much. Here are some things you can do if you think Cymbalta isn’t working for your condition:

Be patient

If you feel Cymbalta is not helping you with your bone pain, you should be a bit patient with the treatment. Cymbalta does not start working immediately. It may take 1-2 weeks to show some improvements.

Consult your doctor

If you feel that Cymbalta is not the right choice for you, or is causing more harm than good then you should immediately consult your healthcare provider regarding your concerns. Your doctor will assess the situation and give you a personalised plan according to your needs.

How can bone pain be managed while using Cymbalta?

Here are a few strategies that can help you in managing bone pain while using Cymbalta:

Exercise

Adequate exercise can cause a significant decrease in arthritic pain. It also produces endorphins which help relieve pain. Movement can help strengthen joints and bones and reduce pain.

Dietary changes

Having a healthy diet rich in fibre can lower your chances of getting diseases like rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. If you are overweight, then maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve any extra strain your weight might put on your bones and joints.

Apply heat or ice

Hot and cold packs can provide immediate relief from joint and bone pain. The hot and cold therapy can improve blood flow, relax stiff joints and reduce associated bone pain.

Join a support group

Joining a support group of people undergoing the same symptoms as you can offer support and encouragement that you are not the only one going through these issues.

Get enough sleep

Having healthy sleeping habits is the key to having a better healing process. Try following a sleep schedule and getting adequate sleep.

Acupuncture and massages

Acupuncture and massages can help with chronic pain of the joints which can indirectly help improve bone pain too. Especially when the pain is due to inflammation. Massages can also help with osteoarthritic pain.

To the best of my knowledge and research, Cymbalta does help with bone pain. It is approved by the FDA for musculoskeletal pain. Many patients have benefited from Cymbalta in pain related to osteoarthritis. However, Cymbalta may take a few weeks to show improvements and may show more side effects in individuals undergoing treatment.

In my opinion, Cymbalta may be a good choice as an adjunctive therapy to other painkillers, for individuals whose symptoms did not subside with monotherapy. But it should never be used without the prescription of your doctor and should be discontinued if the pain gets worse.

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