Managing Your Fibromyalgia

Tools and Resources

Learning about diabetic nerve pain can make it easier to take the first steps on the path toward feeling better. It helps to understand the symptoms and causes of diabetic nerve pain, the types of pain treatments available, and how to take care of yourself or a loved one with this condition. These materials can help you get started.

Tools

Here are some materials to help you get started:

Diabetic Nerve Pain Impact Tool that helps you understand and identify symptoms you may be experiencing by allowing you to select, rate, and print out your own list of symptoms to share with your doctor
Diabetic Nerve Pain Information Guide provides additional information about the condition and answers to questions you may have about Cymbalta
Diabetic Nerve Pain Treatment Initiation Guide offers information on how Cymbalta may be able to help those experiencing diabetic nerve pain
Receive mail for information on diabetic nerve pain and tips on talking with your doctor
Glossary of relevant terms found on this site

Online Diabetic Nerve Pain Resources

American Diabetes Association
Nonprofit health organization founded in 1940 providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy.
www.diabetes.org

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
An agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services responsible for medical research.
www.nih.gov

The Neuropathy Association
Information and advocacy to better understand neurological disorders known as neuropathies.
www.neuropathy.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Diabetes Translation
A division of the CDC, dedicated to diabetes research.
www.cdc.gov/diabetes

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
Partnered with the NIH and the CDC, this organization works to reduce the negative impact of living with diabetes.
www.ndep.nih.gov

American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
Providing foot health information to the public.
www.apma.org

Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP)
A prevention program designed to reduce the occurrence of amputations of the toes, feet, or legs in patients with diabetes.
http://www.hrsa.gov/leap

Important Safety Information About Cymbalta

Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Be especially observant within the first few months of treatment or after a change in dose. Approved only for adults 18 and over.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?

You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (increased eye pressure)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?

Before starting Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, glaucoma, diabetes, seizures, or if you have bipolar disorder. Cymbalta may worsen a type of glaucoma or the control of blood sugar in some patients with diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life-threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, talk with your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose
about your blood pressure. Cymbalta can increase your blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure prior to and while taking Cymbalta
if you experience headache, weakness, confusion, problems concentrating, memory problems, or feel unsteady while taking Cymbalta which may be signs of low sodium levels
if you develop problems with urine flow

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

Other safety information about Cymbalta:

Cymbalta may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Until you know how Cymbalta affects you, you should not drive a car or operate hazardous machinery.

Please read additional Safety Information and Boxed Warning for a complete list.