A Unique Type of Chronic Pain Medication

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter trusted by over 15,000 people to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• What is duloxetine?

• What conditions can duloxetine treat?

• News: Hypnosis for the treatment of chronic pain?

What is duloxetine?

Duloxetine is a medication commonly used to manage chronic pain conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Initially, duloxetine was primarily approved for treating major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but its effectiveness in managing various types of chronic pain has led to its expanded use.

How does it work?

Duloxetine primarily works by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These are neurotransmitters that help your nerves and brain communicate with each other. Duloxetine increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help modulate pain perception and mood.

By affecting neurotransmitter levels, duloxetine helps regulate the signals related to pain in the central nervous system, potentially reducing the sensation of pain and improving pain tolerance.

How is it taken?

The dosage of duloxetine for chronic pain typically starts low and is gradually increased under medical supervision to achieve an optimal dose. The usual starting dose is often 30 mg once daily, with potential dose adjustments based on individual response and tolerance. It's important to take duloxetine regularly and at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of the medication in the body.

Potential Side Effects

Common side effects may include nausea, dry mouth, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, and insomnia.

Keep reading to see what conditions can be treated with duloxetine!

Laugh through the pain…

Don’t Quote Me On This…

What chronic pain conditions can be treated with duloxetine?

Duloxetine is approved by health authorities for the treatment of several chronic pain conditions:

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain:

Duloxetine is used to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as chronic lower back pain or osteoarthritis-related pain.

Neuropathic Pain:

Duloxetine is used to treat neuropathic pain, which results from damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system. This includes conditions like diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain due to diabetes) and peripheral neuropathy.

Fibromyalgia:

Duloxetine is also often prescribed to manage fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas of the body.

These are some common conditions that can be treated with duloxetine but this is not a complete list. As with any medication, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the potential risks and benefits of duloxetine for managing chronic pain, and to determine if it's the right choice for your specific condition.

Before starting duloxetine, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary to assess the patient's overall health, current medications, and potential drug interactions. Individuals with a history of certain medical conditions or taking specific medications may not be suitable candidates for duloxetine. Close monitoring by a healthcare professional is essential, especially during the initial phases of treatment, to evaluate the drug's effectiveness and any potential side effects.

Ask your doctor if they think duloxetine could help to treat your chronic pain.

In the news…

Hypnosis as a treatment for chronic pain?! Check this out.

In case you missed it…

Resources

Check out our resources below to help get the most out of your doctor’s appointments. Or get them for FREE by sharing this newsletter with a friend! See the Referrals Section below.

Advertising in the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain

Interested in advertising directly to readers of this newsletter? Get in touch today by responding directly to this email.

About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

Disclaimer: This publication is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this publication or website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No provider-patient relationship is created by this publication or web site or its use. Neither the administrator nor its employees, nor any contributor to this publication or web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.