Day 11 on Cymbalta — the anti-depressant my doctor prescribed when I went to him complaining of crippling pain in my feet, knees, wrists and hands — and I have good news to report, albeit guardedly. Two days ago I woke up without foot pain for the first time in seven years. That’s right: seven years. This morning, neither my feet nor my knees hurt. That’s darn near miraculous, as far as I’m concerned.

Yes, I still have hand and wrist pain. My fingers continue to resemble Vienna sausages attached to fat turkey cutlets, and trying to carry anything heavier than one pound is a pipe dream. But I can walk painlessly, even if half those steps are still taken into a room where I find myself wondering what I’m doing standing there, while the other half are zombie-like shuffles due to the ongoing exhaustion. (Oh, and since one of Cymbalta’s side-effects is increased fatigue, I managed to sleep a whopping 14 hours last night. But it was good rest, actually: the kind where, for once, I woke up and felt not merely refreshed but downright invigorated.)

Now, I’m not sure whether to credit my increased mobility, the reduced swelling in my joints, or the blue-and-tan capsule I take before bedtime, but I’ve also lost 8 of the 12 pounds I’d put on in the weeks leading up to my doctor’s appointment. That’s right: I lost weight over not one but two — yes, two! — Thanksgiving dinners. Not that I’m following any particular diet, mind you. I’m simply nauseous (but not pregnant) in the morning, and disinterested in food (but not pregnant) the rest of the day, while satisfied eating smaller amounts at dinner time. And, no, I’m not pregnant… in case I didn’t make that clear enough.

I started taking my meds at bedtime based on a suggestion from long-time Venomite WG and it’s made all the difference. Had I made that switch last week, I might have participated more in the family activities surrounding my in-law’s 50th Anniversary/Vow Renewal celebration in Minnesota rather than begging off to sleep, puke, sleep more and sit staring at a wall feeling like I’d left my brain back in Kansas. Then again, I might not have. Who knows?

But waking up pain free is worth the side effects…even without the accompanying weight loss.

The multi-page miniscule-typed pamphlet that accompanies each free sample of pills the doctor gave me says that it may take 1 to 4 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medication. Online research says the medication has proven beneficial for patients with fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. Halfway through that time period, despite blood tests ruling out either affliction, I’m experiencing relief I’d never imagined one little pill could deliver.

If that means I was depressed without knowing it, so be it. I can’t say my mood’s much better now — I’m still Venomous and I still don’t think I was depressed, certainly not in the way I’ve previously experienced it — but then again, being pain free for the first time in 7 years might itself cure depression, no?