Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
This blog is rapidly turning into a list of antidepressant medications, with a new one every six weeks or so.
Today I started a new course of medication, Duloxetine. It’s a fairly new drug (only having been licensed in the UK 9 months ago), but it’s been around in the US for longer. The side effects profile isn’t too bad, and I have historically responded well to drugs of its type (Selective Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors), so here’s hoping.
October 3rd, 2005 at 7:00 pm
I have also been prescribed Duloxetine today. Went back to my doctor having been on Seroxat for 6 years and then Mirtazapine for the last 4 months. Seroxat originally worked and I was well for 4.5 years – then had relationship problems and got made redundant and slowly and horribly became very depressed with anxiety as the major symptom. Strangely, Mirtazapine worked virtually overnight, and I was probably too high, but felt very well for only 6 weeks then crashed, bigtime. Hence, now Duloxetine.
I would love to know how you are doing on this as it must be a month for you.
I would literally cut off an arm if it made me better!!
November 7th, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Been on Duloxetine now for two weeks at 30mg a day, started on 60mg a day today.
Havent noticed any improvement in mood yet if anything more teary and low. However this cud be the affect of the prozac withdrawing from my system.
Side affects have been constipation and stomach pains even some sickness the second week. Giddiness and tiredness as well. Slight decrease in sex drive also but maybe due to feeling sick.
Hoping that 2 a day will be the start of a cure. Wish me luck.
November 14th, 2005 at 3:29 pm
started on 60mg duloxetine 10 days ago (I am counting!!) and no mood improvement. still taking seroxat 40mg aswell. tried mirtazipine in the past which di nothing at all. here’s hoping duloxetine works.
January 26th, 2006 at 2:34 am
I am changing from effexor to cymbalta because of anorgasmia. Is there any sexual problems to report?
please
Thanks
January 26th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
It’s hard to tell what Cymbalta is like, because I’m on such a cocktail, but it’s definately much better than most for me. I have found that orgasms and libdo have taken a long time to come back, but they are both increasing currently (after about 3 months). So stick with it, and let me know if it helps!
January 30th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Hello. I am currently on Paxil which is KILLING my sex life. The SSRIs also work well for me, but they always kill my sex life whether it’s Paxil or Zoloft or Prozac. I was considering trying Cymbalta and it looks like Jo says that her sex life has been improving. I was confused, though, Jo – are you saying it took you 3 months of being on Cymbalta before the side effects on sex started to wear off or are you saying it took 3 months of being off of another SSRI for the side effects to wear off? Please let me know because I’m really trying to find something that will work. My husband and I always had a really active sex life, even with the depression, and I don’t want that to go away. I don’t want to finally come back to life from the depression only to lose life regarding sex. Are you able to have orgasms on Cymbalta and if so, did it take forever? Thanks.
January 31st, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Hey Lisa,
It’s really hard for me to say exactly what is going on with me, but I would expect that Cymbalta would be an improvement for you. I switched onto it directly from another drug, but I suspect that it just took some time for the effects of the previous one to wear off. I can’t be sure.
Yes, I am able to have orgasms on Cymbalta, and it doesn’t take *too* long. All I can say is try it yourself, because everyone’s different. But hopefully you’ll find that your sex life gets back to normal.
February 21st, 2006 at 4:28 am
My husband has been off of Effexor for a year. He just started on Cymbalta and i was wondering how everyone was doing as far as the sex drive. He went off the Effexor because of the lack of sex drive. Please let me know how you all are doing on it.
March 14th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
I have been on Cymbalta for 4 to 6 months. With Cymbalta, the anorgasmia was a little more pronounced than with Effexor. After a long struggle, the bupropion finally “kicked in” and eliminated the anorgasmia.
March 19th, 2006 at 3:49 am
Karl,
What is bupropion? Is it another kind of drug? Overall how do you like Cymbalta? Are you having any other sideaffects?
Thanks for the information!
April 4th, 2006 at 5:05 am
Hi guys-
i have been on cymbalta for about 5 months now after being on paxil for 5 years and then wellbutrin for 3 months. All i have to say is, i am still not any better than i was when the i was getting used to the paxil. the only difference is, my sex drive is completely low (i dont remember what it is like to “let go” in bed), i am extremely low and i dont feel like i have my witty sense of humor anymore, i am completely numb, emotionless and it pains my boyfriend to see me like this. My doctor just told me to add 10 mg of wellbutrin to my 30 mg of cymbalta…but i dont want to keep adding! oh and one more thing, i am experiencing excessive sweating which ive never had in the past.
Does anyone have any advice for me? anyone else feel this way? any good experiences on cymbalta? does anyone love their anti-depressants and could recommend i talk to my doc about? i remember the 1 st yr on paxil, i was the happiest person on earth….i want that back but unfortunately it stopped working like that.
April 18th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
Guys you need to be on 60mg of cymbalta for it to have any effect on depression, otherwise forget it.
April 27th, 2006 at 5:17 am
I agree! I’ve been on Cymbalta for about 3 weeks now and I felt a difference after the first week. I started on 30mg for 2 weeks, the nasuea almost killed me but by the 5th day and 5lbs lighter ( due to not eating much for 4 days) I was feeling great. I have been on 60mg for a week and still goin good, I’m just worried about the “poop out syndome”(as my doc calls it)- When I was on effexor for 2 1/2 years I went up a dose every couple months because the effect would wear off. By 250mg I was done. Have any of the long term user encountered this at all?
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:00 pm
I have taken Efexor for years; but constant headaches; about 1 or 2 a month which sometimes last for thre or four days; would Duloxeetine help me; and what are the listed side effects.
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Duloxetine is broadly the same type of drug as Effexor, so if you have success with one, you may get success with the other. It might be worth a try if you really can’t tollerate the headaches, but beware that Duloxetine can also cause them. Side effects profile overall is pretty good, with just the general SSRI set.
August 1st, 2006 at 9:54 pm
I went from 20 mg prozac (three years) and then switched to Lexapro – no effect on me. Been on 60 mg Cymbalta for about one year – good product. I sweat a lot and have little tolerance for the heat. Right now it’s in the high 90s in Indiana with high humidity; I am miserable and I am all but certain it’s from the SSNRI. But for the depression/anxiety – it’s been a wonder drug. Don’t skip a dose. It’s a weird sensation.
September 5th, 2006 at 9:50 am
I’ve been on Cymbalta for over two weeks. First week on 30mg, then upped the dosage to 60mg. I have terrible middle insomnia. Has anyone had that, and if so, did it go away?
I was on Paxil for a few years, but was tired of the lack of sex drive. Otherwise it worked okay for me.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
I suggest trying 20 mg of Cymbalta to start . . .It worked well for me. Then after about a month I noticed that if I had sex a few hours after it was time to take a pill that the orgasm came back. I had to time it around the med. Everyone is different, but the 60 mg a day seems like way too much for me from what I experienced . . .I stayed at the 20 mg and it took the edge off after my son passed away. Only mild dizziness when going off completely . . .Some of the web sites will scare you with the withdrawal symptoms . . . Didn’t happen to me at all . . .Thankfully.
December 12th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
i’ve been on cymbalta for 5 days on 30 mg…. slight headache and little aches, i’m about to go to 60mg this week……… My anger and aniety went away pretty well, but I get chest pains sometimes.
January 1st, 2007 at 6:05 am
I was on Cymbalta 120 mg,for 2 years, did not help my depression at all. I really affected my sex life, was no longer to have an orgam. Changed to wellbutrim, with only 30mg cymbalta. Has been about a month now and still no orgasm. We are going to a counselor that specializes in sexual problems.
January 2nd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I have been on cymbalta for approximately 8 months now. I too am taking it with wellbutrin. At first things were great. My sex drive was back and my girlfriend even started pointing out the changes in me. HOWEVER for the past 3 months now i have been very depressed. This is in fact the lowest I have ever been. I have completely lost my drive. It is effecting every aspect of my life, work, family, friends etc… I cant get out of bed anymore and the worst part is that i really dont seem to care. Suicide is a daily thought now and its even more depressing to realize that I have tried many different anti-deressants over the course of the previous few years, to no avail though. Meeting my doctor again in 2 days. Hopefully he will have a better suggestion. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?
January 10th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I just started cymbalta 60mg from 300mg of effexor. I switched because my blood pressure skyrocketed to 195/115 at age 23. The doc said it was the effexor. Effexor worked only at the high dose so I am hoping the 60mg of Cymbalta does the same, without all the high BP. GOod luck everyone. depression sucks!
February 7th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Been taking welbutrin for years. I felt better but felt I needed more. Started cymbalta , was tired for about three weeks, then felt like i was on speed, felt really good, (high)(uforic), for a few months but the orgasms totally stoped instantly. Have slowly reduced my cymbalta, feel dizzy and sick. Really sick. Absolutly NO ENERGY, but the orgasms came back stronger than before.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I was dealing with divorce and death simultaneously. Tried Effexor after being off meds for almost 2 years. Made me suicidal and hysterical after a week – maybe it’s because I was barely eatling yet still having a daily glass of wine. Stopped it. Tried Wellbutrin alone low dose, felt low and when a high stress situation came up, I lost it, felt paralyzed, had to leave work, anxiety kicked it. Stopped it and yesterday was my first day of Cymbalta 30mg, I’m to go up to 60mg. Feel a buzz, loss of apetite but much calmer. I hope so much that this works, please continue sharing, I will do same, M.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I have been on 60mg Cymbalta and 1200mg Lithium for nearly 1-1/2 years. First and foremost it keeps my BP at bay. No real bad side effects other than: High Thirst Level, Twitching, Low Sex Drive, Sleeping 14hrs a day (if I let myself). The few times I have gone without taking the meds, I have literally wacked out on the third day. Things could be better, but then can’t they always?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I found that Paxil worked really well for my combination of depression with anxiety. Actually anxiety was the larger problem. But after gaining almost 20 lbs I went off it. Was on Wellbutrin for a while but that raised my blood pressure. Have now been rx Cymbalta and wondered if anyone out there could tell me what their experience was with weight gain. I am hoping it is not as bad as Paxil. Also Paxil really helped with blood pressure but the weight gain put me into a pre-diabetic zone for glucose level in blood.
April 21st, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I just started taking 30 mg of Cymbalta today as Wellbutrin was making my anxiety too high. Is the sexual side effects really that bad? I remember being on Paxil for a couple years and couldn’t have an orgasm at all. I’m already thinking about not taking this med.
April 27th, 2007 at 5:59 am
My wife has been on Cymbalta for 3 months. She has no interest in sex at all. Hugs and kisses are it. I feel like I have a roomate at times instead of a wife. Does this stuff ever level off and you get the person back?
April 28th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
3 months? She should start coming around. It may take her longer but any where from 3-4 months, it should level off and she should try to get back in the saddle (or bed) again. From my experience, it’s worth trying. Even if I didn’t have an orgasm, it was fun trying. Don’t give up, she’s human, she will want to get frisky with you again, but she needs to try.
May 9th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I was on 10mg Lexapro and then added Wellbutrin. The ringing in my ears didn’t ease down after being on Wellbutrin for over a month so my doctor put me on Cymbalta. I have been on it for over a week and just increased my dose. However, I have felt really tired since day one. Has this went away for anyone or has the tiredness and lack of energy continued?
May 17th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hello Heather,
I was reading your comment and I too just started Cymbalta about 1wk ago, today is my first day of 60mg after a week of 30mg. The Orgasm was lost instantly with me and yes it’s very frustrating for both of us, but my boyfriend is very understanding. I do have somewhat of a sexual drive and want to just can’t. You say that after 3-4mos it should level off or so?? is that correct? I have an appt. with my Psychiatrist next Tuesday and will ask her then, cuz i’m not dealing very well with it. I wonder if there are any stimulants that can be bought at this point? I guess anything is worth a try. All these side effects scare the Hell outta me, but I still push on as it’s worth it. I have experienced nothing in the way of side effects from Cymbalta, just lucky I guess, course, I’ve only been on it a week or so. Waiting for that other shoe to drop I guess, so to speak. I take Depakote with my Cymbalta which levels out my hunger. Im never hungry anymore and DO NOT want to gain any weight as I’m trying to lose it anyway right now. All I can say is this, these medications work differently for everyone but with everyones’ help with their experiences with each drugs side effect we can get the answers we need, I know I did and I want to thank each and everyone of you for that. All any of us can do is try and if it doesn’t work then try something else, I mean after all, isn’t a feeling of “Well Being” a small price to pay for finding the right drug that works for you? I know it is for me. I am Bi-Polar II and have severe mood swings and am depressed. I want to quit taking the Cymbalta and just take the depakote, but will talk to my Doctor first before making the change as im not overly depressed. Anyway, thanks for listening.
June 7th, 2007 at 3:55 am
hi guys,
I just googled cymbalta and sde affects and came to this chat room. I switched from paxil to 30mg of cymbalta in march. i can’t seem to shake the dizzy, headache, tired feeling that lasts hours after I take my pill. It sucks. sometimes I feel nauseas. As for the orgasms, well, I’ve always had a hard time with that on paxil and so it doesn’t seem any better or worse. does this horribly tired feeling go away?
June 14th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Wow, am I scared? I’ve been on 150mg Wellbutrin for a mere 3 weeks now with no relief or diminishing of my depressive symptoms. All I got for my trouble was headaches and constipation. I met with my psychologist today and “we’re” trying (love that terminology, I’m trying, he’s watching) an increased dosage of 300mg. for a few more weeks. He sent me home with info sheets on Effexor and Cymbalta which he plans to add to the Wellbutrin if the increase doesn’t work. I’ve been Google-ing them all afternoon and getting an abundance of horror stories on both drugs. I’m ready to refuse them even if the increased Wellbutrin doesn’t work. Has anyone out there had good results with something else prescribed with Wellbutrin? I’m not a drug person and would prefer none at all, but I can’t go this alone. Thanks everyone.
June 18th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Hi Bren. The Wellbutrin never seemed to help me on its own, however, it did help with the sexual side effects of the Cymbalta, if taken alone. I am currently taking 450 mg. of Wellbutrin & getting ready to increase my Cymbalta from 60 mg. to 120 mg. The reason for this is because I have had somewhat of a depression relapse after taking the Wellbutrin/Cymbalta combination for about 2-1/2 yrs. I first tried to boost my depression cocktail with 50 mg. of Cytomel 2 weeks ago, but didn’t seem to help any, so next step is to try the increase of Cymbalta. My advice to you would be to try adding the Cymbalta to the Wellbutrin…please don’t give up. I am like you & would rather just “stick it out” without the meds, but then I have no life at all. The only reason why I am pushing for meds. that I am on is because I had tried around 20 different meds/combinations for a period of 10 yrs. before getting any relief at all. Good luck & keep in touch!
July 1st, 2007 at 4:43 pm
I tried to switch to Cymbalta from Remeron (mirtazapine) (because I wanted to lose some antidepressant weight) but my sex drive was instantly wiped out. I switched back to Remeron. I have never had the SSRI sexual side effect while on Remeron, in fact I feel like I am 18 again (and I am a 46 year old male).
Dale in Atlanta
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:08 am
My doctor just perscribed Cymbalta for nerve pain, and depression. I’m a little scared of the side affects after reading all the blogs. Can someone tell me what to expect after a couple months on this stuff. I don’t want to loose my Sex drive, or anything else, but the pain im living with is unbearable. I’ve tried taking Paxil, and another drug, cant remember the name now, and the side affects were headaches, and ringing in my ears. Has anyone experianced these with Cymbalta
Also not sure if I should up the dosage to 60mg after a week on 30mg as the Doc. perscribed. Please help….
July 13th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Just started taking Cymbalta today 30mg to start.Ive been on Wellbutrin300mg,Celexa and Prozac for depression with no effect so Im hoping the Cymbalta will help with my depression and my nerve damage due to severe diabetes.Has anyone been on Cymbalta for this and does it help?
July 14th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Cymbalta is the only newer drug to help with both depression and pain, and it is totally blissfully good at that. High energy producing, too. But I have not had an orgasm since I started it 3 years ago – and unfailingly did so before. The trade was pain for sex which is a bear of a choice. I keep hoping some company will work on that side efffect. Has anyone found a drug combinatin that helps? RC2147
July 14th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Okay everyone. I worked at Lilly in the regulatory division. Cymbalta is the same thing as Prozac. What a rip off.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:33 am
I have been on cymbalta for a while now and it makes me sweat so bad and gives me a killer stomach ache, not to mention major constipation. It also kills my sex drive. I am thinking of asking my doctor to switch me to something else. Do you think prozac would be a better option for me as far as side effects are concerned.
July 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I have been on 30mg of Cymbalta now for about 3 months. I have noticed that if I let myself, I can sleep about 9 to 10 hours a night. I have never been like that. I have never had any bad side effects from the medicine. At first I was very sleepy and sick after about a week that went away and I still have to make myself eat at least once a day. The only terrible side effect is no sex drive and no orgasm for three months now. My husband and I have always had a wonderful sex life. I started crying last night and I am not taking the medicine anymore until I go back to the doctor in about a week to talk to him because I really feel like the medicine is not working anymore. Good Luck to everyone taking this medicine, I hope it works for you. I just can not cope with not having a sex drive anymore that makes me more depressed.
August 11th, 2007 at 5:24 am
I’ve been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about 6 weeks. For about a week now, I’ve had a problem that is hard to describe. It feels like my head and my eyes are not moving at the same time. I would not describe it as dizziness. Am fine looking straight ahead, but feel “out of whack” when I turn my head. This starts every day about five hours after I wake up and lasts until I go to sleep at night. Hestitate to call the dr. who prescribed it yet, because it sounds so vague. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this? Thanks!
August 16th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
After 10 years of 40mg Paxil daily, it stopped working. I went cold turkey for 3 weeks and then turned to Cymbalta. During those 3 weeks, my ability ejaculate easily came back. So far, other than a slight headache, I haven’t had any bad side effects, but this is only my second day.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
after reading some posts here I’d sure like to get some feedback; my wife lost her son a year ago, which has made depression she’s had for years much, much worse. Have tried numerous drug combinations. Right now she is on Cymbalta 60MG. She’s been on it maybe 3 weeks. She is angry, short tempered, very sleepy and has zero sex drive and no orgasms. IF she stops taking the pill just one day, within less than 24 hours she is almost back to her old pre-depression self. Its an amazing change. To my layman’s eye that says to me that 60MG is too much, becuase I imagine that in 24 hours there is still some in her system, yet she feels so much better. Has anyone experineced this? Does it go away after some time or is the dosage to much? Opinions?
September 12th, 2007 at 5:19 am
I have been on Cymbalta for ~ 4 months. I am realtively new to antidepressants. I toyed with them in the pats but wasn’t convinced I needed them so I never really gave them a chance. 6 years ago IU was prescribed Naridl and for the first 1-2 weeks I LOVED it. I was buzzed and felt really great. Almost like I was on acid but without the visuals. After the 1-2 weeks I no longer felt the pronounced effects. I wa sbjmmed. The doc told me to 2x and then 3x the dosgae but the effects I felt i nitially never returned. So I quit. Recently, my wife and I deciuded I needed to give meds a try as I am moody and have a history of feeling depressed. Not a really severe depression. Bad enough nevertheless. Also I experience anxiety, especially bad when I am stressed at work . I can get way too angry and stressed. Now enter Cymbalta. The doc prescribed it because I told h9im I liked the Nardil for two weeks. He said Cymbalta was similar but doesn’t have the food restrictions of Nardil. Well.. geuss what..the experience was very much like Nardil. The first week I was buzzed and lovin’ it. But just like the Nardil the high effects subsided after a short time. I tried going from 30 mg to 60 mg but I didn’t feel the buzz. So I went back to 30 mg. I definitley feel Cymbalta is helping me. I know because I experimented by discontinuing the med for 3 days, after roughly 4 weeks of taking it. During the 3 days I felt very dizzy. It wans’t terrible but it was annoying. During that brief time, one day at work I experienced intense anxiety and stress. I was really coming out of my skin with anxiety and I then I realized that Cymbalta was definetly helping to relieve the anxiety. And depression and mood swings have decreased. Now the side effects – I am tried moct all the time. I am gainingg weight but that could be because I am 54 and have a very sedentery life style. I don’t get much excerise and I sit in front of a computer 8 hrs a day. Sometimes I yawn uncontrollably. My doc said to take it in the evening. I tend to have sleep problems if I take any med closet to bed time. So I am sticking with the early morning schedule and 30 mgs. I can experience an orgasm but it does take a lot of work and my sex drive is definitely very low. I tried Depekote once wth the Cymblata and it was way too supressive in terms of my sex drive. After one pill I stopped! Other than tired, and low sex drive I don’t really experience any other side effects.
September 15th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Hi karry smith,
You wrote: Okay everyone. I worked at Lilly in the regulatory division. Cymbalta is the same thing as Prozac. What a rip off.
Is this true? Does anyone know if it is the same as Prozac? I find this hard to believe.
The constipation problem from Cymbalta is really bad for me so far.
Sex, I am not sure about yet. These side effects are really bad.
Plus my face broke out like a teenager.
September 17th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Dee,
Prozac and Cymbalta are very different drugs. I have taken both, so trust me on this one! I think some people just like trying to cause trouble.
Jo
September 18th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hi Jo,
Thank you. I was so mixed up because they feel totally different to me.
I have just started Cymbalta. So far it’s ok. I have a sore throat all the time now.
Wonder if that is a side effect. Sex drive I am not sure about. Seem pretty low to me now. Have you had problems in that area?
Thank you so much. This is a wonderful blog. Very helpful to hear what other people have to say when there would other wise be no other way.
Dee
September 19th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Dear all, amazed to find this site – at last.
Having been on 5 other anti depressants for years I was hospitalised and put on 60mg of duloxetine.
immediate effects were sleep loss and severe stomach problems – moved to surgical ward to clear up it wasnt anything of that sort. Have been on for 10 months.
Long term effects for me without doubt.
sleep loss – have to take 15 mg of zopiclone
IB syndrome, permanant but easing
severe thrush
CFS physical symptoms.
No appetite ever.
However my mood greatly improved, some hypomanic symptoms.
However I must add that I had some very good care in hospital and still high levels of support, and that matters as much as drug – I think!
but it takes ages and ages to orgasm and affects my life severly in this way.
1. I have gone on an anti-thrush diet and it has helped control not only thrush but IBS too, its not hard to stick to when you have no appetitie anyway.
2. I am slowly reducing to 50 mg a day but no change in sleep or sex yet.
3. I would like to ID a drug to ask for alongside duloxetine to help sexual response
any ideas?
September 20th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Dear Jo,
At this point my sex drive as zero and my boyfriend thinks it is him and that I no longer have feelings for him, so it is causing a serious problem. Do you think I should switch back to Prozac from Cymbalta? I have had a sore throat since starting the Cymbalta and constipation (how I hate to mention that!) still. I take Phillips caplets and that helps.
I have no idea what to do but I cannot live with the depression and anxiety either.
I wish I could be normal and be drug free.
Thanks again.
Dee
September 20th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Hi Cath,
Looks like we are both having really bad sexual side effects from this drug.
I have have a sore throat all the time now, but not thrush.
Maybe they are related in some way.
Dee
September 27th, 2007 at 2:30 am
Is there anyone out there who has had terrible side affects in the beginning, and then felt wonderful after that period? I’m in my 3rd week of cymbalta and I feel like I wish I were dead. Terribly sick, no desire to do anything…anything! I am depressed, agitated, angry and feel violent. I hate life. On celexa, I was well balanced and life was good. My doc put me on this because I have fibromialgia. and supposedly, cymbalta works for neuropathy.
I just want to know: is it worth the wait? Should I hang in? So far I’ve seen more negatives in this blog.
Thank you.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
i HAVE BEEN ON CYMBALTA FOR 3 YEARS STARTING AT 10MG AND NO AT 90MG. Ican not tell that it works anymore in the beginning it was great but now i seem to in a knumb state ,forgetful,and can not concentrate. anyone else feel this way??
September 27th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
dear Babs,
I think it probably really has helped me, but I was also on a ward when prescribed it, and was getting lots of support, and also company from other patients going thru the same boat. mainly in the smoke room I’m afraid. I have cfs as well, and I question Lilly’s testing it out for ME. but long term depression has lots of very physical side effects, and in the long term I’d rather feel life is worth living sometimes, however limited, than the depression.
also I have a good cbt therapist, not time limited.
. I was terribly sick, but looking back if I had been given anti sickness tablets and buscopam, (for cramping in IBS), a non dairy diet, it might have been a lot better, that side.
the sore throat isnt thrush, but I actually went to an ENT specialist. He said that mucus builds up in the throat becuase of the drying in the system, then the mucus gets infected. that is the sore throat.
eating non mucus type food has helped a lot….
as for the sex, I am seeing sex specialist next month, hoping to get a little something to help anorgasma. a bloke of course to have to say it all infront of. sorry blokes here, nothing personal, its just easier for me to talk to a woman about sex.
October 7th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Wait until you hear this craziness!!! I was put on Cymbalta for what my Dr. (neurologis) thought was Fibromyagia. I had been on 50 mg of Zoloft. He switched me to 30 (15 mg twice a day) mg of Cymbalta. I was doing fine on this dose. I went to see the Doc in the center for womens health and she increased the prescription…the new bottle read (30 mg twice a day)…Then my daughter (17 years) had been having joint pain..and this same doc in womens health put her on the 30 mgs twice a day …
it gets worse…about 6 months later we went in for check ups..and she re-wrote our prescriptions…we didn’t realize it. ( I know we are dumb )….
M daughter is now in college and she came home a couple of weeks ago soooo sick….
she was so sick and we went to go see this same Doctor in womens health…and mentioned that she took herself of of Cymbalta. The Doctor just kept writing her nots and said “hhmmmm”…and thought that maybe my daughters glucose levels were way elevated and wanted to continue checking her for Diabetes.
My daughter and I were both on 120 mgs. 60 day 60 night.
Unbelievable.
My daughter wasn’t really sick. She was and is just coming out of withdrawls. This is my guess. Since this medication is also used to treat diabetics, it may have altered her glucose.
Now, in the meantime. I, too took myself off of the drug. Not yet realizing that this is what was cousing my daughter to be so sick. It is the most horrible expierence.
Loud hedbanging, shocks, headaches, thirst, dizzness, goofiness, anger.
Thankfully, I am friends with my nuerologist and he reccommended to the ER doctors that I take a valium type prescrition to get me through this and it could take 30 days.
I would never reccomend it and would have never done it if the the Doctor in womens health had not been so non-challant about it.
Please be carefull. Get plenty of exercise. Eat right. Don’t use these drugs as crutches. Try not to go on ANY of them. Go to a natural food store and look for a natural product, you would be surprised what they have to offer. They have natural products for anxiety, stress, sleep, just about anthing….and they are non habit forming.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I am, or was an artist specializing in large wall murals. recently I started on cymbalta and lamictal, now I can’t visualize or conceptuallize my art. It’s like I have a strange creative block. Is anyone else experiencing anything like this.I feel paralized.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:56 am
I started Cymbalta today, after years of taking Prozac and trying a few others. I also take Lamectil because I have seizures and it helps both seizures and depression.
I got on here to access the side affects I might have to expect. Sounds like pretty much the same as always.
I do find myself comforted that there are others out there just like me, feeling the same way. At the same time I wonder why, why do we have depression?
I think mine started out situational as a child, but I’m 40 years old and after years of therapy and drugs I still periods of major depression. I wonder what it would be like to feel normal without meds.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:59 am
David,
I’m a musician and yes I have experienced stuff like that. My ability to memorize and visualize the music in my mind is pretty much gone. These meds definitely affect creative abilities, but if I can’t get out of bed it is kinda hard to even think about doing something creative or practicing the piano.
November 12th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Here is what Happened to me: I went on Cymbalta as soon as I started seeing the commercials on TV. I had been on Prozac for years and it just wasn’t working very well anymore. I started at 30 mg. and gradually worked up to 90. After a time, my psychiatrist & Ithought that I was probably bi-polar. He put me on Lamictal.During tha next appt. I asked if I could wean myself off of the Cymbalta. He didn’t see a problem with that. Almost immediatly I started having flu-like symptoms- the severe body aches but no fever or head cold. I ended up getting back on the Cymbablta but to no avail. I have since been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I think there is a relation since Cymbalta is also used to treat nerve pain, but my doctor doesn’t. Has anyone else had anything similar to this happen the them? I am now in constant pain and in total fear of ever getting off of this drug again.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Can’t believe all the probs people have been having on this – I just got cymbalta yesterday and thought I’d read up before I started. Wrong move! Am freaked out…
Was on effexor for a few days, couldn’t hack more than that as it made me so nauseous. I also had that yawning thing all the time despite not being tired.
The list of ads is long…lustral, mirtazapine (which I think was the best and am contemplating going back on it), lots of other ones I can’t even remember…
Anyway good luck to everyone. I really agree with Tracie, why do we have depression??????
December 14th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Has any block been prescribed reboxetine for depression and does it cause sexual problems like agorgasmia ? I have been on mirtazapine which was OK but I put on 34 Ibs in weight and duloxetine which prevented ejaculation. Does anyone know a drug which works without causing these side effects ?
January 7th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Lynn,
I have a similar feeling; not exactly “dizzy,” but annoying as heck. Have no answers. Will consult my doc next month. Think I may be taking too much Cymbalta.
January 9th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I was wondering if anyone here has had any odd side effects from taking Cymbalta-Side effects that are not labled on the package-such as blood clots…Please let me know…There’s a nice chance of a class action lawsuit if enough people have had this happen…which I am suspecting there have been. Thank you.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This is a long story but I’ll try to keep it short. I will also say that I work at Lilly, so if you feel I am an unreliable source of information about Cymbalta then move on.
About two years ago my life really hit the skids. My wife initiated a romantic relationship with another man. Another family member (a drug addict) got pregnant and was eventually murdered. I started having problems with pulsatile tinnitus (ringing in my ears)…which by itself will drive you crazy. There is more but I’ll stop there.
I felt I had nothing left to live for. I had a dream where I put a rifle barrel in my mouth and pulled the trigger. I had to do it twice because the safety was on.
I think you get the idea.
My physician prescribed Cymbalta 60 mg once a day and I don’t think I would be here today if he hadn’t. Side effects, though, were abundant. The main effect itself was like the initial stages of an LSD trip. If I put myself into an alpha state during peak blood levels I could actually see visual disturbances. My sex drive plummeted. I had difficulty both urinating and achieving orgasm. A *lot* of difficulty. It also made me sweat like a pig.
At my request the dose was reduced to 30mg. As you might imagine, was not nearly as effective, and I’ve remained quite despondent for the last 18 months. But the side effects did ease to a tolerable level.
Like many companies, Lilly has decided to scale back their health benefits and I can no longer get our own products for free. I ran out of Cymbalta about a week ago and decided not to refill the prescription.
With respect to depression, I actually feel better off the drug than I did when I was still taking it two weeks ago. Although the side effects subsided quickly, I am having many of the same “withdrawal” symptoms that others have mentioned: Insomnia, head and neck pain, difficulty focusing my eyes, occasional flashes of energy coursing through my head, and vivid dream states when I *can* fall asleep.
I didn’t anticipate these problems; and fortunately they seem to be diminishing day by day. Nonetheless, I’m no longer sold on our product and wouldn’t recommend it as a first course of therapy.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:37 am
I have been taking Cymbalta (30 mgs./day ) for about 2 years for fibromyalgia.I cant really tell if it is working (and have considered upping the dose to 60 mgs.) but I do feel better than before. I have gone off it for a month or so at a time and never noticed any thing different.I buy my Cymbalta on-line from a drug company based in India (it is way cheaper ).I have wondered for a long time if whatever I am taking is REAL Cymbalta.Maybe I am feeling better (but not great ) due to the placebo effect.Anyone else getting bargain basement Cymbalta ?The firm in India looked quite legit (I Googled the place ).
January 16th, 2008 at 3:53 am
I just took one dose of Cymbalta 30mg this a.m at 7 and since then i have been 500% more depressed than when i was in my doc’s office last night when she gave me the samples. First i had 3 bouts of diahrrea, then was nauseated for most of the am. with stomach cramping. Unable to eat anything since I have no appetite whatsoever, and around 11 a.m. i broke down with uncontrollable crying which has been on and off the entire day. called doc who is out of office, made an emergency call to nurse assistant who said to take anti-anxiety med to get me through until i talk to doc tomorrow. this is like poison in my body for me at least. i have been depressed before for many years, but never had an experience where after i took an AD i actually got much worse. my hubby is upset and worried since i’m an at home mom with a 1yr old and a 3 yr old. i am not suicidal and would never harm my children, but i cannot take great care of my kids when i’m crying all day with zero energy and cannot eat. i will not take anymore of this and at this point i do not trust doctors. i am afraid of what she may prescribe me tomorrow because i can’t afford to get worse. docs just want to give you samples of the newest drug out there so they can get a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies. i don’t know if they truly care about what will happen to us when we leave their office.
January 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
i´ve just taken my first 30 mg of cymbalta (duloxetine), after being on mirtazapine which worked pretty well for about 18 months or so and kept the major depressive feelings at bay, but then just plumetted me into a horrible depression about a month ago, where i just couldn´t stop crying.
prior to that i took citalopram and prozac, but they also stopped being of any effect after a certain length of time.
i have chronic neuropathic pain, for which i have to take MST (slow release morphine, taken with cyclizine, an anti-nausea drug plus dulcolax, for the constipation MST also causes) and lyrica every morning and imipramine and nitrazepam at night, to stop pain during the night and help me sleep.
it already worries me so much that i´m on such a cocktail of drugs and now i´ve just read about how little help duloxetine has been for most people and how they felt during the first few days, i´m dreading this next week.
i feel so bad for catherine, but am praying duloxetine doesn´t have the same effect on me this morning. really hope she´s a little better today.
is anyone else on such a mixture of drugs and does ANYBODY have a good word to say about duloxetine?
please let me know?
February 6th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
been taken 40 mg duloxetine for 2years for incontinence and found it was great. solved all my problems, decided to come off it – what a joke. The side effects are horrendous sickness dizziness headbangs, cant turn the head and this is after 3 weeks of coming off the drug. Its going to take months – what kind of drug is this to affect the brain. My doctor is so useless she says i should have come of without weaning myself even though the pharmacist said that this is so dangerous. Any one out there have the same probs
February 7th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hello
I have taken almost every anti depressant there is and cannot tolerate the symptoms of anything. I have been taking Cymbalta 60 mgs for 4 days. I have been so nauseous that I can barely stand it. Today I had sweats so bad that I got dizzy and had to lie down.
Last night I slept for 12 hours. I am normally a very active person and this is killing me.
Has anyone else experienced that awful nausea and continued on with the drug anyway? How long before this goes away. I am desperate to find something I can take.
thanks
February 7th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
See above message:
scratch the word “symptoms in the first line and add “side-effects.” woops sorry
February 10th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I have been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a month and found myself feeling spaced out all the time and constipated with heart palpatations. I dropped down to 30 mg a day, I now have stomach problems and still feel spaced out sleeping 10-12 hours a day or not sleeping enough. I would like to go back to Prozac since I feel it is much safer and has less side affects for me. I have been trying to get ahold of my MD but had no luck. Can someone tell me if I can just switch back to my prozac and get off this stuff?
February 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I started out on 60mg. of Cymbalta about 3 months ago, and recently, because of a divorce that I never expected, I was having some bad emotional episodes. About a month ago, an emergency room doc increased me to 120mg. Now I can never keep my eyes open. I can be sitting standing, or working at the computer, and I just go out . My eyelids feel like they weigh 20lbs. and one minute I am wide awake, and within a matter of 1 second I catch myself waking up. Sometimes it has been for a minute, and sometimes 2 hrs later I am waking up in a sitting posistion. Has anyone had any experience like that ? Please Help
February 21st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Hi everyone,
Just to add my exp. with Cymbalta – I am 53 and had been on 75mg Efexor XL for 6 years , but the effects were deff. wearing out !!!! Plus I haven’t had sex in 2 years and no orgasm in nearly 6. So Cymbalta was sugg. ( was supp. to improve your libido !! ) Now on 60mg for 3 month and finaly !!!!! — I can do IT with ” DIY ” !!!
Sex with my husband is not happ. yet — menopause doesn’t help physical condition ” down under ” — but I am very hopefull !!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I took Wellbutrin for 4 months, got more depressed, so dr switched me to Cymbalta. Instant anorgasmia, she gave me a children’s allergy medicine that supposedly would block the effects of Cymbalta for a few hours to be able to have sex with some sensation. All that did was put me to sleep. After 6 months of the Cymbalta I had to quit taking it because of 1-getting more depressed, 2- complete anorgasmia, 3-sudden weight gain, 4- some kind of suicidal breakdown a few weeks ago. 5- exhausted all the time but sleeping poorly even with adding Ambien. Feeling somewhat better than I was and the orgasms are back after being off the stuff for two weeks. My energy level is starting to come back up a bit too. Actually waking up in the morning the last few days instead of staggering about zombie-like.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
i’m withdrawing from cymbalta. this will be the second week. i want to kill or be killed. i’ve been on every ssri out there for over 20 years. i would never let a loved one or friend take this medication without letting them in on my investigative findings. i’ve been married over 25 yrs to my best friend but coming off this drug i didn’t even trust him. we’ve been hood winked by tv commercials and the neverending search for normalcy. the almighty dollar is what this is about. i pray the noises in my ears, the constant rage,and the deepest depression i’ve ever felt will soon subside. i don’t know how much more my family and i can take. i haven’t mentioned the horrible pains. please know what you are taking.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I have been on Cymbalta for almost a year. I have post herpatic neuralgia, which is the searing pain left in the nerves after a bad attack in 2003 of the shingles. The shingles were in the face, under the right eye, in the ear, and down the throat. I had a total of 4 shingles attacks in 3 years, each less severe than the first. I was on Neurontin for a long time (3 years), and the pain did seem to go away. My mind seemed to turn to mush, so I stopped the Neurontin, and months later the PHN pain came back with a vengeance. The doctor put me on Cymbalta to combat the pain. I had no idea I was depressed until I started the Cymbalta. My libido came back after years of non-existence. I had a complete hysterectomy 19 years ago at a very young age. After the Cymbalta things were great with my husband and I. My mood was great, the sex was hot, and I was losing weight as I was more active! Sadly the last 2 months have been like the crash after a long caffeine ride. The headaches are coming on like gangbusters. I have no interest in anything. I sleep a LOT; 12 hours seem to be the norm, and I can sleep more if allowed. Some days I do not want to get out of bed. Today I called the doctor to increase the dose. He said 60mg a day was the normal dose. I asked if I could add 30mg a day in the morning, taking the 60 mg at night. He agreed and I will start this tomorrow for 30 days. Wish me luck!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I wouldn’t recommend duloxetine to my worse enemy. 25 of the 40 side effects in 6 days… had to discontinue. The worst of it I didn’t sleep for 2 months and I have had direeha for since August 2007 we are now in April 2008. I am quite a sensitve personality type and have a history of migraine. My neurologist says that could be why I had the symptoms. Coming off was harder, I been hysterical because of the numbness caused by the drug the sensation has’t returned I was given them for a disorder. I had this from day one and it seemed to get worse and my heads still feels like a concrete block. Lilly Uk were no help at all for tips on what to do if you have to stop. All they really said 25 side effects you shouldn’t be taking them. I feel worse now than I ever did before I started taking them. I lucky I haven’t topped myself, common sense and logic seem to be working now. There have been moments though.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I have read your entries and I am relieved to see that there are some positives, maybe I am just unlucky.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Since taking cymbalta x 6 I have tried Escitalpram and St Johns Wort without much joy. As for messing up my creative abilites I haven’t tried to do any thing creative except sew, in June I am about to start a flower arranging course. I used to be quite good at visualising stuff and possible why I am prone to depression or anxiety in the first place. Sign of too much going on in my head, I think. Any way I don’t think I am going to have a problem creatively so I think it might be something you have to work at and you get it back with time. Time heals a lot of things. My main problem is I have anxiety on the side which was okay and the distribuing thing is the sensation in my right hand side of the face just went and my eye lid dropped and it hasn’t come back yet. I have been off work since Aug 2007 and its now April 2008
April 24th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I have also had the nerve pain which I never had the beginning I am still getting it now 7 months on.
May 19th, 2008 at 3:57 am
From a man’s point of view… started cybalta 30 mg 11 days ago and at the same time reduced 30 mg remeron from 30 mg to 15 mg. I’d been on varying amounts of remeron for 10 years. Within 2 hours of taking the cymbalta I was having pleasant feelings and realized I had been angry for years and it had been getting worse, but that now I wasn’t. My energy increased and my ability to think clearly has multiplied. I also don’t have as powerful of an appetite for food and drink as I did and I’ve gone from 199 to 192 pounds in 11 days and I’m eating right and have been able to stop taking prilosec for acid reflux in this time. I thought I wouldn’t make it through the first 4 days only because I couldn’t sleep. I slept 3 1/2 hours a night for 3 nights in a row before I snoozed away. Since then, the ability to sleep has increased gradually every day. I have mild teeth-gritting anxiety at times, and toward the end of my day I start yawning like crazy and my eyes water to tears, but its not really a bad situation and it goes away in about 30 minutes. Ability to have orgasm disappeared from day one, but otherwise normal strong, healthy sex drive to that point. I’m hoping this side effect will gradually go away and hope some other men might speak up about this so we can compare notes. My life outlook has changed from an undue anger I didn’t realize I had to the perpetual optimist almost, like it used to be. I’m wondering if I can stay on half & half meds for longer than 30 days? For anyone else’s information, remeron had absolutely no bad effect sexually, ever. That it for now.
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
My husband had an extreme episode last year when he went in for a hernia surgery and was left bleeding for 9 hours post op until his insides blew apart. He was unmedicated and felt it all. After 9 months he was finally diagnosed with extreme PTSD and depression and placed on 60 mg of Cymbalta, since March when this happened his dose has been raised crazy..First 30 mg twice a day, then 60 in am and 30 at night, then 60 in am and 60 at pm and now all the sudden the doctor says raise to 90mg in the am and 60 at night. My husband also takes Fentanyl patch for his nerve damage and abdominal pain but I don’t know what is making him the zombie he has turned into. Its hard to get him to open up and I don’t know the effects that he is having from the cymbalta vs. the Fentanyl. I don’t feel good about raising the medication anymore and it is obviously so unheard of that I can’t even find anything about taking a 150 mg dost anywhere on the net. I am hoping you guys can help me out here…What does it do to you when you are taking it? Could this cymbalta be why he is so out of it and just not himself? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mysty
May 27th, 2008 at 5:55 am
To Mysty of May 23rd: My gut feeling is you need to get your husband to another doctor for a 2nd opinion. It sounds like an awful lot. I’m just under 3 weeks into my Cymbalta and doing very well thus far, but the effects on different people of these types of drugs can be very diverse with different people. If he’s going to any kind of a community mental health center, I’d recommend a private doctor. I worked as a case manager for a community mental health and I would not ever trust them or their “therapists” or doctors with my mental health. They seem to love to keep people over-medicated and everything seems experimental. I’ve now found a private family doctor who really cares and listens to you and has knowledge in the psychotropic medicines. I know good ones are hard to find these days, but it could be worth it for your husband. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 am
I have been on cymbalta 60mg a day for close to a month , can feel a little difference in my mood, but my energy is still low, and still feel like i am in a daze. anybody out there know how long it takes for energy to return, I dont want to take it forever. and will i ever feel happy again
July 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I am a young male and have been on cymbalta for just over a week. I have severe symptoms which are indicative of Fibromyalgia/Chronic fatigue. Including severe stabbing and achy pain, as well as muscle spasms, Fatigue, Swelling, lumps in muscles, insomnia, and cognative issues as well. I have been to several doctors about the problems, and have only recently began seeing a neurologist who prescribed me first with something to help with my low blood pressure (that did nothing) and tried Lyrica next, which only affected the pain and though it made it less frequent, it made it even more pronounced. The last easily attained treatment was Cymbalta. I was given two sample bottles, the first of 30mg, the second of 60mg. The first morning after taking the drug, I expirienced what was felt like a really bad hangover. I had the cold sweats, couldn’t see straight, and ended up throwing up twice. The second day was not nearly as bad, just the dry heaves and Yawning every ten seconds, the third day was only the yawning. My pain was almost completely gone (except for a few hours until it kicked in) as well as most of my other symptoms. All was well until I increased to the 60mg dose. The morning after, as well as the morning after that I was fine, But The third morning, I felt like I was going to puke again, and the dizzyness returned. That night I also discovered that I could not orgasm. And not for lack of trying. I think I’m right in saying that it is one of the most frustrating things to be able to get so close and be unable to acheive it. Obviously this is not an immediate problem because I do not currently have a girlfriend and Do not wish to inpregnate my next. However, The effects this medication has been having on my overall mood could easily be negated by the fact that though I can be aroused, I can not relieve it. I’ve heard reports of males having this problem for around two weeks and then being fine. I hope this is the case, because as much as this medication helps me, There are simply things that I am not willing to compromise, and Low dose naltrexone has no sexual side effects. I want to here from any males out there, particulary younger ones who are having or have had the same problem.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hi All,
I am withdrawing from Cymbalta slowly due to some up coming tests that need to be preformed without meds. I must admit that once I am completely off Cymbalta, I will NEVER again return to taking it. I was on 60 mg. for an inner ear and balance disorder. It did help a lot. Yet, the withdrawals are really hard. I’m doing it slowly under a doctor’s watchful eye (every 2 weeks a little decrease). I have to take migraine medicine (prescribed) to help me. I feel sick constantly and have lost weight.
Pros versues Cons…Never start this medicine
July 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
i took cymbalta for 6 days , i couldn’t tolerate it any longer it was like a near death experience …. i don’t think i should have been given it although i can see what the consultant was trying to do. i have had direeha for a year and insomina for 4 months ….. but i am very sensitive to drugs …. so don’t be put off … i find therapy works better for me …. Prior to this i was given citalopram for memory problems following my divorce and within 3 months of finishing it i was experiencing paraniod thoughts
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I have been on Cymbalta for months now at 60mgs and at first it was a horrible experience. I didn’t feel like eating, and all I could do was sleep. My job was a chore just to go to. But after a few weeks the bad side effects started to go away and overall it has helped me. I was put on it for Fibromyalgia type pains and constant migraines. My husband noticed a difference in me where I wanted to go out and do things like we used to when we dated. He said he was happy to have his Alicia back. When it comes to sex life though, it is tough on the orgasim, it takes me longer than I used too… but other than that I like Cymbalta and I wish It could help everyone the same.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I was on lexapro for anxieties for about 2-3 months. Everything worked great and I noticed right away that my appetite decreased. I had all the side effects in the first couple of days…… nausea, diarehhea, headaches….. after a week all of these went away…. It really calmed me down and changed my life, especially my relationship with my fiance’. The only problem I had…. not being able to orgasm. This was definitely something I couldn’t live with. I talked to my Dr and she kept me on Lexapro and then prescribed Welbutrin… That was a NATURAL DISASTER, I broke out in a rash after 4 days and was irritated and agitated from the day I took it. Needless to say, I went off of that in 4 days. I returned to my Dr 2 weeks later and she switched me to Cymbalta…. This is working excellent for me, it did the same thing as Lexapro but now I am able to achieve the most UNBELIEVABLE orgasms…. It took about 2 weeks once I switched. The only side effect I had with Cymbalta was contispation. My Dr prescribed me 30mg to start and today I go up to 60mg…. we will see how that works… This has been FANTASTIC, I also have a friend that is on this and they agree… I definitely would try Cymbalta
July 27th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’m a 45 yr old man with MS. I have recently been prescribed Duloxetine and my experience of it is this: For a few years I was prescribed Amitriptyline for pain of unknown origin. It was very good, gave me excellent high quality sleep, if not a little strange to get going first thing in the morning, but soon cleared up. However, I found that it was a little harder to orgasm. That wasn’t a bad thing for me because I had a tendency to come too quickly and that didn’t help my partner enjoy her experience fully.
A couple of years ago I was put on Neurontin and Baclofen. When the Neurontin was added I became super horny and my partner loved it. I did however find it a bit of an issue to feel so horny all the time, when the does was raised to 2400mg a day, but found it was tolerable at 1800mg. So, we decided I would take 2400mg prior to sex, and that works great.
Just a few weeks ago Cymbalta (Yentreve/Duloxetine) was added to my meds starting at 40mg daily, either divided dose or once at night. By end of day 1, I didn’t feel that great; a bit of a down feeling. Nothing appealed to me for 1 day. I felt pretty awful. Told my GP. Persevered with it and it was a little better by end of day 2. On day 3 things were better again, so I was happy that it was only a thing to do with starting it off. In the evening planned to have sex and took the prescribed 2400mg of Neurontin. As usual felt incredibly horny, maybe even a bit more so than usual at that dose. So we had sex and things seemed fine until I realised that normally I would have come by that time and I didn’t. Things went on more, and my partner came and I couldn’t.
Since that time of starting duloxetine, I have not been able to come at all, even after hours. I think this med just turns off the nerves responsible for orgasm. I have tried all kinds of things to get there and like a previous poster stated, it does not matter what you do, nothing happens. Nothing even feels like it is going to happen. To me, it feels like there is no muscle contraction in the uretha or wherever it comes from.
Apart from this, I really like duloxetine. It gives me such a smooth warm all-over numb feeling. Muscles far less tense. Can concentrate so much better. Maybe that’s a result of the combined pain relief effect of all my drugs. (Amitriptyline 100mg daily, Neurontin 800mg, three times daily and 30mg Baclofen 3 times daily, Duloxetine 40mg twice or 80mg once at bedtime.)
Anyone else had a similar experience with duloxetine? I wonder if this anorgasmia thing happens equally to women as it does to men? For my part, I’ve never had any problem coming before I started duloxetine. It looks like I have to choose between constant all-over non-specific pain and being able to get satisfaction, or take the drug and find some other way to reach orgasm. I’ve been exploring the situation, and I’m focussed on devices that can stimulate an orgasm electrically. I just don’t think it will be possible for me to give up the great release that orgasm gives, but I don’t think it is possible for me to face the pain again either.
The big problem emerging is that not getting a release is causing me to just get completely hypersexual, sometimes for hours on end, trying to get an orgasm and just having to give up. I need the other meds, including the one that makes me horny. Sometimes I think I will just have to ask for something to turn the horniness off. But then I’m thinking I don’t want to be non-sexual completely like chemical castration, so I really don’t know what to do. I can only hope that I can find some kind of device that will work. Vibrators are not making it happen, but I do feel a vibrator is getting me further than I otherwise could get. The anti-sexual effect of duloxetine is the worst thing about it in my opinion, but otherwise its been great for me. Being very horny and not being able to get any release is the worst possible thing in my opinion.
August 15th, 2008 at 2:35 am
wow! I had my daughter look up the side effects for Cymbalta because i have been sweating profusely. My mood is better, no orgasams. My doctor seems to think so what.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I’ve taken different anti-depressants over my lifetime. Haven’t taken anything in a couple months. Have a history of SAD even though I live in Florida and there have been a whole lot of family issues that keep me depressed. I decided to go to my Psychiatrist today and asked him about Cymbalta. He started me on 30mg. I have taken one pill, then went online to research. Now I am scared to death to continue. I haven’t heard very many good things.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Gail, I would recommend that you give Cymbalta a chance to show how it will behave in your particular body chemistry and circumstances. Obviously it is good to know what the risks are, and you will be able to spot any unusual side effects much more easily.
However, I think you need to bear in mind that people only tend to post online about bad experiences, not good ones, and that these drugs don’t get licensed without very strong evidence that the benefits far outweigh the cons for the majority of people.
You have to make your own decision, especially because if you’re on a medication you’re not comfortable with it can be very counter-productive.
Best of luck, whatever you choose.
Jo
November 5th, 2008 at 2:57 am
i have been on cymbalta for a few months ago at 30mg. i would like to increase it bc i think its working wonders but bc i feel i have seasonal depression i need an increase. as for sex drive, god, i think its the bad side effect. also remember side effects are different for everyone. i cant seem to achieive the big O and wonder why i am not as interested in sex as i used to be. be very very careful of getting off cymbalta. i was on vacation and left my cymbalta behind. for three days i didnt have it and i was going thru major evil withdrawls. please anyone with more insight on the sexual aspect, please inform me of your experiences. good luck everyone, depression is an awful illness.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Started Cymbalta 2 days ago, feeling awful. Was on Mirtazapine for 4 weeks felt constantly drowsy and put 10lb on in 4 weeks as constantly felt ravanously hungry, so switched to Cymbalta. Have had muscle spasms, dry mouth, feel fatigued, restless, dizzy, blurred vision, pupils diated, numbness, cannot reach orgasm, hot and cold sweats, rigours, and still feel really spaced out. But on a positive notes I do not feel hungy as food tastes like cardboard, but I’m desperate to lose weight so I can live with that, also I don’t feel as depressed, but I’m wondering if that’s because I feel so numb and spaced out. I’m thinking of stopping taking them if things do not improve in next day or two, cos I’m scared to drive and that would mean total isolation. Can anyone tell me have they had these experiences and have they improved over time? Or am I best just ditching them to continue feeling depressed?
January 10th, 2009 at 3:09 am
I have been taking Cymbalta for 5 months now at 30 mg twice daily. I am very sensitive to medications so it feels like I have the flu a lot of the time, dry mouth, occational sweating, no orgasms, My depression and anxiety have improved, depending on the days.
My doctors figured I contracted a virus about 6 weeks ago as developed vomiting and diarrhea. I believe I did as just about my entire family had it. They have all recovered from it but I have had diarrhea for the 6 weeks now. I am wondering if the cymbalta is keeping it going as I did have slight diarrhea when I first started taking the Cymbalta. Has there been many that have had persistant diarrhea wihile taking Cymbalta?
February 21st, 2009 at 6:19 pm
My husband currently takes cymblata. He has no sex drive and sleeps all the time. After 10 hours of sleep last night, he woke up at 8:00 a.m. and is now back in bed sleeping by 11:00 a.m. after a morning of laying on the couch watching t.v. He’s been taking different anti-depressants for more than two years. They’ve done nothing but cause more trouble in our marriage. I could write a book and the hell our family has been through. Sorry guys. I’m frustrated.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I am 26 and very healthy, full-time professional/grad student. I started taking cymbalta (60mg) 4 days ago. An ER doc had prescribed it to me for my anxiety (I checked myself into the ER because I was having a panic attack- thought I was dying) and frankly, would rather just deal with the panic attacks. The lack of orgasm is overly disappointing (but optimistically- had a great workout in the attempt), and the flu-like symptoms/sleepiness kicked in the 2nd day. The mental/creative block also is a great concern, as I cannot visualize musical notes and my writing is very choppy and uncertain, and that feeling of warmth and happiness you get from really pretty musical passages seems to have been sucked dry from my mind. ;-(
Being on Cymbalta is like trying to run without legs
March 26th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hey,
I tried Lexapro briefly by the side effects were so severe and the effects it had on my depression so low that I was soon switched to Cymbalta. At first, on 60mg, I had severe side effects including disorientation, dizziness, flushes, lack of appetite, over-sex-drive (which is a little odd), I also had trouble sleeping so I was spending most days in an odd fugue state. I also experienced mild hallucinations, mainly at night as i was trying to get to sleep, in the dim lighting of my room I could clearly see some objects changing, that is, growing bigger, getting kind of swirly and growing incredibly wrinkly and other odd things. Whist it was helping with the depression I decided that the side effects were far to severe (effecting my work a great deal, one such time making me so dopey that I got up, got dressed for work, sat down and woke up 4 hrs later having missed my shift, as well as struggling at work keeping track of things and multi-tasking [an important skill and the reason why i got the job])
I returned to my doctor and he suggested lowering the dose to 30mg. I’ve been taking the lower dose for about 2 months now and it’s working terrifically. The side effects are much much lower, almost non-existent, and the depression is all but gone. I still tend to get a little moody, but I think that it’s the normal amount of moody, not a mental disorder.
All I can say is that everybody suffers differently from depression and reacts differently to medication, (I have a multitude of people in my life who have the illness, some related some not and we all take different types and doses of medication). I was at the point of thinking that it just wasn’t worth it and I’d rather be depressed than as hollow, or incoherent, as I was on the pills. But I’m incredibly glad that I stuck with it until I’d found the right medication and I strongly suggest that you do that same. It saddens me to think of all the time I wasted being sad…
March 26th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Oh, when I was on the 60mg dose a lot of people asked me if I were stoned. My eyes were completely dilated and I was slow to react to their questions and general conversations. I felt as though i was in a constant daze and got very disoriented if i changed direction too fast. I sweated more as well, particularity at night. I also had muscle spasms, a thing that has continued onto the 30mg dose.
May 17th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Hello Everyone,
I’ve just completed the second day of Cymbalta. One of the immediate signs of improvement is that I started singing in the car again (I am a professional singer).
I, too, have had some nausea, decrease in appetite but I think I can handle it.
The ONE thing I’m most concerned about is that the big O immediately disappeared.
I’m not sure I want to live without that but am willing to continue the course to see if that symptom dissipates. I was always horny and that made me uncomfortable so the slight decrease in libido is acceptable.
I feel I have to balance the decrease in depressive symptoms with the decrease in the sexual side effects. I’ll keep everyone posted.
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I have been on Cymbalta for approx 6 -8 months….went in Lyrica in addition. Was switched from Cymbalta to Prestiq. I decided to stop taking everything since I no longer knew who I was or how I was feeling. I was weaned according to the doctors instructions from Lyrica. I was weaning from Prestiq and during the week of weaning I had a Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism (shot a blood clot into both lungs). The hospital could not provide Prestiq and I will be finished with Cymbalta in about 2 weeks. HAs anybody had any problems with blood clots on any of these medications??
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I started taking cymbalta about a mounth or so ago taking 30 to 60mg a day. I’ve just decided to stop taking them after seeing what has happened to my sex drive. I am on no anit-deprssents now. does anyone know how long it will take to get back to my normal sex drive?
July 21st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I am 50 years old. I was having mood swings, depression, crying jags, and I had a great deal of worry about our oldest son who is Iraq. I am also perimenopausal and suffering from symptoms that it presented. My doctor started me on Prempro and Cymbalta on June 26. To tell you the truth, the first few days were rough, I had the “deer in the headlight look” and could have slept all day long. Here it is July 21 and I haven’t felt this good in almost 10 years. My only complaint and to tell you the truth, to me it’s a big one is the big “O” has disappeared and not for the lack of trying. Did it come back for anyone? If so, how long after you began the medicine?
The “want to” is there and so is a patient husband. Help…anyone?
August 8th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
hi, i have been on cymbalta for over 2 years now for major depression and now suddenly my mood,dizziness stomach cramps/troubles,tiredness is unbearable. i am thinking about going back to zispin which worked with only slight weight gain. need to get off this quick..
August 8th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
and the sweating is terrible,just like when i was on venlafaxine….taking 60mg at present. sorry about the 2nd post..
August 21st, 2009 at 4:36 am
About 5mo ago I started taking Cymbalta. At first I felt amazing. I was really happy, very sexual and all symptoms of depression and anxiety went away. After about 2mo of taking this med. my sex drive decreased but is not absent. My only complaint was that my eyes felt so heavy and I yawned all day long. I also felt like I had a hard time concentrating and was often space out way more than normal.
Without telling my doctor, I tried to tamper of the med slowly. From 60 to 30mg I felt fine, and the eye pressure went away. I also stopped yawing. Once down to zero mg a day, I felt fine for about 4 days and then everything went weird really fast. I was super sexual, anxious, spaced out, had vivid nightmares, and could not concentrate on anything. My anxiety was out of control. Something really bad was happening neurologically. I felt like my brain was being zapped with electrodes. It scared me so bad that I got back on and am taking 30 mg again. I feel fine but am very worried about what this drug is doing to my brain and what the long term effects are. This drug is controlling my life. Going to see my doctor ASAP
September 10th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
hey
i started taking duloxetine 60mg about 5 weeks ago the first 3 weeks were awful
i was extreemly suicidal and axious one night i got up at 3am and just went down the shore to end it
another night i went upstairs and emptied my whole room and packed all my clothes and was goign to go far away !! dont ask why
5 weeks later i have to say this last week i have felt better than i have in a year !!
i have major depression i hope this is the start of something better
reading peoples comments my pupils were massive and still are you would thnk im high
i also have very very vivid dreams sometimes i would wake still thinking it had haapened !!
but i would say try and stick at it as hard as you can
and if you feel the way i did and sometimes still do … being alone is worse i basicaly had to saty around people 24/7 which was so hard !!
all the best
September 26th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I am bipolar I and took Cymbalta for about one year. During this time my arms and legs ached, deep pain that I took Advil 800mg TID for
without relief. I did not connect the cause of my pain to Cymbalta (I take 8 meds)but was finally switched to Wellbutrin after a deep depressive episode during wich my MD added Lamictal without sucess. I had vivid naghtmares, felt irritable and agressive while tapering off but when out of my system I felt great! I literally improved within days after withdrawl syptoms cleared. Wellbutrin is gread for my ADHD as well.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:22 am
PS I have taken many medications, some helpful some not but Cymbalta was an animal of a different sort. i wonder how things will play out long term as this is a relatively new drug. I would not recommend Cymbalta to anyone and must say this is the only medication I have ever taken that
initially relieved my depression but over time caused physical, emotional and mental pain . I continued taking something for relief that was causing the symptoms. Scary
September 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Cymbalta has been a blessing and curse. It’s the first antidepressant for me that has really seemed to work. Was terrific at reducing this existential anxiety that seems to pervade me, especially when I travel alone. Took 30 mg, but could not go any higher b/c of a leap in nervousness and sleeplessness.
The side effects were consistent with many others, plus a few more. Could not fall asleep until around 3 am, so started taking lorazepam with a touch of wine before bedtime. Hated the idea of taking in all those meds. The sleeplessness got to be too much, so titrated off. Thought I was OK, until my boss said that I was nodding off in meetings and would get this blank stare. Am being terminated.
I realize that my depession has crept back in, and don’t know where to turn. I’ve tried nearly every anti-depressant (prozac, paxil, zoloft, celexa, lexapro, wellbutrin, effexor), none of which really helped and had significant sfx — usually weight gain, sleep problems, lethargy.
Setting up an appt with a new shrink to see what might work. I’m really am feeling helpless around this. For now, am starting back on cymbalta to see where it takes me.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I am male and was prescribed 60mg Cymbalta a month ago. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for years, and now one month into Cymbalta, I seem to be able to enjoy life once again!
In the first week of use, I noticed a marked lack of appetite and the inability to reach orgasm. I also had some difficulty falling asleep.
By the second week the symptoms started to go away, and now after a month, it’s all back to normal. Sexual activity is even better than before!
Good luck to all of you!
November 29th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I’ve been on Cymbalta 60mg. a day for a couple years. I was originally on Welbutron but my wife wanted to talk to the doctor about my aggression. Doctor put me on Cymbalta.
The difference could be seen almost immediately. Depression runs in my family, we have had 2 suicides.
Cymbalta has helped me with anxiety, depression, and aggression. It has even helped me last longer in bed. (I never did last that long, and now I can enjoy myself).
My only fear is that it will stop working for me.
cons.:
-If I miss a dose it causes me to feel weird. It also is seen about 24 hours later in my mood through aggression.
-I sweat like crazy sometimes at night when I sleep. Soak the sheets sweat.
God Bless and prayers to all.
I know it can be hard. Hang in there.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Sorry for second post;
31 yr. old healthy male.
no other meds taken.
January 31st, 2010 at 3:26 am
ive been on cymbalta for over 1 1/2 years. i have found myself emotionless, tired, sluggish, gone from being an active person to a couch potato. i have times when i say the wrong word in a sentence (did you bring in the magazine) instead of the word newspaper. i sweat constantly and alot. i forget what i am going to say-alot.. and ive gained weight and still am, i am hungry all the time. anyone having similar symptoms
February 1st, 2010 at 7:24 am
I started taking Cymbalta 4 weeks ago 1 week on 30 mg graduating to 60 mg daily. I suffered from depression off and on for 2 years after the death of my dear friend. Also chronic pain over most of body from the depression. I began the treatment of Cymbalta and within 3 days I was a totally differant person. I was fun loving again, and ABSOLUTELY NO PAIN!!! Those are the pros….
The cons…. insomnia (lol its 1:18 am and Im typing this), some tightness in the chest.
Last week I came down with a stomach virus and was unable to take the Cymbalta due to vomiting and nausea, so for three days I went off the pills and I felt like total CRAP!!!! Some of the previous symptoms crept in…depressed, lack of energy,a dont give a crap attitude, and body aching.
So I guess in life there is a trade off, the pros…..or the cons…….and I would much rather take the Cymbalta than loose out on living………
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Depressed and anxiety most of my life, 55 now, but most people say, you are so cool and in control. Inside I can be boiling over.
I started Cymbalta in June of 2009 felt better, not great the first week at 40 mil. Then felt totally depressed the next 4 weeks, even worse would describe it better. At 5 weeks I went up to 60 mil., that took about a week to kickin but I felt alot better alittle numb no depression but was still very sleepy most of the time. After 3 more weeks of feeling good but sleepy, the Doc put me on Nuvigil, it was about 60 mil. to start, this is an interesting drug. The first 5 days @ 60 mil. I was superman ,then little by little after a couple of weeks I slowed down to be sleepy again but no depression. Doc kept adjusting up Nuvigil every couple of weeks. I am at 250 mil of Nuvigil and 60 mil. of Cymbalta now after 9 months. I have been on this combo 4 months and everyday is mostly good, as before, I find I can talk myself into being depressed if I want to no matter what drug I take. My wife and I believe in God and Jesus as our savior. This has helped me for years and now I am just seeing something totally different that has helped me greatly. I realized around the end of 2009 that the most important relationship I have is with Jesus. As long as I keep my life in line with him i do not feel insufficeint or unworthy I do not see myself the way the world does, I see myself the way Jesus does. If you see yourself the way the world does and try to look that way you will never come out of depression, you will just try to get more and more high on the meds .Jesus sees me as a sinner , a man that is trying hard to be better. I will never be perfect, I can do what I can and try as much as I am able to do what needs to be done. I make no excuses for making bad choices, I have only Jesus to answer to. And, I have Jesus to listen to.
I pray if you read this, you too will find the love of Jesus.
ron
March 8th, 2010 at 1:14 am
I started on a lower dosage of Cymbalta for one month and now am 60 mg – I am almost finished month 2.
I am taking it for Depression and Anxiety. I had both for years but never addressed them. Then I got layed-off and financial difficulties kicked in and I became suicidal.
Honestly, I do get the sore throat – really bad, the sweating and the hot flashes, but still, I have never felt better in my life! I feel good about life, I look forward to each day, I have loads of energy and I can deal with situations remarkably better.
I will be attending counselling as well, but my worse fear is coming off the drug. Right now it is such a crutch for me.
Everyone reacts differently for everyone, but I hope that you find a remedy that works as well for you as Cymbalta does for me.
Sorry just one more thing, I have stopped emotional eating and am losing loads of weight!
March 10th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Cindy,
Thank you for the information, it is so encouraging to hear you are working on yourself with success. I want to share 3 + things I have learned, take it for what it is worth to you.
1. Don’t worry about coming off the drug, pray that it will continue to work and if you need it the rest of your life, is it not worth it to feel this health. And if you start feeling down, first think of all the things you can be thankful for. Today in Chicago it is rainy and foggy, wow is that beautiful to see how God can change our world for us.Also, there will always be help for you, other med’s, other counselors ( they are not all going to work for you ), other friends , the list goes on.
2. In response to your last line,you start with the word Sorry. Hey kido, this word in the way you use it implies you do not value what you are telling us, you are taking our time. What you are telling us is what you think we need to hear, you are attempting to give a part of yourself to us, to help us, thank you for that. You need to stop that kind of thinking, first recognize your negative thought and immediatley bring in a thought of beauty or joy , something good.
I am sure you are beautiful, God made all things.
3. Finally, please remember, you cannot be all things to all people. You may say or do something that will bother some one, let it go, we all have a bad day, we all struggle with different problems. Focus on what you need to do to become healthy but do not get self absorbed, constantly thinking about how you feel. Even the most succesfull people in this world have pain and suffering, they may not be affected by it because they focus on something or someone they can control like,work.I would rather meet a depresses person that is open and caring than a tycoon that just wants to talk about him or herself.
Thank you, ron
p.s.
Cindy,
I am not going to say … sorry .. for all the misspelled words or my grammar
I need people in my life that do not value me by what I look like or how smart I am, how about you?. Oh ya! Have … fun , take time off time months off !!!!! Work hard, maybe now it is only on yourself but do it. A Don’t ever stop being curious it will bring you much joy in your life.
Sorry this is so long. woops!
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Hi, everyone. First of all I think that you need to find a good Dr. that will work with you. I have had Funky feelings on all the meds. that I have Taken. I’ve felt nausea, dizzy, anxious, and feelings of despair. I told Drs. that these I couldn’t take; Paxil, Zoloft, Remeron. abilify, welbutrin, Seraquel, klonopin, because I got so anxious that my heart pounded and I put myself into a panic attack. This was like a cycle that I couldn’t stop. It was my own hell and no one could understand it but me. While I was in a hospital because a Dr. put me on 9 mgs. of xanax a day They put me on cymbalta. Wow….This is the only med. so far that I can say works. I think that it worked so fast on me , as it should for all of you, because I was on a ssri before I started it. I was trying to tell myself that the paxil was working because thats what my Dr. said. Cymbalta is the best antidepresant around. It gave me my life back. Don’t get me wronng I still have my downs but alot less often. I am taking 120mgs. and yeah I was scared of all the side affects they say. Don’t worry, get a good Dr. and trust him. The hardest thing is trusting a person that has your state of well being in his or her hands. Please do so but make sure your comfortable with him or her. One way to check is see if they return your phone calls. That will always make you feel better when adjusting…and remember no question is a stupid question..
Cymbalta is great !!!!!!
Shawn
April 17th, 2010 at 3:05 am
this article might be interesting to you all, although i think each persons body reacts differently–you have to find out what is best for you.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-practice/200902/lexapro-and-zoloft-in-cloud-dust
May 10th, 2010 at 2:01 am
I started 30 mg of cymbalta 2 days ago. I take it at night. Other than a head cold (that may have nothing to do with the med) and dry mouth. I Have had no major side effects. i have been on a number of anti-depressants for a number of years. Effexor made me horribly sick to my stomach, prozac didnt help at all, zoloft made my grind my teeth, and paxil was horrible to start and stop…i had a horrible time starting the paxil (which helped at first then after a year quit working all the way around) then when i came off of it..well i thought i wasnt going to get through the withdrawls. But i did, started lexapro when i was pregnant..it made me throw up even more than i already was. So i stopped anti-depressant for 2 years. I have payed deeply for it! I have been a mess, my relationship is a mess, and i have anxiety terrible. i have no patients with my children. So i started Cymbalta, It has been great so far. I dont know about the sex drive thing ( i didnt have one to begin with due to the depression) so we will see. But dont let these blogs scare you….ALL ANIT-DEPRESSANTS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS OF SOME SHAPE OR FORM. but you have to decide if you want to live depressed and anxious or take a pill that can make that go away. The side effects will slow down and eventually go away. good luck to everyone!
May 14th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Started Cymbalta tonight. Been on Paxil for 2 years and it stopped working, all of a sudden. I have been on everything. Lexapro made me tense in the jaw it ached. Welbutrin was 3 weeks of agony, got more depressed. I took Effexor for 5 days, I think. I was climbing the walls, so much anxiety! Remeron was magical for me BUT I was puffy and bloated everywhere. I felt like a water balloon. I took it for a year but I didn’t even look like myself anymore.
I really hope this helps, I am tired of sleeping all the time. Tired of wanting to disappear.
May 30th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Hi all,
Thank you all for your input. It has been very helpful to me to see the wide range of experiences. I am in my first week of Cymbalta @ 30. The first day was trippy! I wasn’t sure if I could continue, but the next day and all subsequent I have woken up uncharacteristically chipper. I am renowned for not being a morning person, but I am now cuddling with the dogs, giggling and bouncing out of bed happy as a clam. I was very surprised how much the first day was nothing like the rest. I was nauseated, couldn’t work, went from pacing around to lying gape-mouthed on the couch. Very weird day, but nothing like that since.
I wanted to write to suggest something to the folks with the throat and intestinal side-effects. I am a vegan and have had no such problems, so if you are having these issues, maybe you might try going meat- and dairy-less for a couple of days to see if it improves. I suspect the dairy for the throat issues and the meat for the other, but that’s just my guess.
I feel bad for those with the sweats out there. I was a perpetually cold person and I now am finally comfortable places instead of freezing. That was a nice perk as I looked funny always wearing sweaters in summer.
My best to you all.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Hi again!
I just want to tell everyone to hang on. The cymbalta is still working for me, but my Doc. added remeron 30 mg.s a night. Has anyone still have break through depression? actually I think things are working but I’m confused ? How am I really suppose to feel? They have had me on antidepressents for so long is my depression break throughs normal feeling of life or do I need something else. I still think that cymbalta is great though.Please answer me? I just want to be happy? Whats that suppose to be. What does your depression feel like?
July 15th, 2010 at 2:39 am
Started on cymbalt 30 mgs for depression and HORRIBLE anxiety attacks. I felt like I was dying. It made me sick and tired, yawning all the time and very dry mouth. I stuck with it and after a week started feeling better. Mentally I knew things were changing. Now I am on 60 mgs and doing great!!! Going up in dose was no problem and it is amazing how my anxiety attacks have stopped. I was waking up in the middle of the night with them and having at least 3 a day. That along with the worring and gloom and doom feeling was horrible. I feel so much better now. Like a whole new person, so my advice is to try to stick with it. Oh and at first my sex drive was down, but it’s back and although orgasims take a little bit longer I am having them. So maybe some of you just need to give it a chance and know that it has helped me sooooooo much.