Cymbalta for Anxiety User Reviews

• Boomer
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2019

"Don’t let the negative comments on here scare you. The truth is, Cymbalta works beautifully for some people and some people hate it. But that’s true with ANY antidepressant! Cymbalta saved me from extreme, constant anxiety and panic attacks. But I have tried other drugs-Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac,etc. Figured out I cannot take ANY SSRI. They cause my anxiety to go through the roof! Cymbalta is a SNRI. Works differently. I could not only tolerate it- it saved me. So, no- the medication shouldn’t be banned. It works wonders for some of us. If it didn’t work for you, accept it and try something else. But don’t scare other people away from trying something that could change their life in a positive way. They affect everyone differently, they all have side effects that differ for everyone and they are all difficult to quit taking."

• Jess
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

"Cymbalta changed my life. I felt the change almost instantly. Freed me from lifelong depression, I feel as if I am reborn. Yes I do feel a lack of appetite but honestly that’s a plus for me. The other side effects I felt have all subsided now and it’s only been a week. I felt like a zombie for the first four days but now my energy is back and I am happy. Haven’t been happy for a very long time."

• MAano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2021

"I understand some of you may be searching for reviews on Cymbalta right now and have come across some negative experiences. For that reason, I felt compelled to share my experience. Cymbalta quite literally saved my life. I was extremely suicidal and my anxiety was taking my ability to even function normally. I was not eating, sleeping, or working at worst of it. Cymbalta has taken away 99% of my depression/suicidal thoughts and I would say about 85% of anxiety is gone and what is left feels very normal and tolerable. I had a horrible experience with Lexapro previously and was scared of meds and I was going untreated for a long time. If you are considering it, please speak with your doctor and do not let the negative reviews make your mind up for you. Please be aware there are also us patients who have been saved by this medication. If I listened to the negative reviews/ experiences from others regarding Cymbalta and continued to go untreated, I would not be here today."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

"I'm finally free from the grips of anxiety and depression. I just feel normal. First week of Cymbalta was rough. Didn't know if I could do it. Nausea. Couldn't stay awake. Diarrhea. I stuck with it. Week 2, symptoms started to fade. I'm on month 4, this is the best I've felt in so long! I'm not numb, I still get nervous, I'm still awkward, I'm still myself! But it doesn't control me! I'm in the moment now! I'm not faking It! The only side effect now that I currently have is occasional night sweats. Which I will take any day of the week over how I felt before! I've lost weight. I no longer have low blood sugar. I feel like my entire body makeup has been changed for the better! It's hard to explain. And I know some people may be skeptical. I'm 40 years old and this is the best I've felt in over 20 years."

• Pstar
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2020

"Ok I gave a review at 5-6 months being on Duloxetine now its been a year. I started out on 30mg's for a week then had moved up to 60mg's felt great for awhile. After about 5 months I noticed I started to feel anxious and just didn't feel right when up so we moved it up to 80mg's but pushed through 80mg's helped but still didn't feel right for a few months now I'm on 100mg's, I take 60mg's at 9am and 40mg's at 5pm and man do I feel great I finally am back - life has been amazing I know this medication isn't for everybody or people have had bad experiences on it but its truly helped me and I'm so thankful for that!!! Only rated it a 9 because nothing is perfect."

• JDMAM
• June 10, 2019

"Remember this, everyone is different. Find the right medicine for you. I went on Cymbalta 7 years ago after I had an autoimmune disease and suffered from depression & anxiety. It was great. I went off of it for 3.5 years. Now, married with two kids, my life was what I wanted, yet I was miserable--so much anxiety, mood swings, snapping at my husband and kids, no interest in fun activities. I couldn't stand myself. I decided to give Cymbalta a try again (generic version). Initial side effects lasted a week. SO tired, brain fog, no appetite, headache. By day 7, all gone. I can't believe how fast it's working for me. My anxiety is gone. I am calm and easy going. I feel like the best version of myself. I'm laughing with my kids and husband and don't overreact. I actually am looking forward to doing activities and I have been enjoying them. I have been more productive at work and oddly more organized. I've tried other medicine and it's shut me down like a zombie."

• Pstar
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2019

"I've seen a lot of horror stories about Cymbalta but its been great for me. I started at 30mg's for a week then went up to 60mg's I've been on it for 5 months now and feel great. I had no side effects at all. Everybody reacts differently to meds"

• Penny...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2020

"Taking Cymbalta is like having someone turn off the switch that controls my anxiety. It’s hard for me to comprehend how I lived with constant anxiety for most of my life now that is controlled. I will say this is a medicine that you must commit to taking as prescribed. Missing doses will bring the anxiety back full force."

• Bon
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2023

"I had been suffering since I was a kid with severe panic disorder, anxiety and depression. I was put on Prozac after my 3rd child for extreme post-partum depression. It helped, but wouldn’t totally get rid of it. Years of on and off depression, trying new meds…(you name it, I tried it!!)..at 50 years old I was put on Cymbalta. It was life changing. Almost 17 years later, thank God, it’s still working!! I’m on 40 mg daily. I’ve done things I would never have thought I’d be capable of doing. I always said that if I were offered a million dollars to go off of it I wouldn’t!! I still feel the same way! It saved my life."

• danimom
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2014

"I was quick to anger, severe mood swings would yell at my kids for the slightest things. I was ready to punch anybody that would make me mad and( it didn't take much!) I started with Cymbalta 30mg and I noticed a slight difference I was increased to 60 mg and I felt the change right away. I'm so calm and I'm back to being a happy mom. I take it at night because it would get me sleepy during the day if I take in the morning some of the side effects I've experienced have been dry mouth, lack of appetite, hot flashes, tiredness! I love this medicine it has changed my life. The relationship with my children is much much better too. I no longer have crying spells and I'm a much nicer person. Try Cymbalta."

• Amos
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2018

"Cymbalta changed my life. I was going through the worst life experience I could imagine. Thoughts of suicide dominated my life and panic attacks were often. Then I started taking Cymbalta and everything changed. I started having the ability to see a hopeful future and my panic attacks disappeared. The days I forget to take it look grey until I take it and hope returns. I'm too fearful to exist drug-free in my later years. I've never experienced any side effects, just positive ones. I wish I had started taking something like this when I was young. To me, it's a miracle drug."

• Missy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2019

"Cymbalta worked to saved my life after perimenopause made my already existent depression increase tenfold. My depression was so dark I felt like I was being held down in a dark abyss. If I didn't seek medical help, I honestly believe I would have taken my own life. 60mg of Cymbalta daily and I could get out of bed, live my life, and function as a loving single parent who could provide for her family. Now, ten years later I will discuss the increasing anxiety I am feeling. Will my Cymbalta dosage increase. I don't know. But I do know for those 10 years I was not just surviving I was living. Thanks to Cymbalta"

• XYY...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2016

"Changed my life. I had been experiencing slight bouts of anxiety starting at around age 19. Hitting me hard, randomly of course, only a few times a year. Then when I was 24 something changed with my anxiety and I became completely crippled by it. I was being consumed by constant anxiety, worry, fear, etc every single minute of everyday including when I slept. I was out of control emotionally and mentally. I had to take a box of tissues with me everywhere because the anxiety was so severe I would burst out into tears even during the "happiest" of times. Finally after suffering for months I decided to give Cymbalta a try, reluctantly though. After a week of relatively mild side effects it had changed my life and saved my life."

• StephOR
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2021

"I had insomnia badly for the first couple of days, but taking it in the morning helped. I also experienced lack of appetite for the first couple of weeks and felt very energized. It faded, but same things when the dose was increased to 60mg. It was great for anxiety, even helped with things that I didn't know were from anxiety; however, I had no relief of back pain unfortunately. I currently have no side effects after 2 months."

• Chloe
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2020

"NOTHING matters about this drug except the fact that withdrawal is horrific if you ever need to come off it. Don’t start! I am now in my 13th month coming off this drug. It has been the worst thing ever. I am now counting beads in capsules and reducing slowly; am down to 10 mg. Five more months and I hope to get my life back. This drug should be used only as a last resort when all else has failed. Would give it a zero if I could."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2018

"Cymbalta was really hard to take at first. I felt very out of it the first day, the second and third day the nausea was unbearable, I had terrible stomach cramps but the worst was the insomnia (but I had that before I started taking cymbalta). I was advise to try to stick to it and not give up because the benefits were coming. After 6 days I was so happy that all the side effects disappeared, I'm sleeping on my own with out insomnia meds, I feel like myself again and the terrible panic and dispersonalisation I was having are gone. I know I still have some time to go until is in full effect. I'm only on my second week but I'm excited to know that is going to be even better. Yes! Side effects suck and you feel you can't take it! BUT I think about the quality of life I was having without it and I'm afraid because it was so bad I was thinking of doing "anything" to stop it. Cymbalta is giving me the opportunity to enjoy life again. If you are struggling with side effects just hang in there. It will get better."

• Office...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2014

"This medication was a life saver for me as it helped me to overcome anxiety at work and allowed me to regain my focus. This also helped a lot with my irritable bowel syndrome issues! Only downfall was the first few weeks where I lost a lot of weight due to having no desire to eat and I had to switch to taking it at night because when I took it in the morning it made me dizzy and tired all day. I am taking 30mg once a day and have been on this for about 8 months. Hang in there if you just started the medication because it takes about a month to really kick in."

• feelb...
• March 14, 2016

"I was experiencing awful panic attacks and anxiety that wouldn't let up, I tried so many medications but Cymbalta was the one that worked best for me. Started at 30 mg for a week then went up to 60, then up to 90 mg where Im at now. Only down side was it seemed like it took a long time to get here almost back to normal after almost 2 months but I'm glad I'm here, have not had a panic attack in weeks, anxiety is down and I'm off all benzos. Stick with this medication it did wonders for me and I'm very sensitive to medications."

• forev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2024

"I read reviews for years and was always too afraid to try an SSRI or SNRI. I tried several SSRIs that only increased my anxiety. I got the courage to try Cymbalta after talking to dozens of people and reading the reviews on this site. The reviews often said that they wanted to give others hope since it worked for them. When something works for you, it is literally the difference between life and darkness. Please don't be afraid to try. I am grateful to all the people who developed these medications and for everyone who helps others with anxiety."

• Lala-...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2014

"I started this medication after I basically had a nervous breakdown in June 2013. I couldn't function as a mother, I felt scared & nervous all the time, lights were too bright, sounds were too loud. I couldn't deal with all of the things that needed to be done around the house. Started out at 30mg for 2 weeks then went up to 60mg. Made me super tired in the afternoons at first. (take around 7am). Cymbalta slowly brought me out of the 'fog' I was in, it took about 6-8 weeks before I could say I felt 'normal' again; whatever that is, right? "

• Jay
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

"I nearly died taking this drug I took one 30mg tablet and felt like someone had hit me in the back of the head after that I started getting brain zaps apparently that’s what they’re called by the Doctors in ICU It made me feel very sick and unwell but I thought it would wear off by 6 o’clock in the morning the next day I called an ambulance I was vomiting, shocking, cramping even though I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything except for water they took me straight into intensive care my sodium levels had plummeted and they put me straight in for a brain scan I was four days in intensive care. They said another half an hour and I would’ve had a massive stroke I was 49 at the time, The doctor said it had damaged my brain and they don’t know how long it will take to come good if ever I felt alright after about a week never take this drug you can die from it"

• may
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2017

"I have never in my life functioned properly until cymbalta, I have gone from panic attacks , to public speaking with no hesitation , I finally have a real life , I don't over stress , I no longer ruminate , no shakings , no lasting side effects , a bit hyper and loss of libido but sorted out in a few months, I never want to come of it , changed my life totally , been on 60 mgs for 20 months"

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2012

"I am a RN who suffers from severe social anxiety and moderate depression. Symptoms associated with SAD have included inability to write in front of others, eat in public, public speaking. Even drinking in front of others was difficult for me. I hated the shaking, heart racing/pounding, and everything else that went along with this horrible affliction! I remember it all starting around 15 years old but never could understand why. I'm 41 yrs old today and my anxieties have affected my life negatively and held me back in so many ways. I never felt normal. Many years and meds later, I came to believe my life would never change. That I would never feel "normal" around people. Then I found Cymbalta..changed my life!"

• Addyd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

"I am taking Cymbalta 30 mg for a week, now. My primary care physician gave it to me for bilateral hip pain when I sleep. It has been helping. More so, however, it has decreased my anxiety. Amazingly so! I feel calmer and I haven’t been grinding my teeth, which I do all the time from anxiety. It’s working for me. I think the 30 mg dose is plenty."

• Worki...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2014

"I have been on several medications (citalopram) & after 6 years it simply stopped helping my anxiety. It made me tired, foggy & spacey anyways. I had a hard time being sharp at my corporate job. I then got off of anything and was just ok for 7 months. Then my spouse almost died and it sent me reeling into depression & severe anxiety. I was paralyzed with fear. I couldn't get my work done, cried all the time, had major anxiety. I was afraid to try anything due to the fear of being tired, foggy or dull. Started 30mg Cymbalta. It helped me within 3 days. First 3 days was nauseous. After 2 weeks I was no longer depressed, no catastrophic thinking or panic attacks. Wish I had tried 10-20 years ago! It has turned me around. Not foggy or tired!"