Cymbalta for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• bummed
• June 24, 2008

"I want to warn you about watching what you drink and other medicines you take. It turns out that even a little alcohol (3 drinks a month) and Motrin (6 pills taken over one week) will hurt your liver while on Cymbalta. I found this out through a routine blood test. "

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2010

"After reading about others' experiences with Cymbalta, I was very hesitant to try it. However, I got to a point where I was willing to do anything to feel 'normal' again. I started Cymbalta (30mg) about 3 months ago and I am SO glad I did. The first week was unpleasant -- I was close to stopping it, but my family encouraged me to give it a fair shot. By the second week things were better. Now (still on 30mg) the only side effects that remain are loss of appetite (causing weight loss), occasional vivid dreams, and some difficulty with orgasm. For me the benefits have been huge -- I am able to focus, more energy, no more racing thoughts, no more crying spells, and no more anxiety/panic. Everyone is different, but for me this has worked great!"

• Jackie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2021

"I have been on almost every anti-depression medication there is and Cymbalta has been the absolute best in not only helping my depression but my nerve pain. I’ve had zero side effects with this medication. That has never happened especially as a female. If you’ve tried everything and nothing has helped. I highly recommend this medication. With therapy and medication it has really helped a lot."

• NoLon...
• April 25, 2015

"Amazing! Best depression & anxiety medication I have been on & I have tried many. Horrible initial side effects but after 2 weeks subsided. Without a doubt completely worth it. Anxiety & depression dramatically diminished, libido back with a vengeance :) HIGHLY recommended from a person with a long history of acute anxiety & depression which was made worse by not being able to find a suitable medication until now. Best 6 months ever."

• Just...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2020

"Have been on Cymbalta for a week now for depression and chronic pain. Feel like an absolute zombie, have struggled to get my daily things done and have otherwise stared at the TV all weekend. Scared to stop because of all the horrid reviews but want to continue for the promising reviews. Why does treating depression have to be so hard? I feel worse than I did last week. Numb to the world. No motivation or desire to participate in life. I will persevere for another week and reassess. I am taking It in the morning, perhaps I need to take it at night??? I think I will do that this week. No change to my pains."

• momma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2014

"I started taking Cymbalta about one month ago. Initially the dose was 30mg for 2 weeks and 60mg following. I cannot believe how well this has helped me. I suffered with depression and severe anxiety. I will continue this medication as I understand full benefit may not be reached for several months. Overall I am extremely satisfied with Cymbalta. My only side effects are constipation and decreased appetite which I have resolved with Miralax and eating small meals more often. I also realized the increased taste of salt during my meals which has seemed to decrease more each day."

• Krstn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2021

"I was prescribed 30mg a day by my doc. I took my first dose after dinner as suggested. Around 4am I woke up and the room was spinning. I had pain in my stomach as if I had food poisoning. I wasn't able to fall asleep and I didn't get up because I knew I would vomit. I took another dose next day and I experienced shivering, chills, sweaty palms, anxiety, dilated pupils. I thought maybe it would improve or subside, but the third day I woke up, looked on the mirror and a gaunt, pale face with large pupils was staring back at me. I jumped in the shower and was shivering so badly I thought I would go into cardiac arrest right then and there. I should've went to the ER. I was so scared. I stopped the med immediately. My doc switched me to lexapro and I filled the script but I'm too shaken up from my exp with Cymbalta I'm holding off until I feel myself again. I'm in recovery and I haven't felt like that on any drug in the past. Quite unnerving. Never again. And don't recommend."

• CJano
• June 15, 2019

"I am prescribed this medication for over-focused ADHD and depression. Before trying this medication I was on Adderall once, and Modafinil once, all for a short time. The Cymbalta medication has really helped me. The pain of depression is gone, my thoughts are in a better scope, and I don't feel as deeply and get into moods. While not feeling as deeply might sound bad to some people, it is a real issue for me. With my depression at bay I'm much more able to focus on what I need to do and do it with a good attitude. I notice I don't obsess over things as much and am able to be present in the moment, and easily change my train of thought to the next thing. I'm very happy I trusted my doctor on this, because at first I really didn't like the idea. I know this is temporary, but I trust in the medication to put me in a safe place. Understand that the bad reviews are obvious in that some people were simply misdiagnosed. I have no negative side effects at all."

• DSummer
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 30, 2019

"I have been taking Cymbalta for approximately 15 yrs. for depression & anxiety. I had tried every other drug on the market. It has been a life saver for me! The first few days I felt nauseous but that is a side effect that goes away. My dr told me it was one of the few that continues to work after taking it for a long time. I mistakenly have quit taking it a few times to see if I felt better. I had no adverse effects coming off of it except that my anxiety & depression worsened. This year was the first time I’ve had my dosage increased since starting the med. As long as it continues to work, I’ll never quit taking it."

• wfelici
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2014

"EXCELLENT results. Effexor became non-effective after many years of use and another life impacting event. Was recently severely depressed and suicidal for about 2 years. Found Cymbalta 2 years ago and it CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER. I think this medication is FANTASTIC. I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder (dual diagnosed) This condition has been with me for many years (runs in the family i.e. mother was severely depressed). Cymbalta 120mg per day snapped me out of it. Under doctor's orders I discontinued current SSRI at the time and started right up with Cymbalta 120mg/day. Within 7-10 days I was out of my depressed state. It has to be the norepinephrine aspect that made the difference."

• Jan
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 17, 2019

"I have been on Cymbalta for ten years. It immediately helped my fibromyalgia pain and worked awesome for my depression. I was on 60mg for about 5 years and now on 90mg 5 years. I tried to come off it so for one month I took 60mg last February. The symptoms were unbearable. I felt bee stings everywhere and I literally mean everywhere. My legs were in soo much pain my whole body felt like it was shaking inside. I had flushing a fever non stop itching. The list goes on. It definitely served a wonderful purpose when I started, I just kinda feel cheated they didn’t tell me I have to stay on for the rest of my life. "

• Cymba...
• April 23, 2017

"Cymbalta has been an incredible drug for me. Since taking Cymbalta, I have been able to enjoy life more, sleep less and feeling more refreshed, reduction in pain, and improved memory and concentration. Recently, I have been studying for an exam. This is a hard exam, that I previously had failed before, while not taking Cymbalta. I started taking Cymbalta, approximately in January. The months leading up to the exam, I was more focused, and able to concentrate better than I can last remember. I know that Cymbalta doesn't treat concentration or memory problems, but I think that sometimes if you are depressed, it can have a severe affect on concentration. Thank you Cymbalta for helping me in my life."

• Trekk
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2019

"The most important thing I want to share here is that it is the most addictive substance I have ever taken (And I have tried at least 100 different drugs.) It's not addictive because of the benefits it gives. It's addictive as anything because when you forget to take a pill - all the hell break loose. I highly do not recommend this to anyone. If you consider taking it - DO NOT! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Better be sick from your illness then get another illness because of this medicine. Do some online research about CYMBALTA HURTS WORSE"

• Ginip
• June 13, 2015

"My experience on Cymbalta has been rather a positive one. As mentioned by others, in the first 2 weeks it does have side effects, I felt tired and was a little nauseous. I was put on Cymbalta as the entire country that I live in ran out of my previous medicine. I have suffered from anxiety, OCD and depression on and off for a few years. Since the Cymbalta has 'kicked in'', I have hardly any anxiety and no depression. I think clearly and rationally and not as emotionally as I always used to. I still do not have an appetite and I have been on this for over a month now and when I sleep, I sleep soundly and am able to fall into a deep sleep as well. I highly recommend Cymbalta and am very happy with the positive effects it has had on me."

• onewo...
• April 2, 2009

"I feel the need to warn people about the withdrawal symptoms of getting off of this drug. I am home right now because I feel nauseated, my coordination is way off. I have severe head shock, and can't sleep. Look for these types of stories before taking these types of medicines."

• Martinb
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2020

"I tried SSRI (paroxetine) for couple years on and off. I was off the drugs for couple years and then I decided to try SNRI drug first Effexor and then Cymbalta/Dulexotine. I took it for about 2 years. Taking this drug felt horrible. When I finally managed to got off of it (with extreme withdrawal symptoms). Immediately after getting off the drug I had these leg pain and tingling in my feet and was was diagnosed with Type 1 insulin dependent diabetes. I was 30 at the time and have no history of Diabetes in my very large extended family. Love to hear from anybody with more to say about this… Something tells me my usage of SSRI and mainly the SNRI is what brought about my T1D diagnosis. Anybody else with similar story? What are your thoughts about this? Thanks"

• Leahlo
• January 5, 2017

"This medication saved my life. I was severely depressed with suicidal thoughts...felt miserable and completely hopeless. The hardest thing was the first couple of weeks on this drug. I had nausea fatigue headaches etc. But please if you are suffering stick with it. 6 weeks later I am happy hopeful trying new things and loving life. This is a medication that takes TIME so be patient. But it has completely changed my life and I am so grateful."

• Nicole
• July 5, 2019

"I had been on eight different anti depressants for 12 years. I tried Cymbalta and had been on it for 14 years .I try to get off of it and I took eight months and I completely went off. Withdrawals were horrific All of my depression and anxiety came back but worse than ever. I’m so glad to be back on it. Cymbalta is a lifesaver."

• Babzter
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 17, 2019

"All the old meds had stopped working. I was in so much emotional pain, weeping uncontrollably, hating everyone, but reluctant to take Cymbalta due to bad press. I’m convinced it saved my life. It had a remarkable effect almost immediately. Plus (bonus!) no more back or hip pain!"

• Anonymous
• September 14, 2009

"I have been using Cymbalta for almost a year now and I am finally who I always used to be. I am able to handle daily situations without unnecessary anger or feelings of hopelessness. My world appears in focus and I have normal reactions to situations, I don't over react to simple things. I wish I had not spent so many years without treatment for my depression; they feel like the lost years of my life. Thank you Cymbalta!"

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

"Just took it at its smallest available dose this past week. I was replacing my Zoloft because I felt that my depression is more of a reaction to my anxiety, so my doc put me on this which is known to treat both, unlike Zoloft which only treats depression. I have yet to experience any bad side effects like many do in the beginning, and if anything it actually treated the side effects of getting off Zoloft, like nerve tingliness. It gives me an overall sense of calm, and unlike other anxiety meds, it doesn't sacrifice by concentration and memory which is very important since I'm a full time student. It calmed my anxiety and allowed me to sleep, which in result, I don't feel depression. A+ on this medication so far."

• MRSDJ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2014

"Have been on a cocktail of Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Cymbalta for several years for both depression, anxiety, and chronic back pain with GREAT success. Just recently I started to notice I was becoming very short tempered, easily aggravated, and irritable. My Psych gave me .5 mg of Ativan, but also decided to wean me off my Cymbalta 60 mg. The Ativan helped me immensely. Unfortunately,within 2 weeks without my Cymbalta my depression returned, I was sleeping all the time, and worst of all I felt like I could eat everything in the kitchen and still be hungry! Gained weight so quickly,and had no ambition whatsoever. I am now on my 3rd week back on Cymbalta and feeling almost back to normal thankfully! When you find what works for you, stick with it!"

• Steph
• December 24, 2013

"I am extremely sensitive to medications and any chemical. I get headaches from the chlorine in tap water. I was afraid to take even the lowest dose of Cymbalta, but I swear I felt happier, more talkative, and much less obsessive and less negative within the first day of taking it. By the third day I noticed that I got a little tired about 1-2 hours after taking it, but I was still pleasant to be around and nice to others. I think this is also helping with some pain I've had from a shoulder injury a while back, so that's good too. My mother also takes this for fibromyalgia and she loves it. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2020

"I was diagnosed with PMDD and was prescribed Cymbalta. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so sick in my life. Nauseous, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, loss of appetite, dry mouth, and all of this after one dose. Never again."

• Cassie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2019

"I have been on several medications for depression/anxiety since I was 20 years old. Cymbalta is the best by far. I felt so normal on it with little to no side effects. It also helped with my back pain issues. Unfortunately when I was hospitalized they discontinued my Cymbalta and I spiralled down into a very deep depression. My psychiatrist decided to put me on Fitzima as there is a 30% chance of Cymbalta not being as effective as when it was prescribed the first time. It's been over 2 years on the new medication and I am going to discuss going back on Cymbalta. When I was on it I felt like a normal person. When I cried I knew why I was crying and when I laughed I knew why I was laughing. I am fortunate that I had little to no side effects with Cymbalta. I wish you all well with what ever you chose. Please don't give up."