Cymbalta for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Shanice
• June 21, 2013

"I have taken Cymbalta 60mg for 30 days after being on Zoloft with Wellbutrin for almost a year. I'm feeling better every day. I have been able to do things that I have been unable to do for years such as cooking. Depression is lifted, this medication is a godsend!"

• Nandor
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2019

"Absolutely terrible. I was prescribed 20 mg Cymbalta to replace Prozac, which didn’t help my depression at all. The first few weeks, there were no changes, so we increased it to 30 mg, then 60 mg. I lost the ability to feel emotions at all. I was numb. I couldn’t make myself eat. I lost 5% of my weight. I had started self-harming just to feel something and felt suicidal. For some reason, I told myself to go to the doc one last time. It’s recommended that Cymbalta should be tapered off slowly, but there’s almost no way to do that from 60 mg to 30 mg as it is a big jump and the capsules shouldn’t be opened. The doc said I should quit cold turkey since I was in such a dark place. The withdrawal was torture. I couldn’t leave the house for two weeks because of vertigo, “brain zaps,” headaches, and confusion. I’m on Wellbutrin now, and it’s a hundred times better in my experience."

• TWano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

"My Dr. started me on Cymbalta about a month ago. I go to a VA clinic, and my Dr. is a great psychiatrist who has many, many years in practice. I told him of all my issues and problems, and he ordered this med for me. I am currently maintained on other meds for opiate withdrawal, so I’ve been through the rough stuff before. I gotta say, even from day one, which made me slightly woozy and somewhat queasy, it is a wonderful drug for me. The queasiness subsided after a couple of days, and I noticed almost immediately my depression decreased dramatically. It also did wonders for my anxiety. I have no issues with this med, it’s great for me. Not all people have the exact same imbalance, so I suggest shopping around until you find the right one. If you are getting meds from a general physician, I suggest you see a well-qualified psychiatrist and tell him exactly what you feel and when and how, and he can get you pretty close to the center of the dartboard of what med you need."

• Relie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2013

"I'm writing this review because I'm absolutely shocked by how quickly I began to feel like myself again. After as little as a week, I had an easier time getting out of bed in the morning, I physically felt more energetic, and I had more emotional clarity. My husband is even more delighted in the results than I am. He says I'm more like myself. Even with good insurance, this medicine can be pricey. Very few side effects. I felt a little jittery the first couple of days and had trouble sleeping. Those went away when I adjusted the time I took the medicine. I'm just thankful to feel some relief!"

• ricardo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

"Cymbalta is horrible stuff! Adverse effects when trying to stop taking Cymbalta. Went from 30 mg to 60 mg over a month-long period but don't bother with this drug as it doesn’t do what it’s prescribed to do (for me anyway, has not lessened anxiety or depression). Trying to stop taking it has worsened my symptoms. No sleep, rapid heartbeat, sweats, headaches, affected work, feeling like absolute shite, etc., the list goes on. I would not recommend this drug at all! Stay away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 7, 2012

"Cymbalta saved my life. I have tried dozens of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, you name it. At 19, to treat anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, I was finally given Cymbalta. I had very few side effects, maybe a few days being a bit dizzy. And then, after a week or so, I realized I wanted to get up in the morning. I no longer regretted having to breathe. A few months in, I no longer needed anxiety medication. I could sleep all night. I was normal and happy. I would not have lived if Cymbalta didn't exist. The only drawback is if for any reason you have to go a few days or longer without it, the withdrawal will be bad."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2019

"The first time I used it, I could finally stop crying. The effects were very subtle. However, it did nothing for my anxiety. I stopped taking it after some positive life events occurred, and I thought I didn’t need it anymore. But I became depressed again and decided to take a pill from the stash I had saved a year ago for emergencies—when I no longer wanted to die or cry! Cymbalta saved my life; I'm not sure if I'd still be here today without it. But this time, it has helped a little with anxiety. Cured depression 10/10; anxiety 3.5/10."

• Blessed
• December 22, 2016

"I have been severely depressed over the past two years after the passing of my mother. MD tried me on Wellbutrin, Trazodone, and Celexa. I continued on the Celexa for about 1 1/2 years but still had many days with depression and losing jobs, only to remain in bed depressed, hopeless, tearful, and with suicidal thoughts. None of those meds worked for me. I have currently seen a new MD and changed my meds to Cymbalta in the AM and Elavil in the PM. These meds are miracle drugs for me. I've been on them for a month now. I've never felt this good in years!"

• Mia
• September 6, 2020

"Awful. I work overnights, so I took Cymbalta in the morning with my other meds (300 mg Lamotrigine and 125 mg of Spironolactone). I took it with a glass of milk because I was told it didn’t matter if I took it with food or not. Terrible idea. I woke up freezing but constantly shivering, and I tried to combat the nausea by eating a banana, and I threw the banana up. Never in my life has a medication made me vomit. I’m in recovery, so the feeling of taking it was like a foreign substance, and I’ve been sober for years, so that absolutely did not sit well with me. I blindly trusted my doctor and didn’t do my research, please don’t make the same mistake. I’ve never been so sick as well. And it went on for hours after one dose (30 mg). Best wishes. Hope everyone finds what they need safely and healthily."

• cymbalt
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2016

"This medication totally changed my life. I was previously suffering from intense suicidality and intrusive thoughts, overwhelming social and physical anxiety. After about 1-2 weeks, I noticed a significant improvement. After 4-8 weeks, things were 100% great. My job isn't the best job to have in the world, but I feel happy to get up and be productive and am proud of working hard. I am happy and confident and wish I would have known about it sooner. The side effects have been minimal, a little bit of restlessness and waking during sleep, not 100% sure if it's attributable to the medication. Overall from my experience I would completely recommend it."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2008

"Yes, there are side effects, as with all medications. However, the benefits of taking Cymbalta outweigh the negative side effects by far. This drug has been a lifesaver for me. It is the best antidepressant I have been on. I would rather sweat a little more and sleep a little less than suffer from the debilitating effects of depression."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2017

"I was put on Cymbalta 60mg when I was in the psych ward for a suicide attempt. This medication significantly helped my depression and my thoughts of suicide went away. Cymbalta has been life changing for me. I thought I didn't need it anymore so I took myself off of it a month ago. The withdrawals are terrible! Worse than withdrawing from benzos, I was shaky for a straight week. After being off of it for a couple weeks my depression and anxiety came back full force, I realized how much it had been helping me and asked my doctor to put me back on it. I'm now on 30mg and feel less anxious and less sad."

• houdini
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2017

"This drug has changed my life. Before taking Cymbalta, I was depressed, anxious, and borderline suicidal. Within a few weeks of my first dose (60mg), I noticed that I was more outgoing, friendly, and that my mood had significantly improved. Although I experience some sexual side effects, the drug has been incredible on the whole. I'd highly recommend it."

• Cymba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2016

"We all have challenges in life. I suffer from PTSD and depression. Over the years, I have tried a few different medications. My fantastic physician based in Phoenix, AZ recommended Cymbalta. It has really made a positive difference in my life. I have noticed that I'm doing a lot better in life. First, my body pains have decreased, followed by I'm more happy and positive. I'm more active in the local community through my commitment to a couple of different volunteer organizations. If it wasn't for my caring and magnificent physician and NP, I wouldn't be where I'm at today. I'm grateful for their support and on how well Cymbalta works. My quality of life has improved. Thank you for your time."

• liberty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2014

"I was previously on Lexapro, but it made me tired and unmotivated. I switched to Cymbalta one week ago, and it's already working! I'm only on 30 mg, but my doc may want me on a higher dose depending on how I feel after a couple of weeks."

• lisal...
• September 6, 2013

"I cried every day for three months due to uncontrollable pain from rheumatoid arthritis. I was also suffering from severe depression as a result. The first time I took Cymbalta, 30 mg, I noticed I no longer felt defeated and felt, for the first time since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, that the pain was at times manageable. It helped give me hope. It's been almost three months since I started Cymbalta, and it is still working well. I'm super thankful my doctor recommended it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

"I feel so much better. I’m more calm, I don’t get frustrated easily, I have more patience, I have more energy to do things, etc. The only side effect I get is body heat and a little bit of sweating. Also, I have no desire for sex, but it’s okay since I’m single, lol. Anyway, Cymbalta helped me when it comes to my depression and leg pains."

• dani
• February 18, 2014

"I started taking Cymbalta and I noticed a difference immediately! I felt more relaxed and happy in general. I take Lamictal for bipolar disorder and after finding that medicine alone not being enough, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta. I've been in a pleasant mood with my family, friends, and at work. Not stressing out about leaving the house or having a busy schedule and getting anxiety about it. It has also helped with my lower back pain I have been dealing with for the last 3 years. It's only been 2 weeks and the only thing I can say is, I seem to yawn a lot and have less of an appetite. If it messes with my sex drive and lowers it... I'm off it."

• TPano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2019

"Cymbalta helped me get through a rough patch in my life. I am grateful for how it allowed me to cope with my sibling's passing. I was on 60 mg and recently decided it was time to move on and discontinue medication. I decreased dosage every two weeks by 10 mg, then weekly by 5 mg (taking out one small pill of the 12 pills in the capsule). Please talk to your doctor if you wish to taper off the drug, but this method worked for me. I was terrified of withdrawals based on the horror stories I read, but I had almost no withdrawal symptoms. The sexual side effect of the drug was a real bummer, and the only negative of my experience."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2009

"I am on 120mg of Cymbalta to treat my chronic depression, PTSD, and anxiety (severe child abuse survivor and adult sexual assault survivor) and chronic pain (spinal disorder required fusing all but one vertebra in my neck and the vertebra in my lower back; plus severe arthritis in my knees, hips, and both AC joints). I have been on 24-hour narcotics, Ativan, and many antidepressants. Of course, narcotics work, but they caused me to have heart problems. Ativan is great, but doctors are reluctant to prescribe long-term. I thought the panic attacks, insomnia, hot flashes, obsessive worry and dread, gloom, weepiness, and loss of interest in everything would be forever. Cymbalta helped me get my life back."

• andjul
• May 13, 2008

"I have been taking Cymbalta for over a year now. I suffered from perimenopausal symptoms (PMS) including debilitating depression/suicidal ideation. I have never been a person who thought about suicide, although I have suffered from dysthymia for years. Cymbalta has been a lifesaver. I am very grateful. No depression, little anxiety, no side effects."

• Choobs
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2019

"I tried to commit suicide this year and ended up in the nuthouse (Australian for psych hospital). Put me on Cymbalta, and for me, it's a flaming nightmare. I'm on 90 mg, and even though it seems to help a bit, I now know that's a lie. The chilling nightmares that have me awake and soaking wet, unable to catch my breath properly. I don't recommend this stuff if you want to have a good night's sleep ever again."

• Merry...
• October 22, 2007

"I have been using Cymbalta for five months now and have found good relief from my mild depression. I had a lot of sweating and hot flashes when I first began using the medication, to the point that I thought I should stop taking the drug. After three months, the sweating and hot flashes had diminished to the point where it is acceptable. I'm glad I stayed with the medication."

• Tayal...
• April 6, 2015

"I have been on SSRI since the age of 14. Now I can tell you, I am 42 now and have lived half my life in a fog. Feeling tired, not interested in anything, just wanting to sleep. I changed from Lexapro to Cymbalta a week ago and wow. I have energy, I'm not dragging myself around all day. I feel motivated - the only downfall has been hot flashes. I read Cymbalta can cause that, but I will deal with it as I feel great. I have more than one emotion. I would say definitely try it, everyone is going to respond differently. I have had some issues waking up a lot at night. But that's about it. I have to pay 200 dollars a month for this medicine, but it is worth it. Good luck to you."

• Skippy
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 25, 2019

"I was prescribed 30 mg at first to help with depression. After talking with my doctor, he decided to increase the dosage to 60 mg. I was using it for 9 years, and at first, it seemed to help. But after a couple of years, it felt like I had a tight band around my head. And I was always dizzy when I stood up. I tried to stop taking it, and it felt like I had the flu. So I continued taking it. Then last year, I got tired of the head pain and dizziness. I opened up each capsule to remove 5 mg. I then waited for 2 weeks to remove another 5 mg. By doing it this way, I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms and am finally off of it! If it works for you, great! But be prepared for a struggle to quit taking it!"