Cymbalta for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2013

"Cymbalta, unfortunately, did not work for my general anxiety disorder. I took it for two months. The worst part was that it made me feel nothing and my other medications less effective. The good part was that it made my frequent urination decrease--probably because it made a lot of me feel numb including my bladder."

• cuten...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2016

"I was on 30 mg for GAD and insomnia. After a month or so, I became so hyper and my insomnia went from only sleeping a few hours every day to having days of no sleep. Ativan, which had always helped me sleep, no longer worked. My thoughts were scattered, often terrifying so it was good they were brief I guess (it "cured" the anxiety, as I couldn't worry about something before the thought of it was just gone), I couldn't focus, became unable to work at all. I was weaned off about two weeks ago, still can't function at all. I am a bit better now than when on it, but far worse than I was before. I wish I never touch this stuff, I feel like I will never get my life back again, certainly never my career."

• Sparky
• April 2, 2016

"I have been dealing with depression since 1990 and run the whole inventory of SSRI's available. Prozac was effective the first 2 years then became ineffective. The only drug that has helped me for an extended period of time was Paxil. Paxil eventually became ineffective after 5 years. So the wonder drug Cymbalta comes on the scene and I thought I had finally found the magical cure. I've been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a year and once again the roof is caving in and very abruptly. This past week I've been suicidal for 3 days. Why? The circumstances in my life that so often can trigger anxiety or depression are the same as always. How can an SSRI become instantaneously ineffective? I'm not raving about Cymbalta any longer."

• Never...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2018

"Cymbalta worked for Anxiety/pain like a DREAM, for about 4 months, then my system learned to anticipate it and within a month it was as if I was off my meds when I wasn't. It was awful. No dosage increase helps, they put you on a combination of meds to 'get you by' for a few months, then back on the cymbalta, but now it only works for 3 months, and so on. As great as I was on it, the drop of effect was 10x worse. (it also took 1 month to build up and drop off in effect). I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy."

• Sophia
• April 25, 2016

"These pharmaceutical companies need to figure out ways to engineer better medications. I went on cymbalta for about 8 months after a long struggle with anxiety. I had mild depressive episodes as well, but it didn't really bother me and mostly came as a result of having bad anxiety that I felt I couldn't control. Cymbalta was great at first, I seemed to actually lose a little weight (didn't need to but any girl likes to see that) and I had a great mood much of the time. However, I started noticing that it wasn't doing anything for my actual anxiety. It started making me gain weight, I was too tired from the medicine to go the gym, and had a hard time even making it to the library to study (I'm a college student)."

• Dr st...
• April 14, 2017

"Within 2 hours of taking the medication, my brain lit up, it felt like I was high. I couldn't contain the energy, so I went for a run. By midway through the day I went to the park with my nephews, I took them on the swings. I thought I'd go on with them, so I started swinging and it felt like I was going to die. The most terrible feeling of fear I have ever experienced. It felt like I was free falling. I had a total panic attack. At the end of it I freaked out and just needed to get home. Could barely drive or focus. By day two I started feeling terrible raw feeling in my stomach, fought the feeling of vomiting most of the day, exhausted detached. My brain would fluctuate between euphoria and complete inability to calculate or communicate."

• Pamipoo
• February 26, 2017

"Please DO NOT take this!!!! I have taking it for 7 years it never really worked I don't know why I kept taking it, When I was diagnose with mood disorder they put me on new meds and took me off cymbalta. They did wean me off BUT I WAS AWFUL THE WITHDRAWALS WERE AND STILL ARE 3 WEEKS LATER SO BAD!!! THE BRAIN ZAPS ARE THE WORST AND THEN THERE IS SWEATING SHAKING NAUSEA PLEASE DON'T EVEN START IT EVEN IF IT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD"

• Frankly
• July 25, 2016

"Add on to 30mg mirtazapine. Cymbalta taken in morning. 1st day: diarrhea, very stoned feeling all day, slightly more anxious. 2nd day: slightly more depressed and anxious, a little less stoned feeling, slight constipation, sexual dysfunction. 3rd day: extremely depressed...worst I've ever felt. Suicidal. 4th day: same extreme and worsening depression. Couldn't handle it, stopped taking it after 4th day. Worsened depression to the extreme. Don't know if the side effects would've lessened, but couldn't take the extreme depression. Sexual dysfunction also added to depression."

• Anoble
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2017

"I took Cymbalta for the first time last night. Within an hour I was falling asleep on the couch, which I never do. Usually I have insomnia, but I slept through the night. However, when I woke up I was violently nauseous and had to take an anti nausea medication (which I sometimes use when my anxiety is really bad cause it makes me sick). I attempted to go about my normal day, but found myself having to take two naps because I was excessively tired. I've been watching and reading about this medication all day and I am terrified to take another dose because of the side effects and ultimate withdrawal I'll experience if it doesn't work out. I noticed today, through my headache and tiredness that I felt more calm. I'm praying it works for me!"

• AmieL...
• December 15, 2015

"I have been taking this medication for about 2 months and have found it very helpful. I have a bed chemical imbalance disorder which just means that there are too many chemicals in my brain they were causing me to faint, have twitches and shiveres nearly every hour and seizures, to the point where I ended up in hospital after smacking my head on tiles during an episode. So far so good the medication has helped a lot. I think for nerve damage or anxiety this medication will help but maybe not for depression. I am always exhausted and my libido has significantly reduced but no twitches or seizures. I do notice that if I forget to take the medication or I drink my twitches and fits return :( Does not mix well with alcohol ."

• vegas...
• January 4, 2010

"After trying around 8 different drugs for my GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) this one seems to be helping. I don't want to jump the gun too quick, it's been a month with a 30mg every other day and about 3 weeks at 30mg a day, but I think it's working somewhat, still don't like the idea I have to take it, and always worried about side effects and getting off it, if and when I'm ready. Have had some bad withdrawal symptoms with some of the others that rivaled getting off pain medicines...no fun!"

• Sunsh...
• February 15, 2018

"I was on this medication for depression and possible help with fibromyalgia for a couple of years. My doctor had me on so many meds, I started taking myself off one at the time, with his approval. The Cymbalta was by far the worse withdrawals of anything I have ever taken. It was three solid months of withdrawals, cold, hot, tingles on my head and body. Even with a slow decrease in dosage, it was horrible. I would not allow anyone I care about to use this drug."

• Kjano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2020

"So started my first dose of Cymbalta 30mg last night and woke up feeling ok... a bit off and feel weird kinda thing. I don’t like my anxiety so I’m hoping this works :( my main thing I’m worried about is if the I would know if it’s side effects or just my anxiety:( and I’m hoping this medication doesn’t hurt me :("

• Nick_...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

"I'm 10 days into my treatment, the hospital started me on 30mg then told me to increase the dose to 60mg after 7 days. So far, so good. I have to say that I'm getting on well with the drug but I'm experiencing some insomnia and so take Valium for that (around 10mg). I hope that as time goes on and my dose of cymbalta increases that this drug continues to work and and I feel even more of its benefits as I want to start reducing the Valium at some point in the future. I'm in the UK and so do not pay for this drug and as my Doctor has certified me as being unfit for work, I don't have to pay for any medication at all."

• Matty...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 20, 2016

"Was put on this after 5 days of no sleep with anxiety. It took week or two to kick in but has saved me. I am much more level and less anxious, no sleepless nights although I do take phenergan (antihistamine )to help with that"

• Poppe...
• November 22, 2015

"This review is premature as I am on day 4. I awoke on day 3 with a peaceful mental outlook and very little anxiety, which is most unusual for me. I have a lot of work-related reasons to be anxious. I am very happy and look forward to continued improvement with Cymbalta. I feel hopeful, not hopeless! Only side effect has been a mild headache that went away with NSAID."

• MamawOf
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2016

"I started taking Cymbalta Time Release (for Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety) before bedtime at 11 p.m., 2 nights ago. I felt fine that night, until the next morning. I started feeling very nauseous and sick, (which I have a severe phobia to vomiting), I started sweating, chills, dizzy feeling, which threw me into a severe panic attack, which made me feel even more nauseous, which made my panic attack last longer. I couldnt calm myself down. I felt like I was in a nightmare! I didnt start feeling any better until about 8 pm that evening. Its been 2 days since ive taken Cymbalta and im still experiencing major panic attacks 3-4 x's a day with nausea and vomiting. I wish i had never taken that medicine now!"

• Jame...
• April 15, 2017

"My new doctor recently switched me from klonopin to Cymbalta. I'd been taking Klonopin for two years at a low dose with NO issues, but this doctor can't help meddling. Anyway, this Cymbalta is a nightmare. I'm not depressed, just have anxiety, so why am I taking this? I've been so edgy and nauseous since starting it. I can't sleep, and sit in meetings at work spacing out. Never take this medication. I'm seeing my doc next week and am just going to flatly say I'm not taking this anymore. Luckily a different doc prescribes the Klonopin."

• JohnIU
• January 4, 2010

"I took cymbalta 50 mg everyday for over 2 months. This was to treat a generalized anxiety disorder and minor depression. I live in the Midwest where the sun does not come out very often in the winter months. The medicine was effective in the long run in treating my minor depression due to the winter blues however when I first started taking the medicine I did have suicidal thoughts, which was very strange for me. Eventually, it interfered with my libido, which caused me to stop taking the medicine. I am 22 years old and for me to begin to experience libido issues led me to discontinue this medicine. This might be a isolated issue but I hope it helps you decide if the side effects outweigh its benefits."

• Panic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2016

"I took 1 30mg and it has made me so sick. I've been having flu like symptoms and my anxiety is through the roof. I couldn't sleep last night and this was just taking 1. I normally take Valium 20mg a day and Ativan 1mg and I'm ok but lately with all meds I think my body after so many years is used to the benzodiazepines they aren't working as well. I'm still having panic attacks that are disabling. I need help. Every SSRI or SNRI doesn't not work at all. I took from my teens until I was 22 ecstasy everyday and when I stopped is when the anxiety started and has never left even though I've been quit for 11 years. I don't want to be on medications any more I just want to live life that's all :( this medicine ruined an entire day for me."

• Alarm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2021

"Was having issues with trying to rebuild my life after a devastating amount of child trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse) and I have Mixed Personality Disorder (ASPD+PPD+BPD) CPTSD I'd hit relapses of existential dread It would make me suicidal. Cymbalta is revolutionary All the experiences; all the depth of conscious thought I didn't need is gone. I no longer get existential; I am calmer I can actually think properly; first few days I felt wired but once that settled I was more compassionate, caring, calm and levelled out. I came face to face with my abuser and instead of becoming manic thinking of stabbing him to death I was able to smile truly smile breath and ignore him entirely. I may actually stand a chance recovering Where SSRI's , Mood Stabiliser's, anti Psychotics failed Cymbalta succeeded Hope this helps someone"

• TJP
• January 17, 2016

"After taking Cymbalta for 3 weeks I had gradually started after week 1 to become very dizzy, rapid heart beats, anxiety, after week 2 the anxiety and panic attacks became severe, and the last day of taking it I felt like I was having a heart attack for 8 hours. It was after Cymblata had been out on the market for roughly one year a warning to Thyroid patients had been published , Hypothyroid Hoshimotos thyroiditis patient since 1989, since that time I am allergic to about 20 other medications used for fibromyalgia, myopathy, polyneuropathy, neuropathy, and so on. Another aspect with Cymbalta is that if your doctor is not up to education outside the representative selling this product then one could consider the patient mentally unstable."

• miss_...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2021

"I have GAD but compared to some it’s quite mild. I believed it was from working in stressful environments. Have had 3 major depressive episodes in 10 years. Wasn’t sleeping, wasn’t eating, anti social… spoke to my Dr and he suggested Cymbalta as it was different to the SSRI family and also having arthritis, it can be used as pain management. This drug saved me. I now sleep all night. I no longer feel anxious. My depressive episode seems to have abated. I have low energy but always did prior to taking this drug. I think also it has affected my libido but I would rather live without sex than live with anxiety!!! I won’t be stopping this drug any time soon. Tapering onto Cymbalta was interesting. I could feel it working from the very first pill. I take it before bed and if I was even one hour late taking it (30mg dose) I would get massive headaches. Once I went to 60mg all the side effects disappeared and I have been on it now for 15 months with no issues."

• CD08
• August 29, 2015

"Started the 60 mg tablet after breakfast today. Day 1 symptoms are slight nauseous feeling after eating. Some fatigue ( swam 1.5klm today at lunch) some stomach pain and yes some urine retention. Have taken Pristiq before 100mg symptoms were same but had bad itching with pristiq. Lets see what I feel like in 3 days I know the initial period is tough. Score at this point would be NA but I've put 5 until more time progresses. will try to give update on Monday"

• Muche...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2017

"I personally didn't like this medication as it made me so sick I couldn't eat lost weight and generally felt weak due lack of energy from not eating. Although my GP told me this was a rare occurrence as the side effects generally stop after a couple of days after weeks they didn't. Still looking for a medication that suits me personally. Glad it has been effective so many others"