Has anyone else experienced excessive night sweats on Cymbalta? (non menopause related)?
Question posted by Stephhelpscats on 2 July 2018
Last updated on 5 November 2020 by mikmeeks
I have been on Cymbalta 60mg for a few months now after having negative experiences on sertraline and Lexapro. Cymbalta has helped stabilize my mood and control my anxiety however after a few weeks untouched a problem.
I would wake up and night and my back would be slightly sweaty, this was in an early stage of taking the medication and I thought nothing of it. However, it gradually continued to build. (By the way, I’m 22 to menopause related episodes are thankfully unrelated)
Now I wake up (mind you I’m usually cold so I have no reason to sweat) completely saturated. My back is extremely sweaty in addition to my legs, feet, face and butt. Some nights I think I have peed myself but it’s the excessive sweating I have concluded.
Has anyone else experienced this? I’m 22 so it’s not menopause related and does anyone have any suggestions to combat this? It is extremely embarrassing.
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5 Answers
MI
mikmeeks
5 Nov 2020
I’m a 24 year old female and I switched to cymbalta earlier this year after realizing lexapro was not the right fit. I went from 30 to 60 mg of cymbalta and it has been a God send. My anxiety and stress has decreased immensely. But just like you, I wake up in the middle on the night or the morning and think I have wet the bed. My hair will be soaking wet with sweat, my sheets, pillows and underwear. After doing some research I realized this is a side effect of cymbalta. I used to NEVER sweat in my sleep until I was on this pill. I also have crazy vivid dreams and I just got my first nose bleed at 24. All side effects of cymbalta.
Votes: +0
MA
mas-one
3 Aug 2018
Hello Steph, I'm in the same boat as you, other than being male and in my 40s, now on 120mg of Cymbalta for depression, anxiety, insomnia. I started on 60, then up to 90, now 120mg which is the limit for me. But the sweating problems are were only slightly less on the lower dose. I have no other health issues than these. The sweating is uncontrollable and I've always sweated a lot since the age of about 12 which means I'm really going to get it on this drug! Worst is from the head, face and neck - beads form and roll in a couple of minutes. In social situations is causes me fear in itself - interviews, appointments, shopping - I sweat buckets every time. But I try not to allow it to keep me indoors because I sweat like hell here anyway! Why Cymbalta does it more than other drugs, and I've tried about a dozen more which aren't helpful for the illnesses, I don't know.
Also, it seems like my body is trying to get rid of poisonous stuff through sweating - it almost has a chemical smell sometimes. At least there is there are other folks who understand. Has your doctor suggested anything to counter the sweats? Mine is at a total loss. Good luck, Mark.
Votes: +0
WI
WildcatVet
3 Aug 2018
Talk to your doctor again: "There are a number of oral (taken by mouth) prescription medications that may be used to manage certain types of excessive sweating. The medications work in a variety of ways to systemically (in your body's whole "system") limit sweating. They do this by helping to prevent the stimulation of sweat glands and thus decreasing overall sweating. The most commonly used medications for managing excessive sweating are anticholinergics. These include medicines such as glycopyrrolate, oxybutynin, benztropine, propantheline, and others. Many hyperhidrosis patients experience success with anticholinergic therapy." Regards and good luck!
SL
slparris
6 July 2018
Yes I have had the same problem
Votes: +0
JE
Jen8765
3 July 2018
Hi Steph, I also suffer from this side effect. I take Cymbalta for anxiety and pain and have found that I need 90 mg for pain. I tried to lower the dose to see if I would sweat less, but the pain is too much and I still sweat the same at night. My sweating was so profuse it would soak the bed. I had to find a solution because I wanted to stay on Cymbalta. I found a product called Bed Jet. It’s a small blower that connects to a special top bed sheet that gently blows air over you. It can be warm or cool air. I no longer wake up wet and get the best sleep ever. Its been a life saver because I would not be able to stay on Cymbalta because of the sweating. You can find it online and they have open box discounts. I love my bed jet! Good luck.
Votes: +0
WI
WildcatVet
2 July 2018
Hi, Steph! Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of Cymbalta and if it's been going on for months it probably won't go away: "Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, hyperhidrosis" You need to talk to your doctor about trying a lower dosage... IF it still controls your symptoms, switching to yet another medication, or adding an anticholinergic medication to counteract the sweating since it sounds as if the Cymbalta is working fairly well otherwise. I wish I could give you some better options... but do talk to your doctor and get some professional advice. I wish you good luck!
