Cymbalta makes me so exhausted. Would Effexor do the same? Has anyone switched from Cymbalta to Effexor with any success?
Cymbalta vs Effexor for energy??
Question posted by Sphynxxx on 14 Oct 2015
Last updated on 11 September 2020
Added 16 Oct 2015:
Pristiq also made me feel tranquilized/ very tired. Cymbalta helps me a lot, but the fatigue side effect is a huge problem for me.
4 Answers
cindy-59
31 Dec 2018
Hi Sphynxxx. I hope you have found something to help you with energy. Personally I have been on Cymbalta/Duloxetine for 10 years and it has been a nightmare. I was once a healthy, happy and outgoing woman but Cymbalta changed all that. I had many horrible side effects and one was exhaustion. I was so weak and dizzy that I kept falling down and I spent many days in bed. I was always a small woman even after having my 5 children but I gained over 80 pounds while on Cymbalta. I am tapering slowly off this medication now and I have found a way to taper off so that the ‘withdrawals’ are manageable. In my opinion Cymbalta/Duloxetine and medications like it should be taken off the market. I understand that some people will say that they have been helped with these medications but just wait until the medication stops working and the doctor upps the dosage and then they get to the maximum dose and the medication stops working and they decide to stop taking them.
Well; it’s not easily done. I’ve been tapering off Cymbalta (60 mg) since June of last year (2017) and I’m down to 6.5 mg now. I understand that some people have no problem getting off these medications but I don’t understand why people are taking the chance. These types of medications play havoc with our brain and our bodies. They mess up our metabolism. I absolutely 100% hate these medications and one day I will be drug free. There are lists of ‘Natural Remedies’ for almost every problem you have on Google. Don’t get me wrong; I understand that medications are needed for certain things; like Diabetes and others. Take care and I wish you the best. Cindy
Neededsomthing
30 Dec 2018
Effexor rx took a longtime for my body to get used, I was in bed as much just not depressed for months. I eventually added Wellbutrin and that was better.
Snuggs08
15 Oct 2015
Effexor made me so exhausted I couldn't get out of bed. My mom took it and it gave her a new life with get up and go energy. I take Cymbalta 150 mg with Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. It keeps me stable and not as tired. But I could always feel better.
chuck1957
14 Oct 2015
Sphynxxx; I have heard this alot with cymbalta and the two of these medications are in the same group but most don't have as much problems with Effexor xr from what I have read. You might just check with your doctor it would or should not be as hard to change from one to the other being there in the same group of medication and hopefully you would not have to wait as long for the Effexor to start working for you. We all react to these medications different.But I know this has been one of the main complaints with Cymbalta. Good luck.to you. Give your Doctor a call.
Sphynxxx
16 Oct 2015
Cymbalta has been the only thing that helps so far, but the fatigue is too much. I also tried Pristiq and that was a nightmare, and also made me exhausted. The only other antidepressant I know of in the same category is Effexor, but I'm worried it will be the same or just make things worse like Pristiq did.
chuck1957
16 Oct 2015
Sphynxxx; Talk with the doctor sometimes they can add something with the Cymbalta that well help with the tiredness hang in there..Be a bit careful Effexor XR is almost the same as Pristiq just the way they break down I have been on Effexor for about 7 years and have no problem with tiredness myself but we are all different.
andreeanna
11 Sep 2020
Hi Sphynxxx, I've been on Effexor XR for 2 years and at first it made me sleepy but it worked so well on my depression & anxiety that I was willing to put up with this side effect. After about a year this side effect stopped completely and I have no sleepiness during the day anymore. Best wishes to you.
Related topics
cymbalta, effexor, effexor xr, depression, bipolar disorder, duloxetine, venlafaxine, antidepressant, energy, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
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