Hi - My doc has increased my dosage from 60 to 90 mgs for my depression. I have started to become anxious/panicky - is this a side effect from the increase in dosage?
Cymbalta - increased from 60 to 90 mgs - side effects?
Question posted by katstew on 25 Aug 2011
Last updated on 7 August 2018
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5 Answers
Paula200782
1 Aug 2018
Mines has just recently been increased from 60-90 also as I felt the 60mg was helping with the depression and silly thoughts but the anxiety was terrible so my physiatrist increased? Reading some of this makes his decision sound wrong? New to this please help x
LiverLips
27 Aug 2011
Hi katstew! Nice to meet you! :)
I wanted to let you know that I take Cymbalta for chronic pain. My daily dosage was recently increased from 60 mgs to 120 mgs. Cymbalta is a frequently prescribed medication & can be used to help with other health issues in addition to depression. I've been using Cymbalta for more than 18 months. Right now, I sometimes experience dry mouth. That's improving & doesn't occur quite as frequently. My appetite was suppressed for several weeks but it's returning. I feel nauseous sometimes, however, I'm unable to attribute this to Cymbalta exclusively. Other than that, my only other issue is that my dreams are different~~~they're harder for me to control & add input.
If your dosage change is fairly recent, you may have to wait a bit longer for any changes. katstew, if you're unable to wait for these effects to subside or diminish, then you'll need to taper & switch medications. Whatever your decision, please advise your doctor. Your doctor needs to know.
I wish you all the best with your health, katstew! Good luck! :)
from Wendy :)
P.S. I also wanted to add that when I increased my dosage, I could feel a difference in only 2 days! I felt SO much better. Now, several weeks later, I'm experiencing a few side effects. Side effects can come & go at any time, not always necessarily at the beginning of a prescription's usage.
katstew
29 Aug 2011
Thanks everyone! I have been on 60 mgs for about 3 years and had anxiety when I first strated it, but had NO idea it was from the meds so I went for cognitive behaviour therapy to learn to deal with the panic attacks. They eventually went away and I have been fine for over two years but a few life events threw me off track from June this year and the depression came back. I went to the psychologist again and he recommended the psychiatrist examine me. This is when my 60mgs was upped to 90 mgs.
I started opening capsules myself to get to the 90 mgs as medical aid took a month to process the new dosage. I also became impatient for change to happen so I started taking 120mgs every other day. This is when the anxiety started taking over my life.
Then I checked the internet because I was desperate for help. I have now moved back to 60mgs and need to go back to the psychiatrist to tell him about all of this, but have to wait for some money to be available as my Medical Aid is exhausted. I have also stopped all caffeine for 4 days now.
Cymablta worked fine for those almost 3 years. Its such a pity it stopped working and now I am having these problems with side effects. I also get days of persperation and I wake up very early and cannot get back to sleep. My appetite has vanished too.
(PS: I previously was happily on Effexor for 5 years and after a major traumatic event moved onto Cymbalta).
This depression is a tough illness to live with.
Thank you again for all your support and wise words, I really appreciate them!
LiverLips
29 Aug 2011
Hi katstew! Yes, you hit the nail on the head~~~depression can be a hard illness to live with. My first hubby had clinical depression for years & had used many different anti-depressants. Effexor was one that he liked best & was able to stay on it for a long time with only minimal side effects.
In the literature from the manufacturers of Cymbalta, there's a warning not to bite or chew or crush or break open the capsule. You must swallow it whole. When the capsule isn't whole, your body doesn't get the dosage as intended since it's a timed-release formula. katstew, do you think this might have added to your anxiety? Do you take Cymbalta med at the same time every day? Do you take any other drugs right now that might be interfering? In addition, it may take up to 4 weeks to show improvement according to the accompanying booklet. Unfortunately, treating depression can't be rushed.
katstew, at what time do you take Cymbalta? I take mine at 11 P.M. every night. My dosage makes me feel as if I should be sleeping approximately 8 hours daily. Do you think it'd help you sleep longer if you took it closer to your bedtime?
I'd also suggest for you to contact your doctor about your worsening symptoms such as: anxiety, trouble sleeping & sweating. Your doctor needs to be informed of these changes. Have a look here for a refresher on some of the side effects of Cymbalta. Your pharmacist should also be able to discuss some of its side effects as well. Cymbalta is a very commonly prescribed drug. Some pharmacists are more familiar with its effects than even doctors are.
Good health! from Wendy :)
katstew
29 Aug 2011
Hi WENDY! Nice to meet you, by the way:) I take my Cymbalta in the morning, at about 8am. I DO take it at the same time every day, and I will NEVER open one up again, or not swallow it whole!
How does taking it at night differ from taking it in the morning, if I may ask?
LiverLips
29 Aug 2011
Hi katstew! If it makes you a bit tired, you might sleep longer. I find that with my dosage, I get the impression that Cymbalta wants me to sleep at least 7 hours or more. It's sometimes hard for me to wake up; I feel groggy for 20 minutes (this may be due to less than 8 hours sleep however). Also, I take a larger dosage of 120 mgs. Doctors will sometimes suggest taking medications at night so that the side effects might be affecting you while you're sleeping. katstew, are you sleeping better now? Has your anxiety lessened? A lot of people were stressed because of the weather & Hurricane Irene. There seems to be such an increase recently of pain & stress. How are you feeling today? Plus, progression may be slow~~please don't rush it. If you find the side effects are too much to take or the scrip is no longer beneficial, then it's time to change. There is a multitude of anti-depressants & different types of anti-depressants.
Switching doesn't always mean that you'll have to be at square zero & suffer side effects again. Some doctors have free samples of Cymbalta at their offices. I wonder if your doctor might have some 90 mgs on hand for dispensing. You'll never know if you don't ask. LOL
Good luck! All the best, katstew from Wendy :)
katstew
30 Aug 2011
Hi Wendy:) I am having some good days - with a LOT of positive self talk - and some days are a bit jittery still. I was wondering this morning if some of the anxiety is because the effects have worn off, and I need my new dosage. Best I go back to the psychiatrist!
I am in South Africa, by the way:) Keep well..
LiverLips
30 Aug 2011
Thank you katstew! Please keep us updated with how things work out for you. We truly do care about you. :)
Greetings from Canada! All the best! from Wendy :)
Deano0064
7 Aug 2018
Can taking 60 or 90 mg of Cymbalta a day affect your ability to have an orgasm? If so what should you do?
skins1970
26 Aug 2011
Please dont freak out at what im about to post but i have heard nothing but bad comments in relation to Cymbalta especially when it comes time for you to get off this med. Equinox14 has stopped taking this med and has had a really unpleasant time withdrawing from it so before you increase your dose maybe you should discuss alternative medication for your depression if YOU think Cymbalta isnt quite working for you. There are other anti depression meds out there that folk on this site would only be too happy to inform u of If you like otherwise be safe and be well most of all be completely satisfied & informed with your meds that u choose for yourself to take. I hope this rant made sense sometimes my brain isnt in sync with my fingers. Come to think of it, my brain isnt in sync with anything !
Inactive
25 Aug 2011
Hello katstew. Just add to what Rajive said. I also once was on cymbalta. and like you, it was increased from 60mg to 90mg. Long tale short, I developed two adverse reactions to it (and I was on it for almost a year and a half). That it was just a late reaction to say the least, is an understatement.. I stopped it. So, to answer your question, very likely its your body reacting to the increase. Just wonder for how long you were on the 60mg before your increase. hope your doctor takes note. best to you.
katstew
29 Aug 2011
I was on 60mgs for almost 3 years for depression before the increase. Been on the increase for 2 months now, and cutting back to 60!
Rajive Goel
25 Aug 2011
Unfortunately, anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks are the side effects of Cymbalta, if you think they are too bothersome; please do seek advice from the doc who increased the dose from 60 to 90mg, maybe he/she may prescribe an alternate med.
Take care, be safe & well, please.
katstew
25 Aug 2011
Thank you! I had no idea where it was coming from, until I started reading up on Cymbalta on the internet last night. The anxiety is scaring me and inhibiting my driving, etc. I will talk to my doctor!
Rajive Goel
25 Aug 2011
Most welcome, please stay well, best wishes!
Related topics
cymbalta, depression, anxiety, side effect, dosage
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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