Please Help: Any Positive Experiences w/ Cymbalta?
Question posted by Notthatbad on 19 Oct 2010
Last updated on 22 February 2019 by Caphilbrick
I am overwhelmed by the negative reviews on this site for Cymbalta. I just started yesterday. Does anyone have positive experiences on Cymbalta for depression and anxiety???
After 5 years on Lexapro, it "pooped out". I can easily say that Lexapro changed my life. Heck, it got me through both my ridiculous wedding and my awful divorce!! But as many meds do, it stopped working. I went through serious depression and anxiety. I tried Zoloft for 3 months, and it made me miserable. Wouldnt get out of bed, thought i was loosing my mind. So I tried Lexapro again, but with Wellbutrin XL. I had rare, but severe allergic reaction to the Wellbutrin.
So now my dr has decided to try Cymbalta. I'm discouraged by these reviews. I was already discouraged that neither Zoloft nor Wellbutrin worked; both seem really well-tolerated by most people. (I also have a great therapist, so I'm not relying solely on ADs)
Anyone really happy with Cymbalta? Looking for hope???
Added 20 Oct 2010:
I'm on day three of Concerta 60mg: not feeling worse, but a bit anxious and dizzy. No nausea, so far.
Please continue to share your stories with me. I really appreciate the feedback.
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
30 Answers
CA
Caphilbrick
23 Feb 2019
Hello! YES Cymbalta is the first antidepressant that is truly working for me. I e been on it now for three months at 60 mg. At bedtime. It helps me sleep like a baby. I never been more at peace and just content with life. I used to dream of feeling this way and it finally came true after 20 years. (Prozac 20mg for 15 yrs. and then Lexapro 20mg for three yrs) So whoever is reading this please dont get too discouraged... I know we all respond differently to medications. So keep trying and dont settle for less. That's what I did for so long. I'd be happy to share my story with anyone Especially if it will help you. I still am in awe and feel blessed to actually feel real again. Does anyone else have similar positive effects??
Votes: +2
WE
welcomed 4
8 July 2018
I have had positive results with Cymbalta. I started about 2 months ago and take 90 MG per day. I am part of a pain clinic and was prescribed this medication for chronic pain. My low back pain is reduced and now I feel better. I did not know I was depressed but now I see clearly. Cymbalta is great my mood is better and overall outlook on life is better. I had no idea I was depressed until Cymbalta kicked in. As far as pain there's a team of professionals working with me.
Votes: +0
ST
Stella38
4 June 2018
I've been on Cymbalta since September 2017 at first it worked wonders for me no pain in my body great weight loss.After 6 months it stop helping me. My doctor increased it two times. Then it started to making me have bad headaches,night sweets, brain shock, brain trimmers you name it. I can't seem to shake this pill I feel awful. Tired all the time. I don't know what to do. Think about it carefully before taking this drug.
Votes: +0
CR
Crguti
8 May 2018
I started Cymbalta 5 weeks ago after many years on Zoloft. My primary care physician suggested it to possibly help with chronic pain issues. I became concerned with all the negative reviews I’ve read, so I saw a psychiatrist since Ive never been officially diagnosed (I have generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety). Initially, I had insomnia and nightmares but they subsided after a week. I have seen a significant reduction in both pain and anxiety at an extremely low dose of 20 mg. Am increasing dosage to 40 mg beginning tomorrow. My dr. warned me of the difficulty stopping but I’m willing to give it a try. Zoloft had stopped being effective.
Votes: +0
GI
gibsonman08
9 April 2018
Hey NTB... take heart! I've been on Cymbalta for over 8 years. I'm very happy with it. The only drawback, as with any anti-depressant is withdrawals. But you can take the little beads out 1 by 1 if you have to in order to lessen the withdrawal symptoms. But that's not your concern. As a mood stabilizer, I think it's great.
Hang in there.
Votes: +2
PE
peterbateman
9 April 2018
I have been on Cymbalta for four years now and have not experienced any side effects whatsoever and have been depression free as well. Very good drug for me.
Votes: +3
WI
WildcatVet
8 April 2018
Something I've come to realize through much study and research is that far less than 10% of patients have side effects and even fewer severe enough to stop the medication. These are the reviews you read... and this means that some 90% and more of users are too busy enjoying happy, healthy lives to spend time on these types of boards. Not to belittle those who do experience problems, but you have to keep it all in perspective.
Votes: +3
FR
FreddyMeds
8 April 2018
I found Cymbalta good for mood and pain relief. The two issues for me were 1. The pain relief effect comes and goes and is not consistent 2. It doesn't do much for generalized or social anxiety or nothing noticeable but i guess everyone is different. 3. Each time I have been on it I have had completely different results and side effects. It felt like a different medicine each time. All ADs are a bit of a lottery.
Votes: +0
JM
JMagic18
3 March 2018
Yes I also started on zoloft and it eventually wore off my body just built up tolerance so I switched to cymbalta and for years it was a lifesaver felt like a million dollars one reason because it is a dual medicine serotonin and norenephrin sorry have no idea how to spell that but I could go out have a few beers on it etc and no bad effects unlike zoloft, eventually you have to switch everything up as your body gets used to it or your hormones, brain evolves to levels, crazy even doctors have no idea what they are doing unfortunately we are all ginnypigs on each and every one of these drugs on a seperate based case as they know the chemical reaction and what it is supposed to do but no idea how it reacts in your nervous system, I have never had a doctor confident about anything with anti depressants, only sure one is xanax and ativan and that is a temporary hour to hour fix
Votes: +0
IB
Ibakook
12 Jan 2018
I have extreme anxiety and depression, Hashimotos, type 2 diabetes with neropathy, & arthritic back shoulderes and knees. I'm on tons of meds for all of it, so when my new psychiatrist put me on Cymbalta I was not thrilled. Too many pills already sheesh!! But after only 2 weeks taking it, my pain has considerably diminished and I have more energy. Hasn't seemed to help the anxiety yet though. When I saw her again yesterday, she was pleased and doubled my dose. So we will see how it goes. So far I am a fan!
Votes: +0
WI
WildcatVet
16 Sep 2017
Please Help: Any Positive Experiences w/ Cymbalta?
Anyone really happy with Cymbalta? Looking for hope???
Votes: +0
ED
Eddsy11
16 Sep 2017
Day 1 Feeling very dizzy Nauseous and sick just found out about brain zaps when you turn your head and a zapping sensation eyes and head Sleeping helps dreams are real and emotional Day 2 Same as day one but getting worse physically sick due to motions and brain zaps Sleeping helps started to have green tea Dreams really strong tight chest as thou something stuck half way Day 3 Again same as previous days closing my eyes brings on nauseous and brain zaps Drinking lots of water and green tea More sleeping Dreamt that I was dying heavy breathing tight chest again feels something stuck Day 4 Again same as above brain zaps stronger feeling nauseous and sick sleeping lots feeling mixed a motions tearing then happy Turning my head and more brain zaps Day 5 Not so tired today drinking detox tea brain zaps when blink not as strong nauseous not as strong
But feel emotional happy then cried in the car had to put oasis on music Also had trouble spelling when working Hungry then not Smashed two cups this morning coordination issues picking a cup from cupboard Day 6 going back to work Sent home from work due not with it Brain zaps getting less frequent nauseous getting better drinking lots of water / tea Nettle tea / green tea helping a lot Eating feeling hungry subsiding Sweating a lot Mixed emotions happy , sad , its as thou my Mind / head coming out of a deep sleep And waking up can't help thinking where have I been for over ten years laughing is natural seeing my wife my life in a new light !!! DAY 7. Dizzy bad today / brain zaps bad mood very confused spoken to friends in the park very slow in answering in questions Mixed amotions and feelings Drinking lots of water still and green tea Day 8 Good day today brain zaps light nausea light Headache thou drinking lots of water and green tea Good happy mood feeling hungry all the time Concentration is ok replying to questions good No pauses Day 9 Back to work sent home from work Brain zaps nauseous stronger at night starting to have real dreams Still drinking lots of water green tea Day 10 Emotional no brain zaps in the day or nauseous But had them at night Day 11 Same as day 10 had to go to bed early Day 12 Weird feelings as thou my mind is clearing and I can see properly Brain zaps and nauseous not so bad at night but feeling freezing Day 13 Same as day 12 Day 14 Some nauseous only light feeling well No brain zaps so far Still detoxing lots of water green tea / 1 cup of coffee , hunger has stopped
So I'm through the worst of it I feel I've been looking through fog for the past 13 years it upsets me thinking back as to why I needed them I did feel angry in the car but for the first time controlled my feelings and shut it down By myself I'm going to throw the box of cymbalta out as I have overcome my past a very bad accident that led me to taking cymbalta for 13 years I tried many times to come off them but sort of relapsed mentally and kept on taking them which led to me being overweight no matter how many times I went to the gym I couldn't loose weight , this time now I'm clean i will get back to my normal weight I won't lie I've been 20 stone a bulky 20stone This is my short story of coming off cymbalta I have kept this diary to help others so I hope it helps good luck
Eyes have been like this small pupils since stopped taking cymbalta
Votes: +0
SV
Svissloki
29 June 2017
Nothing is absolutely true, everything is relative... so if you think it works, chances are it does.
Life is very strange, stranger than we know.
Votes: +0
HO
Hopefully1
28 April 2017
I have had great results with cymbalta for 7 years.. It just "pooped out." Same thing happened in 12/08 with Paxil after 15 yrs. maybe it is extremely common?
Votes: +0
PA
palealien
28 Dec 2016
I hope no one minds if I post a less than glowing comment, although it's encouraging to see some here - I might add, far too few- I feel my case it's appropriate, and might touch those people on the fence.
I looked at Cymbalta long and hard before I started, and it seemed really promising. Unfortunately the side effects at this time were insurmountable for me. After 3 attempts with varying titrations, (the last 10 days), I was mostly moved to discontinue due to a need to drive a long distance (200 mile RT) for work, missed a week which caused a significant loss of income. My psychiatrist has never really discussed my life and the situation with me. sounds like you have a great medical team, I am glad to hear, sounds like the OP's care is a bit better than mine.
On a positive note i could begin to see what the results might be after a month or two, I felt less need for my usual pain medication. I hope to try it when this may no longer be necessary. I visit this and an other forums looking for hope and other options, I truly appreciate reading the experiences of others.
