Please Help: Any Positive Experiences w/ Cymbalta?
Question posted by Notthatbad on 19 Oct 2010
Last updated on 22 February 2019
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 Page 2
SA
Sandra1990
14 Nov 2016
I started taking cymbalta at 30mg two weeks ago.. since then I have more energy, my sex drive went up, I'm no longer uncomfortable around others and I am far more focused. Not to mention in loosing weight. Maybe it depends on the person but it's worked incredibly for me so far. That being said expect the first few days to be horrendous... with nausea and feeling incredibly drugged. After it levels out its great.. imo.
Votes: +1
BE
Becca Lynn
2 Feb 2017
Hi Sandra, How did your doctor ween you off your previous meds before starting you on Cymbalta?
PI
pickles503
8 June 2013
Hi Nott. I'm all for cymbalta. It's the only med that I've taken that made me feel better, have more energy, lose weight and help with pain. So, this is a five star question. May you have faith, hope and love, pickles503
Votes: +1
IN
Inactive
7 June 2013
Hi. I was at the max of cymbalta 120 mg. It really worked but I got an allergy so had to change it. Also had an addon. Can't remember all the details as it was many years ago. Everyone will say something negative or positive bout meds. Remember everyone is different.
Votes: +0
AN
andybgr
7 June 2013
I have been taking Cymbalta for 2 weeks. Previously, for a whole year, I had chest pains, arrhythmia, tachycardia, which I was afraid of heart problems but they were clean, then I had small migraines. I was diagnosed with anxiety so I was prescribed Cymbalta.
On my 1st day of taking Cymbalta, I had a relief all symptoms, no chest pains, not migraines, no arrhythmia. My mood also got better. After some time, I started to get the Cymbalta side effects, it caused me panic attacks, I couldn't breath, high BP. I talked to my doctor and he also prescribed me Xanax to relieve from the the side effects of Cymbalta.
It has been 2 weeks now taking these drugs, and I feel perfectly fine. I recommend Cymbalta, but make sure get prescribed something else for the side symptoms(like Xanax) until you get used to the Cymbalta and have no more side symptoms. Now I am used to it, no more Xanax, and I feel perfectly fine. I have great mood.
Votes: +2
AN
anemicandworried
21 Jan 2013
Cymbalta 30 mg has taken away my bad depression times for 4 years now. It has made me a little numb compared to the sensitive person I used to be, but overall I would choose that over being in the depths of despair. So it has been a saving grace for me. BUT the problem is trying to get off of it. I have had serious nightmares (really kooky, like way worse than I ever was before) and i also have gotten really nauseous and rebound depression. I can't even be off of it for 2 days without feeling AWFUL! So I've stayed on it. Now I've been diagnosed with anemia... so I"m reporting that to Lilly. Good luck, but just remember that one benefit can cause many defecits as well.
Votes: +2
IN
Inactive
9 Dec 2012
Hi Notthatbad, Everybody has a different genetic make-up, and therefore react differently to different medications. Obviously, as you have read, some people love it, and others hate the med. Everybody is different, so what other people experience isn't necessarily what you will experience.
Just a thought. There was a major study done by the AMA recently, finding that antidepressants don't really work. THey are a placebo effect. What really works is exercise and talk therapy together. People aren't willing to exercise, but it really works!! Since you already have a therapist that you like, add in the exercise, and give it a good four weeks, as you do the antidepressant.
Best wishes to you!!
Votes: +1
PI
pickles503
6 Dec 2012
Hi Notthabad! Wonder why this question popped up today when it was asked 2 years ago. Anyway, the answer from me is Cymbalta is an excellent med for depression or bipolar1. When I started Cymbalta. I felt better than I had in 18 years. It started working within a couple days. Yeah! Really. I'm not kidding. I began to have more energy. I decided to belong to an online weight loss program, and I began to lose weight. I also decided to sign up for a membership to a singles sight. That was tons of fun. I met a lot of cool guys. After a few years my doc changed this med to another. I've been on many meds in my 62 years of life. I have to say that this med gave me my life back. God bless you, Truly, Anna
Votes: +0
KE
kennyray
5 Dec 2012
I have a good friend, a 30 year old man. He has been diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder. He has been on Cymbalta, 120 mg. each day. He has had very good results for both of his diagnoses. With almost no bad side effects. It could take about a week for you to feel the full impact of the drug. Once you are on it, if you must stop it, do it slowly under a doctor's instruction. Hope this helps. Kenison P. Ray
Votes: +2
WM
wmfh4210
5 Dec 2012
Dear notthatbad... I to agree that many of the posts on this site are negative and it is good to hear something positive. I too was on Lexapro for two years with little help. Switched to Cymbalta three weeks ago and starting to feel better than I have had for a long time. Much easier to cope with anxiety and feeling better about myself. My only complication is muscle soreness and stiffness.which is getting better and hoping that it won't be a problem. Good luck to you and I hope you get the help you deserve.
Votes: +2
LA
laralee123
5 Dec 2012
Hi Nothatbad, I had been on Zoloft for ~10 years, with modest and improved life-style; however, Zoloft is an SSRI, a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor. Prior to Zoloft, I had tried Wellbutrin without positive results .. and stayed with Zoloft. Eventually, I found myself, probably due to external circumstance, feeling quite tired, although my mood was improved.
I have found Cymbalta to improve my 'mood' as well as give me some 'umph' for the day, and as an additional perk, it has relieved much of my peripheral pain .. Cymbalta is a newer drug, a SNRI, or serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor.. and the best piece is the addition of the nor-epinephrine inhibitor .
I seriously damaged an ankle in a fall a few years ago and, after surgery with 10 pins and plate, and 8 weeks in a wheelchair, I understandably had peripheral nerve damage. After several days on Cymbalta, not only my mood improved but the peripheral pain I had in my foot and ankle is astoundingly better .. My research showed that Cymbalta is often prescribed for the pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy as well as for pain associate with fibromyalgia .. so I am looking forward to even more pain-free/lessened days as I continue on a Cymbalta regimen.
If sleep is an issue, clonazepam and Ambien can be helpful in getting back on track with a decent night's sleep .. check with your MD if you want to set up a trial regimen along with Cymbalta .. Best wishes to you .. LLee
Votes: +0
KA
katstew
14 Sep 2011
I have been on Cymbalta for nearly three years and it works. No weight gains - in fact, the first few months saw my appetite for food decline. That might still have been the clingings of depression, because all food tastes like cardboard when I am depressed, and I have NO urge to cook either. My anxiety levels went up during the first months, and again when my dosage increased. To combat this I stopped all caffeine and any foods and drinks with any type of stimulant. A healthy diet and exercise is important. Enough sleep as well is VITAL. A good therapist who deals in cognitive behaviour therapy is a great idea because you learn you to MANAGE and take control your anxiety. You will always have side effects in the beginning, some last a few days, some last a few months. On the whole, I am happy with Cymbalta. All the best!
Votes: +3
TW
twiglet
25 Nov 2011
My anxities have gone up since i started cymbalta 2 months ago,how long did it take yours to subside please.
KA
katstew
25 Nov 2011
The first few weeks were bad, but controllable using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with my psychologist to help understand the anxiety and take control of it, rather than the other way round. (I did not at the time relate the anxiety to Cymbalta, I thought it was something new happening to me). Thanks to this site, I now know differently! If you still have anxiety after 3 weeks at the same dosage, I would tell my doctor - maybe its not the one for you. All the best.
DA
DaniGan
20 Oct 2010
I've been on Cymbalta for over a year and it's worked pretty well. In my case, though, I had to add Abilify before I got the full benefit. Good luck.
Votes: +2
NO
Notthatbad
20 Oct 2010
Hi DaniGan, Curious how ability helped?? I thought of taking it as well. Thanks for all answers so far. I am feeling less anxious hearing the reviews.
NO
Notthatbad
20 Oct 2010
Sorry meant Abilify, my spellcheck changed to ability...
DA
DaniGan
21 Oct 2010
The cymbalta was good but I was still having symptoms. Adding the abilify super-charged the benefits of the cymbalta and neither gave me any side effects. That's what abilify does- it helps anti-depressants be stronger.
Cymbalta is the only depression medication that has worked for me. I felt better the first night I took it. People say it usually takes anywhere from 2weeks to 4 weeks but I felt better within 12 hours of taking it. I took 60mg for one year. I had to stop abruptly because my insurance would no longer cover it and it was $380 without the help of insurance. I have tried so many medications over the past 10 years and I love Cymbalta. I have recommended it to 2 friends that started taking it and they are having great success with it. It kinda numbs your anger and sadness. Which I guess is what most anti-depressants are suppose to do but this one is the only one that worked for me. I would get so angry at my kids for little things and mean to my husband for just looking at the me wrong way. So for one year I was doing great and since I have had to stop taking it for financial reasons life has been... whats the word Im looking for??? Awful. lol.
I do intend on getting back on it next month when my knew insurance starts. So if this wasn't possitive feed back then I dont know what is. Hoped this help and hope it helps you as much as it helped me.
Votes: +4
LI
Lissa1370
15 Jan 2018
I agree, I have been started on 30 mg twice a day starting with once a day for a week then up to two a day. I am on day 4 and felt better than I have in a long time. Felt better from the first day! Tried Buspar years ago. Made me feel weird and the walls were doing a waving motion so stopped that after day 2. Took a break from antidepressants for few years. Started back taking Wellbutrin XR. Helped a little with energy but still bla and depressed. These few days Ive been on Cymbalta have felt amazing for both energy and mental fog. Feel like my brain is waking up so I give it 5 stars!!!
LI
Lissa1370
15 Jan 2018
I agree, I have been started on 30 mg twice a day starting with once a day for a week then up to two a day. I am on day 4 and felt better than I have in a long time. Felt better from the first day! Tried Buspar years ago. Made me feel weird and the walls were doing a waving motion so stopped that after day 2. Took a break from antidepressants for few years. Started back taking Wellbutrin XR. Helped a little with energy but still bla and depressed. These few days Ive been on Cymbalta have felt amazing for both energy and mental fog. Feel like my brain is waking up so I give it 5 stars!!!
DE
DeeDee71281
19 Oct 2010
Sorry, I've never taken it =(
Votes: +0
AU
auntielola
19 Oct 2010
Yes!!! I've been on it for six months... I actually elected NOT to take Effexor because of all the negative stuff I read about it!! I think it's completely dependent on each person..one person's head is nothing like the other's :) I have had nothing bad to say about it..i had bit of side effects for the first week (60mg) nausea..(but i have a very sensitive gut) and then nothing..I am now on day 2 of stopping... I'm having very tiny tiny momemnts of ?nausea/dizziness but am at work and it is not affecting me. So overall, yah, I'd go on this one again. Remember, EVERYONE always has something to say about something! No one is the same. You can only try and see how you do..follow closely with your GP!
