Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

"I was put on Cymbalta because at night I experienced leg pains, which drove me crazy. It was like my legs were alive. But while on this medication, it stopped the leg pains, I still have some memory issues. However, it is awesome that I no longer have aches and pains at night that kept me awake."

• Cym...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 19, 2016

"I saw this medication as a marvel, until I started taking it. I had no problems, except for some nausea, during the first 2-3 months I was on it. And it seemed to help somewhat with pain. Then the fun began: restless legs syndrome, insomnia, horrible sweating even when it was cold, urinary incontinence and frequency, muscle spasms, elevated liver enzymes...but hey, there's another medication for all those side effects. Finally after 3 years, I had had enough and was ready to move on. Unfortunately, the Lilly recommended taper is downright dangerous. After the alternating 60mg/30mg and drop to 30 mg, I was in full blown Cymbalta discontinuation syndrome. Look it up; it's not pretty. Run away from this med as fast as you can."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2023

"I am extremely sensitive to medication, so don't let this sway you too much. I'm 24, recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and have bad anxiety. I tried taking Cymbalta 2 separate times, both times made me extremely nauseous (even with prescribed anti-nausea), made me feel fuzzy, like my whole body felt like TV static, made my anxiety worse, caused jaw clenching and grinding. I felt confused driving, like I didn't know what was going on around me. Very strange experience, 0/10 for me."

• Lan...
• November 12, 2014

"I was on Cymbalta for almost 2 years. I stopped taking it because I thought it was the reason why I was gaining weight (10 lbs over 1 year). 30 mg first year, then 60 mg, then 30 mg again. Pros: It treated my fibro! Not just temporary effect, 80% of the pain went away! I stopped taking it 1.5 years ago and the no-pain effect is still here. Pretty happy about that. Cons: the adjusting period (about 2 weeks) IS a nightmare, worst vertigo and nausea ever. Overall, highly recommended to people with fibromyalgia."

• gem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 15, 2015

"Cymbalta actually did help, but please talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your vision. I was literally 2 weeks away from going blind. I was in my early 40s and developed severe cataracts in both eyes very quickly. After seeing several doctors and specialists, I had them removed. One of the specialists did research and found that Cymbalta was the cause, a very rare side effect but it can happen."

• you...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2019

"So... after now being on these for the second time, I can review them properly. As someone who struggles with mental health issues and fibromyalgia, these tablets worked a treat for both my pain and emotional regulation BUT be prepared for around a month of side effects before you fully notice a difference and can't function. Sickness, constantly sleeping all day; no appetite, rash, dizziness, nausea, constant headaches, not sleeping at all at night, and struggling to move are just to name a few, but once you get past that, they’re better than any pain killer. Despite struggling to feel emotions, the positives outweigh the negatives."

• I s...
• October 7, 2017

"This medicine is a lifesaver. I felt like my life was over. I was in constant pain day and night. I could not sleep, I was constantly depressed. Fibromyalgia took my life away. Cymbalta gave me my life back. I recommend this to anyone with these symptoms."

• Mar...
• February 20, 2015

"I was in a clinical trial for fibromyalgia with Cymbalta. It helped tremendously. I was in a double-blind study but could definitely tell the difference in being on a minimal dose and a therapeutic dose. This was in 2008, and I have taken it since with great success in improving (not eliminating) the aches and pain. Now my doctor wants to wean me off, and I don't want to be off of it."

• vcn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2014

"This medication has worked wonders for me. However, I also have additional medications that work along with this in order to provide me relief. But when I have run out of this medication, I am certainly aware, it is great for my nerve pain and my depression that accompanies my fibromyalgia."

• Cin...
• March 20, 2013

"I have taken several depression medicines over the last six years. All with limited results. My entire body started hurting so bad, fatigue, headaches and broken sleep at night. I begged my doctor to try me on Cymbalta because it helped a friend with similar symptoms. My pain was almost gone in a week and completely gone in two. I never realized how bad my pain was until it was gone! I take it at night because I get very sleepy within a few hours. I sleep great and wake up pain-free and fully rested. It has helped my depression but not to the extent it has taken away all my pain. I did feel slightly nauseous on and off for a few weeks. My appetite has diminished which has helped me lose 10 pounds."

• Mit...
• February 17, 2015

"Was on Lyrica for peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. However, symptoms remained intense and quality of life was severely compromised. In comparison, within days of switching to 90mg Cymbalta daily, symptoms dramatically improved with little side effects."

• Fae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2015

"I was put on Cymbalta to combat the mood and pain problems associated with fibromyalgia. It dilated my eyes, which led to light sensitivity and headaches. I also grew steadily more and more exhausted and confused and foggy. I was depressed. The doctors insisted that the side effects would abate after about six weeks, but they were so debilitating I had to seek out disability accommodations at school and drop one of my classes. After about a month, I woke up one morning feeling very strange, and a few hours later had a seizure and sprained my jaw and have had jaw pain ever since. At the emergency room, they told me that the Cymbalta was the likely culprit. Essentially, this drug made my life unbearable."

• Fib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2013

"I am 46 and have suffered from depression since I was a teenager and fibromyalgia pain and stiffness since I was 30. Nothing else helped much. I tried gabapentin, Prozac, and other antidepressants. Ibuprofen and tramadol helped a little with the pain but not like Cymbalta! I started on 30 mg and worked up to 90 mg daily. I feel like I am cured! No more morning pain and stiffness, no more aches and pain, and my mood is so much brighter! I haven't felt this happy since I was a kid. I am laughing all the time. I can do things that I haven't been able to do physically for years. I started jogging. Side effects have been a loss of appetite, insomnia, and hot flashes but well worth it!"

• Ava...
• August 2, 2015

"At first, I thought this was a miracle drug, but after about 2 months, they had to double my dosage. Then, about another 2 months later, the same thing. Next thing you know, I'm on the max dosage with no symptom relief. OMG, that's when the real nightmare started. It was almost impossible to stop. I was ready to check into a hospital. My doctor did watch me and did her best to get me off the medication safely, but it was really, really hard. Even though it did not help my fibromyalgia, I suffered from withdrawal. Please, PLEASE, really read the side effects before taking this medication."

• Lol...
• January 5, 2015

"This was a miracle for the fibromyalgia pain, until the excessive sweating began. It took a long time to make the connection. I have been off for three months, the sweating has stopped, but the pain of fibro is creeping back. Will have to try something else. The sweating was such a nuisance, and it got so bad, it was frightening. But, definitely give it a try - it may help you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2017

"Cymbalta seems to me like a 'miracle' in ridding me of fibromyalgia pain. I have had fibro symptoms of varying severity for over 30 years (I am 58), and I have never found lasting relief, except for one year when I did not work, studied massage therapy, and got massages several times a week. Recently, severe pain returned in my hips, which prevented me from sleeping. My doctor prescribed the generic version of Cymbalta (duloxetine), and within a few days, the pain was greatly reduced. When increased to 60 mg a week later, the pain went completely away."

• PJN...
• May 5, 2017

"For almost 2 years, I had felt like I was exhausted and in pain all of the time. I was told that it was osteoarthritis and because of my getting adult acquired flat feet. Finally, I went to an arthritis doctor who said it was fibromyalgia and started on Cymbalta two weeks ago. Within 5 days, I felt relief. It has given me hope to be able to do things without constant pain. I still get tired easily, but I can finally sleep at night and not be nearly as stiff in the morning. I was scared to death when reading about the side effects. Other than a headache for a few days... that was all for me. I'm so glad it has changed my life."

• jef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2023

"Cymbalta worked very well for nerve pain and occasional anxiety on the first day. I was taking 60 mg once per day. I was 54 years old when I first started taking Cymbalta, and I wasn't working (hard) at a foundry and am now retired. Also, I was always athletic and played racquetball, tennis, basketball, jogged, etc. After about six years, I slowly noticed I wasn't able to do the usual things I did all my life because I would get winded and short of breath. I had yearly visits to my doctor, and I was in excellent condition as I went for my blood work and vital signs. It got so bad about nine years of taking Cymbalta that at 62 years of age, I mainly went to the one grocery store in town and back home. I would take the usual two 10-12 pounds of food to the house, and when I got to the refrigerator, I had to put the bags down and wait a bit to catch my breath. So, six months ago, I stopped taking Cymbalta, and my normal breathing slowly came back. 69 and getting younger."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2013

"Cymbalta has helped me so much with horrible fibromyalgia pain. It has also helped a great deal with anxiety. However, I no longer believe I can handle the side effects. I have gained over 20 pounds in less than 4 months, despite exercise and calorie restriction. I have severe constipation, very odd dreams, and hot flashes. It is such a shame, because my fibromyalgia is so much better with Cymbalta."

• Goo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 26, 2012

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia ten years ago. I had a great deal of pain and a significant anxiety component. I've been on Cymbalta for the last five years, and my fibro has been in remission for most of that time. I take no regular pain medications. My mood is good, and anxiety attacks are rare. We lost our son in an accident 3 years ago, and I felt strong enough to deliver his eulogy with resolve and confidence. I know that Cymbalta works for me because, on the occasions that I've missed my dose two or more days in a row, I feel like sobbing over things that wouldn't even get my attention when I'm taking Cymbalta as prescribed. I will gladly keep taking it for the rest of my life if it will keep me out of pain and free of anxiety."

• Ete...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

"This drug definitely proved what works for some doesn't for all! A friend tolerates Cymbalta exceptionally well! Having suffered from fibromyalgia for 20+ years and initially positive results with Venlafaxine, only last year experiencing long-term use side effects, I have been attempting to find new medication to treat fibromyalgia, insomnia, and RLS to name a few -- Cymbalta caused violent diarrhea, waking me from a sound sleep. Tried a few other times, same response. Only with trying was I able to determine this medication was not compatible with my body."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the beginnings of osteoarthritis. I'm a 24-year-old mother of 3 children, and for me, Cymbalta has helped manage my pain. With 2 kiddos under the age of 3 and a special-needs stepchild, I don't have time to hurt, and I definitely can't lay around when I have a flare-up. Cymbalta has made the pain lessen from a screaming pain to more of a whisper. Do I still have flares? Yes. But they are fewer, and the pain is less, and I am able to control my flares better with the help of naproxen and a muscle relaxer. As far as side effects, I've noticed some loss of appetite and constipation. Every medication has some sort of negative effect, but you have to pick and choose what you are willing to live with."

• jas...
• December 31, 2008

"I share the same experiences as other reviewers. Fibromyalgia was finally diagnosed 10 years ago. I started taking Cymbalta one year ago and it has been a life-changing event. It allowed me to get off the two opiate pain medications I was on. No need to tell anyone the impact it has on my life. It's a priceless medicine."

• Fib...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2018

"After battling and dealing with pain for many years, I was prescribed Cymbalta. This drug works for pain. It kinda blocks it. That said, it was a rough start: dizziness, nausea, sweating. This fades, and then you feel better. Pain reduced in all areas. I could go about my day-to-day without pain stopping me. Then, after 2 years, it just stopped working. I don’t like pain meds, etc. As I knew all good things end, I decided to try and get off this med instead of increasing the dose. Well, let me warn the consumer, the patient: it was very, very, extremely difficult to reduce and withdraw from. I have a medical background, and a friend warned me. It was bad: vomiting violently (I don’t vomit ever), then in bed with headaches and chest palpitations that were scary. Finished withdrawal and reduced medications in general. Be careful with this medicine if you choose to access it for medical treatment."

• Cha...
• May 17, 2017

"Had been in a great deal of pain for over 3 years, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 2 months ago. My doctor put me on Cymbalta 30 mg once a day 2 weeks ago. It took 5 days to kick in. Wow, I am very pleased, I feel 90% pain-free. I feel tired, but I would rather be tired than in pain. It's nice to sleep pain-free."