Cymbalta for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2014

"Problems are panic attacks, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder as a result of early menopause. First, I tried Effexor 75 mg, horrible blood pressure skyrocketed up to 170/101. Then I tried Fetzima for 5 days and couldn't tolerate a high heart rate. Resting heart rate 96 and while I was walking 110 to 125. Not good, always felt like I was climbing a hill, otherwise no other side effects except goosebumps and feeling cold. So then I started Cymbalta 13 days ago, the first 3-4 days very anxious, unable to sleep majorly. My body was tired, but my mind was not. Every time I would try to sleep, my jaw would clench, and my body would jerk (myoclonic jerks) and wake me up. I took a small dose of Ativan to help me sleep. Also, the first 4 days became hypoglycemic."

• cut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2016

"I was on 30 mg for GAD and insomnia. After a month or so, I became so hyper, and my insomnia went from only sleeping a few hours every day to having days of no sleep. Ativan, which had always helped me sleep, no longer worked. My thoughts were scattered, often terrifying, so it was good they were brief, I guess (it 'cured' the anxiety, as I couldn't worry about something before the thought of it was just gone). I couldn't focus, became unable to work at all. I was weaned off about two weeks ago, still can't function at all. I am a bit better now than when on it, but far worse than I was before. I wish I never touched this stuff, I feel like I will never get my life back again, certainly never my career."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

"I'm 10 days into my treatment, the hospital started me on 30 mg, then told me to increase the dose to 60 mg after 7 days. So far, so good. I have to say that I'm getting on well with the drug, but I'm experiencing some insomnia and so take Valium for that (around 10 mg). I hope that as time goes on and my dose of Cymbalta increases, this drug continues to work and I feel even more of its benefits, as I want to start reducing the Valium at some point in the future. I'm in the UK, and so do not pay for this drug, and as my doctor has certified me as being unfit for work, I don't have to pay for any medication at all."

• Ami...
• December 15, 2015

"I have been taking this medication for about 2 months and have found it very helpful. I have a bad chemical imbalance disorder, which just means that there are too many chemicals in my brain, they were causing me to faint, have twitches, and shivers nearly every hour, and seizures, to the point where I ended up in the hospital after smacking my head on tiles during an episode. So far, so good, the medication has helped a lot. I think for nerve damage or anxiety, this medication will help, but maybe not for depression. I am always exhausted, and my libido has significantly reduced, but no twitches or seizures. I do notice that if I forget to take the medication, or I drink, my twitches and fits return. :) Does not mix well with alcohol."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

"I took the first 30 mg dose of Cymbalta and had bad side effects almost immediately. I felt dizzy and felt like I was passing out. I only took the one dose but have had insomnia for the past 48 hours. Lying awake, feeling agitated and anxious."

• Dr ...
• April 14, 2017

"Within 2 hours of taking the medication, my brain lit up, it felt like I was high. I couldn't contain the energy, so I went for a run. By midway through the day, I went to the park with my nephews, I took them on the swings. I thought I'd go on with them, so I started swinging, and it felt like I was going to die. The most terrible feeling of fear I have ever experienced. It felt like I was free falling. I had a total panic attack. At the end of it, I freaked out and just needed to get home. Could barely drive or focus. By day two, I started feeling a terrible raw feeling in my stomach, fought the feeling of vomiting most of the day, exhausted, detached. My brain would fluctuate between euphoria and complete inability to calculate or communicate."

• veg...
• January 4, 2010

"After trying around 8 different drugs for my GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), this one seems to be helping. I don't want to jump the gun too quick, it's been a month with a 30 mg every other day and about 3 weeks at 30 mg a day, but I think it's working somewhat. Still don't like the idea I have to take it and always worried about side effects and getting off it, if and when I'm ready. Have had some bad withdrawal symptoms with some of the others that rivaled getting off pain medicines... no fun!"

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 20, 2016

"Was put on this after 5 days of no sleep with anxiety. It took a week or two to kick in, but has saved me. I am much more level and less anxious, no sleepless nights, although I do take Phenergan (antihistamine) to help with that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2013

"Cymbalta, unfortunately, did not work for my general anxiety disorder. I took it for two months. The worst part was that it made me feel nothing, and my other medications less effective. The good part was that it made my frequent urination decrease-probably because it made a lot of me feel numb, including my bladder."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2016

"Be careful when taking this medication. I took my first tablet yesterday in the morning and started feeling unwell during the day. Was out at a restaurant for lunch and started feeling so nauseous and burst into tears, and had to leave before my food arrived. Went home and felt so sick I slept for a couple of hours. Woke up and had some food, thought I was starting to feel better, but a couple of hours after that I collapsed (luckily I was at home with family) and was vomiting and had a severe fever. Can't put into words just how horrible I was feeling. Woke up still feeling sick, of course, didn't take another tablet and am starting to feel better now about 38 hours after taking the tablet."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2022

"Almost 2 months in, for personality disorder/erratic thoughts. Initially, it was overwhelming, not too much, but just the feeling overall. Once it regulated in my body, though, I felt so much better. I'm no longer anxious or feeling bouts of existential dread thinking about my past and future; I'm confident and content every day. I have the energy to move around and motivate myself. I'm actively planning and acting to better myself. I felt like I was in a hole too deep to climb out of before - now it's nothing to me. My sleep is better too, which wasn't expected; eating is still working to a stable footing, as I'm so full of energy sometimes hunger doesn't touch me."

• Fra...
• July 25, 2016

"Add on to 30 mg mirtazapine. Cymbalta taken in the morning. 1st day: diarrhea, very stoned feeling all day, slightly more anxious. 2nd day: slightly more depressed and anxious, a little less stoned feeling, slight constipation, sexual dysfunction. 3rd day: extremely depressed...worst I've ever felt. Suicidal. 4th day: same extreme and worsening depression. Couldn't handle it, stopped taking it after the 4th day. Worsened depression to the extreme. Don't know if the side effects would've lessened, but couldn't take the extreme depression. Sexual dysfunction also added to depression."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2017

"I took Cymbalta for the first time last night. Within an hour I was falling asleep on the couch, which I never do. Usually, I have insomnia, but I slept through the night. However, when I woke up, I was violently nauseous and had to take an anti-nausea medication (which I sometimes use when my anxiety is really bad because it makes me sick). I attempted to go about my normal day, but found myself having to take two naps because I was excessively tired. I've been watching and reading about this medication all day, and I am terrified to take another dose because of the side effects and ultimate withdrawal I'll experience if it doesn't work out. I noticed today, through my headache and tiredness, that I felt more calm. I'm praying it works for me!"

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

"I was scared to take this med after the reviews. An anxiety attack triggered me to finally try it. I took 1 tablet, 30 mg, yesterday afternoon with lunch and experienced nothing until night. I was having constant random visions all night. When I finally got up in the morning, I began shaking, my skin felt like it was burning, I was on fire hot, and my mouth was so incredibly dry. Then I got the chills. Shaking, burning skin, chills, dizziness went all day. I was wiped out tired and could not eat. I was in bed all of this beautiful day until 4:30 pm when I forced myself up. Honestly, I felt poisoned. I drank 2 gallons of water waiting to flush this out of my body. It was about 28 hours from the time I took it until I felt somewhat back to normal."

• Joh...
• January 4, 2010

"I took Cymbalta 50 mg every day for over 2 months. This was to treat generalized anxiety disorder and minor depression. I live in the Midwest, where the sun does not come out very often in the winter months. The medicine was effective in the long run in treating my minor depression due to the winter blues, however, when I first started taking the medicine, I did have suicidal thoughts, which was very strange for me. Eventually, it interfered with my libido, which caused me to stop taking the medicine. I am 22 years old, and for me to begin to experience libido issues led me to discontinue this medicine. This might be an isolated issue, but I hope it helps you decide if the side effects outweigh its benefits."

• Pop...
• November 22, 2015

"This review is premature as I am on day 4. I awoke on day 3 with a peaceful mental outlook and very little anxiety, which is most unusual for me. I have a lot of work-related reasons to be anxious. I am very happy and look forward to continued improvement with Cymbalta. I feel hopeful, not hopeless! The only side effect has been a mild headache that went away with NSAID."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2018

"Cymbalta worked for anxiety/pain like a dream, for about 4 months, then my system learned to anticipate it, and within a month, it was as if I was off my meds when I wasn't. It was awful. No dosage increase helps, they put you on a combination of meds to 'get you by' for a few months, then back on the Cymbalta, but now it only works for 3 months, and so on. As great as I was on it, the drop of effect was 10 times worse. (It also took 1 month to build up and drop off in effect). I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

"I am starting to feel better every day, and I’m not having as many anxious thoughts. I’m noticing that I am starting to not care what other people think and just doing what makes me happy. It’s only been a week, but I already can tell that it’s helping. My anxiety has always been my biggest downfall. This medicine gives me hope. I hope that it keeps getting better from here."

• Sun...
• February 15, 2018

"I was on this medication for depression and possible help with fibromyalgia for a couple of years. My doctor had me on so many meds, I started taking myself off one at a time, with his approval. The Cymbalta was by far the worst withdrawal of anything I have ever taken. It was three solid months of withdrawal: cold, hot, tingles on my head and body. Even with a slow decrease in dosage, it was horrible. I would not allow anyone I care about to use this drug."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2018

"I have only been on Cymbalta for 1 day. Took it later last night, think I slept okay but woke up foggy-brained, zoning out, nauseous, blurry vision, slight increase in anxiety, and a bit snappy... won’t be taking any more of this. I will figure out a different way to handle my panic attacks. Letting the Dr. know ASAP! 30 mg at night is my dosage. Anyone else have these experiences right away?"

• mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2021

"I have GAD, but compared to some, it’s quite mild. I believed it was from working in stressful environments. Have had 3 major depressive episodes in 10 years. Wasn’t sleeping, wasn’t eating, anti-social… spoke to my Dr., and he suggested Cymbalta as it was different from the SSRI family. Also, having arthritis, it can be used as pain management. This drug saved me. I now sleep all night. I no longer feel anxious. My depressive episode seems to have abated. I have low energy but always did prior to taking this drug. I think also it has affected my libido, but I would rather live without sex than live with anxiety! I won’t be stopping this drug any time soon. Tapering onto Cymbalta was interesting. I could feel it working from the very first pill. I take it before bed, and if I was even one hour late taking it (30mg dose), I would get massive headaches. Once I went to 60mg, all the side effects disappeared, and I have been on it now for 15 months with no issues."

• Zpf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2022

"I’m 30 years old. I started this drug about 5 days ago. Day 1-3 was horrible. I had side effects of fatigue, nausea, mild panic attacks, muscular skeletal pain and spasms on my eyelid, dry mouth, and some dizziness that faded. I am still experiencing muscle spasms, a little nausea, loss of appetite, and some depersonalization here and there. I noticed the positives. I felt some euphoria, less depression, and less fatigue, but overall I’m trying to do my best to just rough it out and see in the next 3 days if things get better. It is different for everyone. I’m only on a 30 mg dose, but little by little, I have breakthroughs that are positive. My thoughts did race a little, but just gotta pray and have hope it works. Overall, some of the negatives disappear. I will keep people updated! I have autism, ADHD, GAD, and PTSD, so just keep praying."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2022

"I've been on Cymbalta twice in my life for anxiety, depression, neuropathy, and chronic pain. The first time my dosage was too high, and I was put into a serotonin overdose, basically, which was absolutely awful. I looked stoned, pupils huge, felt like a completely different person. But this second time I'm on a lower dose, 40 mg once a day, and it has been a lifesaver. It's helped all of the issues stated above. I have lupus and fibromyalgia, so my whole body aches most of the time, and this has helped tremendously."

• Jam...
• April 15, 2017

"My new doctor recently switched me from Klonopin to Cymbalta. I'd been taking Klonopin for two years at a low dose with no issues, but this doctor can't help meddling. Anyway, this Cymbalta is a nightmare. I'm not depressed, just have anxiety, so why am I taking this? I've been so edgy and nauseous since starting it. I can't sleep and sit in meetings at work spacing out. Never take this medication. I'm seeing my doc next week and am just going to flatly say I'm not taking this anymore. Luckily a different doc prescribes the Klonopin."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2016

"I started taking Cymbalta Time Release (for Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety) before bedtime at 11 p.m., 2 nights ago. I felt fine that night, until the next morning. I started feeling very nauseous and sick (which I have a severe phobia of vomiting). I started sweating, chills, a dizzy feeling, which threw me into a severe panic attack, which made me feel even more nauseous, which made my panic attack last longer. I couldn't calm myself down. I felt like I was in a nightmare! I didn't start feeling any better until about 8 p.m. that evening. It's been 2 days since I've taken Cymbalta, and I'm still experiencing major panic attacks 3-4 times a day with nausea and vomiting. I wish I had never taken that medicine now!"