Cymbalta and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2013

For Depression "I've been on this for a few months for depression and anxiety. I was on Celexa for 25 years, but I also have acute bursitis and bone pain from Hashimoto's disease, so my doctor switched me to Cymbalta. The first week I ended up in the hospital; the transition was awful. I was miserable, and I had severe migraines. Everything smoothed out just fine, and I was actually surprised at how much it did improve my bone pain and acute bursitis. I came to this site to see side effects that people are having because in the last two weeks I am finding that I am having really bad anxiety attacks at night, even while I'm sleeping; they wake me up. I had four episodes last week and another last night."

• Tin...
• August 18, 2017

For Depression "I was put on this for a while. It made me very depressed, anxious, and withdrawn. It was only when my friends told me how bad I was that I realized I was having a real 'breakdown' on it. I went to see my doctor, who changed me to Sertraline, which suits me a lot better. I was depressed before I took Duloxetine, but I went into a very dark place that I had trouble getting out of. We are all different, and different medication suits different people."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 10, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "For the past year and a half, I have been on Cymbalta. This medicine has made a significant amount of difference. It helps a lot with depression and nerve pain. Working with a dedicated nurse practitioner and medical team, they make a difference. She is a pleasure to work with and provides options for her patients. The Cymbalta reduces the nerve pain. It helps with depression and anxiety. Thank you for the awesome recommendation and support."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2017

For Anxiety "First day I took the first 20 mg capsule... thought I was going to have a seizure and was having a full-blown panic attack. She had given me this for anxiety and for pain (didn't help either: in fact, made both the pain and anxiety worse). I couldn't sleep that night. I was supposed to try it for 3 weeks before she upped my dose, but I said no way. I threw the bottle away and don't ever want to put one in my body again. It almost strangely reminded me of being on a stimulant (Adderall or Vyvanse), but it wasn't pleasant or made me focus. I was extremely distracted and panicking so much. I cried for hours."

• Reg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2016

For Depression "Worked for me at a time I had slipped into suicidal ideations. I have a rheumatological disorder that has no cure, and the treatment is dangerous (steroids most of the time); I have severe anxiety; do not know from one day to the following how I will feel or if I will accomplish small tasks, forget about holding a job. This helped anxiety, suicidal thoughts, the horrible feelings of major depression, fear, and pain. It is important to read about the medications you should not take with this. Start slowly and have patience. Appears that more medications tried, the easier this is to get acclimated to."

• Reg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2016

For Depression "Worked for me at a time I had slipped into suicidal ideations. I have a rheumatological disorder that has no cure, and the treatment is dangerous (steroids most of the time); I have severe anxiety; do not know from one day to the following how I will feel or if I will accomplish small tasks, forget about holding a job. This helped anxiety, suicidal thoughts, the horrible feelings of major depression, fear, and pain. It is important to read about the medications you should not take with this. Start slowly and have patience. Appears that more medications tried, the easier this is to get acclimated to."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2015

For Anxiety "After several years of Zoloft use for GAD, I went off of it under my doctor's supervision. Felt okay, then last year had a lot of chronic pain, back and arthritis... heard that Cymbalta was good for all those--pain, depression, and anxiety. The psych doc gave me samples, seemed to kick in pretty well and quickly. I have gone through three major surgeries in the last 18 months and went off the Cymbalta because I thought I could handle it... Nope, I'm a mess. Needed daily clonazepam to cope. I just went through a third and (hopefully!!) final surgery five weeks ago. Hadn't taken any Cymbalta for months. I am going back on. Just got through the worst anxiety attacks in my life following the third surgery. I think the dose for me was 60 mg, and I will start it up again."

• goo...
• May 2, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have severe anxiety and depression. I've tried all the meds out, as my doctor would say. Cymbalta was suggested. And me needing to feel normal tried it. Worst experience of my life. Was on 40 mg. Felt like I was having an out-of-body experience, like someone was pulling me everywhere. Dr. told me to stick with it and lower the dose (I actually did, did not recommend talking to Dr. first). Nothing changed. I was talking without thinking, having more and more panic attacks and higher anxiety. Absolutely zero libido, and I gained weight. I felt 'happy,' but a weird happy. So, finally, I TELL my doctor for the third time in 9 months, I want off this medication. Withdrawal symptoms, no joke. It's been a month and I still have withdrawal effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2018

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I’ve been taking 30 mg a day for a few months, prescribed partly for depression but mainly for neuropathy. I’ve noticed a marked reduction in pain, a minimal positive effect on depression, but the skyrocketing anxiety is crazy. It seemed to actually decrease anxiety for about a week, then went in the opposite direction. I asked my doctor about this and discontinuing it, but he said not to, and instead go to 60 mg. This has put me in an awkward position of noncompliance (for good cause, in my opinion). Ultimately though, I guess it’s my responsibility. If I don’t notice a decrease in the anxiety soon, I’ll be stopping Cymbalta. No sense in paying a doctor to feel worse!"

• Nfn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was prescribed for depression, but it affected my panic disorder very much. I went from 6-7 panic attacks a day to 1-2 a week/month. It really, really helped with my anxiety overall too. I feel less anxious. The initial 2 weeks were horrible, though, increased anxiety, hot flashes. And it interacts with a lot of medications (including vitamin D supplements)."

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

For Depression "Had tried 4 different meds before Cymbalta in various doses for GAD/depression. Had quit them due to side effects, usually 'brain fog', increased anxiety or depressive symptoms, etc. Psych doctor put me on Cymbalta 30 mg, morning/30 mg night. At first, I had some improvement with just mild brain fog. Kept on it for a total of 4 months, hoping this could be the one. However, slowly turned into a zombie. Tired, unable to think clearly, trouble processing. Dr. switched me to Vibryyd 20 mg and tapered me with 30 mg of Cymbalta at night for 7 days. She said the new med should help counter withdrawal effects. Well, during the first 7 days, I had mild vertigo, insomnia, heart palpitations, etc., and was dealing with it. The next 7 days without any Cymbalta have been the worst. Vertigo, confusion, agitation, severe vertigo, mood swings, sweats, loss of appetite, tinnitus, headaches, forgetfulness, etc. I pray I am not one of those people who have withdrawal for months."

• R68...
• April 3, 2011

For Anxiety "Started off with a 30 mg dosage. Symptoms started out blurred vision, fogged feeling, mental confusion, mild anxiety, mild depression. Also clenched my jaw and was diagnosed with TMJ. After one week, bumped up to 60 mg. Side effects in the first week or two... tired and drowsy, which went away completely. Stick with it, and you'll see it works wonders. You will be left with clarity and peace of mind."

• cci...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2017

For Depression "I had such a mixed experience on Cymbalta. I took it for 1 month. It made half my day awful and the other half great. I would take it in the morning (30 mg), and for the first half of the day, I would feel this dark undercurrent, but kind of speedy at the same time. It made me have terrible anxiety and paranoia, and I fought with my husband in the mornings, accusing him of petty things. Then around 1 pm, this darkness would lift, and I would feel happy; it was really bizarre. But the damage done to my marriage from my behavior in the mornings was terrible. I hope my husband can forgive me for the drama. My last dose was 2 days ago, and I feel much more stable and sane. I did not like how this drug altered my personality so much in the mornings."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2021

For Depression "The first time taking it, like others, I woke up the next morning, my pupils enlarged and my head a mess. I ended up going home from school and seeing the wood grain on my walls move and cry about it. I had started on 60 mg, I tried to sit it out for 2 days, but as soon as I could, I called my doctor. She set me back to 30 mg, and I've been on it ever since. I'm on 60 again now, I stopped having suicidal thoughts for months, and my almost daily panic attacks have majorly decreased. I went from staying home in fear of another panic attack to feeling almost normal. I still struggle with both depression and anxiety very much, but this does take the edge off."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2012

For Depression "I have been taking Cymbalta for the past 5 days and have noticed a significant change in my personality. My children told me that I am way cooler on my medication. I have not felt like this EVER. Cymbalta is better than Prozac, Paxil, and Depakote, for sure. Prozac made me more anxious and depressed, Paxil made me angry, and Depakote made me lethargic. I must say that I don't particularly like the side effects of Cymbalta, but this medication makes me feel like a human being instead of an irritable, depressed, worried mess."

• Whi...
• January 27, 2017

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for at least 4-5 years. I took it with Lamictal also, as it did not seem to help or relieve the anxiety/depression. I now am doing acupuncture and going off both drugs. Horrible! I tried to tell my doctors that I still felt crummy on Cymbalta, but they just upped my dosage. I think there are other ways to deal with anxiety and depression. At the very least, you should find out if a certain drug works well with you by checking it out with a pharmacologist, so you can be matched. Good luck to all who are suffering, it is not much fun."

• 121...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Depression "Switched from Lexapro to Cymbalta. First week was at 30 mg, followed by 60 mg. I had side effects almost from the start: insomnia, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite. Stayed at 60 mg for 4 weeks. Dr. decreased to 40 mg and prescribed Sonata to help with sleep. Zero effect from the Sonata. It's been about two months since starting the Cymbalta, and I'm ready to get off of it due to the side effects. Not looking forward to the withdrawal symptoms I've been reading about. Others may have had success with this med, but I have not. I would not recommend."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Started this medication, Cymbalta, on Monday night. No problem until Wednesday night, and I couldn’t fall asleep. I had to get out of bed because I couldn’t sleep. I felt so jittery in the morning, but my mood was feeling pretty good. I decided to take my blood pressure, and my standing heart rate was 138. It’s usually around 70. Went to the ER (Thanksgiving day), and they did all the proper blood work, X-ray, and tried to bring the heart rate down. They couldn’t get it down past 100, kept me overnight, and had an echocardiogram the next day. Everyone checked out, and the cardiologist told me it was the Cymbalta."

• KDe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2017

For Depression "I experienced brain 'zaps' and severe mood changes on Cymbalta. It worked great for neuropathy at first, but it worsened my depression and anxiety. I felt restless all the time, like I was climbing the walls. Eventually, I felt numb and unable to function. My doctor refused to take me off of it, so I took myself off and found a new doctor who refilled my Zoloft prescription."

• dyo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Not diabetic neuropathy, but neuropathic pain nonetheless. Works wonderfully... except for the terrible acne it's causing, and the relatively frequent but terrible headaches. I also have some issues with anxiety; it has done exactly nothing of use there."

• GBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I understand we all react differently to medications. Effexor was working well, but due to severe scoliosis, my psych switched me to Cymbalta. It had the opposite effect in every way. I became angry, irritable, suicidal, anxious, had insomnia, sleep paralysis, nightmares, and my pain worsened. After 6 weeks, I switched back to Effexor on my own until I got in to see my psych to do the same. These side effects are hit or miss, and I always recommend giving all new meds at least 3 weeks, so take this review with discernment, but if you encounter these effects, they will likely stay. Effexor may be harder on the liver, but the difference is night and day, and adding Rexulti finally broke through a decade-long wall."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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."

• SSN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 28, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Cymbalta is one truly awful drug, which has caused side effects of muscle and nerve damage to my legs. I reported this twice to the FDA, who couldn't care less. It took me 18 months of horrible withdrawals, including brain zaps, rashes, teeth grinding so bad I cracked a root of a molar and had to get it pulled, blisters, anxiety, and three suicide attempts. The list is a lot longer. I wouldn’t give this drug to my worst enemy. It took almost two years after discontinuing Cymbalta to finally feel normal again."

• DoN...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2016

For Depression "The worst decision I have ever made was agreeing to go on this drug. I had no idea about SSRIs and the effects they can have on you and your life. For the first year, I would have recommended it to anyone dealing with depression and anxiety like myself, but that was at a time when I mistook the numbness for satisfaction. Just over 2 years down the line and I am falling apart. This drug has ruined my life. First, I realized the fog I was in. Then came the vertigo and confusion. My memory has deteriorated. Zero sex drive since day one. My depression has worsened, and I no longer recognize who I am anymore. My personality has changed drastically, and my anxiety is worse than it's ever been. I am now weaning off it, but the damage has been done."