Cymbalta and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Lon...
• July 12, 2016

For Anxiety "I'm on at this time 1 mg alprazolam 3× a day. And Cymbalta 60 milligrams once a day. Ever since I started taking the Cymbalta, my anxiety, my mood, my pain, it all feels way better. I used to take 8 or as many as I needed bars a day for my anxiety. Finally got into a psychiatrist, I was so freaked out that they were going to prescribe me Xanax for anxiety because doctors are so blah blah blah about it because people screw it up for people like me that need it. Well, the Cymbalta lowered my Xanax use basically in half. I think it's really more mental on my part, and the Cymbalta has been really good for me. I had one time that I went off of it for 2 days because I couldn't make it to the pharmacy, and yes, my anxiety came back in full-blown anxiety."

• AJA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Shakiness, jittery, insomnia, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, dry mouth, and bad taste in my mouth. I had no pain relief from Cymbalta at 30 or 60."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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)."

• Ell...
• April 11, 2016

For Anxiety "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 helped with my anxiety. The initial 2 weeks were horrible though, increased anxiety, hot flashes. And it interacts with a lot of medications (including vitamin D supplements)"

• Awe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I'm taking Cymbalta for anxiety and depression. It makes me a little jittery, and if I don't eat with it, I get sick to my stomach. But, I feel better than I have in a long time. Where I was using food to cope with the depression, this actually regulated my eating. So now I'm eating less with more energy and feeling like a million bucks."

• She...
• March 6, 2016

For Depression "I took 1 30 mg capsule of Cymbalta yesterday. That will be the only dose of this medicine I will take. I had to leave work yesterday because of how sick to my stomach it made me. I felt jittery and lightheaded all day. I didn't take it this morning. I haven't felt jittery, but I have been extremely lightheaded and have had a headache all day. All that from one dose. I have been on many anti-depressants over the years. The only other one that made my head feel like this was Prozac, and I didn't stay on it long. Having a job, I can't afford to be sick from side effects. I will be calling the Dr. tomorrow and telling her I want to try something else. Also, I have heard a lot of reviews about this drug, and most that I have read are not very good."

• JFM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2016

For Osteoarthritis "Tried Cymbalta for pain and slight depression. It helped for maybe 10 months. Then began experiencing panic attacks, anxiety, mouth sores, racing heart at bedtime, insomnia, and increased pain and cramps in legs. Took me about 3 months to figure out that the Cymbalta wasn't working. I tried increasing from 30 mg to 60 mg, and that made it worse. Have changed meds. Made the change easily in one week, but I had already gone back to the 30 mg dose. The anxiety, panic attacks, etc. have stopped."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I took 1 30 mg, and it has made me so sick. I've been having flu-like symptoms, and my anxiety is through the roof. I couldn't sleep last night, and this was just taking 1. I normally take Valium 20 mg a day and Ativan 1 mg, and I'm okay, but lately, with all meds, I think my body, after so many years, is used to the benzodiazepines, they aren't working as well. I'm still having panic attacks that are disabling. I need help. Every SSRI or SNRI doesn't work at all. I took, from my teens until I was 22, ecstasy every day, and when I stopped is when the anxiety started and has never left, even though I've been quit for 11 years. I don't want to be on medications anymore, I just want to live life, that's all :( This medicine ruined an entire day for me."

• 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."

• TJP...
• January 17, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After taking Cymbalta for 3 weeks, I had gradually started after week 1 to become very dizzy, rapid heartbeats, anxiety. After week 2, the anxiety and panic attacks became severe, and the last day of taking it I felt like I was having a heart attack for 8 hours. It was after Cymbalta had been out on the market for roughly one year a warning to thyroid patients had been published. Hypothyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis patient since 1989, since that time, I am allergic to about 20 other medications used for fibromyalgia, myopathy, polyneuropathy, neuropathy, and so on. Another aspect with Cymbalta is that if your doctor is not up to date with education outside of the representative selling this product, then one could consider the patient mentally unstable."

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took 60 mg per day for over a year. Worked very well until recently. It kept the depression in check, but the anxiety is back in full swing. Don't skip a dose unless you like the zaps."

• nic...
• December 11, 2015

For Anxiety "I took this drug a while back. I was on it for 3 years. I don't recall ever having side effects while initially starting or during taking it over time. This drug seemed to help my depression and anxiety significantly, probably more than I actually realized at the time. The only problem I had was, if I missed a dose, I'd be hit with massive emotional distress. I would cry over the stupidest things, whether it was positive or negative crying. My emotions were intense. After a long time without medicine now, trying to beat depression and anxiety on my own and being somewhat successful for an extended period of time, I've been contemplating using it again. I've tried almost all of these meds, and this is the one that's worked for me the most."

• 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."

• lik...
• November 11, 2015

For Back Pain "Though I read so many negative opinions about it, I decided to try taking Cymbalta. After two months, I decided to stop taking it. First of all, my relationships got bad, I was careless and numb. I also had a very strange feeling from time to time, like I was dreaming. Sometimes I was anxious and couldn't sleep, and had very vivid and bad dreams and panic attacks. It had an immediate effect on my libido, which got so low it almost disappeared. The main problem with the drug was that I felt good, even-tempered most of the time. This state always took my mind off the very bad side effects of the medicine, and I was so relieved from the pain, I set aside all the negative effects of it. It's day 1 without it, and I feel dizzy and so tired, I...zzz."

• Sti...
• November 3, 2015

"I suffer from PTSD and the associated issues: anxiety and depression that are part of the package. Started a generic brand. This is the 3rd drug I have been on, previously, I was on Lexapro, which worked but caused a very emotionless state after 2 years. Then Valdoxan worked slowly, great for sleep, then eventually leveled off after 2 years. As for Cymbalta, the first 5 days weren't fun: tired, anxious, negative thoughts, very spaced out, couldn't drive, and nausea. Then just as fast as the side effects came on, they went over 48 hours. Now just a week in, I feel better, more positive, and very little side effects: slight nausea that is improving every day. I'm confident that the drug will work and find myself looking forward to the future."

• par...
• August 26, 2015

For Anxiety "At 25, I started taking Celexa. When I became pregnant less than a year later, I noticed it not working anymore. Then after my daughter was born, I noticed a huge difference. My doctor prescribed me Cymbalta, starting at 30mg and finally leveling out at 90mg. This is the best I have ever felt and I have now been taking it for almost 5 years. A year ago, I tried to lower my dosage (through my doctor of course) and within the week, noticed a huge difference. I was more irritable, less patient, and more anxious. And when I don't take it for a few days, my head pounds, I feel nauseous, and not like myself at all. At the end of the day, the good outweighs the bad. Although I do wish they were not so expensive, how can you put a price on feeling normal?"

• cho...
• August 15, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on Celexa for a few years. When I started feeling 'well' again, I decided to stop taking it. Within a year, I was constantly crying and went back on it, but it affected my ability to fully enjoy intimacy, so the mental health nurse told me to ask my doctor for Pristiq, which I did, and he prescribed me Cymbalta instead, which I took along with my Celexa. When I went back to see him, he said that he told me to stop the Celexa and prescribed me 60 mg of Cymbalta a day, which I now have been on for about a year. To say it's a godsend is an understatement. I actually went to an outside concert with approximately 5,000 people in attendance. Although I was still a little anxious, a couple of drinks helped me to somewhat enjoy myself. Normally, crowds cause me unbearable anxiety."

• 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."

• fam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for 6 years. I am 51 and have a family history of depression and only recently have I accepted that I may have it long-term. For those in Australia, I recommend the generic version called Coperin (I get it from Priceline) which reduces the 'brain fog' of Cymbalta. I have been very happy on Cymbalta (Coperin), it changed my life. I hate that I rely on a tablet to enjoy life, but it is a small price to pay. My GP occasionally suggests I try a new drug, but I always refuse. I have much-improved relationships with people, and it is great to have lost the anxiety which has completely disappeared. I have been on 30mg for 4 years, but am increasing to 60mg for a few weeks as I seem to be going through a bout of anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Cymbalta for the last 2 weeks. The side effects have been difficult: stomach pain, the first few nights I couldn't sleep and thoughts raced through my mind. I was also having severe suicidal thoughts, and I was still waking up from the pain and tingling sensation in my arms and shoulders. This is week three, and I find that my mood has improved, but I'm sweating a lot. The fibro pain is present, and I'm tired a lot. I tried taking it at night but find my chest hurting the next day, so I switched to mornings on a full stomach, and that's improved the stomach pain. I have restless leg, and if I'm late on taking my next dose, I'm jittery. I don't really know if it's working for my pain, but my mood is much better, I'm not suicidal."

• Cal...
• April 10, 2015

For Anxiety "I have GAD, tried Celexa, worked for a while, mental fog. I then tried Lexapro which worked but I decided to try Cymbalta for its chronic low back pain effectiveness. I have a bulged disc, arthritis from home care for many years. I will not even consider narcotics for pain... Cymbalta has been a lifesaver, I too have dry mouth, night sweats, increased weight of 10 lbs. But I feel calmer, I started off on 30 mg for 2 wks then increased the dose per my HCP. I can tell when I don't take it. Chronic low back pain, dizziness as well, and anxiety symptoms return... I am a nurse and I hate taking medicine but this is one medicine I don't mind taking. The benefits outweigh everything else."

• Yel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2014

For Chronic Pain "May have some help to relieve back pain. 60 mg gave me heart palpitations. 30 mg may be suboptimal. Tried to wean off several times but gave me some undesirable effects like malaise and anxiety. Urinary retention is a worrisome effect with Cymbalta for me."