Cymbalta and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Fib...
• December 31, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I put off taking this drug due to all the negative comments. I have had bad reactions and am very sensitive to most other medications, and this was literally my last resort. I was petrified, as I hate nausea and vomiting (a lot of people commented on this as a side effect). I take Tixol brand. I suffer from debilitating anxiety and fibromyalgia. I have been on 30 mg for approximately 7 weeks and am about to up my dose tomorrow. On other antidepressants, it has taken me about 10 days to actually half-function again. On duloxetine, I felt a little dizzy and had blurred vision for 2-3 days, and then I felt normal. The only side effect I’ve had is hair loss and brittle hair. It has alleviated mostly all my elbow pain from fibromyalgia, which was crippling pain, and anxiety is much better. This worked quite quickly. It’s a relief to not have ice packs strapped to my arms every night and tears that silently run down my face from the pain. If it wasn’t for hair loss, this would be a 10/10 for me."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 14, 2022

For Anxiety "I suffer with generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and depression. This medication has saved my life. Initial side effects were severe nausea and dizziness, but only lasted 3-4 days. I’ve been on the lowest dosage for 7 months now, and I no longer feel anxious every day. I no longer have panic attacks, and I’m able to leave my house without feeling sick and dizzy. It’s also helped make me calm and taken away my anger/irritability. The only downside is that this medication makes me so tired. I feel like a zombie. This medication makes me sleep a ridiculous amount of time in a day, but it helps me with all my mental problems."

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Cymbalta, for me, has been very beneficial in treating the anxiety/depression periods of Type 1 Bipolar Disorder. Some say antidepressant medicines can cause adverse reactions in bipolar patients, leading to manic episodes, but it didn't with me. It worked better over a long period. The negative effects when first starting the medication, and when stopping, can be quite bad (head spins, nausea, dry mouth, very tired, etc.) and can take a while to subside. I experienced many positive effects after being crippled with depression/anxiety for some time. Biggest advice - DO NOT STOP TAKING SUDDENLY and DO NOT MISS DOSES. Decrease dosage slowly (speak to your doctor)."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2012

For Depression "Went nearly mad on this antidepressant, clenched my teeth, constant sweats. Terrible and always tired on it. Doctor just kept upping the dosage. Was on 120 mg when I complained, changed doctor, and am now coming off Cymbalta. Now have dreadful dizziness and brain zaps, but anything is better than what I was going through."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2017

For Depression "Ok, so I'm a 19 y/o female, and after a month and a half of super minor side effects (groggy, dizzy, no appetite), Cymbalta started to work really well. However, about a couple of months ago, I began experiencing mood swings more and more gradually. Now I have days where I'm in a completely crabby mood (I don't want to do anything), or I'm in an okay mood (I'll go out and try to do a couple of things to build confidence), or I'm totally pissy and mean all day, and I cry and flip out (like literally cry and threaten to leave him for nothing). My poor boyfriend, who doesn't even understand the medicine (who tries to because he respects my choices). I plan on changing my medicine at my next doctor's visit because the mood swings are making it hard to get a job."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking Cymbalta for about 10 months now. At first, the side effects were difficult because I felt nauseous, dizzy, had brain zaps, constipation, and my dreams were crazy. Luckily, I did not quit within the first 2 weeks, and the side effects mostly subsided. Cymbalta has really helped with my anxiety and depression. I was on 30 mg, then 60 mg. The first couple of months were the best, with no anxiety at all, but slowly it started to come back. My dose has just been raised to 90 mg, and I am also on Wellbutrin. Not perfect, and I don't want to keep raising the dose, but Cymbalta has really improved my daily life and relationships with others."

• Joh...
• January 13, 2021

For Chronic Pain "I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis. I was prescribed Cymbalta for nerve pain. I was told it could cause diarrhea! I started on 30 mg per day, then after 2 weeks increased to 60 mg per day. I have never experienced side effects from a medication as dangerous and scary as the ones I had while on Cymbalta. After a week of taking 60 mg, I began having terrible stomach pain. A couple of days later, my feet started to feel ice cold, but they were warm to the touch. I then began having trouble urinating, double vision, ringing in my ears, dizziness, and severe headaches. I literally thought I was dying and close to death. My wife had looked up the possible side effects of Cymbalta. I immediately called the prescribing doctor, and he informed me to STOP CYMBALTA IMMEDIATELY!! I was instructed NOT TO STOP COLD TURKEY or else I could risk having lifelong damage from the side effects."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I was hesitant to try this because of some of the bad reviews, but I have been desperate for a long time for some sort of relief. I've had fibromyalgia for 4 years, but the last few months have been excruciating. I work full time and have to usually take Tylenol and ibuprofen/Aleve just to make it through. I have been taking Cymbalta now for a week. I take it at night with a meal and get a slight headache and dizziness sometimes. It does subside pretty quickly. I must say I have felt better this last week than I have in a long time. Give this a chance, it really does help!"

• 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."

• bla...
• February 8, 2012

For Depression "I started taking Cymbalta after my doctor prescribed 2 other medicines over the space of 8 months, they made me feel worse, not better. I was so ill I was hospitalized at one stage. It took Cymbalta quite a while-about 2 months-to kick in noticeably, however, my depression was severe. The nausea was awful the first two weeks and dizziness lasted about a week with me. I am pretty sensitive to medications, however. I have been on Cymbalta for almost two years-at a high dose (90 mg). I do find I am hot and sweaty (at times), I need a lot of sleep and have put on weight (though HRT could have caused this). However, these side effects are a small price to pay to live a normal life and be free."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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."

• rit...
• April 6, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "Works wonderfully to control pain at a higher dose, but caused exhaustion during the day (took at night) - tried lowering the dose - after 3 days, could feel pain in shoulders and thighs beginning to creep back, so had to increase the dose again and then had to take an upper dose (prescribed) during the day to keep me going or I couldn't work - I'm a psychotherapist. The worst part is I'm terribly dizzy - legs have given out several times - sometimes limbs are useless - only upon getting up in the morning or after sitting or getting out of the car - never when sitting or once up walking around. So I love Cymbalta for pain - hate it for side effects."

• Hon...
• April 2, 2010

For Depression "Cymbalta is very effective, and the trade-off is increased appetite, lowered metabolism, so expect weight gain or plan to exercise more and reduce calorie intake. Hair loss is a strong possibility. If loss of hair doesn't concern you, it's not much, but enough for you to notice, and it does grow back, so! All things considered, I am very happy with Cymbalta. I used to use Lexapro (about 2 yrs) and had nothing but problems. Zoloft didn't do the job for me, but as I emphasized, Cymbalta has been a blue ribbon treatment. I don't get lightheaded, no dizziness. I recommend it."

• Kuh...
• August 26, 2015

For Depression "My very first time trying this medication. I thought I was gonna die! I took it last night at 7:00 pm, went to bed by 10:00 pm, and I was fine. I woke up at 6:00 am and went straight to the bathroom, had bad diarrhea plus vomiting. Had to drive to work with major dizziness, and had no appetite at all. I felt so weak. I was thinking maybe it needs more time and to be more patient. Till around midday today, I had to leave work because I was so nauseous that I couldn't function. I called my doctor, and she told me to stop taking it! This medication is definitely not for me. I've tried a lot of antidepressants like this one!!!!"

• szw...
• May 9, 2010

For Depression "I was off of the medication for exactly 2 1/2 days. I was a basket case! Everything made me feel sad and overwhelmed. The withdrawal was bad! I was VERY dizzy, had fragmented thoughts, forgetfulness, etc. The biggest drawback of Cymbalta that I have experienced is the extreme difficulty reaching orgasm! My libido is just fine, as is everything else during sex...until the point when I should (and used to be able to) have an orgasm. Very frustrating. Needless to say, if there was a drug that could help the depression as well as Cymbalta does, without the sexual side effects, I would take it!"

• Ooa...
• September 21, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Cymbalta 30 mg for the last 5 days. I noticed a lot of side effects, good and bad. The bad ones include insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth. The two good side effects were less urgency to urinate and fewer hunger pangs. I used to run to the bathroom every hour and almost constantly eat. My mood is improving, and I seem to be coming out of my shell. In a few more days, my dose will double, and I am sure this medication will work. I feel as if I am on the right path to becoming who I used to be years ago."

• Mar...
• January 16, 2016

For Depression "After battling dysthymia alternating with moderate anxiety for years and trying all sorts of natural means to treat it, I slipped into major depression. I was prescribed a low dose of Cymbalta-20 mg. After taking just two pills over three days, it has been one awful drug trip. I'm hoping for the heavy, dizzy feeling of pressure on my brain to end. The lethargy, nausea, and chills have also been bad. I have two children, one of whom stayed home sick while I was on this, and I could barely care for her. It killed my appetite, which I didn't think would be a bad thing, but when you only feel like eating a banana and an orange all day, it becomes a problem. I'm looking forward to 'just' feeling depressed again."

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2021

For Chronic Pain "If you are seeking treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, and depression as a person with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, especially if you also have temperature or orthostatic intolerance or other dysautonomic symptoms. DO NOT TAKE THIS. I started at 30 mg and increased all the way to 120 mg (then decreased back down to 60 mg and eventually weaned off). I noticed no change to my pain levels. I did experience an increase in energy - but not a positive one - I experienced insomnia, tachycardia, and extremely severe anxiety. I did a lot of risk-taking while on this medication, and increasingly wished I was never born. Lost my appetite entirely and lost 20-25% of my body weight. The sweating was unbearable. Between the malnutrition and the nightmares, I managed to chip two teeth by grinding them in the few hours I was able to sleep. I may have bone loss as well. It made me very dizzy with the underlying POTS, and I now require beta blockers twice daily to manage my heart rate despite cessation of Cymbalta use."

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For Anxiety "Prescribed by Dr. to help withdrawal from gabapentin. Small (morning dose). Day 1, fuzzy, weak. Day 2, very dizzy, unable to drive. Day three, the works - raging loose bowel, intense nausea, headache, totally bed-ridden (except for time spent over the toilet bowl). This is not medicine for me, I might as well have taken poison."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2010

For Anxiety "I've been taking Cymbalta (60 mg) for around 6 months now, and it seems to be really helping me with my anxiety and depression. I don't panic over little things anymore, which is great, and my friends and family have really seen an improvement in my mood. Decreased my appetite and emotional eating, and I've lost 17 kilos (37 pounds). Negative (but bearable) side effects would be moderate fatigue, the occasional headache if I take my dose late, weird dreams every night, twitching, and dizziness when I stand up. The worst thing I've noticed is memory problems, I sometimes can't remember simple words and get a little confused."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2021

For Anxiety "Was prescribed this for anxiety/panic disorder, and if I could give this medicine a 0, I would. Not only did it do absolutely nothing for me (and I stuck with it for about a month and a half, patiently waiting for it to work), it led me to have tremors, extreme dizziness, and extreme dissociation. It made me feel so empty and depressed, which was concerning because I didn't feel that way before I was placed on it. The medicine also made me very irritable and gave me very violent thoughts, which absolutely scared the poop out of me. My face swelled up terribly as well, which was the final straw that led me to stop taking it ASAP. When I finally was able to see a psychiatrist and I told her my experience with the medicine, she told me that Cymbalta is a very tricky med and most people don't react well to it. I wish I knew that before my PCP had prescribed it. Stay away from this med."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 months for anxiety. Started at 30 mgs for the first two weeks, then up to 60. My doctor also prescribed me Lorazepam for the occasional 'melt down.' Before Cymbalta, I was anxious about everything, whether it made sense or not. Had 'melt downs' at least three times a week. I have noticed a huge change, my family has as well. I feel like myself, not afraid or anxious. But I missed two doses (just two) and am now experiencing some not-so-fun withdrawal symptoms. I'm extremely nauseous, dizzy, my brain feels muddled, and I'm feeling a bit depressed/emotional. Now, I seem to be questioning this 'miracle drug' and think I may need to find another way to deal with my anxiety issues."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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!"

• M76...
• May 26, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Been on Cymbalta now for approximately 1 year. My moods are stable, less pain, generally feel better. However, one side effect is unacceptable. On this medication, I feel like I am no longer male. Less desire, followed by greatly reduced sensitivity, as well as inability to maintain an erection longer than a minute, make married life most difficult. I tried to come off the drug. It is extremely difficult. Dizziness, light sensitivity, horrible headaches, and extreme irritability."

• Emm...
• December 8, 2011

For Anxiety "4 weeks on Cymbalta at 60 mg. I came off because they made me feel ill, and I am used to medication as I have tried a few. I spent 3 years on a high dose of Citalopram and never went through anything like I have done with coming off Cymbalta. My GP decided to slowly taper me off, and this is when hell started. Never on any medication that I have taken have the withdrawals been as bad. I have constant nausea, have been sick, stomach aches and pains, diarrhea, dizziness, leg ache, restless sleep, bad dreams, chills, and now my anxiety is back! I am crying on and off and having panic attacks. It's just awful."