Cymbalta and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• JDM...
• June 10, 2019

For Anxiety "Remember this, everyone is different. Find the right medicine for you. I went on Cymbalta 7 years ago after I had an autoimmune disease and suffered from depression & anxiety. It was great. I went off of it for 3.5 years. Now, married with two kids, my life was what I wanted, yet I was miserable-so much anxiety, mood swings, snapping at my husband and kids, no interest in fun activities. I couldn't stand myself. I decided to give Cymbalta a try again (generic version). Initial side effects lasted a week. SO tired, brain fog, no appetite, headache. By day 7, all gone. I can't believe how fast it's working for me. My anxiety is gone. I am calm and easy going. I feel like the best version of myself. I'm laughing with my kids and husband and don't overreact. I actually am looking forward to doing activities and I have been enjoying them. I have been more productive at work and oddly more organized. I've tried other medicine and it's shut me down like a zombie."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with major depression at quite a young age. I started off with Prozac, which didn’t work for me, then Lexapro, which made my skin crawl, then onto Viibryd, which I only took for a month because it was so expensive. Now I am on Cymbalta (day 2). I work as a CNA at a retirement home 6 pm-6 am. The doctor told me to take it on “my mornings,” which is about 4 pm. My first night was awful. My blood pressure was 189/110 and heart rate was 172. I felt like my head was swimming, and I was getting tongue-tied even on simple words. I felt weak and hot and had diarrhea. I am also a smoker, so I imagine that could’ve played a role with my elevated heart rate. But this is some strong stuff. I’m going to stick it out at least long enough to finish the bottle and see if some of these side effects subside. High hopes!"

• Fib...
• April 22, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I was prescribed Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and depression. I was taking it for over 3 years, but I developed a tolerance for it because it stopped working. While I was on it, it worked really well. It took some time to take effect, like 15 days, but when it did, it worked very well. I was able to continue working 50-hour weeks. The only horrible thing was when it finally stopped working, so I had to resign from my job and subsequently lost my health insurance. I couldn't afford the Rx, so I stopped taking it cold turkey. The side effects were horrendous! I was shaking, nauseous, had really bad headaches, dizzy. I finally had to borrow money to get the med back and then weaned off slowly."

• 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."

• Bar...
• December 3, 2018

For Depression "I literally felt not real, it sucked. Stopped after a week, couldn’t hardly function at work. I was so sensitive to light and always had a headache. I would not recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "After years of chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, intermittent depression, and anxiety, I did my research on fibromyalgia and had a conversation with my doctor. I had read about Cymbalta, and my doctor agreed to prescribe it and see if it would help my multiple issues. I felt better after the first day of 30 mg of Cymbalta. The only side effects I had were insomnia and daily headaches the first week. My side effects were tolerable, and the benefits outweighed the side effects. I stuck with it and have now been on Cymbalta for 4 weeks. I'm so thankful for this medication and feel I have my life back! I took high-dose Xanax for years, I couldn't fall asleep without it. I have been able to wean off Xanax as well, something I had been unable to do before. I see my doctor again this week and can't wait to tell her how well Cymbalta helps me."

• kaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2018

For Chronic Pain "I don't usually leave reviews for anything, and I researched this drug and saw so many negative comments about it, so I thought I would leave a positive one. People seem to try this for 1 - 3 days and give up, how is this giving the drug a good chance at working? I have had chronic musculoskeletal lower back pain for just over a year now without any opiates working long term, so my doctor prescribed Cymbalta 30mgs to start with. Yes, I did have side effects... nausea, insomnia, lack of concentration, fainting, headaches, etc., but when you are desperate for pain relief, you try anything and I stuck it out for the 2 weeks. All the side effects have gone, and I now have gone up to 60mgs, and I feel this is kicking in quite nicely. I don't need my pain patches anymore, etc."

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

For Fibromyalgia "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."

• No...
• September 29, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "20 mg reduced my stress, worries, and obsessive thoughts. I've never been able to relax because I thought I wasn't doing enough, but now I enjoy the moment. I'm better at work, chores, getting things done. I'm not at war with myself. I'm finally living in my life instead of being in my head. I started because GAD and PMDD were causing shingles and interstitial cystitis. All better, relationships too. I can also finally fall asleep, which was a part of my struggle. I also run better, fewer pains. After muscle tightness and insomnia disappeared, there are lasting, but manageable, side effects. Libido lower, appetite higher, orgasm slower, constipation common, but patience, coffee, and probiotics help. Alcohol causes headaches, but I don't crave it either."

• LJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2018

For Anxiety "Dealing with severe anxiety and OCD my whole life, I decided to try medication when I turned 20. While my first few days on Cymbalta (10mg) were torturous, probably partly due to mental reservations about taking a pill every day (I experienced vomiting, headaches, dizzy spells, nausea, inability to sleep, and complete loss of appetite), I'm SO glad I stuck with the drug. Now I am on 80mg, and without sounding completely corny, I feel like I'm finally the person I'm meant to be. Since starting the pill, I've started rock climbing, learned to drive, and just become a much happier, friendlier, and more confident person. My friends and family have all noticed a huge shift in my personality and I'm so thrilled I went on Cymbalta."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

For Depression "Started Cymbalta 30 mg/day. After 3 doses, I became horribly ill. Severe abdominal pain, headache, nausea (could not even keep sips of water down), palpitations, weakness, extreme fatigue, insomnia, foggy cognition. Flat on my back for 60 hours. Could not sleep, just lay in misery. I am better now but still not 100%. This is a dangerous drug. The pharmacist said my reaction is rare, even so, I would recommend against it."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Please do not take this medication! I took my first tablet, 30 mg of Cymbalta, yesterday at about 11 a.m. All was fine until about 6 p.m. that night while I was sitting at the dinner table, about to eat dinner. I felt very dizzy, my eyes went very blurry, couldn’t see properly, couldn’t eat, couldn’t speak, was vomiting constantly, shaking, had the worst headache, didn’t sleep all night, still feeling some of these symptoms today. This drug is terrible, and I don’t know how doctors can prescribe this to anyone!"

• myo...
• April 29, 2018

For Depression "I started on 30 mg and am currently on 60 mg - first few days on it were awful, with bad insomnia, nausea/headache, fatigue. However, after ~5-6 days, most symptoms subsided (except the insomnia, which I use melatonin for). It's been about 2 months and I have to say this medication has been life-changing for me in terms of my mood/thoughts. I used to have such dark thoughts and a negative outlook on life, assuming the worst in people and hating everything about myself. That has completely changed and I can say for the first time in YEARS that I feel truly, completely, happy. This happiness is different because it persists even when not-so-great things happen in my life. I will say that the anxiety still lingers but honestly its effects on my depression make the anxiety super tolerable. I hope this medication works for others the way it worked for me - time will tell as far as how long this will last."

• Pap...
• April 18, 2018

For Anxiety "Since my retirement, life has taken a few major turns. Deaths in the family, reduced income, children with problems, greater interaction with my bipolar wife, and aging finally brought me to a point of high anxiety. Ativan was too much, so the doctor started me on 20 mg Cymbalta. I'm still at 20 mg, and any side effects were too mild to identify. I started calling it my 'don't give a poop medicine' because I found I could deal with my wife's constant 'need' by just not caring. I just finished my taxes, and any thoughts I had of discontinuing soon were wiped away. Reading through these comments, I have seen the cluster of minor side effects that I was not associating with Cymbalta: afternoon fatigue, spaciness, headache that responds to water, unusual constipation, and a dream/wake state coupled with extended drowsiness after a normal night's sleep that can be attributed to Cymbalta. I was beginning to get anxious. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I assure you that at least one person has benefited and is grateful."

• Zae...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine gave me nothing but brain zaps and nausea. This medicine has a very short half-life, so make sure to take your meds within 20 hours or you will feel sick all day long. Getting off this medicine was worse than getting on. It took me months to get the nausea, brain zaps, insomnia, and headaches to stop."

• MEL...
• February 23, 2018

For Depression "I've been on every depression med available (including Trintellix -- one of the newest). Trintellix worked really well, but I gained quite a bit of weight on it, and the $300/mo copay got old after a while. I'm really surprised and pleased with Cymbalta so far. I'm taking the lowest dose (20 mg?), and have not had any major issues (had headaches at first, which happens with all new meds I try, and I always take it with food to avoid nausea). I experienced horrible fatigue on Prozac, but I need to take this med in the a.m. I'm a runner and so usually constantly ache, but I'm actually feeling 'lighter' and less stiff since I've been on this. I've also lost some weight/appetite, which I love. This may be a result of ending the Trintellix, but whatever the case, I'll take it. I've always been really constipated, and Cymbalta has helped with that as well (does this mean that 'regular' people might experience diarrhea?). I'm not agitated nor nervous, so all in all, Cymbalta has been really good for me."

• Ash...
• January 26, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "Started this medicine on 1/17/2018. It has worked wonders for me. I haven't known what pain-free was for 10+ years. The first day or two, I was a bit nauseous and had on-and-off headaches, but felt a decrease in pain immediately. After the 2nd day, nausea passed, and I've felt great, other than being tired all the time, but I'm used to that. I hope everyone else can feel relief with this medicine like I have."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2018

For Chronic Pain "I was prescribed Cymbalta 90 mg for nerve pain. Previously, I tried gabapentin and Lyrica with significant side effects. However, with the Cymbalta, I noticed a huge difference within 24 hours after I started taking it. I did recently miss a couple of days, and there is a noticeable withdrawal, mostly headaches. After missing the couple of days, it has taken longer this time to kick back in. This tiny little pill has actually allowed me to lower my pain meds significantly and is treating my depression. I was able to stop both Prozac and Fentanyl (75 mcg/48 hrs). I do think, because of the possible withdrawal symptoms, that one should first try gabapentin or Lyrica. For me, Cymbalta was a life changer; my miracle medicine!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2018

For Back Pain "Do not recommend. It made my back pain somewhat diminish at a major price. Side effects: short-term memory loss, severe headaches, severe hair loss (my shower drain clogs from all my hair that is falling out!), chronic numbing/tingling right arm, dental issues, body odor, extreme sweating and body heat spikes, complete loss of sexual interest, extreme fatigue, insomnia, malaise, more hair loss, constipation, confusion, technicolor disturbing dreams, felt like I had the flu, ocular issues of dry scratchy eyes and floaters with flashing lights, weight gain. Had to then take a Benzedrine to sleep, migraine meds, and a chemo nausea control drug. Had no get up and go. Flatliner. Just weaned myself off of Cymbalta and feel like myself again!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2017

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Was prescribed 20 mg of this when my hands started burning, which caused me more anxiety than the idiopathic nerve damage in my feet that was detected on an EMG. Feeling much less anxious, no nerve pain in my hands, and 80-90% less tingling/vibrating in my feet. The first week on this, I had severe headaches in the morning, which I pushed through and didn't have after about 10 days. I feel noticeably less energetic and groggy in the morning than I used to. Other than that, I haven't noticed any side effects, and I usually react to medications (which makes me cautious). I am not on any other meds. I would rate this a 10, but the awful headaches in the morning were a pain, and feeling groggy until noon-ish is tolerable but not ideal."

• Mar...
• October 13, 2017

For Depression "Took Cymbalta for depression for about 6 months, first 30 mg, which my doctor increased little by little until it got to 90 mg. She increased it because the medication seemed to work, but after a while, the symptoms were present again. I went on vacation, and when I returned, couldn't get the prescription on time, that was the beginning of the nightmare. Symptoms of withdrawal were going from vomiting, electric zaps, severe nausea, severe dizziness sensation that I am falling down, head pain, and so on for more than two months. I didn't stop taking the medication, it was only a gap in treatment that put me in that situation. Since that day, I asked my doctor to help me discontinue it, even following her directions, it is so bad that I don't recommend it ever."

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2017

For Depression "I took my first dose of generic Cymbalta last night of 60 milligrams. It's now 5:47 PM, and I've not eaten all day due to the severe nausea. I'm also very jittery, anxious, have a super, really bad headache (I'm also prone to migraines), and my tinnitus is worse in my left ear. I have also slept most of the day, besides. I have depression, mild PTSD, and anxiety, and migraines. I've been on other antidepressants before. Prozac increased my migraines the last time. I think this generic of Cymbalta won't be for me."

• aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I have had three back surgeries, the latest was back fusion. I now suffer from nerve pain, especially in my right thigh and knee. At times, I can hardly walk due to the pain and weakness in my leg. X-rays and MRI show the fusion is in the correct position, but the specialists have said I may always have this nerve pain. They prescribed Cymbalta, and oh, what a calamity! I only took this medication for three days, and that was three too many. I was not warned about possible side effects, these are numerous: massive increase in pain, massive increase in weakness in the leg (had to use a walker), chest pain, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, mood swings like anger, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, hot and cold flushes, sweating for no reason. The list goes on."

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

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "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!"

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2017

For Anxiety "I'm pretty sure that I don't suit this medication. The first three weeks were absolute torture with blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and no energy. After that time, the medicine did seem to help my anxiety and depression. However, after three months, the side effects came back worse than the first three weeks. I went to my doctor and asked to switch medications immediately. Coming off of the Cymbalta was the worst experience of my life. At one point, I had uncontrollable shaking and muscle movements. I couldn't even concentrate enough to go to the kitchen and make a sandwich. I know this drug works for many people, but for myself, it was like taking poison."