Cymbalta and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Started taking this for pain, over a four-month period, with gradual increases up to 120 mg. It gave me severe, severe depression and made me feel like I wasn’t myself at all. I also had brain fog and almost 10 lbs weight gain even though it got rid of my appetite. A lot of water retention, especially around my lower abdomen. It also gave me poor sleep and terrifying nightmares. Weaning off now with a schedule from my doctor. I would not only not recommend this drug, but if it must be tried, talk to your doctor weekly about your moods and feelings in case you start to feel depressed, or worse."

• Fel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Medical issues: chronic, back, muscle, joint, anxiety, PTSD, and mild depression. I was on tramadol for 12 years. I was assaulted and strangled in May 2020, which left me with the feeling of losing myself. The doctor put me on klonopin, which semi-worked. I went back and told him I didn't feel 'complete.' He put me on Cymbalta. Getting off of it sucked. The first week I had problems sleeping. I also felt a sense of euphoria at first, relaxed like nothing in the world would bother me. I still have a loss of appetite since starting Cymbalta and weight loss. I don't get nearly as much deep sleep as I used to. I wake up randomly at 3 or 4 in the morning. Four weeks in, this has helped my mood so much, I'm on a level playing field now as far as anxiety goes. So far, it's been a godsend for my mental health and physically I wish for less pain, but it's better. I've noticed a difference with standing longer and less tossing and turning."

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2021

For Chronic Pain "This drug had some side effects the first two weeks. I could not get more than one hour of sleep. It takes away some of the chronic pain in my hands, and I can get a full night's sleep. Give it time to work, if you're using it for chronic pain, don't quit after one month because it takes a good 6 to 7 weeks to really enjoy the benefits of Cymbalta."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2021

For Back Pain "I had insomnia badly for the first couple of days, but taking it in the morning helped. I also experienced a lack of appetite for the first couple of weeks and felt very energized. It faded, but the same things happened when the dose was increased to 60 mg. It was great for anxiety, even helped with things that I didn't know were from anxiety; however, I had no relief of back pain, unfortunately. I currently have no side effects after 2 months."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2021

For Anxiety "I had insomnia badly for the first couple of days, but taking it in the morning helped. I also experienced lack of appetite for the first couple of weeks and felt very energized. It faded, but same things when the dose was increased to 60mg. It was great for anxiety, even helped with things that I didn't know were from anxiety; however, I had no relief of back pain unfortunately. I currently have no side effects after 2 months."

• Liv...
• January 18, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "Cymbalta is the best antidepressant I have been prescribed since my diagnosis of MDD in 2016. I have been taking 90 mg nightly shortly before I go to sleep. With my depression, anxiety creeps up on me at night, causing severe insomnia. In combination with Trazodone, my body actually gets a full 8 hours of sleep. Though there are downsides, around 12-16 hours after my dosage, I do feel the same unpleasant thoughts creeping up on me, yet very much have improved. With Cymbalta, missed dosages will not go unnoticed. Physically, my body rejects sleep, loss of appetite and tremors come back after 24 hours without a dose. Brain zaps and skin tingling are unpleasant, and taking this medication every day is vital to preventing a relapse. To me, the pros outweigh the cons. I am alive! At one time, as I was newly prescribed Cymbalta 14 months ago, I didn’t see that as attainable. Nighttime is helpful for me, and time of day to take this drug is an important inquiry for your psychiatrist."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Depression "Cymbalta is helping me with my depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, delusions, involuntary utterances, body pain. It's been a world of difference from where I was two weeks ago-I could barely speak to anyone and cried all day long. I had no energy and was hysterical. Now I have hope that things can get better because I can think clearer and am not suffering so badly both physically and emotionally. The side effects that I have experienced include nausea/upset stomach that has not really been that problematic. But I have also been having so many wild, vivid dreams that I wake up repeatedly throughout the night. Three to four dreams per week have been nightmares. I have had trouble staying and getting back to sleep. At this point, the side effects have been worth it because my every waking moment was a nightmare before I started taking this medicine, but it has only been two weeks. I hope the dreams and tummy issues subside while the good effects keep working for me."

• Lyn...
• November 13, 2020

For Back Pain "Doc prescribed Cymbalta for nerve pain resembling shingles. Entire right torso, front and back, feels like I had been dragged on asphalt behind a truck! I also have severe diabetic neuropathy in my feet and hands. 1st day on Cymbalta, I was a little nauseous with a noticeable headache. Had trouble sleeping. I didn't hear the alarm, so I overslept. 2nd day (today), still can't sleep. Even with Ambien. No change in pain levels yet. Going to try taking it before bed tonight. Hoping it will work for me. Would like to get off gabapentin. Taking 2400 mg per day, which can't be good for me! Thanks for listening."

• Din...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I’ve been on this med for 3 long years for major depressive disorder and severe osteoarthritis. Not by choice, mind you, but because the withdrawal effects were so severe for me I couldn’t get off it even with tapering. It gives me massive brain zaps, increased insomnia and racing thoughts, nausea, the worst dizziness I ever experienced that I just can’t take anymore after 2 days nonstop. I don’t recommend this medication because of how differently it affects people. You could be a statistic like me and suffer hard from this medicine. As for the pain relief, I didn’t feel much of it, I have severe osteoarthritis in many joints, so I don’t really feel much relief from many medications."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2020

For Depression "I’ve been taking Cymbalta at a dose of 40 mg for 1 week now. I feel lightheaded. Not really depressed or having anxiety, but I can’t sleep and I have no appetite. I’m already underweight. Feeling stoned all day. My stomach also churns all night. I think there must be something more tolerable for me. I can’t function. Any suggestions?"

• CDa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 16, 2020

For Depression "I had been on this drug for over two years. My doctor never warned me of how my life would change on this drug. I developed extreme insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and I felt like a zombie with no emotions. I have been weaning off this pill for almost a week now, and I have had extreme nausea and extreme mood swings. If I were you, I’d stay far clear of this pill. It has destroyed me from the amount of time I was on it to the time I am weaning it off."

• ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Depression "Cymbalta is horrible stuff! Adverse effects when trying to stop taking Cymbalta. Went from 30 mg to 60 mg over a month-long period but don't bother with this drug as it doesn’t do what it’s prescribed to do (for me anyway, has not lessened anxiety or depression). Trying to stop taking it has worsened my symptoms. No sleep, rapid heartbeat, sweats, headaches, affected work, feeling like absolute shite, etc., the list goes on. I would not recommend this drug at all! Stay away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2020

For Depression "I was diagnosed with PMDD and was prescribed Cymbalta. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so sick in my life: nauseous, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, loss of appetite, dry mouth, and all of this after one dose. Never again."

• Alw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

For Chronic Pain "Cymbalta is somewhat costly. Initially prescribed for lower back pain. The first 2-3 months, it worked VERY well. It helped with the back pain and improved my general mood. Bonus feature, it was helping with my permanent migraine. I had only a few side effects at first, but they started building up. Insomnia to the point of 15 minutes of sleep or less per day (for over a month), spontaneous ejaculation, cold sweats, no sex drive. Started to get a few electric shock-like sensations in the extremities. Started to feel zombie-like. I came off the stuff cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms included MANY shock-like jolts to hands and feet (for about 6 years), a few months of a zombie-like feeling (low drive). I'd rate it GOOD for short-term use (1-2 months). Anything longer than 3 months, I would strongly advise against (as any other anti-depressant)."

• Joa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Cymbalta for about a year now and just recently increased dosage from 60 mg to 90 mg because of depressive episodes during quarantine. I've not had problems with the drug until now. I recently have started having trouble staying asleep, although falling asleep hasn't been an issue. I've also wet the bed, which is extremely unusual as I haven't done that since I was a child. Overall, it has helped relieve suicidal thoughts and anxiety attacks, but the higher dosage side effects are really making me consider going back down to 60 mg."

• Lpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

For Depression "I started taking Cymbalta 30 mg 9 weeks ago under my primary doctor's recommendation. I had severe anxiety and insomnia and very serious depression. I slept all day and had no motivation and couldn't shake it off no matter what I did. I have tried Prozac 50 mg for depression and expressed that I didn't like that it made me eat all the time (which led to a 50 lb weight gain) and no libido. So she recommended this. I feel very numb (but not high) as if I have no more conscience. I also have a slow reaction time to everything. People will speak to me, and I don't realize until they repeat my name over 3 times. I also cannot sleep still even with all types of OTC sleep medications. I take Cymbalta in the morning, so it has no effect on my sleep. I am going to keep taking this medication as suggested but will make a follow-up appointment. Should there be any secret to make this drug less numbing, I will add another review."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have only been on this medication for a week but I already notice a huge difference. I suffer from depression and anxiety as well as panic attacks. I noticed a difference on the 3rd day. My mind isn’t racing 100 mph and I can concentrate. Anxiety is still there a little bit, but no panic attacks. I had some nausea and diarrhea but I’m not sure if that was from Cymbalta as a bug was going around. The first few nights I had sleep issues, but those have passed. No sexual side effects thus far. I was on Lexapro before and I hated it. Felt like a zombie. This is altogether different. I know each drug is different for everyone, but so far Cymbalta has done wonders for me."

• 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."

• pop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For Chronic Pain "Tried Cymbalta for leg pain. It helps, but it is impossible to sleep, so I quit."

• Chr...
• January 14, 2020

For Depression "I have found that my mood is improving, and my pain from clonus isn't as bad. The only issue I have is the insomnia, but overall I think this medication is helping me."

• Izz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I gave it a 2 because it helped with my pain, and I saw a very quick change in my anxiety. But I've lost so much sleep over the last year due to insomnia and severe night sweats. My doctor told me to take it in the morning instead, but since I needed help sleeping, this was already doing the opposite. If I miss a single dose, I get severe electric shocks starting in my head going to my feet. Burning head but freezing extremities, shakes, nausea, and that's the physical symptoms. Mentally, I would be wailing and almost hitting my head against a wall, begging whatever was going on to stop. I tried going off it cold turkey after a year on 60 mg, and the physical and mental pain is what I'd imagine heroin withdrawal to be. Now my dosage is halved, my chronic pain is back with a vengeance, so it was working for my pain, but I feel pushing through the pain from the get-go would have been easier than going through the side effects of this medication for a year. Be warned, this drug is for life."

• Amy...
• November 14, 2019

For Depression "Awful. Was given the lowest dosage of Cymbalta for work-related stress/mild depression. Made me have night sweats and insomnia. Also made me extremely agitated, especially at night - no matter what time I had taken the medication. Also, my blood pressure rose quite a bit during the couple of months of taking the medication."

• Pet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 8, 2019

For Depression "I took Cymbalta for 7 years, maximum dosage. At the beginning, it makes you 'move', motivation to do something, but as time goes on, the side effects drove me to a physical and psychological collapse. Excessive sweating, insomnia, and fatigue were the main side effects that gradually disintegrated my health globally."

• Nec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2019

For Depression "I've taken Cymbalta for about 10 years. 90 mg and lower. Helped at first, then started getting agitated, no sleep, constipation. Horrible. Don't recommend this drug. Had a mini-stroke 6 months ago. Dreading the tapering."

• Cie...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have rheumatoid arthritis that was not responding to Orencia, Arava, Rituxan, Cimzia, or Humira. Prior to these medications, I was on Enbrel, but it stopped working after 9 years and I was allergic to methotrexate. The Cymbalta seemed to make my pain much more bearable. I still had the joint pains, but somehow, the pain wasn't such a massive ordeal. Oh, and it also nicely treated my chronic major depressive disorder as well. I thought that maybe if I was on a higher dose, I might have less pain, so my dose of generic (Lupin) duloxetine was increased up to 150mg a day, and I found that although I could function fine during the day, I could not sleep. It was like I was too keyed up or something. Not anxious, just keyed up. I was able to sleep once I dropped my dose back down to 120mg a day. I give Cymbalta a 10 because it is a single medicine that treats two medical conditions!"