Cymbalta and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Lit...
• September 23, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine helped, at first. Then the dose had to be increased often. I didn't realize the brain fog, the chronic tiredness, and the inability to sleep at night were from this medicine. My agitation level also increased. I am tapering off of it now, and I am in hell."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia since Nov. 2014. I had loved this med, helped somewhat with my pain and also helped my moods. (I called it my happy pill... lol) I have been experiencing many months of restless sleep and extreme sweating! I never considered it was my wonder drug. But it is, it has to be... Cymbalta is the only drug I take and the only change for me in a year. Also, I have gained an excessive amount of weight! I cannot handle this extreme sweating, also very fatigued. I am starting today to wean off of it... my doc started me on Lyrica. I sure hope this helps! So tired of being tired and in pain..."

• Twi...
• September 14, 2015

For Chronic Pain "My doctor put me on Cymbalta for chronic pain with fibromyalgia, arthritis, bursitis, and bulging discs. I have been taking it for a week now and can't seem to shake some of the side effects. My pain is almost completely gone and I am so thankful for that. However, my eyes are so dilated all the time that everything is blurry, and I practically live in a cave. In the 6 days I have been taking it, I have lost almost 10 lbs. I am not sleeping well (though they say this will get better), and during the day, I am feeling so tired that it takes everything in me to stay awake at work. My reflexes are lacking as well: I am dropping things, losing my balance, and my reaction time when driving is a little sketchy. But all that aside, my pain is gone :)"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2015

For Anxiety "Started on Cymbalta for anxiety and depression fall 2014. It was the first antidepressant that I'd ever tried (aside from St. John's Wort). Side effects during the first week of taking it were so terrible that I had to stop. I was constantly dizzy. I couldn't focus on anything. It made my body so tense, I'd catch myself clenching my teeth and fists. Insomnia was terrible; I'd wake up about 5 times per night. I work in healthcare, and I felt like I couldn't do my job with all of these side effects, so I stopped. The side effects were really worse than my anxiety and depression. I have no doubt that they would have eventually decreased, but I couldn't wait for that to happen. Obviously, the side effects will be different for everybody, but that's my story."

• Mad...
• May 22, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Don't take this drug. Just don't. My doctor told me nothing about the side effects or how potent it really is. I took it for a week and I felt like I was cracked out the whole time. Total depersonalization, suicidal thoughts, weird head pains, chest pains, vomiting, and completely drained of energy. After only taking this for a week, the withdrawals were horrendous, and I was only on 30 mg. Brain zaps, palpitations, chills, insomnia, sweating, diarrhea, and the list goes on. Worst two weeks of my life. I can't imagine what coming off this drug feels like when you have taken it long term. Do not take this drug."

• Pas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2015

For Depression "I am one of the luckiest ones for sure. Cymbalta is only my second prescription after Mirtazapine, and it did the magic for me. I love Cymbalta because it not only reduced depression but anxiety too. So it's two in one. My depression has reduced a lot in just one week of use. To be honest, this medication affected me after the second day of use. And it's only a start, I haven't even completed 3 weeks yet. I have full hope in Cymbalta that it will make me a happy person soon. Highly recommended for people who have both depression and anxiety. Side effects are slightly annoying, though. It kills my appetite, which is really bad for me as I am too underweight, mild nausea in the morning, constipation, and on top of that insomnia. But it's all worth the result."

• 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."

• Ef1...
• August 27, 2014

For Anxiety "I started taking Cymbalta earlier this year for my anxiety. I found it really helped, but I didn't want to stay on it for long. I had a few side effects while being on Cymbalta such as night sweats, trouble sleeping, and electric pulses through my body. While gradually lowering my doses of Cymbalta, these side effects did get a little worse, however, they have completely gone now. I started lowering my doses in June, and now by the end of August, the night sweats have completely stopped, my sleeping is back to normal, and the electric pulses are very rare. When I think about getting worried or anxious now, I just remember that it's not a big deal and that if I was on Cymbalta, I wouldn't have even thought about it."

• Mon...
• July 16, 2014

For Anxiety "I just started taking this medication last night and ALREADY feel so much better. I've tried Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Buspar, Abilify, and countless others to help with my anxiety and none of them worked. This medication is a miracle in my opinion. I can't believe how quickly it works too. I'm taking this along with Atarax to help anxiety and panic attacks. I like the Atarax too and have not needed to take clonazepam today. Very happy. Only problem was that I couldn't sleep last night. I was physically exhausted and couldn't open my eyes or move but my mind was active. Hopefully this will pass. I've also had an upset stomach today with diarrhea but it beats anxiety any day!"

• Tou...
• February 18, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I've been on Cymbalta for about one month. 1st week on 30mg and 2nd week on 60mg. Only side effect for the first 2 weeks was lucid dreams and insomnia. I have really bad nerve problem in the upper and lower back which causes a lot of stress to my shoulder, trapezius, and chest muscle. Cymbalta helps me manage the upper back, shoulder, trapezius, and chest pain well enough, but nothing for the lower back. I noticed the pain reduction in the 2nd week. It's not a miracle pill but it sure helps."

• suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2014

For Chronic Pain "Almost 2 months on just 20 mg pain mgmt narcotics for chronic pain, many procedures little help, also CPTSD, GAD, pos. bipolar, depression. MY BACK PAIN AND SCIATIC GONE after 5 days on a low dose. Reserving judgement on the rest. Increase dose to 60 mg. I expect to get a hint in the next week. May have overactive mind/severe difficulty sleeping tho. Higher dose may help. But the pain relief - wouldn't have believed it if someone told me. So have to weigh pain vs insomnia or other side effect I might get. Good luck with this medicine! Insanely expensive and I know from girlfriend's experience withdrawal can be bad."

• suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2014

For Chronic Pain "Almost 2 months on just 20 mg pain mgmt narcotics for chronic pain, many procedures little help, also CPTSD, GAD, pos. bipolar, depression. MY BACK PAIN AND SCIATIC GONE after 5 days on a low dose. Reserving judgement on the rest. Increase dose to 60 mg. I expect to get a hint in the next week. May have overactive mind/severe difficulty sleeping tho. Higher dose may help. But the pain relief - wouldn't have believed it if someone told me. So have to weigh pain vs insomnia or other side effect I might get. Good luck with this medicine! Insanely expensive and I know from girlfriend's experience withdrawal can be bad."

• woo...
• July 31, 2013

For Depression "Been on most antidepressants and ended up with mirtazapine, which although very good, does make you really fat. Cut dose right down, but then the old feeling of depression, anxiety, and suicidal feelings came back. My psych doc put me on Cymbalta (after a roundabout of others that I couldn't cope with) and Cymbalta works. 30mg is lovely, but 60mg is way too strong for me. Blurred vision, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, etc., etc. So went back to 30mg and now feel great. I do take half a mirtazapine at night to help me sleep and don't know if it's the combination or just the Cymbalta (as half a mirtazapine is a very tiny dose) working. It has taken about 3 months for it to fully kick in, but now I feel hopefully optimistic and more at ease about life."

• mo1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2013

For Anxiety "I have suffered from anxiety problems my whole life, but it was easily managed until I turned 23 (2.5 years ago) when it blew up and every month got much worse. In Dec 2012, I was diagnosed with severe generalized anxiety disorder, moderate panic disorder, and moderate agoraphobia. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome-D, and combined with anxiety, I always had to be near a bathroom - any time I left the house I had diarrhea. Couldn't go shopping alone, do drive throughs, etc. Started this and almost immediately felt a bit better, minimal side effects (insomnia/headache 1st 3 days, itchy armpits 1st week) and it has taken the edge off lots. Have done many things I couldn't. No weight gain so far, very happy. Only big anxiety triggers bother me a bit, and Imodium use decreased LOTS! No mental fog!"

• Rob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2013

For Chronic Pain "Happy with pain relief. Worked like magic for the first 1-2 months. Now it has leveled off, but still very worthwhile. Side effects seem to be insomnia, tiredness, low energy, but worth the trade-off."

• Fib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I am 46 and have suffered from depression since I was a teenager and fibromyalgia pain and stiffness since I was 30. Nothing else helped much. I tried gabapentin, Prozac, and other antidepressants. Ibuprofen and tramadol helped a little with the pain but not like Cymbalta! I started on 30 mg and worked up to 90 mg daily. I feel like I am cured! No more morning pain and stiffness, no more aches and pain, and my mood is so much brighter! I haven't felt this happy since I was a kid. I am laughing all the time. I can do things that I haven't been able to do physically for years. I started jogging. Side effects have been a loss of appetite, insomnia, and hot flashes but well worth it!"

• Bat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2013

For Anxiety "I've been taking 120mg of Cymbalta for 6 months now and have found the benefits to be: decreased anxiety, increased social confidence, and 10kg (22.2 pounds) weight loss!! The negatives have been: irregular insomnia, slightly manic personality when really comfortable in my social surroundings, dry mouth, mild occasional nausea and that's about it. I'm under the watchful eye of a great psychiatrist and think Cymbalta is much better than Prozac and Zoloft which I've been on for 5 years prior (at alternate times). Also, I strongly recommend reducing your alcohol intake - Cymbalta increases side effects and makes you feel embarrassingly drunk and tired much earlier than others. Good luck."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2013

For Anxiety "I have been on Cymbalta for about 4 months now, and finally can say that it is worth going through some of the beginning side effects. We must be careful though, to listen to our bodies first. Side effects can be bothersome but should not be unbearable, so if this is your case with Cymbalta or any other medication, you must consult your physician. When I first started Cymbalta (which I did twice before finally staying on it), I could not sleep, had headaches, and could not even drink a cup of coffee without feeling as if I was hyper. Eventually, things got better and I was able to stop the additional medication that was prescribed to help me sleep. Switching Cymbalta to bedtime helped tremendously! No pain and/or anxiety."

• Wor...
• March 23, 2013

For Back Pain "Never before had serious side effects. Never posted an internet comment. Continued side effects including constant nausea, constipation, erratic blood pressure, balance/dizzy problems, and poor sleep, erratic heartbeat. The first time I was dizzy and kept walking, then I fainted. Subsequent dizzy spells resulted in bed or couch time as I couldn't walk for 4 hours. I ceased this medicine after 12 days, and yet it took a month to completely recover."

• Cin...
• March 20, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I have taken several depression medicines over the last six years. All with limited results. My entire body started hurting so bad, fatigue, headaches and broken sleep at night. I begged my doctor to try me on Cymbalta because it helped a friend with similar symptoms. My pain was almost gone in a week and completely gone in two. I never realized how bad my pain was until it was gone! I take it at night because I get very sleepy within a few hours. I sleep great and wake up pain-free and fully rested. It has helped my depression but not to the extent it has taken away all my pain. I did feel slightly nauseous on and off for a few weeks. My appetite has diminished which has helped me lose 10 pounds."

• bil...
• March 12, 2013

For Back Pain "I started with a 30 mg dosage and was increased to 60 mg daily. It was helpful with the constant burning in my feet that is secondary to peripheral neuropathy. My dosage was increased after a couple of months to 60 mg twice daily. I didn't last a week! This medication has always given me increased sweating, especially night sweats! My doctor prescribed Hytrin (mostly used for hypertension and benign prostate hyperplasia) to combat the sweating, and it seemed to help because the incidents of night sweats decreased. That all changed when my dosage was bumped up. I was having night sweats EVERY night and had a major increase in insomnia. I am getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night (or day because I work at night). I went back to 60 mg daily and see my doctor tomorrow."

• eil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2013

For Depression "I took this for 5 years at 90 mg. I eventually had to go off this medication because the side effects were intolerable. I had night terrors every night, severe night sweats, teeth grinding, and insomnia. The thing that finally did it for me was the migraines that were caused by my shoulder and neck tension on this medication. In short, it made me feel extremely anxious and stressed out. Also, withdrawal is very tough. I have been off this medicine for 3 weeks and still have severe nausea, anxiety, night sweats, and night terrors."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2013

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I'm a Type 1 Diabetic for 39 years. Had VERY painful muscle spasms/seizing and twitching. I tried various supplements which 'should' have helped but no improvement. I started Neurontin at 1,800mg/day and I had terrible swelling plus gained 18 lbs in 6 months (and my eating habits actually got better while on it). The 1,800mg of Neurontin no longer controlled the muscle spasms. I started Cymbalta, 30 mg before bed, and had significant reduction in pain the first morning. I did notice a very strong headache that first day. I had only 3-4 muscle spasms that first day as well...Wow!! Second day...almost NO pain in the morning and only a dull headache with much weaker muscle spasms. Side effects: Crazy dreams, difficulty sleeping, headache."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2013

For Depression "I'm writing this review because I'm absolutely shocked by how quickly I began to feel like myself again. After as little as a week, I had an easier time getting out of bed in the morning, I physically felt more energetic, and I had more emotional clarity. My husband is even more delighted in the results than I am. He says I'm more like myself. Even with good insurance, this medicine can be pricey. Very few side effects. I felt a little jittery the first couple of days and had trouble sleeping. Those went away when I adjusted the time I took the medicine. I'm just thankful to feel some relief!"

• Mot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Took 30 mg/day for 2 months and no noticeable reduction of pain. Increased to 60 mg/day for 2 more months and still no relief of fibromyalgia at all. Killed my libido entirely and had difficulty sleeping regardless of taking it morning or night. Luckily, no side effects weaning off (half dose for 2 weeks, then every other day for 2 more weeks)."