Cymbalta and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Chr...
• August 9, 2011

For Depression "I'm 22 years old and have had depression for 9 years. I've tried Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, and Xanax, but nothing has helped me better than Cymbalta. The first time I took it, I threw up and had no appetite for about 4 days. But the second day of taking it, I could tell it was working. I could focus more, I could smile more, I could go out in public and not panic. And TV shows that I'd seen before and didn't think were funny, I now watched and laughed at! Cymbalta has completely changed my life. I've been taking 60 mg a day for 2 weeks now, and I can't remember ever being this happy and hopeful. It's very expensive if you don't have insurance, but there are organizations out there that will help you out with your prescriptions."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2011

For Depression "I started Cymbalta in December 2009, and I thought it worked wonders. My stepmom passed away in January of 2010, and it helped me get through it like an adult. I used to cry all the time over everything, but that has stopped. It allows me to feel but not to be manic about it. I have to say the best thing about it, though, is the loss of appetite. I was a chronic overeater and was starting to really chub out. Within six months of using this medication, I lost 25 lbs. Unfortunately, for me, I got stubborn and tried to get off the medicine in January 2011. I felt that I could just do okay without it. I was so wrong. Within three months, I've been depressed, sad, manic, and gained back 10 lbs! I started the medicine again yesterday. Wish me luck!"

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2011

For Anxiety "I am taking 60 mg of Cymbalta for anxiety and depression. Previously, I had been on Lexapro (which gave me nightmares) and Paxil, which worked for a time but sent me into a relapse when I was weaned off of it. I have noticed a few side effects - the most predominant one is that it makes me very tired. I don't have much of an appetite, but when I do, I crave sweets and have put on a few pounds as a result. Very little sex drive, though it was low to begin with. Although the medication has helped to keep my anxiety at a manageable level, my general mood has been very blank - I feel very little in the way of happiness or sadness. My doctor has suggested either switching to a higher dose (120 mg) of Cymbalta or changing to Zoloft or Paxil."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2011

For Depression "I took Cymbalta for about 3-4 months. I had major side effects. I tried taking it at night, but I couldn't sleep. Switched to the mornings, and I also had tingling all over, sexual side effects, worsened my suicidal thoughts. The only good thing about it is I totally had no appetite whatsoever. I lost 15 lbs. I have since quit taking Cymbalta."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2011

For Depression "I started taking Cymbalta 6 months ago. I know that they say this medicine can take about 3 weeks to kick in, however, I felt relief within hours of taking it. Maybe it's some medical miracle or my body finally got what it needed. I am a well-educated woman who had a rough childhood. I tried different antidepressants over the years and never felt anything like this. I stopped having suicidal thoughts. The side effects were: loss of appetite and so tired that I had to lay down in the afternoon. The only other medication I take is birth control. I discovered the following: If I take my birth control at night before bed and the 30 mg Cymbalta in the morning, then I'm not tired. The side effects went away by the 12th week, so hang in there!"

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2011

For Depression "On this medicine for 5 days and have been on the couch for 4 days. Very lethargic, lazy, no energy to do anything, loss of appetite, nausea, can't sleep at night, just not myself at all. Missed 2 parties I was previously excited to go to, stayed home instead."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2011

For Pain "I have been on Cymbalta for 2 months and it has really helped my back pain. I have had chronic back pain for 3 years due to a fall. I have had my back MRI and I have no disk problems, so it is muscle pain. Cymbalta has really helped. It does still bother me some days but not as much as before. In the beginning, I had a lot of nausea with Cymbalta but that went away after about a week. I was determined to give it a chance. With some of the side effects, it is easy to give up, but it does get better. Now I have no problems, maybe a little less of an appetite, but that might not be such a bad thing."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2010

For Depression "After reading about others' experiences with Cymbalta, I was very hesitant to try it. However, I got to a point where I was willing to do anything to feel 'normal' again. I started Cymbalta (30mg) about 3 months ago and I am SO glad I did. The first week was unpleasant - I was close to stopping it, but my family encouraged me to give it a fair shot. By the second week things were better. Now (still on 30mg) the only side effects that remain are loss of appetite (causing weight loss), occasional vivid dreams, and some difficulty with orgasm. For me the benefits have been huge - I am able to focus, more energy, no more racing thoughts, no more crying spells, and no more anxiety/panic. Everyone is different, but for me this has worked great!"

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2010

For Depression "I started Cymbalta two months ago (60mg/day) for moderate depression and anxiety. It has been a roller coaster ride, and I am now stepping off, luckily. I have experienced many of the side effects after 3 weeks, including blurred vision, tremors, itching, cold hands, night sweats, no appetite, no libido, and horrible insomnia. I began sleeping all day with a detached feeling and no desire to see friends or family. It initially helped with my depression, so I was optimistic since I have never had any positive experience with any antidepressants. However, it took me into a whirlwind of nervous energy at week three to a flat, washed-out feeling two weeks ago. Two days ago, I stopped cold turkey. I feel better already."

• jmh...
• January 25, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been on Cymbalta for one month for relentless anxiety and depression, after trying Paxil, Wellbutrin, Prozac, and many others I cannot even remember the names of. There has been a loss of appetite for a few weeks, but it has mostly gone away. It caused panic in the beginning, but Ativan helped a little with that. After a week, I felt really good (20 mg) and have been up and down ever since. It has helped a lot, but so far it is not the answer."

• sar...
• November 15, 2009

For Depression "I was prescribed this for pain relief, but I also suffer from anxiety and depression, so we hoped it would help that as well. I was only on it for 3 days and ended up in the hospital. The first day, I couldn't stop being sick, the second day, I felt really sick, was shaking, and felt really spaced out. I couldn't eat or drink, and yesterday, I got even worse. It didn't help with my pain at all, and I was more anxious than ever. I tried to get out of bed this morning and fell over. My husband took me to the hospital, and I was told not to take it anymore. I'm 28 with 2 children and was unable to look after them while on this medicine."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2008

For Depression "I have been on this for one month. I have progressed up in dosage very quickly due to my lack of control over my depression. I started at 30 mg per day, and since my doctor participates in clinical trials, he's aware of how far he can progress with this medication. I am now on 120mg per day, just after a month. It's given me more energy, less appetite, no weight gain. I feel like I can live my life and cope. I'm temporarily taking it with Klonopin, but hope to be just on Cymbalta soon."

• Anonymous
• August 30, 2008

For Anxiety "Have been on Cymbalta for a little over 3 months. It has changed my life for the better. My anxiety had gotten to the point that I was hiding in the restroom at work during episodes almost every day. I am able to communicate what I am thinking more clearly. I don't break out in a sweat if something isn't going the way I think it should. I feel like myself before the panic/anxiety attacks started several years ago. I was dieting when I started taking Cymbalta and lost more weight than I had been averaging. Didn't have as much appetite as usual, which wasn't a bad thing. The irritability is gone, and I am a lot more pleasant to be around. I am me again."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2008

For Depression "The Cymbalta took about three weeks to kick in. The side effects started out really strong: dizziness, sweating, no appetite, sleepiness, dry mouth. Now I've been on it for one month and all of my side effects are gone. I don't have any sexual side effects. As far as treating my depression, it's amazing. It's like the light has been turned on again and I can see the good in life. Advice: if you're prescribed this medication, give it a good try - the side effects do diminish. From what I see here, it seems like this works for a lot of people."

• xxo...
• November 18, 2007

For Anxiety "I'm 29 & been on Cymbalta 1 week, prior to taking, couldn't sleep (4 hrs on average), panic attacks, acne breakouts, hair falling out, highly stressed, now a little disoriented at times, loss of appetite (not a bad thing), great sleep (much needed) and I'm much calmer. The doctor wants to add Wellbutrin in 30 days but I am not going that route. I am very pleased with the direction we are going in now it is just taking some time to adjust to the side effects and new routine of actually resting!!"