Cymbalta and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2018

For Chronic Pain "My MD prescribed Cymbalta for me for arthritic pain and depression due to multiple sleep disorders. I need knee, arm, and hand surgeries as well. Cymbalta is not helping. I started with 20 mg. Horrific nausea. Waited 48 hours, restarted with 10 mg as I separated 20 mg capsules into two doses. Took the 10 mg doses three more nights. The nausea has not gone away. Tonight, after missing yesterday's 10 mg dose, the nausea has lifted a tiny bit. Also, I have had trouble with urination and that apparently is another side effect. I will not take this again. Today, I researched this med. Seattle Times, April 8, 2018, has run a story condemning pharmaceutical companies for doing no research regarding side effects and helping people stop antidepressants. No thanks, I am focusing back on art, exercise, diet, and maintaining friendships."

• sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

For Anxiety "After my first dose of the generic version of Cymbalta yesterday evening for major anxiety and minor depression. I was surprised to feel a difference within a few hours. My mood lifted, and I had more energy. I still felt slightly anxious. Initial side effects: quite bad insomnia, slight jitteriness, slight diarrhea, very slight confusion at times, and nausea for the first 12 hours after taking it. After 2 weeks, I now have zero side effects and have changed to taking it in the mornings. It is a miracle drug for my depression! The constant dark feeling of sadness has lifted completely. It has also helped my anxiety quite a lot, however, I still have periods of anxiousness. I am definitely going to stay on this medication as it has drastically improved the quality of my life."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2018

For Depression "This was the first antidepressant I had ever taken. I had one 30 mg dose of this drug, and within 15 minutes, I felt electric shocks/tingly sensations throughout my body (mostly arms and legs), as well as a burning sensation which continued for several days. I felt extremely nauseous and had flu-like symptoms of feeling hot and cold. My doctor advised me to take this drug before sleeping, as it would make me drowsy. However, after taking the drug, I was not able to sleep at all for 2 days and developed fractal-like hallucinations due to the drug. I had to go to the ER, as I could not cope with the hallucinations and was not physically able to sleep. I was advised by the hospital doctor that these side effects occur in only 1-5% of people who take Cymbalta, who are elderly. I am 19 years old. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!"

• 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."

• Ali...
• January 4, 2018

For Anxiety "Horrible, made me so sick and weight gain of over 30 kgs. Caused nausea and migraines. Would give a 0 if I could, almost ruined my life and made it almost impossible to work and enjoy life."

• aht...
• November 23, 2017

For Anxiety "Within two days of starting Cymbalta, I had 'flashing lights' in my peripherals (which didn't go away for two years) and nausea. Not that big of a deal. But on day three, I was hit by an insane attack on what I assume was my central nervous system. I felt like my chest was in an ice bath, my internal temperature dropped several degrees, my groin felt like it was on fire (burning/cramping), I started shaking and sweating and went into full-blown panic. After taking a week off, I tried the drug again. Same thing. Absolutely awful. My doctors/pharmacies had never heard of these side effects, which were worse than my symptoms (anxiety-related feeling of throat/tongue swelling). I switched to Effexor (SNRI), which finally worked."

• Roo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2017

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this to help with my severe anxiety and in hopes it would also help my chronic pain. I think I'm allergic to it because in 2 hours of taking it, I got a stabbing pain in my head, and the light made my eyes burn. I could barely even say this to a doctor because, along with barely being able to string two words together, I had intense nausea with cramping, and it wasn't until the ER had the lights around me dimmed enough for me to try and open my eyes that I realized my face was pretty swollen."

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Cymbalta for almost a year, and I have no anxiety or depression. I really didn’t have any side effects except nausea, but other than that, the meds work great. I’m happy with it."

• PM0...
• November 1, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I have taken this medication for about 2 years now, and it has helped me tremendously. Yes, the first two weeks were hard due to nausea and diarrhea, however, because it controlled the pain, I stayed with it. I weaned myself off at one point to make sure whether or not I still needed it, but within a week of being completely off of it, all the pain and muscle weakness came back, so I went back on it (no side effects this time), and the pain went away, so it works for me. However, the Dr. said that I was his only patient who had the amount of relief I experienced with the lowest dose. I also have Lupus (SLE), so it helps with the joint and muscle pain there too! I say give it a try as I experienced the pain relief almost immediately."

• 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."

• joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

For Depression "I've been having anxiety and depression issues recently, and since I've had back surgery and residual pain, my doc put me on 40 mg of Cymbalta. About 3 hours after I took my first dose, I had the worst migraine I've ever had in my life, coupled with nausea, finally vomiting, cold chills, auditory hallucinations (low rumbling sound, plus my tinnitus got worse), sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and everything tasted like aspirin. The next morning, my wife and I attempted to have sex. While I did have an erection, after almost two hours of trying, I never even got close to an orgasm. Now I'm in some discomfort. For a drug that's supposed to make me feel better, I'd never take it again."

• Jam...
• April 15, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My new doctor recently switched me from Klonopin to Cymbalta. I'd been taking Klonopin for two years at a low dose with no issues, but this doctor can't help meddling. Anyway, this Cymbalta is a nightmare. I'm not depressed, just have anxiety, so why am I taking this? I've been so edgy and nauseous since starting it. I can't sleep and sit in meetings at work spacing out. Never take this medication. I'm seeing my doc next week and am just going to flatly say I'm not taking this anymore. Luckily a different doc prescribes the Klonopin."

• Rac...
• March 26, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Cymbalta when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year. Cymbalta is by far the worst medicine I could ever imagine being on. It did nothing for my fibromyalgia pain. I stayed on it to see if it would work with time, nothing. I told my doctor I felt no better about my fibromyalgia pain and decided to wean off. This is the ugly part. My dose went from 60 mg to 30 mg for the next two weeks, and then I was told to take it every other day for 2 weeks, and so I did. Here I am, 3 days off of it completely, and I feel horrendous. Muscles are stiff, mouth is constantly dry, diarrhea is nonstop, vomiting, constant nausea, headache, body zaps, brain zaps, feeling exhausted but can't sleep. Cymbalta is hell. Please avoid at all costs."

• Tif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I suffered for about 2 years with fibromyalgia. Within the first 2 days at 20 mg, I felt a significant decrease in the electrifying buzzing throughout my body. I finally got comfortable enough to get a good night of sleep. The first day, I had eye pain, but it went away later in the day. Currently, I wake up in the morning with a little nausea and my fingers swell, but this too subsides throughout the day. Overall, I have been more active and alert than I could ever remember. :)"

• Sug...
• March 9, 2017

For Depression "I took it for 5 days, 30 mg, and have never felt so sick. The first day, I was crippled with diarrhea and a headache, which continued to the following day. I then got a tightness in my throat and couldn't stop yawning. I stopped eating due to the nausea. The headache didn't go away, and by day 3, it was joined by an earache and sweating. Yesterday was the worst. All of a sudden, my vision became blurry, and I couldn't talk properly. It was terrifying. Like my brain stopped working. I couldn't drive and was so dizzy I kept falling over. I stopped immediately and now have to wait 3 days for it to leave my system. I still feel horrendous, and I still can't see properly."

• Pam...
• February 26, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Please do not take this!!!! I have been taking it for 7 years. It never really worked, I don't know why I kept taking it. When I was diagnosed with a mood disorder, they put me on new meds and took me off Cymbalta. They did wean me off, but I was awful. The withdrawals were, and still are, 3 weeks later so bad!!! The brain zaps are the worst, and then there is sweating, shaking, nausea. Please don't even start it, even if it makes you feel good."

• Chi...
• February 8, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Just started Cymbalta at 30 mg, one in the AM and one in the PM for my fibromyalgia pain and anxiety and depression. It's been 8 days, and it is helping so much! It did give me nausea and an acidy stomach for 2 days. That went away. I also take gabapentin 300 mg, 4 times a day. I came off of tramadol 50 mg at 6-9 a day. Cymbalta helped with withdrawals for me. I still have pain from my fibro, but it is dulled. Hope this helps, xx"

• Yol...
• January 21, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Been on it for 4 days. I feel like a zombie. Nauseous. Depressed. No appetite. Sleeping all day. It's doing the opposite of what I need. I have no emotions or reactions when people talk to me."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2017

For Depression "I took my first dose of Cymbalta last night and woke up in the early morning seriously nauseated and actually vomited. I went to work, and I am struggling to stay awake. I already nodded off a couple of times. I don't think this med is going to work for me."