Cymbalta and Nausea: What Users Say

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2025

For Fibromyalgia "Cymbalta for fibromyalgia. Pros: After a week at 30 mg, I noticed a small reduction in pain. After two weeks (now at 60 mg), I noticed even more improvement. After four weeks, my pain was drastically reduced. Cons: Night one was bad nausea and unable to sleep. Night two felt better but still hard to sleep. Night three, all of the symptoms disappeared. After two weeks, I started to get diarrhea after every meal and throughout the day. I could hardly eat and was dehydrated despite drinking loads of water. I had to stop taking Cymbalta after six weeks as the side effect was terrible."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2024

"I never realized I was overwhelmed with anxiety for a variety of reasons. Cymbalta brought me down to earth, helped me not feel like I was being swallowed into a black hole of panic, and just makes me feel… normal. Like my true self. Like all these drugs, there’s an adjustment phase, not just physically, but also that your mind has to get used to not going where it has been going. Mild nausea at times early on, and I’m fine now. I suffer from PTSD after a brutal onset of CRPS three years ago. I can’t imagine going off this drug ever, and I'm thankful it works so well for me."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2024

For Chronic Pain "I have chronic pain and bad anxiety for many years and have been living untreated and struggling. In the last few months, I started taking pain pills. But then a few weeks ago, I met two totally different strangers who, within five minutes of each other, shared their experience with CYMBALTA - it was like a light bulb went on! I had two or three previous doctors recommend it in the past, so I felt it was a SIGN or a NUDGE to give this prescription medication a go. I’m currently on day five of 30 mg with some side effects such as mild nausea, mild headaches that come and go, and some insomnia. But because of the positive reviews on here, I have decided to push through the side effects and give Cymbalta a chance to CHANGE my life! I have decreased pain meds to 3 a day and feel encouraged that my anxiety will be greatly helped!"

• mk2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started this medicine 5 months ago. Prior to my use of Cymbalta, I was taking 40mg daily of Celexa and interchanging lorazepam and buspirone for 3 years. Cymbalta (duloxetine) has CHANGED MY LIFE. I have struggled with major depressive disorder and anxiety symptoms from chronic OCD for many years, and this medicine has made me feel more alive than anything I have ever tried. I can wake up, I am capable of cognitive thought outside of sadness, and I am able to feel emotions and FINALLY have an orgasm. No medication is perfect, but I have finally felt free of the dullness and numbness that has consumed my life for so many years. Here is what you could expect (using prescription of 60 mg (2) 30 mg cap 2x a day): - light stomach irritation and sensitivity to eating - mild nausea and occasional headaches - more sweat - lowered appetite - real withdrawal! Follow a schedule! - insomnia - drink tea and take simple sleep aids!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2023

For Anxiety "I have severe anxiety and panic attacks, have since I was a child. I took this for about two years until I realized the reason I was having so many depersonalization episodes and panic attacks (that seemingly had no cause) was because of this medication. When going on it, my doctor forgot to mention it would be a living nightmare to try to get off. I've been tapering off this medication for the last couple of months, decreasing by one bead at a time per week because if I decrease it any more than that, I have brain zaps, vertigo, migraines, nausea, hallucinations, mood swings, increased suicidal thoughts, and severe anxiety/panic attacks. Even tapering as slowly as I have, I'm experiencing the mood swings and severe anxiety. This medication IS NOT WORTH IT. Please save yourself some time and just try something else. I don't know why this stuff is even FDA approved. I can't wait to be off it."

• hig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have dealt with generalized anxiety disorder since my early 20s and have tried many SSRIs. The results were typically lukewarm or ended with increased migraines. In the early 2000s, I was put on Effexor (SSNI), and it worked. This was pre-time release formula. Although I titrated off, as directed, I still suffered significant withdrawal. Fast forward to 2013, and my doctor suggests I try it again. This time it's the extended-release. It was 3 days of hell. Nauseous, confused, and couldn't eat or sleep. Ended up in urgent care with instructions to stop immediately. The current psychiatrist decided to push Cymbalta (duloxetine) for a few months. I argued because I had such a hard time with Effexor. But after a few months of arguing, I agreed to start at a low 20 mg dose. He wanted me to double the dosage every week for 3 weeks. Side effects were worse than Effexor. Visual disturbances, could not eat or sleep, my heart rate slowed to 40 bpm, and I couldn't regulate my temp. Immediately stopped taking it."

• mir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I suffered a cheerleading accident that resulted in a fractured neck and a bad concussion, causing terrible migraines, motion sickness, and loss of feeling in my hands and feet, making it difficult to sleep. Seeking medical attention, I was referred to a neurologist who prescribed 30 mg of Cymbalta. Initially, the medication was a godsend, helping me sleep through the night, eliminating my migraines, and restoring feeling to my limbs. However, after three months, my doctor decided to increase my dose to 60 mg and then to 90 mg. Missing or taking the medication just 30 minutes late would render me unable to function. My weight fluctuated randomly, and I experienced passing out, teeth sensitivity and yellowing, brain zaps, and depression. Over a year, I tried to taper off the medication, but with no success. Withdrawal symptoms were intense, including intrusive thoughts, changes in appetite, vivid dreams, and severe mood swings. Prior to taking this medication, I urge you to research the '33-page document of Cymbalta symptoms.'"

• Sti...
• January 29, 2023

For Depression "I have been feeling very low because the person I have loved for 27 years has metastasized stage 4 cancer. I have watched him go from an active, social person to someone who sleeps most of the time and is very frail. I was feeling so low (I still am) and decided to try Cymbalta. I took one 30 mg pill at noon, and like many other people who posted here, everything went downhill very fast. I felt fine at first, but by 2:30 pm, the room was spinning. I was very nauseated, and my head felt like cement. I immediately laid down and felt my heart pounding in my chest. I kept doing breathing exercises to keep myself calm, eventually falling into a restless, semi-conscious state until 8 am the following day. There was no way for me to leave the bed. Had there been a fire, I would have literally had to crawl to safety as I was too sick to stand up. The bottom line is that it took the whole next day for me to recover. Unfortunately, I could not continue the Cymbalta."

• Zpf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’m 30 years old. I started this drug about 5 days ago. Day 1-3 was horrible. I had side effects of fatigue, nausea, mild panic attacks, muscular skeletal pain and spasms on my eyelid, dry mouth, and some dizziness that faded. I am still experiencing muscle spasms, a little nausea, loss of appetite, and some depersonalization here and there. I noticed the positives. I felt some euphoria, less depression, and less fatigue, but overall I’m trying to do my best to just rough it out and see in the next 3 days if things get better. It is different for everyone. I’m only on a 30 mg dose, but little by little, I have breakthroughs that are positive. My thoughts did race a little, but just gotta pray and have hope it works. Overall, some of the negatives disappear. I will keep people updated! I have autism, ADHD, GAD, and PTSD, so just keep praying."

• Von...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2022

For Chronic Pain "I have been on Cymbalta for 12 days now. I am a 74-year-young female. I have a very bad side effect of nausea that won’t go away. I am bound and determined to continue this, as it already seems to be relaxing some pain. Everyone says to continue through the nausea. Has anyone else had nausea for this long? Hoping it will go away in the two weeks as said."

• ats...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2022

For Anxiety "9-3-22 I took my first dose of Cymbalta (Duloxetine) 30 mg. I took the dose @9:30 pm EST. About 2 hrs after I took it, I started feeling tired, so I laid down & went to sleep with no problem. A few hours later (@4 am), I woke up profusely sweating, trembling/shaking & feeling EXTREMELY NAUSEOUS (didn't throw up though). I literally just squirmed around trying to get comfy, waiting for it to pass. Eventually, I was able to fall back asleep. I woke up @10:30 am with a massive headache, foggy head, my heart was beating really fast, my anxiety was through the roof, I felt very anxious/agitated, my skin felt prickly (the best way I can describe it is that I felt like I couldn't stand to be in my own skin. If that makes any sense?). As the day went on (it's now 6:30 pm), most of the symptoms I woke up with have gradually faded. The anxiety and headache have not. Part of me never wants to take it again, but the depressed, anxiety-ridden part of me doesn't want to give up just yet... I'll continue to update."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2022

For Anxiety "I have had a very good experience with Cymbalta thus far. I was prescribed the medication for GAD and chronic pain from osteoarthritis. I have been taking it for about 3 weeks now and have had outstanding results; within a week, my anxiety/stress and chronic pain were sizably reduced. This medication has allowed me to function at a normal level again without panic attacks, irritation, anger, etc. I did have a few minor side effects for the first week (mild nausea, upset stomach, and suppression of appetite), but they have all subsided. I was very apprehensive to be prescribed a medication for mental health, but I am glad I did and have been astonished at how well this medication works."

• ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "Cymbalta is the worst medication I have ever been on. I took it for depression and anxiety, on the lowest dosage, and started getting terrible anxiety symptoms. Constantly sweaty but cold, shaking, a feeling of imminent doom, dizziness, headaches, and daily panic attacks for the first time in years. I couldn't grip the wheel well while driving. I started slowly decreasing my dose, which was super hard because you have to do it extremely gradually, but this medication was causing me so much pain and anxiety that I tapered too quickly. I had brain zaps (an electric shock going through my brain every time I moved my eyes), terrible pressure in my head, chest pains, nausea, dizziness, and even more panic attacks. This medication is genuinely the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I got chronic daily headaches when I started it, and they have not gone away, over a year later. Talk to your doctor about a different medication, unless you want to be on it for the rest of your life because tapering is impossible."

• mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2022

For Anxiety "I’m female, 18, and I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety for a long time, and I have tried many medications (Lexapro and Zoloft), and they didn’t work on me and almost caused my anxiety to be worse. I’ve been on Remeron for a few months, and it has helped me a lot and helped me eat and feel better, but recently my anxiety has been getting worse, so they decided to take me off and try something new. This medicine warned me that there would be headaches and nausea, my psychiatrist said it goes away with time, I trusted it. The psychiatrist said if you feel suicidal at all to let them know, and I will be taken off immediately. I’ve only been on it for a day, so I wanted to share my experience. Everyone is different, and it could help people. I didn’t realize how bad my thoughts were until I took this. I am very paranoid, sick mentally and physically, and overall, I’m extremely sad this didn’t work. I feel very suicidal. Good luck."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2022

For Back Pain "My doctor prescribed 30 mg of Cymbalta for my chronic back pain. I took my first pill at 9:00 a.m. I got hot sweats, cold shaking chills, had a headache, my pain level was threefold, I felt angry and suicidal; and I could hardly make it to the bathroom to throw up and have diarrhea. My body felt horrible, with the sensation of electricity running through my arms and legs. I could not hold still. I had no strength to get out of bed. This continued for about 5 hours. I should have been in the hospital, but I was too sick to go. My experience with Cymbalta was horrible... an absolute nightmare!!! I needed to be hospitalized, but I was too sick to go. I would have had to call an ambulance. I was in bed the entire next day. I finally felt better by day three from taking “just one Cymbalta pill.”"

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 14, 2022

For Anxiety "I suffer with generalized anxiety disorder, ADHD, and depression. This medication has saved my life. Initial side effects were severe nausea and dizziness, but only lasted 3-4 days. I’ve been on the lowest dosage for 7 months now, and I no longer feel anxious every day. I no longer have panic attacks, and I’m able to leave my house without feeling sick and dizzy. It’s also helped make me calm and taken away my anger/irritability. The only downside is that this medication makes me so tired. I feel like a zombie. This medication makes me sleep a ridiculous amount of time in a day, but it helps me with all my mental problems."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "This has been a HUGE help to me with the chronic pain and exhaustion. I hurt so badly I threw up at least several times a week, and 75% of the time I’ve been bedridden for 2 years. It has taken time and adjustments and patience as we sorted the dose and my body acclimated, but it was totally worth it!!"

• Gav...
• June 23, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "Started a very low dose, 20 mg, 5 days ago for chronic pain, nausea the first day but nothing thereafter! Pain level went from 8/9 to 0/1. So far, so good! Finally able to function daily with very little pain. Highly recommended for pain!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2022

For Depression "Have been on Cymbalta (duloxetine) for 6 weeks. Started at 30 mg, some nausea feelings first week, had restless legs that bothered me first week or 2. Also, very tired and constantly yawning. Doctor upped me to 60 mg after 4 weeks. Not really any bad side effects. Was treated for depression and pain from arthritis. Has not been a magic wand but definitely has helped. Pain greatly diminished. Needing a hip replacement, I am able to walk most of the day pain-free. The memory loop of bad experiences that used to play nonstop over and over in my head has stopped. Yes, bad memories still come, but they go, but I'm not having them keep me awake all night. This has helped make life bearable. Each day seems a little bit better. I have some brain fog and problems remembering. Also, sex isn't as good as it was, but am able to go very long without orgasm. Already on ED meds before but know without them, erection would be impossible. A bit of a trade-off, but for me a better place."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2022

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety. I suffer from migraines and paroxysmal hypertension, which have been debilitating. I really wanted Cymbalta to work, however, it made my hypertension episodes much worse, and I could not take it after the fifth dose. I also suffered from new onset night sweats, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, constipation, and increased anxiety and agitation. I’m sure that it has helped many people, however, the side effects for me were too severe to continue. It’s possible I could’ve continued if I did not have to work, but I have a full-time job. I will be trying another anxiety medication, perhaps an SSRI. I just think that my body cannot handle the SNRI. Everyone is different. My mom takes Cymbalta, and she had no side effects whatsoever, and it works wonderfully for her. My mom suffers from migraines and fibromyalgia. I hope this helps somebody."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Cymbalta made me really sick when I started taking it. My teeth were grinding, I was always shaking. Constant nausea. After the nausea cleared, I retained the other symptoms, and they didn't go away until I discontinued use after 5 months. During the 5 months I was on the medication, I did have a drop in my pain levels; however, I had so many bad side effects I couldn't continue use. I couldn't sleep at all, my sex drive completely went away, and worst of all, after years of maintaining a healthy weight, I gained over 20 lbs. I was always hungry. I figured the weight gain is making my chronic pain worse and just being masked by the drug. I weaned off of my dosage and have been off of it for over two months now. The worst part is the weight I gained isn't even budging no matter how little I eat. It's like it made me more unhealthy than I was to begin with. Not worth it at all; I can't believe the weight isn't even coming off. The pain is, of course, back, but it's not worth the trade."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "I was actually prescribed this for fibromyalgia and depression, but I could only choose one option up there. So, when my doctor told me about this medicine, I wanted this to work SO badly; I was so excited! I took it for almost 2 weeks, and I KNOW that you have to give time for it to truly work, but I could not do it with this. I was so incredibly sick to my stomach; it was interfering with my life. I am a 25 y/o woman who fully supports herself and goes to class part-time. I do not have time to be leaving work and missing my classes because of extreme nausea and vomiting. I thought at first maybe I had just caught a stomach virus, but it kept happening. I tried taking it with food, right before eating, right after eating, even 30 minutes to an hour after eating, and I was still sick. I called my doctor and told her about this, and she told me to stop. The sickness stopped the next day, too. So I know it was the Cymbalta. Don’t let this scare you; everyone is different; this was just my experience."

• Sil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2022

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor has been treating me for fairly severe osteoarthritis pain for several years. The pain, along with fibromyalgia pain, is gradually increasing. I’ve been on Celebrex and Plaquenil for a few years, and they’ve helped. Recently, my doctor also prescribed Cymbalta, starting at 20 mg the first week, 40 mg the 2nd week. The first week was difficult. A sensation I described as ants running along my nervous system made me feel very uncomfortable, and I felt this along my spine and down my arms and legs. I’ve never felt that before. I had insomnia and got 2 hours of sleep each night. Anxiety and the feeling that my muscles were tight or in knots, for lack of a better description, especially in my abdomen and pelvic area, this was my worst symptom. Also, I had to urinate frequently, a few nights at least 10-15 times. Nausea was very bad the first week. The second week, my dose doubled, and I have been miserable."

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2021

For Back Pain "I've suffered from SI pain for years. I've been on 300 mg of Tramadol (daily), plus regular lower back injections. All of these treatments have a minimal effect on my pain. My doctor started me on 30 mg Cymbalta daily. I'm on day 30. I am experiencing a lot of itching, insomnia, and nausea. I wish these things would go away because this medicine combined with the Tramadol is helping the pain. I am now terrified of ever getting off this drug after reading reviews about withdrawal."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2021

For Depression "If you ever want to get off it, just taper down over a few weeks and stop completely. I felt no withdrawals when I did that. However, when I ran out and stopped cold turkey, I threw up 3 times, had a headache, and felt like my head was stuffed with cotton. Been on it for 3-4 years now. Beginning side effects went away. Doesn't really make you happy, just keeps the deep gloom away, like on the weekends when it's just you and your thoughts. Gotta work on some goals to get some momentary happiness in this world, I guess. I take 90 mg daily."