Cymbalta and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for about 6 months. In this time, I lost my libido completely, suffered night sweats, and couldn't work out if I was hot or cold during the day. I constantly felt sick, both in my head and my stomach, and suffered a general loss of energy, probably due to the crazy dreams and loss of sleep. I decided to quit Cymbalta cold turkey and suffered major brain zaps and a general feeling of unwellness. The worst thing was, I didn't realize this is why I felt so sick, and it was impossible to find a doctor who would take my symptoms seriously. None of them knew anything about the drug either. I had to work it out for myself. I've lost several months trying to work out why I always feel sick."

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I am on Lyrica 150 mg a day, but it started to lose its effectiveness after about 5 months. I can't afford to see the doctor or get more Lyrica. I tried Cymbalta for my PMDD and hoped that it might help my pain too. My pain was almost completely gone after about 2 days of use! However, I started getting sores on my tongue, emotional numbness, and had zero libido. I stopped using it after about 7 days, and the pain came back worse than ever (I believe I had been overdoing it those few days). I seriously considered putting up with the side effects just to get some pain relief, but I'm trying bupropion XL first."

• Anonymous
• June 1, 2011

For Anxiety "I wouldn't go as far as to say Cymbalta has given me my life back, but I will say it improved my quality of life immensely and has kept working. I have moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder, and I felt like I was living a nightmare-highly uncomfortable and muscle tension so bad I could barely breathe at times, constant worry and stress. I have been off and on Lexapro for this very reason because I hated the stigma. Lexapro helped, but the sexual side effects were horrible, and I felt emotionless. A nurse practitioner suggested Cymbalta. I stuck with a low dose of 30 mg every morning, and what a difference. I can breathe easier, sex is better (still not back to where it was before antidepressants), but the debilitating anxiety is mostly gone."

• 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."

• Rav...
• March 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I am an 18-year-old male. I started Cymbalta 3 weeks ago for generalized anxiety. My anxiety got to a point where I couldn't even sit down and watch TV or surf the internet without getting stressed. My stress started to control me. It was controlling simple decisions, it controlled what I did! I started to avoid everything that would possibly stress me out. It became a vicious cycle. Even things like simply playing my guitar or attending my college classes were becoming difficult to do without getting anxious. NOW, after taking Cymbalta, I feel like I have the opportunity to be myself again, and without worrying about getting anxious or stressed! Now I control my anxiety instead of it controlling me! The only side effect is delayed orgasm."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2012

For Pain "Been on 30 mg Cymbalta for 2 weeks. Started getting relief by the 2nd day. Am a 58-year-old male with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondy. The plan was to go to 60 mg, but I am getting enough relief at 30 mg. I believe I will try to stay on that dose to minimize side effects. Some constipation, difficulty reaching orgasm, some night sweats, and minor headaches. Oh, insomnia if I took it at night. I had samples of this medicine for 6 months but delayed starting it because of horror stories on the internet. Pain was ruining my life, so this medicine seems to be the best option."

• ora...
• January 10, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine has been a lifesaver for me. Minimal side effects (the sexual issues, occasional dizziness on standing), and it completely changed how I saw myself. I used to look in the mirror and see some kind of inhuman troll thing, now I see myself. Helps with fibromyalgia pain as well. The only problem is if I ever have to go off it, it won't be pretty. I ran out for about 11 days, had an awful in-the-head shocky feeling for about 7 of these days before I started up again. Not fun..."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "My husband has borderline rheumatoid arthritis, is diabetic, has bouts of atrial fib, and is overweight. He is working on losing weight so he can have surgical ablation on his heart to minimize the afib. He kept having extreme muscle/tendon pain. Rheumatologist dx: fibromyalgia. Put on Cymbalta, 30 mg x 1 week, then 60 mg. Been on 60 mg x 5 days, MAJOR difference in the pain. Hasn't complained at all. Whole new world. Has even helped his depression and anxiety attacks (not clinically diagnosed, but still there). Unfortunately, it has made him severely tired, and his libido is not what it used to be. Beginning to be on the verge of erectile dysfunction. Great drug, but at what cost? Something to think about."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

For Anxiety "Pray you never have to wean off this drug!!! If it works for you, great, but I promise you that discontinuing is a complete nightmare that lasts for weeks or months. The Good: Helped with chronic knee pain and anxiety. The Bad: None of the good is worth the bad! Helped anxiety but felt like doing nothing but stare at a wall on the lowest dose. Insomnia, constant headache, decreased libido, unable to focus, out-of-body feeling. These did not improve with time. After 3 months, I decided it wasn’t worth it and started to wean off. Without a doubt, the worst experience of my life, and it is still going on. 24/7 headaches, nightmares that are so real, I wake up believing they happened, unable to focus, severe vision changes, a feeling that I am not me. The doctor said these effects can last a week or many months. Obviously, I’m going to be on the wrong end of this. For those it helps, I’m very happy for you, but coming off (pray you don't) will be a nightmare that seems to never end."

• Mim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2024

For Anxiety "This medication is literally a miracle! I started taking Duloxetine because I was having horrible heart palpitations from anxiety at night that would wake me from sleeping. I had been diagnosed 6 months prior with fibromyalgia, and that alone was a nightmare. Sporadic muscle pain daily in my neck, my arms, my legs, it was awful. Those pains contributed to my anxiety and even caused a ton of gastrointestinal problems. I tried several pills for gastro and fibro, and each one had side effects like severe sweating and no sex drive. So, I would try a new pill for 2 months and then stop. Once the anxiety issues started, I thought I had a heart problem, so while waiting to see a cardiologist, my PCP started me on Duloxetine. I had little hope since I feel like I have taken everything under the sun, but a few weeks in, I noticed my palpitations had stopped. Even more incredible is that I wasn't complaining about my pains every day anymore. This medicine was a game changer and gave me my life back."

• Tim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 21, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had been on Zoloft for 8 years before it just stopped working. Doctor switched me to Cymbalta, and I was very fortunate that it worked really well for 6 years. Unfortunately, my insurance company switched approval for this to the generic version, which absolutely is not the same. It slowly started losing efficacy. So my doctor had to increase my daily dosage (on the generic version) from 60 mg to 90 mg. At 60 mg, I didn't have sexual side effects, but I did at 90 mg, which was not acceptable to me. So back down to 60 mg I went. Now I'm having 'breakthrough' symptoms again: anger, irritability, lack of interest in things. I'm not sure what I'll do, but I'm pretty sure I have to switch meds completely again."

• Ami...
• December 15, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking this medication for about 2 months and have found it very helpful. I have a bad chemical imbalance disorder, which just means that there are too many chemicals in my brain, they were causing me to faint, have twitches, and shivers nearly every hour, and seizures, to the point where I ended up in the hospital after smacking my head on tiles during an episode. So far, so good, the medication has helped a lot. I think for nerve damage or anxiety, this medication will help, but maybe not for depression. I am always exhausted, and my libido has significantly reduced, but no twitches or seizures. I do notice that if I forget to take the medication, or I drink, my twitches and fits return. :) Does not mix well with alcohol."

• fru...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2015

For Depression "My boyfriend of 6 years began taking Cymbalta 2 years ago to deal with a bout of depression. He has completely lost all libido, and he went through a terrible period of sweating - he dripped like a faucet from his armpits at times. He has lost his joy of eating and has no appetite. He has lost 40 lbs and really did not need to. His initial 'feel good' period in this time has worn off, and he is like a robot. His doctor GP wants to up the dosage. I want him off, and I want my boyfriend back. He is like a completely different person."

• DoN...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2016

For Depression "The worst decision I have ever made was agreeing to go on this drug. I had no idea about SSRIs and the effects they can have on you and your life. For the first year, I would have recommended it to anyone dealing with depression and anxiety like myself, but that was at a time when I mistook the numbness for satisfaction. Just over 2 years down the line and I am falling apart. This drug has ruined my life. First, I realized the fog I was in. Then came the vertigo and confusion. My memory has deteriorated. Zero sex drive since day one. My depression has worsened, and I no longer recognize who I am anymore. My personality has changed drastically, and my anxiety is worse than it's ever been. I am now weaning off it, but the damage has been done."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2010

For Depression "Within 3 weeks of taking this medication, I found a significant difference in my mood. I felt overall happier and more at peace, like I remember my best self! Before, I had trouble with not being happy or excited about anything (other than sex). There were sexual side effects for the first month. The medication has evened out, and it no longer affects this aspect. I have noticed that I get bad headaches every month or so. I'm not sure if this is part of the medicine's side effect or another issue. I would definitely suggest giving it a try to ease depression and general anxiety. It hasn't helped my energy level, but I am able to work out or run, and I normally would. I have been taking the medication for 2 months at a 30 mg dose."

• Fra...
• July 25, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Add on to 30 mg mirtazapine. Cymbalta taken in the morning. 1st day: diarrhea, very stoned feeling all day, slightly more anxious. 2nd day: slightly more depressed and anxious, a little less stoned feeling, slight constipation, sexual dysfunction. 3rd day: extremely depressed...worst I've ever felt. Suicidal. 4th day: same extreme and worsening depression. Couldn't handle it, stopped taking it after the 4th day. Worsened depression to the extreme. Don't know if the side effects would've lessened, but couldn't take the extreme depression. Sexual dysfunction also added to depression."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2011

For Pain "I have been on Cymbalta for 5 years for disc herniation and depression. I did have sexual dysfunction, but it passes. I have had little pain in my back since! It is a wonderful medicine, but high blood pressure does come with the medicine and dizzy spells for some time until your body is adjusted to it. My dose is 60 mg, and I started at 30 mg. I definitely love this medicine!"

• Lis...
• September 11, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and restless legs syndrome. I was taking Cymbalta for the FMS symptoms. I started taking Cymbalta about 1.5 months ago, and yesterday was moved to Savella. I give Cymbalta great credit. It does what it says. Within days of starting it, my pain level went from a constant 6-8 lingering to 0-1. I hadn't felt so good in years. My mood improved greatly too. BUT, I had to transition off of it due to side effects including headaches that would come on at the drop of a pin, feeling like an axe in my head and throbbing with every beat of my heart. When I'd take my blood pressure, it would be up to 140/85 from a usual 116/64, profuse sweating to the point of having to change clothes, night sweats, and anorgasmia. The doctor reacted to the blood pressure elevation with concern."

• Joh...
• January 4, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I took Cymbalta 50 mg every day for over 2 months. This was to treat generalized anxiety disorder and minor depression. I live in the Midwest, where the sun does not come out very often in the winter months. The medicine was effective in the long run in treating my minor depression due to the winter blues, however, when I first started taking the medicine, I did have suicidal thoughts, which was very strange for me. Eventually, it interfered with my libido, which caused me to stop taking the medicine. I am 22 years old, and for me to begin to experience libido issues led me to discontinue this medicine. This might be an isolated issue, but I hope it helps you decide if the side effects outweigh its benefits."

• hag...
• October 2, 2010

For Depression "Cymbalta has been very effective for me. I was prescribed a different antidepressant that soon proved ineffective for my depression. I take 60 mg of Cymbalta per day and have not suffered any side effects except lack of libido. I have found ways to lessen those effects. Before this drug, I really thought I was losing my mind, and I could not function on a daily basis. I never understood depression, but I do now. This medicine has been a blessing for me."

• 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)."

• jim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2018

For Anxiety "Three to four years ago, my terrific wife thought my behavior was changing (mostly impatient) while I was taking Effexor, so my doctor had me try Cymbalta, and my mood improved according to my wife. I also have mild to moderate depression, and this drug also took care of that, as well as my anxiety (occasional panic attacks-really scary). Now none! Now the not-so-good news. I believe the drug is attributable to increased ED, lower libido, tiredness, and occasional brain 'zaps' (1-2 times/month on average, usually at night when I first try to go to sleep, they last a few seconds but are frightening nevertheless). Overall, I recommend it, but realizing some of these situations could occur."

• Mar...
• October 28, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for about 4 years. Worst side effect is sweating, which can be annoying. Also, if I lay down during the day, I can go to sleep at just about any time; so I don't lay down. Much less sexual side effects than other anti-depressants I was on (several of them). Since there is no generic, it is a bit expensive, but I feel so much better than I did before; it is worth it!"

• Ner...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2015

For Depression "GOODBYE, SEX DRIVE! -.- Besides my sex drive dropping from over 9000 to 0, this did nothing to help my depression. I was upped to the 60 mg. I can't wait for my next doctor's appointment. I want OFF this 'anti-depressant' that doesn't do anything but make me more annoyed than usual, killed my drive, and I still have crying spells. There has got to be something out there that can get along with my body. If you love/enjoy your sex life, DO NOT take this drug."

• Nan...
• May 11, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on Cymbalta about 2 years ago for severe depression. I also suffer from chronic pain, osteoarthritis, severe hypertension, anxiety, and insomnia. The only thing my 60 mg has done for me is stop me from crying at the drop of a dime. My doctor has now diagnosed me with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), my depression has become debilitating. No energy, no drive, no strength to leave my bedroom. I was on Vyvanse for almost 2 years. I really needed a stimulant to animate me, I had energy and had function. I changed doctors, and she took me off of it, and I've been like this ever since. She put me on 30 more mg in the afternoon and also prescribed Wellbutrin XL 150 mg. Cymbalta has not touched my chronic pain or anxiety. We shall see what happens in a month."