Cymbalta and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 4)

• lik...
• November 11, 2015

For Back Pain "Though I read so many negative opinions about it, I decided to try taking Cymbalta. After two months, I decided to stop taking it. First of all, my relationships got bad, I was careless and numb. I also had a very strange feeling from time to time, like I was dreaming. Sometimes I was anxious and couldn't sleep, and had very vivid and bad dreams and panic attacks. It had an immediate effect on my libido, which got so low it almost disappeared. The main problem with the drug was that I felt good, even-tempered most of the time. This state always took my mind off the very bad side effects of the medicine, and I was so relieved from the pain, I set aside all the negative effects of it. It's day 1 without it, and I feel dizzy and so tired, I...zzz."

• Mch...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2021

For Depression "Started with Zoloft, and it helped but “felt” nothing. Went off Zoloft and onto Cymbalta for nerve pain. Best thing ever. I learned that Zoloft kept depression and anxiety away, but I felt nothing. Once going onto Cymbalta, I realized that I was feeling happiness, sadness, love, etc. again. I do not regret taking Cymbalta. But it has been a few months, and I’ve gained lots of weight and had 0 sex drive. Now I've been off of Cymbalta for two weeks and feeling way, way better. No regrets but happy to be off."

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "18F. I was recently diagnosed with MDD, but have had symptoms of this illness since at least 14. When I turned 18, I was recommended Cymbalta by my PCP. I started at 20 mg daily for 1 month and was bumped up to 40 mg after. Though I don't necessarily regret taking this medication, it was most definitely NOT for me. My depression worsened, and I experienced intense emotional blunting/dissociation. For a good 2 weeks, I did not get out of bed except to use the bathroom. No showers, no brushing teeth, not much eating. My anxiety shot through the roof. A 20-minute trip to Costco left me in the fetal position on the bathroom floor for 2 hours, sobbing. Suicidal ideation increased, I got closer to a suicide attempt than I ever had before. I started abusing Adderall again. Libido was okay, definitely lowered a bit, though. I quit the medication cold turkey, the withdrawal symptoms weren't too terrible-likely because my dosage was relatively low. Keep fighting the good fight, everyone."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for a year. Has helped with depression, and overall my moods have been better. It doesn't take much to make me sad, angry, or to cry, though. I suffer from constipation, dry mouth, decreased libido, very hard to get orgasms, nausea, forgetfulness, and a few other minor side effects. Wish they (most antidepressants) weren't so hard to go off of. I seem to go deeper into depression with any attempts to go off the medicines."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2011

For Depression "Been on Cymbalta for about 3 months now. I took off one notch for the rating because I seem to break out a little bit. Also, I've noticed a slight decrease in libido. Other than that, this has been a true miracle for me. I am able to hold down a job, I've gotten my finances in order, and I've never gotten along so well with my girlfriend. For me, I take the 60 mg Cymbalta first thing in the morning at around the same time. I am really thankful to finally be able to have some sort of stability in my life."

• szw...
• May 9, 2010

For Depression "I was off of the medication for exactly 2 1/2 days. I was a basket case! Everything made me feel sad and overwhelmed. The withdrawal was bad! I was VERY dizzy, had fragmented thoughts, forgetfulness, etc. The biggest drawback of Cymbalta that I have experienced is the extreme difficulty reaching orgasm! My libido is just fine, as is everything else during sex...until the point when I should (and used to be able to) have an orgasm. Very frustrating. Needless to say, if there was a drug that could help the depression as well as Cymbalta does, without the sexual side effects, I would take it!"

• Fis...
• June 16, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "Cymbalta took away 80% of my muscle pain and 90% of my headaches. I actually started taking it as an antidepressant and found that I was depressed because of all the pain. Also, I have found some fun sexual side effects."

• 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
• August 10, 2010

For Anxiety "Did not work for me. Was having some side effects from Zoloft, so I went to my MD to change things around a bit. Zoloft was the only thing I had ever been on, but the tiredness and no libido were getting in the way of my children and marriage. My doctor put me on Cymbalta, and at first, I thought that I was really going to like it. I felt more energetic and definitely more patient with my husband and children. BUT then I started getting anxious off and on, which gradually got worse until I couldn't stand it anymore. Now I'm trying a different SNRI, Pristiq. Time will tell, but Cymbalta was definitely not for me."

• Abb...
• January 27, 2010

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for about two years for depression and anxiety. It worked very well for the first year. I went a period of time not taking any of my medication at all (Wellbutrin also). After starting back on at 30 mg, I have begun to experience night sweats and headaches. Although it has cleared up my weepiness and overall sadness, I am feeling like a bit of a drone. The biggest problem for me as a 21-year-old female is the inability to orgasm. I am in a monotonous relationship, and this has been a definite source of frustration for both me and my boyfriend. Cannot decide whether or not the benefits outweigh the side effects."

• cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2016

For Depression "I have spent a long time trying to find the right cocktail of meds since I was diagnosed with BPD, bipolar, depression, and anxiety. Currently, I'm taking 100 mg of Lamictal, 50 mg Cymbalta, and 50 mg of Trazodone. I feel awesome! I'm not as moody, I'm happy. It's a shame that I have to switch medications because I LOVE my mood, however, the sexual side effects are just something I can't take. My NP is putting me on Viibryd instead of the Cymbalta, and from reading the reviews, I'm nervous about it. If the new medication doesn't work for me, I will go back to the cocktail I was taking and figure something out with the sexual side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2011

For Depression "For anyone taking this or planning on taking this, DO NOT DISCONTINUE WITHOUT WEANING OFF! That said, besides brain zap, yawning, and anorgasmia over the first 3 months of treatment (18 months and counting), Cymbalta has been a great treatment for my anxiety/depression issues. I have only experienced these side effects when changing doses or missing a dose (30 mg a day, last 15 months, 60 mg a day for first 3). At one point, I wanted to come off it. GP guided me through a 12-week taper-off course, but my 2-5 drinks a month were causing the problems I had associated with the medicine. I no longer drink, and it's all so cruisy. I take mine 1-2 hours before 'bedtime.' Works for me because I tend to sleep deeper and wake with lots of energy."

• Dsc...
• April 20, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Helps with depression, but my doc has had to increase my dose to keep up with my depression. I guess I get used to the drug and need more. Huge weight gain -- 18 pounds over 2 months after the last increase to 120 mg. But I guess I'd rather be plump than crying depressed forever. Zero libido, but that might be my age (65). I hope I can decrease the dosage as I learn to cope with specific life events largely related to my dad's death and my mother in a nursing home (nightmare). No help with anxiety, and doc prescribed Xanax for that. No difference in back pain. In summary: helps depression, but I gained weight and lost interest in sex and other things. Does not help pain and does nothing for my anxiety."

• G2a...
• April 1, 2011

For Anxiety "Cymbalta works for me. I have symptoms of PTSD and have tried other medications for my anxiety, such as PAXIL, CELEXA, and PROZAC, with no good results. So far, so good with Cymbalta, with minimal sexual side effects for me. Psychotherapy and physical fitness are recommended if you use this medication."

• eMB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2022

For Depression "Hated this drug, been on it for 1.5 months. I'm not depressed now only because I don't feel anything and sleep all the time. Side effects? Sweating like a pig, sexual dysfunction, and sleepiness all the time. I can't even drive a car. I'm back to Lexapro..."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "During the month I took Cymbalta, it helped relieve my fatigue and may or may not have helped with some of my pain. When I first started taking it, I felt completely drunk all the time, but these side effects got better after two weeks. I was unable to sleep for more than three hours at a time and had a very hard time falling back to sleep, and this is why my doctor took me off of this medicine. Although it helped with my fatigue, not getting enough sleep meant I was very tired. I also experienced severe constipation (bleeding with every bowel movement, which was about once or twice every two weeks), my sex drive completely disappeared, and I constantly felt dizzy."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2010

For Depression "On day 1 of this Cymbalta, and it's awful. I didn't sleep last night, have felt tired all day, and struggled to 'zone' into conversations or my own thoughts. I've felt worried all day and have had tremors, a sick tummy, a dry mouth, and no sex drive. My doctor prescribed me this so I could deal with stress at work and help reduce my blood pressure. I don't think it's worth the side effects, and I won't be taking any more. I will look for other options."

• Big...
• October 15, 2016

For Anxiety "Guys, I have unbearable anxiety every day. Nothing seems to work. I'm currently on Lyrica, which dulls it down a little, but it's highly addictive, and you can't miss a dose or you go through hell. It affects your sex drive, also. I have tried all the anti-D's I can think of, but nothing seems to work. Life is hell every day. I get up, and it's the same mental torment. What do I do? Is Cymbalta worth trying?"

• Non...
• November 7, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I had very little pain reduction with this medication. I was taking it at 120 mg/day by the time I was switched. I had very little side effects, but it did affect my libido and sexual performance. I also found I did not have much creative drive while I was on the medication, which was one of the primary reasons I asked to be switched. It might have reduced my pain by a point on the 1-10 scale, but that simply wasn't worth it, especially at a $320/mo cost with no insurance."

• Non...
• November 7, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I had very little pain reduction with this medication. I was taking it at 120 mg/day by the time I was switched. I had very little side effects, but it did affect my libido and sexual performance. I also found I did not have much creative drive while I was on the medication, which was one of the primary reasons I asked to be switched. It might have reduced my pain by a point on the 1-10 scale, but that simply wasn't worth it, especially at a $320/mo cost with no insurance."

• Tan...
• February 22, 2011

For Depression "I really like it! No sexual side effects at all! I have been on several other antidepressants, and this is the only one without sexual side effects I have tried. I did not notice any side effects going on it. I was going off Effexor at the same time, going off the Effexor was hard. Brain zaps! I have no complaints about this med. I am on the highest dose, 120 mg, started at 30 mg."

• 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."

• sen...
• May 21, 2011

For Depression "It worked pretty good for a while. Didn't stop the suicidal urges, but it was better than other antidepressants I tried. I had to have the dose increased over time to 90 mg to keep getting the same effect, and then it quit working entirely after a couple of years, leaving only the side effects to contend with. Reaching orgasm was pretty difficult, and sometimes I would only be able to once every week or two. It took 3 months to taper off of this, withdrawal was troublesome but not impossible to deal with."

• try...
• November 13, 2010

For Depression "Started on 30 mg for about 3 months, not much help. Upped to 60 mg, no help. Now on 90 mg for one month, and my depression is even worse than it was. I slipped into a major down a few days ago, one of the worst I've had in years and have yet to bounce back from it. I have had mild brain zaps here and there since going to 90 mg. Anyway, I am guessing my psychiatrist will try something different. I have tried Lexapro (helped me for many years, then seemed to stop working), Wellbutrin (made me very irritable), and Pristiq (did nothing except lower my libido and give me a little bit of energy)."