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

• 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
• 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
• 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."

• 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)."

• 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."

• jac...
• August 13, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Cymbalta (60 mg) for 7 weeks, and it has been of great help with the anxiety, depression, and chronic abdominal pain. I have some minor nausea and fatigue most days, but nothing really bad. The most serious side effect I have is the sexual one - lost libido and inability to reach orgasm. After 7 weeks, I fear it will be a permanent side effect, which is hard to deal with. Thank you."

• jac...
• August 13, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Cymbalta (60 mg) for 7 weeks, and it has been of great help with the anxiety, depression, and chronic abdominal pain. I have some minor nausea and fatigue most days, but nothing really bad. The most serious side effect I have is the sexual one - lost libido and inability to reach orgasm. After 7 weeks, I fear it will be a permanent side effect, which is hard to deal with. Thank you."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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 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."

• 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
• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2010

For Depression "I have taken this medication before and ran out because I don't have insurance and had to go through one of the drug help agencies to get back on it. I started back on the medicine (30 mg capsules) and have had severe eye problems, on the edge of my seat, tremors, OCD issues such as twisting my hair, and constantly walking the floor. I can't sleep when I take this medication, and the night sweats and low-grade fever are miserable. I have also had a constant headache while taking this medication along with a low-grade fever. I have no sex drive at all, and I am in school, my mind goes blank. I feel like my head is sometimes floating above my body."

• 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."

• 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
• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 47m...
• August 27, 2009

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Caused a decrease in sex drive and harder to maintain an erection."