Cymbalta and Sweating: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2008

For Anxiety "I've been taking Cymbalta for anxiety and dysthymia for 3 months. It is the best medication I have tried in 10 years of treatment. No weight gain, not as lethargic, and my attitude has been much better towards life in general. Right now I am on 60mg a day. I'm not sure if I can go up from here but even if I don't, the way I feel now is better than anything else I have tried including Prozac, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and several others. I do have some dry mouth and sweating but it is tolerable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 months. It helped with depression but made me tired most of the time. A week ago, my doctor increased my dosage from 60 mg to 90 mg, and I developed a UTI and have very intense middle back pain. The UTI has been cured, but back pain persists. I just read on a few different threads that Cymbalta caused others to develop bladder infections and back pain, two things I never had prior to taking this drug. This drug also causes me to sweat profusely to the point I feel like I am about to drown in my own sweat. I was never a sweater. I am going to discontinue this drug."

• LE0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2012

For Pain "This medicine is amazing! I have suffered from a bulging disc and facet joint issues for a year, with little lasting relief from injections. I was prescribed Cymbalta a little over a month ago, and by the 3rd or 4th day on it, I was almost literally pain-free. I was afraid to say it out loud for fear that I would jinx myself because it was almost too good to be true. Now, after being on it for 5 weeks, I can work out and get back into my exercise regimen with little to no pain. This has truly been a lifesaver! I did have tiredness and low motivation during the first two weeks, but my body seems very acclimated to it now. I do sweat a lot at night, but I can live with it. Love this medication."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2012

For Pain "I've had lower back pain for over a year, and several doctors later, I was put on Cymbalta. I could not handle the side effects. I was having horrible dreams, sweats, felt nauseated, shakes, and felt really out of it with dizziness and confusion. This was a 30 mg dose, I'm not on any other medicines."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

For Depression "While I was only on Cymbalta for a short time, it didn't help with my depression or anxiety - if anything, it made it worse. I had two major things occur. The first one was I slept almost constantly. I would sleep for 6 hours, wake up for 1 hour, go back to sleep for another 6 hours, and repeat the cycle almost daily. The second, and more concerning, was I had a major increase in suicidal thoughts. However, for me, the worst part about Cymbalta is trying to come off it. This goes for many medications, but Cymbalta has severe withdrawal symptoms. I had dizziness, nausea (and vomiting), irritability, headache, sweating, shaking, diarrhea, and tingling of the skin, the whole nine yards. So please just be aware if you are ever planning to come off of this medication for any reason, the recovery period will be hell."

• bil...
• March 12, 2013

For Back Pain "I started with a 30 mg dosage and was increased to 60 mg daily. It was helpful with the constant burning in my feet that is secondary to peripheral neuropathy. My dosage was increased after a couple of months to 60 mg twice daily. I didn't last a week! This medication has always given me increased sweating, especially night sweats! My doctor prescribed Hytrin (mostly used for hypertension and benign prostate hyperplasia) to combat the sweating, and it seemed to help because the incidents of night sweats decreased. That all changed when my dosage was bumped up. I was having night sweats EVERY night and had a major increase in insomnia. I am getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night (or day because I work at night). I went back to 60 mg daily and see my doctor tomorrow."

• Amp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2016

For Depression "I was hopeful when starting this medication, but it was overall ineffective. It made me sleep a lot, gave me horrible nightmares, which piggybacked off of my PTSD, and made me sweat profusely in my sleep. When I first began the medication, it felt like my muscles were weak. My limbs would shake, and I'd also feel as though I couldn't hold my bladder. The nightmares were the worst part. I'd wake up screaming or crying."

• lou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2015

For Anxiety "I took Cymbalta for anxiety and depression. Over the years, I took anywhere from 30 to 120 mg. I think around 60 mg was most effective with the fewest side effects, but I still experienced tons of anxiety while on it. At 120 mg, I had bizarre psychomotor symptoms - for example, in order to fall asleep, I had to rock back and forth. The same day that I decreased from 60 mg to 30 mg, I noticed the return of an OCD-style facial tic I hadn't had since middle school (I'm 25). Side effects included drastically increased sweating, 'brain zap' headaches, and difficulty finding the right words (which may be permanent, as I've been off Cymbalta for 3 weeks and continue to experience it)."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2009

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Debilitating side effects after only 2 hours with only one 60 mg pill. Extreme sweating, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, and walking. Next came the nausea and intense insomnia. Had to call in sick to work the next day due to lack of sleep and weakness. Didn't get out of bed until 3 pm."

• Tas...
• July 25, 2013

For Depression "Have been on 30 mgs Cymbalta for about 3 months to treat major depression and fibromyalgia. Have previously taken just about every antidepressant on the market with no real difference to my mood. Have tried to come off antidepressants but without success. My experience with Cymbalta is it has been highly effective in treating joint and back pain, but the side effects I am experiencing are so bad that I am seeing my GP today to request help in switching to something else. Side effects include: sweats for the first few weeks, nausea for the first few weeks, increased energy levels, headaches/migraines on waking, dry skin, dry eyes and sharp pain in eyes, itchy palms and feet, constant phantom smell of strong, cloying perfume, severe constipation."

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2018

For Depression "Just took my first dosage of 30 mg at 10 pm last night. Woke up at 7 am and have thrown up 4 times since. I go from sweating through my sheets to shivering in a ball. Feel like I have the flu. Don't think I'm going to take it again. Have a young child and stuff to do and cannot accomplish it feeling like this."

• 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."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2023

For Anxiety "The first couple of weeks on Cymbalta can be difficult while your body gets used to the medication, but if you stick it through, it can do wonders for anxiety and depression. It saved my life and has allowed me to experience living again. Although it does make my eczema a little worse and my hands sweat. It’s a fine trade-off for healing with my severe panic attacks and anxiety."

• kol...
• September 11, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Cymbalta was a lifesaver; I started on 30 mg and quickly went to 60 mg. I felt relaxed, less anxiety. My dose was increased to 90 mg - I became psychotic, talking a mile a minute, the sweats, etc. I was placed back on the 60 mg."

• Has...
• December 3, 2016

For Depression "I've been on 6 different meds now for depression. Truthfully, the night before last, I almost voluntarily committed myself to psych. I couldn't take it anymore. After talking to my husband and my best friend, I decided not to go to the ER, but instead to make an urgent next-day appointment. I am glad I did!!! I took dose #1 (30 mg) at 3 pm. No zombie feeling. No brain fog. I mean, I could definitely feel I took something, but completely unlike any other med. Side effects: extremely nauseous, a little sweaty, giggly. Along with my SEVERE depression, I have multiple autoimmune diseases, PTSD, crippling anxiety, and chronic nerve/joint pain. I have not noticed a decrease in pain yet, but I wasn't expecting to after a single dose."

• 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."

• She...
• June 18, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed 13 years ago as bipolar. I have been on a total of 14 different medications. After a few months, the effectiveness of the medication would start to wear off. I would tell my doctor, and he would up my dosage; then I would become a zombie. Cymbalta, so far, has been the only medication that I have been on for more than a year and a half. The only side effects I have noticed and that are starting to subside are tremors, excessive sweating and night sweats, excessive rambling, minor confusion, and fatigue. They are starting to subside, but the medication has been a godsend for me and my family."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2018

For Back Pain "I was on 150 mg of imipramine for 30 years, but it was not working anymore, so I was switched to Cymbalta and suffered with the sweats and sleepless nights. It eventually all went away, but it wasn't easy. I still don't seem to have much energy, and daily life seems forced, so not sure if I should increase from 60 mg to 90 mg. I am still having severe lower back pain, going for laser treatments and chiropractor. Any suggestions?"

• Hig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 22, 2017

For Anxiety "Was on 40 mg of Cymbalta for 6.5 months, and it gave me massive high blood pressure! Since my BP remained elevated for so long even with BP meds, I became too frightened to continue taking any Cymbalta while waiting to see my psychiatrist for a revision. I know you are supposed to taper off, but I stopped completely 5 days ago. For days 1-3, I had symptoms of withdrawal with increased sweating and what felt like the blood coursing through me was pulsating. Also, arms a bit shaky when using hands. Day 4, first day to go out and run errands. The blood coursing feeling changed to a sort of high, with increased food cravings for 24 hours. Day 5, blood coursing feeling has mostly subsided, as well as the hunger cravings. Feeling good today."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2020

For Depression "Cymbalta was the first drug that my psychiatrist prescribed to me. I took it while I was at work. After an hour or two, I felt like I was having a panic attack. My palms were sweating, and my heart was racing. But that was not the main problem. I felt like I was going crazy. I came home and tried to lay in bed, but when I closed my eyes, I saw hallucinations. I needed two pills of bromazepam to calm myself down. Also, my anxiety started with this medication. Before, I had mild anxiety and mainly depression. After Cymbalta, I felt panicky all the time. Until I started Zoloft. Till now, I don’t know what happened, but my guess is that maybe it could’ve been serotonin syndrome. I don’t know. Or just not the right medication. But it was like one long, bad trip."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2012

For Pain "I had to stop taking Cymbalta after the first pill (30 mg) caused side effects for me. Nausea, chills and hot flashes, cold sweats, no appetite, insomnia. Too much for me, but I know this medicine has worked great for others, just not for me."

• 15A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2015

For Depression "32. F. After a couple of years refusing medication, adjusting to an interstate shift proved more difficult than planned, so about a month ago, I decided to give these a try at the suggestion of my doctor. I took the first one in the evening after dinner as directed. By 10 pm I was feeling achy, cold sweats, couldn't keep my legs still in bed, and nauseous as hell. Within another 25 minutes, the nausea turned into violent vomiting. And incredibly restless night's sleep. The doctor said to stop immediately. I've not attempted another type again since, and don't think I intend to."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2011

For Peripheral Neuropathy "It worked great; pain was totally gone. But the side effects were awful: couldn't sleep (for days), sweating lots (just sitting still in the air conditioning), bowel movements were so dry it was like passing glass. ETC, ETC."

• cym...
• June 8, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "So I gave it an OK review score because it did make me feel less depressed. However, as a whole, I think Cymbalta is bad for you and can lead to terrible health consequences. The side effects I experienced while taking the drug (30 mg for 6 months) were horrible, and I gained a ton of weight, which didn't help the initial cause of me wanting to take the drug - depression (when you don't feel confident, you're less happy, what can I say). A few pounds to become a happier person is OK, but it really made me gain weight and also made me tired, nauseous, sweaty, and experience muscle spasms. Along with this, withdrawing was horrible. I wish big pharma would be less money-hungry and focus on creating effective medications with reduced side effects."