Cymbalta and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety for about 8 years now. I’ve been taking Lexapro for about 6 years and have paired Cymbalta with it. I can honestly say my anxiety is nonexistent since I started it. I had no side effects other than tiredness, but it really does work. This is coming from someone who will go down a rabbit hole of reviews."

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

For Fibromyalgia "30 mg now in week 6. Pain is much less, still flare-ups, but it has allowed me to do hard exercise with weights. I do get flare-ups and still experience some anxiety/panic attacks. Alcohol is okay on the night, but the next day makes one very tired. It took over 4 weeks to get past the side effects, including sexual ones, and I'm reluctant to ramp up to 60 mg as the foggy feelings held me back a lot for the first 4 weeks."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For Depression "Cymbalta ruined my life. In the span of 3 weeks, I managed to black out, tried to run away and change my name, I quit my job, and attempted suicide 3 times and luckily failed. I had urine retention, extreme headaches, blurred vision, no energy, and couldn't fall asleep."

• Lib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have panic disorder and agoraphobia, as well as spondylolisthesis. I took Lexapro for about 5 years and thought it was doing a good job...until I built up a tolerance to it and started having withdrawal symptoms halfway through the day every day. My doc switched me to Cymbalta, and it was a real eye-opener. I had no idea how poorly Lexapro was affecting me until Cymbalta changed things for me. I had been sluggish, unmotivated, tired, gained a lot of weight, and was still in pain all through my years with Lexapro, and since I was just so darn happy to not be suffering from random crippling panic attacks constantly, I figured that was 'good enough.' Not true. Now I know better. With Cymbalta, I have far more energy, my mood is boosted, my pain is reduced, I've lost weight, and I'm just generally more 'chipper' as well as being able to focus better at work and not suffering from panic attacks. Total life changer."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2023

For Fibromyalgia "The drug was difficult to start, side effects were awful, such as visual hallucinations (especially in dark environments), agitation, and involuntary spasms. Cymbalta 30 mg worked okay for generalized anxiety disorder and fibromyalgia, not a miracle worker. It suddenly stopped working around the third-year mark, and my side effects worsened too (constipation as 1-2 bowel movements per week, sexual dysfunction, excessive sweating, lethargy, etc.). The worst part is the discontinuation syndrome, it literally feels like dying. I was told by medical professionals that at a low dose (30 mg) it's safe to quit cold turkey, but apparently, there are patients like me who can't tolerate such a fast taper. People on the Internet with zero knowledge of medicine or pharmacology state that the only safe tapering method is by opening capsules and counting microbeads, lowering the dose by 5-10% every 2-3 weeks. In other words, it would take at least a year to safely taper 30 mg. Avoid this mess by never starting it."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2022

For Depression "Started on a low dose and saw some small improvement at first. The results didn’t last, and we upped the dose from 20 mg to 30 mg. Resulted in frequent diarrhea. I tried changing my diet and using probiotics, but after 5 months I couldn’t take it anymore. I messed myself more than once! I even went to the Dr. to make sure I didn’t have a bacteria or anything. I also got really tired and unmotivated. Once I stopped, I saw improvement in the diarrhea and energy in 2 weeks. A little over a month later, my gut is not completely healed but around 90%."

• 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."

• 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."

• fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Cymbalta was a nightmare. I told my new doctor that I had bad reactions to SSRIs and SNRIs and preferred to avoid them. He agreed and said he wouldn't prescribe any, but instead would prescribe Duloxetine. I previously studied to be a pharmacist, so I immediately knew he was lying. I tried it anyway, thinking I knew what the likely side effects would be and once I was at my follow-up, I could stop them and redirect focus on finding the source of the problem. Mistake. Summary: brain fog, insomnia, brain zaps typical when weaning off these types of meds, restless leg syndrome reactivated which had been dormant for years, dizziness, lethargy, and couldn't get out of bed --- I needed help to get from bed to toilet. No, thank you."

• 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."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2022

For Depression "I took it for 3 weeks, my husband could see a difference. I took the lowest dose, only 1x a day, and it made me super lethargic, unfortunately. I had to quit after 3 weeks because I needed to function at work. I quit cold turkey with no side effects. A week later, I’m still a little lazy, but better. I was taking Buspar with it and am continuing on that alone for now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 21, 2022

For Chronic Pain "Cymbalta changed me from a happy, normal person with interests in everything. One shouldn't expect a normal person to have been sleeping away my days, for one year I dreamed of every person I had ever known. I had repeated dreams, continuing dreams from one night to another. It definitely upset my sleep cycles. I was constantly sleepy, tired, and had to lay down at any time of the day to sleep for hours. My body wasn’t tired, my brain was affected. I decided to quit cold turkey, and in about two months, I started to return to my old self. Stopping the med did no harm to me. It did not help that much with pain to take Cymbalta. I started to become interested in daily activities again, as I used to be. I am happier today, even with pain, and feel normal once more."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2021

For Anxiety "I had taken Cymbalta years ago and went off of it. I had been taking Baclofen 20 mg for osteoporosis in my body and back spasms, but taking it with Paxil and my other mental meds put me into manic episodes. I’m bipolar and have PTSD. I’ve been on tons of mental meds that weren't helping me. I’ve been hospitalized 4 times for manic episodes. I had to quit taking Baclofen, which is a muscle relaxer, it was reacting badly with my other meds. My doctor in the psych ward put me on Cymbalta 30 mg a day. I seemed to be doing good on it, but now I’m home and I’ve been on it for a month now, and I feel really tired and lethargic. The last mental ward I was in added another 30 mg to take at night of Cymbalta, it has been helping with nerve pain and muscle spasms. I just wish I had my happy personality back and some energy back too."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2021

For Anxiety "I had taken Cymbalta years ago and went off of it. I had been taking Baclofen 20 mg for osteoporosis in my body and back spasms, but taking it with Paxil and my other mental meds put me into manic episodes. I’m bipolar and have PTSD. I’ve been on tons of mental meds that weren't helping me. I’ve been hospitalized 4 times for manic episodes. I had to quit taking Baclofen, which is a muscle relaxer, it was reacting badly with my other meds. My doctor in the psych ward put me on Cymbalta 30 mg a day. I seemed to be doing good on it, but now I’m home and I’ve been on it for a month now, and I feel really tired and lethargic. The last mental ward I was in added another 30 mg to take at night of Cymbalta, it has been helping with nerve pain and muscle spasms. I just wish I had my happy personality back and some energy back too."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Made me really tired at 60 mg, so went down to 30. I was on that for a year, I was very stable, and everything seemed very blah. I gained 10 lbs because I couldn't taste anything and nothing sounded good, so I would get really hungry and just eat whatever crap I could stomach. Getting off seemed insurmountable because if I missed a dose, it was like dizziness, migraine, brain zaps, full body aches, nausea. I switched to Prozac and then went off Prozac after a month with no withdrawal from either. I still have anxiety, though, so I am back on Cymbalta 20 mg. I get brain fog and can't focus on it, but at least I'm not anxious, right?"

• Mys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2021

For Anxiety "I talked to my doctor about taking some medication due to having terrible anxiety and depression. I also have a lot of chronic pain. I was having panic attacks every day at work, I would get panic attacks in my house for no reason. I’ve always had anxiety. There was just a constant wave of anxiety over me at all times. I would also get very depressed. Very down for a long time. My doctor mentions Cymbalta, and I decided to give it a try. The first four days or so, I felt like I had the flu, I would say. I was just very tired, sleeping non-stop, feeling dizzy, wasn’t hungry, and felt nauseous. But after those days, I felt so much better. A switch flipped. My anxiety is still there but nowhere near as bad. I haven’t had a panic attack for over a month, I feel the start of one, but I don’t get one! I haven’t had a bad depressive episode either! This medication has been a lifesaver for me and my confidence. It hasn’t helped my chronic pain, though, so keep that in mind."

• Rho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2021

For Anxiety "I personally did not hesitate to start mine. I started off on Cymbalta 20 mg in July 2021. I have been on mine for about a month. I cannot believe what it has done for me. It has helped my panic attacks and my anxiety at least 50% so far, it has also helped my neuropathy at least 75%. It also has helped my arthritis pain from RA at least 50% in my hands. I am just amazed. I do take mine in the morning, and I do tend to get tired. It is now August, and my doctor has upped me to 30 mg, I will start tomorrow. I even have more energy and even went on a diet, and I’m very proud of myself. Don’t be scared because if you have any side effects, you can always stop. I am very pleased, and I won’t say that I wasn’t scared. LOL"

• Aar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Life-changing for my chronic pain and PTSD. Within the first day, it majorly improved my mood, and I no longer felt like I had to be ready for a fight every time I went out. Twelve years of severe psychosomatic chronic pain gone. It also stopped my lucid nightmares and allows me to breathe deeply (might sound a bit weird, but previously my breaths never felt like I got enough oxygen). Only side effects at first included lethargy, clammy hands, and tummy aches if I didn’t take it with food."

• Ipp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 6, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been on Cymbalta since it came to the market in 2000. It was a lifesaver for me, I felt better the very first day! I was on 60 mg for about 10 or 11 years, then my anxiety came back as if it stopped working or my body got used to it. I tried to increase to 90 mg, but it just made me so tired. So we tried to switch to a multitude of medications, but nothing worked like Cymbalta, so I went back on it. Coming off it was a complete nightmare, and I am so much better on it than off. I’m just now trying to up my dose again to 60 mg after just being on 30 mg for the last 6 years. Before Cymbalta, I wasn’t even able to drive a car without complete panic and hysteria. I’ve suffered with this crippling disease since I was young, this was the first medication to give my life back. I don’t know what I would do without it. Honestly, medications are different for everyone, but for me, it saved my life!"

• 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."

• Boo...
• February 24, 2021

For Depression "I have depression and anxiety, so my doctor prescribed me Duloxetine (generic for Cymbalta). I tried other ones, but they either made me too sick or suicidal. He started me at 20 mg and moved me up to 60 mg. It’s helped me a lot. I take it with a combination of going to therapy. I admit when I don’t take it, I become an emotional psychopath. I start to pick fights with people and cry all the time. I also get lethargic, headaches, brain zaps, and dizzy (what happens depends on how long I stop taking it). It’s really great when I’m not being careless or self-destructive. Something I really like about it is that I don’t get sick if I don’t take it with meals. Sometimes I have to skip breakfast, so that makes it convenient. If you choose to take it, I recommend the first week or two to take it at night because it’ll make you really sleepy, but after that, start taking it in the morning because your serotonin starts flowing. It’ll prevent you from sleeping if you continue to take it at night."

• Lil...
• February 3, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I was on this drug, Cymbalta, for 2 weeks. I was taking 30 mg a day. I was getting tired during the day and felt my eyes close at my desk. I called the Dr. office about a week after taking it to ask if I could adjust the dosage because of the sleepiness. The Dr. never returned my call, and three days later, I was driving home in the afternoon and fell asleep at the wheel. The tiredness came out of nowhere, I crashed into the divider. I was okay, the car was not. Thank goodness I was in a truck. There needs to be a stronger warning on Cymbalta. I will never take this drug again. I am lucky that I survived the car accident."

• Ogr...
• January 9, 2021

For Chronic Pain "Horrific, didn’t fix my post-vasectomy pain, and while on it, didn’t care about anything, like making sure the kids were fed or care about stopping for red lights or getting to work on time. But the doctor liked me being on it because I was tired all the time and slept a lot, was more docile, and didn’t complain about the pain. Just try it and watch your life go down the toilet. Would be good if I was in a nursing home at the end of my life, but I still have a life to live (only 50 years old)."

• sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started this medication to try to treat both my depression and fibromyalgia in one go, and it did not go well. My first dose was taken at around 10 a.m., and by 7 p.m. that day I was not feeling well. I was disoriented, dizzy, nauseous. An hour later my heart rate shot up to 145 (resting is 62), I was vomiting violently, shaking, and felt like I was drunk. I was admitted to the hospital, started on ondansetron. I was intermittently nauseous and dizzy, followed by extremely tired, weak, and cold. Symptoms stopped rather abruptly by 8 p.m. the next day (lasted approx 24 hours)."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2020

For Anxiety "Took my first Cymbalta yesterday. About 2 hours after taking it, I felt like I had no energy. About 2 hours after that, I was running to the bathroom. That night, I went to sleep fine, but woke up at 3 am and couldn't go back to sleep. I got out of bed at 5:30 am, grabbed a cup of coffee, and within 3 minutes, I was having heat flashes followed by freezing flashes, felt like I was going to get sick, and had zero energy. Went to the doctor at 8:45 am and was having a reaction to the drug and broke out in a cold sweat in the office. It is now 5 pm, and I still feel like I was run over by a train, no energy, stomach is still iffy, and my head has pins and needles."