Cymbalta and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lau...
• July 5, 2011

For Depression "Cymbalta has given me my life back. I finally feel like me again. The loving, caring, free-spirited person I had forgotten about. I can finally function, which is so important to me. I am getting a 4.0 in college. I feel like a walking miracle! I can't believe where I am today; that a pill could literally save my life. I was so close to suicide, so violent, and so depressed. I wanted to die. I'm FINALLY HAPPY! It's sad that Cymbalta has low reviews from people withdrawing from it. I'm sure it's difficult. But does that take away from how much it helps!? I might be on it the rest of my life, who knows?"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2022

For Anxiety "I was on this drug for 5 years. It helped with my depression tremendously. I came off it last year because things were going okay for me. I was diagnosed with GAD/Panic Disorder when I was a teenager. The anxiety came back, and I talked to my doctor about this, so I figured going back on Cymbalta was the right thing to do, but I was wrong. I do not struggle with depression anymore, just anxiety and panic attacks. Going back on Cymbalta made my anxiety so much worse, I think it had something to do with the noradrenaline. The withdrawals sucked, and I needed diazepam to help with it. I'm feeling so much better off Cymbalta that the anxiety is so much smaller now. I'm going to be on an SSRI this time (Zoloft). This drug isn't for everyone, but I would not recommend it for people who struggle primarily with anxiety and Panic Disorder."

• Jen...
• March 6, 2021

For Anxiety "I was taking this medication for a mix of reasons: anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It worked better than any other meds I tried for anxiety and depression (I tried a lot). However, it stopped working after a couple of years of taking the maximum dose, so I'm trying others. The withdrawal I had coming off of them was horrible; I never had withdrawal from anything like that in my life. If I didn't have the withdrawal like I did, I would go back on them in a second. They were the only antidepressants that have actually worked for my anxiety. I wake up with severe anxiety almost every day since 2013, and Cymbalta was the one medication that made my anxiety tolerable. I accidentally forgot to take it one morning, and with it not being in my system for less than 12 hours, I felt so sick and came to realize that I was going through withdrawal. Anyway, I hope this helps someone."

• Dan...
• March 15, 2015

For Depression "Have taken this medicine for over 3 years. I was previously on Pristiq. To start with, at 60 mg, this medication worked for me pretty well for a year or so. Once I became pregnant, they reduced my dose (just to be safe) bad idea. I had a massive panic attack and feel very hopeless. They upped my dose to 60 mg again, which didn't seem to help, so after having my boy, they increased it to 120 mg, which worked for about 3 weeks, then it was as if I was taking nothing. Figure my body has just become immune. Also, bad withdrawal symptoms when you miss a dose. Very dizzy, nauseous, sleepy, not a nice experience, unfortunately. But please remember this is just my experience with this medication, not yours, it could be completely different."

• 121...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Depression "Switched from Lexapro to Cymbalta. First week was at 30 mg, followed by 60 mg. I had side effects almost from the start: insomnia, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite. Stayed at 60 mg for 4 weeks. Dr. decreased to 40 mg and prescribed Sonata to help with sleep. Zero effect from the Sonata. It's been about two months since starting the Cymbalta, and I'm ready to get off of it due to the side effects. Not looking forward to the withdrawal symptoms I've been reading about. Others may have had success with this med, but I have not. I would not recommend."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2021

For Depression "I first started at 30 mg of this medication, weaning off of 30 mg (the highest dose) of Lexapro, which was no longer working for my anxiety and depression. Everything was okay, I had a pretty normal withdrawal from Lexapro for about 3 days. The doctor slowly upped my prescription of Cymbalta to 90 mg, and I ended up in the ER 5 days into that dosage. I thought for sure I was having a stroke. I couldn't remember words, I was weak and completely dazed with an almost high feeling. 6 days later, I'm still feeling dazed, and I barely get anything done due to a lack of concentration and weakness. This drug was a total disaster for me. My doctor warned me that there are withdrawal symptoms when lowering doses, even after only taking Cymbalta for just a month. As if the side effects weren't enough. I cannot wait until this is over."

• veg...
• January 4, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After trying around 8 different drugs for my GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), this one seems to be helping. I don't want to jump the gun too quick, it's been a month with a 30 mg every other day and about 3 weeks at 30 mg a day, but I think it's working somewhat. Still don't like the idea I have to take it and always worried about side effects and getting off it, if and when I'm ready. Have had some bad withdrawal symptoms with some of the others that rivaled getting off pain medicines... no fun!"

• Jen...
• June 2, 2015

For Depression "I went on this medication two separate times for depression and anxiety. Both times it helped a little, but still the least effective compared to other things I have tried. When I tried to increase my dose, I had a 3-day-long migraine. I have to give this medication low ratings for the bad side effects and the withdrawal symptoms I am experiencing from coming off of the drug currently. I have had migraines for 6 days in a row now even though I am weaning off of the drug. I have digestion issues, am exhausted and breathless, and I am having night sweats. I hope this ends soon."

• Ace...
• November 17, 2009

For Anxiety "This medicine was the 1st thing in YEARS that made me feel like myself again. It started working within a few days. The panic attacks subsided almost immediately, and the depression lifted. The side effects I experienced (although annoying) were nothing compared to the benefits it gave me. The 1st 2 weeks, I was nauseous and tired, felt out of it, but my head was clearer and thoughts focused after that. I did lose like 20 pounds, it stopped my emotional eating. The worst part was the night sweats I had for about 2 months or so. I was on it for about 5 months but had to wean off due to lack of insurance. Coming off was terrible, though... total withdrawal, brain zaps, confusion, etc. I'll get back on it as soon as I can because I know it did wonders."

• 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."

• Fad...
• February 18, 2017

For Anxiety "I took this drug for GAD. Of course, it did its job. BUT PLEASE READ ABOUT ITS WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS BEFORE STARTING!!! I have stopped taking it 4 days ago, and you can't imagine the things I am going through. I remember before taking it, I read reviews about this drug. And one of the reviews wrote, 'DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. IT IS HELL,' and I was like, why so dramatic? And oh boy, was he not!! I am reading about how to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. And after reading the users who are trying to stop Cymbalta on this page https://www.drugs.com/answers/long-cymbalta-withdrawals-747877.html?page=2, I found out that I have a long way to go. Please be careful."

• lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

For Anxiety "I was on citalopram 40 mg for years, and it had stopped working. Had to reduce my citalopram before going on to duloxetine/Cymbalta 30 mg. The citalopram withdrawal was 20 mg a day for 2 weeks, then 20 mg every second day, then 2 days of nothing, then start taking 30 mg duloxetine every night. I have been on it now for 2 weeks and have noticed a little difference because it can take a few weeks for full effect to kick in. Withdrawal symptoms from citalopram were not nice at all. Maybe the reduction was too quick. I ended up in the hospital for a few days, which did me good. I have been out of the hospital for a week, but been on duloxetine 30 mg for about 2 weeks, so I know I have to wait a bit longer for the full effect to take place. I still get a bit anxious, etc., but things are slightly improving. I hope in another couple of weeks I will notice even more of a difference. I live in Australia, and the government covers most of the price, so I only pay about $7 a packet."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 10, 2021

For Depression "I was placed on Cymbalta by my GP for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, and depression 3+ years ago, and it may have helped a bit with that pain, hard to tell. This med did not help my depression at all because I was not depressed but instead had undiagnosed bipolar 2. I urge anyone whose doctor wants to give you Cymbalta to first seek out clear and correct psychiatric diagnoses before starting. Beware of the horrible withdrawal syndrome if you should ever want or need to discontinue this unhelpful and expensive drug. I have tried a couple of times under doctor supervision to no avail."

• Zac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was prescribed Cymbalta 1.5 years ago to treat Major Depressive Disorder. Helped lessen the sadness caused by depression, but also made me numb emotionally. Decided to taper off of Cymbalta, while being advised by my physician, and the withdrawal symptoms were terrible. Currently still on 30 mg (down from 120 mg) and going to look for easier ways to withdraw. Would not recommend Cymbalta to anyone, as I feel I was doing better before I started the medication, and the withdrawal symptoms aren't worth it."

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2016

For Depression "Cymbalta 120 mg for 4 months. Good: - slight to moderate increase in motivation, mental energy, and attention/alertness. - decrease in anxiety and depressive feelings. Bad: - made me less social, less empathetic, and more robotic. - horrible withdrawal symptoms which happen quickly if you forget to take it. - when my dosage was increased from 30 mg to 60 mg, it started to give me nightmares at night and caused me to wake up in the middle of the night and lose sleep. Conclusion: Better positive cognitive experience than 10 mg Escitalopram, which, other than positively affecting my mood, all it did was cause constant brain fog and decrease my motivation even further."

• Sun...
• February 15, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on this medication for depression and possible help with fibromyalgia for a couple of years. My doctor had me on so many meds, I started taking myself off one at a time, with his approval. The Cymbalta was by far the worst withdrawal of anything I have ever taken. It was three solid months of withdrawal: cold, hot, tingles on my head and body. Even with a slow decrease in dosage, it was horrible. I would not allow anyone I care about to use this drug."

• dgf...
• September 5, 2010

For Anxiety "Prescribed via a psychiatrist for severe panic attacks for 2 years. If I take the dosage late or forget to take it, the withdrawal symptoms kick in. Gnawing physical pain, breathlessness, disorientation to time, difficulties in word finding while speaking, severe muscle pain and stiffness, nausea, labile emotions, and panic."

• skb...
• February 16, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor put me on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia, and I have to say that it was really effective at reducing my pain, helping me sleep, and clearing up the brain fog. However, I began having some side effects that became serious when my doctor increased my dosage - being clumsy, hot all the time and sweating profusely, and agitation bordering on hypomania. I also noticed my blood pressure seemed to be high - around 150/94 - which was unusual for me. The last straw was the day my blood pressure went up to 170/120. Turns out that the Vyvanse I take for ADHD plus the Cymbalta caused serotonin syndrome. Then I had horrible withdrawal coming off of it. Make sure your medicines won't interact before starting Cymbalta!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I would give this a full 10/10. However, getting off this medicine is terrible and the withdrawal symptoms are worse than that of benzodiazepines. Antidepressants work and do promote neurogenesis, just you'd have to find the one that works for you."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2012

For Depression "It's an okay medicine for depression, but I've had times where I'd miss one day of Cymbalta and immediately feel withdrawal symptoms (brain zaps, nausea, headache, etc.). The only other medicine I've ever had this happen with is Effexor. I hate that I have to make sure that I have to take this at the right time of day, because even being late by like 6 hours, I feel the withdrawal symptoms kicking in."

• 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."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2021

For Chronic Pain "I was on this medication for almost two years for chronic pain related to EDS before I realized how poorly it was managing my pain, yet messing up my life. Some side effects never went away, like sleep problems, which required more medications to manage. Also had significant personal relationship problems. Fired my doctor and quit the medication three weeks ago, and withdrawal is almost gone away. Already feel clearer in the head than I have for years, yet pain is about the same. BEWARE of this drug and doctors that push it!"

• Doe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2021

For Back Pain "ZERO STARS! Twice now, I have been prescribed this, and twice I quit it cold turkey. (DO NOT QUIT COLD TURKEY, VERY DANGEROUS!) I just did not react well to this medication. It did help a bit with the pain alongside Topamax. I just didn't like the fact that you must have this with you at all times and cannot miss a dose. I’m not going to be “handcuffed” to a medication because if you miss a dose, you start horrific withdrawals. Sounds more like a street drug to me? Took weeks, if not months, to get out of my system completely. Never, ever, ever, ever again. I’d rather live with my SI joint dysfunction pain than use this as a Band-Aid! I did, however, finally find a surgeon who specialized in SI joint fusion. No more Band-Aids on a fixable lower back issue! Please do your research. Effexor is even worse!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2017

For Depression "These capsules made me feel worse. I am gradually removing these awful meds from my life. The withdrawals are so intense that they leave me incapable of driving, give me spasms and brain zaps, uncontrollable shaking, and twitches. Do not ever even start taking Cymbalta."

• Sum...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2023

For Depression "I was on Cymbalta for over three years. I was put on Cymbalta after being hospitalized for severe depression due to family issues. In the beginning, Cymbalta was initially life-changing. I was no longer emotional, but the side effect: I had no emotion toward anyone or anything. I lived three years of my life with no feelings, emotions, or desires. As horrible as it is to be depressed and emotional, it's even worse to feel absolutely nothing! The withdrawal from this medicine is no joke, it is hard, and it takes months."