Duloxetine for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 3)

• Nbkkw3y
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I took cymbalta for depression, anxiety, and for severe fibromyalgia symtoms. The extreme mood swings, depression, constant thoughts of suicide, symtoms that mimicked my already existing fibromyalgia symptoms and unfortunately made them worse. Sleepless nights-even days at a time, drowsiness, complete change in my personality. When I started a physician observed decrease with intention to quit cymbalta altogether, I tried killing myself multiple time, shakes, tremors, skin crawling, brain and body "zaps", nausea vomiting diarrhea mood swings hospitalization. Don't, just don't take it. There are other drugs and cbt therapies that are tried and true. Whose long term side effects are well understood and documented. Almost ruined me."

• Gracey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the beginings of osteoarthritis. I'm a 24 year old mother of 3 children, and for me, Cymbalta has helped manage my pain. With 2 kiddos under the age of 3, and a special needs step-child, I don't have time to hurt, and I definitely can't lay around when I have a flare-up. Cymbalta has made the pain lessen from a screaming pain, to more of a whisper. Do I still have flares? Yes. But they are fewer and the pain is less, and I am able to control my flares better with the help of naproxen and a muscle relaxer. As far as side effects, I've noticed some loss of appetite and constipation. Every medication has some sort of negative effect, but you have to pick and choose what you are willing to live with."

• Janess
• August 24, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been suffering for years to the point I could not walk to the parking lot without having pain throughout my whole body. My legs would go numb to the point I couldn't walk and had to sit til I can feel my legs again. Since taken cymbalta I've been able to do normal house work exercise a little. And wake up and get out the bed without pain. It's the worst feeling in the world to wake up everyday and every part of your body hurts. I'm on 30 mg and I have been feeling like a normal person again I love living again."

• Greg
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2015

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been on Cymbalta for about two weeks. I have severe depression, two failed back operations, and neuropathy in my legs and feet; those stabbing hot jabs of pain and also pain throughout my body and joints. On day three of being on Cymbalta I had body and joint pain relief and some increased sensitivity in my feet. Still having back pain but that was expected as my back is toast. The vivid dreams were disturbing for about a week, but have gone away. I had hallucinations as I was awaking each morning. That has gone away as well. My depression seems to be lifting and I feel more active. Good luck on Cymbalta."

• MizzB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2018

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Worked reasonably for awhile, despite the side effects like 0 sex drive, intense sweating, and something close to hemophilia like bleeding from tiny cuts. I just kept taking it for 3 years or so, because the BIG ISSUE is the insane withdrawal even from missing one dose. Trying to quit was a nightmare. Went from 120mg down to 30mg over time, which was pretty bad. Eventually just threw it away for good and spent the better part of a month in serious withdrawal condition. 5 months on, and I am worse than I was ever was when starting it. The withdrawal process has triggered so much anxiety that I am now stuck with, and don't know how to deal with or get rid of. Thanks Dr for not warning me of any of this."

• Good...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 26, 2012

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia ten years ago. I had a great deal of pain and a significant anxiety component. I've been on Cymbalta for the last five years and my fibro has been in remission for most of that time. I take no regular pain medications. My mood is good and anxiety attacks are rare. We lost our son in an accident 3 years ago and I felt strong enough to deliver his eulogy with resolve and confidence. I know that Cymbalta works for me because on the occasions that I've missed my dose two or more days in a row I feel like sobbing over things that wouldn't even get my attention when I'm taking Cymbalta as prescribed. I will gladly keep taking it for the rest of my life if it will keep me out of pain and free of anxiety."

• jas-09
• December 31, 2008

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I share the same experiences as other reviewers. Fibromyalgia was finally diagnosed 10 years ago. I started taking Cymbalta one year ago and it has been a life changing event. It allowed me to get off the two opiate pain medications I was on. No need to tell anyone the impact it has on my life. It's a priceless medicine."

• Fibro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2018

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "After battling and dealing with pain for many years I was prescribed Cymbalta. This drug works for pain. It kinda blocks it. That said it was a rough start, dizziness, nausea, sweating. This fades and then you feel better. Pain reduced in all areas. I could go about my day to day without pain stopping me. Then after 2 years it just stopped working. I don’t like pain meds etc. As I knew all good things end I decided to try and get off this med instead of increasing dose. Well let me warn the consumer, the patient, it was very, very, extremely difficult to reduce and withdraw from. I have a medical background and a friend warned me. It was bad, vomiting violently ( I don’t vomit ever), then in bed with headaches and chest palpitations that were scary. Finished withdrawal and reduced medications in general. Be careful with this medicine if you choose to access it for medical treatment."

• DMano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I took one dose of this medicine, 20 mg and with an hour had severe diarrhea, a horrible headache and then panic and anxiety set in. It was so bad that I had to leave work 2 hours into my shift. On my way home, I actually stopped at the ER and sat in the parking lot debating on whether to go in. Luckily I was able to reach my doctor's office who gave me the go ahead to take a xanax to counteract these side effects and didn't have to go to the ER. It was so bad that I even had my husband leave work because I was too scared to be home alone. I would rather suffer through pain than have to do that again."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2019

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I started Cymbalta to help with pain. I had horrible side affects. I was extremely nauseous, tired, sweaty and more. I took this medicine for about a month and the side effects never seemed to go away. So I stopped taking it even though I know you’re supposed to slowly do so. I just felt sick taking it and I still feel sick after stopping. I can’t stop throwing up. I honestly don’t even think it’s worth trying this medicine. I would stay away at all cost."

• Rachpar
• March 26, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was prescribed Cymbalta when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year. Cymbalta is by far the worst medicine I could ever imagine being on. It did nothing for my fibromyalgia pain. I stayed on it to see if it would work with time, nothing. I told my doctor I felt no better about my fibromyalgia pain and decided to wean off. This is the ugly part. My dose went from 60mg to 30mg for the next two weeks and then I was told to take it every other day for 2 weeks and so I did. Here I am 3 days off of it completely and I feel horrendous. Muscles are stiff, mouth is constantly dry, diarrhea is nonstop, vomiting, constant nausea, headache, body zaps, brain zaps, feeling exhausted but can't sleep. Cymbalta is hell. Please avoid at all costs."

• PM04
• November 1, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have taken this medication for about 2 years now and it has helped me tremendously. Yes the first two weeks were hard due to nausea and diarrhea however because it controlled the pain I stayed with it. I weaned myself off at one point to make sure whether or not I still needed it but within a week of being completely off of it all the pain and muscle weakness came back so I went back on it (no side effects this time) and the pain went away so it works for me. However the Dr. said that I was his only patient who had the amount of relief I experienced with the lowest dose. I also have Lupus (SLE) so it helps with the joint and muscle pain there too!! I say give it a try as I experienced the pain relief almost immediate"

• DAP
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I found Cymbalta to be a miracle for me. Within a week of taking it most of my aches and pains disappeared and even my massage therapist stated she noticed a big difference. The problem was the side effects of sexual dysfunction and dry mouth. I added Wellbutrin and love that medication as it greatly improved my mood, but still did not help with the sexual dysfunction. I am now on Lamotrigine and Wellbutrin but the pains in my joints worsened unbelievably, intolerable really. I think I will be dropping the Lamotrigine and going back to the Cymbalta, and just put up with the side effects."

• Chiqu...
• February 8, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Just started Cymbalta at 30 mg one in the am and one in the pm for my Fibromayalgia pain and anxiety and depression. It's been 8 days and it is helping so much! It did give me nausea and an acidy stomach for 2 days. That went away. I also take Gabepentin 300 mg 4 times a day. I came off of Tramadol 50 mg at 6-9 a day. Cymbalta helped with withdrawals for me. I still have pain from my fibro but it is dulled. Hope this helps xx"

• BethA...
• August 17, 2014

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2004. I started out taking Flexeril and Tramadol 37.5. It was helping but I still had bad days. My doctor told me I would have good & bad days. I also tried Lyrica and another medicine (can't remember name that started with a S). Came off of Lyrica and then the S. I was put on Cymbalta started with 60 mg a day then upped to 120mg. It does not help with the Fibromyalgia but it does wonders for my mood swings and hot flashes."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have had fibromyalgia with chronic depression for years. Started Cymbalta two weeks ago. I was very lightheaded and dizzy at first. I continued on. I am at two weeks now 30 mg per day. I sure can feel when I need my dose the pain is unbelievable when it comes back. I am looking forward to bumping my dose to 60 mg per day. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to all of you out there I hope this is a miracle drug for all of us."

• Sunsh...
• April 29, 2015

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I felt less pain but the side effects were NOT worth it. I ended up becoming very depressed and apathetic and slept for 12+ hours a day, missed work, didn't clean or eat. I was taken off after I crashed my car."

• Hamrick
• August 21, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and the medication did not work for me. I did have a change in mood. One thing they do NOT tell you is getting off the medication is a terrible experience. For two weeks I was vomiting about three times a day. My anger was uncontrollable and I had very bad brain zaps. I did tapper like the Dr recommended and I was still sick. This lasted a month after my last tapper dose. I was never a depressed person but my husband almost had to take me to the ER because I was so bad. Don't take this medication it is not worth the effects."

• ladyb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "This medicine was great and did relieve my pain. However now it has been discovered that it is terribly hard to stop taking. The side effects are unbelievable. It can take a year to get off this medicine. Please go to the forum here about Cymbatla and also on facebook . I have currently started tapering off this medicine after taking it for 4 years or so because I believe it is causing other problems for me such as memory loss, brain fog, being tired all the time, tinnitus, night sweats, etc."

• Alicia
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2022

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "This drug is giving me my life back! Gabapentin (1600 mg per day) wasn't working for pain, so my Dr suggested Cymbalta. I'm so glad I gave it a shot. It's helped significantly with the fibromyalgia pain and is also helping with the pain from sciatica, herniated discs, lower back and plantar fasciitis. I've had no side effects other than some forgetfulness during the first week of starting the medication. Another benefit was that it helped lift my depression (which I didn't even realize I had) and I slowly but surely found myself becoming interested in old hobbies again, such as reading, gardening and painting! Don't let the scary reviews discourage you. Give it a shot!"

• Krismor
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2015

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been on Cymbalta for my Fibromyalgia since Nov.2014. I had loved this med,helped some what with my pain and also helped my moods. (I called it my happy pill..lol) I have been experiencing many months of restless sleep and extreme sweating! I never considered it was my wonder drug. But it is,it has to be..Cymbalta is the only drug I take and the only change for me in a year. Also I have gained an excessive amount of weight ! I can not handle this extreme sweating,also very fatigued. I am starting today to ween off of it..my doc started me on Lyrcia. I sure hope this helps! So tired of being tired and in pain.."

• Medic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I did not notice a change while taking this med. I still took it for 2 years even though it was not effective. The reason I continued this med was because everything me and my Dr tried to get me off the med, it did not work. Finally after 2 years. I was able to stop taking it by starting prozac the next day of my last dose of cymbalta. I took the prozac for 10 days with no side effects and then I stopped the prozac. I am finally free of that prison."

• mh2256
• September 3, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was on 60mg of Cymbalta for a year or more. Did not want to be on antidepressants all my life so I weaned off it 2 months ago. My fibromyalgia pains have returned with a vengeance, more than before. I am going back to Cymbalta as I want to have some quality of life. I feel debilitated at the moment. Have been taking this tablet in the morning but after reading the reviews on this forum I will change to night."

• cymba...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I take Cymbalta for both dysthymia and fibromyalgia. I am a female in my mid-40's. Overall, I am at least 70% better than before taking Cymbalta, though not pain-free. I find that I get maximum benefit when I take 120 mg (two 60 mg. capsules at same time) of Cymbalta daily, combined with enough sleep and daily exercise (e.g. at least 20 mins. brisk walking). Also, I need to avoid/minimize physical and psychological stressors (including unpleasant people)."

• bigbabe
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I started taking depression medicine when I was 11 years old. I am now 24 and I have been on probably 10 different antidepressants over the years. Nothing has had such a positive effect on me as Cymbalta has. I am truly happy for the first time in a long time. I've been taking Cymbalta for about 8 months now and I feel great. I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which is one reason why my doctor thought Cymbalta would be best. Cymbalta has also helped some with my aches and pains. I have very little side effects with this medicine. I get nauseous once in a while and am tired a lot, but it's nothing compared to being without Cymbalta. This is by far the best medicine for depression and fibromyalgia."