Duloxetine for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 4)

• Maide...
• November 13, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Took Cymbalta for close to a year for Fibro symptoms. For the first couple months it seemed to be helping, and then it stopped. I had worsening sleep difficulty, violent mood swings, and a variety of other side effects. Even with all the Fibro symptoms, I feel better off the med than I ever felt on it. It was also expensive."

• the...
• October 20, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "During my mid 40's, I began experiencing excruciating neck pain. I had cervical fusion for a ruptured cervical disk. After the surgery, I have had extreme chronic fatigue, bone pain, overall body pain, and paralysis of one vocal cord. I tried numerous pain medications which had absolutely no effect on my pain. Ultimately, the combination of medications that helped were a low dosage of methadone, Prozac, and Provigil (for narcolepsy). Recently my doctor changed by Prozac to Cymbalta. My pain is now almost gone! (I am still taking methadone, but maybe it will no longer be necessary. (I changed to Nuvigil for extreme daytime sleepiness.) No side effects from Cymbalta except for slight nausea during the first week of use."

• Jreamer
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2012

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been taking Cymbalta for about a year now. At first it WAS awful. I was started on 30 mg trial samples for a week and then ramped up to 60 mg a day after that. Getting on Cymbalta is very hard, and it really takes perseverance to get through the initial effects of it. I was previously on Narcotic pain relievers and drugs like Lyrica, Neurontin, etc. After being on Cymbalta for a few months, I noticed I didn't really need the narcotic anymore. (Oxycontin 10 mg x3 a day) -yes really! I've found that it does make me 'sick' and tired about 30 minutes after taking it, but it fades about a half hour after that. Taking it with food seems to help with the sick feeling. Take it before bed if you are starting Cymbalta. It does work!"

• Disne...
• June 11, 2014

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I had tried Lyrica for fibromyalgia & it made me severely tired, and didn't help the aches & pains at all. Once I switched to Cymbalta, I felt great! The aches & pains were reduced by at least 75% within 2 weeks! I've been on it 1.5 years & have had a gradual weight gain totaling 20lbs that started the same month I started the Cymbalta. My rheumatologist says its not Cymbalta related, but I'm thinking of maybe trying another medicine just to see. But I'm afraid nothing will work as well as the Cymbalta. I also take 250mg Soma at night to help me sleep which works great."

• itsel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2019

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Cymbalta seemed to help at first, until the side effects became unbearable and it stopped working. It made me sleep over 12 hours a day, gain a bunch of weight, and made me have no libido what so ever. Not to mention it's extremely hard to come off of. I stopped it last week and I'm still experiencing withdrawals -- brain zaps, nausea, headache. I would not recommend Cymbalta for fibro. It might help your pain, but it'll make your fatigue worse."

• Espri...
• May 3, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have fibromyalgia, and have had this condition for many years. I tried Cymbalta for about two weeks, and never felt like I was in my right mind at all during the time I took it. I would much rather deal with my pain, and feel somewhat alive and painful, rather than a zombie. I do not recommend this drug: it's hard on the liver, your urine will smell very bad, you're going to be extremely sleepy, and a feeling of being not quite right. If that's what it takes to take pain away, I'd much rather work on massage, de-stressing techniques, walks, and praying than to feel like half a human being. That's been my experience, I glad I had the experience, as it taught me there's no easy route to pain relief. My hope is the new sodium-blockers!"

• Thomasa
• January 18, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I started taking Cymbalta about 4 years ago for severe body pain, I have had two back surgeries, two knee surgeries, I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. The medication Cymbalta has improved my quality of life a lot. Mostly my fibromyalgia pain . I hadn't been able to sleep at night because of my all over body pain however since taking Cymbalta I have had much relief. I take it at night about an hour before bedtime, I take it along with Amtriptyline which helps me to sleep at night pain free. Only one side effect that. I have notice and that is it seems to take your sex drive, when interacting in sexual activity, it's like you don't feel anything, a lot of the time, and that can be a BIG problem for some people. You have to weigh up your options"

• VMWHITE
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2021

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was on Cymbalta since 2015 after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The side effects in the beginning were awful but I stuck with it. Cymbalta did help with my fibromyalgia symptoms but I did not realize what was going to happen in the long term. Cymbalta caused me to become a compulsive gambler. For years, I gambled and at times I was in the Casino everyday. Gambling was all I could think of. It almost caused the loss of my marriage. Not to mention thousands and thousands of dollars. I finally could not do it anymore. When I researched the correlation between Cymbalta and gambling, I found studies that actually showed the side effect most in middle aged women. I decided to stop cold turkey, I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THAT. Nevertheless, incredibly I stopped Cymbalta and the urge to gamble went away. I now suffer with pain again everyday but no gambling. My marriage and finances have improved but my pain is no way to live. Need advice."

• mllei...
• July 14, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I've been taking it for less than a month and I already want to stop. I would rather be in pain than be how I am with this medicine. It makes me foggy and extremely tired, and depression symptoms I haven't had in months are coming back. I can barely do anything because all I feel like doing is sleeping. My fibro pain isn't horrible anymore, but this is worse. I'm going to stop now while I'm still on 20mg before weaning off becomes harder."

• elect...
• August 15, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "When Cymbalta became available I was trying it for dysthymia, but found my fibromyalgia and neuropathy became much better. I think it's worth trying, it worked wonders for me and I started taking it with the attitude that it wasn't going to work."

• Loube
• January 12, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "This is my 5th day on 20 mg (lowest dose - 1 pill per day) Cymbalta for fibromyalgia. The first 3 days were tough. My pain would subside during the day, but return almost fully at night. I did not sleep for the first three nights on this medicine. I was also very jittery beginning on day 2. By day 4 most of these side effects subsided and I've been pain free for 48 hours now. I was prescribed 5mg of Ambien to help with the sleep issue. I feel great and energetic for the first time in months. I am thrilled that the lowest dose worked for me."

• debbie
• July 31, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I was on Cymbalta for 2 years and found it to be a wonderful relief of pain and anxiety. The problem I had with it was "brain zaps" and dizziness if I made any sudden movement with my head. I weaned myself off of it slowly and am now back to suffering with pain and anxiety but I do not wish to take Cymbalta again due to the strange brain effect it has. Getting off of it was extremely difficult and luckily I was between jobs or I could not have made it to work during that withdrawal period. Extreme "brain zaps" were the worst thing to get rid of. "

• Sista...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2017

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Several days after starting cymbalta I started having energy and no pain. I was so elated. Who cares if you sweat a river? Who cares if you can't go outside from May through sept? After taking it for several years I began to slowly turn from my dream to a night mare. I sweated all year and was hot in the winter as well. Everyone was freezing and I was hot and didn't want the heat running. I gained 40 pounds but all the symptoms returned. I finally weaned down to 30 mg then cold turkey. I have now been totally off cymbalta for 25 days and have gained 10 more lbs. I can't even buy clothes big enough because my stomach looks 9 months pregnant. My thighs are as big as a professional football player."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2015

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been on Cymbalta for the last 2 weeks. The side effects have been difficult, stomach pain, the first few nights I couldn't sleep and thoughts raced through my mind, I was also having severe suicidal thoughts and I was still waking up from the pain and tingling sensation in my arms and shoulders. this is week three and I find that my mood has improved, but I'm sweating a lot. the fibro pain is present and I'm tired a lot. I tried taking it at night but find my chest hurting the next day so I switched to mornings on a full stomach and that's improved the stomach pain. I have restless leg and if I'm late on taking my next dose I'm jittery. I don't really know if its working for my pain, but my mood is much better, I'm not suicidal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2012

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have Fibromyalgia (for about 5 years) but no depression at all, so I was initially wary of Cymbalta because I didn't want it messing with my mood and potentially being hard to stop. But I'm so glad we decided to try it! Only a few weeks so far, and already it makes a huge difference in pain levels, and also I have much more energy. I still have to take tramadol at times for higher pain levels, but much less than before. No trouble with side effects in general, although as others have mentioned, I find that extreme stress, and multiple nights in a row of little sleep, can trigger all the old symptoms to the extreme, and it takes several days to get back on track. Overall though it's a huge blessing and I feel so much more like my old self!"

• Salcea
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been taking Cymbalta for over 3 years. When I started taking it I was working and it was making me sleepy, so doctor said to take it at night; problem solved. During the years I have had 3 surgeries and I have to stop taking it and I had no side effect or withdrawal symptoms. It helps with my fibromyalgia, mild depression, and pain. My insurance co-pay is $35, but during the donut-hole is is very expensive."

• jayjay
• December 6, 2014

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I finally got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and since then I have been on a couple of trial and error medications. Lyrica remains the best so far, on leveling out my balance for pain, and all the other negative quirks that come with Fibromyalgia. I tried VENLAFAXINE (Effexor) it knocked me out like a horse tranquilizer. Never again! That's when my psych decided to try me on Cymbalta. I still take my other meds: Omeprazole, Adderal, Lyrica. [switched from Zoloft-->Cymbalta]. I was to gradually increase my Cymbalta after the course of a week or so, but later spoke to my Doc and he stated my side effects were do to the increase being too fast. He suggested for me to remain at one pill for at least a month, and then speak to my psych about it. perfect!"

• Misdi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 3, 2023

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Was misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia and prescribed Cymbalta in 2017. When I was correctly diagnosed with a different condition and no longer wanted to take a medication I didn’t need ie Cymbalta, it was too late! You cannot stop taking this drug! The side effects are horrific even if you miss one dose! I tried reducing the beads in the capsules slowly but it was awful!"

• Lotti...
• October 17, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Helped the fibro pain completely. But my sleep is totally messed up and I am tied all the time Also I feel emotionally flat. No motivation at all. For now I'll keep on it as having total body pain 24/7 was hell on earth"

• jaisa
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2014

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Started Cymbalta for depression about three months ago. Also suffer from fibromyagia and anxiety. Found at 90 mg my fibromyagia hip and neck pain significantly reduced but had the side effect of extreme itching. At one point my lips and eyes felt sunburnt and began having trouble swallowing. Slowly reducing dose now on 60 mg plus 20 of Prozac. BE AWARE do not suddenly stop this medicine. Missed two days due to script and had the worst withdrawal I have experienced in 27 years of antidepressants, uncontrolled crying and panic. Not sure where to go from here."

• Homeo...
• September 13, 2009

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Diagnosed with fibromyalgia I went to my doctors to discuss further help in dealing with the pain, and was immediately given Cymbalta 30 mg., no talk about my Estroven that I was taking for menopause, nothing. Found relief first two days, immediately as directed and found through the course of 3 weeks, the following interactions, irritability, more pain than ever before, which forced me to take more pain pills to combat the pain, and then finally a rash, then difficulty speaking, then finally the ultimate was massive confusion. Please be careful to those who are taking homeopathic medicines, and trying to help themselves with Fibromyalgia. Be your own ADVOCATE and do the RESEARCH first...don't be a stastic like I almost was."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2009

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I took it for fibromyalgia for 4 weeks. Had loss of memory, dizziness and fainting. Weened myself off with the help of my doctor. Withdrawals were horrible. Headaches, slurred speech, loss of memory, heart racing and palpitations, trouble breathing and dizziness. It lasted nearly 8 month. It was the worst time in my life. I'm happy for those that can tolerate the side effects and are successful on this medication. This is just my story."

• Sarah
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2023

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "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."

• SherryK
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2016

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "Cymbalta didn't help with my pain it only made me feel like zombie, I'm trying to get off of it and it's a nightmare. I'm removing 7 beads from the capsule every day and feel soo sick. I feel like I'm going to die at times"

• Dahli...
• June 3, 2013

Cymbalta (duloxetine) "I have been taking Cymbalta for 3 days. I have had nausea and drop in appetite. I experienced sleeplessness on my 3rd night and hot flashes. I have found that taking it in the morning is better for me. This is my second round of taking Cymbalta."