Duloxetine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Nfn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2016

Duloxetine "Was prescribed for depression, but it affected my panic disorder very much. I went from 6-7 panic attacks a day to 1-2 a week/month. It really, really helped with my anxiety overall too. I feel less anxious. The initial 2 weeks were horrible, though, increased anxiety, hot flashes. And it interacts with a lot of medications (including vitamin D supplements)."

• Spa...
• April 2, 2016

Duloxetine "I have been dealing with depression since 1990 and run the whole inventory of SSRIs available. Prozac was effective the first 2 years, then became ineffective. The only drug that has helped me for an extended period of time was Paxil. Paxil eventually became ineffective after 5 years. So the wonder drug Cymbalta comes on the scene, and I thought I had finally found the magical cure. I've been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a year, and once again the roof is caving in and very abruptly. This past week I've been suicidal for 3 days. Why? The circumstances in my life that so often can trigger anxiety or depression are the same as always. How can an SSRI become instantaneously ineffective? I'm not raving about Cymbalta any longer."

• Ala...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2021

Duloxetine "Was having issues with trying to rebuild my life after a devastating amount of child trauma (sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse), and I have Mixed Personality Disorder (ASPD + PPD + BPD) CPTSD. I'd hit relapses of existential dread. It would make me suicidal. Cymbalta is revolutionary. All the experiences, all the depth of conscious thought I didn't need is gone. I no longer get existential; I am calmer. I can actually think properly; the first few days I felt wired, but once that settled, I was more compassionate, caring, calm, and leveled out. I came face to face with my abuser, and instead of becoming manic thinking of stabbing him to death, I was able to smile, truly smile, breathe, and ignore him entirely. I may actually stand a chance recovering. Where SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics failed, Cymbalta succeeded. Hope this helps someone."

• Sop...
• April 25, 2016

Duloxetine "These pharmaceutical companies need to figure out ways to engineer better medications. I went on Cymbalta for about 8 months after a long struggle with anxiety. I had mild depressive episodes as well, but it didn't really bother me and mostly came as a result of having bad anxiety that I felt I couldn't control. Cymbalta was great at first, I seemed to actually lose a little weight (didn't need to, but any girl likes to see that), and I had a great mood much of the time. However, I started noticing that it wasn't doing anything for my actual anxiety. It started making me gain weight, I was too tired from the medicine to go to the gym, and had a hard time even making it to the library to study (I'm a college student)."

• Cym...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

"I don't usually write a review, but I found something that is working and hope I can help someone who's in my same shoes. I'm highly sensitive to anything and everything. I have generalized anxiety disorder, OCD intrusive thoughts, and some depression. I started this medication a week ago. I had some side effects like dizziness, a little nausea, lightheadedness, hot flashes, and insomnia for a couple of days, then they went away, and I'm doing good. I have been on nine different meds (Zoloft, Luvox, Lexapro, Prozac, Ativan, Gabapentin, Hydroxyzine, Buspirone, and Celexa)-all bad experiences-and made me feel weird, sick, or have bad thoughts, and others, and didn't work. I even tried natural supplements-nothing. I was in a bad place, then my doctor said to try duloxetine 20 mg. I was so scared of starting a new med again, so I waited a couple of days until I started, and even when I started, I was anxious because I was like, this one's not gonna work either, I was very defeated. I'm actually glad I gave it a chance to work, it saved my life."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2014

Duloxetine "Problems are panic attacks, phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder as a result of early menopause. First, I tried Effexor 75 mg, horrible blood pressure skyrocketed up to 170/101. Then I tried Fetzima for 5 days and couldn't tolerate a high heart rate. Resting heart rate 96 and while I was walking 110 to 125. Not good, always felt like I was climbing a hill, otherwise no other side effects except goosebumps and feeling cold. So then I started Cymbalta 13 days ago, the first 3-4 days very anxious, unable to sleep majorly. My body was tired, but my mind was not. Every time I would try to sleep, my jaw would clench, and my body would jerk (myoclonic jerks) and wake me up. I took a small dose of Ativan to help me sleep. Also, the first 4 days became hypoglycemic."

• cut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2016

Duloxetine "I was on 30 mg for GAD and insomnia. After a month or so, I became so hyper, and my insomnia went from only sleeping a few hours every day to having days of no sleep. Ativan, which had always helped me sleep, no longer worked. My thoughts were scattered, often terrifying, so it was good they were brief, I guess (it 'cured' the anxiety, as I couldn't worry about something before the thought of it was just gone). I couldn't focus, became unable to work at all. I was weaned off about two weeks ago, still can't function at all. I am a bit better now than when on it, but far worse than I was before. I wish I never touched this stuff, I feel like I will never get my life back again, certainly never my career."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2017

Duloxetine "I'm 10 days into my treatment, the hospital started me on 30 mg, then told me to increase the dose to 60 mg after 7 days. So far, so good. I have to say that I'm getting on well with the drug, but I'm experiencing some insomnia and so take Valium for that (around 10 mg). I hope that as time goes on and my dose of Cymbalta increases, this drug continues to work and I feel even more of its benefits, as I want to start reducing the Valium at some point in the future. I'm in the UK, and so do not pay for this drug, and as my doctor has certified me as being unfit for work, I don't have to pay for any medication at all."

• Ami...
• December 15, 2015

Duloxetine "I have been taking this medication for about 2 months and have found it very helpful. I have a bad chemical imbalance disorder, which just means that there are too many chemicals in my brain, they were causing me to faint, have twitches, and shivers nearly every hour, and seizures, to the point where I ended up in the hospital after smacking my head on tiles during an episode. So far, so good, the medication has helped a lot. I think for nerve damage or anxiety, this medication will help, but maybe not for depression. I am always exhausted, and my libido has significantly reduced, but no twitches or seizures. I do notice that if I forget to take the medication, or I drink, my twitches and fits return. :) Does not mix well with alcohol."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

Duloxetine "I took the first 30 mg dose of Cymbalta and had bad side effects almost immediately. I felt dizzy and felt like I was passing out. I only took the one dose but have had insomnia for the past 48 hours. Lying awake, feeling agitated and anxious."

• Dr ...
• April 14, 2017

Duloxetine "Within 2 hours of taking the medication, my brain lit up, it felt like I was high. I couldn't contain the energy, so I went for a run. By midway through the day, I went to the park with my nephews, I took them on the swings. I thought I'd go on with them, so I started swinging, and it felt like I was going to die. The most terrible feeling of fear I have ever experienced. It felt like I was free falling. I had a total panic attack. At the end of it, I freaked out and just needed to get home. Could barely drive or focus. By day two, I started feeling a terrible raw feeling in my stomach, fought the feeling of vomiting most of the day, exhausted, detached. My brain would fluctuate between euphoria and complete inability to calculate or communicate."

• veg...
• January 4, 2010

Duloxetine "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!"

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 20, 2016

Duloxetine "Was put on this after 5 days of no sleep with anxiety. It took a week or two to kick in, but has saved me. I am much more level and less anxious, no sleepless nights, although I do take Phenergan (antihistamine) to help with that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2013

Duloxetine "Cymbalta, unfortunately, did not work for my general anxiety disorder. I took it for two months. The worst part was that it made me feel nothing, and my other medications less effective. The good part was that it made my frequent urination decrease-probably because it made a lot of me feel numb, including my bladder."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2016

Duloxetine "Be careful when taking this medication. I took my first tablet yesterday in the morning and started feeling unwell during the day. Was out at a restaurant for lunch and started feeling so nauseous and burst into tears, and had to leave before my food arrived. Went home and felt so sick I slept for a couple of hours. Woke up and had some food, thought I was starting to feel better, but a couple of hours after that I collapsed (luckily I was at home with family) and was vomiting and had a severe fever. Can't put into words just how horrible I was feeling. Woke up still feeling sick, of course, didn't take another tablet and am starting to feel better now about 38 hours after taking the tablet."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2022

Duloxetine "Almost 2 months in, for personality disorder/erratic thoughts. Initially, it was overwhelming, not too much, but just the feeling overall. Once it regulated in my body, though, I felt so much better. I'm no longer anxious or feeling bouts of existential dread thinking about my past and future; I'm confident and content every day. I have the energy to move around and motivate myself. I'm actively planning and acting to better myself. I felt like I was in a hole too deep to climb out of before - now it's nothing to me. My sleep is better too, which wasn't expected; eating is still working to a stable footing, as I'm so full of energy sometimes hunger doesn't touch me."

• Fra...
• July 25, 2016

Duloxetine "Add on to 30 mg mirtazapine. Cymbalta taken in the morning. 1st day: diarrhea, very stoned feeling all day, slightly more anxious. 2nd day: slightly more depressed and anxious, a little less stoned feeling, slight constipation, sexual dysfunction. 3rd day: extremely depressed...worst I've ever felt. Suicidal. 4th day: same extreme and worsening depression. Couldn't handle it, stopped taking it after the 4th day. Worsened depression to the extreme. Don't know if the side effects would've lessened, but couldn't take the extreme depression. Sexual dysfunction also added to depression."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2017

Duloxetine "I took Cymbalta for the first time last night. Within an hour I was falling asleep on the couch, which I never do. Usually, I have insomnia, but I slept through the night. However, when I woke up, I was violently nauseous and had to take an anti-nausea medication (which I sometimes use when my anxiety is really bad because it makes me sick). I attempted to go about my normal day, but found myself having to take two naps because I was excessively tired. I've been watching and reading about this medication all day, and I am terrified to take another dose because of the side effects and ultimate withdrawal I'll experience if it doesn't work out. I noticed today, through my headache and tiredness, that I felt more calm. I'm praying it works for me!"

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2020

Duloxetine "I was scared to take this med after the reviews. An anxiety attack triggered me to finally try it. I took 1 tablet, 30 mg, yesterday afternoon with lunch and experienced nothing until night. I was having constant random visions all night. When I finally got up in the morning, I began shaking, my skin felt like it was burning, I was on fire hot, and my mouth was so incredibly dry. Then I got the chills. Shaking, burning skin, chills, dizziness went all day. I was wiped out tired and could not eat. I was in bed all of this beautiful day until 4:30 pm when I forced myself up. Honestly, I felt poisoned. I drank 2 gallons of water waiting to flush this out of my body. It was about 28 hours from the time I took it until I felt somewhat back to normal."

• Joh...
• January 4, 2010

Duloxetine "I took Cymbalta 50 mg every day for over 2 months. This was to treat generalized anxiety disorder and minor depression. I live in the Midwest, where the sun does not come out very often in the winter months. The medicine was effective in the long run in treating my minor depression due to the winter blues, however, when I first started taking the medicine, I did have suicidal thoughts, which was very strange for me. Eventually, it interfered with my libido, which caused me to stop taking the medicine. I am 22 years old, and for me to begin to experience libido issues led me to discontinue this medicine. This might be an isolated issue, but I hope it helps you decide if the side effects outweigh its benefits."

• Pop...
• November 22, 2015

Duloxetine "This review is premature as I am on day 4. I awoke on day 3 with a peaceful mental outlook and very little anxiety, which is most unusual for me. I have a lot of work-related reasons to be anxious. I am very happy and look forward to continued improvement with Cymbalta. I feel hopeful, not hopeless! The only side effect has been a mild headache that went away with NSAID."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2018

Duloxetine "Cymbalta worked for anxiety/pain like a dream, for about 4 months, then my system learned to anticipate it, and within a month, it was as if I was off my meds when I wasn't. It was awful. No dosage increase helps, they put you on a combination of meds to 'get you by' for a few months, then back on the Cymbalta, but now it only works for 3 months, and so on. As great as I was on it, the drop of effect was 10 times worse. (It also took 1 month to build up and drop off in effect). I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

Duloxetine "I am starting to feel better every day, and I’m not having as many anxious thoughts. I’m noticing that I am starting to not care what other people think and just doing what makes me happy. It’s only been a week, but I already can tell that it’s helping. My anxiety has always been my biggest downfall. This medicine gives me hope. I hope that it keeps getting better from here."

• Sun...
• February 15, 2018

Duloxetine "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."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2018

Duloxetine "I have only been on Cymbalta for 1 day. Took it later last night, think I slept okay but woke up foggy-brained, zoning out, nauseous, blurry vision, slight increase in anxiety, and a bit snappy... won’t be taking any more of this. I will figure out a different way to handle my panic attacks. Letting the Dr. know ASAP! 30 mg at night is my dosage. Anyone else have these experiences right away?"