I've been taking Cymbalta for the past 5 months. It worked at first, but it's hell now. I don't suggest it for anyone. Not unless you're looking for the lowest low you'll ever have.

I took cymbalta for a little over 4 weeks for nerve pain. I remember the initial SE was dry mouth, in fact I had a hard time even swallowing. Also no sleep. The very worst was memory loss. For nearly 3 weeks I was functioning in total blackout. My co-workers were following me home from the hospital where I work as a cardiac RN. My family tells me I was slurring my words and basically acting like I was on the longest drunk of my life. I have no real memories of anything. The consequences I am now faced with related to certain choices made during this time are to numerous and severe to mention on this post. Dr's writing scripts for this need to really monitor their patients for side effects. My side effects nearly killed me. Be cautious with this drug.

I was prescribed cymbalta to help with fibromyalgia pain. It has helped for that problem.

Cymbalta is causing increasing depression with me. I take it only 3 times a week now.

It is a very risky drug for some people and mass marketing it is very dangerous.

I took cymbalta for 10 days. My doc had me tapering off paxil while taking 30 mg. of cymbalta. I felt quite manic which got worse each day. I was restless, and couldn't keep still. And worst of all, I could not sleep. It was hell. Paxil always has worked well for me, but I decided to try the cymbalta for less side effects (sexual). Anyway, I stopped the cymbalta and went back to my usual dose of paxil. I am so very depressed and have terrible anxiety and a strange headache. Could I have withdrawal from cymbalta after only 10 days?

Yes. I firmly believe in (and have experienced)withdrawal syndrome, and I can say, it is worse than before better sometimes.
These are powerful chemicals and should never be underestimated in what they can do our bodies and brains.
I have yet to find a psychiatrist though, that believes in withdrawals as much as I do.
I have lived it coming off of Prozac, as well as 2 of my kids.
(Zoloft/Prozac/possible antipsychotic withdrawals also)
It took 2 months for the Zoloft to be removed. Worse before better. It gets better, but beware of docs who want to medicate withdrawals, and /or increase the dosage, claiming the symtoms are just what they were treating, but worse.
Time to think outside of the box.
Chemical war on the mind is not an easy thing to live with, come off of,etc.
Soapbox:
This prescribing of psychiatric medications so readily , with samples , etc..has got to stop.
Until 'they' can tell us why some meds work for some and not for others, no one has any business as a doctor to say this will work, and not question it, when it isn't working.
In the end, we have to be in charge of what goes into our bodies.
So could you have withdrawal after 10 days, yes!
Chemistry! it applies to all of us differently.
Go with your gut instinct.

cymbalata prescribed for depression and neuropathy, took 2 weeks of 30mg and increased to 60mg after one week,fatigued,brain fog,elevated blood pressure,irritable,effort to get thru day, never felt so low, anyone else experienced this?

took cymbalta 30mg 2 weeks, dose incresaed to 60mg, at which time I felt the lowest ever, fatigue, worsening sleep disturbance, irritable, high blood pressure,blurred vision, brain fog nd dizzy, still having problem after stopping med, been to 2 doctors and still no relief?

Recently changed from Prozac to Cymbalta 60mg twice a day. Combined with pain meds I was in a fog, vision affected, didn't know where I was, so Cymbalta dropped to 60mg and was doing alright for a while but depression was increasing however I have a myleogram in 2 days time and have had to come off the cymbalta altogether. Have not stopped crying and have 2 days to go. Am taking lorazepam to calm me down but I would need a whole pot. It is HELL.

I only made it through the first dose of 30mg! My doctor diagnosed me with MDD, which I don't even believe I have since my depression symptoms have all but ceased in the past 2 months. (But, I did receive three free trial packs.) Anyway, after I took the first dose I became immediately dizzy to the point of almost passing out, had cold sweats, nausea, GI problems, severe drowziness, and "mind fog". The next day I didn't dare take my second dose because I was vomitting and had severe diarrhea that I almost had to go to a doctor for help. It's the third day after taking the first dose and I still don't feel well. This isn't worth it!

I have been taking Cymbalta 60mg for 31/2 months at first it was great I actually got energy boost, felt better. Although I did have trouble sleeping. Now I get headaches, fatigue, stress back pain in between my shoulders ;loss of motivation. A feeling of total misorganization. If this doesn't work I wonder what will. I have also tried in the past. Lexapro, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Prozac my now that it's on computer in front of me sounds pretty sad. Divine intervention now!!!!!!!!!HELP!!!!!!!!

Laura,
This is just my opinion, but once an antidepressant always an antidepressant. I feel if a person cannot tolerate one, it could be fair game to consider they may not be able to tolerate any of them.

I was on Cymbalta for 5 months. Thought it was great. Then I started to figure out I wasn't really doing as well as I thought. I started having major anxiety attacks again so wanted to switch meds. I went back on Celexa and stopped the Cymbalta 12 days ago. I am still getting anxiety and other weired symptoms. Wish I knew if they were the meds or my messed up wiring.

I have been diagnosed with Major Depression now for over 10 years. I have taken several types of anti depressants (Prozac worked best for me.. but stopped working after a few years..) and Cymbalta is BY FAR .. the most dangerous drug I have ever taken. I have only been on it about 2 months and have had several miserable side effects since going up to my full dose. After a couple of days at 90mg I began to lose my mind, I was sweating, having electric shocks all throughout my body... dizziness, tremors, memory loss, I couldn't sleep, couldn't sit still at work, had a dry mouth so bad that I couldn't speak and I felt very depressed and irritable at the same time. One minute I would cry,the next minute I would be anxious, the next minute I wanted to kill myself... the most violent way I could imagine.

Naturally I immediately called my doctor to drop the cymbalta all together.
Since I have been lowering my dose...(over the past two weeks..) The withdrawal symptoms are just as bad. The electric shocks and shaking are out of control. I can barely drive my car. I am extremely irritable and I have never felt more depressed or suicidal than I have been while on this drug...AND coming off of it.
I have seriously concidered suicide twice while going through withdrawals and I haven't been suicidal in over 8 years, not even close..)
I am being closly monitored by my doctor and hope that I will make it through this. But if I can say one thing to ANYONE who will listen:
DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG!
Tell everyone you know, anyone who will listen, tell your doctors and your therapists..
I've never been more sick or more..."insane" than I am now... I don't even know who I am...

I've been on 60mg/day Cymbalta now for nine months, and have never experienced so many hot flashes or so much sweating from an antidepressant, though a close second was Effexor, several years ago. At least 10 times a day, often more, I get a hot flash that leads into a near soaking sweat, and several times I've had a "sugar crash" type feeling with sweat dripping off my face, soaked clothes, even the car seat, chair, or bed I was in. It's done OK on my depression, though Wellbutrin was better, but I had to stop that because of increasing, then daily, all-day intense nausea. This sweating business (even in Winter, now, though it was worse last Summer) is getting really old, and intensifies greatly at the worst times-- job interviews, meeting new people, dating, etc., so at my next visit to my Dr. I think I'll be going off it. Anyone else with hot flashes and sweats, advice? My Dr. said one other patient of his has complained of similar sweating, but I'm tired of it now and ready to change, especially since others have worked well for me before, with less side effects. I've been on them all, experienced all the withdrawals, syndromes, and related problems, so anything else I can share I'd be glad to. Thanks!

I have suffered from depression most of my adult life but had not reached into the grab bag for medications until about four years ago as my life felt really out of control and I was experiencing panic attacks severely. I started out with Paxil CR, then Zoloft, and now Cymbalta. In that period of time I have gone from 112lbs to now 150lbs, and being a 5'2" small framed woman, even a 10lb weight gain looks like 20 on my body. I have been on 60mg of Cymbalta for about 5 months now and have not felt myself in a long, long time. I have lost all motivation and drive to do anything. I am consistantly tired, and my adult children and husband both have even noticed a lack of emotional involvment in any conversation. I literally feel like a Zombie. Therefore, I have had my dosage cut down to 30mg and am currently taking it every 2 days or so, then 3, then 2, ect. until I am completely off. I had quit Paxil cold turkey and thought that I would literally die! So I am trying to be more thoughtful of my body and the sometimes dabilitating side effects while weaning off of Cymbalta. Unless you just can't live without them and or it is a dire neccessity (and I'm no doctor) I would advise that EVERYONE STAY AWAY FROM THESE DRUGS!! The side effects are simply not worth it. I have been researching anxiety, depression, OCD, ect. and there is usually an underlying problem for these symptoms. All that these drugs do is simply passify and suppress the real truth behind the drug. So in 2007 I will try it drug free, and am starting on a serious detox, herbs and vitamin, natural approach. Along with meditation, and Yoga I don't think I have too much too lose here....other than some really, REALLY painful side effects and withdrawal symptoms. I'm not knocking those who choose to stay on these drugs, as some may not survive without them. At least they are honest with themselves, however I can no longer live my life only half alive.....Blessings to all of YOU, and may God keep you safe.

Ive been on many different antidepressants over the years. About 6 months ago my MD put me on Cymbalta to help with panic disorder. Drug worked great first few months, then side effects started. I gained 20 pounds over about 4 months, had facial swelling, nerve twitching, increased anxiety, heart palpitations and the list goes on. I stopped taking this medication cold turkey about 10 days ago. I am experiencing some withdrawal symptoms like dizziness and nausea but feel great that I am no longer on this med.

I HAVE BEEN TAKING CYMBALTA FOR A LITTLE OVER A WEEK NOW, AND AFTER THE SICK TO MY STOMACH FADED, I HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE AND MORE DEPRESSED- I DON'T EVEN HAVE DEPRESSION! I HAVE REALLY BAD ANXIETY- WHICH THIS MED DID HELP WITH, BUT WHEN YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING OR THE AFTERNOON, IT'S REAL EASY NOT TO BE ANXIOUS. I HAVE BEEN IN BED AGAIN ALL DAY TODAY CRYING- FOR NO REASON, AND I JUST CAME ON THE COMPUTER TO SEE IT OTHERS FELT THIS WAY, AND I AM SO CONVINCED AFTER READING EVERYONE'S THOUGHTS, THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW I QUIT THIS DANGEROUS DRUG AND AM GOING BACK ON WELLBUTRIN. BY THE WAY THE OTHER SIDE EFFECTS,CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T STOP MOVING LEGS, HAVE TO TAKE MEDS TO MAKE SLEEP, CRYING, HEART POUNDING,SWEATING PROFUSLY,DIZZY,DUMB, CLUMSY, FOGGED AND EVERY BAD SIDE EFFECT YOU CAN THINK OF. THANKYOU TO ALL THAT HAVE POSTED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS DRUG BECAUSE IT HAS HELPED MAKE UP MY MIND- THIS DRUG IT NOT FOR ME!

Jen,
Please consult with, and tell your doctor every single side effect you just wrote here.
I wish you the best, please know you are not alone.

I have been taking Cymbalta (30mg increasing up to 60mg) for 10 days now. I did not have success with Zolfoft due to daily crying spells. I was reluctant to change but my doctor said I should not be having these spells and suggested Cymbalta for my PPD. Since switching, I have had vision problems, pressure headaches and feel very anxious. The light headedness and dizziness never goes away. My fear is have I caused some sort of permanent damage? Is this normal in the ramp up time of this medication? I feel clumbsy and like my muscle coordination is suffering.

What gives? Besides talking to my doctor, who are so quick to throw meds at you, what should I mention to them?

I have been taking Cymbalta since 12/21/06 and today is 01/19/2007, almost one month. I just kind of decided to check to see through google if there was any connection between Cymbalta and memory loss since I just woke up my daughter for school at 7:30 thinking for certain that is was time for her to get up for school, I was ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO WAKE HER UP! It turns out though, it was supposed to be 6:30. She was late. So I let her stay home today. I am still in shock that my mind played this trick on me and that I was so sure I was right. I have been having stupid things happen, like putting the dog out on his leash in the cold and forgetting I put him out there until he barks and I mean FORGETTING totally, like he is still in the house. I am starting a new state job on Monday and I am very worried. I thought it was me, not the medicine, until I decided to check this morning. I am still hoping it is the medicine. Now that I have read this site, I realize I too have been having strange headaches and nausea, lack of appetite (which I thought as great since I have 60 pounds to lose), and I cant seem to sleep some nights at all. Funny how I seemed to blame myself for these symptoms, since I do have major depression clinically diagnosed and have been searching for some security to make sure I am able to work and take care of my home and daughter. When someone is having depressive issues, it seems that we think it is us going haywire, not the medication. We just do not trust ourselves. I just thought I was losing my mind, forgetting those very important things, leaving my dog out in the cold or driving past the places I was going to and having to turn around (have to admit when stressed out I have a long history of driving past places and turning around..my kids laugh about it). But this has been way past silly. It has been scary. Today was the clincher though, waking my daughter up late. It was like one of those dreams that are so real. I cannot believe I woke her up an hour late and thought I was waking her up early. I feel scared. I am going to try to take this every other day now and taper down myself. I am only on 20 mg a day, so maybe it wont be so scary for me as it has been for some of you to stop taking this. Wish I could find something that would make me stay awake, lose weight and feel good without killing me or making me sleep all day.

I JUST WANTED TO WRITE BACK AND UPDATE SINCE MY POSTING ON JAN 13, 2007- I HAVE STOPPED TAKING THE CYBALTA DUE TO A START OF REALLY BAD DEPRESSION- WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.( I HAVE ANXIETY). I FEEL GREAT NOW- I AM NOT DEPRESSED NOT SLEEPY, AND I HAD NO WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS! I AM BACK ON MY WELLBUTRIN, WHICH WAS WORKING FINE FOR ME- MY DOCTOR KEPT PUSHING ME TO TRY CYMBALTA DESPITE ME NOT WANTING TO HE FINALLY HAD PRESSURED ME. THEY MUST MAKE MONEY OFF GETTING PEOPLE TO TAKE CERTAIN MEDS. BUT I JUST WANTED TO TELL PEOPLE THAT THE WELLBUTRI HAS BEEN GREAT FOR ME- I LOST THE FINAL 25 POUNDS I NEEDED TO AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A DECREASED APPETITE- AND I DON'T FEEL DRUGGED. THAT CYMBALTA IS A DANGEROUS DRUG FOR SOME PEOPLE- BE CAREFUL WHEN TAKING IT- KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MOODS, AND IF YOU START TO FEEL DEPRESSED DON'T THINK THAT IT IS "JUST YOU" IT IS THE MEDICATION MAKING YOU FEEL THAT WAY.

I have been on Cymbalta for about 6 or 7 months. At 60mgs, I lost my health insurance and can't afford more...My withdrawls have been horrible!!!! I'm still dealing with the tremors they are more intense at night. I have been a zombie and many of the same symptoms the others have posted. I found some genaric Welbutren that I was taking before I started the Cymbalta aka the "Devil". Well I started taking the Wellbutrin to try to help with the withdrawls and I can't get any relief, this is causing problems in all aspects of my life, my wife is just about had it. I took my daughter to bed lastnight and just started balling because I get these weird thoughts that she is growing up to fast she is 2 and a half. I am sick of being deppresed for my family and my kids....I get very emotional, It's hard to smile and hard to be positive, which is improtant since I am in sales....Had this problem a few years ago with Effecxsor 150mgs/day. What works without sending me in the clouds & and not loose my memory. Looking for a good experience. I have been having the worst time getting off this stuff it's killing me....

Dub and others tapering antidepressants (or like myself antipychotics):

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/taper.htm

This is a very helpful fact sheet on how to taper slowly from antidepressants. Dub--this is a very hard process. I have been there with re: to reducing Prozac, and other meds as well.
I am currently experiencing the same withdrawal symtoms I had coming off of Prozac, with Seroquel.
Severe stomach pain, jitters, buzzing head, horrific nightmares (like waking up screaming)and shaking hands. I thought I would add that link for anyone who is tapering down these meds.
Just know, that it is hell, but it DOES go away with time. Give it time and ride it out. Remain calm, keep noise levels around you low, and chart times of day that you feel worse. When I taper a med I find morning and 5pm to be the worst times of the day. The sweating increases, the heart races..all of it, and the stomach pain is not to be mistaken for "ulcers" like one doc tried to tell me.
Withdrawals are hell, and in my opinion sometimes worse than being on the drug itself. It can also, even at a slow taper...take months to feel the symtoms lift.
I used a lot of chamomile tea during the Prozac removal.
I want everyone to understand this is exactly what I am experiencing tapering off of Seroquel (antipsychotic). I woke up today on day 6 of tapering, and the hell is beginning.
So have hope --I got off of Prozac and I know I can ride out the Seroquel because I did it before.
Hang in there everyone.

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/taper.htm

I WENT ON CYMBALTA FOR MILD DEPRESSION 3 MONTHS AGO... I AM NOW SEVERLY DEPRESSED AND HAVE BEEN HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE... I CALLED MY DR. TO GET AN APOINTMENT BUT THEY TOLD ME I COULDN'T BE SEEN AT THIS TIME AND THAT I HAVE TO WAIT 3DAYS! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS MY LIFE! I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING MY PARENTS AND FAMILY BECAUSE I AM SO ASHAMED... MY FRIENDS THAT I HAVE LET SEE ME LIKE THIS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ME.... I JUST HOPE THAT I CAN FIND A CURE TO HEAL THIS PAIN....

I took cymbalta for 1 week about 6 weeks ago and still feeling the severely bad side effects you all speak of. I pray to God that they go away one day. I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this.

I have seen some interesting things here, and I see that I should probably be taking Cymbalta earlier in the day, as I tend to take it right now between 11 am and 1 pm. I am starting to get that "can't sleep at all" problem and I have been on cymbalta for 9 months, and I am up to 90 mg daily. I have had a lot of success fighting depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior. I think it is a good drug.

I was on cymbalta 60mg for about 3 months... First of all... it did help with muscle pain. But that's it... I am currently sitting at home from work right now suffering severe electric shocks that make my eyes twitch, insomnia, random muscle twitches, I hallucinated at work the other day, and I feel awful overall. This is a horrible drug... absolutely horrible drug.

PLEASE EVERYONE, don't generalise things. I was on Cymbalta for 8 months last year and it literally saved my life. Yes, I did suffer from a couple of side effects but nevertheless, Cymblata took me out of my severe depression within only 3 months. Different people react differently to different medications.

Hi,
I am in my 5th week of taking Cymbalta and although I get different side effects every day I think the med is helping. My question is that I take only 30mg per day as my Dr thinks that is enough, is any body else taking this amount and getting relief ?

Greg

In the past I have taken Paxil CR (for anxiety) and the whole time I was on it I felt like a zombie but still got depressed. It did lessen the anxiety, however. After a year, I went off of it because I was sick of the sexual side effects. That was back in 2003 and I was pretty okay up until last year.

Late last year I started suffering depression mixed with anxiety. I was constantly crying and miserable. Five weeks ago I started taking Cymbalta. At first I had dry mouth (for about the first week or two) and GI issues. But since the 2nd week or so, I haven't had any side effects. I feel better than I have in a long time, have more energy for working out, and I am not suffering from depression. The only weird side effect is that I am unable to cry. For example, my friend's cat passed away and that would normally make me cry just because it's sad (not because I'm depressed). I can feel the sadness start but just as I am about to cry, it fades. Very strange feeling. But the good news is, Cymbalta seems to be working for me.

I think my point is that instead of complaining when a product doesn't work - CALL YOUR DOCTOR. Not every drug is right for every person. For example, I've heard horror stories about people gaining many pounds from Paxil. I gained nothing. I have heard people have great experiences from Zoloft - I had every side effect! Drug side effects are common but you shouldn't give up. Keep trying to find the right drug for your problem!

I think there is also a misconception that drug science is perfect. It's not. Sometimes things that are supposed to help you can also hurt you. That's why there are clinical trials to test drugs. You have to take the good with the bad. And READ PACKAGE INSERTS for drug products. There is a lot of information in there that people are not reading because they don't think they have to. If you are taking a drug it is also your responsibility to read up on it so that you know what may happen. Don't rely solely on your doctor or pharmacy - take the initiative and ask questions, do research. And don't assume that just because there is a common side effect that it will happen to you because everyone's body chemistry is somewhat different.

I am writing because I am experiencing the awful effects of Cymbalta. I am on my 2nd week. First week was at 30 mg and the second was at 60 mg. I have never felt so deeply depressed in my life. I feel worse now than when I stated this med. I am not myself and everyone around me can see that. It's awful. I have no appetite which has been the only benefit of this med but it certainly does not outweigh the negative effects of feeling so deeply depressed. I seriously have never felt this bad in all of my life. I had to page my dr this morning because I just cannot even do one more week which is what he requested. He is switching me back to celexa as that is what worked for me in the past. I wish I never ever started it. I was hesitant from the very begining but after keeping the free samples for months, and having my dr push me, I decided to take it and try it to see if worked for me since every med is different for everyone. This one is NOT for me. I am posting this so that everyone is aware in case they decide to go on it and start to feel these things. It's the medicine and you don't have to feel this way. There is likely another med that will work better for you. I hope this helps. It isn't meant to scare you, it is just meant to give you a heads up. This medicine can contribute to some very horrible side effects that are not worth it. I can't wait to feel better. I am stopping today and I am not looking forward to the horrible withdrawal effects I have read about. It can't be any worse than how I am feeling now. I don't even know who I am anymore.

One dose, that's all it took for me. Within an hour, I was feeling dizzy, and then within a couple hours, I was feeling nauseous to the point that I wanted to puke my guts out. The symptoms progressively got worse as the evening went on, and by the time I managed to drive myself home (which was dangerous in and of itself), I was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack. I laid on my bed shaking and I was afraid of what was happening to me. The on-call doc told me to take my last Xanax and that helped calm me down for a little while. But, I definitely didn't like it at all. I also started to feel violent - like I wanted to take a baseball bat to everything in my room and just bust it up. Can I just say how 'out of character' that is for me? Wow - never again.

i was prescribed cymbalta after having HORRIBLE side effects from all of the drugs mentioned above.
i'm 42.....anxity problem started at age 35.....actually thought i had a heart attack.
several times.
60 mg of cymbalta is too much.
the sweats, lack of sleep ect.
even sexual side effects.....altough i was fully functional...it was taking me 2 hrs. to "finish"
i switched to 30 mg.....one a day at dinner.
i've been on it for months.
i feel good.
no side effects.
if 30 mg bothers you.....this is not the drug for you.
30 mg of cymbalta, once a day, is perfect.
oh yeah.....2 or 3 xanax a day as well.
i havent had a panic attack since i started treatment.
paxil was the worst....i actually hallucinated on that crap. i would wake up in the middle of the night SOAKED. i dont drink or do illegal drugs, so i had never hallucinated before.
i threw the pills away...and the next day i was still wacked. believe it or not......red bull.....the last thing i should be drinking with anxiety......cleaned me out. i drank like 8 of them that day with a bunch of xanax spaced out in 4 hr intervals.
the next day....i was back to work and completely sound. i have since replaced my morning coffee with red bull......same caffeine.....but loaded with B12 , niacin and B6 which i must have lacked.
i dont eat right.
also.....when you cant sleep.....take an extra xanax....and pig out on some good food.....you'll go out like a light for 6-8 hrs!
if you have a weight problem....who cares.....i'd rather date a cool fat woman than a stressed out narcisist!

Hi there...weeell Ive beeen taking Cymbalta for like a month now...besids beeing sleepy.....and short term memory loss...like...where da hell did i park...what was i gonna do....why am i in the kitchen i noticed nothing else....maybee some dry mouth... besids that... i feel HAPPY....CALMED...seems like my life has turned PINK...Ive never had suicidal toughts ...or have them now...I am taking them for depression...so I dunno but you guys now scared the hell outta´me ... i dont wanna wake up in the midle of he night wanting to kill myselff or jump out the window :s

Cymbalta...wow...I had such problems with GI and felt so bad physically that it wasn't worth what it was doing for my head, not to mention that at 30 mg it was starting to wear off and I was needing to head up in dosage...well, I decided not to and to stop the drug. For the win...I had to go back on to stop the withdrawal effects...YIKES...what a load of crap...I got a letter from Walgreen's that even stated that sometimes if the withdrawl from Cymbalta is too difficult you may need to go back on the low dosage to help out....YEP...go back on it...well I am on 10 mg and going to go off again...damn the torpedos...full speed ahead. I hate this stuff. There has to be a better way.

I've been taking Cymbalta, one daily dose of 120mg, as a migraine preventative. Started off on 60 mg a day, didn't reduce migraines so we doubled up. It's been a year and my migraines aren't any better. Got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue a last year. I've been taking this along with Seasonale and a very low dose of Neurontin.

I'm seeing a headache specialist now who gave me new meds. She upped my Neurontin and added Verelan PM. That seemed to help migraines some so I decided that I didn't want to take the Cymbalta anymore since it wasn't helping headaches and just adds to the pile of meds I take to supposedly control the 12-14 migraines a month I get. At first I reduced the dose by half. Felt fine. Likely was due to taking the other meds that helped me feel ok. For the last week I have been not taking it at all. I feel nauseous and dizzy and generally ill. It isn't getting much better and I haven't been driving since I get so dizzy. The sick feeling is awful and I hope it goes away soon. I heard Omega 3 might help so I am going to get some of that today. Any other suggestions?

I had the night sweats and dry mouth and sweating on Cymbalta. Don't know if the forgetfulness and fog was due to meds or fibro. All of the negative info out on Cymbalta is scary. I think it made me gain weight too. I am usually pretty thin and I weigh more than I have in my whole life. Used to weigh about 128 and now am up to 142. Very upsetting to me. Can't entirely blame Cymbalta since I over the last few years I've tried lots of meds for migraine management. Supposedly, Cymbalta is weight neutral but now I wonder if true.

I definitely agree with other posts that all meds have the ability to cause a wide variance of reactions to people. Just starts to make a person second-guess how great a med really is if so many people have such a strong reaction/ opinion to their experience on it. Felt ok overall taking it but didn't do what I was supposedly taking it for. Good for anxiety though. Hope my fibro muscle pain doesn't worsen once it's out of my system.

Oops, long memo here. Sorry. Just feels good to tell my story.

i have to say this is the worst drug i have ever taken in my life and after seeing that so many other people share the same agony as i have i felt it was time to express my difficulties with this drug. this tiny little pill somehow managed to screw me up mentally beyond my belief. here i have tried other drugs in the past,.. zoloft effexxor... both stopped working after some time but never made me feel necessarily "bad" either. after not being on medication for months and months i finally decided my depression and anxiety needed some kind of alleviator so i talked to my doctor about cymbalta. he only gave me 30 mg and thank god i didnt go to 60 like he said because for about 2 weeks i felt very good. very excited about life and more optmistic than i knew possible.. then things started changing a little over a month into it.. i started having bursts of rage which i found to be very out of my norm but convinced myself it wasnt the drug.. but it kept happening.. im talking about yelling at the top of my lungs throwing things across the room.. but all the time being aware that this was not normal.. then i started feeling suicidal.. i have never experienced this before. fantasizing about the ways in which i might take my own life and one night i sat in the bathroom with the lights off and held a sharp pair of scissors in my hand and just ran it up and down my wrists while sobbing uncontrollably.. and thankfully my boyfriend knocked on the door and i snapped out of it.. but it continued thereafter, i finally decided that whether or not i was scared o withdrawl symtpoms i had to get off this stuff.. i started tapering off but then decided i just didnt want any more of this crap in me and stopped it cold turkey.. this pill truly frightens me.. the withdrawl effects have been rough i am still fighting the suicidal feelings and fits of rage but they are less and less. the worst is probbaly over and now i am just dealing with heavy nausea and achy pains along with fatigue and lethargic behavior.. i wanted to share my story or atleast part of it because i am really against this drug and want anyone feeling this way to know you are not alone....

I took 30 mg of Cymbalta for two weeks for depression. I felt it right off the bat. Appetite suppressant. Like a combination of speed and mushrooms, with the physical sense of "coming on" but it never goes anywhere. At first it was helpful and made me feel good, and increased my memory, especially of painful past experiences I had buried. But I had headaches, ground my teeth at night and had trouble sleeping, my leg was bouncing up and down with nervous energy, I had great sex with my wife because I couldn't come (this could be a positive or a negative!).... After two weeks I just felt kind of strung out and it wan't doing anything for me any more. I feel that it's really addictive stuff. As soon as I started taking it I was kind of scared to stop. But after two weeks I felt tired and run down, disappointed and pissed off. I drank a couple beers and that helped with the decision to stop taking it. now three or four days after stopping I'm tempted to take it again-- it's some evil addictive crap, and I'm having trouble even coming up with basic words in conversation- the opposite of the initial lucidity I had on this junk. Try St Johns Wort, Tryptophan (serotonin booster) found in turkey or 5-htp, omega fatty acids, all are good alternatives to pharmaceuticals

I have been taking Cymbalta for six months at 60 mg and the good results have outweighed the side effects. I did notice extreme sleepiness at first and after a few months by sex drive went away, however, if I try hard enough I can still orgasam. Anybody notice memory loss? I am an excellent multi-tasker and have noticed I forget what I'm doing a lot.