DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.
Global Patient Feedback for Cymbalta (Duloxetine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
When will Cynbalta be in generic form?
thank you
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-11 03:31:49
Member Answer/Reply:
Why do you make drugs so expensive, so you can get rich and people can continue to be ill.....Where is the compasion in the BIG drug companies,If you did not have your big high paying jobs,and I have a good one, you would be like all us little people just trying to survive. SALLY
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-27 13:01:25
Question/Comment:
I took Cymbalta for a couple months prior to shoulder surgery last summer. After surgery, every time I moved my affected arm, the entire upper arm would turn purple - sometimes even down to the wrist. I stopped Cymbalta and that went away.
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-26 17:11:26
Question/Comment:
I am a diabetic. I take cymbalta and prozac. The cymbalta made my life a lot better. No pain
(diabetic neuropathy) and no depression.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 10:07:14
Member Answer/Reply:
i was taking paxil for a very long time..have tried and tried to get my past physicians to put me on another medication..and finally oh finally! a new doctor did just that..he put me on cymbalta..and i immediately felt so much better..my attitude..my esteem and everything about myself came up so much..and not only that i wasnt depressed anymore..and not just from lyrica and ambien did i feel better but taking the cymbalta with it..i have not felt this good about life in years..i still have some pain that we are going to have to get on but..i have a new outlook on life and im so glad i found this doctor! best thing for people is to always always know that someone out there is going to help them..do not stop looking..i was at the end of my rope when i stumbled upon this guy..wasnt even in the mood to see him.and didnt care one way or the other..when he told me what he was going to do for me..i said ok..lets do it..when i went back to him..i wanted to not only thank him but kiss him!..(ok..not so much that..my husband was there) but really ..it is all worth it not if..but when you find that good doctor..because you will..and if you need some help..let me know..i will do all but stop to try!..good luck to all
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-20 13:05:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I really like Cymbalta....it takes away the perephial nerve pain I have with fibromyalgia. No side effects that I am aware of. Lauren
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-22 10:25:12
Question/Comment:
I used Cymbalta for only a short time. In that time I began to feel better than any other antidepressant has ever made me feel. I started to actually just feel happy and hopeful. It didn't make me feel physically activated or anxious, I just felt psychologically the best I had felt in a long time. But about the same time I started to feel so good, I started suddenly having one of my legs just totally give out on me and narrowly avoided falling on several occasions. The doctor said it was called dystonia, I believe, and I had to stop the medication. I was really sorry because no other antidepressant has done much for my depression.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-17 18:02:09
Member Answer/Reply:
i think i would go and get a second if not third opinion before stopping cymbalta if it made you feel so much better...for one..a doctor..is just as they say..in practice..so just one alone doesnt know everything..i would go to another doctor and see if cymbalta was worth taking you off of..it might or might not have caused your leg to give out..i have had that happen way before i started taking cymbalta..and now i am still taking it..and havent had that problem in a long time...its well worth your checking into..
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-20 12:04:33
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on depression meds for along time.
I started on cymbalta and It was awesome . It really works great for me.
and I have been on all of the meds that they have.
thank you cymbalta
Lynn from florida
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-16 20:02:23
Question/Comment:
i have been on cymbalta 3 years i also have problems being warmer than any of my family or co-workers. i have gained 20 pounds since i started taking cymbalta.but it does help me live a more normal life than before. i am bi-polar
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-14 18:06:48
Member Answer/Reply:
A reply to the person who has been on Cymbalta for 3 years and has gained 20 pounds.
Maybe Cymbalta is not a good choice for you. Cymbalta should not have a side efffect of weight gain, but instead weight loss. Are you taking any other medications that could contribute to the weight gain? I would talk to your doctor about this weight gain, as I would think they would agree that it is not healty for you to gain that much from this medication.
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-14 15:18:02
Member Answer/Reply:
I'VE BEEN ON CYMBALTA FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. I'VE TRIED ALL THE OTHER ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AND CYMBALTA IS THE ONLY 1 THAT WORKED FOR ME.
AS FAR AS WEIGHT GOES....... I'VE LOST 40 POUNDS. WITH CYMBALTA, I REALLY DON'T HAVE AN APPETITE. I HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF EAT.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-17 11:06:55
Member Answer/Reply:
I also was on Cymbalta for about 3 years and gained lots of weight. at least 20 lbs..maybe more. My anxiety was not relieved, but depression was. I'm trying to take a break from Cymbalta now, in fact any anti-depressant. The withdrawl symptoms are very rough, even though I am weaning myself off of it. I find that fish oil and high B vitamins help.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-04 08:01:42
Question/Comment:
I was recently taken off Lyrica and put on Cymbalta. Since then I have gained 10 pounds and seem to have a great deal more pain. It has helped with the depression and anxiety though. I was on far too many pills (21) and the doctor was trying to get one pill to work for everything. I am also a type 1 diabetic. Is there anyone out there with diabetes and has it changed your readings?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-14 11:55:01
Member Answer/Reply:
all aNTIDEPRESSENTS SUCK BUT WITHOUT THESOME PEOPLE COULD NOT FUNCTION, AFter loosing my job after a head injury and fracturing my coccus that is they had me on all kind of pain medicines which were interacting with each other and making me sicker as time went on...I am at least I can look forward to life instead of hating to see the sun come up...oh it took me 6 years to get the help I needed and to take care of my family and home...
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-03 20:39:52
Question/Comment:
I have a warmer body, Excessive Sweating, Dreams, that later I can't decide if they were dreams or reality, Hypertension and still think that Cymbalta is not working as well as it should for depression. I feel better on this than Prozac though, mentally. I am taking Cymbalta for pain and depression.
Are these things normal side effects for someone taking Cymbalta?
Should I consider trying something else?
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 12:38:17
Question/Comment:
I have been on Cymbalta since 5/08 (put me on 30 mg) for fibromyalgia, didnt seem to work so they upped my dose to 60mg on 7/08, doesnt seem to work for fibromyalgia but some days it does work for my depression they upped my doseage again 10/08 to see if it will help with my depression since I'm now on Lortab for the fibromyalgia.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-11 12:50:30
Member Answer/Reply:
Watch out for the Lortab. I just went off it (broke a rib very painful) and have been on Cymbalta for some time. Lortab really made me dizzy so don't take it longer than you have to. Cymbalta 60mg does help with my fibromyalgia and some neurontin at early PM for neuropathy of my feet (I have MS too) but I am down to 300mg from 600mg because it made me retain water. Better now. Anyway I have been on just about every anti-depressant there is and Cymbalta makes me the happiest. Am worried about weight gain though.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 06:42:16
Member Answer/Reply:
first I would have your doctoc check a vit D level on you. I work in the medical field and just learned being low on Vit D can make you fatigued and also have all over body pain
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-21 03:31:36
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced an increased heart rate on Cymbalta? I have been on it for three weeks and though I can't say I've had a turn around of my anxiety/depression, I feel subtle changes that give me hope it is working. I started on 30mg for a week, and have now been on 60mg for two weeks. I experienced very few side effects, but have noticed an increased heart rate of about 8-10 beats per minute. I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-06 04:40:28
Member Answer/Reply:
I've been on Cymbalta (120mg!) for a little over a year. It has done wonders for my depression and has had the wonderful side effect of reducing my migraines by about 80%! I have definitely felt an increase in heartrate though. And sometimes I feel much warmer than everyone else around me. I've started exercising more and I think that has helped with the increased heartrate, or at least makes it not bother me as much.
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-11 16:06:32
Member Answer/Reply:
I started sweating a lot more after taking Cymbalta. Sweat pours off my head and face when doing just a little bit of activity.... It is really embarassing and there is not anything I know to do about it. It is worse in the summer months. Also, I am more warmer than anyone else around me. I rarely need to wear a coat.
It is not a hot flash...as having a lot of heat hit you in the face....
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 12:22:08
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on Cymbalta 60 mg for a several years..... I have been overweight for more than 15 yrs... and did not have a problem with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, (Hypertension) until I started the Cymbalta...... I definetly feel that the Cymbalta is the cause of my Hypertension, but I am still on the Cymbalta. I take Inderal for the Hypertension and migranes, which has the high blood pressure under control....
I quit taking Cymbalta for a month or so, (under the doctors knowledge)... then decided to go back on it, at which time I could tell that the Cymbalta was really helping with my Fibromyalga.... It still helps me with the pain.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 12:05:55
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Cymbalta for about almost a year now. I do have shortness of breath and my heart does tend to beat faster, but I don't know if that has to do with my 'weight gain'. I am taking Cymbalta for depression from going thru Menopause (twice). One the usual way and within a year of starting meno I had a hysterectomy which put me back into meno! I have had weight gain due to hormones going wacko and the Cymbalta. The heart palps might be a good reason to see your doctor. Good Luck
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 06:03:10
Question/Comment:
Has anybody else had problems with Cymbalta and alcohol?
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-24 11:55:45
Member Answer/Reply:
You are not suppose to take depression meds and alcohol, it doesn't help the depression. I have personally had an experience with depression meds and alcohol, it ended badly, I passed out, and went into shock and almost went into a coma. I was lucky to have a friend who was an EMT and knew what to do. I was only 16 years old when that happened. Be careful, and if you're going to drink then stop taking the depression meds.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-30 11:48:32
Member Answer/Reply:
don;t mix anything w/cymbalta or any other meds-read back of any labels lately
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-05 16:06:53
Member Answer/Reply:
the women who relies on the insert pamphlet is wrong and you should lisen to the pharmacist who is impartial about the drugs he/she sells. The doctors get kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies to promote and write scripts for certain drugs therefore they are pro-drug!
Research on the internet, or have you no common sense to get other people, that are not in a controlled study, will tell you without biais for any drug snd the side effects of each drug will effect each person DIFFERENTLY!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-06 04:36:39
Member Answer/Reply:
I've had problems with drinking since I've been on Cymbalta. I'm usually fine unless I drink too much and then I am disproportionately hungover the next day, as in throwing up the entire day after drinking and my head wanting to explode. My psychiatrist didn't seem too concerned about alcohol when he started me on Cymbalta, just said to remember it is a depressant and not good generally for depression. But since my last major hangover (which I don't think I deserved after 6 cocktails) I'm going to stick with beer and wine and moderation.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-11 16:15:50
Member Answer/Reply:
Are you for real? You must NOT mix any antidepressant with alcohol. You are endangering your health doing this. Cut it out!!
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 06:44:05
Member Answer/Reply:
I have a problem with alcohol while taking Cymbalta; however, I had a problem with it before I started taking the drug.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-13 09:32:18
Member Answer/Reply:
You are not supposed to mix any anti-depression drug with alcohol. Look at the warnings on the label. I suggest that if you have depression that you do not take alcohol as it is a depressive. Cymbalta is mainly used for depression and Lyrica for fibromyalgia. I become very sedated with the both of them. I also sweat a lot in the head and face and go hot and cold but have some hormone problems. I have also gained over 80 lbs. in one year. I am a depression eater so the medicine does not seem to help with that problem.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-18 17:26:57
Question/Comment:
i was taking zoloft for 3 years for anxiety and depression, and it worked very well for me. 6 weeks after the birth of my daughter it stopped working, even after a dosage increase. i have severe post partum depression and anxiety. my dr. switched me to 60mg of cymbalta 3 weeks ago. i am still feeling depressed and now have read so many negative things about this drug, it's side affects and withdrawal symptoms that i am now very worried that i should have started on another antidepressant. i have nausea all day every day, and i just feel lost... i can't tell if it's the drug or the depression. PLEASE, ADVICE? SUGGESTIONS? i am always scared, i just want this to be over! i miss the zoloft and wish i new what drug would work as well as it did :(
26 year old female
27 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-06 18:49:16
Member Answer/Reply:
i was having break thru anxiety with lexapro and my dr prescribed cymbalta for me. i think you need to give it a little more time. you have hormones rushing thru your veins from your pregnancy. be patient. i think time will only tell. good luck!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-20 18:58:01
Member Answer/Reply:
65 year old female. Had been on prozac for yeare with serzone. Depression returned after death of spouse . Been on Cymbalta 7weeks with 20mg of prozac. The sweating has been a problem for meand tremors. At one point into the medication I felt so much better I was willing to tolerate the side effect. Now not so sure.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-26 09:39:39
Member Answer/Reply:
I would just like to tell you to not be scared. As far as Cymbalta is concerned "It really works well".I have been on and off of antidepressants for the past 12 years. I have also tried zoloft and it worked, but it got to a point that it seemed as if it relieved some of my anxiety and some of my depression. So i found that CYMBALTA is a TRUE MIRACLE WORKER!!!! I understand when you said that you are scared, because i have been there. But there is no drug that doesn't have side effects.But i can say that i was feeling sick everyday. I would start feeling as if i had to throw up and then it was if i had to hurry and lay down before i faint or etc. But once i started the cymbalta i'm sooooo much better. So think about it and weigh your options, i think you will be glad that you did.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-03 21:33:19
Member Answer/Reply:
Hello my name is 54, F-,i have been on cymbalta since 2004, this med saved my life-i was so far into depression,,mulitpe deaths of family member-a divorce,an eviction from my home,i can go on-on,,i was referred to a great shrink,who put me on cymbalta, asap--was the best, for me and my situation,it took 1wk & 1/2, to get into my system,but when it did--i started sto feelingike,myself-I no longer-felt like that bird,tail up-head in a hole--stick w/cymbalta--it w/help ya--i thank my doctor--to this day--i send her a thanks card-and she moved to FRANCE,that;s how thankful i am==
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-05 16:02:58
Member Answer/Reply:
I would sincerely recommend psychotherapy for you. in addition to medication. Find a good therapist that is familiar with post-partum depression. Your OB or midwife should be able to direct you.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-12 06:46:52
Member Answer/Reply:
After my son was born, I found that the antidepressants that worked before my pregnancy didn't work the same way afterward. My doctor and I are still in the process of adjusting my medication to deal with the post-pregnancy changes. Are you in therapy/consulting a psychiatrist and not just seeing a primary care physician? It sounds like you need some ongoing help figuring this out. And how long ago was your daughter born? Things do change over time, so hang in there, and keeping working on it.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-23 09:59:05
Question/Comment:
60 mg of Cymbalta has caused severe urinary retention. It is hard and painful to urinate and my bladder does not fully empty. I also sweat real bad with a crawling skin feeling just before the sweat hits.
I also get extremely vivid hi-def nightmares and I cannot go back to sleep afterwards. Cymbalta has done nothing to reduce migraine pain and getting off of it is challenging. The brain shocks are a bit disturbing but I have grown used to them.
I will never take this med again.
46 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-05 12:39:12
Member Answer/Reply:
I was taking cymbalta and the side effects are awful. I will never take this drug ever again.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-15 14:47:18
Question/Comment:
I have taken Cymbalta 60mg for a few years now. I love the way I feel when taking this medication. I take my pill before bed and don't have any side effects. The only side effect I have noticed, is if I forget to take it, I get "brain zapps". (anyone who has stopped taking paxil, knows what I am talking about.)
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-02 21:35:07
Member Answer/Reply:
how long did it take before you noticed a difference? are you taking it to treat depression? any side effects in the beginning??
27 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-07 19:45:28
Member Answer/Reply:
it took aboit 1wk & 1/2 to get into my system-it was then that i had the desire-to bath--in the beginning ya might gain a pound,but that soon leaves ya,cause your able to get back to what ya like best--best pill,that came along
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-05 16:05:21
Member Answer/Reply:
Hi
Doc has just changed my med i am taking xanax now cutting back on my cymbalta
one every other day for 10 days
i tell you at he middle of the day when i have not taken the cymbalta the brain zapps are so bad i dont like to even move.
and i am only taking 60mg a day.............what if i was taking 120 i would be nuts
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-13 17:20:17
Member Answer/Reply:
I know exactly what brain zaps are like - a cattle prod in your head. Horrible. I got them when a doctor told me to go cold turkey off Lexapro or Celexa - don't remember which.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-20 17:29:34
Question/Comment:
I have been taking cymbalta/duloxetine for about 6 weeks now to treat panic attacks and anxiety, I don't know what's worse, having panic attacks or these side effects. I've had excessive sweating, nasty vivid dreams one where I could see my mouth and tongue swelling up and when I was awake and looking in the mirror it still looked swollen to me. My head hurts pretty much most of the time, but I keep getting sharp pains that last a few moments (which fuels my anxious belief that I have a brain tumor - I know it's irrational yet still have these thoughts).I could go on but I seem to have so many side effects.
What really bothers me know is that I feel I dont know what is real anymore, Is it me or is it the drug? I don't know where my symptons start and my side effects end, plus I still feel incredibly panicky, the drug just stops an actual panic attack fully developing
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-30 05:26:37
Member Answer/Reply:
I was given samples of Cymbalta by my Dr. and told to take 30 mg per day for one week then to take 60 mg thereafter. By the 8th day I was in the Critical Care Unit and was totally OUT OF MY MIND! I was seeing things, hearing things, talking to people that were not even there...I can not even begin to explain what happened. I lost my mind and am still trying to figure out how and why this adverse reaction had occured. Yes, it did help with my fibromyalgia but at a huge cost to my mental health. I am seriously upset and angry that this happened. Would I tell anyone to try this? NO....unless you wish to risk the horror that I experienced!
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-16 22:02:28
Member Answer/Reply:
7 years ago my husband was put on Lexapro 4 stress/anxiety. 3 days on the Lexapro, he had a suicide attempt. He was admit 2 phsyc. fl @ the hosp, taken off Lexapro&ret'd quickly 2 his happy, love of life self. Fast forward 2 end of 2009, stress/anxiety + 3 mos sleep deprivation (2-3 hrs. per night if even that)& he was put on Ambien CR w/30 mg Cymbalta. 5th night on it, he died from suicide. He just turned 55.This may b rare but the ONLY time he was suicidal was while on these meds. B careful!
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2010-02-22 00:06:29
Member Answer/Reply:
I have the headache all the time issue, the sudden sharp head pains, no motivation to do anything and don't know what is depression and what is Cymbalta (combined with Lunesta, formerly combined with Ambien).
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-20 17:40:21
Question/Comment:
After my heart attack in 2000, I was having a lot of problems with anxiety and depression, so my cardiologist put me on Xanax. That seemed to help me control the anxiety, but I was still very depressed. For that reason, my family physician added Cymbalta to my medications.
The Cymbalta has done an excellent job of keeping my depression under control, although it took a couple of weeks to reach a therapeutic level in my body. I generally take the Cymbalta after supper, which helps me unwind, and then I take my Xanax before I go to bed since the two of them together make me pretty sleepy.
I am a farmer, and approximately 6 months ago I started to notice that after only about 1/2 hr of work I would begin to sweat profusely with the slightest exertion. Although I would try to stay hydrated, the constant profuse sweating would cause me to rapidly lose my stamina. I had to take frequent breaks to lie down, and if I did not stop working, I would develop heat exhaustion, which would make me unable to work.
I discussed this problem with my family physician, and she told me that profuse sweating could be a side-effect of Cymbalta. I told her that in my line of work, I could not afford to work for only 3 or 4 hours a day before I became unable to work due to heat exhaustion. She recommended I try to stay on Cymbalta, since it had controlled my depression so well.
I attempted to continue, but found the profuse sweating and heat exhaustion quite debilitating, so I decided to try to wean myself off the Cymbalta to see if the sweating and heat exhaustion would stop. Unfortunately, within about 3 days of stopping the Cymbalta, I began to have very loud ringing in my ears, dizziness, and vision problems. I decided the withdrawal symptoms were more debilitating than the side-effects of the drug, so I started back on the Cymbalta and the withdrawal symptoms disappeared, although I still have the profuse sweating and heat exhaustion problems.
Now my family physician is going to try me on citalopram to see if that will control my depression while avoiding the profuse sweating and heat exhaustion problems.
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-24 13:06:26
Question/Comment:
I got off Cymbalta rather quickly. I took 60mg for 5 months, 30 mg for 1 week, then every other day, then I quit taking it 6 days ago - now I'm dizzy, and a little confused, is this normal?
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-16 08:31:35
Question/Comment:
I have been on Cymbalta for about 2 months. I took a couple of weeks to really tell any difference,but I seemed to feel alot better. I didn't even seem to have as many aches and pains as before.But the last few weeks,I've noticed some different symptoms. My hair is falling out more than should be normal,(I'm a hairdresser for 20 yrs so I know what it should be),and I have been having a lot of lower back pain. Could this be due to the medication? I noticed another person mentioning back pain.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-14 10:07:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Although back pain wasn't specifically reported, about 5% of iGuard members taking Cymbalta reported muscle pain when they were surveyed about side effects. The product labeling for Cymbalta does not list back pain or hair loss as side effects. Hopefully other iGuard members will post a comment if they have had similar experiences with hair loss and back pain and taking Cymbalta.
Posted: 2008-09-24 16:03:28
Member Answer/Reply:
Cymbalta, like Effexor for me, caused intense muscle pain everywhere in my body. It took me a little while to figure out what it was. I was stiff and had no balance and on an incredible amount of pain medication. I got off of it as soon as I realized it was causing me so many problems. I has only been a couple of weeks being off of it and taking a dosepak of steroids and I am beginning to feel much better. Now my goal is to get back into shape because I lost a lot during the three months I was on it. I would say if your back pain started at the same time or shortly after taking Cymbalta, it is possible there is a connection. Before coming off the drug, I would recommend trying to do back strengthening exercises. They don't take long and if it is just a regular back problem, it will go away or get better, if it is Cymbalta, they won't.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-12 13:55:54
Member Answer/Reply:
Yes,I myself too have hair loss from taking cymbalta.I've been taking it for 8months now.I started with 60mg ,and just recently my doctor changed it over to 30mg,which I've been on for about 7 days now.It started out with the top of my hair breaking off,now the back of my hair has completely fallen out.I don't know what to do about this.I'm hoping this lower dosage will stop this hair loss.I also have frequent urination & short memory.If I would have known this before taking this drug,I would have never started taking it.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-21 03:29:04
Member Answer/Reply:
I take Cymbalta and Lyrica for peripheral neuropathy. When I turned 50, I started going through "the change", and 1 of the signs I noticed was loss of hair. (My hairdresser saw the amount of hair lost after shampooing). You might check with your gyn. Good luck!
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-02-05 00:39:35
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been on the Cymbalta since 11/08 and within two days I felt a difference in both pain and how I mentally feel. I did experience the hair loss and was very worried but it stopped. No my hair is fine. I am still doing well on the Cymbalta. I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease and nothing seemes to help the leg pain. I did the series of shots and that helped with the severe nerve pain but there was still another lingering pain that nothing was touching. This has helped. I also began taking a generic of requip and the two combined, makes me feel like my old young self again.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-03-02 13:30:34
Question/Comment:
I take it for fibro, it took about 3 weeks, along w/muscle relaxer. I have had no problems.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-29 12:03:27
Question/Comment:
I am on Cymbalta for nerve damage pain due to diabetes, I am also on the following for other problems, Ativan, Requip, Linsinopril, Insulin, Plavix, Vytorin, Tesslon Pearl, and am feeling like crap most of the time..The ativan I am certain is helping my severe panick attacks, but I feel like all these drugs combined is having a bad effect on my body and actually making me sicker...I have no energy, big time pain in my lower back and over the past year or two have not been able to wake up with an alarm clock or if woken up by a ringing phone or sudden noise, my whole insides start to shake and it is scaring me...The doctors don't see that there is a problem with taking all this medication so I don't really know...Help
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-23 03:32:43
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Since taking medications is a balance of getting the positive outcomes you want while trying to minimize troubling side effects, keep talking to your doctor about the side effects that are troubling you. Your doctor should be willing to adjust your doses and treatment plan to help you get the most benefit with the fewest side effects.
Posted: 2008-08-29 15:33:55
Question/Comment:
I was recently put on cymbalta. It helps with pain. I am not sure about depression. Sometimes I think we need to quit all medication and let our bodies flush out the toxins. But then, where would we be with our blood pressure, diabetis etc. etc. etc. I heard blood pressure meds cause type 2 diabetis. Could be true, I have both now. Sometimes I just wonder what to do.
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-20 14:47:45
Question/Comment:
How long does cymbalta take, to start working?
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-12 15:29:21
iGuard Answer/Reply:
In general, it takes several weeks to reach the full effect of medications like Cymbalta. However some patients notice a difference sooner than that.
Posted: 2008-08-13 19:52:28
Member Answer/Reply:
It took about 3 to 4 weeks for Cymbalta to begin pulling me out of my depression.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-22 17:37:32
Member Answer/Reply:
it took about 2-3 wks for me to see the effects & i am still really happy that i take cymbalta b/c i have a chronic nerve pain condition that wasnt being managed very well by this one doctor(a real bozo). when you have a chronic pain condition you become depressed from dealing with the pain on a 24/7 basis. so once i started getting relief from the constant pain i started noticing the depression wasnt as bad & i started getting a more positive attitude,getting out more & doing activities that challenged me mentally. dont give up on the cymbalta, be patient & give it time to really starting working for you. keep your chin up & you can email me anytime you want to if you need anything: angelfirern56@yahoo.com
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-23 01:34:20
Member Answer/Reply:
it took about 3 weeks and gradually uped the dosage, i am on 60 mg
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-29 12:05:16
Member Answer/Reply:
My doctor swears this is impossible, but Cymbalta resolved my knee pain in one day. I left his office almost unable to walk, and by the next day I had no knee pain. (5 knee surgeries, they are just a mess). 60mg. I take it for depression and the knee pain, for 18 months at this point.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-10-20 17:32:41
Question/Comment:
cAN cYMBALTA,CRESTOR, AND LEVOTHYROXIDE INTER ACT WITH EACH OTHER.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-10 18:51:29
iGuard Answer/Reply:
No drug interactions were found in the iGuard system - however, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Also, please be sure to check for drug interactions for ALL of the medications by entering all of your medications you are currently taking into your iGuard medication profile.
Posted: 2008-08-11 17:40:30
Question/Comment:
I was given Cymbalta to help with back-pain and the depression I was having. I had 2 back surgeries which both went terribly bad. Twelve hours after taking the Cymbalta, my head was splitting, I was clammy, shaking, my heart was racing, when I stood up, I almost passed out. My co-workers said I was white as a ghost almost gray. I began throwing up. This was after 1 pill, I took a 2nd at the correct time and everything got worse. Needless to say, I stopped the medication. It took 3 days for the symptoms to go away. I have since been told, I could have died from these side effects.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-10 09:29:11
Member Answer/Reply:
what you experienced wasnt a side effect but an allergic reaction to cymbalta. not all allergic reactions cause hives,swelling,itching,etc. i am very allergic to halcion(antianxiety med) & i black out & have a psychotic reaction but none of the hives,etc. a side effect is anything like nausea,drowsiness,trouble urinating. also, it could have been an interaction problem with another medication you were taking when you took the cymbalta. not all pharmacists or your doctors will spend the time to explain how to take a medication, side effect vs allergic reaction, what not to take together,etc. the best thing is to go to your local bookstore(barnes & noble, dalton's,etc) & buy a nurse's drug reference(there are several) & keep it at home so if you need to know anything(reactions,allergies,etc) it can help you since looking on the internet can be slow goin at times.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-23 01:49:43
Question/Comment:
Could some one please tell me if they have expernised [mental confusion] while on cymbalta.
My husband whhas never had a memory problem has suddenly started to get periods of what he calls 'fog' for brains he ays the words he wants are right there and he can see them but can not say them. If the Cymbalta is causing this we want to know.
Metts at durant.judy@yahoo.com
72 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-07 11:41:43
Member Answer/Reply:
I understand what you are talking about. I am currently coming off of Cymbalta. It worked wonders for me, in regards to depression and anxiety. I started taking it b/c my bipolar boyfriend barely survived a suicide attempt and then left me a month later, so I kinda had a lot going on! I started on 30 mg and still had some anxiety that was being controlled with Xanax. My doc switched me 60 mg and I no longer needed Xanax.
BUT, I did notice that if I missed a dose I would get what I described as "water on the brain". After a missed dose, the next day I felt like my brain was swishing around in water. Then this symptom started even if I was only a few hours late on taking my meds. I had to set my alarm on vacation due to the time change just to avoid this symptom. After some research I discovered that a lot of patients had this "withdrawl symptom" and referred to it as brain tremors.
Regardless, I no longer wanted to be on a medication that I was so dependent on. So my doc took me down to 30 mgs and added in 10 mg of Lexapro to slowly wheen me off. )I have previously taken Lexapro with little to no side effects that I recall.) I had a few spacey, light "watery" days, but nothing too bad. My doc plans this "cocktail" for about two weeks, then will try to take me completely off of the Cymbalta.
Cymbalta was great for my depression and anxiety - really, it worked rather quickly, but I personally couldn't handle the dependence. The water on the brain feeling left me irritable all day, tired, worn out, dizzy, confused and all around not able to really function. For some they may be structured enough that this won't be a problem b/c they take their meds everyday at the EXACT same time and in that case the good definitely outweighs the bad. Anyway, to each their own in their path to good mental health. Good luck!
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-20 11:47:19
Question/Comment:
I was on EffexorXR 150mg for 10 years. It was not working as well as it was so My Cr. changed me to Cymbalta (same type of drug) on 30mg I felt awful, like withdrawing from the Effexor, on 60 mg, I feel much better. I hope it continues to work for a long time.
51 year old female
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-06 15:29:53
Member Answer/Reply:
I was on Effexor about 150 mil and I was told that this drug is very bad. At 150 you would think that amount would help with my severe depression and anxiety but it didn't so I got off of it and started taking cymbalta 60 mil and I feel it needs to go up, it has helped me a lot and I just want my daughter to up my mil to 90 because I still feel pain and I still get depressed.
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-18 20:38:07
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