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:
Been on it mainly to help with my Peripherial Neuropathy pain, along with Lyrica and Morphine. I DO have a severe anxiety disorder and take Xanax 3 mg CR daily and Cymbalta has helped with breakthrough anxiety but no notice on the pain yet. My blood pressure was never a prob. until I started Cymbalta....and the weight gain is not great either.
46 year old Male
Posted: 2008-07-09 00:29:51
Question/Comment:
I am just starting on Cymbalta for severe fibromyalgia pain. I feel really good on it, but it keeps knocking me asleep! I fell asleep driving with no indication that I was drowsy, and since then have been afraid to drive. Is this jsut a temporary side effect that will go away? I Am at 60 Mg dosage and it has worked wonders for Fibro pain and Depression.
I am a 62 yr old female .
65 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-07 18:02:06
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Cymbalta is usually titrated up to the recommended dose for fibromyalgia of 60 mg once daily. Treatment is often started at 30 mg once daily for 1 week to allow patients to adjust to the medication before increasing to the higher dose. Thus, some patients will feel side effects lessen over time.
Some patients may even respond to the starting dose - if the side effects are concerning or don't get better, it might be worth a discussion with your doctor about adjusting your dose or changing the timing of your dose so that the side effects do not affect your daily activities.
Posted: 2008-07-08 16:58:14
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I have just gone off cymbalta. I was on it for over 3 years for fibro. Initially I felt it work well. But as time went on I developed a lot of weird allergies and allergic reactions. Now that I am off of it the side effects of withdrawal are not fun. Nausea, dizzyness, feet and hands hurt (weird I know), upset stomach. If I move too fast I get dizzy and lose my balance. I sure hope all this mess clears up before school starts up.
Oh and guess what , I sleep better now. Who would have thought? I am not taking any other meds and hope to stay away from as much as possible so I do not get trapped again.
Posted: 2008-07-12 23:46:24
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
i am getting ready to enter study on cymbalta for fibro are you still taking and is it still helping?
Posted: 2008-07-17 13:08:01
Question/Comment:
Cymbalta was no friend for me. I suffer from chronic pain, depression, and severe panic. When I was on it personally, I became uncontrollably obsessive compulsive. So much so that I knew I had a problem, possibly exacerbated by my other meds i'm on that I switched to prozac which has helped me tremendously. Cymbalta did nothing for my pain but from what i've heard it's doing wonders for others. Cymbalta was just not for me. GC
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-28 11:14:16
Question/Comment:
This drug has helped me a lot but the most serious side effect that I have faced and I never see reported from other people are massive headaches and a big increase in blood pressure: from 110/80 to 150/90. Please someone tell me why this is ocurring.
38 year old female
39 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-26 22:17:33
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Initially when I started I had horrible headaches. So lowered my dose and went very slowly to get it into my system. Then the headaches abated.
Don't bother asking Eli Lilly for any info....they only tell you what they want you to hear.
Posted: 2008-07-12 23:48:33
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
i dont think it is the durg have your blood pressure checked by a doctor high blood pressure could make you have bad headaches
Posted: 2008-08-06 18:32:11
Question/Comment:
WHAT IS THE INTERACTION WITH TRAZODONE?
60 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-24 01:39:38
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Both of these agents block the uptake of serotonin. Taking both of these medications may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious condition whose symptoms include altered consciousness. confusion, muscle twitching, poor muscle coordination, shivering, dilated pupils, sweating, higher blood pressure, and increased heart rate.
In general, the use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible - otherwise you and your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms of side effects and periodically review the benefits versus risks of using both of these medications together.
Posted: 2008-07-07 21:54:47
Question/Comment:
is there a particular reason why most of the people's comments about cymbalta are mostly from women?
44 year old Male
Posted: 2008-06-22 11:23:06
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
In regards to fibromalygia, many more women have the disease then men.
Posted: 2008-06-22 14:02:36
Answer/Reply:
This is because it is for treatment of fibromyalgia which predominently a woman's disease.
32 year old Male
Posted: 2008-06-26 07:59:06
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
It may be that women are more interested in sharing their experiences with others in online health environments.
Posted: 2008-07-07 16:15:40
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Cymbalta did not work for men that had fibro. Only for women....interesting huh!
Posted: 2008-07-12 23:50:32
Question/Comment:
On Cymbaltafor 1 month,this week having moderate back and let pains. Side effects? Helping with depression alot though. Do I need to wean off this drug?
64 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-19 12:41:04
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Muscle spasms and muscle pains have been reported by some patients who use Cymbalta. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing any medication as using medications is always a balance of the benefits and risks.
Posted: 2008-06-19 19:20:33
Question/Comment:
I had horrible side effects with this drug. Not only did I have extreme nausea (losts 17 pounds in two weeks). But I also have lost some of my eyesite. My Dr. said that I have lost 50% of my vision since I started taking it (two weeks). On the positive side I have never felt more happy or even feeling in my life. So if you do take this drug be very very careful with your sight. Monitor it carefully. The doctor is not sure if I will ever regain my sight. So far no improvement (2 weeks).
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-06 23:01:03
Question/Comment:
I am on Cymbalta 60mg. I love it... I have fibromyalgia and deep depression that I am battling and I sometimes suffer from migraine headaches as well. This medication was part of my life for years and then I became disabled after a heart attack and our insurance changed from my employer's coverage to my husband's. His insurance would not pay for several of my regular meds including Nexium I was taking for "killer GERD acid reflux". They made me go through several medications that did not touch my condition. I found that I was licking baking soda with my meds for any kind of relief. My current insurance has finally agreed to allow me my Cymbalta and my Nexium and I am so relieved. I never had any problem with bad dreams or becoming lethargic. My fibro keeps me out of action on its own
61 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-05 19:02:47
Question/Comment:
I've been on and off antidepressants for about 15 years. I started on Zoloft, moved to Prozac, then to Paxil, then Effexor, and now for the last 4 years I've been taking Cymbalta. This is the first drug that actually seems to make a difference in the fog depression causes. The side effects are a bit daunting at times... the worst is the dizziness upon standing, which I've learned to live with but is extremely annoying. I can't say that I've ever really had "happy" dreams, but the nightmares are occasionally scary and rather bizarre. I'm also going through the hormonal swings of menopause, which added to chronic depression can make life miserable! No antidepressant is a miracle cure, and I'll no doubt be on one drug or another for the rest of my life, but at least most days the depression is under control. All in all, I'm thrilled with the results I'm getting.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-05 10:43:00
Question/Comment:
I was on Zoloft for 8 years until the depression started coming back along with the anxiety. My body had become use to Zoloft and it didn't work for me anymore. I wasn't me anymore so my doctor put me on Cymbalta, 60mg. I could not believe how fast it worked for me, within a week or so I was coming back to being me once again. Only someone who has been depressed knows the hell it really is. My depression is genetic, and I think I will be on anti-depressants for the rest of my life. I don't mind cause I am me, not that other person. Shame it is so expensive.
65 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-23 00:04:22
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
i had a question as to how you actually made the switch from Zoloft to Cymbalta. I too have been on Zoloft for 8 years and it doesnt seem to have much of an affect on my anxiety anymore. my doctor has advised me to stop the Zolft & being Cymbalta 30mg for a week and then move up to 60mg. The problem is that i made the mistake of reasearching Cymbalta on the internet before I even started taking it. I read all sorts of horror stories and severe side effects and more. I am now freaking out because i don't know whether to start the Cymbalta as prescribed because of fear that it will make my anxiety worse and may not help me at all ...I REALLY need feedback as to the specifics of how to start the cymbalta doses. Should i slowly ween off of the 100mg of Zoloft and then start the Cymbalta or should i just get up in the morning and take the 30mg of Cymbalta instead of the zoloft???? and one more thing, what is the best time of day to take the Cymbalta??? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!
Posted: 2008-07-16 18:52:18
Answer/Reply:
Yes it is expensive. I cannot afford it so my doctor gave me samples for the month. I dont have insurance but when I went to my doctor he gave me the application for their patient rx assistance program. You can call 1-800-545-6962 and they can direct you on where to find the application online. You only have to fill out the application, include your tax return for the previous year. If your income has changed from what your previous tax return reflects you only need to send in copies of your pay stubs for the last month. Take it to your doctor for him to fill out his portion and they will send it in for you. The meds come to your doctors office and he distributes them to you. It is a fairly easy process and Eli Lilly (the manufacturer) will look over your application and base it on your income. If you qualify for the program you receive your meds absolulutely free. You can also go to www.ppa.org (partnersip for prescription assistance which helps you to find programs for any meds that you may be on so you can receive them free or at a reduced price. Best Wishes.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-08-05 10:50:29
Question/Comment:
I am being treated for high prolactin levels with Dostinex, which increases your dopamine. I am also depressed and need to be on an antidepressant. I have been on Cymbalta before and had good results, but the doctor wants me to wait for a few weeks before I start taking Cymbalta because he says some antidepressants can cause high prolactin levels. The research that I have done has only revealed that a few drugs used in the treatment of depression/bipolar disorder can cause high prolactin. Cymbalta was not one of them. Is anyone that is on Cymbalta also on Dostinex? I just want to get back to life ASAP!
28 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-15 18:43:01
Question/Comment:
I've tried many meds for severe depression over the years. In the past Zoloft had worked but when I needed to start drugs again (5 years without!) it didn't help much at all. Next Effexor, which helped a LOT for almost two years, but then I started getting worse. My doctor said Cymbalta is the closest drug, and it has helped for the past year or so. I'm not "cured" -- I still have really bad days, but compared to other meds I've tried only the Effexor helped as much. For most medications it seems to take a high dose to help me, so I'm on 120mg.
FYI, I tried using Topomax for migraines while on the Effexor, and it was a disaster. Did wonders for migraines but emotionally I was angry, stressed, short-fused, and miserable. I would not try it again with Cymbalta either; I'm not surprised at the person who couldn't use both. It's too bad -- but severe depression is MUCH worse for me than migraines; both can knock me flat but only the depression makes me want to die.
38 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-09 04:24:22
Question/Comment:
Cymbalta 60mg caused me to lose weight in addition to the Topamax for my migraines but it also made me totally angry all the time. I hate being around other people which is bad when you work with attorneys, who are difficult to be around for the most part to begin with. I made the major mistake of just discontinuing the medication without consulting my doctor for a week. DO NOT DO THIS! I asked my pharmacist and she told me to get back on it immediately. I thought I was losing my mind while I was off of it. I am back on it and will get my doctor to properly wean me off this nasty drug the proper way. The 30 mg was better but for some reason, anti-depressants are not all they have cracked up to be for pain management. The pharmaceutical companies are just using the public as lab rats to make more money without any regard for human suffering. I would love to see the CEOs of these companies have to take some of their own medicine for a while and see how they like it.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2008-05-01 17:00:25
Question/Comment:
I've tried different anti-depressant medicines for the past two years to find one that did'nt
cause me to have nightmares when I sleep.Well I've been on Cymbalta for almost a year
now and I don't have nightmares but I've gained 40plus pounds and I'm not motivated to do
anything at all.I'm a full time homemaker and I used to do volunteer work that was fun to
do,but now I have no interest in it.Next time I see my doctor I want to ask for a change but
he seems to think I'm doing good.I wonder if Prozac is any better?I've never tried that one.
Some days I feel alright and some days I just lay around and I have to make myself get a
shower! I wish I felt normal again.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-30 15:19:38
Answer/Reply:
I feel the exact same way as you! It was like reading my own journal at times. I went to the doctors because I was not myself for a long time, I didn`t want to do anything or like you said even shower because I too am a stay at home Mom. I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 months now and I do not understand because in the beginning I had my hopes up that I would finally feel better and my family once again would see me smile, but after about 1 month I fell into a darkness again. It was hard for me because I thought the old me was emerging, until I was utterly disappointed in myself once again! I am calmer and do see on the brighter side of things again but I haven`t been out of the house in over 2 weeks and I have no want to go out! It is bad because my 8 year old is home with me and I feel like I am letting her down! I have tried many other meds and no relief, I am not sure what to do or what can help. My doc sees me one month I am ok then 2 months later bad again! It is really hard, hard on me and harder on my husband and daughter. I just want to smile and be happy more and want to go outside to do things! Has anyone else been like this before? Please talk to me about it if so because only if you have been through it can you truly understand the disappointment!
30 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-11 00:36:28
Answer/Reply:
I totaly agree I do not have the will or want to do anything and I am finding my self getting angry a lot and it really stinks. I am going to ask my doc to up my dose of cymbalta to 90 or give me something else because I to want my life back and i also gained wieght, I am raising my four and half year old granddaughter and I want to be able to go out and do stuff with her and my husband. I am also taking methadone and oxy's for severe back and butt, legs pain. to behonest I think the oxys works wonders, I ran out until I see my doc next month but when I was on it I had more energy and I wanted to do stuff now that I am out I have been for a few weeks no energy. I have tried prozac almost killed me, I tried zoloft made me very sick, I tried few depression pills and I thouht yes cymbalta is for me and it was for awhile, i will see if my doc will up them if not I want to try something else.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-18 21:18:33
Answer/Reply:
I took Prozac and the thing I found with it which became bothersome was sweating and being hot all the time. I got off it due to that side effect.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2008-08-05 10:55:51
Question/Comment:
I started taking Cymbalta 60mg around June 2007, I felt "vacant." Lowered th dosage to 30mg. Thought I had a stomach virus..nausa, vomiting( very ill.) Since then, I'm really fatigued and unexplained itchy rashes. Also, some edema..facial and feet and ankles. More problems breathing. Don' t feel like doing anything..so very little gets done. This is happening with the lower dosage. This is my 2nd bout with depression. Was treated in the '80s and again starting in '94 'til now..will try Lexapro, again. Wondering, has anyone else had any of the afore said symptoms?
63 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-27 12:27:16
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN TAKIN CIMBALTA FOR OLMOS A YEAR, AND I NOTICED THAT SHE IS A LITTLE BETTER, BUT NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT. SOME DAYS SHE IS REALY IRRITABLE. SHE IS 22 YEAR OLD, SHE IS COLLEGE'S STUDENT, SHE IS TAKIN 60 MG A DAY.
Posted: 2008-04-28 01:28:51
Question/Comment:
If you decide to try Cymbalta please be careful with what other medicines you mix with it, there are a few out there that could increase your risk for siezures. Pretty scary.
28 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-25 02:58:31
Answer/Reply:
IMATREX IS A MED YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ON WITH THIS MED. I GOT PUT IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A WEEK BECAUSE A DRUG INTRACTION.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-25 22:44:02
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
i was taking cymbalta 90 mg. in addition to zoloft 300 mg., abilify 30 mg., and xanax 2 mg....in october 2007 i had a grand mal seizure and another one shortly thereafter..i wonder if the high doses of all of these medications together could have caused my seizure disorder...i had an eeg and mri which confirmed a lesion on my brain...on antiseizure meds now and may be for the rest of my life...please any input would be greatly appreciated...
Posted: 2008-05-14 06:14:39
Answer/Reply:
what othe meds cause siezures I have neuropathy this drug doesn't seem to help I am still in pain
59 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-17 12:08:45
Question/Comment:
take it like it is prescribed for you because this medication really does make you feel alot better
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Just take it as directed by your physician.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
would help to take a month off your job while you adjust to side effects.
50 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
ask about side effects and long term effects
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Make Doctor tell you how it works in the brain.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
it does seem to help some with pain issues in the neck area and i have severe condition and am treated with nerve blocks and other meds,but it works much better for depression and side effects are not as bad as other anti depressents that i have been on,constipation was a real problem before but have no problem with cymbalta,and i also take as instructed,dont start and stop,keep taking and try to take around the same times,i feel this is very important,and when you feel better dont stop taking because you wont feel good for long.
53 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I took effexor for many years and had quite a few side effects. Cymbalta works and I have no side effects.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
make sure you really need it, because it is really expensive
55 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.