... I am on 60 mg of Cymbalta, have been for years and I do believe it helps my depression more than using Wellbutrin alone. I have noticed a very strange reaction if I miss a dose of Cymbalta and would love to know if anyone else has experienced this. When I miss a dose of Cymbalta I have the absolutely most technicolor wild-ass dreams I can imagine. They are the kind of dreams that are near impossible to wake yourself out of, because they seem so very real. I have even experienced this if I take a morning nap and have not taken the Cymbalta. All I can surmise is that the Cymbalta really acts on my brain chemicals in a strong manner. These dreams are never pleasant and they stand out in my mind for days. I don't want to sound like a whiner or a weirdo, but I would really like to know if anyone has had the same experience. I have always tended toward strange dreams (night terrors as a child) so maybe this is a normal variant for me. But sure would love to hear from someone who has the same experiences. Thanks so much!
Anyone have strange dreams when they miss a dose of Cymbalta?
Question posted by LeighBa on 1 April 2016
Last updated on 1 November 2022
18 Answers Page 2
Ha! I didn't have to miss a dose to have some wacko dreams - I would wake people up nightly, screaming at whoever. That was one of the main reasons I did CT on Nov 17. I was getting no sleep at all. I was over 99% of side effects, which includes the brain zaps, zombification, and dizziness, in about six weeks. Never again will I take anything like this.
Not as wierd dream as you described, but I also had clear reaction even if I was Late to take it for half a day. Now I am trying to stop it, I have been off for a week now and I am so scared of side effects.
Yes, 100%! I'm terrified to miss a dose or go off of Cymbalta partly because of this. I also have always had a tendency to dream vividly, often having nightmares, even as a child, but missing a dose or going off of Cymbalta gives me night terrors and the worst nightmares of my life. It's awful and I know what you mean that they can stay with you for days.. They can put a grey, depressing color over your whole day! I do believe this is a fairly common withdrawal effect of Cymbalta. I understand how awful it is and wish there were something to help!
SweetLuck,
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing the same thing I do. There is no question in my mind it is due to the drop in Cymbalta levels in my brain. And that kind of concerns me, if that drug can give me such horrible night-terror like dreams, what else is it doing in my brain. Sometimes I find myself using drugs that I have been prescribed and regretting it because of a side effect that I had no idea about. And, unfortunately, because of the timing of my Cymbalta refills I quite often have to go without until my SS check comes in. And I do DREAD those nights! Have you found anything that helps with the nightmares? I guess the main point of this message is that I worry about what else Cymbalta is doing in my brain. It must be a very potent brain chemical to inspire such dreams... the kind that you cannot get out of, you know you are dreaming, but you cannot shut off the dream. It is an awful feeling. Good luck to you, thank you for replying, and I wish you all the very best! Be good to yourself.
Absolutely, I know exactly what you are talking about. It is 2 am & I just woke up from terrible, vivid nightmare. Just missed 1 dose yesterday. Usually, if I miss a dose I wake everyone up screaming & yelling (yelling curse words--I never use curse words when awake). As you said the dreams stick in your mind for days. I do not recall having nightmares as a child. Have taken Cymbalta for years. Hate these side effects but don't think I could get off of this because don't think I could tolerate a nightly episode of these scary ordeals. However, I did take another medicine before Cymbalta (don't remember name at the moment) and in some respects the side effects were worse because would wake with panic-type attack feelings that was so severe I would not allow myself to go back to sleep. It was so bad one time & I was out of meds I considered calling pharmacist a 4 am to get a refill.
I have another problem that seems to be related to taking Cymbalta, especially if not taken early in the day, if I forget until midday--- I awake in middle of night and am not able to go back to sleep. So sleep better with missing a dose but deal with terrible nightmares or take consistent and not sleep the whole night through. Does anyone else have problem sleeping through the night if dose not taken early in day?
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cymbalta, wellbutrin, depression, reaction
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