Cymbalta for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• LizaMac
• April 30, 2016

"I started cymbalta at 24 and I'm now 32... I changed to them after I had my first born but from 18 years old I was on Luvox! Yes first year or so I felt the cymbalta helped me a lot. More then the Luvox ever did. But for about a while now I really have noticed the bad things.... I get a migraine if i haven't taken one by 6pm. I get snappy and angry if I just miss one day... Last yr i Kept forgetting to take my scripted into get filled. After a few days I was yelling and crying and dug myself in a hole! I couldn't get out of bed the war in my head was so bad! My fam even called doctors on me because they were that worried.... The doctors advice was to go back on my cymbalta and start councelling! I want to change it but I hate it!"

• Anna...
• May 15, 2017

"although OK when I first stated to take this 30mg caps, then increased to 60 mg daily...after some years , I am showing more signs of tiredness, confusion, anxiety, hot flushes, and forgetfulness and general mental decline, and still get depressed, among symptoms....am truly concerned about this, as is my Husband and children (as I am not yet 65 yrs old)...and have always been in good health. I do not smoke, do drugs, and very seldom drink alcohol...."

• Madib...
• May 22, 2015

"Don't take this drug. Just don't. My Dr told me nothing about the side effects or how potent it really is. I took it for a week and I felt like I was cracked out the whole time. Total depersonalization suicidal thoughts weird head pains, chest pains, vomiting and completely drained of energy. After only taking this for a week the withdrawals were horrendous and I was only on 30mg. Brain zaps, palpitations, chills, insomnia, sweating, diarrhea and the list goes on. Worst two weeks of my life. I can't imagine what coming off this drug feels like when you have taken it long term. Do not take this drug "

• Livvy
• January 18, 2021

"Cymbalta is the best anti-depressant I have been prescribed since my diagnosis of MDD in 2016. I have been taking 90mg nightly shortly before I go to sleep. With my depression, anxiety creeps up on me at night, causing severe insomnia. In combination with Trazodone, my body actually gets a full 8 hours of sleep. Though there are downsides, around 12-16 hours after my dosage, I do feel the same unpleasant thoughts creeping up on me, yet very much have improved. With Cymbalta, missed dosages WILL NOT go unnoticed. Physically, my body rejects sleep, loss of appetite and tremors come back after 24 hours without a dose. Brain zaps and skin tingling are unpleasant, and taking this medication every day is vital to preventing a relapse. To me, the pros outweigh the cons. I am alive! At one time, as I was newly prescribed Cymbalta 14 months ago, I didn’t see that as attainable. Nighttime is helpful for me, and time of day to take this drug is an important inquiry for your psychiatrist."

• Zenbo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2018

"I have tried so many medications for my depression and anxiety and nothing had worked. I was hospitalized as I was feeling suicidal and the Dr thought right away that Cymbalta would work for me. It did! I also suffer from migraines which have improved as well. Starting up on the med was okay, but after 4 weeks I developed insomnia that lasted six months and finally went away. The meds also make me crave sweets in the evenings and I never had a sweet tooth before. I’ve heard other similar stories. My anxiety has also improved and I am currently tapering off of Clonazepam. I continue to get healthier on this medication. It offered me the crutch I needed to take care of myself, practice coping techniques learned in therapy, and get better."

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2020

"18F. I was recently diagnosed with MDD, but have had symptoms of this illness since at least 14. When I turned 18, I was recommended Cymbalta by my PCP. I started at 20 mg daily for 1 month and was bumped up to 40 mg after. Though I don't necessarily regret taking this medication, it was most definitely NOT for me. My depression worsened and I experienced intense emotional blunting/dissociation. For a good 2 weeks, I did not get out of bed except to use the bathroom. No showers, no brushing teeth, not much eating. My anxiety shot through the roof. A 20 minute trip to Costco left me in the fetal position on the bathroom floor for 2 hours, sobbing. Suicidal ideation increased, I got closer to a suicide attempt than I ever had before. I started abusing Adderall again. Libido was ok, definitely lowered a bit though. I quit the medication cold turkey, the withdrawal symptoms weren't too terrible - likely because my dosage was relatively low. Keep fighting the good fight, everyone."

• Nick
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2020

"I haven't been on Cymbalta very long it seems to be helping my major depression I was put on Wellbutrin first and the anxiety I didn't know that I had went off the rails. The only side effect that have noticed is a strong bitter taste when ever I eat."

• Dscot
• April 20, 2015

"Helps with depression but my doc has had to increase my dose to keep up with my depression. I guess I get used to the drug & need more. Huge weight gain -- 18 pounds over 2 months after the last increase to 120 mg. but I guess I'd rather be plump than crying depressed forever. Zero libido but that might be my age (65). I hope I can decrease the dosage as I learn to cope with specific life events largely related to my Dad's death and my mother in a nursing home (nightmare). No help with anxiety & doc prescribed Xanax for that. No difference in back pain. In summary: helps depression, but I gained weight & lost interest in sex & other things. Does not help pain and does nothing for my anxiety."

• Savan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2019

"I did well on Cymbalta, but it did not completely help my depression. It was very helpful for anxiety. My doctor recommended going off of it and gave me 10 mgs. of Prozac each day to help with the discontinuation syndrome. It was very helpful and I recommend it. After trying other medications, I am back on Cymbalta. Still helping my severe anxiety but depression is still an issue for me."

• Keno
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2019

"Diagnosed with GAD and MDD last year and I was put on this Cymbalta along with Mirtazapine. Was on 60mg Cymbalta initially and had severe anxiety because of it, I believe I had serotonin syndrome on one occasion. Additionally this medication make me feel completely numb. Weaned myself off after only 5 weeks on it and it was tough, can't imagine what it's like weaning off after using for a longer period."

• musza...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 22, 2015

"Was one 60 mg for 4 years, had some relief from panic attack with depression. Had some rough times job related, medical issues not related to above, and doctor increased to 120 mg. normal dosage is no more than 60mg according to insert in med bottle and Internet. After 3 years on this dose it quit working. The withdrawal was the worst thing ever. During taking Cymbalta, I developed diabetes. Withdrawal took 8 months and pdoc gave me lamorigine, an anti seizure med for withdrawal. As I tapered off my diabetes went away! Pdoc denied Cymbalta caused it. I googled it and proof, all SSRI's can cause hyperglycemia! I've tried everything from Prozac to lexipro. Same crap. Now on transidone and back to having normal feelings"

• Gigi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2017

"Have been on multiple antidepressants in my lifetime, all were duds. They caused weight gain, fluctuating moods, extreme sadness. My doctor has recently prescribed me 20mg of Cymbalta, after 2 weeks I will switch to 40mg, 20mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening. After reading reviews online I am hopeful, as everyone has reviewed it mainly positive. Currently after being on it for 5 days I am experiencing MAJOR nausea. I can barely breathe without wanting to throw up everywhere. Thankfully, a coworker has given me "phenergan", which is used for nausea, but it is a prescription pill. I called my doctor and explained that this has helped, and she refused putting me on another prescription just to treat the side effects of Cymbalta. SOS!"

• cluel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2018

"I have Gen. Anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder. I took this med 5 days. I would not recommend this to anyone. The side effects were unbearable. I'd talk about mine but they already cut them. They rushed the testing time for side effects and rushed thru FDA. This med is also found addictive so come down dose slowly if you need to stop. God bless to those ppl that it helped."

• M76
• May 26, 2015

"Been on Cymbalta now for approximately 1 year. My moods are stable, less pain, generally feel better. However, one side effect is unacceptable. On this medication, I feel like I am no longer male. Less desire, followed by greatly reduced sensitivity, as well as inability to maintain an erection longer than a minute make married life most difficult. I tried to come off the drug. It is extremely difficult. Dizziness, light sensitivity, horrible headaches, and extreme irritability."

• rat
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2023

"30mg / 3-4 months. I was on Lexapro before I started Cymbalta. I switched to Cymbalta because I was experiencing anger and emotional blunting. Starting Cymbalta, I was able to finally 'feel' my emotions. I could sad cry, happy cry, and I was able to be more empathetic and patient. But here's why I got off Cymbalta. I still had those moments of suicidal thoughts, the ones where your psychiatrist will cock a brow. They weren't horrible or consistent and these thoughts were short-lived. I also am in therapy. My sex drive was nearly non-existent. I used to use Maca Root supplements when on Lexapro, and that would work to get me going. Even on Maca, it was nearly IMPOSSIBLE to have the drive. I even felt disgusted with the thought of sex. Cymbalta withdrawal was the ABSOLUTE worst. I never felt so weak, clammy, nauseous, and sick. However, the withdrawal symptoms only lasted about 2-3 days. I did not experience any hypomania coming off Cymbalta like I did with Lexapro. Also, dry mouth was so bad."

• Zae
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2018

"This medicine gave me nothing but brain zaps and nausea. This medicine has a very short half life so make sure to take your meds within 20hrs or you will feel sick all day long. Getting off this medicine was worse than getting on. It took me months to get the nausea, brain zaps, insomnia, and headaches to stops."

• Brand...
• September 6, 2016

"I can not take this medication due to the fact that you use dyes, I am allergic to them and can not take them, yet manufactors seem to think there is no problem with using dyes. Why not use natural materials like beet juice for color, get away from the dyes, they are not healthy for us."

• Macyyyy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2016

"Do not give to people under 18 the black box warning is true I was put on this when I was 16 (I'm 19 now) and it made me want to kill myself to the point of hospitalization. Even though that side effect may be rare it does happen. Do not think it won't happen to you or your child because it's so rare. Im blessed to still be alive today. It makes you messed up beyond words. Should never be given to young kids. It ruined my teenage years. It ruined it!!! I am dead serious too!!!"

• Disco...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2022

"I was on cymbalta for over a year. When I started, I had significant fatigue which I countered with Adderall. What I wasn't aware of at that time was the intense brain fog and impact on my cognitive abilities. It's difficult to be aware of changes like this as they are happening. I noticed memory problems such as not recalling conversations with my partner, and forgetting tasks at work. I realized the extent of the impact only once I decided to stop taking Cymbalta. I tapered off very slowly as I had read the horror series of others quitting too abruptly. Even slowly, the cessation was difficult. Its now been over 6 months since I quit and I am still dealing with insomnia which I believe is an after effect caused by Cymbalta. I would warn people against taking this medicine as the memory problems alone are not worth it, especially with so many other medicines on the market. Take only as a last resort for significant depression. The trade-offs aren't worth it for mild cases."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2019

"Cymbalta does its job for depression, but with possibly some of the worst side effects I have had from a medication. If I start taking this or upped my dosage at any time, I am vomiting and sweating with terrible stomach pains. Withdrawals do exist with this med, and they make you shake a LOT. It keeps you from doing anything harmful but leaves you in quite a daze and sometimes unable to feel emotions."

• Dogli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2021

"I was on Cymbalta for over a year at 60 mg. I asked my doctor to adjust my dosage due to depression getting worse, I had a reaction to it. Then the doctor wanted me to tamper off of it in a 4 day period. The dosage caused another reaction. I am now on day 4 of withdraw. I am have to be on a medication to help me withdraw. As well as the new anti depressant doctor put me on. I feel so very very awful. I strongly recommend you do not take this medicine. It does more harm than good."

• Emano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2021

"I have been struggling with GAD and MD for a long time now. I have been on most all antidepressants for one things or another and Cymbalta was by far the worst as far as side effects. I had pretty bad side effects with effexor as well so it is possible that class of drug for some reason does not agree. Cymbalta made me feel really high when I first began taking it, my pupils became enlarged. I even call the emergency psychiatrist after hours but was told my body was just adjusting. Cymbalta sent me full blown into a state it was horrible. I also had the strangest pain in my head, almost migraine like but throughout my whole head. I became delusional and had very strange beliefs during that period. It helped my chronic back pain, however, the benefits were outweighed by how it impacted my neurological functioning. Terrifying experience!"

• Relief
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2020

"I suffer from many things: depression mostly, chronic back pain, cervical neuropathy, panic attacks, major insomnia, and high anxiety. I have tried almost everything under the sun: Zoloft, Mirtazipine, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Lexapro, and now Cymbalta. None of those other medications have helped me. Last night was my first night taking Cymbalta. Normally to fall asleep, I have to take a “cocktail” of meds (zzzquil, benadryl, Advil PM, Ambien- you name it and I’ve taken anything to help my insomnia because I just want one night of good sleep). I was reading all these terrible reviews which scared me, and although I have only taken this med once and the side effects probably haven’t hit me yet, it was the FIRST night I was able to turn my tv off and fall asleep. I slept great!! No cocktail! Insomnia: check! Now let’s see if it can help with chronic pain and depression. I am rating this on the lower scale because it has only been one day."

• TonyT...
• August 28, 2021

"On cymbalta 60 mg for 5 years. At 11 months I was hospitalized with myocarditis. I continued taking it as doctors said that there was no connection. Although I had my doubts . Still have. It made me into another man, I was fearless, full of energy, it cured my depression and GAD - it is a real motivation drug. But not forever. Liver enzymes and cholesterol high. I decided to stop taking it cause I got scared of these side effects . My doctor helped me. I had the worst time of my life for about 2 1/2 months. The withdrawals are unbearable. Brain zaps, vomiting, headaches, insomnia, fatigue and tinnitus. I was prescribed clonazepam to control side effects. I'm off for about 7 months and I feel like I was living in a dream for 5 years on this drug. I don't know if it's good or bad. Was this the real me, or just the drug changed my brain function? For sure it helped me but not without price. I am frustrated. Either you are mental healthy or physical? Be careful if you are on Cymbalta and drinking alcohol. It makes you more resistant"

• Ann
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 19, 2022

"I have been on Cymbalta since it came on the market. Over 15 years. It saved my life. I have to use brand name as generic does not work for me. If you have long term depression a few temporary side effects are nothing compared to getting your life back."