Cymbalta and Tiredness: What Users Say

• JDM...
• June 10, 2019

For Anxiety "Remember this, everyone is different. Find the right medicine for you. I went on Cymbalta 7 years ago after I had an autoimmune disease and suffered from depression & anxiety. It was great. I went off of it for 3.5 years. Now, married with two kids, my life was what I wanted, yet I was miserable-so much anxiety, mood swings, snapping at my husband and kids, no interest in fun activities. I couldn't stand myself. I decided to give Cymbalta a try again (generic version). Initial side effects lasted a week. SO tired, brain fog, no appetite, headache. By day 7, all gone. I can't believe how fast it's working for me. My anxiety is gone. I am calm and easy going. I feel like the best version of myself. I'm laughing with my kids and husband and don't overreact. I actually am looking forward to doing activities and I have been enjoying them. I have been more productive at work and oddly more organized. I've tried other medicine and it's shut me down like a zombie."

• Loz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have anxiety, panic disorder, autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder. Overall, I have had a very positive response to duloxetine. Side effects: There is the initial fatigue & a lot of yawning. That went away after about 3 weeks. I had difficulty peeing during the night. This faded over time. Difficulty to orgasm after I went up to 90mg, this faded after a few weeks. This medication makes my brain work better & gives me a better quality of life and an opportunity to live rather than just survive. If you identify with any of my symptoms & have been recommended duloxetine by your doctor, I say it is worth giving it a try. When it is the right medication for you, it is life-changing! And please don't rush to come off them. If you need them, you need them and that's okay. They are your friend. I feel grateful that science has given me this opportunity to support me."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2014

For Anxiety "I was quick to anger, severe mood swings would yell at my kids for the slightest things. I was ready to punch anybody that would make me mad and (it didn't take much!) I started with Cymbalta 30mg and I noticed a slight difference. I was increased to 60 mg and I felt the change right away. I'm so calm, and I'm back to being a happy mom. I take it at night because it would get me sleepy during the day if I take it in the morning. Some of the side effects I've experienced have been dry mouth, lack of appetite, hot flashes, tiredness! I love this medicine, it has changed my life. The relationship with my children is much, much better too. I no longer have crying spells, and I'm a much nicer person. Try Cymbalta."

• Muc...
• April 30, 2014

For Depression "I had mild anxiety and intermittent depression. I always pushed through and never thought of medicines. My girlfriend suggested I speak to a psych and I started Cymbalta. In 10 days, I had no more intrusive thoughts talking me down, making me stressed, guilty. After 9 weeks, I'm a new man. Small things don't worry me. I am patient and calm driving. I don't wake up for the toilet then stay awake worrying. My relationship is closer. I'm nicer to be with. Con? My libido decreased, and climax is harder to achieve (but more intense). The medicine felt strange (out-of-body) at first, but I got used to that. I drink more water. I yawn in the afternoons. I grind my jaw a bit. I get breathless. I have mild headaches some days. But my life is much better with this medicine."

• Off...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2014

For Anxiety "This medication was a lifesaver for me as it helped me to overcome anxiety at work and allowed me to regain my focus. This also helped a lot with my irritable bowel syndrome issues! Only downfall was the first few weeks where I lost a lot of weight due to having no desire to eat, and I had to switch to taking it at night because when I took it in the morning, it made me dizzy and tired all day. I am taking 30mg once a day and have been on this for about 8 months. Hang in there if you just started the medication because it takes about a month to really kick in."

• Lal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2014

For Anxiety "I started this medication after I basically had a nervous breakdown in June 2013. I couldn't function as a mother. I felt scared & nervous all the time. Lights were too bright. Sounds were too loud. I couldn't deal with all of the things that needed to be done around the house. Started out at 30mg for 2 weeks then went up to 60mg. Made me super tired in the afternoons at first (take around 7am). Cymbalta slowly brought me out of the 'fog' I was in. It took about 6-8 weeks before I could say I felt 'normal' again; whatever that is, right?"

• Gin...
• June 13, 2015

For Depression "My experience on Cymbalta has been rather a positive one. As mentioned by others, in the first 2 weeks, it does have side effects. I felt tired and was a little nauseous. I was put on Cymbalta as the entire country that I live in ran out of my previous medicine. I have suffered from anxiety, OCD, and depression on and off for a few years. Since Cymbalta has 'kicked in,' I have hardly any anxiety and no depression. I think clearly and rationally and not as emotionally as I always used to. I still do not have an appetite, and I have been on this for over a month now. When I sleep, I sleep soundly and am able to fall into a deep sleep as well. I highly recommend Cymbalta and am very happy with the positive effects it has had on me."

• Rem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "While the first 3 weeks were no fun at all, I have since seen and felt an improvement in my anxiety and panic attacks. I am very sensitive to medication, and other medicines would make me dizzy, upset my stomach, or make it impossible to stay awake. The Cymbalta only made me tired and caused me to lose weight the first three weeks. I am on my fourth month on 30's once a day. I take mine right after dinner as they tend to make me tired, but by morning I am good to go. I have since gained my weight back, and I feel better than I have since my anxiety and panic attacks started 7 years ago. In 4 months, I have not had any panic attacks and only feel the starting effects of anxiety, and then it goes away."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 14, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm a mom in my 40s and though my life should have been happy (great husband and kids) I was constantly worried, paranoid, combative, and quick to anger. It took months to convince myself to call a psychiatrist but finally I did. At first she put me on Effexor but I hated it (brain zaps, teeth clenching, nausea, lethargy). I tried to hang in there but after 6 months I asked for something else. She gave me Cymbalta. WOW is all I can say. No real side effects, and most importantly, I'm laughing and smiling again. I don't feel angry all the time anymore, and for the first time in years, I'm calm. I also suffer back pain, and it is seriously lessened with Cymbalta. I pray my insurance continues to pay for it."

• Ipp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 6, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been on Cymbalta since it came to the market in 2000. It was a lifesaver for me, I felt better the very first day! I was on 60 mg for about 10 or 11 years, then my anxiety came back as if it stopped working or my body got used to it. I tried to increase to 90 mg, but it just made me so tired. So we tried to switch to a multitude of medications, but nothing worked like Cymbalta, so I went back on it. Coming off it was a complete nightmare, and I am so much better on it than off. I’m just now trying to up my dose again to 60 mg after just being on 30 mg for the last 6 years. Before Cymbalta, I wasn’t even able to drive a car without complete panic and hysteria. I’ve suffered with this crippling disease since I was young, this was the first medication to give my life back. I don’t know what I would do without it. Honestly, medications are different for everyone, but for me, it saved my life!"

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2024

For Anxiety "I have had anxiety for about 8 years now. I’ve been taking Lexapro for about 6 years and have paired Cymbalta with it. I can honestly say my anxiety is nonexistent since I started it. I had no side effects other than tiredness, but it really does work. This is coming from someone who will go down a rabbit hole of reviews."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I take Cymbalta for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and depression, something I've had on and off for 6 years (I am now 24). A lot of people are quick to write this drug off, and I admit the initial side effects can be tough like nausea and feeling so tired, but after taking 30mg for three weeks and increasing to 60, with the increase I noticed a quick change, my anxiety decreased rapidly, and instead of tiredness I began to experience an almost high feeling which sometimes makes me hyperactive, but surely that's better than anxiety and depression. I would recommend taking it, but give it a few weeks and take the proper 60mg dose before you judge it; it's really helped me, it's got me out of a really bad place."

• Ste...
• December 24, 2013

For Depression "I am extremely sensitive to medications and any chemicals. I get headaches from the chlorine in tap water. I was afraid to take even the lowest dose of Cymbalta, but I swear I felt happier, more talkative, and much less obsessive and less negative within the first day of taking it. By the third day I noticed that I got a little tired about 1-2 hours after taking it, but I was still pleasant to be around and nice to others. I think this is also helping with some pain I've had from a shoulder injury a while back, so that's good too. My mother also takes this for fibromyalgia and she loves it. Good luck!"

• Erz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've just been on 60mg for 4 weeks and the improvement has been great. My anxiety is all but gone, and I can't tell you how good it feels not to worry about every single thing in life. I enjoy things more and can focus longer as a result, absorbing things better, instead of just randomly seeing everything. I was a bit nauseous to start and tired, but it's all but gone as well. I've also lost 2 pounds. Very happy so far!"

• Jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2020

For Anxiety "This drug Cymbalta certainly helped turn my life around. Starting on 30mg, I moved up to 60mg after a week and stayed on that for a year or so. It completely cured my anxiety and helped me sleep. Side effects were difficult to hold on to pee, constipation, and tiredness. Also, bad night sweats. This dose was great for my anxiety but it didn’t keep the migraines at bay, so I was still getting flare-ups about 3 times a week. I was upped to 90mg, but within 3 months, I was back to 2/3 migraines a week. So up again to 120mg. On this dose, I had no emotion; I couldn’t cry or feel sadness or happiness. I just felt numb and weary. But no migraines! The side effects are too much, so I’m back down to 90mg. Migraine is just under the surface and breaks through 1/2 times weekly. The plan is to reduce Duloxetine so my anxiety is under control, and then add in another med to deal with the migraine. I would recommend this drug for anxiety but not quite so good for migraine, so it was a compromise."

• Geo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2019

For Anxiety "Cymbalta saved my life. I went from a severe agoraphobic with stomach pain, heart palpitations, hyperventilation, and insane blood pressure issues on a daily basis to my fully functional self again. I was extremely dissociative before taking this drug and never left my bed because my panic disorder was so debilitating. After about a week on Cymbalta, I was up and moving around in the world. Several months later, I'm now in college with a new job and excelling. I've had 2 panic attacks in the last 6 months. My only complaint is that it makes me very tired, but this is easily remedied by taking it in the evening instead of the morning."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

For Depression "I was terrified by all the comments to even try this drug, but I'm so glad I did. I've had none of the side effects (except maybe the constipation) that sound so horrible, and I feel so much better. Way less negative thinking and ruminating negative self-talk, almost non-existent. I can have a negative thought, but it won't be intrusive and all-consuming like it was before. And I've been on the medicine for less than 2 weeks! I've been tapering off of Wellbutrin since it didn't do anything for my depression, and the only drawback I can describe is that I'm still tired and have a hard time getting out of bed, which I was hoping the Cymbalta would fix (but I think it's a withdrawal symptom of coming off the Wellbutrin). Only time will tell! But so far, the experience has been overwhelmingly good."

• KEB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 4, 2014

For Depression "I got on Cymbalta for depression/anxiety that I had been dealing with for almost 10 years. Cymbalta helped me get myself back and feel great again. Recently, I weaned from the 60 to the 30. I noticed I was feeling very tired (despite 9 hours of sleep) and unfocused at work with low energy. Once I changed to the 30 I noticed a HUGE difference. After 5 years on Cymbalta I am weaning off the medication. Going from the 60 to 30mg was a nice transition and I am confident about weaning off it completely. Everyone has a different experience with the medicine and how it will affect them getting off it. I am glad I took this medication. It saved my life."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For Depression "Cymbalta ruined my life. In the span of 3 weeks, I managed to black out, tried to run away and change my name, I quit my job, and attempted suicide 3 times and luckily failed. I had urine retention, extreme headaches, blurred vision, no energy, and couldn't fall asleep."

• My...
• March 24, 2014

For Depression "After 2 weeks (60mg/day) I am pleased with this. I had constant dysthymia, black periods lasting a few days, breaking into tears for no reason, not coping, couldn't see a way out, hopelessness. I couldn't tell my partner everything: she needs me to be strong. She knew anyway. The medicine leveled it all out. Only 2 weeks but the depression is gone. I even felt briefly euphoric today. I am easier to be around. Calmer. Negatives: a strange dissociative feeling, sort of out-of-body, as if hearing myself talk slowly, dizziness, an itchy rash on my hand, dry mouth, general tiredness, lethargy in bed in the mornings, no erectile problems, but problem reaching orgasm. If these moderate in time, then my 7/10 score will increase."

• Fae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I was put on Cymbalta to combat the mood and pain problems associated with fibromyalgia. It dilated my eyes, which led to light sensitivity and headaches. I also grew steadily more and more exhausted and confused and foggy. I was depressed. The doctors insisted that the side effects would abate after about six weeks, but they were so debilitating I had to seek out disability accommodations at school and drop one of my classes. After about a month, I woke up one morning feeling very strange, and a few hours later had a seizure and sprained my jaw and have had jaw pain ever since. At the emergency room, they told me that the Cymbalta was the likely culprit. Essentially, this drug made my life unbearable."

• pat...
• October 2, 2007

For Depression "I have been on Cymbalta for about six months. In the last two to three months, I have noticed blurring of vision, agitation, excessive tiredness, change in behavior (also noticed by my husband), insomnia, nightmares, excessive sweating. I am on a blood pressure medication HCTZ, and it states in the side effects that you need to be monitored if on a high blood pressure medication, which I have not been. It does work great for my depression, but the side effects are outweighing the benefits."

• lib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2014

For Depression "I was previously on Lexapro, but it made me tired and unmotivated. I switched to Cymbalta one week ago, and it's already working! I'm only on 30 mg, but my doc may want me on a higher dose depending on how I feel after a couple of weeks."

• dan...
• February 18, 2014

For Depression "I started taking Cymbalta and I noticed a difference immediately! I felt more relaxed and happy in general. I take Lamictal for bipolar disorder and after finding that medicine alone not being enough, my doctor prescribed Cymbalta. I've been in a pleasant mood with my family, friends, and at work. Not stressing out about leaving the house or having a busy schedule and getting anxiety about it. It has also helped with my lower back pain I have been dealing with for the last 3 years. It's only been 2 weeks and the only thing I can say is, I seem to yawn a lot and have less of an appetite. If it messes with my sex drive and lowers it... I'm off it."

• Jon...
• May 19, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I suffered from crippling anxiety and depression for 8 years, in and out of hospitals, ECT, nothing seemed to work. I just felt absolutely hopeless. Even the sound of birds hurt my ears. I was so deep in the darkness and tried everything. Every med. You name it. Then Cymbalta came along. It took a long time to kick in. 12 weeks, but when it finally did, it killed the anxiety. It came with crippling fatigue, though, for the first few weeks, but it was amazing to sleep without panic attacks for the first time in years. I just countered it with a ton of coffee. I have been taking it for 9 years now, and it is really messing with my stomach and intestines. It didn't for the first 5-6 years, but now it's bad, so time to get off it. First week weaning, and it's a real tough go, dizzy as heck, brain zaps, really weak and tired, can't focus, grumpy for no reason, but it will pass if I push through. Even with the hard withdrawal, this med gave me another chance at life when I needed it."