Cymbalta works for a variety of conditions. I started taking Cymbalta in 2011 for depression as well as fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I started out at 30mg and gradually increased to 90mg. I had chronic pain sometimes over 10 on pain level. It also covers stress incontinence. Unfortunately the price is high on it and you have to fight with insurance company to cover it. I would recommend it to anyone with pain or depression.

JuanitaPhilbrick

USA

First off, I am not a medical professional. My statements are solely based on my own experiences when using this drug and should be viewed as such. I have been taking this medication for about a year and a half now. I started at the 30mg dose and after about six months, was changed to the 60mg dosage, and remained there. The worst thing about this medication is that it really hurts my stomach if taken without a very full stomach. It should be noted that I DO have two ulcers. It generally takes a lot to get them to hurt like that. That said, I still think the medication would bother me even if I didn't have the ulcers. It does affect sex drive, yes. This seems to come with the territory. It has brought down my desire for sex as well as made it difficult to "finish" at times (FYI, I am female). This is not too big a deal for me, because without it's reduction in my nerve pain, I likely wouldn't be in the mood anyway. The main reason I was prescribed Cynbalta is nerve pain & the depression associated with being a chronic pain patient. I had little to no success with nuerontin & lyrica (all I wanted to do was sleep). It does help. There was a rough month where I couldn't afford this medication and I had to go without it for thirty days. My pain in my hands and feet kicked WAY up after several days off. And it went way down once I resumed the medication. I've seen a lot of concern on forums, etc about withdrawal symptoms when choosing to stop this med. I did not experience the "brain zaps" they talk about, only increased pain. But everybody reacts differently in these cases. So talk to your doctor about this. (Me: degenerative disc disease, w/2 ruptured L4/L5 & L5/S1, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia. Cymbalta is taken with a extended release opiod & immediate (rescue) release opiod - under supervision of a Pain Mgt. Team)

Rjcoleman

USA

Doctor started me off at the 30mg dosage for 2 weeks and then upped it to 60mg.I noticed an immediate pain reduction after just 2 days of taking the inital dose.I was suffering with chronic low back pain on the right side for many years.Vicodin provided little relief so i was elated to finally find something that gave me noticable relief....

daddyfatty1950

USA

Results for "Cymbalta - I had been on and off anti-depressants for many years. 4 years ago I weaned myself of paxil. I usually become immune to any of them after taking awhile so I was hesitant to try this one referred to me by a nurse and psychotherapist. I tried a week's supply. Within the first 2 hours of taking the very first pill I felt like I was going back in time about 30 years ago when I was coming down from speed. I was extremely tired, but couldn't sleep. I tried a pill the next day, and felt like a zombie. These rate as one of the worst anti-depressants out there. I can't understand why the dosage starts off so strong at 30 mg. I usually start off with any meds for depression at 5-10mg so I am sure this doesn't help."

jetskijo

USA

Cymbalta is a wonder drug! no kidding ....i have seen lots of people on utube bitching about it?? and honestly I dont understand? this drug has saved me! I suffered from being an alcoholic with major anziety and depression , I started taking Cymbalta 60 mils which I still take ...it is the best drug ever! and trust me I had tryed them all, the others made me paranoid,& sick, with crazy feelings that i didn't like! let this be a warning - when you first start taking cymbalta you will be very tired for 2 weeks and that is normal, you will sleep like a baby! and you will notice aches and pains are lessened as well, and when it fully kicks in...you will find yourself living life again if you were like me ...."major anxiety" and din't want to so much as walk across the street!! or drive very far from home!! well that has all changed! and I thank cymbalta for that , I am a 41 year old male , so as far as sex drive is concerned it hasn't killed my sex drive ...but i have noticed that I last longer wink' wink' which is not a bad thing at all ...concidering i was a minute man before! THANK YOU CYMBALTA!! I rate this drug a 10+++ the best! VERY GOOD! just wish it was cheaper.

Starstormz

USA

I suffered from anxiety disorder since I was a teenager (am now 34). I was on Prozac for years in my 20's but got off due to the sexual side effects. I tried Pristiq (sp?) and that caused my blood pressure to spike. I was then on Zoloft for a while but quit cold turkey as it made me very drowsy and unable to function. For some reason, my anxiety came back with avengence and I became extremely paranoid of everything around me. I became afraid to take medication, vitamins, etc. After a choking incident, I became afraid to eat food. I literally was going crazy! It was affecting my marriage, my work life and I had no quiality of life. Anxiety soon came with an overwhelming sense of depression and I lost my will to live. I finally got up the courage to take the Cymbalta 30 mg. I was very sleepy for the first week. Then I was bumped up to 60 mg the next and subsequent weeks and was EXTREMELY sleepy and unable to function. But I read that these side effects usually subside and they did after about 6 weeks. Now the Cymbalta is completely in my system and I am happy again. I laugh again. I joke around again and I don't lay in bed crying anymore. My husband says that I am finally the woman he married again. Thank you, Cymbalta.

kyliemitchell

Brentwood, TN

Give it a good try; use Tums or omeprazole for stomach side effects; don't miss a dose; I found taking it at noon works best for me; keep hydrated; combine with psychotherapy. I have been depressed for decades. I am also a recovering alcoholic/drug addict (clean/sober for five years now). I suffered from major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation and attempts, seasonal affective disorder, generalized anxiety, self mutilation, and dysthimia (sp?). I tried paxil, welbutrin, lexepro, and celexa. Cymbalta has finally relieved my depression. I have been on Cymbalta for nine months. I am curious to see how I do this winter - depression is usually worse for me in winter months; this will be my first winter on Cymbalta. I attend psychotherapy and also tend to my spiritual health. The horror stories of Cymbalta kept me away from it. Out of desperation I tried it finally. So glad I did! If and when I come off of it, I will treat it as a med that needs progressive withdrawal measures. I recently started taking clonazepam for anxiety. The combination is working well for me. I take 1/2 tab of clonazepam at night I take 60 mg of Cymbalta at noon. I get flu like symptoms immediately if I skip a dose or am late with a dose. I get occasional stomach upset/burning, which I take Tums and omeprazole to relieve. No other side effects thus far. For me, suicidal ideation was immediately relieved within first couple weeks of taking Cymbalta. Cymbalta also lessens menstrual cramps and chronic lower back pain for me; although, I still take NSAIDS for both occasionally (even though use of NSAIDS is cautioned with use of Cymbalta). I am very pleased with Cymbalta's treatment of depression!

glowinlk

Waukesha, WI

Prescribed for depression and anxiety and back pain 30mg/daily first and then 20mg/daily. This drug was just not for me ...i was on it for 6 weeks ...and i have stopped taken it without telling my doctor. I had severe nightmares,no appetite at all,i felt that my body was always overheated.. and my mood was real bad and unstable. My anxiety was increasing and i noticed that i was isolating myself from people ,and from things that i normally do like working out ,reading, socializing , My dizziness and headache was real bad and i could not get enough sleep. After 6 weeks i felt that my pain was increasing in all my joints and muscles so i decided to stop. After 5 days i already felt better, my mood was increasing and all the side effects that i had just listed were gone...i had no withdrawel symptoms at all. Another thing what i notice was that i could not take any ibuprofen..i throw up and passed out three times. I was very disappointed about the drug because i had heard good things about it. I do not wanna scare anybody but i made this experience and i learned. Thanks and good luck if it works for you.

Dilek10

Decatur, GA

DO NOT TAKE CYMBALTA!!!! Horrible side effects: major weight gain, fatigue, drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms-have to wean off which can take months, after finally getting off symptoms are even worst than when started! Please do not take this drug! Its the worst--please Find an alternative!

NoCYMBALTA

Houston, TX

I am surprised to read negative comments for Cymbalta. I have been on many different depression medications over the years, and one of the qualities of those types of medicines is that for whatever reason, they stop working, and then the patient needs to switch medications. I am very pleased that not only has Cymbalta worked for me, but it has remained effective after 4 years. My symptoms included muscle pain and restlessness in my legs at the same time. All I wanted to do is sleep half the day. Cymbalta is a great help when physical symptoms accompany the usual depression symptoms. People react to different depression medications in different ways. Ask your doctor if he or she would recommend this medication before trying it.

valgale

Orlando, FL