Started on 60mg of Cymbalta on Saturday September 25, 2004.

Side Effects for me so far are...

Fatigue
Sleepiness
Dry Mouth
Thirst
Some Nausea
Decreased Appetite

Not bad for an antidepressant. The sleepiness and fatigue seem to be improving.

Well I am still in the start up period only 6 days.  But so far these are my side effects:


Tiredness
lightheaded
foggy
jittery

I just began taking Cymbalta and my side effects are:

Insomnia
Nausea
Dry Mouth
Pupils dilated often (no joke!)
Dizzy
Weight Loss

I've been on Cymbalta about 5 weeks, and am past the nausea, but have constipation and heavy sweating.  Have to get back on the Metamucil, I guess, and hope the weather here in Orlando gets cooler soon.

I am also constipated.  I also noticed that I have been feeling pretty keyed up lately.  I mean all kinds of jitterness going on.

My turn.

Tiredness, especially during the evening.  My battery runs down to 'E'.  I'm sleeping better, though.  Not waking up 2-3 times a night.

Constipation--really have to be sure to watch that I eat roughage.

Sex drive????  What was that?    :rolleyes:  Same as when I was on Lexapro.

It still outweights the symptoms, though.  I give it a plus.....  


Oh, forgot the dry mouth.  I guess I'm used to it after all this time.  Water bottles on my desk at work, in my van, coming out my ears.  It gets pretty intense at times.  Feel like 'Dry Gulch".  LOL!  60mg. for about 4wks.  Hope some of these go away.  

I am currently on Lexapro and am probably going to swith to Cymbalta in mid December (if the Doc agrees).  I am experiencing alot of hunger with the lex and was wondering if anyone was having an increased appetite with Cymbalta?
thanks:)

No diference. I was on lexapro for 15 mo., and tapered over to Cymbalta in two days with 5mg. for two days, then to 30mg. for a week, then 60mg.  It's in one of my earlier posts.  I had dry mouth for about a month.  I didn't notice much with the side-effects, and think I made the transition rather easily, considering I got sick right in the beginning with a virus.  Ugh!  It didn't stop me.  I went to Cymbalta for depression, anxiety and to cover a pain disorder.  It's doing a great job!    

Thanks JKM,  I have the same symptoms as well as a bit of Bipolar II and OCD thrown in for good measure..  I am taking Depakote for eh BPII.  It is nice to talk to others with the same/similar issues.  I had spoken to my local pharmacist about Cymbalta and his response was it is just another PROZAC,  didn't give me much confidence in his abilities.. :withstupid:
thanks

"It's just another Prozac"....LOL!  O wonder if everyone is going to be on it, then.  My doc said it's touted for lots of things,  but i haven't heard the list, yet.   I was only our of a couple of weeks, when I asked for it, and I'm now waiting for the sales rep to come in where I work with the lunch thing so I can ask them what all they're using it for.  

I had a phamplet I left at wirk and it said it was good for pain associated with depression, plus stomach upsets, headaches, and things that people don't realize intensifies with depression for some of us folks.  I have a painful arthritic condition, and it makes my muscles ache.  This med took most of that pain away.  I'd say 90%, but the arthritis in my joints is still there.  I can use less Motrin for that pain, and not have the horrible burning, so it's better, because I get lots of acid when I obsess over my junk, and thus, get some added relief that I never had on Lexapro.  I also had lots of jaw clenching, as I had one ton of anxiety with my initial depression, and the Cymbalta is doing a pretty good job of reducing the anxiety, too.  I'm sleeping pretty good, (an initial problem), and not feeling quite as depressed.  I'm wondering about going up to 90mg., if that would cover the residual symptoms better.  I'll have to ask my doc the next time I get in there.   I don't know if anyone is on 90mg. yet, but it seems to me I heard someone was..  That's the biggest problem with this med....It's so new that no one seems to have much experience with it....  We just keep floundering away....    I still don't have a whole lot of motivation, and I'm hopeful that an increase would help this.  It's still wearing me out to look at things I need to get done, and lots easier to take a nap, than to drag through doing them.....  Don't you just love depression?  It spills into everything you do.....

I am definately experiencing the jaw clenching thing with the Lexapro, I have even chipped a venier(cap) due to it.  I to have alot of anxiety and ocd (which is worse as the anxiety gets worse or is it the other way around???? :D Thanks to all of you who have been taking this new medication and writing about your experiences,  it has given me hope that it may work for me? I am tired of not enjoying life and being so negative...

With this being a new med the jury is still out about the long term effects.  Are you thinking this med might push you into mania?  I know that some of the other SSRI'S are know to do that.  Do you know your triggers and symptoms well enoough to try this?   I imagine lots of people would be interested in this, if it doesn't do that.  I had an initial dx. of panic disorder when I went on Lexparo, and it took months till it took the anxiety down enough that I could get off benzos.  I went on Cymbalta in two days, and had a couple of intense feelings of anxiety, but the med has covered that symptom, fine.  I hope you have great success with this if you doc allows you to try it!    :hearts:

I am not to concerned about it pushing me into a Manic state.  When I was taking 225 mg of Effexor xr it wasn't an issue and these two meds seem to be pretty close. I know that when I get overtired, stressed etc. that the symptoms seem to come out.  Mine are mostly quick to anger and wanting to run (mentally at least) from bills, work, family etc.

I get to that place, too.  I wish things were different, and don't have enough energy left to make many changes.  I usually pick up a good book, and let it roll off while I relax.  It didn't get in a jam over night, and will take a lot of careful thought to change......

Started on 30 mg Cymbalta, cutting down to 5 mg. lex for next two weeks then 30 mg Cymbalta only

only side effects so far:

anxious
increased sweating (could also be tied to anxiety)?

I am looking forward to this and hope that it works well. :p

When do the effexor side effects curb?  Been taking 37.5 mg daily (before bed) for 3 months.  While severity of adverse effects have decreased, they're still terribly uncomfortable - jitteriness, nausea, sleeplessness, blurred vision, inability to focus on tasks at hand, inability to focus clearly/deeply on single thoughts, faint feeling and extreem nausea after exercise.  While the side effects are a drag, can certainly appreciate the benefits.

I can't take mine in the evening because the side effects are so strong that it's easier to work through them.  I couldn't sleep with this going on.  The first time I tried it, I was up till 4am, and had to go to work at 8:30am.  Have you tried taking it in the am?  I'm on 60mg., and I take mine before or after I get to work.  I don't have any of the problems with side effects.  I sleep pretty well at night. (It's hard to to tell with all the stress I'm under.  I guess it's good that I can even sleep.)  I've been on it for about three months.  MAybe dry mouth, but I'm not a bilg water drinker, anyhow, so this is not a BAD thing.......    :santagrin

 Oh!  I wanted to tell you      to the forums!  Someone else form the big  'Heart of it All!'

I have been reading some of your posts and it's been really helpful. Let me give a brief background about myself. I have had sleepwalking and night terrors since I was 3, later in my early 20's developed what they then called borderline manic depressive disorder and have since developed anxiety and panic attacks. I also believe I have ADD which I haven't had the $$ to be treated for yet.
I was given a few different drugs when first diagnosed but really didn't give them a chance until a few years later when I was put on Zoloft. I was on that for approx. 8 years and ended on a dosage of around 300mg a day. I went on to Effexor XR which has been great for the last 4-5 years until recently. I have noticed I've been getting more depressed, moody and exhausted. I have always had trouble staying asleep also.
Today my Dr. informed me she is switching me from 225mg of Effexor to Cymbalta. I will start taking 150mg tomorrow for a week, then 30mg of Cymbalta for a week and then 60mg.
I'm worried about a few things...
Weight which is always an issue with me
Being anymore confused than I already am &
Having even less energy.
I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this and respond.  :)

Glad you came to join us!  I hope you have success with this med!  Keep us informed aboout how you do with this.  Most common side-effects are stomachache/headache when starting, but that seems to go with most antidepressants. I have not had any weight gain, and would welcome this, as I loose weight when I get depressed... I've never gained weight with any of them.  I initially had panic disorder and depression, then GAD and depression, and I noticed one day being a little rough when I tapered off Lexapro to Cymbalta, but have not had any panic attacks.  My doc said the transition would go easy since they were both similar meds. (2 days). Come see us in the Anxiety and Panic room!    :hearts:

Thanks for welcoming me! I will be checking out many of different areas around here cause it's nice to finally talk with people who understand.
I wanted to also add that recently I've been grinding my teeth when I drive and probably at night (which i've been known to do anyway) more. I hope the new meds don't make that worse. Thanks again!! :turkey:

I clamp my jaw when I get anxious, and it really got out of control when I was on Lexapro.  I'd wake up with the worst headaches!  I'm more aware of it now, and it's not as bad.  Another one of those anxiety-driven symptoms.....  Remember to open your mouth and stretch your jaw muscles. Ibuprofen does wonders when it gets painful.

I've always wondered what I'm stiffling to say when I do this, but it's common.  Maybe scream my head off? LOL!    :wwww:

Now that you've been on the Cymbalta a while, how's it helping with the pain over time, Jackie?

Hi Grayyce,  I was on 225 mg of effexor xr and then went to Lexapro because I didn't like the brain zaps and memory problems. Now I am like yourself started on 30 mg of cymbalta with a possibility of increasing to 60 mg. Will be interesting to see how we both do with this new med.  I am very hopeful, welcome aboard. :grinning:

Thanks guys! I'm already going into panic mode though. My moods are so bad, short temper and anxious. How do you deal with lowering your dose and then switching to another drug on a low dose? I'm worried about my behavior. This happened last time I switched meds before also. I know I'll be fine, but tell my brain that lol.  :withstupid:

I went through this when I first started ad's.  After about 3wks. of feeling like I was coming apart at the seams, I let the doc put me on Ativan.  Maybe a call to your doc would be in order.  No one wants to feel that uncomfortable while adjusting to new meds.  It's difficult enough wait for the mood lifting effects to kick in...  Take care!  

((((((((((((((((((((((((((Grayyce))))))))))))))))))))))))))    :hearts:

Well last Saturday I started taking 150mg of Effexor coming down from 225mg to get ready to start Cymbalta in one week. So far it's been hard to work, I'm very foggy/cloudy, can't seem to put 2 and 2 together. I'm also just not myself, feel like I'm shutting down. I know it will get better, it's just sooo hard to work this week, especially with Christmas coming up and work being doubled certain days. Anyway, I'm taking it a day at a time.  :sadwalk:

((((Grayyce )))))

It is difficult to say the least...Hang in there sweetheart..hopefully it WILL get better!

Grayyce:
It was and always is hard for me to switch a/d's, hang in there and keep working the day at a time.
Keep talking/writing  :D

Karen,  I think the Cymbalta pooped out for the pain and cramping.  It was so bad Sunday night, I was up all night and couldn't go to work--I could hardly walk.  I'm not depressed and it's working on the anxiety very well.  I need to get back to the doc about this physical pain, though.      :cry:

Grayyce,  Sorry you're having such a difficult time switching meds.  It's no picnic......  Are you taking it in the am or pm?  I know Christmas is a big stressor for most of us.  No time to do anything, and so much to do....  All for one day!  It's diffficult when you work to get things together.  I don't get the 'spirit' till it's all over, then I can relax.  

Daddo,  How are you doing with this med?  What's your dosage now?    :santagrin:

I've been taking my meds in the pm. I've always done that because I can't seem to remember them in the rush of morning. What would be the best time to take the Cymbalta when I switch?


Thanks for everyone's support! :)

I found Cymbalta to be too stimulating to take at night.  I tried it once, and was awake till 3am.  I take mine before I go to work, or at work if I forget.  (I know it's easy to forget, too.)  I've taken it at lunch with no problem.

Thanks Jkm, I have been thinking about switching to mornings anyway because of the trouble I have sleeping. I used to have trouble falling asleep, now it's just staying asleep without waking up, tossing and turning.
This past week I've had a few dreams which were very wierd to say the least. The meds have kept me from having night terrors and sleepwalking for around 8 years. I've only had a few night terrors in that time and no sleepwalking which has been a blessing due to the fact that it started when I was 3 and made it outside of our home. When I was in high school I made it halfway out my window onto the roof before my mom caught me. In college I just tied my leg to the bed after running out of my dorm in my pj's.  :sleep_1:

Anyway, I'm hoping this will help. I wanted to go to a psychiatrist to be re-evalutated just to make sure I was being medicated for the same thing I was diagnosed with so long ago but when I scheduled the appointment I found out that even with insurance the appointment was going to be $130! My regular doctor prescribed the Cymbalta. She is actually the Nurse Practitioner, but I trust her and relate to her better than my non-listening doctor. To make matters worse, I was also going to the psychiatrist to get tested for ADHD. I think I may have that on top of everything else. Now I'm not sure if I'll ever find out what all is wrong with me.  :p

Sorry for spilling my guts, but thanks for listening.  :blah:

Well, depression can make sleep difficult, and med changes sure get the vivid dreams started.  

I'm wondering if you've ever been treated for a sleep disorder?  Read up on this, if you have time.

As far as the high fees for a pdoc, could you be seen at a community mental health center?  They usually go by income.  I can't imagine paying that much cash if I had insurance!  It sounds like your insurance doesn't pay much for psych problems.  I know that most don't.  Another failing in this business......  

In 1991 when I spent a week in the psych ward they kept me up all night and tested my brain waves or something but said there was nothing wrong...whatever that means.
I'm pretty sure something set them off around the age of 3 or earlier and if I find out what that is, then maybe it would go away. Who knows. :)

I have no idea what that was.  When you go to a sleep lab, you are wired up and they let you go to sleep.  They don't keep you up.  They may wake you up if you tear off a probe, but that's about it.  They can find out whether you have some kind of sleep disturbance that does things like keeps you waking up, so you never get any good sleep.  Ssome people have too much obstruction in the back of their throat, and when they get into a deep, relaxing sleep, the tissue relaxes and shuts their oxygen off.  No REM sleep.  We need this to feel refreshed.  I'd think if you had nightmares, they would want to check this out.  Walking in your sleep must be some sort of a disorder.  Do you still have episodes of this, and what does the doc tell you about it?  As for the huperactivity, it's usually dx.'d  at 6yrs. old and schools usually are the first ones to address it, if it hasn't been dx.'d by your pediatrician.  I'm older, and there didn't seem to be all the hyperactivity back when I was in school, but it does exist.  I have a girlfriend who has 2 boys with it, and going to her house when they were little kids was an experience......  :wwww:

Do you know what your dx. is?  I have depression and generalized anxiety disorder.  It's like depression with a ton of anxiety, and I had panic attacks until I got on medication.  I never thought I was hyper.  I knew I was extremely worried about everything.  Meds slowed my thoughts way down, so I can figure out what to do vs. get all panicy about everything at once.

When I did the sleep test, they kept me up all night then hooked me up with probes but I couldn't relax with the one down my nose. From what I can remember I didn't sleep much and they didn't give me much time to anyway.
As for the sleepwalking, no doctor has ever really cared enough to do anything about it over the years and when I started taking Zoloft in 1992 they it went away so I guess I just forgot alot about it.
The only time I was diagnosed was after my stay in the psych. ward and my rude German doctor called me spoiled and told me I wanted everything handed to me on a silver platter before he said I was borderline manic depressive. I've been told that that diagnoses doesn't exist under that name anymore so I'm not sure what I have. I also added panic/anxiety attacks over the years to my list of disorders. ;)

Now I'm worried that I won't be able to afford the Cymbalta because of it being new and all. My insurance charges me $35 for a month of Effexor xr.
I've noticed I'm more worried this week than normal but that is to be expected. Had a bit of nausea along with bad headaches also. Day by day lol. :)

Grayyce:
I have found that my insurance charges for the two medications (copay) were the same. Check into this before the anxiety of whether it is the same,more, less etc. gets to larg :idea3:e.

Thanks Daddo! I called to find out just what the 10, 30mg Cymbalta's would be and the girl told me she wouldn't know until she charged me. The price without insurance was $30 for 10 pills...ridiculous! I'll find out Sunday how much they should be though. If they are going to charge me the whole co pay amount for 10 pills, I'll get my doc to call in another prescription for at least a months worth of pills so at least I can use them when I move into the 60mg. If it's the same price, why not.

They're $126.00 for 30/60mg. where I get my scripts.  I saw the insurance bill.  I pay top price, but it was on the formulary two weeks after the med came out.    :inlove:

:oh: That's incredible!