Has anyone ever been on Cymbalta? My doctor wants to add it to my current meds (prozac). I read it can cause liver damamge. Did anyone ever gain weight on it?
I had a terrible reaction from Cymbalta and started to have suicidal thoughts and admitted myself to the emergency room. I have heard it works well for some people, I think it was just the wrong med for me. How is it working for you so far?
I have experienced NO weight gain from Cymbalta. That's a first in pych meds for me.
Carina-1
Carina-1
Haven't started it yet. I read all the info and am thinking it may not be a good idea. I already take another medicine which can effect the liver and according to the info so can cymbalta. Too risky I think.
MY COUSIN COMMITTED SUICIDE 5 DAYS AGO AFTER BEING ON CYMBALTA FOR about 6 WEEKS. PLEASE RESEARCH. 13 PEOPLE COMMITTED SUICIDE DURING CLINICAL TRIALS. TYPE IN CYMBALTA SUICIDE RISK IN YOUR SEARCH ENGINE AND READ, READ, READ. I MISS MY COUSIN SO MUCH, AND I DON''T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO SUFFER THIS KIND OF LOSS.
Many medications can cause Liver damage, just make sure to get your liver checked (liver profile) before you go on it. You may also be monitored by lab tests while you are on it. Many of the medications also have side effects, but don't let that stop you from taking them, because one persons side effect isn't someone elses. Try to take meds with positive feelings that you will be feeling better in a few weeks, instead of thinking about the "what ifs" because that will only cause you great anxiety.
I found this clearly stated info about cymbalta on the internet:
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a Cymbalta overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, agitation, seizures, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.
What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cymbalta may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Cymbalta and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
· chills or fever;
· unusual bleeding or bruising;
· a rash or hives.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Cymbalta and talk to your doctor:
· headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· difficulty concentrating;
· constipation;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· weakness;
· increased sweating;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Cymbalta?
• Do not take Cymbalta if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Wait at least 5 days after you stop taking Cymbalta before taking a MAOI. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Cymbalta if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Cymbalta before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
• Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· an antiarrhythmic such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol), and others;
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· venlafaxine (Effexor);
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphe****ne (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphe****ne (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
· a quinolone antibiotic such as trovafloxacin (Trovan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
· quinidine; or
· a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and others.
• You may not be able to take Cymbalta, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Cymbalta. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
bev
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a Cymbalta overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, agitation, seizures, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils.
What should I avoid while taking Cymbalta?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Cymbalta may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Cymbalta and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
· chills or fever;
· unusual bleeding or bruising;
· a rash or hives.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Cymbalta and talk to your doctor:
· headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· difficulty concentrating;
· constipation;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· weakness;
· increased sweating;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Cymbalta?
• Do not take Cymbalta if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Wait at least 5 days after you stop taking Cymbalta before taking a MAOI. Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these medicines have been used together. Also, do not take Cymbalta if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Dangerous, even fatal irregular heartbeats may occur if these medicines are taken together. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping Cymbalta before taking thioridazine (Mellaril).
• Before taking Cymbalta, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· an antiarrhythmic such as flecainide (Tambocor) or propafenone (Rythmol), and others;
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· venlafaxine (Effexor);
· a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphe****ne (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphe****ne (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and others;
· a quinolone antibiotic such as trovafloxacin (Trovan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), and others;
· quinidine; or
· a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and others.
• You may not be able to take Cymbalta, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Cymbalta. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
bev
Back in April, 2005, my doctor put me on Cymbalta. I regret ever starting this medication without doing some research on Cymbalta. It has truely ruined my life and I feel much worse then I did before starting Cymbalta.
I have spoken with my doctor since and she encourages me to continue using the Cymbalta as I will feel much better after a period of time from using Cymbalta.
I have done searches on Google since starting the medication and have found that this medication can cause suicide thoughts and so many more problems. I have experienced more suicide thoughts since starting the medication, also feeling anixious and all. I have never had a panic attack in my life until starting this medication.
Cymbalta makes me feel really nurvous, I cannot eat anything without throwing up. I throw up about 4-5 times a day, I have never in my life thrown up as much before.
I honestly would not recommend this medication to anyone and if you are taking this medication, I would get a second opinion from another doctor. Some doctors out there are medication happy and will keep uping a dose and make you even worse then you were before.
I don't trust any kind of medication that claimes to help with depression. I've only found myself and have seen other's get worse over time from taking any kind of anti-depressant.
There are also times where I felt like I was high and or felt like I had about many servings of caffine, after taking Cymbalta. I just couldn't calm down, I had to keep doing something or I would go crazy. I hated that feeling.
Against my doctors recommendation, I stopped using Cymbalta and have found that I am not as anxious as I have been while using Cymbalta. I have also read that Cymbalta stays in your body for a long time and it takes forever for all the Cymbalta to get out of your body.
Suicide thoughts have occured a lot the passed few months. I find it rather difficult to get happy about anything, anymore.
I feel if I have never started using any kind of anti-depressants, I would be much better off then I am now. I have a friend, who at one point in his life used anti-depressants for his condition, and never again would he ever use any kind of anti-depressants, because they have caused him more harm then good.
I have spoken with my doctor since and she encourages me to continue using the Cymbalta as I will feel much better after a period of time from using Cymbalta.
I have done searches on Google since starting the medication and have found that this medication can cause suicide thoughts and so many more problems. I have experienced more suicide thoughts since starting the medication, also feeling anixious and all. I have never had a panic attack in my life until starting this medication.
Cymbalta makes me feel really nurvous, I cannot eat anything without throwing up. I throw up about 4-5 times a day, I have never in my life thrown up as much before.
I honestly would not recommend this medication to anyone and if you are taking this medication, I would get a second opinion from another doctor. Some doctors out there are medication happy and will keep uping a dose and make you even worse then you were before.
I don't trust any kind of medication that claimes to help with depression. I've only found myself and have seen other's get worse over time from taking any kind of anti-depressant.
There are also times where I felt like I was high and or felt like I had about many servings of caffine, after taking Cymbalta. I just couldn't calm down, I had to keep doing something or I would go crazy. I hated that feeling.
Against my doctors recommendation, I stopped using Cymbalta and have found that I am not as anxious as I have been while using Cymbalta. I have also read that Cymbalta stays in your body for a long time and it takes forever for all the Cymbalta to get out of your body.
Suicide thoughts have occured a lot the passed few months. I find it rather difficult to get happy about anything, anymore.
I feel if I have never started using any kind of anti-depressants, I would be much better off then I am now. I have a friend, who at one point in his life used anti-depressants for his condition, and never again would he ever use any kind of anti-depressants, because they have caused him more harm then good.
I've been taking the highest dose of Cymbalta available & haven't really had too many problems with it -- I've been on it for about 6 months so far -- I did have some major problems in my life & was definitely low & feeling suicidal, but I don't think that's due to the medication itself. Remember the Prozac controversy?? I tried to commit suicide while I was taking Prozac, but then continued taking it for a long time after with no problem. The whole reason people are put on these medications is because they're depressed & always have the potential for suicidal ideation -- I don't really think we can blame suicidal thoughts on one med or the other. I've taken several different types of antidepressants, and Cymbalta is the one I've done the best with so far. Read up on any of the SSRI's or tricyclic antidepressants -- all those same warnings are going to be there.
A friend of mine brought this article to my attention:
http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/113/110888.htm
I want to stress that this affects people with pre-existing liver conditions. You should not stop any meds cold turkey without discussing it with your doctors first.
I was on Cymbalta for about 6 months and weaned off of it due to ineffectiveness.
Take care,
Jon
"The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret."
-- Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821-81), Swiss philosopher, poet
-- Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821-81), Swiss philosopher, poet
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: http://www.healingwell.com/donate/
The above is good warning, but so that its available here are the signs of Liver damage, per the link: dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itchiness, abdominal tenderness in the liver area, or unexplained flu-like symptoms. Elevations of liver enzymes may be found on blood tests. The article ends:
Report any Cymbalta side effects to Lilly at (800 545-5979)
or to the FDA's Medwatch program at (800 332-1088)
or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
My daughter (28), who's had her adventure with cymbalta reported here by me, called a week ago, saying she was getting sadder each day. The next morning because she was on her way to counseling, I called Lilly at the number listed below to ask about the decline. They recommended that the doctor increase her dosage to the recommended 60mg/day. Then I called her. Her boyfriend thought she was PMSing, and after he told her what he saw, she ageed. When I explained all this to the doctor, he said to wait and see. It's a week later now, and she's been fine on the same dosage every since.
The other day, her boyfriend and she both had the flu (or food poisoning according to him). She wasn't able to keep the pills down that day. The next morning, she said she had a panic attack. It sounded like she had been easily confused upon waking up due to some unusual circumstances and panicked for a few minutes. I called that into Lilly too.
Anyone taking this drug should call in and report. I was surprised with how interested Lilly was in knowing about everything that was going on. The ladies words were, "We REALLY want to know what people are experiencing." That seems kind of good and kind of scary to me--like the public is test subjects. If so that's all the more reason to call with your report.
bev
I have just gone off Cymbalta after 3 1/2 weeks.
I am taking it for pain associated with Nerve damage from diabetes and Fibromyalgia and arthritis.
This drug should be taken off the market!! 
Not only could I not sleep without sleeping aids but after going off it for 6 days I passed out on a golf course and hallucinated with Flu like symtoms for days!!
I have called my Doctor and she is calling the Drug company.
It also did not help with my pain .
Is anyone out there that has Neuropathy pain from Diabetes and Arthritis and has found a remedy for the pain??
I am diabetic for over 40 years, under control and very active but with neuropathy. 
Funny you should say that about Cymbalta. I took it for several days and thought I would die. I had so much nausea, which is listed as a side effect, that I just couldn't stand it. It made me so sick feeling and dizzy as well. I really wanted to take something for the depression from the change in my life and the "NO MORE WORKING FOR ME" that I spent $50.00 on this drug. I took three or four tablets and I was scared to continue it. The nausea was contant and terrible! I felt I really wasted $50.00 which is my copay for this drug. 
SusieM
Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease, multiple disc bulges throughout entire spine, extruding disc, severe degenerative spondylosis/stenosis total spine and with encroachment and entrapments of nerve roots throughout, carpal tunnel severe in right hand.
SusieMChronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease, multiple disc bulges throughout entire spine, extruding disc, severe degenerative spondylosis/stenosis total spine and with encroachment and entrapments of nerve roots throughout, carpal tunnel severe in right hand.
I thin k these drug ocmpanies are giving paybacks to the doctor's for these drugs that should not be allowed by the FDA.
I am going to go the natural way.
I will try to find an acupuncturist, massage therpist and chiropractor.
I am going to go the natural way.
I will try to find an acupuncturist, massage therpist and chiropractor.
My doctor wanted to put me on this. I took home samples, did research on it, then threw it out. I'm currently on Wellbutrin. The Wellbutrin alone (400 mg) isn't enough and I've been on it for years. All these drugs have so many side effects. It's hard to find the one where the benefits out weigh the side effects. It's very interesting to read real peoples reaction to this med. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's a tremendous help.
Fibromyagia since 1997
Fibromyagia since 1997
Osteoarthritis
Bi-lateral Cervical Radiculopathy from C4-C8
Bi-lateral Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Bi-lateral Ulnar Neuropathy
Cervical cancer-in remission
Depression w/anxiety attacks
Meds:
Wellbutrin
Xanax
Ultram
Plus vitamins and herbs
Accupuncture
Doctors want me on more meds but every single thing gives me awful side effects.
All of these replies make me want to mention that if you are getting them from your family physician, you should be going to a psychiatrist, instead. My daughter was on paxil for years from our GP and on the first visit to the psychiatrist, he changed the med, saying paxil was not being used as much as people get "immune" to it. He put her on lexapro and she's doing fine.
My point is: a psychiatrist is better qualified than a GP to decide what med is most appropriate for the symptoms you are having. Prescribing the wrong psych med CAN be devastating if its wrong for your particular symptoms. They are more experienced with those kinds of drugs and will prescribe more appropriately.
Secondly, if a drug is not giving you the intended effect, you should stop it under the advise of your doctor and try another. Sometimes it takes a few changes to find the right med for you. None of them work exactly the same way on everybody.
We have found Lexapro to be safe, free of side effects and quite effective for the depression. Doing some dosage adjustments for fine tuning, but I feel we are in much better hands now than we were before.
My point is: a psychiatrist is better qualified than a GP to decide what med is most appropriate for the symptoms you are having. Prescribing the wrong psych med CAN be devastating if its wrong for your particular symptoms. They are more experienced with those kinds of drugs and will prescribe more appropriately.
Secondly, if a drug is not giving you the intended effect, you should stop it under the advise of your doctor and try another. Sometimes it takes a few changes to find the right med for you. None of them work exactly the same way on everybody.
We have found Lexapro to be safe, free of side effects and quite effective for the depression. Doing some dosage adjustments for fine tuning, but I feel we are in much better hands now than we were before.
I do not need an anti-depressant but a pain med.
Not all the people who has used Cymbalta is using it for depression!! 
I am so sorry that there are so many unlucky people that seem to have such horrible experiences with Cymbalta. It seems every thread I have read is another person extolling their horrific experiences with this drug. If I did not know any better would think that some were plants from rival drug companies just to scare people from taking it.
I myself seem to be the sole beneficiary of Cymbalta. It is working great for me, so I must be the only person it was made for. Sure tomorrow I will commit suiside, <EG> but today I am happy for the first time in over 20 years. To top it off during that time I have been under the constant care of certified psychiatrists that have prescribed nearly 100 different medications that have mostly failed to clear up my depression. Cymbalta is the first drug that I have ever taken that allows me to be productive and happy.
There has to be someone else out there that is experiencing some good from Cymbalta. Or perhaps this message board is just for people that want to complain about their miseries. Sorry if you are experiencing real problems, but I call it like I see it. Sure drugs effect different people in different ways, but that still does not explain why there is an overwhelming slamming of Cymbalta on this board.
If you are thinking of taking Cymbalta, only one word of warning. DO NOT STOP TAKING IT WITHOUT TAPERING DOWN THE DOSSAGE OVER A TWO OR THREE WEEK PERIOD. SUDDENLY STOPPING MAY MAKE THINGS WORSE. These warnings are clearly stated on the drug’s website.
http://www.cymbalta.com/depression/about/cymbalta_faqs.jsp?reqNavId=3.6
Read # 6 on that page. There was one person on this board that took it for just a few days. Either that person was not under the care of a knowledgeable psychiatrist, or didn’t care to talk to the psychiatrist before they stopped taking Cymbalta.
Take it from a person that has been through the ringer so to speak, nearly every antidepressant medication needs several weeks to allow for your body to adjust to it. You should never start taking or change an antidepressant unless you have a week to take off from your life in case your body has problems adjusting.
I am now ready for the hate mail from those individuals that felt my post was unPC. Find a caring therapist and get some help!
I myself seem to be the sole beneficiary of Cymbalta. It is working great for me, so I must be the only person it was made for. Sure tomorrow I will commit suiside, <EG> but today I am happy for the first time in over 20 years. To top it off during that time I have been under the constant care of certified psychiatrists that have prescribed nearly 100 different medications that have mostly failed to clear up my depression. Cymbalta is the first drug that I have ever taken that allows me to be productive and happy.
There has to be someone else out there that is experiencing some good from Cymbalta. Or perhaps this message board is just for people that want to complain about their miseries. Sorry if you are experiencing real problems, but I call it like I see it. Sure drugs effect different people in different ways, but that still does not explain why there is an overwhelming slamming of Cymbalta on this board.
If you are thinking of taking Cymbalta, only one word of warning. DO NOT STOP TAKING IT WITHOUT TAPERING DOWN THE DOSSAGE OVER A TWO OR THREE WEEK PERIOD. SUDDENLY STOPPING MAY MAKE THINGS WORSE. These warnings are clearly stated on the drug’s website.
http://www.cymbalta.com/depression/about/cymbalta_faqs.jsp?reqNavId=3.6
Read # 6 on that page. There was one person on this board that took it for just a few days. Either that person was not under the care of a knowledgeable psychiatrist, or didn’t care to talk to the psychiatrist before they stopped taking Cymbalta.
Take it from a person that has been through the ringer so to speak, nearly every antidepressant medication needs several weeks to allow for your body to adjust to it. You should never start taking or change an antidepressant unless you have a week to take off from your life in case your body has problems adjusting.
I am now ready for the hate mail from those individuals that felt my post was unPC. Find a caring therapist and get some help!
Well, you won't get any hate mail from me. I'm really glad you wrote in. As I clicked the link, I thought I've belabored that it worked for my daughter enough; I'll just read. As I read, I thought too bad--and even got a bit angry about the statement that my MD not being good enough to diagnose and prescribe or the inference that he might be getting a kickback. Since I picked him over the one suggested by her counselor, that's insulting to my intelligence and my doctor.
Then I got to your post--it made me feel so good! My daughter, who has taken cymbalta for 6 weeks, acts like her old self. She's on 20 mg twice a day and coupling that with weekly counseling. Between the two, she realizes that her very "nice" boyfriend, isn't so very nice and that he drove her to extremely low self esteem. She hopes to move out by the end of the month. That's a far cry from 6 weeks ago, when she was a smashed soul.
Cymbalta answered this mother's prayers--three of them. 1) she's back, 2) she is religious about her counseling sessions, and 3) she's getting out of a bad relationship. Time will tell, if I get my 4th wish--that she has as easy a time getting off it, as she had when starting it.
bev
What some of you people don't understand is that I was not taking this for depression and I am going to a Neurologist!!l
I do not need a psychiatrist. I have nerve pain and this med. is used for that also.
I did not stop this on my own but the DOCTOR told me to just stop it.
No, I did not read every word of the many worded pamphlet.
How would I know that to stop it is DANGEROUS if my doctor did not tell me.
Ther may be a few percentage of people that this drug helps but I think the high percentage of people that it has hurt has overidden this!
Doctors should warn people when taking this drug.
I do not need a psychiatrist. I have nerve pain and this med. is used for that also.
I did not stop this on my own but the DOCTOR told me to just stop it.
No, I did not read every word of the many worded pamphlet.
How would I know that to stop it is DANGEROUS if my doctor did not tell me.
Ther may be a few percentage of people that this drug helps but I think the high percentage of people that it has hurt has overidden this!
Doctors should warn people when taking this drug.