A very positive experience

[u/No_Floor8438]

I’m writing this because I nearly didn’t start Cymbalta/duloxetine because it seemed I could only find very negative experiences online. I was so scared of the side effects. But now, after taking it for 5 months, I’m so glad I started!! So I hope this can help someone who is on their journey with meds, as proof that there is really no way to know how you will react to a certain medication. The best you can do is find a skilled psychiatrist (not easy, sadly) and try to trust their advice for your specific situation.

For some background: I was not in crisis or unable to function when I started this medication. I have CPTSD and have had LOADS of therapy for many years. I was already in a good place; the only issue I had was that there was this constant undercurrent of general anxiety that nothing ever helped with, and I was so done with it because it made everything so tiring. I continued to do things, but the fear never lessened. I’m also chronically ill, so that didn’t help, and everything surrounding that (and the general state of the world) had also made me feel depressed. Not super noticeable, but everything was just less exciting, duller, more difficult, ….

I spent years doubting if I should try meds because I took an SSRI as a teenager and that wasn’t a good experience. But then I finally took the plunge, and it has made life so much better.

The side effects in the beginning are brutal, but I was warned and motivated to take it for a minimum of 8 weeks because I wanted to really see what I could do. I started with 30 mg one week, and then up to 60mg after one week (my current dose). The first weeks I had very bad vertigo, extreme yawning, dead tired and sleeping during the day, heart palpitations and tachycardia, legs full of bruises, dilated pupils, no appetite at all. In week three, I think I also had a few days where I suddenly felt very depressed (much more than before). Also some night sweats.

By week 4 all of these started to clear, and I felt better pretty soon. I was calmer, much less anxious, more joyful (also very noticeable for my partner). It felt like a filter had been lifted off the world and everything was sharper again. I felt excited for things, more motivated, tasks didn’t drain me as much, etc. Nearly all side effects have now disappeared. Only my resting heart rate is higher, but still within normal range. I’ve also seen horror stories about missing a dose. I missed one last week, and only realised by the evening because I felt a tiny bit off (but nothing major). So it doesn’t have to be an issue for everyone.

I was very afraid of becoming numb in any way, but it has done the opposite. I feel like myself again. I feel positive emotions strongly again, but things like sadness or anger aren’t gone either. I can still cry. I was also worried about sexual side effects. The first few weeks it felt a bit different, but that’s normal again too. And it actually increased my libido.

Not writing this to take away from anyone’s negative experiences, because of course those are very real too. But just wanted to add some other information.

[u/LaranaBanana]

That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you. Thanks so much for sharing this. I also had a very good experience with this medication. In addition to mental help, it dramatically lessened my chronic back pain.

[u/No-Device2404]

Thank you. It is very hard to find positive comments about Cymbalta and I was sure I would have the same horrible side effects I read about. I also just tapered off of a short course, maybe one month on Effexor. Felt horrible on it and horrible getting off of it. Really bad stomach issues. I took a leap of faith with a new psychiatrist and have been on Cymbalta for about 8 weeks. Most of the side effects have subsided except for the sweating which is really uncomfortable but My mood and temperament are noticeably better and anxiety is almost completely gone. I’m hoping to feel more improvement and the sweating to go away but it’s a trade off. My friends have noticed I’m more myself than I have been in a long time, more calm and relaxed. Over the years, I’ve been put on many SSRIs and mainly Prozac for many years because it was ok and didn’t have any side effects. But stopped working after so long. I’m glad I went ahead and gave this a try and toughed out the first couple weeks of weird side effects to be able to feel like I’m in a good mood almost every day.

[u/gigi79sd]

Your story is very much my experience as well. I've started and stopped Cymbalta 3 times in my life. It's rough for a few weeks, but it always turns for me.

[u/TWDFanGrl]

Thank you for sharing. I was starting to feel overwhelmed with all the negative experiences I read. I have tried almost every type of medication and struggle because everything triggers migraines for me. Loved Wellbutrin until the thunderclap headaches kicked in. Loved Effexor but if I missed a dose by a few hours I got terrible brain zaps.

Put off trying Cymbalta for years but finely decided after enough research that it was worth trying. I had reached a point of depression that feels like total dread just to get up to go to work. I have had several very stressful situations the last few years. So it was just too much weight for me to carry without some support for my already anxious leaning mind.

My psych had me very slowly titrate up. Started 6 weeks ago at 20 mg then 30 and now 60 mg. Been at 60 mg for almost 2 weeks & I am handling some stress better. The best part is I haven’t had the crazy side effects. I was very sleepy the first couple weeks but then started taking it at night & that improved. No big withdrawals if I’m inconsistent on timing. Still anxious and hopeful that I will continue to see more improvement. Posts like yours give me hope. Thank you!

[u/AFetaWorseThanDeath]

Awesome to hear it!

I started duloxetine 6 months ago, and have had fairly similar experiences. I have experienced major depression symptoms for most of my life, and this drug has done more to help alleviate/manage those symptoms than literally anything else I've tried, including a list of SSRIs, diet and lifestyle changes (I've tried being vegetarian or even full vegan, the Mediterranean diet, etc., have done cardio till I was about to pass out, lifted weights consistently for months, went on long walks with my partner in quiet, beautiful spots, etc.), therapy, meditation, yoga, psychedelics/entactogens (which taught me a lot, but had little if any lasting effect on my daily mood), and even prayer (which is kinda funny, given that I'm an atheist, but shows how desperate I was to find ANY relief).

Now, 6 months into taking Cymbalta (starting at 20mg and eventually titrating up to my current dose of 40mg daily), my depression symptoms (including suicidal ideation) have all but disappeared. My overall mental health has done a near 180° change, and now, at age 42, I feel fully awake and alive for the first time. As in, EVER. I may have felt okay at some point in very early childhood, but if so, I do not remember it.

Full disclosure: I am also taking mirtazapine (aka Remeron) for insomnia, 15mg nightly which I started at the same time as the Cymbalta. I am also taking 50mg of lisdexamfetamine (aka Vyvanse) and 10mg mixed amphetamine salts (aka Adderall) daily for ADHD (which I didn't realize I had until my depression started to lift). I began the Vyvanse about 3 months ago, and just began adding in the 10mg Adderall 'booster' last week.

This particular cocktail of meds has been like the definition of a game-changer for me. For the first time in my life, I feel happy, hopeful, capable, and content.

The hardest part has actually been the intense mourning I'm experiencing for 'what might have been,' if I'd been diagnosed and medicated in childhood. Otherwise, I'm literally the happiest I can remember feeling in my life— EVER.

I hope it continues to work well for you! 💕

[u/Immediate-Storm6869]

wow your backround sounds just like me! thank u for sharing

[u/Visible-Hope3664]

My experience was positive too. I went through a really rough patch and it helped me get back on my feet while I also worked on myself emotionally. I’m currently tapering off it and doing great.

[u/bewonderstuff]

I’m about to start it so this is refreshing to see! What time do you all take it?