has anyone been on duloxetine (cymbalta) for depression?

[John Smith]

I've only been on it two weeks and haven't noticed any changes yet.

 

[LogicalConclusion]

I've been on it and it made me horribly, desperately suicidal. But it takes 4-6wks, sometimes 8, for a medication like duloxetine to make any meaningful effect.

 

[Final Escape]

I felt numb mostly. Not happy or sad just couldn't feel anything lol! Goodbye orgasms and sex. It killed that off quick. I was on cymbalta.

 

[-Link-]

Big time numbness here as well. I remember emotions and feelings coming flooding back after stopping it.

You will want to give it more time than two weeks. Maybe it helps you, maybe it doesn't, but gotta give it some more time to see its real effect.

 

[1964dodge]

I was on it for about 6 months. it didn't do much for me but it does help some people and it does take at least 4 - 6 weeks to start working. and I had a personal side effect as well. i'm off now

 

[Hobbes]

After cycling through a few anti-depressants, I tried Cymbalta and I've been on it for 8 years since (ages 18 through 26.) It's the only reason I've been able to function and hold a job, so I'm very thankful for that. Like others noted, it creates a numbness to life combined with severe sexual dysfunction. I really can't afford to trade my well-being for a sex life though, so I'm fine abstaining and it doesn't bother me beyond some irritating remarks from others.

The few times I've tried to quit it, or had my refills relapse, I've felt intense and crushing thoughts. Crying all day, sucidal ideation, the works. It's extremely difficult for me to tell if this is how I would feel unmedicated, or if it's just the withdrawal symptoms exaggerating my emotions.

Like other anti-depressants, it will work for some people and it will not work for others. I really wish there was a better way to find ones that work rather than trial and error, especially when these test runs can take ~2 months to take effect. I would advise holding out a bit longer, but don't be afraid to switch to something else if it doesn't numb you out after a while (and like LogicalConclusion said, if it just makes you more suicidal, which is an awesome side-effect.)

 

[not_a_robot]

I've been on it and it made me horribly, desperately suicidal. But it takes 4-6wks, sometimes 8, for a medication like duloxetine to make any meaningful effect.

They say that, but I'm in the category of always getting rarest/weirdest side effects, and I always feel them within a week.

 

[LogicalConclusion]

They say that, but I'm in the category of always getting rarest/weirdest side effects, and I always feel them within a week.

Yes, I am as well. Sorry I wasn't very clear; the side effects can begin almost immediately (and if you were allergic, you'd know right away), but the therapeutic effect would take at least 4-6wks to happen.

 

[1964dodge]

i'm curious does anyone know if women take duloxetine do they also have some type of sexual problem or is it just us guys?

 

[Jon86]

SSRIs and SNRIs are basically neuter pills for men imo, they destroy erections, orgasms, etc.. just a fucking joke of a drug to give to suicidal men imo.

At best, they help with anxiety and add a bit of extra uplifting feelings to get you out of your head but they almost always lead to numbness eventually. I've been on like 8 different psych meds, they suck

 

[Final Escape]

SSRIs and SNRIs are basically neuter pills for men imo, they destroy erections, orgasms, etc.. just a fucking joke of a drug to give to suicidal men imo.

At best, they help with anxiety and add a bit of extra uplifting feelings to get you out of your head but they almost always lead to numbness eventually. I've been on like 8 different psych meds, they suck

It's sad that meds are like a trade off. You might gain improvement in mood but it has to come at a cost to other things that are important.

 

[Retched]

Cymbalta is in the evil category for me. I got it prescribed for "fibromyalgia" and it damn near ruined my life going off it. I look back & see what pharma did to my brain and I'm slightly horrified. Only slightly, I don't feel much anymore. Down to one psych drugs that's off label prescribing. Someday I want off that too. Psych drugs ruined my poor brain.

 

[Shamana]

Get the fuck off it. The withdrawels are worse than a heroin addiction. I was on it for 7 years. Go for selegine intranasal + sleeping pills.

 

[Egddios]

I was placed on Cymbalta to take in combination with some pills to help sleep.

I wasn't on Cymbalta long, because once I started with medication, it didn't do much to help me (I got welts and rashes all over my arms, sore throat, just really feeling awful.) Once I ran out of the medication, I "quit" and told myself, don't stop advocating for yourself. I have a new psychiatrist now and he's a really nice guy.

 

[inconsequential]

They say that, but I'm in the category of always getting rarest/weirdest side effects, and I always feel them within a week.

We have too much in common. My old doctor called me the queen of side effects.

 

[jake3d]

I was on duloxetine (brand name Dulsevia) for 2 weeks for off-label use, treating nerve pain. It made me nauseous at first and my dick almost stopped working. It did jack shit for the pain. I've gone on Amitriptyline since from the kind suggestion of a member here. Ami actually works for my migraine and has little side effects. Vision blurred a little when I get tired but that's it. Doesn't affect any from a sexual standpoint. Bonus points for being usable as a suicide method too.

 

[BaconCheeseburger]

I'm on it now, 40mg. I was on clomipramine which was perfect for me but it's stopped being manufactured in the UK so my GP recommended this one as I've tried most others. Not sure if it's working but I've just had my dose upped recently so we'll see if it makes a difference.

 

[jake3d]

IME SSRIs cannot fully replace tricyclics. Your results may vary.