1. < Depression & Anxiety

What's your experience with duloxetine (US Brand Name; Cymbalta)?

Posted by d13 @d13, Jan 11, 2022

I was prescribed by my oncologist for the neuropathy in feet and hands. The chemotherapy treatments did this. This drug also states that it is used to treat depression and anxiety. As with any prescription medication, there could be side effects. And a huge list of what not to take with this drug. He also prescribed hydrocodone 5 mg, but to take half of pill four times daily for cancer pain. We’ll, when I got home and read about the Duloxetine use; one of the medications on the list was hydrocodone. I’m now waiting for a call from the oncologist office to see if I can take the Duloxetine with the hydrocodone. Can anyone at least tell me if they have ever taken this medication; Duloxetine? And any side effects?

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lonestarinitaly | @lonestarinitaly | Sep 20, 2024
In reply to @journey2013 "I have been taking Cymbalta 60 mg for years also for depression and haven't had any..." + (show)
@journey2013

I have been taking Cymbalta 60 mg for years also for depression and haven't had any side effects. I noticed the Cymbalta by itself wasn't helping 100% anymore. Dr. put me on Wellbuttrin and dropped Cymbalta to 30 mg. That didn't help either so dropped Wellbuttrin and back to 60 mg Cymbalta. Will be seeing him next week and wondering if anyone else has needed to add another depression drug to Cymbalta and what their experience was?

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Just started Cymbalta last night. Bad cramps and diarrhea. Will these stay or go away?

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grfxguru | @grfxguru | Sep 22, 2024

I switched from Wellbutrin to 60mg Duloxetine approximately 2 years ago for severe depression. I was concerned with weight gain and different side effects.
To date no significant side effects. No weight gain.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s effective, but overall I’m stable at least.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Oct 3, 2024

These days if you have questions about drug interactions you can do a "GOOGLE" search for for example Cymbalta plus/+ Hydrocodone and you should get some useful info. Talk to your pharmacist if you need more clarification. I was prescribed Baclofen when I was taking Lyrica and Tramadol and the pharmacist didn't flag it. Turned out to be a no no.
When I was recovering from adrenal and renal surgery at Mayo recently I was told to stop taking the BP meds amlodipine and Losartan. I'm not sure if that order was compliments of the Mayo pharmacy or one of the Mayo physicians. I don't miss either one and I'm doing fine without them.

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yanks950 | @yanks950 | Jan 19 10:32pm
In reply to @ess77 "@d13, and all...I've taken Cymbalta for several years with excellent results. It was first prescribed for..." + (show)
@ess77

@d13, and all...I've taken Cymbalta for several years with excellent results. It was first prescribed for help with fibromyalgia pain, peripheral neuropathy as well. It may help with depression, I hope so since that's part of the whole picture with fibromyalgia and other health issues I have. I've tapered off several other drugs with the help of my physician, at my request as I was on far too much chemical medication and was determined to reduce the stuff.

I now take 120 mg of Cymbalta. It helps my fibromyalgia and the peripheral neurology is much improved. I'm off hydrocodone, 800 mg ibuprofen 4x daily for years, Neurontin, Lyrica, and others. Now, I take Cymbalta, use medical marijuana 1:1, CBD:THC capsules and/or tincture at night, Requip for restless legs and it helps a lot with walking and daytime movement, and other meds I'll take for a long time. But, I'm off the really strong chemicals that affect the brain and cause fuzzy brain and other side effects. Now, I'm closer to my real self than I've been for as long as I can remember. It's wonderful. I feel free. And, Cymbalta is part of that free feeling. It's a good drug for me and my needs. I will continue to take it until I'm healed or ???

I hope this little testimonial from a patient with multiple health issues. Of all the drugs I've taken over the years, it helps the best at what it does and with no negatives. I have less pain and better control with the changes I've made. I send you blessings as you walk this journey through the medical system and your health challenges. Blessings, elizabeth

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I have been on 90mg for years due to anxiety and depression. I have been feeling really good up until about a month or so ago. Out of no where my anxiety came back 10 fold and I’m not sure if increasing to 120 is the right move. I am very sensitive to medicine changes. How was your increase in dosage?

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yanks950 | @yanks950 | Jan 19 10:37pm
In reply to @luv2hike "I have also been taking Cymbalta for years (15) . I take it for depression and..." + (show)
@luv2hike

I have also been taking Cymbalta for years (15) . I take it for depression and haven't noticed any side effects. It has helped me a lot, especially after trying other meds; Effexor, Paxil. I take 120mg daily. Your health condition is different from mine so it is always good to talk to your pharmacist. I hope it helps you and wish you all the best!

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Did you have any side effects increasing to 120?

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ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 20 9:35am

@yanks950 and all... Hello...In am continuing on the 120mg Cymbalta due to continued stress from health and life, even though my physician and I discussed reducing the dosage. We are waiting as I think it helps me with anxiety for sure, but also greatly relieves my body pain throughout due to Fibromyalgia. That was the initial reason I began taking this medication. Then, as anxiety increased, we increased to 120mg for which I'm eternally grateful.

I have no side effects to date and have taken this higher dose for years. Thankfully, as I believe this medication is extremely helpful for these issues and helps me with daily living.

I hope you find it helpful with no side effects and your life improves...
Blessings, Elizabeth

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1 reply
yanks950 | @yanks950 | Jan 20 5:18pm
In reply to @ess77 "@yanks950 and all... Hello...In am continuing on the 120mg Cymbalta due to continued stress from health..." + (show)
@ess77

@yanks950 and all... Hello...In am continuing on the 120mg Cymbalta due to continued stress from health and life, even though my physician and I discussed reducing the dosage. We are waiting as I think it helps me with anxiety for sure, but also greatly relieves my body pain throughout due to Fibromyalgia. That was the initial reason I began taking this medication. Then, as anxiety increased, we increased to 120mg for which I'm eternally grateful.

I have no side effects to date and have taken this higher dose for years. Thankfully, as I believe this medication is extremely helpful for these issues and helps me with daily living.

I hope you find it helpful with no side effects and your life improves...
Blessings, Elizabeth

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Did you have any side effect going up. I am at 90 for years and it worked great. Now my anxiety is back horribly. I am sensitive to getting onto new meds so worried about increasing and side effects from increasing.

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1 reply
ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Jan 20 6:32pm
In reply to @yanks950 "Did you have any side effect going up. I am at 90 for years and it..." + (show)
@yanks950

Did you have any side effect going up. I am at 90 for years and it worked great. Now my anxiety is back horribly. I am sensitive to getting onto new meds so worried about increasing and side effects from increasing.

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@yanks950 , and all... I don't recall any negative side effects as I increased my dosage. That was a decade or so ago but I am sure I'd recall any negatives. All I remember is the good it did, how much better I was so quickly. Both in discomforts from Firbromyalgia and arthritis and from my anxiety/depression. I didn't know it would help me with anxiety. That was a great surprise, but I remember I was better able to handle the stressors in my life, which were and are quite severe. My son is 100% disabled and I was overseeing his medical journey and helping with his living needs at that time, as well as dealing with my own health issues. While he is much more independent now, and lives on his own, he continues to need my emotional and some physical support overseeing his medicines and such. My anxiety with the increased Cymbalta and additional treatment, the 95 degree temp therapy pool was and is at the center of my stress relief as well as my physical reliefs. I highly recommend that to reduce your depression, anxiety and to relax tense and strained muscles and bones. I also tapered off several other medications that were not helping and did cause side effects.... Lyrica, Gabapantin, Hydroxycodone, and others.

I suggest when your doctor thinks it wise, you check your medicine list and be sure you are only taking meds that really work for you, with fewest side effects possible. I began to see colors more clearly, the world became a brighter place for me. Cymbalta is one of the medications that has helped me in multiple areas with few bad effects. I am grateful for this addition.

I wish you well and blessings, Elizabeth

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