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Rottstein Law Group
I had the most hideous experience after taking a prescribed dose of Cymbalta. I was in a drug induced stupor, severe pain, violently ill, visual focus was basically not existent, my head was literally spinning. I had no ability to think. This experience was the cause of me resigning from my much loved job where I was employed for almost 20 years.
on July 19, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I took cymbalta for about a year or so in 2010 – 2011. It caused significant jumps in my heart where I felt like I could not breathe. I also experienced my heart racing at times while taking the medication which was prescribed to me after being run over by a truck in 2008. I am still experiencing these complications, even though I have stopped taking the medication.
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on July 12, 2012 at 4:12 pm
I was prescribed Cymbalta for depression and back pain, after a couple months I started to notice I was anxious and was always feeling paranoid. It was weird so I stopped the medication. I woke up one morning thinking I had the flu or something since I was nauseous, extremely dizzy, and crazy little sharp zapping pains in my head. I went to work and ended up leaving early after vomiting in my trash can. I went to the doctor because I knew something wasn’t right. They did a CT scan of my head, gave me some phenergan and meclazine and after about 3 days it went away so again I thought it must have been the flu. Couple weeks later the same thing but worse, I stood up one morning to get ready for bed and fell over my table injuring myself. Next was a trip to the ENT who ordered an MRI, balance testing, vertigo, r/o everything, had blood tests. On Jan 4th 2012, I ended up in the ER with low blood pressure, vertigo N/V. This was my last severe episode..but it’s now July 2012 and I still have bouts of vertigo, extreme pressure in my head with ear pain and zapping off and on pains in my head. Nausea comes and goes… I truly believe all that’s happened to me in the past months are a result of the cymbalta. Truly what’s it gonna take to get this medication off the market.Reply
on July 12, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I was prescribed cymbalta several years ago because I was in immense pain from issues regarding my spine. Though I have been treated for depression since I was a teenager and have had some Hx of suicidal ideation, I had never attempted to kill myself. After being on cymbalta for close to a year, I did in fact try to kill myself which is clearly not normal for me. I had no idea at the time that cymbalta could have been the problem. My doctor recently took me off of cymbalta and to my surprise, I feel “normal”. I am relieved to be off of this medication.
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on July 3, 2012 at 5:38 pm
I have been on cymbalta for three years or so. Recently had an insurance change and now my Cymbalta is not covered, not even with doctor trying to approve it and my filing a claim to insurance company. Used up all my samples and even tried to space them apart to begin weaning myself off this drug. One month after meds. were gone and I am in the middle of massive side effects. No energy or can’t calm down even to sleep for more than 2-3 hours every few days. Headaches, a dilated pupil that stays dilated and causes severe dizziness and nausea every day of my life, and nothing I take works. My heart not only flutters but races, pounds, and feels like its going to explode. I had a heart procedure done last year and it scares me that being off the medicine makes my heart feel the way it did before the procedure was done. I have lost my joy; it is increasingly difficult to find happiness in anything. I hate this drug and wish I’d never been put on it, but now I can look forward to another 6 months of these horrible side effects according to others who’ve gone off this medicine. It should be off the market or there should be stricter guidelines for putting patients on it. Thank you for trying to help us…people who used to have somewhat of a normal life before Cymbalta.
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on July 1, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I am 61 years old. I have had problems with pain since 1998. Have had spinal surgery. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 2 years ago I was prescribed Cymbalta. It was fine at first then I started to have a lot of side effects. One that my Dr said she never had anyone have so it couldn’t be, but it is. Terrible mouth sores. I couldn’t eat anything cold, hot or hard or spicy. I weened off the Cymbalta in 6 weeks. I have worked since I was 16 years old, now I cannot work. I am now unemployed. I am severely sick to my stomach. I have awful muscle and nerve spasms. I am lethargic, no energy, diarrhea and severe headaches. I Have trouble cognitively and the brain shocks or zaps whatever they are called has me ready to jump off a bridge (figuratively). We need this drug off the market.
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on June 29, 2012 at 10:45 pm
The Cymbalta did not work and the withdrawals, even after titration, are almost unbearable–I feel as if I am going to die or commit suicide.
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on June 27, 2012 at 7:10 pm
My 15 year old daughter killed herself while on this medicine and a couple others. I believe it was the medicine’s fault.
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on June 12, 2012 at 10:41 pm
I have been on this for almost 2years. I tried to come off and I got very sick. Brain zaps, flu like symptoms, my whole body hurt so I had to start taking again to make it stop. Now it’s like if I don’t take it at the same time, I get some side affects. Not happy at all, I want off this.
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on June 28, 2012 at 9:21 pm
I’ve been on 60 mg of cymbalta for over a year. I had pretty bad initial effects being very sleepy, yawning a lot, achy, etc… When it kicked in, it worked and worked well. The last 4 months I had severe irritability and was extremely short tempered. I started to wean off dr’s orders. First two decreases I had brain zaps, insomnia for about a week. I am now officially off for the past 5 days and this has been by far a horrific ordeal to go through and inhumane. I am having constant brain zaps all day. Sometimes consecutively.
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on June 28, 2012 at 10:34 pm
I am so sorry! I have felt just like you! I was put on this drug because I was in pain and the doctor thought I was depressed. Of course I am depressed if you are in pain all the time. All I can say is I would rather be in pain then take this drug. This drug took 3 and 1/2 years of my life. I would tell my doctor that I wanted to get off it but every time I tried I could not. I had these brain zaps, hot and cold sweats, moody, extremely tired and even slowed speech. I finally made a plan thanks to my mom who is a nurse. I told my doctor that I want off this now and need help. I started taking my 90mg. tabs every other day for about two weeks. Then I went to every third day during the third and fourth week. When I went back to the doctor to get my refill my does was lowered to 60mg. then I did the same first two weeks every other day and then the last two weeks every third day. The third month I went to 30mg and did the same. The fourth month I went down to 20mg every third day and by the fifth month 10mg every third day if needed. I would try to go as long as the brain zaps would allow. It took me 6 months to get off then and I still would have some brain zaps every once in a while for about three more months…..but not as bad as before. I was just happy to be off the drug. It has taken me about a year to fill like myself again. Make sure you keep a journal or write everything down. I keep track of everything on my phone. I would just write a few quick notes about how much I took and how I felt that day. I never thought I would get off this stuff. I understand but take it slow and you can do it! Just focus on one month at a time. YOU CAN DO IT….Why don’t these drug companies tell you how bad it is going to be to get off this drug…..I have read that it has worked for some but I read more horror stories about this product. This drug has taken three and half years of my life and it still makes me angry!! I will pray for you!
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on June 7, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I was prescribed cymbalta for depression and it messed me up really badly. It took me a long time to get back to normal. And stopping it was even worse.
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on June 6, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I was put on Cymbalta 30mg a year ago for my depression. Since then I have gone up to 120mg daily, and have had Wellbutrin added and taken away. I recently lost my job and insurance and could no longer afford the medication, because it is $453 for one month, which should be illegal IMO…I work in the healthcare field and thought I had a pretty good handle on stopping it. I weaned myself off (couldn’t afford the doctor visit either) and thought I was okay. My last pill was two days ago. Yesterday my mood swings were so bad I went into a full panic attack after making a sandwich and not wanting to eat it…I’ve had these brain zaps before which, funnily enough, prescribing doctors do not know anything about. The only reason I can think of that they are not aware is because the Eli Lilly reps purposely do not tell them. Why would they? They would then lose thousands upon thousands of dollars on it because the doctors just would not sell the product, money hungry bastards. Anyway, today I started the zapping symptoms along with severe sweating. I was okay with this because it happened before. The problem is that when I was coming home from my new job (which I’m afraid of losing due to these bizarre symptoms) I was doing 80mph on the highway. Out of nowhere I had no idea who I was, where I was going or even whose car I was in. This lasted about 10-15 seconds before I had to reassure myself of my name and personality (yes…I had to remember my own personality). This has never happened to me before for any reason whatsoever. The issue I’m having right now is that withdrawing off of anything lowers your seizure threshold, and Eli Lilly is obviously perfectly fine with hiding their dirty little secrets. I’m very scared that I’ll have a seizure soon, whether when I’m home alone or when I’m doing 80mph on the highway. What can be done to make them ‘fess up to what this med does? How can we make them take responsibility for what they are doing? Yes, all drugs have side effects, but they don’t even tell the prescribers of these horrendous side effects so that they and their patients can decide if it’s worth the risk! And from what I’ve been reading, I have at least a couple more weeks of being on edge, angry/manic/depressed and could possibly start seizing at any moment! This is terrible and I’m at a loss as to what to do anymore.
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on June 6, 2012 at 10:49 am
I began taking Cymbalta in Spring 2011. Around Sept. 1, 2011, my family physician (who initially prescribed the drug for Fibromyalgia. ) upped my dosage. Mid-Sept, I began experiencing dizziness. I fell out bed twice. Then, I passed out cold, breaking my nose and requiring hospitalization and surgery. Two weeks later,I passed out again. I broke my nose again, required hospitalization. AGAIN, AND ANOTHER SURGERY. Since then, I have had to have cervical spine surgery to repair damage.
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on June 4, 2012 at 12:44 pm
I had a seizure from cymbalta and now recent flu like symptoms gastro problems and depression from reducing my dose.
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on May 30, 2012 at 7:26 pm
I started taking cymbalta 3 weeks ago. For fibromialgia, burning hurting skin. Cymbalta did help the pain. But caused so many other problems. I have confusion, profuse sweating. Cant drive. Cant make up my mind about anything. I have after reading all the horror stories weaned my self off cymbalta 30mg once a day. Now I am in more pain then I was before starting it. 🙁
At the time my doctor prescribed it, he said I may get a belly ache. But didn’t mention the real horror stories about this drug. My shoulders and knees are hurting so bad now. I already had severe arthritis, and 3 bad disks. Now I’m worse then before cymbalta. I’m glad I’ve only been on it 3 weeks and pray this pain will go away. Fibromialgia is hard to live with. Now I’ve added more pain and confusion on top of what I already had. I will update this post in a week and let you know if I get any better after being completely off cymbalta. Or if the confusion and pain stays with me.
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on May 23, 2012 at 4:17 am
I took Cymbalta for 1 month and was hospitalized for 6 days with a inflamed liver and liver enzymes that were off the charts, I was told to NEVER take Cymbalta again. I am now 2 weeks out from being discharged and am being followed by a liver doctor to monitor my enzymes and to make sure that I haven’t developed medication induced hepatitis or liver damage. I would join a lawsuit if and when there is one and strongly urge anyone that is taking this medication to make sure they are not hurting themselves and destroying their liver in the process.
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on May 21, 2012 at 11:43 am
I was prescribed Cymbalta in 2006. I took from 30mg up to 120 mg until I finally started weeding myself off completely in 2011. I get constant debilitating migraines since starting on Cymbalta. I also have high blood sugar, of which I have been trying to get under control. I am unable to take any of the medications for this because they all make me very ill. I have many health problems now that I did not have before taking the Cymbalta. I don’t understand why these drugs are allowed to be put on the market!
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on May 5, 2012 at 12:09 pm
I have only been on Cymbalta a few months for fibromyalgia and I have begun to have severe disabling headaches, dizziness and recently I have begun passing out. The pain becomes so intense in my arms, legs, and head. All I can do is lay on the floor and scream and cry. Last time my family called an ambulance my blood pressure was 90/60. I was in and out of consciousness because of the pain. I am seeing a neurologist and am going to start process of coming off the medication this week which will probably be a whole new nightmare. I have already been off work for 3 weeks without pay because I can not drive or stand for long periods of time.
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on May 5, 2012 at 1:27 am
I’ve been on Cymbalta for over five years. It is the most EVIL drug ever created! I was prescribed with it to help me deal with separating from an abusive relationship. My therapist said I needed an “antibiotic” for the infection I called my husband. I was only going to stay on it for a short time. I didn’t realize at the time Lily created it so that it is Impossible to ween off! I was hospitalized last year because of the violent headaches, foggy thinking and crying at everything after slowly weening off after 45 days the only solution was to start taking it again. Please Help! I hate this and want to stop them from victimizing more patients.
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on April 28, 2012 at 5:50 pm
My first negative reaction to Cymbalta was to experience extremely adverse sexual side effects within 2 weeks of starting on the drug. I am 69yo female w/ very active sex life…it has been destroyed! My second and equally horrible experience has been the withdrawal effects that are causing SEVERE VERTIGO. The vertigo causes me to fall and unable to function as freely as before I started withdrawal. I am very angry and highly distressed that there was not adequate warning on the info page in the samples boxes that I was given.
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on April 25, 2012 at 10:41 pm
I had to stop taking this drug because of a brain injury. I cant remember why, if I was peeing blood and getting urine and kidney infections. Also I can’t concentrate anymore.
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on April 24, 2012 at 11:08 am
My father was on cymbalta and some other medications for his back issues and recently passed away at the age of 44. The family and I believe that it played a big part in his passing.
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on May 17, 2012 at 11:56 pm
So sorry to hear about your dad. He was my current age when he passed. You mentioned that you suspect that Cymbalta caused his death. Can you be more specific? I am taking Cymbalta for neuropathic back pain as well.
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on April 18, 2012 at 2:40 pm
I have been on Lyrica (first) after GP diagnosed me with Fibro. I kept telling him I couldn’t concentrate at work, making many mistakes etc was right away put on Cymbalta. Told doctors same type problems. They just kept increasing my dose and said, give it a chance that
what I was going through was mostly from Fibro! Several weeks ago, my psych. told me of a doctor at pain center who would help me get off the meds if I wanted. I wanted more than ever. Went from 90 mg , several weeks then 60 couple weeks to 30mg for 2 weeks Cymbalta. Two days after I quit Cymbalta, have been crazy, too many side effects to list, and it’s only been 6 days. Called doctor and said this was all normal, won’t last long, see you in two weeks. Didn’t actually get to speak to Dr. I asked to but nurse called me back to tell me to stay off the Internet. Thank God for Internet!! At least I know now, I’m not alone! This poison is affecting hundreds of other
people!
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on April 12, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I was on cymbalta for 5 years. I was taking 120mg a day. I now suffer from muscle damage, suicidal thoughts, dizziness, having trouble lifting my arms and using a cane most of the time. The pain now is worse than before I started the medication. I have lost my job, house and vehicle due to the side effects. I didn’t get an option for insurance and had to stop all medications and didn’t know what all the side effects were.
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on May 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I understand what you mean about pain is worse then before. It hurts to move my arms and my knees are so bad now. I was only on cymbalta 3 weeks and omg what a big mistake it was to ever try this medicine.
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on April 9, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I took Cymbalta to help with neuropathy pain in my legs and feet. This was caused by an auto accident in 1998, a hit and run where a tractor trailer ran into my car 3 times before I skidded into a median wall, and that resulted in a lower spine injury that was not diagnosed until 2008. Too late for back fixing, so my doctor recommended Lyrica, which worked but my insurance refused to cover it. They would cover Cymbalta, however, though the price was nearly identical. It worked fairly well on my pain for about the first 6 or 7 months, and then started not doing so well. Right after I started taking Cymbalta, I started getting head sweats that would drench my whole head, and then got worse from there. Then non-stop diarrhea began where I could not leave the house, or had to take 6X the dosage of Kaopectate, even for a few hours relief. Then the vision distortions started, where my eyes had been checked not long before, my achilles tendons started hurting to where it was almost too much to walk, and along with that was a new condition: trembling and shaking to where it was hard to hold my hands or head still, much less write legibly. It took a lot of research to realize these were lesser known and seldom published side effects of Cymbalta. I told my doctor, had to have MRIs done to rule out any brain conditions (we’re still working with a neurologist to make sure nothing else is at play..next comes an EMG. Painful and YUCK!). My doctor started me on Gabapentin at a very low dose to start titration, and said take half a dose of Cymbalta for a week, that is what Lily recommends for wean off. That week of half dose was pretty bad, with “head zaps” and shakes even worse, nausea, headache, and more muscle and leg pain than ever, plus my arms and shoulders and neck, and back were included too. After the wean down, things got even worse, even though we were upping my gabapentin dosage to get my pain levels managed. After 2 months off Cymbalta, the head sweats were gone, the diarrhea was gone, the trembling and shaking subsided to minimal but still there. However, the pain in my arms, hands, shoulders, achilles tendons and of course the “head zaps” still remain, and I am better, but I’m not even close to being back to square one yet. My insurance company finally decided to let me take Lyrica last week because the gabapentin was causing other side effects. I’m in the adjustment and titration period again for Lyrica, but still the withdrawal effects from Cymbalta linger on. I am so depressed about this. I’m far worse off than I was before starting Cymbalta. Had I known about the side-effects, fully, and the withdrawal symptoms and their length, I would have just stayed dealing with the initial neuropathic pain. I used to be able to walk, slowly, but walk, and I could do a lot more physically than I am not. It’s not because I don’t want to, there just is only so much I can stand, and any more even a little is a lot. Cymbalta is not the cure-all they are making it out to be, nor is the insurance industry doing anyone any favors by not letting doctors prescribe what will work better and safer for their patients.
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on April 14, 2012 at 1:34 am
On March 2nd 2012 of this year, my life came to a terrible halt. My father was always a survivor and fighter. He always had emotional issues and depression issues but always seemed to find the sunshine after the rain. He went to the veterans hospital because he was becoming depressed and after telling them he wanted to die they prescribed him Cymbalta and sent him on his way. A week and half later my father decided he had to end his life. My father never attempted anything like this in his life. He had many plans to go to Florida and even joined a gym a month before. There were so many people that could of changed my father’s future and they just never took the time to care. Cymbalta is a very dangerous drug that should be monitored carefully. I was taking this medication at the time and have since stopped taking even though it was helping with my diabetic nerve pain. Words can’t describe what this drug has done to my life. Cymbalta is legally causing people to die and who is going to stop it.
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on April 5, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Cymbalta nearly killed me back in 2009. I did lose 2 years of my life and just *woke up* completely from a state we thought I would be in for the rest of my life. I woke up a month ago. And was *here* again. Cymbalta was a nightmare for me and my family. My neurosurgeon said she wouldn’t even prescribe it for an animal much less a human being. It’s dangerous and my family almost lost me. I am a wife, mother and grandmother, and I am happy to be alive today. It is a miracle from God that I am back. I feel as though I am back from the dead. I don’t know if there ever will be a class action suit against these hateful money loving pharmaceutical people or not..but if there is…I want to be on that band wagon. I had the vertigo 24/7. Suicidal and scared that something would flip in my brain and I would not realize that I was taking my life. The movie played over and over and over in my head of my going out back…and gently lowering myself into our duck pond (which was ice cold at the time) and praying that the Lord would take me to Heaven via hypothermia. Then the movie continued in my head of my beloved husband coming home from work and finding me in the pond. Then the horror for my children and grandchildren. I was so scared this would happen. I started seeing a therapist…changed doctors (which was not easy due to office politics) and spent 2 years crying and barely living. The stress was so great on my husband that he became very depressed. The only reason my doctor prescribed Cymbalta was because she was *not comfortable* giving me…a 58 year old woman…pain medication..for a severe pain. I am terminally ill. my spine is fused from c-1 to T-1…because a drunk driver hit me in 1994. I have spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis throughout my spine…with bone spurs in my spinal canal. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 20 years ago. Arthritis in my knees and shoulders and hands, gout in my feet, and my doctor of over 20 years…would not prescribe me a real pain medication. One doctor later now..I am on morphine twice a day with lortab for breakthru pain. I have a doctor who works with hospice and pain management and is not swayed by pharmaceutical companies and their perks. I am horrified that this poison is still on the market and nothing has been done for those who have actually lost loved ones due to the horrendous side effects of Cymbalta. The side effects and withdrawal from it were worse than any pain I’ve ever known.
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on April 5, 2012 at 1:31 pm
I was prescribed Cymbalta for my depression/anxiety, etc. I now have all kinds of problems I didn’t have before taking it. Too many to mention it seems. Just was wondering what others thought of Cymbalta and what (if any) side affects they have been dealing with. My worst one I feel is the hardening of my muscles. Makes my life very difficult to deal with at times. Being in pain 24/7 and sometimes so bad I can’t do anything but sit/lay there is really getting to me and my family. Help!
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on April 5, 2012 at 1:27 pm
I relate so much to the stories below especially the following:
“I absolutely experienced similar problems while taking Cymbalta. Psychologist/PA prescribed for depression/anxiety after a near-death experience. I completely lost all regard for myself or my family, drank heavily and had an affair, fully prepared to toss my job, house, family and life away without a care. Thank God I married such a wonderful woman who led me back to reality after begging me to go with her to marriage counseling. I have zero doubt that Cymbalta created a complete sense of apathy for others and turned my outlook to absolute narcissism. I couldn’t get off the drug fast enough, and weathered about 2 months of symptom withdrawal and continue to repair the damage I’ve done to my wife and children”
The same has happened to me. Where once I was a responsible, productive professional. I have now lost everything and I am living with my daughter. Thank god, my daughter welcomed me into her home. Otherwise, I would be homeless.
I was on the drug for over two years, at times with my dosage being 120 mg per day. I have since that time become a type 2 diabetic and do not have normal kidney function. Since coming off the drug around three weeks ago, I have now noticed that I have neuropathy in my legs, arms and hands. The symptoms were completely covered up by the drug. If I had known that I had these symptoms which indicates diabetes I would have stopped the drug a lot sooner. I was discharged from the hospital this past Tuesday after a stay for stress related issues caused by withdrawal from this drug. I am struggling everyday to just make it out of bed because the severe withdrawal symptoms that have been brought on by this drug.
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on April 5, 2012 at 8:08 am
I was in a serious auto accident in Oct 2011. My doctor put me on Cymbalta for pain management and depression. I took 30 mm for 2 weeks and started on 60’s. The morning after my first dose of 60, I woke with a rash on my upper chest. I saw my doctor that afternoon and mentioned the rash, but it had almost disappeared and he said to keep on taking med. Two days later the rash reappeared on my lower stomach and again disappeared with 24 hours. I had itching and occasional small areas of rash for about 4 weeks and suddenly developed uncontrollable explosive diarrhea (8 – 12 times a day for 17 days). I thought at first that I had a bug and didn’t go to primary doctor until around the 9th day. I had two tests for bacteria or parasites which were negative. Doctor took me off all med except blood pressure and thyroid and diarrhea stopped as suddenly as it started within 36 hours of stopping Cymbalta. I am now scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy next week. I am still losing weight and have some other issues.
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on April 4, 2012 at 7:03 pm
I was on cymbalta for fibromyalgia. I had 2 heart attacks. My Dr for fibro felt I should come off cymbalta as it wasn’t helping me but I needed to be weened of it slowly. She left the practice and wasn’t replaced so I had to ween myself off.. It took me 1 1/2 years to get off cymbalta and I haven’t taken anything else for fibro since. I have too many other medical issues now to deal with.
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on March 25, 2012 at 7:46 am
I was taking Zoloft 150 mg since 2004, after the panic attack that I had on that time my doctor put me on Zoloft. I was also taking Pacsel since 2000. None of those anti depressant drugs ever gave me the side effect that Cymbalta did.
My doctor called me about 3 months ago, and asked me to visit him. He changed my pills from Zoloft to Cymbalta. After being unemployed since 2008, and going trough so many disappointments, I finally got a job offer on March 1th, I have started working on March 7th and I was fired on March 16th.
I can tell that I am not myself anymore, my thought are becoming very negative and dangerous. I became very irrational and as my boyfriend says: very hostile and angry. I am calling my doctor on Monday again, and we’ll visit him soon, I have left two messages for him with his secretary so far, it’s very strange of him not to return my calls. So anyway, after reading more about Cymbalta’s SIDE EFFECTS tonight, and my boyfriends opinion about my behavior changes, I have decided to get some help.
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on March 20, 2012 at 8:20 pm
While I was on cymbalta, I had what felt like a million side effects, and decided to get off them. Now that I’m finally off it, I’m experiencing horrible withdrawal symptoms, too. Constant pain in my stomach, irritability, and more. What can I do to make sure this stops happening to people.
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on March 11, 2012 at 11:13 pm
I have end stage liver failure and was a drinker for most of my life since the age of 17. In 2005, I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and I quit drinking for a year. The psychologist who diagnosed me with bi-polar noticed I didn’t have any physical symptoms of going off the alcohol when leaving the hospital. I was in the rehab hospital for 3 days and nobody mentioned anything about my liver. Even the Dr. said it was up to me whether I called myself an alcoholic or not but recommended AA.
In January of 2009, I quit drinking for the first time due to symptoms (ascites) appearing. The PC doc referred me to the GI doc. He did an upper GI scan and felt my liver. He did some labs. He said I “probably have an injury” and that I need to quit drinking. So I did. But he did not get a CAT or colonoscopy. I quite felt great after a few months and sought out a psychiatrist for a new medicine for my bipolar since I had stopped taking Zoloft/Lithium and I was symptomatic again. So another different psych put me on Cymbalta in August or so of 2009. Not good but he said alcohol was fine but no more than a glass a day of red. Soon thereafter the drinking started again in late 2010.
As of Sept 2011, I was diagnosed with ESLD. They said 10% of my liver was left and seek out a transplant after I’ve quit for 6 months. So now I worry about bleeding out and other symptoms due to blood thinners because I was also diagnosed with AFIB. Last Monday night, I was diagnosed with bleeding hemorrhoids in the UCSF. The doc said it was good that I came in with the blood I had on the toilet paper but its not dangerous. Whew…
When I presented in the ER at UCSF at 1 am, I told the doc I was dizzy which is why I thought I was bleeding. He said that because I’m on Cymbalta and I am receiving a exaggerated dose of it because of how slow it leaves my system…he said my therapeutic levels could be dangerously elevated on Cymbalta and he said I can’t come off unless I’m hospitalized. He said the drug stays in my system 5-10 times longer so its like getting a massive dose. He quickly tried to get me a hepatology referral, but he couldn’t at midnight.
So now no hospital until I find another doc this week. UCSF hepatology can’t see me for at least 2 more seeks (unless I have emergency). My condition is way too dangerous. My Bipolar is cycling hourly now…and I can’t sleep or eat. I have emotional outbursts.
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on March 6, 2012 at 11:43 pm
I was put on cymbalta about 6/8 months ago for terrible menstrual cycles & depression. My doctor did not advise me of the withdrawal symptoms if ever I decided to come off. I went off of cymbalta cold turkey Feb 2nd 2012 symptoms: severe brain zaps, night sweats, cold, numbness/tingle in finger tips, nausea, jitters, can’t look left to right w/o having a shiver in my brain. I have to turn my whole head. This isn’t fair, we patients trust our docs to inform us of the meds they decide to put us on; and what could happen if we decide to come off them. Docs should be held liable against either not being informed or the docs not being given sufficient info regarding the drug.
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on March 1, 2012 at 1:24 am
Started Paxil in 2002 for depression. One year later, I started with panic/anxiety and weird neuro problems. Neuro found lesions on my brain (upwards of 20). Withdrawal was impossible…stayed on paxil until 2005. Started Cymbalta for pain and depression/anxiety/panic in 2006 (was told it was NOT an ssri, but not told it was in same class and a snri). On highest dose for a year and no benefits, only major side effects..sweating, headaches, nausea, vertigo. Took 3 months to withdrawal properly and had really bad withdrawal effects (brain zaps, panic, increased heart rate, vertigo, etc.). Almost to the 3rd month date of withdrawal, I had my first seizure. I’ve had 6 seizures since and now have to take medicine for epilepsy. First thing doctor asked me when I called the day after being rushed to hospital during seizure was: “How long have you been off Cymbalta now??”. Hmmmm… I’m now on SSDI, can’t work, can’t drive and feel that cymbalta has taken my life away.
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on February 11, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I have sexual side effects and insomnia from taking Cymbalta. These side effects have continued even though I have not taken it since December 2010.
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on February 3, 2012 at 7:49 am
I was on a high dose of Cymbalta for a few years. I was hospitalized for 15 days in June 2008 from the side effects of this drug. Possible suicide attempt, serotonin syndrome. This is a very dangerous drug! I want to get the word out about the dangers of this drug!!!
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on January 28, 2012 at 8:52 pm
I was just taken off cymbalta after my psychologist thought it would be a good idea to change with Wellbutrin. Off 90mg was not a good idea, I came home in a hideous rage like I had never seen myself before. I could not control myself one bit, and was later admitted to a psyc ward where my withdraw symptoms lowered to the point I could be discharged. I still have extreme dizziness and feel like all hell. Something needs to be done about warning people!
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on January 28, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Been hospitalized for suicidal thoughts since on cymbalta. Too hard to get off cymbalta because of its withdrawals.
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on January 11, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I was on Cymbalta for approximately 6 months for fibromyalgia. At first it was like a miracle. Then my pain got worse. My doctor kept increasing my dose until I was taking 3 pills a day. My pain was so extreme that my muscles and tendons and joints were as hard as steel!!! I could not poop unless I was taking laxatives. I was a screaming crazy maniac! I wanted to kill myself because I was in so much pain!!! I was throwing up every day all day long! My husband saw the commercial that said it makes your muscles cramp. My poo was green which means kidney problems! So I went down one pill, I got better as far as pain is concerned. Went down another, got better, went off, now my pain is manageable again. But it also made my heart go 114 times a minute, now I have heart problems. I can not sleep. I sweat all of the time. I have ringing in my ears all of the time. It has affected my sight, everything is blurry. My right side hurts and my colon hurts all of the time. Now I have to get all of these tests. This product should be taken off the market!!! Report it to the FDA everyone!!!!!
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on January 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I’m a perm. disabled, divorced mom of 3, I can’t work, I’m on SSI & SSDA, welfare in the State of CA. I’ve been taking Cymbalta for about 3-4 years and tried to commit suicide last December 2010.
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on December 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I took Cymbalta for a month. I started having really bad muscle pain throughout my body. Like my muscles were shutting down. I went to the hospital and my muscle enzymes were off. They rushed me to a different hospital. They diagnosed me with myalgia. I had to continue the Cymbalta. I went to my regular doctor, and he started tapering me off of it. I have now been without it a month or so and I have really bad brain tremors, my heart feels like it skips, and I get shortness of breath. I was put on this medication for back pain. Now I suffer with depression and myalgia. I have went through so much pain with this medication. I just wished that I would die. I was in so much pain. Now the brain tremors, are so much to bare. I don’t know what I’m gonna do.
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on December 1, 2011 at 3:19 pm
I’ve been coming off of Cymbalta for the last 2 months and it’s been terrible. When I was on it, I had constant sweating – so bad that the sweat would pour out of my arms, down my legs, into my shoes. I’ve come off of it gradually, but even so have had TERRIBLE withdrawal. Examples: hot and cold flashes all the time. One minute I’m freezing and need a blanket and the next my body is consumed with heat and I’m sweating profusely. Then feeling sick. I am nauseated almost all the time, have headaches, and some dizziness. I’m also finding it very hard to control my anger and fly off the handle easily (not something I suffered from either before I went on cymbalta or during my time taking it).
This stuff is freaking poison.
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on November 27, 2011 at 11:17 pm
It’s been over 7 days, I’m so tired of my body being addicted to this drug!! I was never told it was addicting. The Dr. says “it’s not addicting” out of all the medicine I’ve taken yet this is the only one that is extremely hard to stop taking. My family suffers from me suffering withdrawals. This drug should be told what it does when you stop trying to take it. It takes 3 days until your system knows you are not taking it..and all hell breaks loose in your system. Something needs to be done!! I was prescribed for menopause hot flashes. Menopause is hard enough to go through and I just want answers and I want the pain in my head and chest to stop. I have panic attacks and I feel weak like I’m going to pass out. It’s a blanket that covers the problem, it does nothing for the real problems, it just covers them up and I pay 140.00 a month since I was prescribed 90 ml a day. It’s expensive. If I get stressed out I go to bed and sleep for hours and hours. If my children makes too much noise or they are having a squabble, I go to sleep. So, I don’t have to handle life’s problems. It’s a blanket nothing more that your body gets addicted to and Nobody Warns You What will Happen if you stop taking them!!! HELP………
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on October 30, 2011 at 4:24 pm
My husband of 30 years took his life while on Cymbalta . My life and the lives of our children and grand children will never be the same. I have struggled, am depressed and have health issues due to stress and Eli Lilly is making billions or even Trillions. Help is needed now. Get this thing rolling people.
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Guest
on October 28, 2011 at 6:29 pm
I took cymbalta 4 about 6 months and at the 6th month I no longer wanted to live! I was out of work 4 a month! The doctors left me on cymbalta! I loosed my job in 08, and I have not felt the same since! I still have depression and I never had it before taking this medication, just a little anxiety! Cymbalta ruined my LIFE! I feel robbed of my adult life!
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on October 23, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I was prescribed Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia. Taking Cymbalta affected my behavior by over-compenasting normal cares and worries to a degree where I did not care about anything, myself or anyone. I discontinued working out and watching what I ate. As a result I gained over 40 pounds within months. I didn’t check on my sons’ college grades – just no longer cared. These are a few examples as a result of taking Cymbalta. I had an extra-marital affair when my marriage was as perfect as one could be. My marriage ended in divorce to a wonderful man. We live in a $400,000. home, had the cars, the vacations, the close to perfect life together. I threw it away, just by simply no longer caring about my family, my morals, not caring anyone or anything. Has anyone been affected in the same way as a result of taking this medication?
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on December 21, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I absolutely experienced similar problems while taking Cymbalta. Psychologist/PA prescribed for depression/anxiety after a near-death experience. I completely lost all regard for myself or my family, drank heavily and had an affair, fully prepared to toss my job, house, family and life away without a care. Thank God I married such a wonderful woman who led me back to reality after begging me to go with her to marriage counseling. I have zero doubt that Cymbalta created a complete sense of apathy for others and turned my outlook to absolute narcissism. I couldn’t get off the drug fast enough, and weathered about 2 months of symptom withdrawal and continue to repair the damage I’ve done to my wife and children.
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on October 22, 2011 at 11:51 pm
I was on cymbalta for a only a few months before I attempted suicide. I took over 80 pills late September and was in a coma for 36hours. I am truly lucky to be here. We are now awaiting my psych appointment on the 17th to confirm it was medication related. However, I am not worried about this as I hadn’t thought about suicide leading up to it and was even perfectly fine just two hours before! After we receive confirmation, I WILL join a lawsuit. The emotional toll has been massive, I did this in front of my two young children! Something else I would never do. The medical expenses huge! This drug needs to be recalled! And I don’t fit into the cute little FDA black box age bracket… I am 32.
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on October 17, 2011 at 11:29 pm
My husband has been taking Cymbalta for about 4yrs. First for pain for shingels,continued and increased for depression. He has been now diagnosed with glacoma.
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Guest
on July 31, 2011 at 11:57 pm
I am having so much pain, doctors will not help me and symptoms are getting worse… Please help me.
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Guest
on June 28, 2012 at 9:23 pm
I was prescribed Cymbalta for neck pain and depression. 6 years later, I was on Cymbalta, a prescription anti-inflammatory, a muscle-relaxer, a sleeping-pill, and had gained 75 lb on an 1800 calorie diet. The pain was excruciating (to the point of suicidal thoughts), and after thousands of dollars of tests, it was diagnosed as “fibromyalgia”… which I never had until I took the drug. After realizing that standard medical treatment was breaking me financially and emotionally, I started seeing a chiropractor to resolve the initial problem – the neck pain. I have since gotten off all of the drugs. Guess what? The ENTIRE 6-year agony-fest stemmed from Cymbalta. Been off it for a year, and feel better than ever, with regular chiropractic care (4 impinged nerves will do that, huh?). Good luck to you, friend…. I’d recommend an alternative practitioner and a different antidepressant, ASAP.
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Guest
on July 13, 2011 at 3:34 pm
I was on Cymbalta for 2 years for Fybromyalgia. I ended up in hospital several times. I never understood it was this medication I was taking. I gradually became so sick, I was suicidal. I never felt this way. After doing some research, I stopped taking this medication. I was very sick from withdrawal symptoms. I was experiencing terrible brain zaps. This continued for 6 weeks. As a result of what this medication did to my nervous system, I now suffer from Chronic vertigo. I lost my job, I am sedated most of the time to help with symptoms do to vertigo. I no longer can drive. I was a fairly healthy 45 year old woman. I worked, an avid runner, mother and wife. Now I am confided to my home. My husband has the full burden of caring for the family. My quality of life has completely diminished. I never had vertigo until I stopped taking cymbalta. It has done irreversible damage. I have been suffering with this for 3 years. I have been to hospital, ENT specialist, neurologist and they can’t find out a logical reason for my chronic disorder. I even traveled to specialist out of state to figure it out. Nothing wrong with ears. This medication has destroyed my life. They need to take this off the market. I suffer day and night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
on August 15, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Yes I too was put on for my fibromyalgia. Worst thing in my life. I felt bad all the time. I never had problems before and am not a drinker but now I have a tumor on my liver. I am 100% sure it was the Cymbalta. Now I have to live with a compromised liver my whole life.
on January 30, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I’ve to suffer from what they call RSD since July 1, 2011 and in October 2011. My doctor put me on cymbalta at 60mg a day. I told him just this morning that this medicine was making me see things like big bugs and snakes. These things to a person look real when your looking at them but your telling yourself that it’s not but you can’t help it because what you see is real and you want to get away from it. Well I can go on and on about this medicine. My doctor says he’s never heard of someone seeing things like that and has never said anything about other health issues at all.
on September 20, 2012 at 7:42 am
I have experienced the same thing for 56 years. I’ve seen bugs on my skin and I’ve taken 120 mg of Cymbalta twice today. Thanks for putting your post up there. They tell me I have Magellans which is a psychiatric thing.