Hey guys. Im just wanting to see if anyones been using cymbalta (duloxetine) for anxiety or depression and what side effects your finding with them. Any type 1’s having hypos a few hours after taking it?
What meds are you on? How are they working for you? And what have you found works best to treat your anxiety/depression??
Well Paul, I’m a type 2 taking insulin which might put me in the question section. I have been taking Cymbalta for about 2.5 years mainly for neuropathy but it is also helping me with my depression and anxiety. The only side effects that I’ve seen so far is that it is making me more reclusive and not wanting to go out and do things like I used to do about a year and a half ago. The hypoglycemic episodes I’ve been having are more towards late afternoons and very early mornings like after midnight.
One thing I have to help with a lot of my anxiety is that I finally received a young lady care giver that is marvilous in helping me monday through friday, but once noon hits on friday my clam shell starts closing shop till bedtime on Sunday. I know I have to get some adjustments in my depression meds, increasing the Cymbalta and possibly adding another one to help boost my energy and lower my anxiety levels for the weekends. So if there are any suggestions till I get the help I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks, Gus
Hi Gus. I was on mirtazapine for 6 months but found that it didn’t do anything with my depression/anxiety/motivation but it did help me sleep, but then always left me tired. I’ve been on 60mg of cymbalta for 5 days now and so far Im feeling fine. Apart from 3 nights where Ive gone hypo after midnight, and the sexual side effects I’ve read about and experiencing a little of! - it seems to be doing ok. I’ve lost 5 pounds in 5 days which is alot - but is due to the mitazapine making me eat non-stop. Cymbalta has taken that craving away so I’ve been eating healthy.
Its hard for me to comment on whether its making me reclusive or not. Im at an age now where friends are in long term relationships, and others’ idea of socialising is to go to a bar and drink every Friday night. I’d love to go out and have a meal with friends, go to the theatre etc, but no one my age seems to do that! I’ve always had problems in big social situations - crowds can scare me and I’ll close myself up and go quiet.
All I can suggest is to keep trying different meds - give each one a month or 2 and if you aren’t feeling better talk it over with the doc and try something else. I just wish I’d tried something else sooner. The meds aren’t the only answer though - it is so hard to force yourself out when your feeling like you want be alone - but I do find that it does help to just go for a walk or set myself a little challenge. Finally, just use this website - there are so many people out here in similar situations and it always helps to talk things over. Feel free to message me at any time!