Cymbalta And Weight Gain (Top voted first)

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I gained 68 lbs while on Abilify. Now four years later my weight is still 30 lbs over my normal. I still have some depression and very severe anxiety so my doc wants me to try cymbalta 20mg once a day. I would rather be depressed than severely overweight. Anyone know if cymbalta tends to cause weight gain or loss?

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Hi, I have been on cymbalta for about 4 years now, after a suicide attempt. I started off on one capsule a day which wasn't enough so it was increased to 2 a day. I fell in love with life again.
I find it amazing and I can't do without them. HOWEVER! My weight has increased dramatically. Just recently my dose has increased to 3 a day and it was fantastic for my sex drive, my husband was working overtime in that department. I can't control my eating. I am like a locust , from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep I just eat. I have gained 30kg and feel disgusted with my self. I would also rather. Be depressed and thin, than fat. What's the good of being happy and fat when your husband can hardly look at you because of all the fat?

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6

I put on 60 pounds the first six months after starting Cymbalta. Then I seemed to plateau and haven't put on any more pounds in the last 2 years. That 60 pounds is mostly on my stomach and boobs. Not attractive at all.

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9

I have recently came off cymbalta went from 30 MSG to zero..after two weeks of hell..I'm still suffering side effects mainly extreme tiredness and joint pain and feeling angry at my situation , trying to exercise as I gained a lot of weight but in so much pain I have to stop, am going to try swimming, but feel so tired and in pain all the time ..sorry I ever went on this drug..thanks to everyone who takes the time to post on here as my doc doesn't seem to think cymbalta has many side effects !!!!

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4

One known side effect is "significant change in weight and/or appetite." Read the article to learn more.

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3

i have been on 60mg duloxotine a day and since starting it around 5 or 6 months ago i have put on 3 stone, no sex drive, i have taken myself of of it and suffered the withdrawal effects, i dont bother much with eating now, lost half stone and sex drive has improved, hope this helps but everyone is different
m

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7

I have been on Cymbalta for eight years now. I found that it was easy to get on with little side effects as far as ringing in the ears etc...I take 60mg a day. It helped alot with depression, but I have noticed over the years that I have weight gain. I am 189lbs and I always was around 135lbs mark. I have noticed since last May 2012 that I have had some chest pains, shortness in breath, bad blurry vision, no energy, but I do not feel depressed. I have just noticed in the last two weeks that my scalp itches really bad and found that it was a side effect. Now these side effects have just came on in the last year or weeks, but I figure it can be a build up in my system. I am 48 years old and I rule out possibilities, starting with my age, but I have always been a very healthy person and was always on the go and ready for a good challenge, but today it is like dragging horses out of me. I am going to get with my Doctor and inform him of what is going on with me and my findings, I feel at a loss because I do not want to try and switch to some other medication that will give me a more difficult time, but on the other hand, what can be any worse than these symptoms. I have a lot of weight on me, tired, I do not have a desire to do a whole lot of anything, but on the flip side I am not depressed or in a corner like I have heard some people say they have done. I hope this helps some of you to make a decision on the medication Cymbalta.

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10

I have been on 60 mg of Cymbalta for about a year and then decided I needed a higher dose. After about a month on 90 mg, I have been able to stop eating out of frustration and just eat healthy without a lot of internal fighting. I've been trying to lose this weight for 20 years. I think it is the lessening of anxiety that is making it possible. I hope I lose it before the drug stops working as they all have over the past 25 years.

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13

I have been on duloxetine/cymbalta for 15 months. Since them I have gained and an
insatiable appetite. I feel breathless when I walk now. I have pain in my leg and arm muscles. I cant sleep properly. My dosage is 30mg. I am now 14 stones 2 pounds. I was at the beginning of these tablets 11 stones 6 pounds.

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21

I will be starting back on cymbalta. I now take wellbutrin and I have taken these simultaneously in the past--- the reason is because cymbalta can cause sexual side effects and the wellbutrin counteracts it. Additionally, the cymbalta made me nauseated and no appetite for about a month- I lost about 10 lbs. initially but my body got used to it. It's a wonder-drug for fibromyalgia.

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23

On the first 6 months of cymbalta (for peripheral neuropathy) I lost maybe 10lbs without trying. I had no interest in eating-- the thought actually made me feel sick to my stomach. Again, I only actually lost 10lbs, but I looked super thin. I think it was because I seemed to have lost a lot of fat mass -- to the point where you could see my bones. Not cute. Then all of a sudden after the 6 month mark I gained a about 30 lbs-- more than I have ever weighed. After 1 year I had my doctor taken me off cymbalta and put me on my old medicine-- amitryptaline. I'm still overweight and it's harder to lose weight more than ever now. While cymbalta worked for the neuropathy, I never plan to take it again. The weight gain is not worth it. I have never beenthis heavy in my life!!!

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24

Been on Cymbalta for a year WITH Adderall combined, so no.... I have not gained weight. I have very severe nerve pain due to many broken bones from being crushed by a horse falling on top of me after he reared up and fell backwards....... the Adderall helps with a lifelong problem with ADD....BUT,,, doctors are now experimenting with low doses of it combined with pain management to get the benefits of the adrenaline which helps so so much when your in pain and you can hardly move or get out of bed....

Here's the MOST IMPORTANT THING though, your going to get a 50/50 mix about Cymbalta, what works for one is horrible for another...it depends on how badly you hurt or are depressed or whatever.......if your just willing to give it a try. Sometimes it's not the best idea to even research or ask questions about medications (other than with your doctor) because the mind is such a powerful thing. You can literally make or break something that might be great for you, if your mind has been thinking all across the board.

For me personally, I have been pain free since about after a month of starting it. It was the first time in five years that my pain management doctor didn't have to write refills for everything !!!!! And that was HUGE to me, also keep in mind there are side effects for EVERY SINGLE THING you take, your not going to get "something for nothing" as I like to put it.

From what I am understanding, you are going to use this medicine for depression and anxiety ?

After my accident I had panick attacks and very bad anxiety.....my doctor had me take Paxil, and I did really really well on that, "for me" the panick attacks stopped and my anxiety decreased, but I had to be willing to put some work in too..... learn to meditate, I take TaiChi, go walk or do a low impact workout, attend therapy, journal, it was and still is a REALLY tough work in progress. Unfortunately a pill alone isn't going to get the whole job done.... I look at it as, "I need my medications to help me get up, be able to walk,and leave my house ...so that I can implement the other things that are necessary in my recovery, and man.....not only does it suck sometimes, it's also really hard.

Sharon, what have you got to lose by trying it for a week or two and seeing how you do ? Remain positive and open minded, very important to (at the same time) taper down on one med and taper up on the other !!!!!!

I can't stress the importance of that enough. I am no medical doctor by any means BUT...I do know that I have lived through multiple medicine changes in my life and my doctors probably HAVE NOT taken or tried a good percentage of the medicines I have....so when the doctors try to tell me, " Oh, just stop this and take this." Or whatever,,,,,,I'm like "Whoa" lets go slow and taper both , and I've never gone wrong with myself. But, you have to know yourself well also and what you think is going to be best for you. The doctors are there to suggest....you are the one making the ultimate decisions.....being a big advocate in your own healthcare.....discuss something like Paxil...or why Cymbalta and not Effexor ? Ask those questions to get a better idea why the doctor recommended this particular medicine for you ?
I'm so sorry that your anxiety is bad, I don't know which is worse....sad or scared...and then to feel both is just tough. I've been there and may one day be there again ? Who knows, right ? It's a day to day process, for us complicated humans ??

My prayers are with you.......

Please try to pull some bit of positivity out of the deepest place it may be....take a chance,ask lots of questions to your doctor....don't let them rush you !!!

Ahhhhhhh, it's a hard road to walk,,,,,but...when you happen to find the right combo ( and it may only work for a year or two) when you do find the right thing,,,,you get your life back for the time it lasts ....and that feels good.??

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1

Actually, one of its most common side effects is decreased appetite, so it might actually cause weight loss.

Learn more Duloxetine details here.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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5

I've been on cymbals a month. It has helped me with overeating and stress eating. I've lost a little weight already but having trouble with insomnia.

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8

Hello,
I just posted in this forum...my name is Leslie...I have been on Cymbalta for eight years and feel that I am having some side effects from build up of medication in the systom. I too have gained a lot of weight along with new side effects. I am going to get with my doctor when i get a chance, but it will be nice to be able to compare notes with someone else.

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11

I am on Cymbalta for chronic pain...at three months now. I basically have been bed ridden for the last year, they think its a muscle tear. Anyhow, I originally was on neurontin, and my weight dipped very low. I looked skeletal. And it made me so confused. I guess it's similar to Cymbalta, maybe try it? I've gained back a few pounds on Cymbalta, and although I'm hungry, I'm an extremely disciplined eater ( I worked for weight watchers for a few years and I come from an obese family). I'm surprised at all of the weight gain stories on this med...

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12

Ive been on Cymbalta for about a year and a half now and lost 45 pounds which is without a doubt due to the Cymbalta. Unfortunately I just found out I don't qualify for the patient assistance program anymore and I certainly cant afford it on my own at a hefty price of about $500 a month. :(

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14

I have just been prescribed Duloxetine Dr 20mg twice daily for pain control. Only on day 3... CANT SLEEP!!! Does this go away? It hasn't helped my pain yet... does it take awhile? I'm really scared to continue and do not want adverse side affects???

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15

Amy-this is what's called an activating drug and so most people take it in the early morning. Ask your doc. It should be fine.

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16

im on cymbalta and am gaining weight , effexor did the same , i gained 3 dress sizes yet i barely eat

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17

I'm sorry to hear that....it seems 50/50 on the weight loss/gain. My weight is still down but stable. I haven't lost in a few months. The sweating was out of control at night, so now I take it right when I go to bed. That way if the obnoxious amount of sweating starts, it's usually time to wake up. I'm battling the worst constipation now. On my fourth med for that! But my pain is still considerably better, so I'm dealing with side effects.

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