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Cymbalta and nausea - how long does it last?

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Posted 1/25/2009 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
I started taking 30mg Cymbalta last night for depression and nerve pain. Felt very sick all night a still a little today - not sure whether my disturbed sleep and wakeful few hours were because I felt sick or whether I noticed I was feeling sick because the Cymbalta was keeping me awake. I know that nausea is a common side effect but I need to know that it will go away. Please tell me it will, very soon.
Posted 1/25/2009 9:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Mary.  I am sorry that you are not feeling well right now.  Unfortunately, when you start off a medication that has a SSRI in it (such as Cymbalta) nausea is common.  When I first started taking medication I felt nauseous for about a week and then it started to settle down and go away.  Taking a medication such as this for the first time can be very scary.  To this day if my medication has to be increased or if I am told I need to start a new one, I get very scared myself.  But trust me, this will pass. 

In regards to having trouble sleeping, I have had this problem with the Cymbalta too (I am currently on this).  I usually get two-three hours of sleep then wake up and cannot fall asleep again.  I know some people take the medication in the morning because of this.  I tried, but it effected my workday too much.  So, as a compromise I take another medication at night to help me sleep.  But this option is too early for you.  Typically, it takes about 4-6 weeks before you began to feel all the positive effects of the medication and you began to feel better.  You and your body are in an adjustment period right now.  When you start feeling less nauseous try getting some exercise or physical activity that might tire you out and see if that will help you.

Good luck with all of this and keep posting.  And remember that the nauseous feeling will go away soon.  This is just one of the yucky side effects of taking this medication.  But give this a fair chance.  Cymbalta has been a miracle drug for me.

Cass

Posted 1/25/2009 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary,

As Cass has said, nausea is common with SSRI's. For some people it only lasts a couple of days while their body adapts to the meds, for some people it can take a couple of weeks and for some people the med is unsuitable and the symptoms persist. I would give it a week or 2 before making any decisions but if it is still persisting then maybe talking to the physician about changing the med might be an option

Darren
Posted 1/25/2009 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary,

I wanted to welcome you to HealingWell depression forum. I think that you will find this a good place to come and vent when you need. Or just plain talk. Everybody here is so kind and compassionate. We do some fun things too.

Keep posting, I hope to see you around the board.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/25/2009 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
What a lovely bunch of people you are. I'll come again. I'll need to take a look at the chronic pain forum too. I'm not sure why my doctor has got me on 30mg when the leaflet in the box says 60mg is the dose for nerve pain. Though, I wouldn't have wanted double the nausea I felt last night. I'll see what happens over the next few days - I need to work out whether it makes me tired or sleepy -and I need to think about whether I'd rather feel sick during the night or during the day. I was happy to start on the Cymbalta because I've become very depressed about my pain. I'd love to think it will help with the pain as well as the depression. I'm keeping everything crossed.
Posted 1/25/2009 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

Mary:  I'm glad to know that our posts helped.  In regards to your question as to why your doctor started you off at 30 mg versus the most helpful 60 mg., they always prescribe lower to start with and gradually build up to the most therapeutic amount.  As you said, can you imagine how nauteaous you would have felt if he started you at 60 mg. right away.

Good luck and keep posting so we know how you are doing!

Cass


Posted 1/26/2009 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary~

I am on my 3rd week of Cymbalta. The first week I was at 30 mg and felt nauseous for the first 3 or 4 days. When I bumped up to 60 mg I, again, was nauseous for about a week. Then one day it just stopped. I take my Cymbalta in the morning as it was keeping me awake. Good luck!

Erin

Posted 1/26/2009 8:00 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't feel nearly so nauseous last night (night 2). But, like the night before I woke after a couple of hours and was awake for about 3 hours before dropping off again (soon before the alarm, of course.) I've noticed that an hour after I take the tablet I feel drowsy, which I expected, but it means I am a bit worried about taking it earlier in the day because I have to drive. Does the drowsiness wear off as well as the nausea?
Posted 1/26/2009 1:46 PM (GMT 0)

Mary,

Welcome to HealingWell and the Depression Forum.  I have been on Cymbalta for over a year and lucky for me I did not have any nausea and I also take a med to help me sleep.

As the other's have posted  the SSRIs/SSNIs are noted for having side effects when you first start them.

I am glad your second dose went better.  The waking up in the middle of the night is tough thow.  That was one of my huge problems at one time.

Be sure to mention this to your physician.

Again a warm welcome.

Hugs
KItt

Posted 2/22/2010 4:04 PM (GMT 0)

My 15 yr old daughter was prescribed Cymbalta after she started suffering from vertigo (lack of balance) fatigue and nausea on Jan 11th. All her testing was normal and no one could figure out the cause, but it would not let up. The neurologist said that perhaps her brain is suffering from anxiety, even though she does not feel anxious or depressed. The cymbalta gave her balance back, but the nausea seems worse and the fatigue is about the same, but she says her brain feels clearer. She has taken it for 1.5 weeks. My question is, she was prescribed Zofran for the nausea and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Zofran and Cymbalta. It seems like the way they work just negates each other to a certain extent.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Mom to Kiki

Posted 2/22/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mom to Kiki,

First of all, welcome to the depression forum, you have come to a place of great support from the members here.

My guess is that the doctor prescribed the Zofran to combat the nausea seeing your daughter is prone to it. I have taken neither of these medications, so hopefully somebody else will come along who has had some experience with them.

Wishing you the best.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/23/2010 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MomtoKiki,

do you know about brain zaps? could your daughter be suffering from those?

serafena
Posted 2/23/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
yeah was nauseas first week or so. started at 60mg, last 2 weeks gone to 120mg, nauseas for a week, but it has passed. hoping you feel better soon. hi and welcome, with compassion, jamie.
Posted 5/7/2010 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I started Cymbalta at 30mg and had some nausea but mostly felt really "buzzed" like I'd had too much coffee. Clenching my teeth, headache, and as I said some nausea. After a week I was supposed to go to 60mg but when I told the dr my issues she had me dial it back to 20mg. I've been on that for a week or so now. I'm less wound up but still feeling nausea, and at this dose it is not as effective on the depression as it could be. Better than nothing but still not where I'd like to be.

I've been on Zoloft before and didn't have the nausea so I was wondering if it was the norepinephrine piece rather than the ssri that is bugging me.

Mostly though I wonder if these side effects are likely to be transitory and that I'll be able to handle a higher dose. Depression sucks but I don't like feeling sick all the time either.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Posted 5/7/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JJ,

Welcome to the HealingWell Depression Forum. I am so glad that you have joined us. I hope that somebody who takes cymbalta can give you some advice. I have never taken this medication. The side effects usually go away in a couple of weeks. I hope that this works for you.

Keep posting.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/11/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I would make sure to tell the doc what is going on. Is there any chance that you picked up a virus the same time that you started the medication? If you only took one pill, as it sounds like you did, I doubt that it would be seratonin syndrome.

The best thing that you can do it talk to your doc and see if you need to try something else. I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/12/2011 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, i started a new topic with my question, i don't know what to do, my appt for my doc is not until next week....
Posted 3/1/2012 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everybody,
I have just started taking Cymbalta yesterday - after being on Aropax (paroxetine) for 15 years. I was having some unwanted side effects and started seeing a new Dr who wanted me to switch medications.
I came off the Aropax following his instructions and it went ok. However, I am now feeling revolting and am wondering whether it's the withdrawl symptoms or side effects of the new one! Reading through some of the other posts, my symptoms are very similar to what is being described; nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, fatigue etc.
Do these horrible symptoms go away eventually??? smhair
Posted 3/1/2012 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Downunderman,

I started you a new thread of your own. This is an old thread and I don't know if you will get any responses on here. Good luck with your new meds. I will post on the other thread.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/1/2012 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen, much appreciated!
Posted 3/9/2012 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I need some ideas, my DR started my on cymbalta for chronic pain ,F.M. Depression at 60mg i see most start at 30 i am so nausea's i would rather deal with the pain and depression or go back to celexa and lyrica. my dr says this should work better and to see her next week i dont know if i can wait that long if this keeps up. anyun fortunatly i have to take in the morning as i have narcolepsy so i take other meds checking with the pharmacist they wont i nteract how long can i expect this to last first dose this morning.

Cassi
Posted 3/9/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cassi,

Welcome to the depression forum. I am glad that you have joined us. The side effect symptoms last from on to two weeks depending on the medication and how fast your body gets use to it. If it becomes too bothersome, please contact your doctor to see what to do next. You should be feeling better in a few days though. So try to be patient with the medication. Unless it becomes too much to deal with.

I hope that you feel better soon. Keep posting. You have come to a good place. I have fibromyalgia too. There is a very good fibromyalgia forum here as well.

Take care,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/10/2012 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen,

I did call my Dr. as I got really really sick was told to stop taking till i come in next week being she gave me samples of 60mg it might be just way to much for me to handle right off the bat so were going to try a smaller dose and work up. I'm petrified to even try that after all i went through today. But im gonna give it a shot

Posted 3/10/2012 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Good Cassi,

Yes it sounds like the dose was too high. Needing coffee badly.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/10/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Very few people can handle starting Cymbalta at a dose of more than 30mg.

My wife was on Cymbalta for a time for her fibro pain and her doctor started her out at 60mg and she was very ill. Her doctor then put her on 30 mg for about a month before upping it back to 60mg. At 30 mg she was a little queasy to her stomach and felt a little "weird" mentally at first. By the end of a week of being on the 30's those side effects were gone and with the exception of about 2 days worth of her stomach bothering her very minorly she did not have any trouble when she was upped to 60.
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