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Posted 4/3/2015 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
I found this site while researching Cymbalta and insomnia. I suffer from PTSD (not war related) and major depression. I was on Lexapro for years and it wasn't doing what it should so switched to Cymbalta and recently upped that to 60 mg. It is interesting that I read that it can cause drowsiness and insomnia. I tend towards insomnia and after my 2nd week of 60 mg it seems to be worse.

My spine is fused L1-S1 and also both SI joints. I was knocked unconscious by a snowboarder and it basically ruined my life, hence the PTSD. The Cymbalta does not help with my pain altho I was hoping it would. I have had so many surgeries and have been on ambien for a long time. I have been trying to eliminate it. I have managed to go from 10 mg to 5 mg and now am trying 2.5. The 2.5 does nothing with the higher dose of Cymbalta.

I take it in the morning but will ask my psychiatrist about evening. I was just wondering what other people do and what else they take to help them sleep.
Posted 4/3/2015 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Depending on how long you have been on Cymbalta makes a difference as to what is going to happen. Side effects happen when first starting the drug and after an increase. They usually go away in a couple of weeks. The medication takes six to eight weeks to reach full effect. That means the pain decreasing part. If you have been on it a long time, more than eight weeks actually, it may not be the right medication for you. Give it a chance though to work.

I am sorry for what has happened to you. Try not to think it ruined your life. Though you maybe can't do the same things you did before, you may learn new skills. And fun things. I know it is difficult to cope, I am sorry about the ptsd. You can work on that too.

I use meditation to help me sleep. I took ambien for many years because of my fibromyalgia. But it is addicting. I have gone off of Xanax too. Use meditation for anxiety and mindfulness.

The body is amazing. There is so much you can control, you just have to learn how.

I hope things get better. Welcome to the forum. Again, I am sorry for what happened.

Take care and have a good day...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/3/2015 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
I too have periodic insomnia which is actually made worse by my pain medication. I have just been put on Welbutrin for worsening depression. I have to watch how much caffeine I take in and when, watch how much sugar I take in and when, etc. I've found that drinking a glass of milk helps, it contains a chemical which is good for 'sleep'. Making sure my bedroom is uncluttered helps too. Light, sound, scent, all contribute to a better night sleep for me. I take my Welbutrin around 8pm as it works better for me. Hope you find what helps you.
Posted 4/3/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Cymbalta was up to 120mg for 2yrs. no real sleeping issues until therapy starting poking at stick at my PTSD.

I had to switch to effexor and am just off cymbalta 2 weeks now.

I can't help but wonder if it is coincendental that your insomnia may be the PTSD kicking up. The C does help with pain over time, that is why I went to 120mg.

Here is a link to a trusted site. They have PTSD and Complex such as I have.
Find the list for your dx and see how many symptoms match. Then talk to your Doc about the med, sleeping and PTSD if enough match

www.ptsdsymptoms.org/ptsd-checklist.html

I wish you peace and comfort
Trina
Posted 4/4/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you!!

jani
Posted 4/4/2015 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Cymbalta for 3 months.It was the best AD that i have taken for Depression.Is was also the one with the worst side affects to go on and come off.While i on was on it i could only sleep 2-3 hours a night.So you think that this will go away after one month,than 2 months and finally after 3 months my doc said you have to stop taking it.Of course by then i was a walking zombie.My doc here in Florida than gave gave me 3 weeks of Fetzima and i told him that Cymbalta and Pristiq(which did not work) are in the same family so why try? I did not try it and now i am taking 20 mg of Lexapro per day .I had tried Lexapro for ten days 2 years ago and felt nothing so i went to Celexa which worked for about 5 months.Now we all know that everyone will tell you that 10 days is not long enough so i decided to give it a longer time.It s been 18 days and i still feel nothing but i will tough it out until the end of April to meet with my GP in Canada.If i am lucky i may be able to see a psychiatrist in May and they are supposed to know more about AD.Good luck.
Posted 4/4/2015 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I took Lexapro for years and am now trying Cymbalta. Lexapro was ok for a couple of years but then I needed something that worked better. I just increased my dosage of Cymbalta about 2 weeks ago. I will just have to monitor things as I don't see my psychiatrist for another couple of weeks.
Posted 4/5/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the responses. I have only been on my increased Cymbalta for a couple of weeks. I have been trying to be done with ambien which I have been on for a long long time due to all my surgeries. Maybe this isn't the time to do it. Maybe it just needs to be something I have to take. I heard a really good saying recently:
"You don't get the chance to be who you used to be". I know we all struggle with our new selves and its very hard at times.
Posted 4/5/2015 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
With ambien, I broke them in half and worked my way down to a half every other night. Made quitting easier.

I took ambien for years too. Learned to meditate and that helps me fall asleep. I wish you the best...

Hugs, Karen...

Oh, Happy Easter!!!
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