Side effects of Cymbalta (depression meds for physical symptoms)?

I'm wondering what the side effects are, and how long it takes to determine if a medication such as Cymbalta is working.  I have had headaches as long as I can remember, along with back pain, muscle aches, fatigue, trouble sleeping and digestive and weight problems, and putting them all together might make me a candidate to try this medication.  But I want to be aware of the side effects as I have friends who have had bad reactions to some antidepressants, such as chewing the inside of the mouth, severe weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc.

[Hensley258]

Glad you posted.

Don't choose Cymbalta. It's effectivness is way over rated.

Take it from someone that has the exact same syptoms (symptoms) as you mentioned.
Effexor XR is also an SNRI in the same class as Cymbalta and it is more effective for "most" people and has fewer side effects than Cymbalta.

If I had a nickel for everyone on the forum that has posted dissapointments with Cymbalta then I would be a wealthy man.

I took Effexor XR for 4 years (before it pooped out on me) and at that time my P-doc switched me to Cymbalta. I tried Cymbalta for 8 full weeks at an effective dosage and it was almost completly non effective and the side effects and eventual withdrawl (withdrawal) were worse than with Effexor XR.

Yes, you will hear horror stories about how uncomfortable it is to come off Effexor (if you ever do) but the reality is that Cymbalta is no better in that aspect.

Effexor XR makes Weyth Pharmicuticals 3.5 Billion (not Million dollars) per year in revinue. It is the highest per year grossing Antidepressant on the market. You know why it make Weyth so much money? Because it works and it is time tested unlike Cymbalta.

In fact I have yet to hear from anyone with Sever depression and anxiety on this forum that has posted about success with Cymbalta.

I know many that have found Effexor to be much more effective, including myself.

If you choose Effexor XR just start slow at 37.5Mgs a day, then after two weeks bump up to 75Mgs a day. Most people find effectivness at between 75 and 225Mgs a day on Effexor. Give it a full 6 weeks at 75Mgs a day before making an evaluation regarding it's effectivness. This stuff take time to work and the first couple weeks on it can be a little rough.

Important: Your P-doc may offer a Generic replacement for Effexor called Venlafaxine.
Venlafaxine is the actual active chemical in Effexor minus the XR (Extended Release)

DON'T OPT FOR THE VENLAFAXINE. Yes, it is the same as Effexor XR, but it's Relaese action is not the same. This makes a huge difference in terms of tolerability.

If your going to go for an SNRI medication than Effexor XR is the clear choice. In fact many Psychiatrist have reciently put Cymblata last on their list of Prescribed SNRI's because even thay have noticed it's lack of effectivness in so many patients.

Hope that helps.