I was on Cymbalta for years - I have now been off it for 1 month. It took 5 months to wean off of it and the withdrawal symptoms were terrible. Cymbalta is a very strong, mind altering medication. The Doctors do not tell you this when they put you on it - al least mine did not. I do realize that the Cymbalta did help with pain management, it did make me put on lots of weight,I felt swollen, more tired during the day and numbed my feelings. I am going to try new therapies for my pain - hope they work. You will have to decide if this medication is right for you, just know that it is not easy to get off of. Wishing you the best.

I am transitioning from Cymbalta to Effexor right now. I was on cymbalta for seven years. It helped with the pain initially,but gradually stopped. I found it to be a very expensive drug ,with nasty side effects. I attempted to wean off it four times and it was so bad that I would go back to taking the higher dosage again. My present doctor has switched me to Effexor because he has found that it is easier to wean off it than cymbalta. I will wean off of Effexor , then try a wholely natural route. Medicinal marihuana is next.

I didn't realize how bad cymbalta screwed with me until I got off it. My brain fog pretty much disappeared, my sex drive came back, I just felt alive again. On the flip side, my pain was horrible once I stopped. Also took me over a month for the withdrawals to stop. That is ridiculous and I think the drug needs to be taken off the market.
Lyrica just made me gain weight. Nothing really more.

I took Lyrica and the side effects were terrible I stayed bloated and swollen all the time. I had a hard time going to the bathroom. My feet and legs were swollen. I felt bad all the time. Once I got off of it I began to lose weight and I feel much better Hope it works for you.

I start Lyrica this week & I'm a bit worried! I'm also a bit hopeful & excited that I might stay feeling normal again.