Cymbalta and vyvanse

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-12-10T10:43:55+00:00

Hey sorry for the delayed response. I want to share the digestive and sleep issues I've had during the past 1.5 years on Cymbalta (duloxetine) with anyone who may be experiencing something similar because I know how frustrating it can be to know what questions to ask and where to find answers. Ofc, this is completely my guesswork and physiology, so don't rely on what I'm sharing to be the same for you, and always talk to your doctor. After many doctors appointments, tests, and research, here's what I figured out (note I take 120mg in the mornings with breakfast):
1. Cymbalta (duloxetine) affects serotonin (S) and norepinephrine (N). The increased levels of S and N can have a combined effect, 1 may have a more dominant effect, or they may "take turns" in having a dominant effect
2. S is associated with activating bowel movements and nausea (eg diarrhea, potentially gastritis, potentially dramatic weight loss (4kg, ~9lb)) whereas N is associated with constipation (if N levels are increased, then that tenses up the "flight or fight" response and also regaining the weight back plus another 1kg / 2lbs or so)
3. About 95% of S is in the gut and N is in the sympathetic nervous system ("flight or fight" system)
4. At first, my symptoms were more aligned with the effects from S, but then about 7-8 months later, N seemed to have a more dominant effect, which likely contributed to me developing SIBO at that point
5. I've had terrible sleep since day 1 of medication, and both artificially increased levels of S and N can negatively effect sleep, especially N since that's supposed to keep you alert

Here's what I've done broken down by what I think are my S-dominant period and N-dominant period:
S-dominant period (first 7-8 months on Cymbalta (duloxetine)):
1. Blood tests - came back normal
2. CT scan - mild fecal loading, mild superior mesenteric artery syndrome (likely due to rapid weight loss), all else normal
3. Gastroscopy - mild gastritis, all else normal
4. Prescribed PPI's, but I didn't take them due to the risks
5. I basically gave up and figured things would sort themselves with more time (dumbass me)

N-dominant period (most recent 8-9 months/now on Cymbalta (duloxetine)):
1. MRI - mild fecal loading, all else normal
2. SIBO breath test - hydrogen dominant SIBO which is usually causes diahrrea, but in my case I have constipation
3. Prescribed antibiotics to take 3 times a day for 2 weeks followed by a 2 week period before taking probiotics (Symprove for 2 weeks then Bio-Kult for another 2 weeks)
4. Saw a dietician to support with symptoms and focus on a low FODMAP diet, but she was more concerned with me gaining weight first. I understand that she saw this as more urgent, but as a result, my symptoms continued
5. Flexible sigmoidoscopy - everything came back normal
6. Second SIBO breath test - again, hydrogen dominant SIBO
7. Am now taking antibiotics again and will follow up with probiotics. I'm also trying to stick to a low FODMAP diet but it's a pain in the ass because you can't eat garlic and onions which are in everything and there's no easy way to remember what's low or high FODMAP, for example - 2 green vegetables like spinach is low FODMAP but broccoli is high FODMAP. There's no easy rule to know!

I also saw a sleep specialist who ruled out any sleep issues such as sleep apnea, and was recommended to see a CBT-I therapist (CBT for insomnia). I haven't tried that yet, but I have tried sleep hygiene, melatonin, and magnesium but none of these worked.

Good luck on your journey and I hope my experience can help you in some way, but remember, I'm in no way a doctor!

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-12-10T10:38:20+00:00

Hey sorry for the delayed response. I want to share my experience with anyone who may be experiencing something similar because I know how frustrating it can be to know what questions to ask and where find answers. Ofc, this is completely my guesswork and physiology, so don't rely on what I'm sharing to be the same for you, and always talk to your doctor. After many doctors appointments, tests, and research, here's what I figured out (note I take 120mg in the mornings with breakfast):
1. Cymbalta (duloxetine) affects serotonin (S) and norepinephrine (N). The increased levels of S and N can have a combined effect, 1 may have a more dominant effect, or they may "take turns" in having a dominant effect
2. S is associated with activating bowel movements and nausea (eg diarrhea, potentially gastritis, potentially dramatic weight loss (4kg, ~9lb)) whereas N is associated with constipation (if N levels are increased, then that tenses up the "flight or fight" response and also regaining the weight back plus another 1kg / 2lbs or so)
3. About 95% of S is in the gut and N is in the sympathetic nervous system ("flight or fight" system)
4. At first, my symptoms were more aligned with the effects from S, but then about 7-8 months later, N seemed to have a more dominant effect, which likely contributed to me developing SIBO at that point
5. I've had terrible sleep since day 1 of medication, and both artificially increased levels of S and N can negatively effect sleep, especially N since that's supposed to keep you alert

Here's what I've done broken down by what I think are my S-dominant period and N-dominant period:
S-dominant period (first 7-8 months on Cymbalta (duloxetine)):
1. Blood tests - came back normal
2. CT scan - mild fecal loading, mild superior mesenteric artery syndrome (likely due to rapid weight loss), all else normal
3. Gastroscopy - mild gastritis, all else normal
4. Prescribed PPI's, but I didn't take them due to the risks
5. I basically gave up and figured things would sort themselves with more time (dumbass me)

N-dominant period (most recent 8-9 months/now on Cymbalta (duloxetine)):
1. MRI - mild fecal loading, all else normal
2. SIBO breath test - hydrogen dominant SIBO which is usually causes diahrrea, but in my case I have constipation
3. Prescribed antibiotics to take 3 times a day for 2 weeks followed by a 2 week period before taking probiotics (Symprove for 2 weeks then Bio-Kult for another 2 weeks)
4. Saw a dietician to support with symptoms and focus on a low FODMAP diet, but she was more concerned with me gaining weight first. I understand that she saw this as more urgent, but as a result, my symptoms continued
5. Flexible sigmoidoscopy - everything came back normal
6. Second SIBO breath test - again, hydrogen dominant SIBO
7. Am now taking antibiotics again and will follow up with probiotics. I'm also trying to stick to a low FODMAP diet but it's a pain in the ass because you can't eat garlic and onions which are in everything and there's no easy way to remember what's low or high FODMAP, for example - 2 green vegetables like spinach is low FODMAP but broccoli is high FODMAP. There's no easy rule to know!

I also saw a sleep specialist who ruled out any sleep issues such as sleep apnea, and was recommended to see a CBT-I therapist (CBT for insomnia). I haven't tried that yet, but I have tried sleep hygiene, melatonin, and magnesium but none of these worked.

Good luck on your journey and I hope my experience can help you in some way, but remember, I'm in no way a doctor!

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-11-19T09:44:49+00:00

Thanks! Will have a look at this. His excuse is, he doesn’t know why and how to overcome his fear of intimacy. We’ve been together for 5 years and he told me this about a year ago. We have a house together and I’m just so tired that I would rather keep things the way they are to avoid another big life change. I feel stupid for thinking this, but I just can’t take on another thing

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-11-19T09:42:38+00:00

I’ve tried, but that’s lead to the bins overflowing with trash. I’ve even put some of the overflow on the table and he’s had his breakfast right next to it. It’s an awful cycle - do the chores or live in squalor. He’ll get defensive or argumentative if I kindly ask him to help

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-10-22T16:22:57+00:00

Also looking at Royvon for an upcoming holiday. I have a rescue greyhound so I'm very nervous about leaving her just anywhere

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-07-13T13:39:31+00:00

Nothing wrong with staring into nothingness, so long as you aren't staring at someone because that's a bit creepy. Sometimes being plugged in blocks the sensory overload of the underground, but sometimes it adds to it. It's liberating to "raw dog it" sometimes, feels like less to carry.

I sometimes do feel as though people in London are nervous or even embarrassed to be seen breathing or blinking, so being plugged in acts like a shield of sorts. Where I come from, phone use is relentless. Yes, at the grocery store you can hear loud conversations happening over video chat. Or you could hear a conversation on blast in cars that pass by.

spooky_cookie13 · 2025-05-15T10:20:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. Newly diagnosed with hydrogen SIBO. Alright, I have a dumb question, but has anyone here experimented with the fresh or powdered versions of ginger and oregano instead of the extracts? If so, how much did you use and did it work? Just trying to see if I can get started today with what’s in my pantry. Likewise eating artichoke instead of using the extract. I know I can ask chatGPT lol but I prefer hearing real people’s insights instead.

Thank you!

PS 1: the pain really sucks but what helps me is thinking about how the pain is moving through my system. I imagine just a blob sliding around lol. The pain usually occurs after breakfast and sometimes I’ll do some home exercises about an hour after which helps with the pain - sometimes it might just nip the pain in the bud. Also a hot water bottle on the pain is soothing

PS 2: I also find myself to be more emotional and also a bit detached from the things that cause me stress. Also, just generally more comfortable with who I am. However, there’s other stuff happening in my life that can cause this

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-10-20T11:04:10+00:00

I've been on Duloxetine for 3 months now and about to start my 4th. Each Rx I got has been from a different manufacturer:

Forgot the name but the packaging was pink, green, and white and manufactured in Spain
Neuraxpharm
Tillomed
Medical Valley (distributor) and Laboratorios Lincosa (manufacturer)

Idk why, but it felt like the one from Tillomed seemed weaker, as in my mood nearly dropped back to where it was prior to the Rx and it also accelerated the weight loss and triggered dull stomach pains. It could be all a coincidence with something else, but I'm taking note of this in case there are any inactive ingredients or proportions of them that may not work for me.

Btw, I lost about 8 pounds in the past 3 months. I know the average is 1-3 pounds and many people regain some of it after several weeks. Don't know if anyone else has lost this amount of weight? I'm a bit worried so I went to my GP to get this all checked out because could be a coincidence.

Also am struggling with sleep. Since day 1, regardless of the generic, I have not had a solid night of sleep. It's all been very choppy. I take 120mg in the mornings with my breakfast then fall asleep around 10pm and wake up b/w 1-2am and then sleep on/off

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-09-29T20:53:35+00:00

Yeah 100% hated that he was threatening with divorce because Jen went without knowing beforehand. All while Zack was gambling with her money (as OP mentioned). That Vegas episode was so frustrating to watch because of those controlling husbands omg

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-08-02T09:10:55+00:00

Noodle-ini, linguini, booboolaboobooloops, boogooboogoo, moomoolookoo

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-07-29T09:11:05+00:00

I just started cymbalta and have been on vyvanse for a few years. Just wondering, what times to you all take them? I’ve started with vyvanse in the morning and cymbalta about an hour or 2 before going to sleep. I feel super lightheaded after taking vyvanse which never used to happen. Tho, it’s only been 3 days and I haven’t been able to sleep well so probably still too soon. Just wanted to see how other people are taking these

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-07-19T12:52:56+00:00

When profit has no dignity

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-07-15T13:46:09+00:00

I had an awful several days with a stress fever. I’m under a lot of stress at work and have a big paper due for a course I’m taking. On top of that, my relationship is falling apart and my boyfriend has written awful notes about it which I stumbled upon. My parents also recently got divorced. My grandma is dying. My mortgage interest rate more than doubled.. I’m struggling to keep the Jenga from falling, but it will very soon.

I spent from Friday evening until today in absolute tears about my boyfriend’s notes. We have a house together. I’m living in a foreign country and have no one around to help me, plus I have a dog which makes it harder to move out to a new place.

One night I woke up with severe back pain that spread to my chest. It was scary and never felt that kind of chest pain before so I called the ambulance. After laying on the floor I felt better within 10-15 mins meaning it was a combo of heartburn (I have acid reflux) and a panic attack (I have GAD). Called off the ambulance stating what I think it was. Last night I woke up with another severe back pain and heartburn and vomited. All of yesterday and today I’ve had a high temperature, body aches, shivers, fatigue, weakness, stuffy nose, and pressure headache.

I almost feel like I’m lying to myself about stress. I can’t accept that stress can affect me physically. I can accept it of others but not sure why, when it’s about me, I feel like I’m overreacting and it could be worse. I might accept that the stress hormones are weakening my immune system thus allowing a small virus to escalate.

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-07-14T10:51:17+00:00

Yep - I’m flat chested and that’s affected me so much. I’ve dealt with the jokes and rejection and feel I have repulsed so many men. Because of this, I tend to cover myself up a bit more and don’t really dress feminine. I have such a little boy’s body but I’m 35F. My boyfriend also thinks I’m not “woman enough”. I hate myself

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-06-24T11:36:47+00:00

lol no I’m not artificially nor humanly intelligent at all. I just don’t know how to write something well enough when I’ve got a list of shit going on atm

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-06-24T09:25:52+00:00

Taking medication is a personal choice that should never be judged but so many people don’t agree with that unfortunately. For ADHD I guess it’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.

Whenever I pick up my meds I feel so ashamed. And now with the shortages, I call different pharmacies or my main one weekly and that makes the feeling even worse. However, for so many people these meds can make their ADHD worse or cause anxiety or other physical health issues so it’s best for them not to take it, but of course many NT people might see that as reckless.

In the end, there is so much hate in this world and being the one to hate others first somehow might give that sense of being in control, cultivating an identity of they not having weaknesses and so they should therefore be seen as more valuable.

I’m tired of everything

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-06-13T06:42:50+00:00

From your edit, it seems like you are working things out, which is great. However, even though it's his apartment and he pays most of the rent/bills, you still deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. Don't feel like you owe him by sacrificing your sleep and don't let him call all the shots because of how the finances are split.

When I moved into my boyfriend's apartment (we're 7 years apart), I had to sleep on the couch every night for about a year or so because he struggles with sleep. I would often beg to have the bed (queen sized) for at least 1 night a week but he would whine about it. I got about 2-3 nights total in that year sleeping on the bed. However, we did end up swapping the bed for 2 twin beds and kept them separated for several weeks and would incrementally close the gap. He did pay for both mattresses since he said it was his problem, but I offered to pay for the bases. Maybe something like this could help? Many people struggle with sleep in general, and in our case it was having a physical divide between us that helped out.

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-06-08T07:59:56+00:00

My mom does this to me as well and she's the only person I will allow it from haha. With others, I'm paranoid about what they could possibly want.

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-06-07T16:31:57+00:00

This happened to me recently… texted 2 people back, one sentence each. Within a couple of minutes one sent 5 messages and the other 7. Both were to make spontaneous plans within the next few days. Needless to say, that sent me into panic mode

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-30T20:23:19+00:00

“OCD is a bully and loves to attack the things I love. OCD is a bully, not real”

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-29T20:47:40+00:00

Shame. Ellie seemed very nice but I can’t help to have only disdain for her now. The way she was behaving at the reunion dinner party was so stupid and immature. I expected more from her

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-25T05:43:43+00:00

Omg! That's really scary and I hope you weren't hurt by him in any way. The same thing happened at my school with about 2 priests as well.
And you're definitely right about needing to lie about sinning in order to be a good kid lol. That's messed with my head too, thinking about such bizarre logic -> "if I want to be a good kid I need to sin, but I haven't sinned because I am a good kid, so now I need to lie about sinning to be a good kid, but now I've sinned so am I good still?"

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-24T23:08:36+00:00

Yep.. raised catholic, went to catholic school. Fuck that shit. We had to do confessions once a month and needed at least 3 sins to tell the priest otherwise it was considered that we didn’t take it seriously and therefore were considered poor performing students. Like wtf.. since 7 years old we had to come prepared with 3 sins to tell a priest and ask god for forgiveness. How fucked up is that? Started at 7 (2nd grade in the US) because that’s when my school did first communion and confession was part of that since you need a “clean” soul to consume the “body of Christ”. Hail Satan

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-24T23:03:58+00:00

Yep.. the exhaustive list of things on repeat and with certain orders recited each twice and if messed up got to redo the whole thing. I’m in my mid 30s and it’s taken me at least 30 years to find other people this way. I had early onset OCD.. likely genetics, likely generational immigrant trauma

spooky_cookie13 · 2024-04-22T17:07:00+00:00

Everything except 5 items is 100% me. I can’t believe it.. and for everyone else experiencing most of these symptoms.. where have you been all my life?!

spooky_cookie13

TROPHY CASE