Hello, Matt! I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling, but congrats on the sobriety. That’s no small accomplishment. So the story I told above has a sequel that I’ve been trying to write for some time, namely that I was ultimately diagnosed bipolar type 2 (like bipolar 1 but with more depression and no psychosis). Because of this, how Cymbalta affected me should be taken with a grain of salt.

The relief I felt getting off of the Wellbutrin was incredible, and it made it so I didn’t notice any sort of depression creeping in. This is also potentially because it was making me hypomanic, the upswing side of bipolar 2. I recall it did make me feel tired, which I offset with high caffeine intake. I ended up being on Cymbalta for over a year, during which time my depression would flare up every few months and we’d increase my dose. Eventually, it started affecting my like the Wellbutrin did, just with its own unique form of rage/aggression.

All that said, at six weeks you should be feeling something beyond side effects. You may need a higher dose. This may not be the med for you, but it’s a bit early to tell. For the sleepiness, try switching the time of day you take the meds. For side effects in general, drink a lot of water; it can help mellow them out a little. Talk openly and honestly with your psychiatrist, too. Figuring out medication isn’t easy. Hang in there.

Karl