HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Fatigue And Sleep Walking After Taking Cymbalta?

default
Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014
Question: my daughter has been on Cymbalta for 4 weeks and had had side effects that include fainting, sleep walking, spasms (usually when sleeping) and for the last several days has been having dreams where I can talk and have a conversation with her that last for hours. I have had her in my bed at night with the door locked and have found her a couple of times under my bed in the middle of the night. I am very concerned with her condition and the psychiatrist has just taken her off the drug and put her on Prozac starting this am. They are now saying I should take her to a neurologist because she has not seen this condition in the 10 years that she has prescribed Cymbalta. has anyone seen these conditions. she is up a good part of the night and day with her dreams. she walks and talks as if she is wide awake. She even drank a glass of water while asleep. I welcome any thoughts
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Insomnia common side effect of Cymbalta

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Ms. XXXXX,

Thank you for writing to us. I understand current situation you are going through.

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is an atypical antidepressant with Insomnia (lack of sleep) as one of the side effects. And probably realising these symptoms have erupted , the psychiatrist has changed the drug to Prozac which is relatively safer and better acceptable anti depressant when compared to other group of drugs.

I would request you to provide the below details which would help me to understand the chronology of the events and assist you with proper guidance:
1. Since how long your daughter has been treated for depression? Any precipitating factors like family stress, event etc..?
2. What were the symptoms initially to begin with?
3. When did you start noticing her above symptoms?
4. What other medications is she currently taking?
5. Does she have orientation to people around her, time and place?
6. How about her day to day activities like taking bath, food habits, schooling etc..

From the description given above by you, it is very unlikely that your daughter might have any neurological disorders. I shall also have a discussion with my psychiatrist colleague on this.

Do get back to me with the details so that I can assist you further on this.

Take care.

Best regards,
Dr. T. Shobha
MBBS, MD
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Shobha Deepak

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1774 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Fatigue And Sleep Walking After Taking Cymbalta?

Brief Answer: Insomnia common side effect of Cymbalta Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare Magic Greetings of the day Dear Ms. XXXXX, Thank you for writing to us. I understand current situation you are going through. Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is an atypical antidepressant with Insomnia (lack of sleep) as one of the side effects. And probably realising these symptoms have erupted , the psychiatrist has changed the drug to Prozac which is relatively safer and better acceptable anti depressant when compared to other group of drugs. I would request you to provide the below details which would help me to understand the chronology of the events and assist you with proper guidance: 1. Since how long your daughter has been treated for depression? Any precipitating factors like family stress, event etc..? 2. What were the symptoms initially to begin with? 3. When did you start noticing her above symptoms? 4. What other medications is she currently taking? 5. Does she have orientation to people around her, time and place? 6. How about her day to day activities like taking bath, food habits, schooling etc.. From the description given above by you, it is very unlikely that your daughter might have any neurological disorders. I shall also have a discussion with my psychiatrist colleague on this. Do get back to me with the details so that I can assist you further on this. Take care. Best regards, Dr. T. Shobha MBBS, MD