Duloxetine, anyone tried this?

[Fairytoast]

I have been signed off work for 2 weeks as I have hit a really low patch in my life.
I have awful IBS and regular bad tummy episodes, I feel nauseous, super sensitive tummy, upset tummy and just a totally unsettle digestive system which is miserable and making me housebound to some degree.
I also have aura migraines, awful, awful anxiety and it’s all snowballing into one.
Because Ive been signed off from work for 2 weeks I feel that now is the best time for me to try a med. I’m petrified of meds as I fear side effects.
My gastroenterologist prescribed me Nortriptyline for my gut issues and a few weeks ago my GP prescribed me Duloxetine for anxiety.
I don’t want to take both but not sure which to try. The nortriptyline is supposed to calm the gut and that’s what a lot of my anxiety is triggered by but I do recognise that I have a tremendous amount of anxiety bubbling away and have a bit of stress going on in my life right now so I am trying to weigh up which med would be more beneficial.
Has anyone tried Duloxetine, did you get any side effects particularly an upset tummy/diarrhoea?

Duloxetine did not help me at all. I had a pounding headache, upset stomach, disturbed sleep, the whole 9 yards.

I lasted a week.

Not had Nortripyline but have Amitriptyline which is very similar. I've been on it years now for depression and anxiety and not had any side effects beyond a dry mouth.

I am on Duloxetine, although not for anxiety. Currently taking 60mg a day and have no side effects at all. Lost my appetite for about a week or 2 after first starting the meds but that bounced back (unfortunately!). That was all for side effects.

Notanotherwindow oh that’s a shame but good that the Amitriptyline worked for you. Did you get any weight gain from it? I’ve read reviews where people say they’ve piled the weight on after Amitriptyline and nortriptyline!
NutBiscuit that’s good to know, thanks.

Yeah I did gain a stone or two in weight but tbh I'm not sure how much of that is the Ami and how much is working right next to McDonald's.

I had anorexia while taking it. Couldn't eat. Anxiety through the roof.

Didn't feel a difference and things went downhill after starting it.

Experienced my only manic episode while tapering off. Terrifying.

I'm on Duloxetine, 60mg for pain. I was hoping it would help my anxiety too but no luck yet 6 months in with that. The key is to start low & work up to the therapeutic dose. When I started on 60mg it knocked me off my feet so I dropped to 30mg for a month before increasing. I also had to take it in the evenings to start with, but then switch to mornings because it caused insomnia. What dosage were you prescribed?

Boozeless I’ve been prescribed 30mg.

I take 30mg for anxiety and it’s been life changingly good for me. Anxiety completely gone. Minimal side effects.

Natwesteast that must have been really scary.
Haggisfish3 That’s really good to know. My anxiety is so bad atm that I can’t think rationally I really need to try something but my brain is telling me these meds will make me worse and cause many side effects.

I take duloxetine and it really helps

Well if it causes side effects you stop taking it and they go away. I’ll be taking it for the rest of my life.

I did take it, but it ended up having no effect on me so I came off it. This was after 3 years though.

My friend takes duloxetine for pain but it also really helps her mood. No side effects on 30 mg but on 60 mg she has night sweats

Are you still ok on Duloxetine ? I have to switch from Sertraline as i had no relief.

I am still taking mine after ten years. Absolutely fine on it.