Pristiq And Bad Side Effects (Top voted first)

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This is NOT a good medicine. I felt more depressed on it and had several side effects, nausea, lack of appetite, dizziness, etc. Then, after being on it for 2 weeks, I had a severe allergic reaction to it. So not fun! No more Pristiq for me. Throw the stuff away!

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1

I went on Pristiq for 10 days - had shortness of breath, and all the other side side effects. Dr. office told me to stop 'cold turkey' - It's been 7 daysoff and I am still not feeling normal! What's up with that?? They told me it would only be a couple of days. So I call them and tell them I am still having withdrawal symptoms - they act like I am crazy! And it must be something else wrong with me! I have NEVER felt like this - until taking pristiq! When will it end? My advice - dont even start the stuff! But I would like to know how long the symptoms last after going off the stuff???? Everyone talks about how bad it is - but no one comes back and says - I am finally symptom free!

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5

I tried Pristiq two days ago, my md said to cut it in half so it was 25 mg, I felt like a Zombie, I was so tired and light headed, it ruined my whole day. I could not function. I was supposed to ride my motorcycle and climb and that was a big no. I called the pharmacist I know and he said to stop it. My md is out of town. I am told it takes a couple days to agree with your body, I am scared of that note.

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20

My discontinuation symptoms were over about two weeks after I had stopped taking Pristiq. The worst part was the first few days, with the brain zaps lasting longer than a week - closer to 10 or 11 days. I felt irritated and emotional. Not sure whether those were was the discontinuation symptoms or the depression coming back. The flu-like symptoms lasted for about 5 to 7 days.

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4

I'm on Pristiq...have been for five weeks, i'm fine on it...but if i have it only three or four hours late i have serious withdrawels!!!! i go dizzy sweaty..feel like i'm going to vomit and need to have it right away!!! when i take it all the symtoms disapear!! :( i will hate too see what ill be feeling like when i have to come off it!!! :( anyone else??

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7

Hello!
I was started on Pristiq (50 mgs, once a day) approx. 2 months ago (perhaps a bit longer w/ the samples?). I had had *enough* of the side effects (including the sensation that bugs were crawlling beneath my skin: that eventually subsided). But becoming so bloated and thick (gained about 6 or 8 pounds) to the point of actually looking *pregnant* (!), was the final straw. I was put on a weaning-off protocol (one day on/one day off, during an 8 day period), which ended on Tuesday (it's now Saturday night): On Thursday, I presented with Migraine (!) (something I have occasionally had, but this was of a different nature), nausea and dizziness. Today, (Saturday), I have had flu-like symptoms (no fever but aches and chills) in addition to headache, nausea and feeling sea sick with slightly blurred vision; also emotionally shaky (panicky and suddenly tearful). Being inactive, from needing to lay, still, in bed, I'm certain has not helped. I'm an (ordinarily) slender, active/athletic and youthful 50-something. And I've been having one heck of a during the past 3-4 days getting off of this medication! The withdrawal feels worse than the side effects. I applaud those who have had good results with Pristiq and hope it will continue to help. And I identify with those who have had a miserable time of it. I have *never* felt this poorly from stopping any medication. And, frankly, feel that my doctor did not know enough to have reassured me so thoroughly about Pristiq's efficacy and absence of side effects. (How could she have? The drug's only been around a short while.) For those who have had ill-effects, it is imperative that your doctors submit your symptoms to the drug company: This is how they (the drug company) formulates its published list of potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms. I wish there were a more effective, pain-less and sure-fire way to treat depression! I believe this is my first time, ever, on a message board. Best wishes to you all - UrbanGal

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8

I decided not to take Pritiq, too many side affects. I do not want to put my liver and kidneys thru all that. I am going natural, it is the best way for me. Good luck!!!!

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10

have felt more depressed on this medication. at first i thought it was working and i felt more focused and was excited thinking this was a great medicine but within a weeks time i started feeling different, not myself, tired, very irritable and short tempered. i am a very patient person but began to fly off the handle very easily in the 2nd week. this medicine is not for me. called my md as i was crying in my car. she never called me back.

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11

I've been on it for about 3 months and I think it's great. Had terrible side effects at first, but these went away after the first month or so. I feel better than I ever have and others notice the change in me. I know different meds work in different ways for different people, but I have no complaints other than the initial side effects.

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22

I am on my 9th day off it today and it does get better. I was on it for almost two years,helped in the beginning but the negatives outweigh the positive. It is very hard to come off it. It will get better day by day I leave it in my purse just in case but after day 14 I will get rid of them forever. Good luck to you, it is possible to feel normal without them.

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27

I took Pristiq 50mg. daily for six months. It was good, stopped my daily crying and mood swings, but the lose of my libido and the night sweats were not worth it. My Doctor said " if you want to go off of it, take it every other day", this made no sense to me. So I went on the internet...lol. After reading a lot of horror stories, came to the conclussion it must be done gradually. What I did WORKED FOR ME. I cut up (yes cut up) the tablet into 4 pieces. For seven days I took 3/4 of a tablet, spread out evenly through out the day. Then for fourteen days I took 1/2 of a tablet spread out morning and evening. The for nine days I took 1/4 of a tablet, in the morning and the rest of it at night (very small pieces, now). I also took a really good multivitamin and 1500mg. of Omega 3. I had no side effects, no brain zaps, no down time...but I did it slowly, it took a month.

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32

Thanks for all the helpful posts here. I had a good experience taking Pristiq for 2 years and was confident to try life again without it. My Dr said to just stop, which I did. I experienced severe nausea and diarrhoea that continued for days until I recommenced Pristiq and these symptoms resolved. When I again stopped Pristiq I experienced the same symptoms. On this second attempt I was determined to ride it out however after 6 days of this the abdominal pain and exhaustion broke my resolve. Clearly I needed to try a different approach. I started taking Pristiq every second day. I felt better than ever with no return of depression and none of the dazed feeling I had experienced with daily use. I stayed on this regime for about 2 months. Taking something every second day is challenging to remember and eventually I missed day. What I experienced was far worse the gastric symptoms described earlier, it felt like severe flu with all over body aches and sweats and it was impossible to get out of bed let alone function (i.e. go to work and care for my 2 year old twins). So clearly even after alternate day use I wasn't going to be able to just stop Pristiq. My only other option was to cut them up and go slow which is exactly what I did: roughly 3/4 then 1/2 then 1/4 over more than a month. I went slow and I never experienced any of the symptoms of the earlier attempts. I hop this is helpful!

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6

I have the same horrible withdrawal symptoms as some of you have mentioned. If I am late on taking my medication, I get so dizzy, nauseated and horribly sick! I feel like I am withdrawing from heroin or something. I want to get off of it, but I am scared I will have to take a month off of work and go to a drug rehab clinic to do so. I have been on almost all of the anti-depressants and NEVER have I ever felt like this when even missing ONE dose! Im actually scared!

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9

Not everyone experiences all of the side effects from any given prescription drug, some people experience all of them and some none.

Csharp66 you do need to be aware though that natural remedies, such as herbal supplements can carry as many side effects and be just as dangerous as prescription drugs, in addition, they are not proven to actually work.

Have you discussed various alternatives with your doctor?

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13

I have been taking Pristiq for about a month and a half. The first week I was sure it was the best med I have tried (seven off the top of my head in the last ten years) but after the third week I started getting headaches, extreme nausea, the shakes, and I haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks!!! I have tried taking it at different times of day (previous meds were best at bedtime, and some in the am, or lunch time) and still, no sleep and I am forgetful and have been, seems silly, but "swollen", like major fluid retention, swollen feet and abdomen mainly, and I don't use the bathroom even half as often. Not to mention the sexual side of this med!!! (not even interested!!!) I am taking a half a day now, and am going off of this stuff ASAP. As a Post Script, my insurance will not cover it because of the cost, even with my history, and with the 50% off card from the manufacturer, it comes to $74 per month, even though this isn't my reason to stop taking it, it is an issue!

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14

After TWO DAYS on this medication (16 hours after my second dose), I passed out in my bathroom and came to sweating from every pore in my body. My genitals were throbbing in pain for the rest of the day and some of the next. I now have bacterial vaginosis as a result of this medication (dr confirmed it). So yes, if you want to faint and experience a painful and fiery burning crotch, Ask Your Dr About Pristiq!!

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16

I started pristiq about 6mo ago and it has wrecked havoc with me , the side effects are as bad as everyone says they are and coming off them is so bad i want to curl up and die, I also beleive my MD didnt really know anything about this drug and it was a willy nilly decision, I tappered and have been off completely for 7 days. I am a 40yo with bi polar have tried many drugs over many many years and found this one to be one of the very few that actually worsen depression and other bi polar symptoms.

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17

I have been on Pristiq for the past year. Though, I wasn't prescribed it for depression it was more for anxiety and mood swings before my period. I gained at least 15 pounds over the year; I watch my food, exercise. No need to gain the weight. My body never felt the same again this past year - and not in a good way. Dizzy, stomach bloating, no sex drive. My doctor stopped my cold turkey on Thursday, said that it also causes premenapausal symptoms (which has been happening for the past six months). Not my time. The side effects, dizziness, low blood pressure and no energy at all with symptoms of a stomach virus. It should take two weeks my doctor said to feel better. Anyone have the same problems?

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33

I'm on prestiq and am now comming off it which isn't the best feeling.
When i first began I got the side effects for two weeks but after that it was amazing. It really helped as a cushion for me. Before taking the medication i was so sick and had symptoms ironically quite similar to the side affects of this drug. I couldn't even eat and became majorly underweight. The weight i gained from this medication was a huge bonus and it helped me in so many ways, as i am on medication for schizophrenia and bipolar too but even with that medication i needed something that would help me gain happiness and energy like a break to reboot.
My problem now is i have no clue about how long it takes to leave the system, anyone know when i should go back to normal again or am i just returning to my old ways again stopping the medication? I halved the dosage down to 50mg a month before stopping and i got no side effects doing that, should i halve it again and come off it that way so i'm not so out of it at work?
Anyways to people who are thinking about trying it, don't be afraid it was created for a reason it does help some people. If it creates more issues for you, you could be on the wrong thing or even misdiagnosed. I recommend from experience see your Gp or specialist once a week when starting out.
p.s If you feel these people don't take you serious and make you feel crazy, go somewhere else. Like medications, different specialists suit different people.

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35

Thanks for sharing this information. I too want to stop (the weight gain around the middle is very upsetting!) but I'm scared to, after reading all these posts. Your solution sounds perfect, but I've also read in many places that pristine shouldn't be cut. Yet you are the second person to show how you weaned off it slowly without the terrible side effects. I'm wondering whether the company just says you can't cut it, because they know it's so hard to stop cold turkey. Did you have any problems at all with cutting it?

Thanks so much for your post!

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36

My daughter is almost a year free of pristiq!!! Halleluia !!! Her Dr had her splitting her pills during the tapering. It was a very difficult time, but it is over. Good luck and God bless!

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