Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 10)

I just wanted to tell all of you trying to get off pristiq, its possible. I was on pristiq for severe panic attacks for 6 months. It saved my life. It gave me a chance to slow down my career, gave me a huge wakeup call. This drug put a cloud over my brain. I was not my happy, fun loving self. I was like a step ford wife. You can't wean off this pill. I was on 50 mg. I did every other day for a month. Every third day for two weeks then cold turkey. It really was not so bad. I layer on my couch for three days, cried a bit and watched movies. I'm happily on all holistic medications, no longer a slave to Pristiq. If I can beat anxiety, anyone can. My biggest advice.. Exercise. Next, surround yourself with positive people. Three, talk out your problems. Good luck.

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Karen, i too called the company and complain with the same experience. My next call will be to the FDA.

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thank you im just in the process of doing the same I've had a week at every second day... was going to go cold turkey next week but might follow your advice it was good to be on but time to give it a go....I've lost weight, started exercising, dealt with some other health problems, got my kids in order, now its time for me yey!!! good luck anyone in the same boat!

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Does anyone know if you can halve or dissolve Pristiq? I have been told previously that this is not an option however I really don't see any other way. I have tried taking Pristiq on alternate days and the head spins are just too much for me. I work full time and drive an hour to and from work each day, I find myself unable to concentrate properly on my driving whilst suffering from the withdrawls. I have been on this medication for 4 years now and I would really like to stop. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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Yes, it can be split. Please read the many ways that people have stopped this awful drug. My daughter found acupuncture helpful. She didn't want to go, I begged her so we could finally get some sleep. She had a difficult withdrawal and the relief was immediate with acupuncture. Find a recommends one that specializes in drug withdrawal. Good luck...you're on your way to a full life!

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Hi Annie,
I had tried splitting the 50mg in half and ended up getting pretty sick - probably due to what is referred to as "medicine dumping". It has something to do with the way Pristiq is formulated...it is not designed to be split/cut in half although I have heard of people trying to do this.
I would recommend finding a holistic MD who can help you through this. I ended up going off Pristiq cold turkey and had major problems with dizziness and feeling disoriented (and overall just awful). My doctor added a low dose of lexapro 10mg to help get me through the transition stage. Adding vitamin D and fish oil seemed to help too... just be patient, easy on yourself and know that it is a process! I had been on it for 2 1/2 years - and after being completely off Pristiq for 2 1/2 months now - feel better - and so much clearer than I have in a long long time!! best wishes!!

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Did you ever get to the point where you didn't feel any side affects from going off pristiq? If so, how many weeks did it take you?
Thanks, julethecool

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yes Julie you will be symptom free! I'm sure it varies from person to person, but it took my daughter about 1 month. She is doing awesome! She didn't think she'd ever be free of pristiq... Hang in there you can do it!

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I have been on Pristiqu 50 mg for about 7 years, not sure what life will be like for me, I got on in because I was very angry & couldn't think, trying to run a business & being a single mum too many pressures at the time I think!
I just went 48 hrs without a pill by accident & ended up a blubbering mess at a train station having anxiety attack, I felt like a druggo really messed up! Never contemplated getting off before but this is s***! Terrified to get off! Any suggestions?

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Did any of you go to doctor and asked his advise on getting off the pristiq?

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Definitely consult with your doctor. My daughter's doctor was not helpful, I really don't think he wanted her off of it. She had 3 left when he finally returned our calls....we'd been trying to reach him for almost a month too discuss weaning. He said cut those in half and take a half until gone. She did alright until, she was completely off. She had a terrible next 3 days and nights.....terrible. She didn't want to, but she finally said she can't do it anymore and was going to go back on them. My boss got her an appointment with her acupuncturist and told me to leave work and bring her in. I went home to get my daughter and she was very against going. I begged her to try before starting Pristiq again....she agreed reluctantly. The acupuncturist had her symptoms mostly gone that first visit. Find an acupuncturist that's highly recommended and specializes in medication withdrawal. She was so relieved....this was in May...my daughter went from almost dropping out of college to doing awesome, now! Pristiq made her into a zombie. She cared, but didn't care enough to get moving in life. She slept ask the time, skipped most classes, was put on academic probation, wasn't happy with anything. No interest in friends, just stayed in her room and slept. She is now doing awesome! I never thought I'd see my Traci again....but that fun girl is back! I wish I never agreed to the medication. She was on it for 3 years, following a suicide attempt due to a high school breakup. She is well over him and Pristiq :) This blog has been very helpful for us. It helps too hear others struggles and how they did. I pray that all on this blog find relief.....you can do it! God bless

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You can do it! My daughter is free of it since May and is so much happier. Please read through others testimonials, it was helpful for her to know there was hope. She found acupuncture very helpful. Find one that specializes in medicine withdrawal. Again, there are great suggestions in these posts. Good luck and God bless.

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Definitely talk to your doctor....my daughter's wasn't helpful, though. Please read the testimonials from others in this blog. We found it very supportive to know others journeys. My daughter found relief with an acupuncturist that specialized in medicine withdrawal. She went very reluctantly....her withdrawals were almost gone in one hour. She had been up for days and nights after taking her last half of Pristiq. She almost went back on the drug, felt there was no way off. We tried acupuncture and so glad we did. She has been Pristiq free since May. We have our girl back...she is no longer a Pristiq zombie. Good luck and God bless

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Yes, he advised to stay on it if there was no reason to come off

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Jenny, do you function well while on it? If so, maybe it is good for you. It completely changed my daughter, was not good. I hope you are doing better than the day you posted about missing a dose.

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5 days of hell on earth but pristiq free, just started to feel better. Actually I think I was more scared than anything, but because of situations, being bipolar and manic my Dr. said you have to stop it now, completely. All I can say is it gets better, if you have someone to talk to that understands, and anything to keep occupied and eat alot of protein, etc., you won't suffer needlessly. Just my opinion but tapering or switching really was not an option I'm happy that it is getting better. I had help from the Dr. in taking Ativan for anxiety, ambien for sleep, but really just keep a positive mood. I even joked with a friend that I saw while having the brain zapping saying this is bizzare and tried to make light of it. What got me through so far was knowing this isn't forever, it will get better! Hang in there, if tapering is an option then it could be easier. Take care everyone.

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I have been weaning off Pristiq for about a month starting with every second day and then every third day. Not I am onto once a week and the brain zaps are not great. I have them evertime I move and it is not fun. I am hoping this does not comtinue for long.

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Hang in there - it will get better!! It sounds like you came up with your own "tapering" method (as they really is no clear way to taper off this drug). I took 2 weeks in going from 100 mg to 50mg and then went cold turkey. Per the recommendation of my brother (an internal medicine doctor), I added 10mg of Lexapro to help get me through the process. Feel like it definitely helped me in getting through the transition of coming off Pristiq. After being on it for over 2 1/2 years, it was NOT a fun process! Thankfully I have been "Pristiq free" for almost 4 months now -and feeling better than I have in a LONG time. Learning to be consistent with my vitamins on a daily basis - taking a top quality multi-vitamin, vitamin D and fish oil pill (the omega's are supposed to be good for the brain, and vitamin D provides support for the immune system among others things). Take care and BE WELL - things should be better for you soon!! :)

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Hi, I've been on pristiq for four years. My doctor didn't want me to come off either. I never had a history of depression or any other disorders. At the time i went on, my sister was dying, my marriage was falling apart, my young daughter just had a baby and work was suffering.

I went to see a doctor who recommended pristiq. There wasn't a lot of information out there, and I knew nothing about AD's. She put me in this horrible drug and quickly upped it to 100mg's.

I've tried several times to go off. This time I'm on day 4, and I will NOT cave. When I changed doctors they game me a 7 day supply of 50mg's. I held on to them knowing I'd need them. I took those and started cutting my 100's in half. Then gradually smaller. Finally I quit. I've been getting the nausea, weird dreams, brain zaps are the worst, among others. I'm hoping these side effects are gone soon.

It's thanksgiving weekend and I plan to do nothing, but get through this withdrawal.

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You can do it! My daughter almost caved at day 4, but she didn't. She is no longer a Pristiq zombie, six months free. She found acupuncture very helpful. Stay strong...God bless

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I am not sure if this will be read since it is over 6 months old... BUT→How long after stopping Pristiq did you begin using holistic 'medication'? Also, I am unable to find the ER 911 spray that you mentioned, but did find some sprays with herbs (stems, leaves and flower petals too) that are said to 'ease everyday stress'... What is the main ingredient in the ER 911? I am very curious...

Thanks in advance for any info!

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