Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 22) (Top voted first)

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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My son's blood pressure dropped to a dangerous level when he tried to stop, is this normal.

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I have been on Pristq for almost 4 years and it has caused me grogginess and insomnia, I was put on it when I took a health diagnosis really bad, it caused me great stress. Doctor said I was depressed. I was scared because of health diagnosis, but not really depressed, but I listened to my doctor and filled the prescription, took it during the day and felt very groggy and tired, and still had to try and function cause I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and had to deal with that to. Then I went back to him saying I couldn't sleep and felt worse and I was crying and very upset then we switched it to night time. Oh also I was hospitalized to cause I suggested it cause I felt horrible, now I am thinking it was the Pristq, here I thought it was the scare of the diabetes diagnosis, so I was admitted to psych and they got a diabetic dietitian to talk to me and I was more scared, I was not put on medication for the diabetes doc said I could do it by diet if I wanted to so that's what I decided. Anyway the whole experience was not what I expected, know one would listen to me after a few times going back and forth to hospital that It was the medication I figured out through the past years, and dealing with the diabetes which is a very hard life change. Your depressed they would all tell me and then the anxiety started after being on Pristq. It's been a hard hard past 4 years with not much support and told so many different diagnosis adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, ect. I tried to go off it once through a compound pharmacist and near lowest dose felt suicidal, I had chills and anxiety worse, that was a year ago, I went back on Pristq, couldn't handle withdraws and still don't feel right sleep is off and anxiety is still up and down. My mom passed away 8 months ago My family gets upset with me when I cry, husband just kind of ignores my feelings, she was my best friend and I miss her so so much, I am grieving her and there isn't much patients with others in my family for me, my extended family brother that lives in my town totally turned me down on supporting me in my grief, Pristq does not help the sadness I feel. It's very hard for me to talk about my moms death cause it hurts soooo much. Like I said I was a happy person then this all came down I have tried other meds but feel awful on most and the main side effect I get is tired and grogginess I thought it was the diabetes but I have been in remission from it for 3 years all A1cs are normal. It's hard to tell what's causing what. I'm so fed up. I hate being lonely like this it makes you feel like your the only one going through this my friends are having a happy life like I use to, and I feel stuck on meds that make everything worse, I've also read there's legal cases because of Pristq. So that's my story, it's not the best of drugs and I wish there was a diagnostic to say if you were truly depressed instead of guessing. And some doctors are just too quick to put you on something, instead of trying to get you the proper support without scaring you.

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I'm so sorry you're going through this. You will miss your Mom forever, but it will get a little easier. Be good to yourself, because that is one person you can count on.

As far as pristiq and other stuff...I'm a big advocate for acupuncture and take time reading all the great info here. See if you have any support groups for grief in your community. Maybe volunteer somewhere, do it in your Mom's honor. I've been volunteering at the VA in honor of my dad, who's gone. Volunteering helps me feel better, too. God bless you in this journey!

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My husband passed from an unexpected heart attack.i had already been on pristique a couple mths.im so depressed having panic attacks and im so afraid.i know this isnt normal.i told my doc he wanted me to stay on it longer.my depression is so bad.i told him i need something different.im on 50 mg of pristiq.he gave me 25 mg of pristiq and prozac.he told me to take the prozac daily and 25 mg of pristiq for a week.im so afraid i have tried to taper down once.does anybody think taking the prozac will help me.i died inside im also in therapy.my husband was only 45 and i found him.i pray this works.i have a 16 yr old son depending on me.hes my world.i dont like the pristiq at all.has anybody else switched like this? Please if so i need some info from people who have gone through it..bless u all.

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It is hard to come off of, but my daughter did it. Sadness and anxiety is normal. If you didn't experience it, especially after all you have gone through, it would be rare. Give yourself a hug....you are your caretaker. Love yourself. Accept yourself. Allow yourself time to grieve. Care for yourself like you would your son.

There is a lot of information in this site. Read what others have to suggest. It will take awhile. You will be better. God is with you. You are in my prayers. Fight for yourself? God bless. I'm here, if you need. I care

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I understand panic attacks...horrible feeling, but very normal for your situation. When you are completely off Pristiq, it might get bad. Check out a good acupuncturist. Brain zaps, light sensitivity, headache, irritation...few possible. Eat healthy, take walks, exercise...care for yourself. God bless.

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I just wanted to let you know about some music sources that help with anxiety, depression, energy.. Find the site called wholetones, very calming. They are the notes the Shepard David played for the King. They are also the notes referred to in the song Hallelujah. Helps me sleep

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Weaning off pristiq from 100 to 50, then 0 with Zoloft. Anyone have such an experience?

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Re: Sick of meds (# 16)

Cold turkey is super dangerous with Pristiq. I never would have believed that myself but a few days without it and it was like I was literally ill with sweating and the stomach flu and complete and total body instability. I would seriously NOT stop pristine cold turkey. I cut 50 mg tablets in half for more than a week and it has been 5 days now without anything and I still feel sick. Please be careful with this.

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Re: Love to Help get off Pristiq (# 429)

How are you doing now after being off Pristiq? You came off very fast which is not recommended. Severe side effects from withdrawal can last for months if you come off too quickly. In fact, many end up right back on another antidepressant because they think what they are experiencing is more of what originally got them put on Pristiq for. Most doctors don't have a clue how to safely withdraw from this medication! The longer you've been taking it the longer it will take to wean. A drop of no more than 10% every 2 to 4 weeks is what is recommended if you want to avoid awful side effects and you don't want to be right back on another psychotropic. Weaning too fast or cold turkey discontinuation is very dangerous. Please be careful.

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I am interested in going off pristiq as well and wanting a holistic approach. What did you use herbal wise during your weaning process?

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Do you think is ok to stop cold turkey after only being on 2 weeks? I’m scared

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Re: Kattie (# 434)

Hi Katey, I weaned off after 2 yrs on Pristiq 50mg. My doctor switched me to Prozac 20mg (2x tablets for a fortnight, then 1, then half, then nothing). Please ask your doctor to do the same for you. It was the only thing that worked for me and apart from one real anxiety attack which lasted about 30mins and a slight headache for a couple of days I suffered no real hard withdrawals. I wish you the best

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Re: Jeanneen (# 436)

Hi Jeanneen, I was on 50mg Pristiq for 3 years. I found it terribly difficult to get off as there is no smaller dose than 50mg. I saw a doctor here in Sydney who changed me over to prozac at the same dosage and we weened off slowly over 2 months from there. I worked amazingly well, I only had one headache period of about 3 days and 1 panic attack. You do 2x20mg per day for a week, then 20+10, then 20, then 10 then one 10 every second day for 5 days, then nothing. Please talk to your doctor about this, it was the only thing that got me off those terrible pills.

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From my experience, the cons outweigh the pros for 5 days. After that, I promise you will feel great if you follow my previous advice.
1. Keep yourself busy
2. Exercise

I recommend taking gabatone. I take it for my occasional anxiety. It is amazing! All natural plant base with absolutely no side effects other than it tastes a little funny. Please don't hesitate to ask for any other advice.

I hope you are getting excited to feel better! Pristiq is no good for you!

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Hello everyone!
I just wanted to post an update on my progress. I've slowly been coming off Pristiq for a while now. I was on 300mg at one point but quickly went down to 200 due to excessive sweating and the drop was just fine. I then went down to 150mg and then 100mg. Each time I experienced about a week of flu-like symptoms but felt mostly better after that week.
Yesterday, I took my first dose of 50mg. I'm alternating one day of 50mg followed by one day of 100mg, etc. I plan to do this until my symptoms stabilize and then go down to 50mg every day. I'm currently on a 100mg dose day.
Last night, after my first 50mg day, I had massive headaches that made it impossible to sleep. This morning, I took some advil which helped the headache for the most part. I still have some sensitivity to light and sound with a minor ache in the back and sides of my head but it is much better. I also feel feverish and kind of foggy in the head. I also get dizzy when I stand up and walk around. All of this is pretty manageable, but the dizziness/fogginess is quite annoying.
I am hoping all of this will stabilize as my body gets used to the new dose.
Any advice for managing those dizzy feelings in the meantime? Or should I just push through it?

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Hi, this is my situation :

I was on 50 mg for 4 years and I took 3/4 for about 3 1/2 months. That went fine. Then another 3 1/2 months I took a half. Also that went fine. (in both situations I needed some weeks with some side effects but not too bad). Now I started with a quarter and the side effects are huge. I have a lot of pain in my head specially in the evening and at night when my quarter has finished working. And I sweat a lot and feeling having no energy. (I know it's not good to cut the tablets but the first two steps were ok for me).

I get crazy from this because I don't know how long will go this on and will be there a moment anyway that my physical problems are over.

Is there anybody who can give me an idea how long it will take.

Thanks so much to anyone for responding to this.

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