Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 5)

Updated

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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81

I was on Presiq for almost 2 years- I had to get off b/c I found out I was pregnant. Dr. rx effexor which is the drug to wean you off Presiq since Presiq does not come in a lower dose then 50. I had extreme dizzy for 2 days and then was perfectly fine the entire rest of my pregnancy with nothing. I then went back on for post pardom. I now am weaning off again and getting the "zaps" you all talk about. I am not sure if the pregnancy had anything to do with how easy it was the first time but there is hope that it wont be that bad to get off., I am hoping this time is as easy as the first. Everyone used to tell me I was so "blah" now hearing all your stories I see it was the meds doing it.

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82

I'm weaning now with the intention of going more natural with amino acids that build seratonin etc. I read Julia Ross, The Mood Cure! Awesome resource! I'd love to know what you're doing now naturally. thanks

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83

I read, Julia Ross, The Mood Cure & learned about 5htp & DLPA. How long did u take 5htp? Do u feel like your mood is better?

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84

I was up to 100 mg per day and, like others in this forum, when I began to no longer feel any benefit, I thought "why am I taking it?" Under a doctor's supervision I went to 50mg for a week to 25mg for a week and then off. I am actually here because brain fog, interruption in thought and challenges with focus remain. I think it's been about two weeks. Comforting to know my challenges are not uncommon but remain disconcerting. Did someone mention a month until the head clears? Thank you!

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85

Kendall, I was wondering what holistic medications you are now taking to treat your depression.

I also want to say that I forgot to take my Pristiq two days in a row and it was just awful!! I realized, after some reflection, that the drug had not been helping me after three years on 100 mg and that, if anything, was responsible for the low energy and fatigue I've been feeling since I've been taking it. It really hasn't helped with my depression as it did in the past when I took it many years ago as Effexor. But, I want to offer something that might be very helpful to those weaning off Pristiq which I am deciding to do. Choose a healthy multivitamin to take everyday. I have heard that this helps a lot with withdrawal symptoms. I am currently taking one and am convinced that if I had not been my withdrawal symptoms would have been much worse. Also, I read about that having a diet of healthier whole foods and taking a protein powder with denatured whey is actually a treatment for detox and really great for your health, anyway. You can buy a good protein powder that has denatured whey online or at like The Vitamin Shoppe. An excellent brand is Whey Cool, though a little more on the expensive side.

I hope this helps people!!

Warmly,
Hope

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86

This is a follow-up to an earlier post I made in mid-February. I wanted to say that I am now completely off of the Pristiq and all of the side effects are gone. The last side-effect to linger was the dizziness if I turned my head too fast. That is gone now also.

I went to a pharmacist at an apocothary after having a harmone test done and he made a cream for me that took care of most of my depression issues, slowly but surely. Also, he gave me alternative, herbal supplements that have nearly aleviated all of my anxiety issues. My pharmacist told me he hates that specific drug, as he said you would not believe how many people he has had to help get off of it. A difficult, but not impossible task. I am finally free!!!

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87

I have been on 50mg pristiq now for about a year. I tried many other drugs before this but for one reason or another they didn't work for me or else the side effects were to much. I suffered with depression off and on and took different things for it for years, always though, the depression came back and I had to seek help again. I was in deep suicidal depression and did not want to go on any longer. I know what might work for one person may not work for another. After almost giving up I was prescribed pristiq by a doctor taking over for my regular doctor on holidays, I didn't expect much. For the first few days I didn't notice much of a change, but as time went on the days seemed to get a bit better each day. It took about 4 weeks before I was feeling great, the depression was gone, and after a few months I even noticed I was'nt anxcious or worried as before. I must say for me pristiq was a miracle. I did gain weight and I was very tired all the time, but I didn't care, the depression was gone. I now have the gaining of weight under control and have not been depressed either. I would like to take the chance and try to slowly get off using pristiq but the fear of being suicidal depressed scares me, as most of you know there is nothing worse. I hate to in any way recommend any drug at all, because as I say, what works for one may not for another, BUT, if there is nothing else that seems to work, it is worth a try, a person should know after a month if it is worth it or not, and it won't be so tough to get out of your system after only a month. If it doesn't work in that time, tell your doctor and try something else. I really hope everyone suffering from this evil sickness of depression will find what is best for them, good luck.

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88

hi there I just read your response and I too was on pristiq for years and then switched to viibryd but I still have depression and anxiety badly also I am30 as of yesterday and do not menstruate due to low hormones which makes me frail and weak. Please contact me and you gave me hope to go to the pharmacy and get off this stuff and on natural hormones I cannot take the synthetic BC from my Doc it exagerbates my depression very bad please help..

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89

TO CITIGIRL PLEASE read my post and respond to me at {edited for privacy} thank you so much
hi there I just read your response and I too was on pristiq for years and then switched to viibryd but I still have depression and anxiety badly also I am30 as of yesterday and do not menstruate due to low hormones which makes me frail and weak. Please contact me and you gave me hope to go to the pharmacy and get off this stuff and on natural hormones I cannot take the synthetic BC from my Doc it worsens my depression very bad please help..

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90

Ramey, this reply is for you. I would love to talk to you. Maybe we could email direct. My email is {edited for privacy}. My apocothariest helped me tremendously. After having my harmone test done he created bio-identical harmone cream that I rub on my tummy each day. I had some deficiencies with Progestrone and that took care of most of my depression AND my migraines. He is also the one who took my pills and recapsulized them for me so I could take smaller, safer doses and wean off. He then had me start on natural therapies for my anxieties. But we can talk more in person. I hope you will contact me. I would love to pay forward the blessing that my pharmacist was for me.

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91

Thank you so much citigirl ;) u gave me soo much hope I could not get your email but I will try and give you mine again it's {edited for privacy} I hope this doesn't block. And to speak with you soon,
God bless you,
Ramey

Editor's note: We apologize, but aside from a few (very) rare exceptions we cannot allow personal contact information to show up in the posts. This is to protect the privacy of our visitors.

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92

Can anyone tell me how to withdraw from this email forum? I was successful in titrating off Pristiq, felt a little weird, but is expected with withdrawal from most antidepressants.

I wish you all well.

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93

Charlie, I am weaning off Pristiq after 6 yrs of being on it! Only dizzy a few days no brain zaps! Lucky I guess! I read, The Mood Cure by Julia Ross! It's saved my life! I'm now taking 5-HTP & DLPA for natural serotonin building & dopamine!! Go to half.com or amazon to get the book! I paid $1 for it w/$3.99 s/h! I also started taking Juiceplus+ again which is 25 fruits/veggies in a capsule that my dr recommended for autoimmune & overall health! Obviously we don't eat enough natural fruits & veggies on a daily basis to keep us functioning & healthy! Nutrition is KEY to all of us getting better & defeating the Depression Monster!! The JP+ is $1.25/day & so proven to help cancer patients & repair our bodies inside out! Go on my site journeyofdiscoveryjuiceplus.com to watch videos from drs & see the facts & proof! I'd be happy to set u up if you want to try it! I feel like a million bucks & was in a deep dark depression for years!! I wish you all the best!!

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94

Thank for your post on Pristiq. I have been on it for years and told my new psy that I didn't think it was helping. I was taking 150 mg and he dropped to 50 mg for 2 weeks and then wanted to wait a week and then try Cymbalta. I have had what I thought was asthma all week and after doing a nebulizer treatment I would get the shakes and then have extreme anziety. I have been taking prednisone for 3 days and am not feeling much better. Today I have not done a nebulizer treatment and have shortness of breath, headache, shakes a little nausea, so I think it was too much of a drop in Pristiq, so I realize from reading everyone's posts that I am going to have to taper off much much slower. I am diabetic (and currently not having to take diabetic meds) and taking the prednisone, it makes my blood sugar high and I have to take the diabetes med again. I feel like my body/mind is so out of whack. I am glad for all the posts so I know what the true issue is.

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95

Trish, I just read your post about getting off Pristiq. My thyroid and Vit. D were low at the end of March. My endocrinologist changed me from Levothyroxine to Synthroid because my levels would be normal and then be low and then be normal. So all generics are not created Equal! Thanks for the info on the nutrition. I agree that nutrition is the KEY! I have asthma and thought all I was feeling was asthma and asthma med symptoms. this morning I haven't done a breathing treatment and feel shaky, anxiety, headache, a little stomach upset, short of breath when I get up and move around. Now after reading so many posts I know what I am experiencing is Pristiq withdrawals from having the dosage dropped to much to start and that I am going to have to taper off much slower.

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96

Ramey I am going to go to the contact form and ask them to let us exchange contact info. If you will do the same I think they will let us make contact with each other. CityGirl

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97

Thank u so much citigirl I asked the forum ast week they were waiting to hear from you I can't thank u enough for taking the time.
Blessings,
Rose

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98

I was wondering how you have been since your post. Are you done with all meds now? My daughter would like to go off Pristiq but is afraid of the side effects.

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99

Where are you able to get Pristiq compounded? I am @50 and feeling ready to reduce and of course the pills are not to be divided due to the coating.

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100

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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