I have already told my story with Effexor.
- 19 months to tapper 225 mg feeling terrible withdrawal symptoms;
- 3 months without the drug I have to have people in my house for one month because I felt terrible physically and emotionally - the worth feeling was a kind of despair I never felt in my life and many other symptoms that I don't want to remember;
- two suicide attempts;
- had to go back to 150 mg of Effexor and will have to take it for the rest of my life unless there is a miracle that can help me.

I don't understand why so little is done against Wyeth.
When I go to drugstores it's usual to see boxes of Effexor being sold.
They don't sell tablets any longer in Brazil.
I had to change to XR version and side effects got worse.
If I miss a dose I have nightmares.

Thank you Wyeth!
You have taken a part of my life and is taking of many others wand is killing some.
But I'm great!
I have to thank the Lord that I'm still able to do many things.
But I'll be paying this Lab a lot of money.
They should donate to Philip because I'm broken because I had to buy psych-drugs without having money in the bank.

"I am dizzy, nauseous, can't stop crying, having suicidal thoughts and basically uncontrollable emotionally."

I've been there. Hang in there! Hope you find the best way to be at peace. No matter what way you chose to do it.
I have many testimonies at my blog.
I believe I'll repost some and post others I have in my archive.

I never doubted it would be the same old thing. SNRIs are nasty shit. Effexor, Cymbalta and now Pristiq...is anyone actually surprised?

I had a nice battle many years ago with Effexor though I cut a couple of pellets out every few days from the capsule and made it alright...I think it was because I was on so many other drugs at such high doses...it numbed out some of the worst of the shit people go through.

my nightmare drugs to come off of have proven to be Lamictal and Klonopin of the 6 I've withdrawn from. We are all strangely different...

There is a case being tried this week for Pristiq's cousin, Effexor. It still amazes me that physicians don't know about the propensity for violence caused by the antidepressants.

If a person types into Google "Prozac +violence", the top line reads "1 -10 of 1,160,000" Seems like over a million articles should bring some sort of awakening to some of the physicians of the world.

If a person types into Google "Pristiq +violence", there are already 5,850 articles.

Here is the story on the trial using the Effexor defense.

Paragraphs 6 & 7 read: "Levesque added that in this case, they have to carefully review the defence theory that the intake of antidepressant Effexor coupled with the accused's mental health problems,­ Proulx is diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder, ­ impaired his judgment. According to the defence lawyer, Proulx, 30, never would have killed Michaud if he hadn't been taking that medication."

"'Any new scientific theory brought forward has to rest on solid grounds and be credible,' the judge said."

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Jury+cannot+acquit+accused+murderer+aide+Judge/1628694/story.html

QUEBEC ­ Jurors at the first-degree murder trial of a man charged in the death of Quebec political aide Nancy Michaud started deliberating Monday afternoon after the judge presiding over the trial told them they can render four different verdicts, but that Francis Proulx cannot be acquitted.

Justice Jacques Levesque told the jury of nine women and three men that Proulx has admitted during his trial that he shot Michaud in the head on the night of May 15, 2008 in her home in the small farming community of Riviere-Ouelle, 150 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.

The presumption of innocence doesn't apply in this case, the judge told them, adding they can reach four possible verdicts: not criminally responsible on account of having a mental disorder, manslaughter, second-degree murder or first-degree murder.

"You have to consider all the evidence and only the evidence," the judge said.

Wow, that searchable database for adverse events is something I am embarrassed to say I've never seen before. That's pretty powerful -- a lot like SSRI Stories (ssristories.com) frankly. It's horrifying really. And I wonder how many people saw the segment on boys, breasts and Risperdal on CBS Evening News last night -- very graphic. (Go over to Beyond Meds if you want the link.) Yup, adverse effects are out there by the hundreds, thousands and millions, bankrupting our health care system and eventually our country and ruining countless lives. And with absolutely no healing power at all. People reading this site and others with similar messages need to think long and hard about what they're going to do about it because this is something a lot bigger than wars in the Middle East and it's right up there with climate change as a matter of extreme urgency. A donation to Philip is one place to start.

I started taking Pristiq about a week ago while weening myself off of Cymbalta. I don't know if Pristiq is a good drug or not. I could not get off of Cymbalta by myself (I tried and side effects were awful plus the weight gain during the 4 yrs I was on it). I told the dr. that I wanted off AD's completely and she told me to increase the dosage! I could not get any help from her. I need to know if I am going down another bad road with this new Pristiq drug. Anyone??

The number of reports has gone up to 1361. Of those reports, only 397 were reported by a doctor.

T Golub, Yes, you are going down another bad road. Cymbalta for Pristiq is your doctors way of keeping you on an SNRI. I'm guessing she had samples for you? How nice. NOT.

I've been taking Pristiq for 3 weeks, so far no bad effects. I was very apt to be aggressive before but am not at this time. I'll just wait and hope for the best.

Went off pristiq cold turkey after being on it about 3 months. now off about 2-3 weeks. i went off of it mainly because I was gaining weight. Am now taking St. John's Wort and I am depressed and am having trouble sleeping which I was before Pristiq. I'm also having a lot of arthritic pain now. who knows what causes what, but I'm goint to try and lose this weight and exercise and keep on the St. John's Wort.

I'm glad I found this article. My doctor said that its likely I have fibromyalgia and there is a trial packet of this stuff waiting for me at doc's front desk. I don't think I'll be picking this up now.

Dear God...after reading all this the hopelessness is so overwhelming I can't decide what to do. I've had every SSRI available and just finished the chemical weaning of Lexapro....I still take Seroquel to sleep and xanax to stop anxiety but let go of Lexapro and Topomax. I've cut myself way too many times now...I believe in God...I want to be drug free, but the rage inside me is so bad and I don't know how to control it
I'm pushing 54 years old. How much more of this can I take? Not even gonna try the Pristiq now...since "peer reviews" mean more than any dr.'s say so. I started back in the 70's on tricyclics...shoot how much worse can they be. At least back then I only took one pill..Elavil.

I have been on pristiq for 3 months and I am now weaning myself off. When it was time for me to skip two days it all when downhill. I missed the 2nd dose and I was ill. i could not walk, I was extremely dizzy and nauseous. Like I had motion sickness. It was terrible. I think someone needs to contact Wyeth. And we should all come forward. It should be taken off the market.

Crystal Amend

I have been taking Pristiq for a year, and have never felt better. My mood is calm and even. My mind sharp and quick.

I'm scared to go off of it.....but it sure makes me feel a lot better.

well i've been off and on pristiq twice. the only side affects i have are constipation, diharrea, and trouble sleeping but i already had trouble sleeping so this doesn't bother me much. however see how you feel after going days without using the bathroom. o_O it also causes loss of appetite which can lead to weight loss but as i had problems with binge eating this is a good thing for me. i missed a dose yesterday and ended up having 2 long and really strange vivid angry dreams when i went to bed, nothing scary though. i've stopped taking it once before because of those side affects i'm having and had no withdrawal effects i think a lot of it is psychological, people expect to have withdrawal effects and so they do. other than that i've been on it for a week and already notice that my mood is now optimistic as opposed to the pessimism i used to feel all the time. i'm also more productive. i do feel a tad bit more impulsive but this is also good in my case because i needed to follow set routines and now if i remember i need something from the store on my way home from work i can stop and get it without feeling any anxiety whereas before i just simply could not bring myself to step out of my routine. also if i have an impulse to say visit the library i will go as opposed to before when i would not leave my house even if i wanted to go to the library. now it's like hmm i feel like going to the library all of a sudden... i'm going. i feel much healther mentally and it's great not to feel that lingering cloud of depression anymore!

I have been taking Prozac on and off for about 15 years. When I started taking it I was hearing all kinds of terrible things about it but I tried it anyway and it really helped. The problem is that I didn't continue to take it as I should, I was missing dose after dose. I have been put back on it half dozen times or more. I can in all honesty say that it did help while I was taking it right. then it got so the PTSD started and that didn't help with that as good. I also have very aggressive behavior. I can be just as calm as possible and all of a sudden I just get so angry. Anything can set me off. I get so mad and can't control the anger and rage nor do I even know why I am like this. So I have been given samples of Pristiq to try. My doctor toldme that if I did not like it or if it didn't work or if I had side effects that were intolerable we would stop them and just go back to the Prozac. I was told that I would more likely lose weight with the Pristiq as I did with thte Prozac. I don't need to take something to make me bigger or increase my blood pressure. I do take medicine for my blood pressure but it's not what doctors would call really bad hypertention. Regardless, I am so confused. The pharmacist told me the only way that I would know how it was going to affect me, my body system is to try it and take it from there since everyone's system responds differently to different medicines. I just want to be happy. I have to be on some kind of antidepresant and I do know this. I refuse to take Paxil or Zoloft because I have heard some really bad things about them from family members. My daughter that is 25 took Pristiq for about 6 months. She started with 50 mg then went to 100. after that she went back down to 50 and they weaned her off and thank God she has done great coming off of it. It did help her anger issues and depression. So what are we as patients supposed to do. We hear something bad about everything. It is to the point that you can't feel safe taking anything anymore. I hope someone has an opinion for me. I did like the one that has been taking the Pristiq for a year and is doing so good. That did make me feel some better about trying it. I do agree with my pharmacist, that nobody will know how a medicine (any medicine) will affect them until or unless they try it. So what would any of you do? Prozac or Pristiq?????????

I have been on Pristiq for almost one year. I have had no noticeable physical side effects, however, just last week I did have labs done and my cholesterol is elevated. I also took Effexor XR about 10 years ago and let me tell you it was hell. I swore I would never take an ad again. But life happens and with a family history of people who don't handle depression very well (meaning taking nothing at all and living miserably and treating others miserably) I chose to get help. I have never had any noticeable side effects unless I missed a dose--then I would feel "swimmy". I have to admit, I was forced to go through something last year that I never thought I could make it through and I do believe Pristiq made my experience manageable and kept me with a positive outlook on life--which I didn't have before I started taking it. There are risks you take every day when you walk out your front door. I am a mother of three and still remember not wanting to walk out the door because I had lost interest and found it very hard to manage day to day. I'm staying on it for now because I believe its done more good than harm. Considering its still relatively new, I don't know what the long term side effects are. I pray they are few. I hope this helps someone. Weigh your pros and cons.

Crystal;
Skipping doses is the worst thing to do. You need to gradually reduce the dosage but at a consistant level. Skipping doses is like going down a hill at 100mph, slamming on the breaks, then accelerating, then slamming on the breaks again. See if you can find a compound pharmacist.

My doctor just put me on Pristiq, but I only have minor depression and didn't want to take Zoloft anymore because of the zombie effect it made me feel. I am 44 and I have very hight Cholestrol and Triglestorites (sorry misspelled). Why would my doctor put me on this medicine when it causes your cholestrol levels to go up. I'm not so depressed that I need this to risk a heart attack. I've just been on Zoloft for 18 years and can't quit now!

Debra and Carol, I used to think I had to be on some type of antidepressant for life. This was in spite of the fact that I was growing very apathetic and didn't give a bleep about anything. It also didn't seem to faze me that I was suffering cognitive issues. But I was so spellbound by the medication that I continued to have that belief.
,br>

It was only when one of the meds I was on, Remeron, caused a hearing loss that I began to rethink my position. A year later, after leaving a stressful job, I decided to slowly taper off of a then 4 med cocktail.

Three years later, I am down to 1 med (4mg of Doxepin). I am not going to lie and say it has been easy. Also, after suffering horrific insomnia, I had to put my tapering on hold so I didn't lose my job.



However, once I stabalize, I will taper by microdoses. I don't care how long it takes as long as I am off eventually.

Other than the insomnia, I have not come close to relapsing in spite of dealing with many stressful issues including the death of a family member. It is hard to quantify the improvements but in a nutshell, being off most of my meds makes me feel like a real human being instead of a dulled robot.

Personally, I have found that fish oil capsules, vitamin D, and a good multi greatly help. You're not stuck taking ADs forever.

But if you decided to taper them, it is important to do it at 10% of current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. With Pristiq, as damaged said, you will need a compound pharmacist.

Zoloft comes in liquid and can be tapered that way. You can also buy a digital scale from Ebay and measure your doses that way.

By the way, I have been on meds since 95 .

I hope my experience helps someone.

I was put on Pristiq about 7 weeks ago. I also have heart issues and very high cholesterol. I stated turning black and blue all over my body.I went to the E.R. and the doctors thought I had been beaten. A day later I was discharged after going thru every test to man, only for the hospitalist to tell me it was my Plavix doing that. I advised the doctors I had been on Plavix for quite a while and never had this happen to me. The doctor told me to put make-up on my hematoma's if I didn't like them. I was furious because I knew something else was wrong. My neice called me right before I left to go home to tell me what she found on the web about Pristiq's side effects. Severe Bruising and bleeding!!!!! Why didn't these doctors in the E.R or the Hospitalist or even my own darn doctor know to look at this. I don't believe doctors dig deep enough about these kinds of drugs and we the patients get wounded because of them. Not only physcially, mentally but finacially. It just probably cost me over $8000.00 to find this out and did so without the help of a medical professional.

I just took my first dose, 50mg of pristiq and within 2 hrs was nasuated and 3 hrs vomiting,
Am hesitant to continue. Is this a common side effect?

i am approaching my 4th day on pristiq and do not know if i should continue. i have had naseau,blurred vision and can get very little sleep. i assumed these symptoms would go away after a while and am afraid of the withdrawel effects. After reading other peoples reaction, I feel positive I will stop taking it.

DO NOT TAKE PRISTIQ!! I was on it for about 3 weeks and stopped taking it after reading posts like these and realizing all my awful side effects were from the Pristiq. Naseau, nightmares, extreme anxiety, headaches, blood pressure spiked big time (sweating constantly). Pristiq also effects bleeding and blood clotting, which caused break through bleeding even though I did not miss any doses on my birth control (which went away by the way as soon as I went off it). But be CAREFUL quitting cold turkey. It was the worst withdrawl I ever experiences. Constantly crying for any/no reason, unable to leave my apartment for work and class, and crazy mood swings. It did not help at all do not let your doctor talk you into taking this. Pristiq has no business being on the market and I think it's shameful that psychiatrists are prescribing this awful awful drug. These forums online are infinitely more helpful then any of my doctors have ever been. Everyone should take their treatment into their own hands and research these "anti-depressants" themselves. After 6 years I am still searching for any medication that actually works for me. Sounds like everyone else is in the same boat unfortunately.

My story with Pristiq seems different from all the rest. I have always been a clinical depressive, but I have always been able to function. Just sad and miserable everyday. I started taking it 4 months ago after trying everything else and although I can't actually say I was depressed on it I will say I ceased to function. I became numb. I put things off, I slept all the time, I didn't even have the energy to shower. Everything became a chore but I didn't care. I became comfortably numb. About a week ago my son pointed out these things and I was somehow able to look at myself and see what was happening so I went off Pristiq. Needless to say I feel like I am coming out of a 10 year coma. The withdrawal symptoms are horrible. I'm dizzy, shaky sick. I have ringing in my ears, I almost feel like I'm going to have a seizure but I feel alive again. I can actually think & remember things. I'll take the withdrawal symptoms anyday compared to the non-existance of the last 4 months. GET THIS CRAP OFF THE MARKET!!!!!!1

Pristiq has changed my life for the better. The truth about any drug is they affect everyone differently. I only felt a little nausea the first couple days of taking it and have not had any side effects since. I am not depressed anymore, I am social and active, and just got engaged. It is true that some people will have bad side effects but it is also true others won't. I would not make a decision to take or not take Pristiq based on other peoples results...everyone's body reacts differently. Try it out for yourself and make sure you give the drug sometime to start working before you give up on it. Hope this helps!

I've been taking pristiq for 5 months or so. I've been diagnosed with major depression minor with signs of PTSD. I function with or without medication not because I want to but because I have 2 children and a husband I feel obligated to do it for. That's where the (minor) comes in. When I started to feel like driving my car into a brick wall every day (alone) and the compulsion to cut myself was getting just to feel numb became overwhelming I knew I needed help before it was out of my control. I liked pristiq at first because it took effect fairly quickly. The fact that I shook a little or that I almost felt numb was ok. I could still sense the anexiety and torment but it was on the outskirts of my thoughts not
reachable. As time has passed though, I realize I'm just functioning, never really happy. No ups, just lows on
ocassion that are more manageable. However, I've noticed my anexiety is more frequent and my lows are are getting worse. I go to my Dr. About it tomorrow though I'm really scared what he'll say or try to change. The last time I told him it was working that well he put me on Geodon with the pristiq and I felt like I was losing my mind. My head hurt, I couldn't think clearly, felt like my equilibrium was off. He had told me then that I may have to go into the hospital Which I had already contemplated (because of the sucidal thoughts ) until
my medication was straightened out. Ugh... Is there anything out there that really helps?

Started taking Pristiq a month ago and it's been the wirst thing I've ever done to myself!! In the last 4 days I have had the most incredible ANXIETY, THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, SHAKES, FEELING OF BOTH CHILLS AND HEAT WITH NO FEVER, LACK OF SLEEP, LACK OF MOTIVATION, SADDNESS.... you name it. I can barely function. Happily I have a great Dr. who's taking me down from (only) 50mg (1/2 pill every other day until Sat. this is Monday). He, too believes it's the Pristiq causing all the problems. While he says that everyone absorbs it in different ways it can be hell for some of us. Clearly it'd been hell for me. I just want this over with.

I have been on Pristiq for about 2 months and I like it. The beginning side effects were manageable and went away. The only adverse effect is sleeplessness which I take Melatonin for and it's not every night. Could not take other anti-depressants like Effexor or Lexapro

I just started "Pristiq" and have been fighting depression for the last 15 years. Some meds helped for a while and then they eventually failed. If this med causes me any of the issues listed here I will sue my freaking shrink for damages and then the drug company. This so called science of "psychiatry" is nothing but a game of chance and the odds are all in favor of seperating suffering people from there money.

I have been on different medications such as paxil, cymbalta then eventually Pristiq because I did not like the flat affect from the other drugs. I had been on and off medication for depression/anxiety for 1 1/2 years after the death of my son. It seemed to work for a while. I did have severe sweating at points then changed the times I would take the medication and it helped with that.

3 months after being on the medication I now how these medical issues:

My blood pressure went sky high 178/110
Last lab results showed cholesterol at 213 with triglycerides at 300

I had a history of Hypoglycemia (which is a precurssor from Dm ) but suddenly developed Diabetes with hgb a1c at 8.3 and cbg as high as 376

I am a nurse.. and I have to question if all this is due to the medication, especially since high bp
and increased triglyceride levels are listed as serious side effects.

My blood pressure before taking this medication was always in the low 130's / over 80's

My blood sugars were typically 105-110 and raised to about 140-150 after meals

I stopped taking the pristiq and switched to Wellbutrin that is working for me.

I am now taking Metformin for DM, HCTZ for high BP and asprin.

I have only been off Pristiq for about 1 1/2 weeks I am hoping some of this will reverse

I've been taking pristiq for 2 months now. I'm just starting my 3rd. I take 50 mg every morning. Never miss a dose. But this week I ran out and couldn't afford to refill my script until payday which was 4 days away. I called for samples from my dr. office to get me by but they were out. Within 48 hrs of not taking a pristiq pill i began having symptoms of dizziness, feelings as though my entire body was having a heartbeat, a pulsation, disorientation feelings, high emotionality, crying and agitation. I couldn't take it so I went ahead and refilled my script and hoped my check would clear because I couldn't imagine going another day or 48 hrs without it. The withdrawal symptoms began so quickly and were so pronounced. As soon as I took another pill I began feeling better.

I'm concerned though because while taking this medication (I suffer from depression and severe anxiety) I have experienced heightened levels of agitation and anger and aggression. I have had more thoughts of suicide than ever before in my entire life (I have never ever felt like that). And then there are the lows that seem lower sometimes than when I'm not on any medication at all. I feel deep hopelessness and loneliness and sadness. I cry constantly sometimes.

So...the question is...is it just me and my depression and anxiety or is it the pristiq or a combination of both? And why don't they tell you pristiq is just effexor in a new package? I didn't know that until just now readying everyone's comments. hmmm. i've taken many different anti-depressants and i don't know what to do.

DO NOT TAKE PRISTIQ!!! This drug has destroyed my life. In Sept. 2009 after being on this medication for 1 month I attempted suicide.My mood was getting more & more agitated as each day passed until I finally snapped. The only reason I am here today is because my son came home early and found me near death, 1 more hour would've been fatal. I have lost my job and health benefits because of this. My doctor refuses to see me because I told her I am done with anti-depressants (having been on them for 15 years)and actually hung up on me when I asked her why she wanted to put me back on medication when I have finally detoxed from all this crap and I actually feel better than I ever did on them. She wanted to put me on Lithium and when I refused she cut me off. Thanks, you asshole. I am using the time off to deal with the side effects of withdrawal, the worst seems to be crying a lot. I have made a pledge to myself to come back stronger than ever. I am constantly researching ways to be happy and drug free. Diet & exercise definitely help. Don't let doctors railroad you into these drugs. They are impossible to get off of until something horrible happens to snap you out of it and the doctors will never help you stop taking them because its easier for them to write out another prescription.

We all have to keep in mind that every person's body and brain chemistry is different. What makes one person feel good might severely affect another. Lexapro made me have INSANE panic attacks and outrageous outbursts of crying. Cymbalta might as well been a sugar-pill... did nothing for me. I've been on Pristiq for a year now. At first, it made me feel SO much better but I gradually started to slip back down again, so my Dr. has me on 100mg now. Must say, I feel so much better.

I'm so sorry for all of you that have had a bad experience with it. It definitely makes me scarred to go off it!

Hang in there everyone! You're SO not alone in this!! =)

I started taking pristiq 9 months after my son committed suicide. I felt it helped. Was getting samples from my Dr for several months. Then the samples stopped. I had to buy it. $57.00 for 15 pills. Outrageous. I can't afford that, so i started not taking it. Well things got bad and i started taking them again. BAD DECISION. Things got even worse. I don't know what to do now. My life is a living HELL.

I unfortunately had to stat taking Pristiq this year due to severe anxiety resulting from having to shut my business down this year because of the exceptionally difficult economy. I did not want to take the medication but was finding it hard to go to acupuncture with the frequency that I needed due to the costs and it not being covered by my plan.

The medication worked and really did not take any "getting used" to it/ However, as with life, the worst is/was behind me and last week I consulted my doctor about coming off of the medicine. It has been about six days and the side effects/withdrawal symptoms have been very bad. I do not feel upset or out of control, nothing like what has been mentioned in some of the other postings. What I have felt is that every 45 - 60 seconds I have mild spasms, almost like little shocks of electricity where my legs kick, fingers twitch and it as though I see life stop or slow down into an almost frame-by-frame movement, like a movie projector slowing down; very strange. I have been able to sleep and do not feel unmotivated, I just want this other stuff to stop as I cannot concentrate all that hard and find myself having to pay immense attention to the task or I drift.
It is unnerving and frustrating, I am not accustomed to taking this type of med and never liked being on it as I always preferred acupuncture to get me through - the side effects are bad and I can't wait for them to end. For all those struggling here, I am sorry and hope that you all feel better...

I started taking pristiq after a bad situation in my life and anxiety was at its highest. I could not sleep or eat for about 2 weeks and the dr decided the only option was to try pristiq. the first 4 or 5 days were hell, because i was off work anyway and feeling bad i laid in bed. my parents were so worried about me they wanted to admit me to hospital! (i'm 25) but after about 4 days my mood just changed. i started spending time with close friends, even a simple meet for lunch or coffee and a chat and the pristiq was amazing. I've always been against antidepressants, mainly because i didnt like the idea of my body relying on something for mood help (silly but just what i have always felt!) but now i think it got me through the tough patch. Now 3 months later i suddenly feel i dont want to take it anymore. I had some side effects but nothing compared to what ive read. I had some constipation and some nausea if taking the tablet a few hrs later (such as on weekends after sleeping in) but otherwise it has been fine. I also didnt read that alcohol wasnt recommended so the few times i went to a party, i drank 4 or so drinks and my mood was altered (i became teary and thought negative).
I didnt take a tablet yesterday or today and now im starting to feel some discontinuation symptoms. I know it is recommended to take the tabs every second day, and wean off slowly but i will see how i go. Last night i woke several times from vivid dreams and today feel light headed and nauseas but im at work and focusing ok.
I guess while there are many negative reviews on this site, to me personally, pristiq was a miracle drug to get me through a tough time. perhaps tomorrow I will be feeling awful from stopping and may not agree with what i said hehehe but seriously, its worth a shot if you know you need help and seeing a psych or counsellor at the same time is definitely worthwhile. all the best everyone!

I was put on Pristiq 5 months ago...not because I was depressed..but because I was complaining to my Dr. of post surgery pain..He said it was probably all in my head..and gave me a prescription for Pristiq..at the time..I was ready to try anything if it would made the post surgery pain subside...Well..after 5 months on Pristiq..I still have the pain..my blood pressure is up and I have gained about 15 pounds..had the severe sweats..vivid crazy dreams...and blurred vision..the Dr. who prescribed the Pristiq..left the group..I saw another Dr. in the group who took me off the drug.. and gave me another script for Effexor XR...He gave me a card with sample Pristiq tablets and told me to take one every other day..every third day..then..stop for a week..go on the Effexor XR...I was unable to get pass the 3 day without Pristiq..so I had to refill my prescription for PRistiq to wean myself off using it for a longer withdrawal span...I have severe brain zaps, ataxia, blurred vision, crying episodes, weakness in my legs, pain in my joints...I finally called the 800# for Pristiq and was told this is normal..NORMAL...and to call my DR. and have him subsribe another drug..like the Effexor..so I can feel better...I went on the drug for pain..(that was in my head)..now..I do have depression..and brain zaps..and now I do feel mental..I can't think straight..I can't remember...I don't want to do anything..and I can't function anymore..and PRistiq has done all of this to me..I can't find out if there is a time line for when I can expect this drug to be out of my system...and if these brain zaps will ever stop..if they don't stop..I feel that I will be doomed to take on of the AD drugs for the rest of my life....I feel hopeless........

I have been on Pristiq along with Lamotrigine foe two months now. It has so far been pretty good. Effexor was probably the best anti-depressant ever for me except that it stopped working after two years. My Psychiatrist's contention is that if I had taken Effexor with a mood stabiizer I would still be happily skipping along like I used to. Pristiq in the current experience is only OK. Keeping the hairy little demons and rank despair away. I might not be alive now if it were not for the intervention of this Wyeth drug. I want to kiss those bastards even if it is not necessarily novel. I would say to those for whom the Pristiq does not work, then the psychiatrist or pharmacologist needs to take safe steps to ween and adjust. It is not Wyeth's fault that there are indifferent doctors out there that are lacking.

I've been on Pristiq for about 3 months after experiencing frequent stress induced migraines that started about 6 weeks after weening off of Buspar(which i took for anxiety and insomnia). The first week was awful, mild nausea, complete loss of appetite and just a feeling of having drank WAY too much coffee all the time. After that first week though, I started feeling better and had lots of energy and at times euphoric about life. Now I feel normal, the migraines are gone completely and occasionally if I have trouble sleeping or feeling anxious, I will take .5mg of xanax which really helps. This seems to be a good combination for me, but then my initial state of mind was not that severe as others who have posted here, so perhaps the drug is geared to work better for those who are not 'severely depressed' as advertised, but more for those with anxiety or mild depression? I have not tried stopping this med, but I have missed doses with no adverse side effects. I have had no weight gain and as i said i feel normal and happy again. The only complaint I have is that my OCD has subsided and I don't seem to mind the messes around the house as much, and I forget things easier so now i have to write everything down to keep track of it, but I suppose that's a acceptable trade-off to feel happy. :)

i have been taking pristiq for almost a year now and it has done nothing but good for me. i am very anti-medicine but this has greatly improved my outlook on life and has improved my overall mood imensely. i used to drink heavily and my activities would revolve around alchohol. i was mentally abusive towards my wife when i drank but the alchohol was what i thought i needed to maintain some sort of mental stability. pristiq seemed to take the habitual craving away for me which enabled me to control my my drinking. i do not drink beer anymore but i do have some wine now and then, sometimes too much but i don't beat myself up over it. i'm happier when i give in sometimes and i have learned not to feel guilty about it, most importantly, i have learned to treat my wife very well. i've come a long way in a fairly short amount of time. everything that i've done, i've learned, it just didn't happen. i suppose you could say that pristiq was an "enabler" for me now that i think about it, nothing "just happend". i have quit drinking completely for awhile but it just plain sucked. going through life completly sober all the time is a bunch of shit, it's more like a punishment with me and i'm comfortable with my view. my concentration and memory were very bad prior to taking pristiq and it's much better now. i do not completly credit pristiq for that but it had it's part i'm sure. i have read some self help books and some books that were just "feel good" (non-fiction) books which helped me form a more positive attitude towards life. something i know that has really helped me also is liquid b complex vitamins. i don't feel like explaining how i came to start taking them but it's been a huge help. i'm by far no doctor but i really pay attention to how i feel and what i think is responsible for it. i take vitacerin and memazan. go to liquidvitaminstop.com if interested. i also watch what i eat somewhat, i'm no angel but i do pretty well with diet. the healthier you eat the better you will feel, everyone knows this but not many make a very good effort. i have never had thoughts of suicide prior to or after taking pristiq. my main depression symptom (among others), was my temper. i had a very short fuse and was just plain angry alot. i've learned that, by far, the one who cares the most about my health, is me, as it should be. overall i could be a poster child for pristiq and hopefully there are no long term side affects. this writing is only a small part of my situation but my life has gotten much better since i started taking pristiq and i have learned to really help myself. i wish all of you well and don't give up. if something doesn't work try something else, get other opinions, do whatever you resonably can. it is a good life, just really shitty days now and then sometimes many days in a row but it is a good life.

So I am just reading through all this and wanted to say something...
Everyone reading these posts needs to realize that everybody is different and will react to drugs in their own different way.
But screaming about how Pristiq is an "evil drug" and should be pulled off the market is not the answer. Pristiq didn't go well with you, plain and simple! just means you need to try somthing different that suits you better...doesn't mean it should be pulled off the market.
I can personally attest to everyone reading this that if it wasn't for Pristiq, I would be dead right now. For some reason, pristiq works well with my body chemistry, so it has been a literal life saver for me. For the first time in many many years I am normal! I am happy, and functioning and socializing, sucessful and ALIVE!! I owe all this to Pristiq. I am on 100mg and it was literally like night and day for me and if I have to be on it for the rest of my life, then so be it! I never want to go back to the person I was before!
So anyways, my point is this... for anyone reading this who is unsure of taking it or not, do not let yourself get scared by these other posts! Should you be cautious and listen to the signals your body sends? Yes! Remember that everyone reacts differently so what might be right for you, may not be right for everybody. Good luck to everyone and may you find the answers you are looking for.

Imagine if "everyone reacts differently" were the case for say...antibiotics. Some people will be cured of infection, some people will have a heart attack and others will go completely insane.

It should be unexceptable for any type of medication given by a doctor to "react differently" in everyone.

And has anyone's doctor ever told them this?
"Pristiq may help you or it could cause X,Y, or Z, it just depends on your body, which I know nothing about, so we will just have to see what happens." ??

Amber, Pristiq is not going to effect you the same way forever. Do me a favor and post an update in 6 months and let us know if this miracle drug is still working for you. Also, do you plan on having children?

I have been taking pristiq for about 4 months now. I previously was on lexapro which I was very hqppy with, however I became very complacent and wanted to try taking nothing. My anxiety and depression after a month or two became to much to handle so I started pristiq. I have to say I felt much better and didn't have any bad side effects but I am considering disconinuing it because of sexual side effects. I haven't read anywhere that anyone has complained of that?

I've been on Pristiq for about a month now and so far so good. My sister-in-law was on Effexor for a year and was doing great then crashed and burned. I know that the drug could backfire, or my reactions can change to it within a year or so, but I'm really happy now. I know that everything can change, but it just feels good to, well, feel. Antidepressants are hit and miss. I was on Lexapro for a year and eventually became a zombie. But, for me, it's so much better than the alternative.

I was on Pristiq for 6 months. About a month into it I was doing great, but after a while it just stopped working, my depression got worse, the sexual side effects are absolutely ridiculous - just made me completely numb. Also, I stopped caring about much of anything and just being relaxed about everything - not good when there are certainly things in life one should NOT be relaxed about. Just another drug that loses effectiveness. Definitely not a miracle pill. Oh and I am off of them now and they are the worst drug to withdraw from, ever. I mean, EVER. Nausea, vestibular disturbances, dizziness, intermittent crying spells. I never felt so sick, its stupidly ridiculous. But, I am looking forward to being DONE with this stupid drug and on to holistic approaches whether they be herbal supplements, acupuncture, anything so I don't have to be a slave to some drug company. what a chump I was! Never again.

I am reading this website trying to make sense of my brother's suicide death last week while in the first few weeks of his taking Pristiq.

I've been on pristiq for a month. for the past week i've been experiencing severe, bizarre hallunciantions, muscle twitching, shaking, high blood pressure, feeling of being "high" without mania and without usuage of alcohol or drugs. My therapist and psychiatrist dx tdhe problem as seratoion syndrome. I quit taking the Pristiq immediadtely. and now feel better. What an experience.

I have been on Pristiq now for over a year. I admit that I also take Xanax and Wellbutrin.

The combination works for me but it took 4 months to get 'In Balance'

I would only come off if I where switching to another med. I came up very slowly. So far so good.

"I am reading this website trying to make sense of my brother's suicide death last week while in the first few weeks of his taking Pristiq."
Posted by: ann at January 9, 2010 03:06 AM

I am SO sorry for your loss. That is devastating.

Damaged said: 'Imagine if "everyone reacts differently" were the case for say...antibiotics. Some people will be cured of infection, some people will have a heart attack and others will go completely insane.'

Amen. The crap shoot that is psych drug prescription is unacceptable! Full disclosure of the uncertainties should be mandatory in medical education and between doctor and patient.

What's also unacceptable is the prescription of any psych drug for what amounts to normal reactions to devastating events, like death of a loved one or loss of a job. These drugs were designed to treat 'mental illness' not natural responses to stress. It's outrageous that people get put on drugs when what they probably need is of a more pragmatic and spiritual nature. And it's outrageous that they then suffer horrible withdrawal effects when they try to stop taking chemicals they never should have been prescribed in the first place!

I have only been on Pristiq 3 days and am already sitting at home on the net because I couldn't pull it together to go to work. I am so glad that I found this website because I am getting off of it now! I went to bed crying, got up crying, can't stop, have no energy, feel totally hopeless without any energy. Drugs are not the answer and neither is the medical profession. They are in a fog - I am looking elsewhere!

A comment from another post pretty much says it for me.."the worst drug to withdraw from, ever. I mean, EVER! Nausea, vestibular disturbances (equalibrium), dizziness, intermittent crying spells. I never felt so sick, it's stupidly ridiculous. But, I am looking forward to being DONE with this stupid drug!" I have to add; frequent migraine headaches, fatigue, joint pain; but, those have been mentioned on this site also.
I finally went to see my Pharmacist, correctly reasoning that he would be more knowledgeable about the side-efects and contraindications of drugs than my Dr. The information that comes with the drug, and books and websites about drugs, are of limited use when it comes to issues like withdrawal effects, how long they last, or side effects while taking the drug. Anecdotal testimonies such as those on this website (and others regarding other drugs I've been prescribed) are GOLDEN to me! To read them is cathartic, empathetic, and highly educational. Frm now on, I will research sites like this one for "the real deal", before I bring any new prescription in to be filled. Pharmacists can also be a great resource, as patients (like me!) will often share their experiences while taking a drug. If you have a caring pharmacist, they will share the info as mine did with me. It was after seeing him, that I decided to take it a step further and read more about other personal experiences regarding Pristiq. Unfortunately, doctors seem to be the least knowledgeable and/or caring about these horrific effects of the drugs they're prescribing. We must take our lives and well-being into our own hands, and take the medical profession down from the pedestal of "all-knowing" and "all-caring" that they've been placed on for so long. We are so lucky to have the vast resources we have today - primarily, the internet. We must also share what we've learned with others. I wouldn't wish these withdrawal effects on ANYONE. In my case, I had to go through a process of eimination, because shortly after I was prescribed Pristiq, I was prescribed Estrogen (for hot flashes, nightsweats, unprovoked crying jags, and migraines. I thought these were menopausal symptoms. Now, I'm pretty sure that the symptoms that caused me to be prescribed the Estrogen, were attributable to the Pristiq! I've read on this site that some of the side effects of Pristiq are identical to menopausal symptoms (crying, sweating, migraines, so I may have gone on Estrogen for nothing! But now I have to wait and see. The side effects of Pristiq were so unbearable, that I stopped taking it - cold turkey (I didn't know what a HORRIBLE price I'd pay!!!) In the meantime, can anyone tell me HOW LONG this WITHDRAWAL HELL will last? As another poster put it; it is highly irresponsible for drug manufacturers to dispense these drugs to the general population, without having to provide warnings about how people are affected differently, what those effects are, and to expand the side-effects list. I also wonder about any long-lasting, or permanent side effects associated with this drug? I don't think they've done enough research (with any drug) about contraindications with other drugs. That should be ONGOING research.