Pristiq For 10 Years

I have been researching about weaning off of this medicine for weeks. I am scared crapless. I see people having these horrible withdrawal side effects after being on it from either a month to up to a few years. I have been on this for over 6 years. I had absolutely no idea how bad it would be getting off of this until a few years ago. I was up to 200mg a day but have started weaning off. I am down to 100mg a day. I thought I would try and do every other day so I skipped Sunday and yesterday I was nauseated ALL day, dizzy, my mind was everywhere else. I want to cry but I can't. Kind of like the big "O". It just won't happen. SO I gave in and took it today too. I think I will wait til my next visit and see what he wants to do then. My advice to anyone would be stay away fr...

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Are Pristiq and Wellbutrin in the same category? ## No I have been on 100 mg of Pristiq for 2 years. Pristiq is for Seritonin. Wellbutrin is for Dopamine. Some of us who are bipolar, our bodies do not make enough of either. Pristiq is for my Seritonin which helps with sleep. Will start Wellbutrin XR 150mg tablets on September 2nd. Dopamine makes a person happy. you laugh more, enjoy life more and all that. All this was explained to me by my neurologist and psychiatrist. ## They both treat similar conditions, as Charlie has stated, but they are not the same. However, this does not mean they are always safe for any certain person to take together, that is entirely up to your medical history and your doctor. The FDA lists typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, drowsi...

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I have been on pristiq 100mg for about 10 years now for depression and anxiety it has been working for many years but today I feel terrible with head spins, nausea and systems i usually get when i forget a pill which i haven't is there any reason for this? ## Hello, Danielle! How are you? After 10 years, it may be that your body has just grown tolerant to this dosage, which could explain why you're feeling some withdrawal effects, as if you missed a pill. The U.S. FDA lists other as possibly including rebound depression, anxiety, chills, and diarrhea. It may be time for a dosage adjustment, or you may need to try an entirely different medication. Is there anything else I can help with?

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I am on day 4 without Pristiq in my system. I was on 100mg for 5 years then dropped to 50mg for a few months. I tried taking a pill every other day but on my off day I was having awful withdrawal symptoms so decided to just stop taking it and get this over with. The withdrawal symptoms are driving me crazy, brain zaps, hot/cold flashes, headaches, vertigo, anxiety. My doctor said I can wait it out until Thursday and see if it gets better otherwise it's to a different drug that can be weaned off more easily. Does anyone have any success stories for weaning off pristiq and surviving the symptoms? It would be nice to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel! ## I didn't do it with Pristiq, it was a different medication, but I can assure you that there is light at the end of t...

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taking 2 mg of Ability with 100mg Pristiq for severe depression, with weight gain and fatigue now. On this med for 1-1/2 years, not happy with side-effects. Took prozac, cymbalta, and others a they ran their course. Depression better, but not happy with weight gain and tiredness. any other options available now?? Thank You- ## Pretty much all the medications used to treat such conditions can cause weight gain as side effects. Have you discussed the issue with your doctor? The only thing you might be able to do is up your exercise and cut down on your calorie and fat intake. ## Sandy I am also on 2mg. of ability, and 100 mg of pristiq, and am gaining weight, but depression is so much better, and doing more now, talking to people, and ect. So I will try to just control what I eat, so hung...

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Has anyone switched off of Pristiq to Contrave? My Dr wants me to make the switch. I’m scared to death of the side effects that come with weaning off one and starting another. ## Has anyone recently started Contrave and had to wean off of Effexor or Pristique? I am currently taking Pristique 100 mg and will need to wean off of it and start the Contrave. I’ve had mild depression and anxiety and have taken Pristique for a number of years.

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I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety over 2 years ago and was initially put on 50 mg then increased to 100 mg. I felt very stable initially but over the past few months have been having some issue to time. For example when I create a flyer which should only take me 30 minutes and before I know it 2 hours have passed. I also seem to be having problems rationalising things and sequencing. Has anyone else experienced these problems? My doctor's response was to increase my dosage to 200mg. ## What type of doctor are you consulting? Just a general practitioner or a specialist? Learn more Pristiq details here. In this case, these problems could be serious issues that can affect many aspects of your life and work, so I think you'd be best advised to see a specialist, such as a m...

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I have been on pristiq for about 8 years. I'm at 100 mg and have been for some time. I want to drop to 50. Does anybody have experience with this? Also, I have started losing hair after having a full head of nice hair. I know it's due to the pristiq and/or Wellbutrin (buspirone) I take. Can anybody relate? ## Most medications that have an effect on your body chemistry can cause hair loss, according to FDA reports. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache mood changes, and weight changes. Why are you wanting to lower your dosage? What condition was it prescribed to treat? Are you on any other medications?

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6 months ago my doctor switched me to Pristiq xr 100mg to replace Effexor xr 75mg. The med. always seems to stop working after abot 6 or7 months or so. I have not seen my doc in 6 months and i've noticed my anxiey is terrible. I don't trust co-workers and am paronoid that when I walk into work, they are thinking bad thoughts of me. This stops me from opening up/making friends. My co-workers eventually end up not liking me. I hope someone can relate with me. 5 years ago this was just depression, and the in the last 3 years whatever anxiety I may have had has slowly gotten worse. Is this typical of these medications? I've even considered divorcing just to start a new life/new chapter. I hope someone can help. thank you. ## My wife of 13 years started acting irrational, had ras...

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I was told to get off Pristiq by a Neurologist and my GP. My doctor put me on Prozac to help with the symptoms of withdrawl from the Pristiq. I'm afraid of the 10th day when I won't be on anything. Will there be side effects from coming off the Prozac? I was on Pristiq for 2 years. ## Hi Val, To answer your question, withdrawal symptoms from Prozac (fluoxetine) can occur if the medication is suddenly stopped. While the effects from fluoxetine withdrawal generally aren't as severe as other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) due to the amount of extra time the medication stays in the body, the effects can still be unpleasant or bothersome. There's a pretty good article linked below on what you might come to expect when tapering off of this medication; just so ...

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I have been on pristiq for at least 3 years 100 mg per day . I have been doing well with this drug. I take it for anxiety , panic disorder , some depression. But lately I have been feeling a little queasy ( stomach) and feeling somewhat anxious . Not sure what's going on because a close friend of mine died recently in a accident And my wife just got diagnosed with stage 1 liver cancer but it was caught early, She is my rock and love her so much I would die if I ever lost her. Thank you ## Hello, Gary! How are you? I really wish the best for your wife. Medications can become less effective, over time, as our bodies get used to them and coupling that with the stress you're currently under, it makes sense that you could be experiencing more stress and anxiety. At this point, you ma...

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As a GAD and panic disorder with agoraphobia sufferer for over 10 years, I am no stranger to meds. I have been on Pristiq, however, for about 3 years, and have finally decided it`s time for a change. This medication really did nothing to help me with my illness`, but due to the horrifying withdraw process (which you can start to feel if you miss a dose by ever a few hours), I`ve stuck with it. My doc has decided to put me on prozac to help with the withdraw symptoms of pristiq. Has anyone tried this with any success? I start the whole process in 6 days and I`m completely freaking out. ## Is he having you taper the Pristiq? That's usually the best way to get off of these types of meds, a slow taper down on the one being stopped and titrating up on the new one. Learn more Prozac detai...

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I've been on Pristiq 100mg for 8 years with great success. tongiht -for the first time in all that time, I accidentally took a second pill. Do I need to be worried? ## Hello, Alda! How are you? Usually, there isn't much danger from doing this occasionally, we all have our forgetful moments. The real danger would be if you did all the time, or took way more and overdosed. However, it is always best to inform your doctor, just in case. The FDA lists the warning signs of an overdose as possibly including nausea, severe dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, and vomiting. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Hi guys, I've never been on this site but am needing some advice and encouragement, I'm 19 years old and have been on Pristiq for about a year now, and before that another anti-depressant for a year.. I have been taking 100mg every day, however I've recently started going off them and since the lowest tablet is 50mg I've had to stop completely now and I'm kind of freaking out.. I've been really quite dizzy the last few days of being off it, as well as feeling a more down about everything.. Also having brain 'zaps' I guess, when I move my eyes too much..and difficulty concentrating.. I don't know what I should do, whether to go back on or not, and how long I'll be feeling this way and experiencing these symptoms..any advice or anything would be rea...

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I have been prescribed 50mil of depression drug Pristiq. I have all of my medications balanced to a good level. (I have been diagnosed as a manic,depressive, stuck in the depressive state, with very little or no manic episodes for years.) However when I take my new Pristiq medication, it brings me out of my depression, but I can tell the 50 mil. is way too powerful and it just sends my body into orbit! My body is stressed to the limit, I am anxious, and overloaded to the max. I need to find out if Pristiq comes in a lower dosages such as 10mil or such, or there is another matching medication that does. ## Hello, Debi! How are you? No, that is the lowest dose available. However, what you are experiencing could be the normal side effects that will start to wear off after a month, or so. M...

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Hi. I think I took a double dose of my pristiq 100mgs today. I am feeling pretty anxious now as I am worried about what could happen? ## I'm Peter. Accidentally took my wife's prestiq 100mg. What will happen to me today? ## I took double dose of pristiq I have been talking this medication for about 8 or 9 years should I be worried ## My daughter can’t remember if she took her Pristiq today. She knows if she misses a dose she will feel awful tomorrow. Should she take a dose now, take half a dose, or not do anything? ## Generally, taking a one time double dose isn't dangerous, unless you are sensitive to Pristiq, allergic to it, or on another medication it may react with, so please watch for signs of any possible issues, such as severe dizziness, extreme drowsiness, or f...

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I wanted to go off my antidepressant 150 mg. of pristiq My doctor dropped the 50 mg. of pristiq and started me on 10 mg of viibyrd . I'm sick all the time, dizzy, fill like i'm going to throw up all the time and very depressed. I wanted to go off antidepressants all together, why do doctors just keep putting you on more pills. I've been taking antidepressants for over 22 years, I just retired at 62 and can't afford to be on this medicine any more. ## Hello, Brenda! How are you doing? Sorry that you are experiencing such symptoms. Withdrawal effects are always a possibility when stopping antidepressant medications, so your doctor may have switched you to the low dose of Viibryd to try to prevent them, but only your doctor can really tell you for sure. Learn more Viibryd d...

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I have been on Pristiq for a couple of years now beginning on 50 mg then up to 100 mg for depression and anxiety. I am now experiencing some difficulty with time. For example I may be creating a flyer to send out which should take 30 minutes tops but before I know it 2 hours have passed and I have no idea why it has taken me this long. I look at the document and it is definitely not 2 hours worth of work. It is really weird and very unsettling. It is happening more and more and my ability to rationalise seems to be getting worse. Went to dr today and his answer is to increase dosage to 200 mg. Any thoughts out there? ## That's very odd and not something I've seen noted in the medication or information, or from other users. Learn more Pristiq details here. It almost makes me wond...

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Okay, I am hoping to get some help. I was on Pristiq 100 mg for the last three years. My insurance now is having a higher co-pay plus I have gained 25 lbs. So the PA switched my to Wellbutrin SR 150mg. It is day three and I feel awful. Very foggy and light headed. Well I found out from her nurse today, that I should not be having any caffeine when I take it. How long will this feeling last?? Anyone have words of wisdom. I am not hungry and that is the good thing. I want to try to stick it out. ## Hi Mojo, Everyone's body handles medication differently so there is no way to know when the side effects will go away for sure.If they haven't gone away in a couple weeks, you might want to speak with your doctor. Feeling light headed obviously isn't normal and may be a sign that yo...

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Okay, I am hoping to get some help. I was on Pristiq 100 mg for the last three years. My insurance now is having a higher co-pay plus I have gained 25 lbs. So the PA switched my to Wellbutrin SR 150mg. It is day three and I feel awful. Very foggy and light headed. Well I found out from her nurse today, that I should not be having any caffeine when I take it. How long will this feeling last?? Anyone have words of wisdom. I am not hungry and that is the good thing. I want to try to stick it out. ## Actually, there could be a combination of factors causing your problems. How long ago did you stop the Pristiq? You could be suffering some withdrawal/rebound effects from stopping it, plus side effects from starting the new medication. These can last for about 4 to 6 weeks, before your body ad...

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