Almost 6 Weeks Free Of Pristiq

This has been the WORST detox of a medication I have ever had in my life. I was only on Pristiq for a few months and decided I didn't want this drug in my system. I had missed a dose the weekend prior to my decision and about went crazy with the brain zaps and feeling out of control with my emotions. I realized if missing ONE dose did this to my system, just how good could it be for me??? I told my doctor I wanted off, and started the weaning process. Here it is 6 weeks later and I sit here typing this while my ears are ringing so very loud, my brain is zapping, and I thought I was going to pass out when I went grocery shopping about an hour ago. This is absolute craziness. I can't believe I ever took this stuff. I have been on anti-depressants on and off for 20 years and now I don't want any part of them!
I also had coupled this weaning phase with juicing so I could "cleanse" my whole system faster and healthier. WRONG thing to do. All this did was heighten the symptoms of the detox! So, as soon as I'm finished getting zapped in the brain, I will resume my healthy body/brain cleanse.
I have an appointment with my doctor next week to check in on my progress...I have an earful I'm going to give her. I don't feel this drug should be given to anyone, period! And for goodness sakes, anyone out there who has a doctor who keeps upping the dose- beware of the day you may want to come off this stuff.
Good luck to all of you who are going down the same path I am; what a roller coaster ride it is!

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This is what's so sad about these newer antidepressants,my mom if she goes off Effexor she experiences what you did. Also what med did that to me was Cymbalta I had to taper off! For some reason I think Pristique was a newer Cymbalta. AMITRIPTYLINE works for me, old school anti depressant, among other things. It's inexpensive,

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Laura, I am very sorry about what you're going through.

I was just talking to a friend of mine today that's going through the same type of thing, since stopping Cymbalta a month ago.

I did it too, several years ago, when they had me on Zoloft and I stopped cold turkey. It was awful and took about 6 weeks for the symptoms to ease up.

If it's safe for you to do so, you may want to try some of the herbal calming remedies that may help alleviate some of the symptoms.

One really good one that I found is called Sunny Mood and it's made by Irwin Naturals, I frequently use it for perimenopausal symptoms. It can be found online, or if you can't get it anywhere, look for something with similar ingredients, such as Magnesium, Chromium, Passion Flower, Rhodiola and Lemon Balm, but as I said, only if it's safe for you to take such things.

Does anyone else have any suggestions to add?

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Laura,
Sorry to hear what you've been through. You mentioned that your brain is "zapping". What exactly is that? Not trying to make a joke of it. I've been on Pristiq for 6mo and other than alot of forgetfulness, I haven't experienced any other symptoms. Can you explain what your feeling? I mean in your brain? Just in case I do get any head or brain symptoms, I know what to look for.

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After trying various meds for c/depression where I was close to suicide, a doctor gave me pristiq to try. I was given 50mg a day and was told not to up that dose because it would be pointless with this particular drug. It took a lot longer before I noticed any great change, other meds took only a few days but it took weeks before pristiq to have full effect. Slowly, day by day I noticed I was feeling a lot better. After about 6 weeks I noticed the depression had completely disappeared. Not only had the depression left, so also did my anxiety, I was feeling normal again after years of fighting this hideous sickness. Long story short, I have been on pristiq for about 1and 1/2 years now and am still depression and anxiety free. Yes, I do have some pretty far out dreams, every night, but I learned to accept them and now don't let them bother me. I am quite amazed at some things I dream about, I am actually finding it kind of interesting because these dreams are so real and sometimes very vivid. Anyway, Pristiq probably saved my life, because I tried everything else and nothing worked until this. I probably will have to take it all my life, which is one 50mg pill a day, it changed my life totally from wanting to die to wanting to live. I hate to recommend any drug, but if nothing else being tried doesn't work, you may have to try it. Of course, just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you. There may be side effects, tiredness, insomnia, but don't get talked into taking other drugs to combat these, otherwise you will just be adding another drug to your system, give your body a good chance to overcome these side effects. I only recommend pristiq if nothing else works for you, and be prepared to stay on it, or when you do decide to quit, you will go through HELL coming off of it.

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