Side effects of Pristiq

YES! I was on the drug for almost 2 years, and a month ago tapered off successfully with little withdrawals. I have been on the drug 2 separate occasions the first time for 6 months and had the worst 2 weeks of withdrawals when I got off of it. My doctor confirmed I am extremely sensitive to the drug and had never seen a patient that had worse withdrawals than me.
My dose was 50mg and I began by skipping days.
Every other day for 2 weeks, then every 2 days for 2 weeks, then every 3 days for 2 weeks, then every 4 days for 2 weeks, then every 5 days for 2 weeks, then 6, then 7. at the end I was taking one every 8 days until I stopped. Never reached 9.
I was able to do this with very little discomfort. And if there was discomfort it was always the first few hours of the day you are skipping. If it ever got extremely uncomfortable I would take the pill and would feel better a few hours later. My withdrawals were dizziness, nauseousness, irritability.

I am glad to see other people are going through the same thing as I am. I have taken Pristiq 100mg for about 4 years. For severe PMDD. I have gained so much weight between Prestiq and other meds. I finally got a hysterectomy (its the last resource for PMDD cases) and I feel so much better. I dont really need the med anymore. BUT its been a total HELL to get off of it. The withdrawal symptoms are the worst. I have been just doing it bit by bit for about a month and a half. I am currently taking half a quarter each day for the past week and I still feel soooo sick 🙁 But I don't want to give up now that I am so close to it. From taking 3 different medications and one shot a moth I am at only one medication (thyroid) and getting off the Prestiq. I never thought I would be able to be off my meds.Thank you for giving me hope and let me know that I can be drug free!

Thank you for sharing. I want to get off this awful drug and my doctor said well just quit taking it. I tried that and thought I would die. I will try this regimen.

My husband was laid off of work in October and because our health insurance ended my normal $30/month pristiq is now $164/month. So, I just didn't refil it. I am also recovering from surgery and until last night, I thought I must be getting sick when I realized that I haven't had a pristiq in 3 days. In the past I would get dizzy if I forgot to pu the refill, or what not. I had NO idea that it would make me feel like I was dying. This is awful! What is wrong with the FDAA or our doctors or whoever that they wouldn't warn us of how truly awful it feels to be without this drug. Has anyone had any success at all with anything at all that helps with the awful side effects of w/d? I did have the pharmecey put 10 pills for me, haven't gone to pu yet cause my husband has the car, but honestly, I'd probably get in a car crash the way I feel. I'm wodnering though if I should suffer though the w/d and avoid it ever again, but I don't know if I can take it. We homeschool. That's not happening while I'm feeling this way.

I was on Pristiq for 1 year and the first time i tried quitting it was a complete nightmare with all the symptoms that people are taking about, i couldn't handle it so i went back on it.

But this time it was different; i switched to a healthy diet with lots of veggies, whole grains, fruits, healthy fats & lean meats, started exercising once in the morning and once at night, drank a lot of water, kept myself positive and with good faith in God. And then i decided to go cold turkey off the medicine...and i kid you not... i had 3 terrible days (one of those days was a nightmare and i almost puked from the dizziness but stayed strong knowing it would pass) and THAT WAS IT! after those three terrible days my symptoms have steadily decreased each day and after only 2 weeks they were all absolutely gone.

It has been 2 months now and i am very happy.

Hi Jami....I only took 2 1/2 tabs and 1 whole tablet....I was THE most nauseated I've ever been in my life... went back to my doctor for the 2nd time in a week....he wouldn't let me go on compazine for the nausea...which helps me much more than the Zofran...he did let me double the Zofran tho... helped a tab bit..not much....I decided last night after reading all these awful stories....I wasn't going to take my FORTH pill last night....nausea this afternoon hasn't been as bad...but NONE of my meds like Xanax or the Zofran has worked for me today.... when I read about the OTC Dramamine you mentioned...I sent my husband out for some.... I'm sure hoping this helps me...I'm believing that my withdreawals won't last but a few days with just 2 of the tabs all together....even with that I had the BURNing hot flashes.... UG! But nausea is the worst....they said it would go away after about 5-6 days... just not buying it.... hope someone else on here can tell me if they took it for a short amount of time how long it took to stop feeling all the side effects... God Bless each and everyone of you... some of these dates are a month or so ago...maybe many of you are doing better....any more tips...send them this way....as I will if I hear of anymore....thanks for the heads up on the Dramamine!!

Very interesting story Sherry....this is now December...so, by now, I hope you are TOTALLY back to yourself.... my story is alittle different.....I only took 2 -1/2 tab...then 1 full tab.... doctor switched me to take them at night starting with 4th one instead of morning time...so, I had all day to think about it.... read some posts ....so glad I found this post tho... good info here.....but I just could NOT take that 4th tablet...just couldn't ... figured I'd have a ruff day today or for several days....I sure hope it won't be for WEEKS with only 3 of them in my system....I am less nauseated , so I am thanking the Good Lord for that... there have been many times through each day that I've had to cling to HIM....body just shaking so badly....also, none of my meds worked today ...I take Xanax a few times a day and because of the extreme nausea...was taking double the Zofran...NONE of it was working...I was just a shaky mess.... I had NO appetite at ALL...everything I have eaten since this whole Pristiq thing started has been forced... UG! But tonight I did bake sliced potato in foil and put greek yougurt on it and ate a pear with it and a small glass of carrot juice... I'm on a bland diet for the next month ...back in mid Sept a NP thought I had H-phlori and put me on 1 normal anitbiotics for 5 days...then two VERY strong antibiotics for the last 5 days... by the second to the last one...i was doubled over and SO naueated ....then later an upper/lower GI....it did show that I had some gastrirtis ...but no ulcers.... all this of course has brought on anxiety....that is why my doctor thought the pristiq was what I needed... I had to take Xanax over 20 years ago...and after awhile I knew I was feeling better....and winged myself off it by shaving alittle at a time every few days ...Praying for all here... Praying my withdrawals don't last long....some have said several weeks for even a few days.... I'm praying NOT!!!! God Bless!!

SOOOO happy for you JJGH.... you DID IT!!! I am having problems with just the 2,..1/2 tabs and 1 full tab I took...decided NOT to take the 4th tablet last night...but its been a ruff day... praying tomorrow is much better and since I didn't have tooo much in my system it won't last the several weeks that some have said that it does.... Like I said,..Happy for you...God Bless!!!

Magber...will be keeping you in my prayers....I call on the Lord EACH and EVERY day...couldn't do it without him....after going thorugh all this... I will be PRAYING for many many people I had NO idea that were going through such trials!! God Bless!! Its been a month since you wrote this.... if you see this...let us/me know HOW you are doing with it now!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! Blessings!!

Thank you! Many blessings to you too and for those who are having it tough. I made it trough and I want to let everyone know that you can doit to! DO NOT GIVE UP!