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I have been on Pristiq for about 6 months. Prior I had lost approximately 50 pounds, I was told Pristiq was the cleanest among anti-depressants and would have no impact on my weight. I gained 25 lbs. Experiencing swelling in my throat, abdomen, causing a pressure under my diaphragm. I could no longer run, because I could not breathe.
After gaining the weight and NO MATTER the good diet choices or exercises (Cardio/Weights) the weight and swelling would not go away! My doctor checked my thyroid..All is well...it took me right back to the Pristq. Although my moods balanced out, the good began to taper and I lost interests in hobbies around me. The bad side effects, that were not suppose to happen, did.
I decided to take myself off. My physician asked what I thought would work, I said possibly Wellbutrin. I stopped taking Pristiq 3 days ago, I am taking 1 tab of Wellbutrin 150 mg a day for 3 days, and then I am to take 1 tab 150 mg 2x a day, after my first three days with no Pristiq.
I am very DIZZY, nauseated, can barely move without feeling like I am on a roller coaster. Hot flashes...I am hoping this will go away soon. Any comments??? How long the dizzy head will remain? If coming off of Pristiq is this debilitating ...it is not as clean as I was made to believe. It is VERY potent and I would not recommend it!
I will never take Pristiq EVER!
Replies to "I have been on Pristiq for about 6 months. Prior I had lost approximately 50 pounds,..."
Thank you so much for your reply to my post. I am on day 4 without Pristiq while taking 150mg Wellbutrin. Not working today because of nausea, dizziness, heat rising to the top of my head, and feel flushed with fever , probably blood pressure. Thank God for a sick leave day! I too realize how poisonous (toxic) prescription drugs can be, even under a physician's guidance. The side effects were just as bad or worse as the detox symptoms.
I am journaling my symptoms coming off this med to reminded me of the effects and to share with others.
I am hoping for a brighter tomorrow!
I hope all goes we for you. I am looking forward to getting this weight off!!! Exercising again! Breathing better already! Looking forward to running again! Getting rid if the swollen face and stomach region as I had before I began taking Pristiq.
If you have natural remedies I am all for hearing them. At this time I will not go to 300 Wellbutrin because if my fear if meds. Staying with 150 to keep me in "between the ditches" that is all I need for now.
Keep me posted on your success! Wishing you well!!
It so great to know others are going through this as well. Did you experience the "brain zaps" along with the dizziness or light headedness? That's what truly scared me. How is your mental state? Do you feel your side effects have improved after 4 days? I know that's a lot of questions. Sorry!
Have you heard of 5 HTP? Once I am off Pristiq and Wellbutrin, I think I will give it a try. Along with diet and exercise. I am starting to think a lot of my depression comes from not being happy with myself physically, as well as being overweight. When I am on anti-depressants I care less about eating a ton of calories, not to mention I am just hungrier. Does that make sense???
I am still experiencing dizziness, nausea, and stomach pain. My moods are more like crying spells because I hate being in bed all the time. I like to be active. At this time I am having to lay still and wiping my face with a cool cloth. Fan and A/C blowing for the heat I feel... A sweatshirt close by when I get cold. If I have had a brain zap, I do not know it.... Not sure what they are, but the quick roller coaster rides are frequent with sudden eye movements.
My depression was the same. Overweight and unhappy with my body image. Divorce etc. then I lost weight felt wonderful, just struggling with finances being single, is why I sought assistance. Pristiq was slowly putting me in worse condition.
I hear 7 days will be good! Looking forward to it.
Eating saltine crackers and looking forward to easy diet because the nausea has let up I guess that is where the stomach pain is coming from... Tenseness from nausea.
I have a wonderful family watching me and helping me through this. It means a lot to have that.
I hear the meds get ) in your cells, blood stream so expect time to remedy it . Natural is the best way to battle depression if you possibly can.
Dizzy, crying some, slight headache, now stomach pain... Still experiencing heat rising to my head.
I hope this helps someone!!!! I plan to keep all posted. I hope this answered your questions. Also, I am at home for the next 4 days. I just could not work today.
What is a brain zap?
The best way I can describe a brain zap is kind of like an electrical surge in your head. I guess you could describe it as dizziness. It is triggered by sudden eye movement and head turning, then followed by crying jag. Sounds like you are experiencing something similar. I have some vacation time saved up. Might be a good time to use it. Glad you have people around you.
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I am having a similar experience though no throat swelling. I was also told that it would have no weight gaining side affects, but I have been having a seriously hard time losing weight. It takes rigorous exercise and serious calorie restriction to have any weight loss success. As soon as I stop, the weight is back ten fold.
I had to quit this drug because my insurance no longer covered it. My Dr said it was ok to quit cold turkey while taking 300mg of Wellbutrin. She said I might feel a little off for a couple days. How wrong she was. I got to work Monday morning after quitting Pristiq that prior Saturday and promptly had a total emotional breakdown. I pulled it together and made it through the work day. My ears were ringing and I felt these crazy "brain zaps" along with crying jags that I did my best to conceal. Worst day of my life!!!!
I called my Dr. and they said they could give me 50mg Pristiq samples to to taper off this way: 50mg daily for 2 two weeks, then 50mg every other day for 4 weeks, all the while continuing 300mg of Wellbutrin daily. I hope to God this works because I can't afford to be out of commission for any amount of time. I have to function!!! Not just for my responsibility to my job, but as a mom too!
Once I am off Pristiq I will NEVER go it again. It's a shame because it worked well for my depression. I am also considering handling my depression more naturally. This event has really shaken me. I went off Zoloft with very little side affects. Now I see how powerful these drugs can be and I will always do more research before doing this again.
Please let me know how it is going for you!! Hang in there!