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I took Pristiq for about 2.5 weeks (50mg) due to random pains (neck, calf, groin, arm, etc) that nobody could pinpoint a cause for and my doctor believed it to be caused by a combination of depression/hypochondria/anxiety. So he put me on Pristiq. I had swore never to try pills again after attempting Lexapro and Citalopram with no results good or bad, Paxil and Buspar with immediate negative side effects, Lorazepram and Ativan due to dependency and withdrawal difficulties. But I was so frustrated with taking blood tests and x-rays I agreed to try Pristiq. I'd never heard of it and when I initially looked for information it seemed to be one of the more positively accepted and helpful drugs.
After a week I developed a slightly swollen throat or tonsils which felt like food was getting stuck in my throat. It was very uncomfortable. I stopped taking the Pristiq because I thought it might be a mild allergic reaction (I have no known allergies however). I saw my doctor 5 days later and told her I stopped taking the Pristiq and she said "good," and wanted to see if the throat issue went away. Granted, it had been 5 days and during this time, I'd had no withdrawal symptoms. That night I had an extremely vivid and frightening dream...I've heard you rarely dream in color or can feel, but this was one of the most detailed, vividly colored, and scary dreams and I couldn't wake up. And I could feel pain and discomfort in the dream. I woke up in a near panic attack.
It's been another 5 days since then and have had an odd headache, more dreams though not as vivid or frightening, I've become almost violently irritable (punched a wall, beat some furniture, and yelled at my pets for about an hour straight), and just now had a bout of possible arrhythmia or very heavy heart beats. So I was on it for about 17 days and off it for 10 days...when can I expect these withdrawal symptoms to end?? They seem to be getting worse and more frightening.
(ALSO, SINCE STOPPING THE PRISTIQ I'VE HAD NO SEX DRIVE AND ALMOST NO ERECTIONS WHICH IS VERY ABNORMAL. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING SLIGHTLY BETTER EACH DAY BUT STILL, THIS IS VERY SCARY AND TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT.)
Replies to "I took Pristiq for about 2.5 weeks (50mg) due to random pains (neck, calf, groin, arm,..."
I wish I knew how long it lasts. I broke down last night and took 50mg hoping it would help me wean off it and stop the arrhythmia from coming back. So far the withdrawal symptoms (erectile dysfunction, irritability, mood swings, etc) are still there but do seem to be getting better. Weaning off Lorazepram was the worst experience but I got through it so I know I can get through this. And you can too Anni. Just know that you are not alone!
Thanks heaps! Do u know if i Am I supposed to just rest up as I go through this or get out and do stuff and exercise? I have been doing a bit of exercise each day but today feel so feverish and headachy I just went for a walk and have been resting for the rest of the day. I don't know if that makes the symptoms worse though....lying around.
Thanks heaps! Do u know if i Am I supposed to just rest up as I go through this or get out and do stuff and exercise? I have been doing a bit of exercise each day but today feel so feverish and headachy I just went for a walk and have been resting for the rest of the day. I don't know if that makes the symptoms worse though....lying around.
Honestly, I don't know. I've been sleeping/sleepy a lot but it does seem to help to go out and about. Social interaction and exercise does seem to make it better or at least get my mind off of it. I don't think exercise is ever a bad thing if done responsibly. But I'm in the same boat. I'm playing it by ear and just listening to my body.
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This is my 5th day going cold turkey off pristiq and it has been the most awful experience ever!! The first night I lay awake from 10pm until 3am and then gave up and played on my mac the rest of the night. About 5.30am I had two of the most horrific nightmares I have ever had in my life. Absolutely terrifying, I woke up shaking and crying. Over the last 5 days I have been constantly shaking, headachy, constant brain zaps, crying uncontrollably, fatigued, moody and dizzy. I haven't felt nausea but I think that's cos I have a strong stomach....I never get nausea in general.
I am a teacher and today after teaching the morning session I knew I couldn't go on. I went home sick. My head was absolutly doing me in. Ever since I came home this morning I have been lying in bed unable to get up or doing anything because I'm so, so tired. How long do these symptoms last? I've also been lashing out....kicked my couch and punched pillows yesterday....although that wasn't unusual for me to do on pristiq either....have had a rough life and have needed anger to help get out crap that has been in there for years.
I started pristiq two years ago after 9 years of depression (since i was 15) I was really stubborn and swore I would never take medication. But it got to the point where I was suicidal and going up to two whole nights without any sleep at all. I wasn't functioning and was literally crying out for help. The best thing pristiq did was give me consistent sleep. I hardly had any problems with insomnia while on it. It did help level out my mood for a while but it also made me really really passive. After a while on it my depression worsened and I started self harming and having suicidal thoughts again. It did not protect me from lows like I got told it would.
A few weeks ago my psychologist almost admitted me to hospital because of the constant suicidal thoughts I was having. I went to see my doctor who told me about a new drug called valdoxan which is apparently a wonder drug for depression, anxiety and insomnia. I jumped straight away and asked if I could change.
My doctor didn't explain properly how to go about the changeover. She meant that I would slowly ween off pristiq while going on the new one....but I took it as stop pristiq completely and start the new (was on 100mg of pristiq, then was on 50mg for only a week before I stopped it altogether).
So I stopped pristiq last Thursday and started valdoxan Friday night.
While the physical effects have been the most awful I have ever experienced in my life, coming off pristiq has freed me to be myself again. Literally a day after I lowered from 100 to 50, I was bubbly and hyperactive at nights and had more energy and could think more clearly.
When I stopped completely last week, the physical symptoms have obviously been absolute hell. But I have also noticed that I am feeling hope I never have in years. I am soo ready for withdrawal symptoms to stop! But I have a feeling that pristiq was destroying my spirit.
I also have been through a lot of counselling in the last few years and healing from the emotional trauma of my past which has turned my life around. And I have recently been making some decisions in the way I think and react to situations and experiencing love from God that I never have before....which I believe is pulling me out of some of the depths of depression/darkness/hopelessness.
I think coming off pristiq has stopped the suicidal lows...so far...
But how long do these withdrawal symptoms last? Thankful school holidays are in a few days!!'