Hi everyone! This is my first post here, and before I get to my comment/question I just wanted to say how helpful and informative it has been reading these posts!
I am 54 and have been on Pristiq for approximately 5 years. I won't go into the story itself, but suffice to say I was in a very difficult place in my life where I had seen some tremendous changes including deaths, births, and the deterioration of my marriage. After a very long time, many, many tears, and crushing loneliness, I have dealt with these issues as well as I can - to the extent that I am strong enough now to really own them, put them on my back, carry them, and accept that. Long story short: I do not want to be on this medication any longer; I feel like a prisoner. If this were alcohol or some other such drug that I had become physically dependent upon, I would be encouraged by others (wife, Dr. etc) to 'recover.' Now I need to recover from the "cure." Pristiq did it's job; I needed it, it helped me stabilize my mood and deal with what I needed to. But I don't need it for that anymore, and I don't want to live the rest of my life on this med. I need to move on and experience "life" as it's meant to be experienced...fully. Tears, joy, anger, wonder, and most importantly the drive to be creative again.
.....And have a *&%# erection again!!
I've been tapering off Pristiq for almost 4 months. It has not been easy ...at all!! My main symptoms of withdrawal have been dizziness, vertigo, some at times intense emotional lability, feeling flushed occasionally/hot flashes, and as a result of these a real lack of concentration and focus. I'm forgetful and don't seem to be aware of time (well...that one could just be me!)
In my taper, I am currently taking Pristiq once every 5 days. So today is Wednesday, and I last took a pill on Friday afternoon. I have some of the above symptoms, but less than I was experiencing initially...somewhat significantly less. So my question is this: if I don't take another pill at this point, will my symptoms increase or continue to gradually decrease? I realize I can always take another one if I start to feel worse; but I was just curious what to expect and thought I'd ask.
Any advice, thoughts, comments, or questions are most welcome! thanks!!

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