1. < Depression & Anxiety

Weaning off of Pristiq

Posted by tspoon @tspoon, Aug 6, 2015

Has anyone weaned themselves off of Pristiq?? I have been taking it for 7 years now and I am ready to be done, I do not want to depend on a drug any longer. I have tried to get off of this a couple times. Doing research, I didn't realize how bad this drug is for you and doctors are failing to tell patients how bad it is for you let alone how hard it is to get off of this. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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dorothea73 | @dorothea73 | Sep 7, 2016
In reply to @safetyshield "I understand your need for change but there are doctors out there that can understand and..." + (show)
@safetyshield

I understand your need for change but there are doctors out there that can understand and work with you. So keep looking through your insurance company for a doctor that meets your needs, It will really help

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Thank you.

REPLY
safetyshield | @safetyshield | Sep 8, 2016
In reply to @withbecka "I am coming off of pristiq. I've been getting samples for years, because there is no..." + (show)
@withbecka

I am coming off of pristiq. I've been getting samples for years, because there is no generic form yet, and the cost is outrageous. This is due to my psychiatrist's office no longer receiving enough samples to provide me with the medication. I've been taking 150 mg a day. I was suddenly down to 50 mg a day, and today I am completely without. I was prescribed another antidepressant (I'm unsure of the name because it's generic), however, my insurance is saying it's comparable to another medication I'm taking and won't fill it until next month. I'm lost. I don't know what to do. I'm having the "mind zaps" that people refer to often. I can also relate to the feeling of slight dizziness, and the feeling of an elevator stopping suddenly.

Any advice, or anyone else's experience is appreciated.

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there are other antidepressants out there some that have been used for quite a longtime. Go to your doctor and talk with him about other medications and also talk with you insurance company about what antidepressants they cover. I have done this many times. It spares me from going back and worth between my insurance company and doctors. Also you may want to look into none medications for depression that may help you. I can't recommend anything specific because I do not know how your body will react.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 8, 2016
In reply to @safetyshield "I understand your need for change but there are doctors out there that can understand and..." + (show)
@safetyshield

I understand your need for change but there are doctors out there that can understand and work with you. So keep looking through your insurance company for a doctor that meets your needs, It will really help

Jump to this post

@dorothea73 What lifestyle changes have you made and how have they helped?

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petuniap | @petuniap | Oct 5, 2016

Went off pristiq 2 wks ago and still feel like something is really wrong with me....dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, achy, chills, low body temp.....just feel really sick! Is this normal withdrawal symptoms!?

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 6, 2016

Hi Petuniap, Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion so that you can meet fellow members who are discussing coming off of Pristiq. Please meet @withbecka @mrsmiller417, @dorothea73 @kdecker003 @beconscious and others here who can share their experiences with pristiq and weaning of it.

You may also be interested in reading the related thread called "Pristiq withdrawal" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pristiq-withdrawal/ . It has over 270 messages! People sharing openly about their experiences of weaning off Pristiq.

Petunia, Are you weaning off of the drug, and are you doing this under the guidance of a doctor?

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mountain6300 | @mountain6300 | Nov 6, 2016

I have been taking antidepressants for the past 20 years, most of which did not help. I was very apprehensive to try Pristiq because it was a new drug and I know the "trial" period to test new medications can be for as little as 3 months and with no more than 1000 participants. I tried Pristiq because I really didn't have any other option and my depression is severe. As with all antidepressants, it worked for a period of time, but for the past year I have struggled and now after a total of 5 years on the drug, my doctor wants to try another new medication. I am terrified! I have taken 50 mg of Pristiq and if I am late taking the medication, I experience electrical zaps in my brain, migraines, nausea and have a hard time functioning. I work as a nurse and help my daughter with her 3 children. How am I going to get through the horrible withdrawal symptoms? I have read so many terrible stories about other people withdrawing from the medication and most of them only took the drug for 1-2 years. My doctor does not understand how sick a person gets and when I've tried missing just one dose, I thought I was going to have a seizure. I know I need to taper off of the medication, but I am so fearful of the withdrawal symptoms and what if my depression gets worse? I was hospitalized for my depression approximately 9 years ago after a doctor put me on Methidone for chronic pain and that caused me to become suicidal. I don't necessarily have much faith in doctors and would like to hear from others who have gone through this with success.

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Nov 6, 2016
In reply to @mountain6300 "I have been taking antidepressants for the past 20 years, most of which did not help...." + (show)
@mountain6300

I have been taking antidepressants for the past 20 years, most of which did not help. I was very apprehensive to try Pristiq because it was a new drug and I know the "trial" period to test new medications can be for as little as 3 months and with no more than 1000 participants. I tried Pristiq because I really didn't have any other option and my depression is severe. As with all antidepressants, it worked for a period of time, but for the past year I have struggled and now after a total of 5 years on the drug, my doctor wants to try another new medication. I am terrified! I have taken 50 mg of Pristiq and if I am late taking the medication, I experience electrical zaps in my brain, migraines, nausea and have a hard time functioning. I work as a nurse and help my daughter with her 3 children. How am I going to get through the horrible withdrawal symptoms? I have read so many terrible stories about other people withdrawing from the medication and most of them only took the drug for 1-2 years. My doctor does not understand how sick a person gets and when I've tried missing just one dose, I thought I was going to have a seizure. I know I need to taper off of the medication, but I am so fearful of the withdrawal symptoms and what if my depression gets worse? I was hospitalized for my depression approximately 9 years ago after a doctor put me on Methidone for chronic pain and that caused me to become suicidal. I don't necessarily have much faith in doctors and would like to hear from others who have gone through this with success.

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@mountain6300, weclome to Connect. Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns about weaning off of Pristiq with other members on Connect. I moved your discussion to an existing discussion on weaning off of Pristiq.

@petuniap recently described some of the same side effects that you have talked about when missing a day of Pristiq or going off of it for multiple days.

In the meantime @mountain6300, you may also want to read through the extensive discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pristiq-withdrawal/, which has more than a couple hundred posts of members talking about weaning off of Pristiq. Mountain, it seems you have talked about your concerns with your physician. What did they say about your symptoms when you miss a dose? Does your physician think it is avoidable if switching to a new medication?

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 8, 2016
In reply to @mountain6300 "I have been taking antidepressants for the past 20 years, most of which did not help...." + (show)
@mountain6300

I have been taking antidepressants for the past 20 years, most of which did not help. I was very apprehensive to try Pristiq because it was a new drug and I know the "trial" period to test new medications can be for as little as 3 months and with no more than 1000 participants. I tried Pristiq because I really didn't have any other option and my depression is severe. As with all antidepressants, it worked for a period of time, but for the past year I have struggled and now after a total of 5 years on the drug, my doctor wants to try another new medication. I am terrified! I have taken 50 mg of Pristiq and if I am late taking the medication, I experience electrical zaps in my brain, migraines, nausea and have a hard time functioning. I work as a nurse and help my daughter with her 3 children. How am I going to get through the horrible withdrawal symptoms? I have read so many terrible stories about other people withdrawing from the medication and most of them only took the drug for 1-2 years. My doctor does not understand how sick a person gets and when I've tried missing just one dose, I thought I was going to have a seizure. I know I need to taper off of the medication, but I am so fearful of the withdrawal symptoms and what if my depression gets worse? I was hospitalized for my depression approximately 9 years ago after a doctor put me on Methidone for chronic pain and that caused me to become suicidal. I don't necessarily have much faith in doctors and would like to hear from others who have gone through this with success.

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Just checking in @mountain6300. How are you doing?

REPLY
nrodgers | @nrodgers | Dec 4, 2016

Not sure why - total chance or God!?!?

Im a 39 year old mother of 5 children. With my ex-husband for 17 years and he had a midlife almost 2 years ago and left us for a 26 year old who's never been married, no kids, but wanted my husband. She left him during the divorce. To many kids, not enough money. Backing up to 1999 (my first husband committeed suicide), 2009 (My beautiful 2 year old son Zander went to sleep and never woke up, yes, I found him too). Begging for another child and i wasn't wanting that, but I did for my husband, the struggle, pain, unknown. 2012 my youngest, last beautiful son was born. 2014 comes and he leaves us!!!! (Im the true black widow it feels and its heart wrenching).

Pristiq
Comes to play in 2014 and takes over for zoloft. I had a hard time having an orgasim on zoloft and we went to pristiq. Still a challange and takes forever but at least it happens. 100mg. Seems to be my fit and things kinda balance, odd things happen physically (but since im OCD im not given packaging disclosers for my own good - thats very true). OCD tapers off and is a huge life relief, night sweats (must be the female change), pick up the house (maybe tomorrow, tomorrow never came), love myself (i could talk a good talk), forgetfullness (must be that mommy brain), since of urgency for anything (maybe tomorrow), a job (get there when i get there)
i never noticee the signs till today!

Ive been off pristiq for 2 DAY! Ive run out before and felt this same shitty sickness but always figured it was because im mental. I woke up today and cried (first 2 cry in 4 years actually), made a real decission (we are going to church). I stopped at the pharmacy to get other things and asked the pharmist if i could get 2 pills till i get my truck back from the shop (we dont like to do that he says, okay fine ill go without) - BUT WAIT, looking up the side effects of withdrawl.

Dizzy (so horrible), Anxity (fear, slight panic), nausas (the worst i've ever had), lightheaded mixed with tension and jaw locking (terrible), body aches and brain zapps (i must have the flu), fustration and short tempored (so much that it makes me want to cry), hot/cold/sweat/shivers (feel like a drug addict, ive seen those shows), OMGoodness how do i get my kids to school and go to work tomorrow? Ill never swallow this med again! Cold turkey might kill me, but my 14, 11, 4 year old son's need the real me! The feeling me - they need to see emotions for once. I need to see my emotions!

but when will this drug let me go?

Michigan Mom

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Dec 4, 2016
In reply to @nrodgers "Not sure why - total chance or God!?!? Im a 39 year old mother of 5..." + (show)
@nrodgers

Not sure why - total chance or God!?!?

Im a 39 year old mother of 5 children. With my ex-husband for 17 years and he had a midlife almost 2 years ago and left us for a 26 year old who's never been married, no kids, but wanted my husband. She left him during the divorce. To many kids, not enough money. Backing up to 1999 (my first husband committeed suicide), 2009 (My beautiful 2 year old son Zander went to sleep and never woke up, yes, I found him too). Begging for another child and i wasn't wanting that, but I did for my husband, the struggle, pain, unknown. 2012 my youngest, last beautiful son was born. 2014 comes and he leaves us!!!! (Im the true black widow it feels and its heart wrenching).

Pristiq
Comes to play in 2014 and takes over for zoloft. I had a hard time having an orgasim on zoloft and we went to pristiq. Still a challange and takes forever but at least it happens. 100mg. Seems to be my fit and things kinda balance, odd things happen physically (but since im OCD im not given packaging disclosers for my own good - thats very true). OCD tapers off and is a huge life relief, night sweats (must be the female change), pick up the house (maybe tomorrow, tomorrow never came), love myself (i could talk a good talk), forgetfullness (must be that mommy brain), since of urgency for anything (maybe tomorrow), a job (get there when i get there)
i never noticee the signs till today!

Ive been off pristiq for 2 DAY! Ive run out before and felt this same shitty sickness but always figured it was because im mental. I woke up today and cried (first 2 cry in 4 years actually), made a real decission (we are going to church). I stopped at the pharmacy to get other things and asked the pharmist if i could get 2 pills till i get my truck back from the shop (we dont like to do that he says, okay fine ill go without) - BUT WAIT, looking up the side effects of withdrawl.

Dizzy (so horrible), Anxity (fear, slight panic), nausas (the worst i've ever had), lightheaded mixed with tension and jaw locking (terrible), body aches and brain zapps (i must have the flu), fustration and short tempored (so much that it makes me want to cry), hot/cold/sweat/shivers (feel like a drug addict, ive seen those shows), OMGoodness how do i get my kids to school and go to work tomorrow? Ill never swallow this med again! Cold turkey might kill me, but my 14, 11, 4 year old son's need the real me! The feeling me - they need to see emotions for once. I need to see my emotions!

but when will this drug let me go?

Michigan Mom

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Hello @nrodgers and welcome to Connect. Thank you for the thorough background on your story and experience with Pristiq. From reading other members experiences with this drug it sounds like it can have a lot of side effects, including the fogginess and emotionlessness that you talked about with your kids.

I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion that is all about weening off of Pristiq. You mentioned that you are going to quit cold turkey and I wanted you to read through the other posts from the other members about weening off of pristiq so that maybe it could help give you some ideas on what to expect. As far as quitting "cold turkey," is this something you have discussed with your physician?

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