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My doctor helped me successfully wean off Pristiq

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Feb 26 1:38pm | Replies (12)

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@elizabeth63

Hello all -
Thank you all so much for taking the time to write here. I am trying to get off Pristiq and came to the internet for support and resources. I've found first-hand accounts the most helpful.

I guess I'm here for more encouraging words from people who have been through it. I took Pristiq for about 2 years and increased to 100mg/day. I gained 25 lbs. and feel as though I built up a tolerance to the drug over time.

I told my doctor I wanted to come off of it. He helped me wean down to 25mg and I had no problems with that. I took the 25mg for 2 weeks as he prescribed and then stopped. That was 4 days ago. My symptoms are brain zaps (I like the term brain shivers), whole body aches and chills, disorientation, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, weepiness, and irritability. It's terrible. It's not getting any better. I have 2 children and a full-time job and need to be able to function.

Can anyone provide any words of encouragement or tell me that it won't last much longer...? Trying to keep one foot in front of the other and power through but it's getting really, really difficult.

Thank you in advance.

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Replies to "Hello all - Thank you all so much for taking the time to write here. I..."

Hello @elizabeth63,

I see that you are having difficulty with the last part of your Prisitq withdrawal. I'm wondering if you have discussed these difficult symptoms with your prescribing doctor. If so, he/she might suggest a way to minimize these symptoms with a slower withdrawal.

I admire your determination and hope that you will soon be able to enjoy life without so many symptoms.

I took Pristiq for almost 2 years. I felt it was helpful to me in managing my depression. However, once I wanted to get off it, I learned there is no good exit strategy. They don't make it in very low doses and you can't cut pills because they are time-released. My psychiatrist helped me bridge it with Prozac, which is much easier to taper off. I had minimal side effects going off of it.