Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) How does/did it work for you?

I take Pristiq. You are wise to worry about the withdrawals. On Pristiq alone, it helped my anxiety because everything was dampened, but I didn't notice mood improvement...just how much I cared, I guess. But I feel it if I miss a single dose - writhing sort of sensations all over that make you move. Once, I didn't have it for three days, and I was so emotional that I was sobbing like I was at a funeral by the end of it. So anxious. Hands and feet and brain stem burning. Back spasms. It wasn't pretty. I still take it, but now in conjunction with Wellbutrin. It's a good combination for me. They seem to offset each others' side effects. I don't know how much the Pristiq is really doing, but oh boy do I want to stay on it to avoid withdrawals. Good luck - I hope it works for you

EDIT: Ah, but good news - my doctor cut the Pristiq from 100mg to 50mg when I started the Wellbutrin. Zero side effects from stepping down. So there may be a nice tapering method to get off it.

Hi I am on 50 a day and it’s working fine but I am also on 100 seroquel

Hi all. I'm new to the group and have suffered from GAD and depression since I was a little kid. My doctor recommended Pristiq. I started on 50 mg for a week and then she upped it to 100 mg. I've been on 100 mg for 10 days. I wish I could say I'm feeling better but I'm not. Can anybody give life experiences with this drug?

Hi, @mdavis1240 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You may have noted I moved your post here to an existing discussion of desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) so that you can connect with others who have taken this medication.

Hoping that members like @daphnesioux @sandiegan1972 @mominfo867 @eburning @steve1960 will have some thoughts on how long it might take to feel the effects of this medication.

I did note that in this Mayo Clinic article on desvenlafaxine https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/desvenlafaxine-oral-route/description/drg-20071583, it says, "You may have to take desvenlafaxine for several weeks before you begin to feel better."

I have noted with antidepressants personally (though I haven't take desvenlafaxine) that it can take up to 2-3 months to feel the full effect of the medication. It's a bumpy process to get through, I've thought, for sure.

What symptoms of the generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression are your particularly looking to get under better control?

I am med resistant. MDD since I was a kid. I'm 52 now and trying meds again off and on my whole life.....Does anyone know about Pristiq? Good or bad experiences or weight gain

My dr.switched me from Effexor to Pristiq. It was a very bad experience. I was agitated and had brain fog. After 4 weeks of no improvement we switched to Zoloft 100. I am seeing some improvement. Pristiq was not for me

Thank you for that. I'll watch for those things. They either do nothing or
a bad reaction in my life.

I have been taking Pristiq for over 10 years. I also take 50mg of Lamital. It seems to make Pristiq work more effectively. It works very well for me. I was previously on Prozac for 10 years and though I felt it saved my life, it affected my personality by making me a bit more aggressive. I would find my self interrupting others as we conversed. After 10 years it stopped working. I switched to Pristiq and found I was more authentic. I started at 100mg and soon I started cutting the tablets in half. Even though it the time release tablet with the heavy coating, cutting them in half works fine for me. I don’t think it adds weight per se but I do think it increased my appetite, especially craving sweets. Also, unlike Prozac, if I miss my dose, I feel the effects within a couple hours..as though I am coming down with a cold..brain fog, dull headache. So here’s my latest experience. Being retired and very physically active and happy, a year ago I decided to stop taking it by tapering then quitting. The withdrawal effects are terrible. I thought I had lapsed into another depression because I had just gotten Covid and went through Hurricane Ian at the same time so I jumped back on the meds. This year I started weaning off again and had read about withdrawal. So I stuck it out for about 6 weeks . Again withdrawal is rough but after I got through it I felt better than ever and thought I could finally live without these meds even if I needed occasional intervention. That lasted about 2 months and I took a nosedive. April 1 I gave in and started back on the meds. I was feeling like everyone and everything was doomed no matter how much I exercised, journaled, prayed and socialized. Exactly 30 days later, the switch went on and I felt myself again. I am so bummed that I had to return to meds but I can’t live my life in a state of utter despair. If I can find some other remedy I will but for now I have no alternative. I understand that Pristiq is banned in Europe but haven’t yet found out why. Hope this helps.

Thank you! I am med resistant but keep trying over spans of time when new
things come out. I would give ANYTHING for something to work as I have
lived my entire life in despair. I am 52. So if meds help you stay on
them!!! Some of us never find relief. You are blessed.

Question for sooz1954. When you added the Lamictal to the Pristq did you have any bad side effects like, skin rashes, acne or hair loss, or weight gain?

Thanks you,
mjrknova