1. < Depression & Anxiety

Withdrawals/side effects? coming off Pristiq while starting Sertraline

Posted by shazz67 @shazz67, Mar 10, 2022

Hi, I had been on Pristiq for some time (not sure but at least 2 years) I was taking 100mg daily. I do was doing great on it until last year 2021 when my anxiety started to get worse. I spoke to the dr and agreed to come off it and start on sertraline.
While this is not a typical way of doing it, as you are mixing two different types of medications. but I dont really know. He had me stay on Pristiq 100 and start on Sertraline 50.
1st week - Pristiq 100 plus Sertraline 50
2nd week - dropped down to Pristiq 50 and upped Sertaline 100
3rd week - Pristiq 50 + Sertraline 100
4th week - Pristiq every second day + Sertraline 100
5th week - Pristiq every 3 rd day + Sertraline 100.
6th week - stopped Pristiq and upped my sertraline to 150, lasted 3 days then dropped to 125 for 2 days then dropped to 100 (this was because of the bad side effects or reaction I was getting)
7th - 8th weeks - Just on Sertraline 100
9th week - 2 days in on Sertraline 100.
I have had some awful side effects/reactions like heighten anxiety, tremors,/shakes nausea, back pain, chest tightness, heart palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, amongst others.
My question is Would I still be getting these side effects/reactions from the withdrawal from Pristiq or from being on Sertraline. I know it takes a while to taper off these medications.
My GP doesn't have any answers for me.
Thank you for reading and hope someone can relate or give me hope that I will be ok and continue on with the sertraline 100.

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laurine7 | @laurine7 | Mar 10, 2022

That was my problem, I had my GP treat me when I started withdrawing from Lorazepam and he told me it takes 7 days to withdraw. I did not want to take anything because I thought I can go thru whatever for 7 days. Well that was false information. I was in very very bad shape after four days. Can't you see a therapist, and one that deals with withdrawing from this medication?

REPLY
2 replies
laurine7 | @laurine7 | Mar 10, 2022

I had never heard of Pristiq and I went online and looked it up. Good you got off it. You need to research both Pristiq and Sertraline. You need to be knowledgeable about where you were and where you are not.

REPLY
1 reply
shazz67 | @shazz67 | Mar 11, 2022
In reply to @laurine7 "That was my problem, I had my GP treat me when I started withdrawing from Lorazepam..." + (show)
@laurine7

That was my problem, I had my GP treat me when I started withdrawing from Lorazepam and he told me it takes 7 days to withdraw. I did not want to take anything because I thought I can go thru whatever for 7 days. Well that was false information. I was in very very bad shape after four days. Can't you see a therapist, and one that deals with withdrawing from this medication?

Jump to this post

So sorry your dealing with this. I was given some valium but so hesitant to take it incase I became defendant on them. I take 2.5mg if I feel I cant handle the anxiety any other way. Drs are very hesitant to prescribe it these days.

REPLY
shazz67 | @shazz67 | Mar 11, 2022
In reply to @laurine7 "I had never heard of Pristiq and I went online and looked it up. Good you..." + (show)
@laurine7

I had never heard of Pristiq and I went online and looked it up. Good you got off it. You need to research both Pristiq and Sertraline. You need to be knowledgeable about where you were and where you are not.

Jump to this post

I think all AD,s have major side effects. I have googled just about all AD"s and they all seem very similar.

REPLY
shazz67 | @shazz67 | Mar 11, 2022
In reply to @laurine7 "That was my problem, I had my GP treat me when I started withdrawing from Lorazepam..." + (show)
@laurine7

That was my problem, I had my GP treat me when I started withdrawing from Lorazepam and he told me it takes 7 days to withdraw. I did not want to take anything because I thought I can go thru whatever for 7 days. Well that was false information. I was in very very bad shape after four days. Can't you see a therapist, and one that deals with withdrawing from this medication?

Jump to this post

I don't believe that GP's have any knowledge about these drugs. A lot aren't trained in them and think what they read on the internet to be true. Any of these types of medications including AD's take time to wean off them and then you have to do it very slowly. As I said my GP was no help at all. I dont know of any therapist that deals in withdrawing from Medications.

REPLY
1 reply
sears | @sears | Mar 12, 2022
In reply to @shazz67 "I don't believe that GP's have any knowledge about these drugs. A lot aren't trained in..." + (show)
@shazz67

I don't believe that GP's have any knowledge about these drugs. A lot aren't trained in them and think what they read on the internet to be true. Any of these types of medications including AD's take time to wean off them and then you have to do it very slowly. As I said my GP was no help at all. I dont know of any therapist that deals in withdrawing from Medications.

Jump to this post

You need to see a physchiatrist when dealing with these types of meds.

REPLY
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