Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq): Selective serotonin and norepinephrine...

I just started taking pristiq,while weaning off of cymbalta. and I feel horrible. I been having a bad headache and been feeling very nervous. I am currently taking this for anxiety and panic disorder. Is this normal to feel this way in the beginning? I've only been on the pristiq for about a week. Thank you!

I think you need to give it as long as it would take you to wean off the cymbalta. It could be the effects of weaning off cymbalts. I am on effexor and scared to switch because of the effects of coming off the effexor. I think they should give people some kind of anti anxiety like xanax to help with the switch. I would say give it about a month. Unless you are having really bad effects then I would tell your doc.

I am very much against SSRI/SSNI meds. The withdrawal alone is enough to make you want to slit your wrists. They're nasty drugs. Take 'em long enough and you'll start thinking about suicide, having rages, etc. Nasty, nasty meds!

I was on cymbalta, I have been on Pristiq for 4 weeks now. The first week was exactly how you are explaining it but I feel great now. I have more energy, very low depression, and overall happiness for once in my life. I have lost 10# but gained acne!

Good luck getting off of Pristiq. If anyone tried Effexor and thought the withdrawal from that was bad, you have no idea. I was on pristiq for a little over a month, and the withdrawal coming off of this has been a pure hell. Effexor withdrawal did not even come close to this.

I have been on Pristiq for 2 months. Horrid severe side effects. I want off. Have not taken for two days. Don't feel so good, flu-like symptoms. Did you go cold turkey? How long does it take for withdrawal symptoms to go away after stopping cold turkey? I will never go on an anti-depressant again for as long as I live. They are all drugs from hell. Please e-mail me at patmerrick@cox.net.

Rachel !!

I have been on Pristiq for 2 months. Horrid severe side effects. I want off! Have not taken it for 2 days now. Don't feel so good, flue-like symptoms. Did you go cold turkey? How long does it take for withdrawal symptoms to go away after stopping cole turkey? I will never go on an anti-depressant again for as long as I live (and right now I feel I'm going to die!). Anti-depressants are drugs from hell. Please e-mail me at patmerrick@cox.net.

I meant flu-like, not flue as in a fireplace chimney. Duh. I should proofread before I hit "send."

Pat/Rachel: is multiple personality disorder one of Pristiq's side effects?

Topazia wrote:

Pat/Rachel: is multiple personality disorder one of Pristiq's side effects?

;)

i was on effexor xr for 13 years and switched to prtistiq about a year ago i am trying to wean off now and its horriable i am having brain zaps, mood swings, crying, very anxious, panic attacks 1 after the other the worse thing is the brain zaps i was on 150 mg of pristiq i managed my way down to 75 and cant get any lower any help out there

Topazia wrote:

I am very much against SSRI/SSNI meds. The withdrawal alone is enough to make you want to slit your wrists. They're nasty drugs. Take 'em long enough and you'll start thinking about suicide, having rages, etc. Nasty, nasty meds!

couldnt agree more! I cant get off them its been 14 years

Ask your doctor to try a low dose of Prozac (about 20mg daily) to use while you continue to reduce your Effexor dosage. It alleviates almost all the nasty effects of Effexor withdrawal.

wont i have side effects with that??

Do some research.

I want to go of pristiq, i feel horrable like i have the flu, i have been on it for 2 months.

pristiq is effexor with a new name as effexor was going off patent they the drug company was going to lose a lot of money so they put out basically the same drug say it is better tolerated or some such nonsense and remarket it no surprise there that is how we got all the so called new antidpressants that are on the market tidy it up sell it again there has not been anything really new for a long long time that is why you will read over and over on these type of site that all ssrisnri drugs are basically the same they will all mess you over sooner or later

Pristiq sucks!!! I was only on it for four days and it was horrible!! I should have paid more attention to the commercial, I mean look at it!Stupid creepy sad wind up doll haha. I felt fine for a few hours, but kind of in a haze, then I would get sick as hell, like I had the flu, plus I had dry mouth and didnt want to leave the bed. I would stay sick all the way till the next day. I'd rather just live with my anxiety than be sick all the time! I dont even want to imagine if i kept taking it what the withdrawl would be like. Dont take pristiq, just go to therapy. Looking for the quick fix isnt always the answer.... o well, no more crazy meds for me!

bear wrote:

Pristiq sucks!!! I was only on it for four days and it was horrible!! I should have paid more attention to the commercial, I mean look at it!Stupid creepy sad wind up doll haha. I felt fine for a few hours, but kind of in a haze, then I would get sick as hell, like I had the flu, plus I had dry mouth and didnt want to leave the bed. I would stay sick all the way till the next day. I'd rather just live with my anxiety than be sick all the time! I dont even want to imagine if i kept taking it what the withdrawl would be like. Dont take pristiq, just go to therapy. Looking for the quick fix isnt always the answer.... o well, no more crazy meds for me!

Pristiq is Effexor's new name.

OH OH there are 2 Bears
I shall now be Bear from Aus.