Teen Coming Off Pristiq, Need Some Help (Top voted first)

Hi guys, I've never been on this site but am needing some advice and encouragement, I'm 19 years old and have been on Pristiq for about a year now, and before that another anti-depressant for a year.. I have been taking 100mg every day, however I've recently started going off them and since the lowest tablet is 50mg I've had to stop completely now and I'm kind of freaking out.. I've been really quite dizzy the last few days of being off it, as well as feeling a more down about everything.. Also having brain 'zaps' I guess, when I move my eyes too much..and difficulty concentrating.. I don't know what I should do, whether to go back on or not, and how long I'll be feeling this way and experiencing these symptoms..any advice or anything would be really great, I'm just feeling really crap because of all the symptoms.. Thanks in advance though

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I have been on the .50mg of pristiq for 5 years now. I recently weaned off. I think anyone trying to wean off needs to talk to his/her doctor. They know exactly how you need to do it. My doctor adviced me to take it every other day for two weeks and then stop. I noticed that every other day that I didn't take it....the symptoms diminished as the weeks of weaning went on. So, I am now on my 6 day without pristiq. I feel great! I do have to say that the hardest day of all was the day second day of no pristiq in a row. my head was hurting, felt weird....dizzy etc. no brain zaps though. And as the days preceded it got better. I still feel a bit weird. A feeling of withdrawal, it comes and goes but, its getting better....def better. I did it! I never thought I'd be able to get off. If I can do it you can too. Please don't do it cold turkey. Do it the safe way....wean off slowly.

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Hi Lachie, I know exactly what u mean & am going thro the same as you. Ive been on them for a cupl yrs but was on other types before Pristiq. I started on 50, then 100 then the doc put me on 150. My depression etc is caused by circumstances not inherent depression, in other words mine has been caused by loosing my kids (20 & 22 yrs old now) afta a family breakup. I have no idea why they won't see or talk to me & its been nearly 4 yrs now. I think it depends why yr on them that is really important. Anyway, ive been weaning myself off them ova the last month or so, 1st back to 100 for a few weeks, then a day off, then a 50 for a week or so, then a day off, then 5-6 days on then 3 or so days off, cupl on cupl off, then 4-5 days off, then one 50 coz felt myself loosin the plot. Its now about a week since havin any at all & im doin ok. I know i shld've consulted a doctor b4 comin off but ive researched alot & made the decision 2 do it alone. The physical reactions hav been pretty awful but they do get betta. You'll hav days where u get these weird electrical pulses thro yr body, 4 me the last 5 days or so ive had these pulses thro my left leg & left arm plus thro my chest area. Not pleasant but not disgustin feelings either. Havin the "runs" has been gross & thats been hapnin since i 1st stopped takin them. I have 2 tell u id been wantin 2 get off them 4 a while but didn't think i cld handle the ongoing grief of missin my kids but afta watchin a dvd i was determined 2 get off them. PLEASE WATCH a dvd called Making a Killing - neva has a dvd had so much effect on me. It was just 1 of a bunch of movies i borrowed from the library & its changed my whole perspective. Find this movie or buy it online & watch it but watch it with sum1 u trust, sum1 who duznt hang s*** on u 4 bein on them. This is mindblowing, it will educate u as it did me. Im 52, im a driving instructor & professional counsellor. Im a realist & am concerned about u. Grab sum1 u trust & watch this, then watch it agen the next day coz theres so much 2 take in you'll miss sum the 1st time. Ive also been a lifeline counsellor & also volunteered helpin out streetkids. I know its touch being 19 in 2days world, heaps tougher than wen i grew up in the 70's. Please know there are ppl who care & can help tho sumtimes u gotta weed out the dickheads & that can be a slow process. Keep lookin till u find a doctor/psychologist/best friend who really hears wot yr saying & duznt shove their own opinions down yr throat. I wish i cld be there 2 help u thro yr weaning process & altho it wont help u at all, im thinkin of ya & i care. Im not real good on the computer but if u know how 2 msg bak 2 me on here, im all ears ready 2 listen & help u thro woteva it is yr going thro, just keep remembering that u r "1 of a kind, special & deserve respect whether yr depressed, anxious or worse". I know how hard it is 2 get thro each day & have had many days ova last 3-4 yrs wen its all been 2 much. Its important u find sum1 u can rely on 2 blurt it all out 2 without them throwing back what u "SHOULD" do coz they cant possibly know how u feel, what u feel & yr worries about the future. For this, u need 2 hav enuf drive from within yrself 2 keep going. If or wen u feel its all 2 much or mayb u dont hava support person, please go see yr local community health place or maybe there was a teacher from wen u were at school that u can hunt down 2 help. I cldnt hav dun it without a mate here wiv me. She duzn't judge me, knock me or tell me what 2 do, she hugs me & tells me she luvs me instead, that speaks volumes 2 me & makes me shuffle thro 1 day on2 the next. My friends (the real ones) hav kept me going even tho i know at times im no fun 2 b around, they obviously think im worth it coz they keep check on me & make me promise i wont do anythin stupid. So where r u at in yr head ? do u think u can do this all ok on yr own ? If u think u cant, then make yrself find sum1 2 help, please. Hey Lachie, i dont know u but we're on the same page at the mo'. Let me tell u rite now that u r SPECIAL. There's neva been any1 just like u & thats what makes u special. Whether your poor, educated or dropped outa school, tall, short, skinny or not is all irrelevant, you are you & thats wots important. PLEASE LOOK AFTA YRSELF & try 2 give yrself a break. Its incredibly hard, almost impossible sum days 2 c any light at the end of the tunnel but u gotta try. Ive found the best is 2 hav sum1 who'll MAKE u go out, even 2 the beach. Yr soul needs a break from the downers & bein wiv sum1 u trust can make a huge difference. I have faith that you'll be ok, ya jus gotta take little steps & tell yrself that ppl do care, I care ! Yr 19, lucky u, u hav so many yrs ahead of u. Im cool bein 52, age duzn't bother me & i know that at 19 the world can seem harsh & unkind & unfair. Thats cool, the important thing is u only hang wiv positive ppl, not those who wanna bring u down, they're the 1's that will make yr recovery impossible. Tell yrself those 1's are drop kicks & u dont need them. You've got so many yrs ahead of u 4 so many great things 2 happen, so get support, forgive yrself 4 anythin u mita screwed up in the past coz we've all screwed up at sum time. Look afta yrself, get a dog 2 love who will luv u back 10 fold, my dog ziggy, red heeler is now tatooed on my shoulder as he's saved my life on many occasions. Be strong wen u need 2 & let yrself b weak wen u need 2. Yr not alone even wen u feel alone. I'll b thinkin of ya & worryin about u even tho u dont know me. My son turns 20 in 2 days so hes about the same age as u. I love him but cant hug him, kiss him or tell him i luv him so ill tell u instead - hang in there buddy, give yrself a hug from me & im sendin a bucket full of luv & understanding thro here - tell yrself u can feel it & take it on board. Havin a s*** day ? jus remind yrself that i took the time 2 send u sum anonymous love & support thro this msg. YOU ARE SPECIAL & YOU ARE WORTH IT - good luck buddy & drop me a line if ya wanna talk. Cheers

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Have you consulted your doctor?

The withdrawal symptoms from suddenly stopping such a medication can last about a month, or more and the rebound depression and anxiety may be worse than what you started taking it to treat.

However, if the tablets aren't time released, you should be able to cut them to taper even more slowly, but you need to check with your doctor, or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to do so.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Pristiq/­

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see your doctor darling. i was told never to cut them in half which i had been doing but my mood swings were up and down doing this. I would get professional advice on coming off.

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