Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 11)
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I just wanted to tell all of you trying to get off pristiq, its possible. I was on pristiq for severe panic attacks for 6 months. It saved my life. It gave me a chance to slow down my career, gave me a huge wakeup call. This drug put a cloud over my brain. I was not my happy, fun loving self. I was like a step ford wife. You can't wean off this pill. I was on 50 mg. I did every other day for a month. Every third day for two weeks then cold turkey. It really was not so bad. I layer on my couch for three days, cried a bit and watched movies. I'm happily on all holistic medications, no longer a slave to Pristiq. If I can beat anxiety, anyone can. My biggest advice.. Exercise. Next, surround yourself with positive people. Three, talk out your problems. Good luck.

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Hi there - you are absolutely correct...I had called the manufacturer directly last summer when I was trying to "taper off" pristiq, and was told that due to the time release nature of this medication, that it should NOT be cut in half. I was advised to "slowly taper off" - but unfortunately the manufacturer (Pfizer) has not provided a way to safely do so. My experience with getting off Pristiq was pretty traumatic...I ended up going cold turkey and was so dizzy, disoriented (and depressed) that I had to go stay with my sister for a month to get through it... not a fun experience to say the least, and the whole thing has really had a negative impact on my life. It took me several months to get my brain chemistry "stabilized" again (after being off pristiq). I am back on Lexapro which seems to be working out OK and overall feeling much better - and more like "myself" again (instead of numbed up zombie). I know that every medication has its possible side effects - and works differently for different people...BUT I believe that Pristiq should not be on the market - or at least not so widely prescribed. It is a heavy duty antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication that pretty much puts a "blanket over the brain". But the fact that is nearly impossible to "taper" off this drug is my primary complaint... the manufacturer needs to at the very least make available this in lower doses so that it possible for someone to get off of this medication. Take care and hang in there - you CAN get through this!!

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Not sure how you were on 25 a day when 50mg is the lowest dose for this medication. Sometimes people will cut the pill to taper off. Did you cut the pill in half? I had a bad experience with that a few months ago when trying to taper off. Upon cutting the pill, I think too much of the drug went into my system too fast. At one point I had a bad nosebleed. Could this have been caused by too much, too fast norepinephrine going into my system, which maybe is dangerous. I was told the coating on pristiq provides the extended/slow release feature of pristiq, so once you cut the pill it changes how the pill works.

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Hi Anthony, Yes, she is doing very well, thank you :) I'm sorry you went through that as a child, you didn't deserve that. Maybe look for some free group counseling sessions.... like they have for Al Anon. I know I had to help with that, and it's free! I asked my daughter about the emotional stuff..... she said she cried for 3 hours when she killed a spider in her room, while coming off of pristiq. I do know she screamed at me a lot :/ She's doing great now and you will be too! Please keep in touch, I'll be thinking and praying for you! Nancy

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HI there! Thank you for the reply. I hope that your daughter is doing great! As for me, one day at a time sometimes hour by hour.
I will not give up nor will I EVER take another antidepressant. See I was really abused badly as a teen/child and this medication just threw it all back in my face but twisted. I went to therapy for 4 years in my teens for abuse. I currently went through 3 therapists that were a waste of my hard earned money. I guess if you live in Orange County everyone is "supposed" to have $ to throw around.. Not me .. I work very hard for what I have. Needless to say I will give my MD one more chance on any suggestion then I will get a second opinion.
I have a question for you though. Did your Daughter have any crazy feelings when on the med? Did it get worse when she quit? For me when I was on Pristiq and Viibryd they made me a spaz and my anxiety was like a full blown panic attack all day every day. Now that I am off I am trying to just get back to my "normal". I thank you for your time

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Anthony, my daughter did not take Benzo. I will be praying for your quick return to "somewhat normal".... Who is normal anyways? Lol

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HI there! I am so happy I stumbled across this post! I am at a month and a week of no pristiq. I tapered myself off over a 3 month span. My Dr was not listening to me when I would tell him the side effects. My side effects were BAD. I am now looking back at how bad this drug is! I was prescribed alprazolam with the pristiq. The alprazolam was keeping me from going complete ape s*** crazy with adrenaline flashes. I had tried 5 meds before this one and hands down Pristiq and Viibryd were the worst ! I wanted to ask how you are doing ? Did you take any benzo to help you get off ?

I am currently taking .5 of alprazolam in the am and the full 2mg before bed... Its been working for me so far. I am still paranoid and have crying spells. I just remind myself that it will take a few months to feel better. After reading many posts I see I am not the only one that knows the crazy thoughts and feelings that come when getting back to somewhat normal.

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Someday soon....this will be just a ridiculous memory! You will be just fine, Susie :) God bless

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Thanks Cheryl. I' m on day three of withdrawal. Brain zaps are ridiculous. Your comments and advice have been the most helpful and positive I've found. I have really appreciated it. It's great to know that I will get through it after a bit of hard work.

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Im wondering how all of you are doing? Michelle, Meemaw, and all of you! I hope great!

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Try taking omega 3 this really helps when coming off meds

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Can't say enough about acupuncture... that helped my daughter very much. Find a reputable acupuncturist that specializes in drug withdrawal. God bless and good luck...... you will get through this!!!!

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Off pristiq 2 days and topomax 1 week. OMG the vomiting, getting off due to migraines, dr put me on topomax for pristiq caused migraines. I may have to take a week off (self employed). Scary s*** for sure!

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Michele....you will find a lot of info in medschat. My daughters been free since May...this time last year she was scared to death to stop. It was difficult, but she found help with good diet, exercise, a few tough days....acupuncture stopped many of the withdrawal symptoms(headache, light sensitivity, extreme irritableness, brain zaps, nausea, vomiting). Life's not perfect, but that's how life is....she's much more alive in her life now. Good luck....give yourself time to get through some tough days in the beginning....

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Hi Meemee....looks like you best Pristiq!!! That's awesome! Remember, your children will deal with grumpy people in their lives, so grumpy Mom is fine as long as we're not destructively grumpy. Moms tend to be hard on ourselves. Sometimes children are acting up and we get grumpy....unless we are verbally/physically cruel....a grumpy Mom is better than a drugged up Mom. Think what you would want for them, if they were grumpy, natural reaction or muted? God is hearing our prayers....your children are blessed to have such a caring Mom. Please keep in touch.

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Can you put the link you are referring to from Dr. John Grey. I can't seem to find it.

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Hi there I'm trying to get off pristiq in a month or so and I wanted to know what natural alternatives have helped u. I'm really scared to do it but I don't want to be on medicine for ever.

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I have gone of prestiq after being on the drug for 3 years. with the great help of dr. john grey,s utube video I suggest you watch his video on utube.

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Well Nancy, it's been 21 days off Pristiq. I had to go on Prozac for a while at 40 Mg becasue I was so grumpy. No place for grumpiness with kids. I am now a little uncaring, which is how prozac works I guess. I have to now get off of the prozac. I will wait another 10-15 days and try to taper down to 20 Mg. It is my hope to be off of all of these drugs soon so I can know who I am and get in touch with God again. I just want to experience real feelings and emotions and not ones that come from a drug. Thanks again, I'll check back in soon.

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Dear Kathy, You are right about everything! Read through the comments, you'll find much help. It will be very difficult, but will get better :) Acupuncture, exercise and eating well really helped.my daughter. God bless!

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I have been on Prestiq for over two years. I have tried to taper off on several occasions but notice that my moods swing so much and I seem so manic that I decided not to do so again. I recently ran out, on a Wednesday, and I forgot to call to get the refill. I remembered to call on Saturday (so this would be day 3 w/o meds) but my RX had run out. Meaning I had to wait until today, Monday, to phone and get the refill. I decided to investigate how others tapered off or and stopped this med. I have decided to try and see how I do 'cold turkey'. Thus far, the results have been typical of what the side effects say. Emotional, mood swings, night sweats (like crazy), VIVID dreams, little sleep, unable to concentrate, dizziness, tired, agitated, diarrhea, some nausea. I am keeping a journal and I'll add some exercise in today. I'm a bit weepy also. I'm 54. Wonder if the taper off effect lasts longer in those that are older. I'm fairly miserable but the fact that you can't get off of this drug reasonably is alarming to me. I'm ready. Thank you for this site. It is a welcome relief. Ks

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