Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 15)

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 all, this is my first time posting but this forum has helped me a bit so I thought I'd put in my experience with quitting Pristiq so far (after having been on 50mg to 100mg to 150mg, then back down to 100mg, then 50mg over the course of 6 years) I'm on the home stretch! I'd STRONGLY recommend my weaning schedule my doctor gave me-take a tablet every second day for two weeks, then take a tablet every third day for two weeks and then stop. My experience has been much better than expected :) some pretty awful days, but not nearly as bad as I had thought. The first couple of weeks weren't fun. The day after skipping my tablet, I'd always get super hot flushes. It's winter..everyone around me would be shivering in warm jumpers and I was sweating in a singlet. For this reason I would suggest weaning off during a colder season if possible. If I were to have these hot flushes in our nasty Aussie heat waves, I probably would have passed out. And then the dizziness...some days were worse than others. I recently went shopping on a "sick day" and my vision went diagonal for about ten seconds. Not pleasant, something to think about if you're driving. The dizziness I experienced was/is bearable-just. It feels like a nasty nasty hangover. I'm proud to say I haven't taken a single day off work, and my job is to stand at a register for sometimes 9 hours. On the rare occasion luckily not at work, I became so dizzy and nauseous that I could barely stand up. Another thing to mention-my symptoms generally start around 11:00 am to 2:00pm, probably because I always had taken Pristiq at nighttime when I was on it. I could be wrong, but I think there's 12 hours ish before the withdrawal symptoms start to kick in from your usual time of taking the tablet if you miss it. So take advantage of that! I would get up early and do my online college work so that I could lay around and feel gross in the afternoon. Often by around 9:00 at night the dizziness would have gone, and the hot flushes lessened. I've been most surprised about how my mood hasn't been affected nearly as much as I expected. Slightly irritable and impatient on the days after missing my tablet. And easy to tear up-I'd see a person crying on TV and find tears in my eyes. Sad song while driving-tears in my eyes. I've gained a reasonable amount of control to unwanted tears over the years so I didn't get down on myself too much. Just once while weaning I think, I was at work, had to go to the office and have an anxious cry about nothing in particular for 15 minutes, pull myself together and go back to work. Overall I already feel like I have my old pre-depression personality back. About 6 people have commented on the positive change in me. Mum said on Pristiq I was like a zombie especially on the higher doses. And I felt it. Even though I've still got the occasional bit of Pristiq in my system, she said I'm more "animated. More human!" I understand exactly what she means and feel more myself again.

If anybody has bothered to read this far I want to know if people have shared this experience--recently (during the weaning process) when I was laughing at something not hugely funny, I got carried away and sat there laughing in hysterics til I was tearing up with laughter for a good five minutes. All of a sudden something snapped and I felt like crying tears of sadness, not happiness. I hadn't done that in years... in the past I literally have started crying sad tears after laughing while my friend/boyfriend would sit there thinking da f***" is wrong with you! Is this just me?!?!

All in all, I have less than 2 weeks to go and am seeing lots of hope for things to continue to get better. When I went to the doctor to see about weaning off (after SIX YEARS remember, and I'm only 21) she told me she thinks I'll crumble. Pretty sure I've proved her wrong ;) thank you to anyone who has bothered reading this life essay (whoops), sending love, strength and support to anyone else trying to quit, it isn't easy but remind yourself why you wanted to quit in the first place. Again, read my weaning program, hopefully it goes as cruisey for you as it has for me :) good luck! Hope this helps

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Ok day 6 and it's awful. I'm depressed thinking of suicide and I can't stop being sick. Weening was not an option for me. I didn't have the money to pay for it anymore. I'm more miserable than ever.

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Are you alone doing this Nicole. If you are having suicidal thoughts please call someone. You won't always feel this way. It will get better. Try watching a movie that always makes you laugh. Also try going out into nature for a walk get your heart pumping. Keep posting. We all care about you.

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Nicole..... does your insurance cover counseling? You need just speak with a professional. It is a miserable drug, I swear to God, my daughter almost went back on the medication.... she was beside herself.... screaming at me like someone from the movie Exorcist. She wanted to die... she wanted to die really bad..... it is now over a year later. She is stronger than she ever has them in her whole life!!! I'm so proud of her and she's proud of herself too. Consider finding a good acupuncturist, the headaches, light sensitivity, brain zaps, anger, and the rest of her symptoms were incredibly decreased. She went to the acupuncturist on about day 6. You do you need help with someone that's a professional though, someone you can talk to. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!!! <3 Nancy

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I am alone. I don't have anyone. How long will it be before the brain shivers go away and the hopeless feelings? Do you know?

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Hi there - please hang in there- and try to find some support where you can - maybe a counselor would help? I know for me, it was a bit of a process. I tried to "taper" as much as was possible and went for 100mg to 50mg the first 2 weeks in July of last year. I then stopped taking the pristiq altogether, but did take a small dose of lexapro to help. That being said, it still took me a couple of weeks to get past the initial discontinuation symptoms - but then another couple of months at least to get over the side affects/impact of pristiq. Please try to seek out some type of help - best to have support while going through this... take care!!

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Hi Nicole.

The brain shivers went away after about a week and then the sweats stayed around for about another 3. I feel SO MUCH better 4 weeks on. Hang in there. Life without medication is so amazing!!!

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Nicole, I pray that the worst is over soon. Keep posting and reading the journeys others have had....this was helpful.to my daughter. In a year from now, you will be supporting someone else going through this. Thinking of you! Give yourself a big hug from us!

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It feels like a constant hang over that won't go away. I'm ok for a few hours but then get the brain shivers and feel really nauseated again. I was on pristiq for three years so it's probably going to take a lot longer than a week to get through this. I just don't want to feel sick anymore. I do realize the uncontrollable crying and dark thoughts are directly related so when it happens I'm just letting it pass and forgive myself. Thank you all for the encouragement. It makes me feel connected during this brutal time. Thank you!!!!!

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Ps.... Adri I took your advice and went for a walk and no joke ten mins later I bumped into some people who said to me " don't give up.. God hears your prayers". Thank you!!!!! You all are so amazing and supportive!!!!

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I'm soo glad that you saw a little bit if the light at the end of the tunnel. Detox is difficult for EVERYONE. If you were detoxing off of sugar it would be similar Just keep it up and post when you need to. Peace

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Yes - jstu keep going - you will get there and you will feel amazing when you are free from it. Even more than that you will realize how strong you are to withdrawal from this - its such a difficult thing to do - something that cannot be underestimated or explained to someone who hasn't gone through it - it takes a strong strong person - i feel so proud of doing it - and you will feel the same sense of accomplishment when its done - i'm sorry its hard at the time though.

HANG IN THERE….! every day it gets a little better……… then one day…. you are smiling!

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Another night over!!!! Each passing day and night is bringing you closer to freedom!!!

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Ok i think I'm on the home stretch now. I'm not super happy or anything but definitely not sick as a dog anymore. Mild brain shivers.... Totally manageable now.. No nausea . Thank God..... Ladies and gentleman .... I think I successfully kicked pristiq. Wow and let me state that I would not have had the hope or perseverance had it not been for this site, posts and encouragement . I will be on this sit to encourage anyone wanting to do it cold turkey and be there for them as well. Much love!!!!

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Thinking about your progress....I hope you're doing ok.

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Ladies n gentlemen this girl has beat pristiq !!!!! The worst is finally over ;).. Little brain shivers here n there but nothing unbearable.... I'm not nauseated or sick. I can't sleep much but I'm making up for all the exhaustion when I was on the drug. Lol. I can't believe it. I'm adjusting now to new feelings and who I am without the drug and it is great. That crazy alone darkness was simply the withdrawal. I tear up easily but the simplest jokes seem so damn funny to me as well. I'm actually giggling a lot. I can not believe I made it through and I am so happy to finally move forward without being on a drug that depleted my body and robbed all my passion and creativity. I'm also not nearly as irritable. Every day is better than the last! I could not have done this without your posts, promise of hope and connection. Thank you all sooooo much. I am now living proof and will encourage others like us. I didn't think the fight was in me..... But I didn't fight it alone. I had this place and your support! Thank you and much love!!!!!

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Nicole. I am happy that you are felling good. You are an inspiration. Make to keep us updated. Also you may feel the blues again or anxiety again. That doesn't necessarily mean you are relapsing. It's just life. Keep talking to people and go for walks or do jumping jacks to release some endorphins. Way to go. Peace

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Nicole...your post gives me goosebumps!!!! Thank you for the update!!! You are a warrior!!! So glad to hear that you're giggling :D I look forward to your updates, you will be such encouragement for the next person battling this stupid drug!!!! <3

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Hello Nicole, Hoping you are doing well!

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Hi ive been on prestiq for 6 months and feel worse now than when I did before, horribvle thoughts and anxiety has gone through the roof, i keep busy all the time as when im in down time ive to much time to think. What the best way to come off this mind boggling drug>?

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