Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 17)

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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Almost a year down. I got off pristiq after long string of antidepressants lex, v, zoloft, paxil, and the worst pristiq. . As I am loosing the pounds put on while on these mess is really hard because I get these flashes of anxiety that puts me in a constant fight or flight mode. I've talked to someone who expressed the same problem. . Could pristiq be trapped in my fat and dispersed when burning the fat.? My DR gave me a really new drug called brintellix. Anyone heard of this ?

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Hello Ajjr
You say that you have lost weight. Did it just come off after you stopped pristiq or did you change your diet. Also did you have anxiety before pristiq. How did you get off if it. Thanks

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What holistic meds are you taking? I'm weaning off pristiq now and would love to know.

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Hi there! No diet changes. Just exercise. I went on the drugs for anxiety. It got worse on antidepressants.. much much worse
..that's why I was asking if anyone has taken brintellix

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Have you asked a doctor about your hair loss? I know someone with alopecia. She wears a wig now. I'm sorry you feel so isolated. We can do that to ourselves sometimes. Try hard to get back put there and involve with people. People can disappoint us, bit only if we expect to much from them. You have an awesome name.... Faith... give Faith a hug and tell her you are taking care of her and love her. We all have that little child in us that needs caring. Do it for Faith

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Thank you again, Nancy. My hair is falling out all over, starting to get thin more on top, I just wish it will stop. At 4:00 pm, today, will be 3 days no pristiq and feeling ok, and yesterday I started off my remeron. I did have a little trouble falling a sleep. If this continues I'll only be on .05mg klonopin. Thank you about my name, a lot of times I think it was given to me for a reason.

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From all I read, day 3 gets tough snd can last for days. My daughter had brain zaps, light sensitivity, nightmares, double vision, sweating profusely, extreme irritation, really bad thoughts...please be aware. Take gentle, loving care of yourself. Stay in touch with your professional.God loves you, Faith

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Faith...thinking and praying for you. How is it going?

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Your so sweet Nancy, I'm hanging in there. Since the third day, I've been feeling very sick, brain zaps, can't stay focused, but can't fall a sleep. even looking at the computer or TV bothers my eyes, makes me very light headed. It's on day 5 and still the same, just staying on the couch but when I do get up I feel very sluggish. I've been on all kinds of meds since 2006, I'm still going to stay on the .05 klonopin because it does help me sleep a little, but no more of the other stuff. Do you know how much longer than sick feeling last ? I hope soon.

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I'm not sure....but you will get through it. I know my daughter was bad and considering starting them up again cuz she was so miserable. My boss told me about acupuncture and I brought her there and her symptoms were much decreased. Not everyone can do acupuncture and have it work but my daughter believes it helped her. I made her go, because we both didn't sleep for days. She screamed no! But was like another person after an hour and a half treatment. The acupuncturist in her group dealt mostly with drug withdrawal. That was her specialty. She told me it was 10-12 days before most yuck was gone. She said that acupuncture help the nausea and her brain buzzes right away. Eating helped a lot and she said you just have to get through it. She is praying for you and says she understands. God bless, Faith! God is with you. Please keep in touch.

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Thank you Nancy, reading your messages, I need to say I hope your daughter knows how lucky she is to have such a caring mom like you. I know I have the name Faith, and always hoped it would mean something, and now it has, I met a angel, you.
Thank you,I'll keep in touch
Faith

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That has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me!!! You are an angel! We all need each other! I'm praying for you!! The nights are most difficult, but you are getting through them one by one. God bless, Faith!

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Hello Nancy, It's been 8 days since I stopped the remeron and pristiq, still have some brain zaps and still sluggish, but not feeling so ill, still have bad anixty, thoughts and depression but don't think a pill can change that. I'm going to stay on .05 klonopin and calming tea to help sleep a little. Thank you for being there for me, I couldn't of made it this far without you. How's your daughter doing ?
Thank you Faith

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So glad to hear from you! I'm glad you're feeling better. :). Anxiety and depression are horrible realities for so many people. I guess we need to find ways to deal. Yoga, exercise, healthy foods and teas are great. Walking outside and seeing the beautiful world God has given us is good, too. My daughter is learning to deal with her stress. She can be so focused on fairness and gets upset when people aren't. That's life I try to tell her. She's still young and takes it too seriously. You can't control others only yourself, I try to instill. I look forward to your continued progress! God bless you, Faith

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Hi Faith - congratulations on getting off of Pristiq! I know it is not an easy thing to do (to say the least). It has been over a year for me and I honestly feel like it took me several months to feel like myself again...almost like my brain chemistry was being "re-balanced". The pristiq really put a blanket over my brain - and then the added adderall (to help me focus and break through the brain fog) and xanax did a number on me too (thank God I am now off of all of that). I just want to encourage you to keep walking through this...doing your best to be your own "health advocate". There are many pieces to the puzzle and it sometimes can take awhile. I ended up getting on a low dose of lexapro which seems to help...I also take melatonin almost every night which is a natural sleep aid (and works really well for me). I also just found out about a book called "The Mood Cure" - which is supposed to be about balancing our bodies/endocrine systems/moods with natural supplements. I ordered it off amazon and will post again once I have more info... take care and God Bless!!
Karen

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Thank you Karen, I will have to try the melatonin again, I did about 5 years ago when I was taking Seriqul, my doctor said to take 3 melatonin at bed time, thank god I only took 1, I had a bad reaction with the seriqul and couldn't stop itching , and was actually itching until my skin was bleeding, the doctor was surprised to hear that, but now I'll try it again because I can't fall a sleep and really don't want to be on klonopin either. I just wish I had better control over my anixety and depression, but as I told Nancy, I don't think any pill would make it better, I'm just surrounded with a horrible life. Thank you for your support, it's so nice to know there are people out there who care. I'll have to look for that book :>)
Thank you
Faith

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Hi Faith,
Yes - I would definitely try the melatonin... I take 5mg at bedtime and about 20 minutes later I am sound asleep.:)...the best part is though no side effects the next day. I think what I am learning is that the medications so easily prescribed (and which can and do service a purpose at times) have side effects that are just not worth it sometimes! Especially as there ARE other things that we can do to take control of our health - including mental health. I think part of that can also be to get counseling...it is always helpful to talk with a good counselor to help get some perspective and a game plan for our lives. I would encourage you to try and find someone local to talk to...and MOST importantly to have FAITH - and know that God loves you and has good things for you!! Take care and please keep us updated on how you are doing...I can tell you are strong - and you can/will get to the other side of this!
Karen

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Another thing you might want to have checked are your vitamin D levels. I found out that I was really low on vitamin D (although I live in Florida) and am now taking 5000 IU's a day. This seems to help...if you do a little research, you can see how important vitamin D is in regards to mood, immune system and overall health. Keep your chin up and do your best to surround yourself with people who will lift you up! :)

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Hi Faith, Do you the resources to help you? Are you in danger? Thoughts and prayers!

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I've only been on pristiq for a month and a week and a half should I even worry about withdrawals or side effects, if I go cold turkey right now because my insurance ran out and I can't afford to take any more?

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