Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 20) (Top voted first)

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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I went through this when I was 17 and am still dealing with it today. It gets better! It is scary as all get out. But in therapy you learn to deal with the fear. The fear will keep you sick. Therapy coupled with the correct medicine and a willingness to work at getting well is the best advice I have. Oh and read 'anxiety answer book'. If I would know what I know now, I would have only been on medicine six months to a year instead of half my life.

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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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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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That is awesome!!! You will beat this, no doubt about it! God bless !

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Hello there, I have been on pristiq for a long time and trying to wean off of it . I was on 100mg now 50. But i was told to take the 50mg for 2 weeks then stop, and maybe up my welbutrin if i feel too bad coming off of it. then start weaning off welbutrin if i decide to. I am not real sure what to think about just going down to 50 for 2 weeks then stop all together. I am starting my second week now and will be done thurs. any thoughts about weaning in that way ? I take meds for depression , that was my reasoning to be on them .

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Great amount of helpful information on this post. Good luck and God bless!

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Hi. I have been on pristiq 50 for over a year. I have been having a great amount of hair loss in the past month. I thank everyone for the information posted because I want to get off this med. I didn't see anyone staying hair loss however. Can anyone comment on that. Seeing my dr next week hopefully to get off this med !!!

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I've been on Pristiq 50mg for 7 months, I want to stop taking it. I have bad suicide thoughts and I can't get myself to do anything but watch TV, even going to work is a struggle. My NP wants me to take 100mg, but I'm not. Has anyone gone cold turkey, I want to try that, one day I missed my dose and the next day I was so sick. But I still want to try. Can anyone give me some advice please, I'm very scared, please

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Faith, there are all kinds of suggestions in this post...please read. If you are having horrible thoughts you need to have a professional to talk to. My daughter was there(suicidal) too...I was also when in my early 20's. I'm so happy I'm 57 now! I want another 57, at least. The things making you sad now will be a dinky memory someday. My daughter found help from accupunture to wean of pristiq. She hated that medicine. She also found exercise. Never exercised before and now a year and a half after being through with pristiq. .....she is so strong. Her self confidence is much better, has helped with negative thoughts. She still has anxiety but is going to try yoga. You may need to find a medication or not. Work on that with your doctor. Start a gratitude journal so you are focused on finding positive things in your surroundings on a daily basis. I also recommend finding an awesome church...that was my God send. God bless you Faith..

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Thank you Nancy, for your kind and helpful words. I'm 54 and been struggling a long time. I was always into going to church and working out, even volunteering in a ER, but I lost all of it and just buried myself. I'm gonna try real hard to get through this but it's been very hard with no family or friends to turn to, not one. I just read about someone writing they're loosing there hair, that's strange because 7 years ago when I started all these meds because of a bad break up, my hair was falling out, and still is all the time. It's so embrassing because it all over my house, if I don't where it tied back , I can feel it falling off onto my arms. Doctors have said I've lost more than half my hair and just say most women do, I know feel its all these meds. Thank you all for your feed back and will take all the help anyone can give. Thank you !!

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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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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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Hi Rose,

Did the Viibryd work out for you?

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Hi. Did you get through pristiq withdraw ok?

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Hi everyone
Has anyone had ringing in the ears when they stopped the pristiq and does it go away after a while?

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Ok guys I'm freaking out. Day 9. No pristiq. The ringing in my ears has taken over my life. I'm getting little anxiety attacks and can't sit still I'm Fremont out. I am considering going on another antidepressant. Help!!!

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