Weaning Off Pristiq For Good (Page 5) (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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Has anyone help you yet, I know I need help too.K

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Your post was excellent and I'm experiencing very similar withdraw symptoms. I was on 50mg for 2 years then my Dr. increased it to 100mg. However I also began taking Wellbutrin. After changing Dr's I was advised to ween off of the Pristiq by reducing to 50mg. I took that daily for two weeks. I ended up having to stop cold turkey because I couldn't afford the refills during an insurance lapse. It's my 3rd day and it's definitely not easy but I'm determined not to become dependent on it again. I'm suffering from hot flashes, nausea, unable to sleep, sometimes I can't eat even if I'm hungry. I'm having trouble standing for more than a few minutes so I've been lying around a lot. I definitely wouldn't be able to wok in this condition so my leave of absence is a saving grace! Lastly, I'm having nightmares when I am able to sleep - mostly weirdly related to things or people in my life that I've previously had regrets about. And I can cry at the drop if a dime losing my breath, but I let it out for a minute then really strive to pull myself together. I'm not ready to stop Wellbutrin b/c I don't want a severe relapse of depression but I definitely don't want to be dependent on a Pristiq considering the withdraw. Experiencing brain zaps also but determined to be a fighter. It helped to be open about this with people that understand rather than think it's "just all in my mind." Hopefully I'll be able to stop Wellbutrin (150mg) one day, but for now I'm taking it one day at a time and hoping the side effects end soon. It's hard to lie around feeling ill knowing you have to defer through it. I wish anyone experiencing the same the best and trying to remain as optimistic as possible. The tears are streaming down my face as I type yet I still feel stronger!

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thank you so much for your words of encouragement!! it gives hope to those of us beginning our journey!

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I am successfully weaning off of Pristiq. After receiving questionable advice about how to wean from my doc and researching the web ... I called and spoke to a pharmacist at an apocothary. He has been a great help to me. They are able to cut and recoat the tablets and/or also crush and capsulize the contents in lower dosages. You have to take several thoughout the day ... but it works! Be prepared to pay anywhere between $60. to $100. but it's worth it because I am getting results. Also, my Apocothary Pharmacist is a big proponent of natural therapies and gave me natural things to subside my symptoms as they were occuring. It was such a blessing to find him. If anyone on here is in the Tulsa area I would be happy to refer you. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon his help. A god send for sure.

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Hellen, If the following paragraph is referring to me;

"I would like add that the person on the thread who doesn't understand why everyone doesn't just quit cold turkey and just have a bad week of withdrawals isn't being responsible. Everyone is different and everyone responds differently to medications. Trust me, it were easy everyone would do it. Also, most people, cannot lay on the couch for a week while the brain zaps take over their every move. Unfortunately, we have families to take care of and work to go to."

I never said it was right for everyone I just meant what was correct for me and I actually work in legal position while having a family to look after so it wasn't easy for me either so you really shouldn't assume on things you don't know. As I stated I was only advising what I believed was best for me (and worked well) I much rather have the side effects gone as soon as possible and not dragged out so I could continue with my life as per normal. If what you wrote wasn't in relation to my previous statement then I apologize for thinking so.

It has now been around a month off the Pristiq and I am feeling fantastic! Good luck to everyone else on here, it is possible and don't let the bad days win.

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Hi guys

Thanks to everyone who has written in this extremely enlightening thread. Reading things like this reminds me how wonderful the internet is. It is such a blessing to know that I am not alone with my anxiety, which, for me, has always seemed so isolating. These "brain zaps" that are being referred to - my first major one of these (lasting 3 days) really opened the door to my anxiety and that was nearly two years ago now. In the immediate aftermath of that incident, I was treated with seroquel (which I found to be intoxicating, but not in a good way), before being weaned onto effexor, ultimately maxing out at 300mgs per day. From there I did a straight swap onto 200mgs of prestiq because my pschiatrist believed the ridiculous amount I was sweating and my near inability to ejaculate would be mollified by the more direct route of administration presented by the active ingredient of prestiq.

It worked and from there, a few months later, I lowered my doses seemlessly to 150mgs per day of prestiq, to 100mgs and down to 50mgs which I have been on for about 4 months. At least... until 3 days ago (about which I will write more below). I should mention, I experienced none of the side effects being mentioned above in relation to my previous reductions in Prestiq, but this could well be because I increased my use at those times of valium (5mgs, but up to 10mgs if feeling particularly antsy) for periods of about 1 week after each reduction. I am frankly surprised that there is no mention here of the use of valium and just one mention of xanax (which i have been strenly warned to avoid because of its higher addiction-forming propensity). The use of percocet is interesting too, and yes, I believe this would have the effect of softening the withdrawals being described (but query whether it is worth it, given that I have heard it referred to as "prescription heroin").

I also should mention that I use Valdoxen. For me, this has been the singular most important factor in my battle against anxiety. It is non-addictive and promotes the most natural-feeling sensation of tiredness, overcoming the racy thoughts that used to plague any effort I made at getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. You should all take time to investigate this medicine. It is expensive, but for me it has been invaluable.

Which gets me to today. I was feeling so overwhelmed by a brain zap earlier today, being day 3 of my withdrawal from my 50mg dose of prestiq, that I felt compelled to google "withdrawing from prestiq" and hence why I landed here. Gosh the brain zap was dreadful. They are so overpowering. When they are happening, it feels like "this is what life is going to be like from now on", until you get distracted and they pass. Anyhow, I intend to administer valium over the next few days to help moderate these zaps and I sincerely hope that in that time these symptoms of withdrawal (which include nausea and dizzyness) will subside.

I will write a follow up in the hope that I can help someone in the same way you have all helped me today. Thank you all again so much

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Hi KD

It sounds like you and I are going through a similar situation at present. I am now nearly one week off my 50mgs dose of prestiq (which I had been on for about 4 months, having previously been on as much as 200mgs). My advice would be to ask from a prescription of diazepam (valium) rather than xanax. Valium has a slower onset but also is much longer lasting than xanax. The words you are using to describe your mental state - "fuzzy", "spacey", "anxious" "disoriented" - would all be apt to describe how I too have been feeling. I have had a weird ringing sound in my ears, usually when I stand up, but I believe it has reduced in its intensity in the last few days, giving me hope that it will soon disappear altogether consistent with what others on this thread have been saying.

The extraordinary thing about my 50mgs dose of prestiq is that I genuinely believed that because i was having such a small dose of the drug - ie the lowest amount prescribable - that it may not have been having a therapeutic affect on me. These withdrawals, which are unlike anything else I have experienced, suggest to me that it is much more powerful than I was giving it credit for.

Dare I say it, KD, but I expect you will need to go through something similar if and when the time comes for you to wean off the drug altogether. Before that time, I would encourage you to investigate valdoxen - another drug i take. It helps me drift off to sleep each night and I am reliably informed will not have any side effects if I attempt to come off it.

good luck!

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Nancy that is great to hear im waiting for my acupunturist to call me today to discuss treatments for me..
Day 3... fuzzy head, if i take a deep breath my head feels too light. I dont get paid if i have a sick day so am forced to work, i am lucky i am sitting quiety at my desk though. Last night i got emotional about a movie on TV which was great to feel something again instead of being a cold hearted person.
The hardest part is being single and beign in a new job where i dont have anyone to talk too.. Thank god for site like this to help me through..

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Hi Nancy, thank you lovely of you to care :)
I'm 11 days free!!! Feeling totally amazing and full of love for life :)...
Really looking forward to my future and will never ever take the advice of a GP again! Lol.. Bless you xx

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I am so happy for you!!! My daughter has been free since May....she is doing awesome, too. She is living again :) you both are inspiration to those in pain. Keep your positive attitude!

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Something I think is important to note (and distinctive about Pristiq) - is how difficult it is to come off of this drug.
Side effects are one thing (and I know there are lots of possible side effects w/most drugs), but the "discontinuation symptoms" with Pristiq have been described as almost intolerable. Yet, the medical community (prescribing doctors, pharmacists, etc.) are not made aware of this (except for by their patients it seems). I have filed a complaint directly with Pfizer (and was transferred to someone in India to take the details of my complaint) - and believe that Pfizer should either: A) make this drug available in lower dosages B) be required to put a specific warning related to the discontinuation symptoms C) my preference - have this drug pulled the drug from the market!
I have no doubt this is a "heavy duty" drug - and one that is being heavily marketed to women in particular (found an ad recently in my Prevention magazine).
My problem again w/this drug is not just the side effects (which I honestly feel had a huge negative impact on my life) - but the way that has been manufactured to be so difficult to come off of... as I mentioned, I am now on a low dose of Lexapro - and last week had to miss a dose due to a delay in the authorization for my re-fill. Although by the end of the 2nd day I started having a mild headache and felt a little yuck - it was NOTHING like my experience of missing a dose of Pristiq.
MAJOR discontinuation symptoms (which it seems only people that have taken Pristiq understand) that left me non-functioning (brain shocks, strange dreams, dizziness)...which made it incredibly difficult to get off of...pretty much like jumping off a cliff!! Anyways, I've learned some very valuable -and difficult "lessons" through all of this - just hope that other "unsuspecting" people out there will do their homework/due diligence before getting on this drug....or that the manufacturer will do the right thing and pull this medication from the market until they learn more about the side effects/discontinuation symptoms.
Another two key points (which I am sure I've posted on previous posts), is that this drug was NOT approved by the EU - AND there has already been a 65 million case suits filed by the shareholders against Pfizer (for not fully disclosing the potential side effects).
To me, it makes sense that this would cause a major red flag and reason for possible "pause" with the distribution/marketing of Pristq, but instead it seems that they decided to market it even more to make up for the "loss" they experienced when the drug was first released and did not perform as they had expected..
I have actually considered contacting an attorney for legal advice on this, but quite honestly have not had the time and/or resources. After being out of work for a year - and finally able to think clearly, I am doing my best to make up for lost time - and get my head back above water professionally and financially.
After all the research I have done on this (in my efforts to figure out how the heck to get off this drug) - I KNOW I am not alone in experiencing hardships as a result of being on Pristiq. Just wish there was a way to prevent other people from going through this experience...
Karen

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I was switched to Pristiq for depression/anxiety by a new GP as Efexor was causing havoc with my libido. This only helped for a short while, my doctor told me that i can take Viagra to fix the problem that is now happening on Pristiq as well. Initially I was on 50mg, then increased to 150mg after losing my mum, I've never been happy on it, I'm working and studying and the study has become extremely hard, could not remember anything I read. Memory is something i never had an issue with, I've been doing brain training exercises for over 20 years. Since being on this drug, my memory is poor, cholesterol went through the roof and cant be controlled, I've been diagnosed with liver disease, my skin does not react well to sunlight for long periods, I've gained 60lbs, I'm constantly tired, irritable and suffer insomnia.

I spoke with another doctor and told him the whole story now he has me weaning off Pristiq so I'm finally coming off it after being on it for almost 5 years. The planned reduction, is from 150 to 100mg for 2 months, to 50mg for 2 months, switch to Efexor 75mg (and 0.25 Xanax 2 times a day for 3 days, then once a day for 3 days) then just efexor 75 for 2 months, reduce Efexor to 37.5 for 2 months, switch to Prozac 10mg with the Xanax repeat for 6 days, then just prozac for a month, each month cutting the prozac by half for 2 months...at the end 0.25 xanax once a day for a 2 weeks to reduce brain zaps, 1/2 xanax to a week, then nothing...12 months to get off this awful drug.

After the first reduction in Pristiq, I was able to maintain an erection for longer than a few minutes. I'm about to drop Pristiq to 50mg.

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For everyone's benefit. We did find a compounding pharmacy. Taking 20 mg in am and 20 in pm (original dose was 50mg 1x a day). 1 week in. So far so good. I will keep you posted. Thank you LN.

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thank you im just in the process of doing the same I've had a week at every second day... was going to go cold turkey next week but might follow your advice it was good to be on but time to give it a go....I've lost weight, started exercising, dealt with some other health problems, got my kids in order, now its time for me yey!!! good luck anyone in the same boat!

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Yes, it can be split. Please read the many ways that people have stopped this awful drug. My daughter found acupuncture helpful. She didn't want to go, I begged her so we could finally get some sleep. She had a difficult withdrawal and the relief was immediate with acupuncture. Find a recommends one that specializes in drug withdrawal. Good luck...you're on your way to a full life!

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Hi Annie,
I had tried splitting the 50mg in half and ended up getting pretty sick - probably due to what is referred to as "medicine dumping". It has something to do with the way Pristiq is formulated...it is not designed to be split/cut in half although I have heard of people trying to do this.
I would recommend finding a holistic MD who can help you through this. I ended up going off Pristiq cold turkey and had major problems with dizziness and feeling disoriented (and overall just awful). My doctor added a low dose of lexapro 10mg to help get me through the transition stage. Adding vitamin D and fish oil seemed to help too... just be patient, easy on yourself and know that it is a process! I had been on it for 2 1/2 years - and after being completely off Pristiq for 2 1/2 months now - feel better - and so much clearer than I have in a long long time!! best wishes!!

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Hello!
My husband is weaning off of this drug, doing all the things you advised and he is definitely improving with the whole withdrawal stage. We are talking through the rebound, he is exercising and the brain zaps are improving. I did however want to ask you what holistic meds you are on as we would definitely want to go that route. Thanks for sharing your story, it has given him peace of mind that the brain zaps and head aches, fatigue and rebound symptoms are within what is to be expected and will improve.

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I am on day four of cold turkey. I should have never started taking pristiq. Had I known how hard it was to come off of I never would have used it. I was on it for a year or so because of lack of energy and thought process. At first it went well but the last fee months I was angry. I could hide my anger from my family but I was making bad bad decisions! Bad! Financially bad and selfish! I had to stop taking it and find out who I am again. I hope and pray I can manage the withdrawals. I cry a lot but I must go on and take care of my family!

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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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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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