Weaning Off Pristiq For Good
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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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Re: Jeanneen (# 436)

Hi Jeanneen, I was on 50mg Pristiq for 3 years. I found it terribly difficult to get off as there is no smaller dose than 50mg. I saw a doctor here in Sydney who changed me over to prozac at the same dosage and we weened off slowly over 2 months from there. I worked amazingly well, I only had one headache period of about 3 days and 1 panic attack. You do 2x20mg per day for a week, then 20+10, then 20, then 10 then one 10 every second day for 5 days, then nothing. Please talk to your doctor about this, it was the only thing that got me off those terrible pills.

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10 days off of 100 mg of Pristiq that was on for 9.5 yrs.

Horrible withdrawal symptoms, brain zaps, dizziness, tingling and prickling body sensations all over, feels like skin crawling.

Want to know if anyone has these and do they go away with time? This is hell.

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Re: Kattie (# 434)

Hi Katey, I weaned off after 2 yrs on Pristiq 50mg. My doctor switched me to Prozac 20mg (2x tablets for a fortnight, then 1, then half, then nothing). Please ask your doctor to do the same for you. It was the only thing that worked for me and apart from one real anxiety attack which lasted about 30mins and a slight headache for a couple of days I suffered no real hard withdrawals. I wish you the best

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Do you think is ok to stop cold turkey after only being on 2 weeks? I’m scared

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Re: Sick of meds (# 16)

Hi my name is Rose I was on 50 mg of Pristiq for 10 years just last month I started taking half and now I'm down to 12.5 mg I have hope and strength that I will conquer this I feel great at 12.5 and I know I will be cold turkey by next week yes the side effects are horrible the zaps the nausea the dizziness the headaches dry mouth it's horrible but you can get through thru this good luck and God give you strength

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I was prescribed Pristiq 50mg for anxiety I experienced when a best friend died suddenly and I was taking on too much with work and a post-graduate degree. Once on the drug it was extremely hard to come off ( i was on it for 3 years due to not having a spare 2 months to go through the horrendous withdrawal symptoms). Luckily my girlfriend got me to see her doctor, he changed my life by putting me on Fluoxetine (Prozac) 20mg tablets to tapper off Pristiq. I took 2x 20mg for 2 weeks, then 2.5 for 2 weeks, then 1x week, 0.5 for 10 days, then nothing. I had my last pill a week ago!! I am so happy to be done with these drugs. The only episode of side effects I had was about 3 days after coming down to 0.5 tablet every second day. I had an episode of panic attacks which lasted about 45 mins, I was drinking alcohol at the time. It was very intense but luckily only last 45 mins and then went away. After that I had minor headaches for 3 days, floating feeling a couple of times a day for a couple of days. All very minor though, I wish I had met this doctor years ago. Anyway I really hope this helps as I felt helpless to come off Pristiq for years, especially in Australia as there is only a 50mg tablet.

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I am interested in going off pristiq as well and wanting a holistic approach. What did you use herbal wise during your weaning process?

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Re: Love to Help get off Pristiq (# 429)

How are you doing now after being off Pristiq? You came off very fast which is not recommended. Severe side effects from withdrawal can last for months if you come off too quickly. In fact, many end up right back on another antidepressant because they think what they are experiencing is more of what originally got them put on Pristiq for. Most doctors don't have a clue how to safely withdraw from this medication! The longer you've been taking it the longer it will take to wean. A drop of no more than 10% every 2 to 4 weeks is what is recommended if you want to avoid awful side effects and you don't want to be right back on another psychotropic. Weaning too fast or cold turkey discontinuation is very dangerous. Please be careful.

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Re: Sick of meds (# 16)

Cold turkey is super dangerous with Pristiq. I never would have believed that myself but a few days without it and it was like I was literally ill with sweating and the stomach flu and complete and total body instability. I would seriously NOT stop pristine cold turkey. I cut 50 mg tablets in half for more than a week and it has been 5 days now without anything and I still feel sick. Please be careful with this.

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Weaning off pristiq from 100 to 50, then 0 with Zoloft. Anyone have such an experience?

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I have gone through the most horrible withdrawal from not taking this drug. I stopped it and 2 days later I was having the worst brain problem, like there was sir in there and I was so dizzy. Nauseated the worst ever. Broke blood vessels on my face. Called the doc and she had me take 1/2a pill ( I was on 100mg) for two weeks and then every other day for two weeks and then every 3rd day. I was in really bad shape but after I took the 1/2 pill I felt somewhat better within an hour. Be very careful with this medication

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I know this is an old thread but I thought I would post my story if someone needed the encouragement.

I actually got off pristiq after taking it for 4 years. I substituted it with Zoloft which I prefer because it is easier to get off and doesn't make you almost indifferent to what is going on.

I was on 100 mg pristiq and changed my medication over 3 weeks. 1 st week I took 50 mg pristiq with 50 mg Zoloft. Second week I took 50 mg pristiq with 100 mg of Zoloft and third week I took only 200 mg of Zoloft. On the first week after like 3 days I felt a little brainzap from pristiq and I took an extra 50 mg like my doctor said I could do but after that no withdrawal symptoms from pristiq.

It's been about 2 months now and I feel better and are happy with the new medication.

Hope you can use this as an encouraging story to change medications.

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I just wanted to let you know about some music sources that help with anxiety, depression, energy.. Find the site called wholetones, very calming. They are the notes the Shepard David played for the King. They are also the notes referred to in the song Hallelujah. Helps me sleep

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I understand panic attacks...horrible feeling, but very normal for your situation. When you are completely off Pristiq, it might get bad. Check out a good acupuncturist. Brain zaps, light sensitivity, headache, irritation...few possible. Eat healthy, take walks, exercise...care for yourself. God bless.

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Hi nancy..ty for your kind words.so far no withdraw.the prozac must be helping.i am down to 25 mg of pristiq.i do this for 3 more days then take only the prozac. Everybody is different .the pristiq has been a horrible experience for me.i know my husband passing away has shattered my life.but im having severe fear.panic attacks and bad depression.i hope this prozac does something.i was afraid to take it at first but the pharmacist said its a very good dtug for my symptoms. My son needs me.i miss my husband terribly.i will pray for all of us that are suffering depression its horrible.WISH ME LUCK. GOD BLESS YOU ALL

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How are you doing today? I am praying that you're taking good care of yourself. It will be very helpful to read thru this post for suggestions and strength. God bless. Take it a day at a time.

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It is hard to come off of, but my daughter did it. Sadness and anxiety is normal. If you didn't experience it, especially after all you have gone through, it would be rare. Give yourself a hug....you are your caretaker. Love yourself. Accept yourself. Allow yourself time to grieve. Care for yourself like you would your son.

There is a lot of information in this site. Read what others have to suggest. It will take awhile. You will be better. God is with you. You are in my prayers. Fight for yourself? God bless. I'm here, if you need. I care

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Thank you for your kind words.i will try acupuncture.i wish i could get a hig.my hearts broken.i want off the pristiq so bad.ty again and GOD BLESS YOU

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I wish I could give you a big hug. I'm so sorry, you definitely have reason to feel depressed and anxious. I pray that you find comfort with the knowledge that God is with you. Your son is a blessing. Keep him as a healthy focus. I recommend constantly the help my daughter received with acupuncture. It was amazing for her. As others have found....eating well and exercise are helpful. Take care of yourself. Nurture yourself at this overwhelming time. It will get better. God bless you and your son. Your husband is still with you, feel his strength and love.

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My husband passed from an unexpected heart attack.i had already been on pristique a couple mths.im so depressed having panic attacks and im so afraid.i know this isnt normal.i told my doc he wanted me to stay on it longer.my depression is so bad.i told him i need something different.im on 50 mg of pristiq.he gave me 25 mg of pristiq and prozac.he told me to take the prozac daily and 25 mg of pristiq for a week.im so afraid i have tried to taper down once.does anybody think taking the prozac will help me.i died inside im also in therapy.my husband was only 45 and i found him.i pray this works.i have a 16 yr old son depending on me.hes my world.i dont like the pristiq at all.has anybody else switched like this? Please if so i need some info from people who have gone through it..bless u all.

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