Weight Gain And Depression After Getting Off Pristiq

I weaned myself off Pristiq over the summer and felt fine for a couple months. Then I gained 40 POUNDS in what couldn't have been more than two months. Waist grew 2 inches during that time. Now it's almost March and I've been more depressed over the last couple of months than ever in my life. I rarely have any energy and can't lose the weight. The reason I weaned myself off is because I mistakenly thought I didn't need it any more (the doctor who prescribed it said it "teaches" the brain how to produce whatever it does after a couple years and you don't need it any more). I'm going back on it and praying I feel like myself again - this is a miserable existence. Also, I haven't been able to find weight gain as a symptom of discontinuing Pristiq.

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No, sadly it doesn't 'teach' the brain anything. If your depression issues are due to a chemical imbalance, then there's a chance you'll always need to take some type of medication to help rectify it.

The weight gain could be due to your depression, rather than stopping the medication. Most people who suffer from depression tend to use food as a coping mechanism, even if they don't realize it. However, it would be best to consult your doctor to make sure there is nothing else going on.

The FDA lists the typical side effects for Pristiq as possibly include nausea, dizziness, headache and dry mouth.

Are you on any other medications?

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Thank you. Yes, I'm on a couple other meds but have been for years and never experienced weight gain on them. I had blood work done recently and nothing turned up regarding the weight gain. I think once I'm back on Pristiq it will work as well as it did before, which will allow me to get my metabolism back up. I've never been this depressed for so long before, so I guess that's what caused the weight gain. It was absolutely shocking, but unfortunately not enough to jolt me out of it. Looking forward to Pristiq and summertime exercise helping me lose the weight.

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Hi all. My wife has just gone cold turkey from Pristiq in the past two weeks and along with major headaches and brain zaps is really suffering badly. The main thing that is causing us problems is the major bloating of her stomach after having food. She is only around 45-46 kilos but her stomach bloats out like she is 8 months pregnant and is causing her major pain and suffering and also adding to her depression and anxiety.
She has been taking Pristiq for a couple of years and was on 100mg before ceasing to take.
Whilst she was taking the drug it seemed to take away her vitality and she always seemed very tired and subdued
Has anyone else had this problem when coming off and how did they deal with it?. Also how long did it take to get their life back on track.

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Exactly what has happened to me and it's 2022.

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