Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• January 28, 2010 9:48 p.m.

  This is the first day with this med and my Anxiety is gone. I usually wake up and think I am going to die. This feeling is gone. So far this is a wonder drug.

  - Fred

• January 26, 2010 8:38 p.m.

  I tried Pristiq for two months. It seemed to help to some degree with the depression, but I was exhausted and slept too much. It was also very rough on my stomach. I agree with DP's comment and also felt shielded from emotion rather than experiencing increased ability/stability to improve my reactions to situations. After trying so many different drugs and therapy over a very long time, I am now investigating ETC.

  - Kathryn

• January 26, 2010 11:14 a.m.

  Made the decision today to stop Pristiq after 6 months. It did help with the depression, but the fatigue was too much. My joints ache as well. I'm going to exercise and continue with acupuncture and B-12 injections. Dr. said to go cold turkey. We shall see and I will post the symptons if any.

  - Melissa

• January 25, 2010 3:54 p.m.

  I have been on Pristiq for approx 6 months. It has helped with the depression and my emotions are good. I am happy. I work out regularly and eat well. I do get severe fatigue twice a month that is crippling. I am now trying acupuncture to assist with this side effect.

  - Melissa

• January 24, 2010 3:35 p.m.

  I did not respond to Pristiq well at all. I felt "shielded from emotion" rather than an increase in my ability/stability to improve my reaction to situations. I back to Cymbalta whic seems to be just so-so this time around. Has worked in the past, not sure what to do at this point im just not there again...still.

  - DP

• January 18, 2010 10:10 p.m.

  I have been taking Pristiq for about 6 weeks and it does seem to be helping. Initially I was prescribed Prozac which did not seem to work, so my doctor switched me to Pristiq. However, I was alarmed at how expensive it is - $50 to fill the prescription. Also, I've noticed the sexual side effects of delayed ejaculation and sometimes inability to have orgasm.

  - pat

• January 12, 2010 10:13 p.m.

  I have treatment-resistant depression and have tried just about every anti-depressant out there because nothing ever works, not even ECT (shock therapy). Pristiq has been the best for me so far, giving me a small amount of relief. Have had no side-effects and am on 100mg. Until something better comes along I will stay with this.

  - judeen

• January 1, 2010 12:40 a.m.

  Pristiq has change my relationship with my husband. He has been taking it for about 6 months. We have lost all signs of physical contact. My husband use to want it all the time. Is there something to take to offset his nonfunctional sex drive?

  - linda

• December 30, 2009 10:46 a.m.

  JENN: I have been on Pristiq for a month. I am also on Lyrica for Fibromyalgia, I just started them both! Lucky ME! Not good in a Customer Service job! . Formally on Cymbalta before the diagnosis, and it did not work for Fibromyalgia pain or depression. I'm not sure which brain blocker is releasing my inner Pitt Bull, but I really need to find out before I chew someone's ear off.

  - Cat

• December 27, 2009 12:34 p.m.

  I have been on pristiq for 3 months. In the beginning it was great i lost about 10 pounds and now i gained it back. i am very sleepy during the day and i wake up in the middle of the night and i cannot go back to sleep. i want to switch to another but i am afraid of the weightgain. does anyone know of one without weightgain? i tried lexapro, and wellbutrin and hated th e weightgain. i would rather walk around wanting to puke then gain weight help me

  - louie

• December 22, 2009 2:19 p.m.

  I have suffered from Diabetes for 35 years, which has caused my depression that I've had about 13 years. I have tried Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Prozac and Effexor over the years. I have taken Paxil for the last 3 or 4 with great results. Recently, though, it isn't enough and I was suffering from insomnia, anxiety and severe depression. My family doctor gave me Clonipin. It really helped with the sleep issues. I now see a psychiatrist and he started me on Pristiq 2 weeks ago. The difference is night and day. I feel so much better. I only take 20 mg of Paxil and one .05 mg clonipin at night for sleeping. I am sleeping all night now and it is great!

  - jr

• December 22, 2009 8:48 a.m.

  This is in reply to Jenn's comment on Dec. 8th re: "unexplained aggression". Jenn, your comment stopped me in my tracks because I think I am experiencing the same symptom. I have been on Effexor XR for over 10 years but my libido on it is non exixtent. I have been on Pristiq for 2 weeks now and have realized I seem to be on the attack all the time. Everything pisses me off. I thought it was just due to Christmas stresses but your comment made me realize I had been wondering if it was the medication. I see my family Doctor tomorrow and will bring this to his attention. Thank you for voicing your concern and making me more aware of my symptoms too.

  - Debby

• December 18, 2009 12:18 p.m.

  I'm on my second week of Pristiq and love it! I've been on Lexapro 10mg for several years, but had gotten to where I slept all the time and started gaining weight, could not stop eating. I was feeling very depressed. Within 2 days, I felt better.I'm up bright and early every morning and able to stay up until 9pm or 10 and I'm not craving food all of the time. Hope it stays this way!

  - Karen

• December 16, 2009 1:38 p.m.

  I just started the Pristiq due to menopausal symptoms and I am wondering if anyone else has tried Pristiq along with progesterone pills? the progesterone alone was not doing anything for my lowness and so I started the pristiq not even a week ago.

  - mj

• December 11, 2009 12:59 p.m.

  Been on Prisiq for 3 months: Side effects: no appatiete, erectile disfuction, delay in orgasm....I quit cold turkey 5 days ago (I know Im not suppose to) but other than brain buzz and being a bit spacey and tired I feel good, the symptoms are going away and I am ready to be off the phsycoactive drugs for good.

  - L

• December 8, 2009 4:44 p.m.

  has anybody experienced an unexplained aggression after they started taking Pristiq?

  - jenn

• December 3, 2009 1:34 a.m.

  I was on Effexor at first and it was brilliant, went off it withdrawal was o.k. The a few years later symtoms returned Effexor didnt help, Aropax was o.k. but the worse horrible withdrawal ever. Then Effexor but still not the same good results a first time. Zoloft, was o.k. but I felt too vague, back to Effexor which is o.k. but the side effects seems to be bad this time, which before I have never had with any anit depressant. Next I'll try Escitalpram. But in my opinion Aropax is just cruel.

  - Sharon-Aust

• November 30, 2009 3:12 p.m.

  I have suffered major depressive disorder for the last 12 years. About a year ago, I was diagnosed with bi-polar II disorder. I have been on just about every antidepressant made and have been hospitalized and underwest shock therapy, to no avail. New meds work for a few months, then stop working. I can totally relate to so many on this blog. I am on Zyprexa and Effexor. The Effexor is losing it's effect, and I've had this experience before. Added 100 mg. Elavil today, and feel better. When I see my doctor this week, I will ask to try the Pristiq. The hell of this disease is sometimes completely unbearable, and I feel for all of you who have to endure it. My heart goes out to us all.

  - Diane

• November 28, 2009 12:31 a.m.

  Can anyone tell me how to wean myself off Pristiq. I have been taking it for just over a month now and I hate it. It will be another month before I can see my Dr and I do not want to wait that long. Help!! Irene

  - Irene

• November 27, 2009 10:16 a.m.

  Hi I've been on Luvox CR 100mg then 150mg for about 3 months now. i have been feeling a little bit better but I have been so fatigued it has been difficult to do much of anything. I was thinking about asking my Dr. to add something for a bit more pep, like Wellbutrin. Does anyone have any ideas?? This fatigue is too much.

  - John

• November 25, 2009 10:51 a.m.

  I'm not sure what to do. I've been taking Zoloft for 10 years and It doesn't seem to be working as well anymore. My Doctor is recommending Pristiq. I'm afraid it might make me feel worse. When I first starting taking Zoloft it made me feel so much better. Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

  - Vicky

• November 25, 2009 1:49 a.m.

  I've been on Cymbalta 60mg for a couple of years. Lately I have been sleepy, weepy and not interested in my normal activities. So it seems it has stopped working. I had similar experiences with Effexor and Celexa. I'm interested in trying Pristiq. The weight loss effect would be nice as I've gained 50 pounds after starting antidepressants about 7 years ago. I've read most of the comments and the side effects of starting Pristiq sound similar to what I've experienced before. What should I expect upon changing to Pristiq from Cymbalta?

  - Patricia

• November 24, 2009 10:27 a.m.

  Been on Pristiq for a little bit over a month. I have been off from Pristiq for 6 days now. I used to take Cymbalta for about 4 years. Worse experience of all antidepresants I tried before. High blood pressure Ringing in the ears -- still have it Pain in my joints - especially ankles and fingers. Headaches - awful never had headaches before Dizzines Hot flashes Forgetful On the positive side: It allowed me to go to sleep and stay asleep all night. I made the decision to take myself off of all antidepressants. I rather live the depression than the side effects some of these medications give you. I did start taking B12, Gingo Biloba, & Omega-3. I hope this works. I asked the insurance if they would pay for a vacation to Puerto Rico - it will surely get rid of my depression!! Well, it was denied, ha ha ha. Lisa

  - Lisa

• November 19, 2009 10:35 a.m.

  Thank you for your interest in our blog- we cannot verify all references you send in. Please respect that we remove sources that we have not verified or know are sound. Thank you.

  - MC.Com staff

• November 19, 2009 2:48 a.m.

  I have been reading and really appreciate all you ppl have taken time to share. I have fibromyalgia and depression for 20 yrs now, tried everything, not exagerating. I am looking for something that will work to alleviate pain, without knocking me out cold with fatigue, and lift the incredible sadness I cannot seem to escape. I do not understand why more researchers do not try to find cures for these devastating illnesses. Sometimes I feel like I am "walking but dead", laying thinking of what I could do, should do, would give anything to do with my children, my family, my job, my friends. Fibro and Depression also are similar in that you look great, so people cannot understand why you cannot produce, work, smile, whatever. I am not bitter. I am just an old soul at this tour and maybe been on it too long. I am thinking of trying one more thing ... Pristiq, to see how it goes. Thanks for all your info and candor.

  - Denise