Desvenlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Theo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2017

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I started on lexapro in my early diagnoses with depression it worked but then I became immune to the drug. Then my psychiatrist recommended Effexor which also worked for the short term. However that was in the early years. For the past few years I have been on pristiq I started on 50mg which did a good job of controlling the anxiety and lifting me out of depression, last week my psychiatrist upped my dose to 100mgs so see how I go with this. I am also on epilim 1000mgs daily as well as 200mgs of seroquel for sleep disorder. I think taking extra pristiq will help though see how I go."

• Help...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I’m a 29 year old female who had been on citalopram for about 12 years. I noticed my moods going down and talked to my doctor who put me on pristiq 50mg. I took it for 5 weeks and everything went so far downhill. The medication did not help me at all. Now I am trying a new medication (sertraline). I hate having to start over because I know these are slow acting. But taking pristiq for 5 weeks and it not doing anything was too long for me. It got to the point where I cry all the time for no reason and I’m just so sad. I’ve been off pristiq for 7 days now and have no “brain zaps” that everyone is talking about. Thank goodness for that at least. I do not recommend this medication but as everyone knows not everything works for some people."

• Thean...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have tried basically every SSRI out there, and a handful of SNRIs. I've tried ketamine and TMS for my treatment resistant major depressive disorder. My psychiatrist ordered a gene study to see what meds could work for me, and this one was basically the only one on the list that said would work for me. I have been on Pristiq 2 months now, and feel a difference! *knocks on wood* I'm not cured by any means, but I'd say this paired with lamotragine for my pms related mood swings, I feel like I can at least deal with life. I also recommend to anyone suffering with mental illnesses, ask your doc for genetic testing, it can at least give you ideas of what to try or what to avoid."

• spiked
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have refractory depression. I have tried many many antidepressants. Over the holidays, my best friend passed away. I was emotionless. I could not grieve. I didn't have lows, I didn't have highs - I couldn't grieve!! I've been on Pristiq for a week now and hope for the best."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2015

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "General mood levelling, couldn't really feel any emotion which became monotonous & unbearable. Also not recommended if you have an eating disorder & cannot always force yourself to have it with food. Caused crippling nausea & copious amounts of excess gas to sit in my stomach, this still hasn't left after more than a year of stopping. Not for everyone."

• Meech
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2023

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "One week, so far, so good. I normally have severe anger issues, crippling anxiety, and depression. Lexapro stopped working after a few months. Zoloft ruined my sex drive. Prozac made me have throat swelling and chest pain. Pristiq seems to be working. No anxiety, I wake up with lots of energy for once, and a good mood. Full of joy. The only downside is it's harder to finish during sex, but not impossible. Without meds, I normally last only 30 seconds anyway, so this pretty much evens out my sexual stamina. It helps me to go longer to satisfy my partners. Yes, I said partners. For once, I'm able to maintain healthy relationships with multiple partners. I'm polygamous and I provide for my partners financially and emotionally. They are happy, and so am I. I normally can't keep a girlfriend for longer than a day without getting angry and upset about something trivial."

• Abs
• August 25, 2016

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Pristq. Well. It's still early days but I'd like to share my experience already with this medication. (I'm only on 50mg, no idea how in the world people are surviving on 100mg). The first few days can be described basically as absolute hell on earth. The side effects kicked in almost immediately after waking up the morning after taking it (night dose). It honestly felt exactly like coming down hard off ecstasy. I had absolutely no ability to function for hours. Then the nausea, the dizziness, the headaches, the jaw clenching, out of body feeling, feelings of euphoria and depression all at once. In short it was an absolute joy! But it does get better! And it really works a treat. I find myself laughing a lot more, anxiety is half as bad."

• Life...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2021

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Pristiq has changed my life. I am confident and happy. I put myself out there and now have two new job offers, when doing job interviewing in the past was a huge issue for me. Obviously everyone is different, but this medication is worth a try! My only negative side effect is that I no longer have much of an appetite so I have to remind myself to eat."

• Sleep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2020

"I've went through 12 other medications to help my depression and desvenlafaxine was the only one that remotely began to help my MDD. I was truly scared there was no hope for me. It has actually saved my life. I've learned since this that I have a methylfolate deficiency, and take a supplement along with this med. If you've tried a few types of antidepressants and they aren't effective, I would recommend asking your doctor about the possibility of having a methylfolate deficiency or to try some testing out to see what could be going on. Every brain is different. That aside, this drug has made me feel like I'm alive for once in my life. I could not be more grateful for being prescribed it. I had no side effects I can recall and I can feel true emotions and happiness thanks to desvenlafaxine. This drug is gentle on the body too, compared to other medications. I'm glad I finally have something to aid my depression."

• resde...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I had a horrible experience with this drug. I took one pill and felt like I was on some horrible trip for two days straight. Confused, nauseous, insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations when I closed my eyes. VERY strong medicine"

• Nmsully
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Appears to work faster then the multiple varieties of other drugs Drs have tried over the last 28 years. It’s a bit numbing at times but it’s better than the way I usually feel. I wish it did more for anxiety but nothing except addictive drugs work for my major anxiety/agoraphobia. That’s the worst because now Drs refuse to give any benzo's to anyone w/ any precious addictive issues. Which to me is like telling a cancer patient they can't have pain meds. It’s definitely discriminatory. But the Prestiq HAS helped a bit better and faster then prob 10 + other kinds I’ve been prescribed as a lab rat."

• 34...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have major depressive disorder & general anxiety disorder, so I was put on Pristiq. The sexual side effects are there but not as bad as other medications in the past, it's getting better the longer I'm on Pristiq, and the problems are going away with sexual side effects. I'm feeling better in situations that would cause severe depression, although the anxiety is still present at times. It's not as bad, I still have heart palpitations from panic attacks, but I'm starting to wonder if it may be some other health problem or a panic attack. My vision is a little blurry, but that's fine as I seem to be happier, and the spouts of crying are going away; easier to accept emotionally upsetting situations or deal with child custody; the other parent is a sociopath that likes to get a reaction, this medication has helped me think less emotionally and more logical in this situation. Hopefully, this works for the time, but I don't plan on being on meds forever. I started a 25mg dose and am currently taking 50mg."

• Writi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2018

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I would probably give pristiq a zero if I could. As far as antidepressants go it was average in terms of mood-boosting, energy-boosting etc. but the side effects ruined my life. I gained around 15 pounds I can’t lose regardless of diet and exercise within around 3 months. And tapering off made me sicker than I have ever been in my life, as well as lose total control of my emotions—crying, angry outbursts, etc. yes Between depression and these side effects, I would take the depression. By the way, I’ve been off the drug almost a month and am still dealing with residual effects of the drug."

• toffy...
• February 28, 2019

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I’ve been taking 100mg for 12 months. It has made absolutely no difference whatsoever to my depression. I’ve gained (20 kg) 40 lbs, not lost. Pristiq states that weight loss is common. No side effects. Disappointed that this med is like taking a placebo."

• Kaydee
• September 29, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I had inflammation due to a skin cancer procedure which resulted in heart palpitations. The cardiologist prescribed metopropolol. The first day on metopropolol, I felt moody; the second day, depressed; the third day, I had my first anxiety attack. I was 67 years old, never had a panic attack before, and didn't even know what it was. I called the cardio, and they switched BP meds 4 times. I had to take each med for 6 weeks to "get past the side effects." We discovered BP meds actually raise my BP. I continued to have panic attacks every morning after quitting the BP meds. The doctor tried several SSRIs, then sent me in for genetic testing. She said that my hypertension might be due to anxiety. She put me on Pristiq, 25 mgs. I have been on it for 3 days now. My stomach feels funny and my vision is blurry. But the morning anxiety attack was not as intense this morning. I am feeling hopeful."

• alaya
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2018

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I was prescribed Pristiq after trying Lovan, Zoloft, and Mirtazipine with no avail and this was the only antidepressant that I could feel actually working. However, the side effects I experienced were an extremely dry mouth, unusual dreams and zero libido or ability to orgasm. After about 9 months I could tell it had stopped working so my psychiatrist decided to wean me off my 100mg dose; it was absolutely the hardest thing. I felt so physically sick all the time, would vomit constantly and every time I moved my eyes I got the 'brain zaps'. It took me about two months to wean myself completely off, however I was still feeling the withdrawal a full three weeks after I stopped taking it. I would only recommend this medication if you plan on staying on it for the rest of your life and I am very happy to be off it."

• Brett
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2015

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Was on this for about 3 weeks. Sleep was horrible or almost non existent. Was very anxious all day. Could barely leave the house and was shaky all the time. Made me way too amped up. I have treatment resistant depression. Thought this might be worth a try after failing with many SSRIs (Zoloft was only one that worked for the most part but didn't get me all the way there). Can help some people with anxiety. I was not one of them. Wanted to give it 4 weeks but could barely make the 3 week mark before I cracked."

• Mom
• January 7, 2021

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "It made my son a monster changed his personality 360. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION ITS NOT GOOD!! PLEASE!!!! Never slept causes severe INSOMNIA. If I could give this medication a - - -1000000000 I would"

• Raeje...
• November 11, 2016

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I was on Effexor and Wellbutrin for several years and I have gained 20 lbs. That made me more depressed about myself. I told the PA I would like to try a new generation of anti depressants to see if anything changes. It has been a week and I feel great ! My anxiety has been greatly reduced! It is like how amazing life is without being afraid or worrying about everything. I still take the Wellbutrin and that is all I want to take. She wants to add Ability, that has so many bad side effects...it something to celebrate to not force a smile....good luck"

• melowee
• January 28, 2018

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I've been on this about three weeks. I'm dealing with constipation, blurry vision, inability to empty my bladder, and HORRIFIC insomnia. However, the deep depression has lifted about 75%. I will give this one more week. If the insomnia doesn't clear up by then, I will go off the drug."

• DDinr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2017

"My rating of 1 is for GENERIC Pristiq, desvenlafaxine - should not be in the market, not even close to brand PRISTIQ... I was doing amazingly well, better than ever in my 47 years, on a nice small dose of 50mg, PRISTIQ not desvenlafaxine (generic); believe me, I've tried EVERYTHING including that killer serazone- think they took that one off market. Now, I am writing this after two weeks in bed wondering WTF? Thanks to all the posts, I get it. Insurance switched me to generic 3 months ago, it all makes sense now. Gradually, almost insidiously, I've been slipping down, gaining weight, feeling lethargic, irritable not able to cope with talking on the phone so I was chalking it up to PMS or pre-menopausal.... WRONG WRONG WRONG..."

• Cardi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2021

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I felt 100% better after stopping Pristiq. It is awful as others have said on here. This stuff made my symptoms so much worse. Couple that with the worst side effects I have ever experienced on an antidepressant made Prestiq less than ineffective for me. Paxil works way better for me."

• OverT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2021

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "While Pristiq helped with my PTSD and MDD, it caused an unusual side effect. Look up Pristiq and brain zaps. I was on it for 4 years and have been off this medication for 3 years now, and I still occasionally have this horrible electrical shock sensation in my brain."

• Toucat
• March 22, 2017

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I was prescribed Pristiq about 6 months ago and am currently on the highest dose. It took me awhile to commit to taking it because the side effects were awful. Headaches, groggy feeling, dry mouth, and constipation. I've been on it consistently now and the only difference I see is that I feel more numb. I still feel and think the same but my outbursts have calmed down since the medicine makes me so exhausted. I have also gained a lot of weight from this medication. The good part about this medicine for me is I get coupons for it and basically get it for free."

• Jack
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Might be helpful. Still have anxiety when I wake in the morning. Have anxiety and anxiousness throughout the day. Feel much better later in the day and evening. So for me, Pristiq might be helping. Take 150mg. I wish it worked better. I may try something else. I would like to try the DNA test."