User Reviews for Pristiq

I have been on Pristiq for 4 months now. Having never been treated for any kind of depression or mood disorder I wasn't sure what to expect. The first 2 months I was at 50mg, had few side effects of headache and nausea but those subsided and I was generally feeling just not happy.. not sad. I asked my doctor to try 100mg and she agreed to go for it. Now 2 months later on the 100mg I FEEL GREAT! No real side effects with the exception of hot flashes and sweats now and then, but nothing too uncomfortable. I think the difference is higher dosage being more effective in my case is because I am overweight to begin with. I am down about 12 pounds now and blood pressure is holding steady (132/82) too.

I'm not officially reviewing yet, but I want to take a moment to thank all of you who add your most personal experiences to a board like this. I have battled depression for decades, been on a dozen different medicines, they all seem to flame out after a while. I loved Wellbutrin for a week until my eyes swelled shut and I had a full body rash. Lucky I was able to get to the doctor in time as I was in a hotel in D.C. having this anaphylactic reaction. To me the greatest thing about the internet is all of the communities that form, help each other. And for those of us who are depressed and may feel symptoms that push us away from the normal joys of life, at least we can be at home here with like minded souls. Thank you all.

I just started this medicine and cannot rate it yet. I feel though that this medicine is the one for me though. Cymbalta was terrible in my opinion. Will get back in 2 weeks.

I have been on Pristiq for about a year now, I have depression, and rage disorder, I have been a lot better but recently I am starting to feel as though I just don't care to go on. I am not sure if I am developing a tolerance to the drug but I am starting to worry about getting the blues completely back. I had an episode recently where I went straight to rage, no being upset or mad, just straight to aggression. I yelled and screamed but did not hurt anyone. I have not felt like this since before Pristiq. I am only posting this to warn of what may be down the road for some. I have an appointment with my doctor to see what is next. Just when I thought this was over.

This is the most amazing medicine! I am on day 7, 50mg. I am able to focus, I have energy, my appetite is in control, I am calm, no sexual side affects. I couldn't be happier. Also what I have noticed, my addictive tendencies are gone, like wanting wine almost every night to help me wind down, no longer need it. I take it in the morning when I wake up. I can't wait to be off the medicine someday were I can be my old self again, but this has been a good start to my help. I took Zoloft 100mg for 2 months and gained 10 pounds. Wellbutrin, made me actually overeat as well, and I was so hyper. I guess to each his own, and I have finally found mine.

I have suffered from depression for over 25 years. I've taken more medicines than I can count, none of which have worked very long. I have been on Pristiq for over a year and it is working well. There are side effects, but they are tolerable and most go away with time.

I have been on Pristiq for just over a week. I have tried everything in the last 10 years and nothing worked for me. Then I tried Pristiq and guess what? I'm a normal person now. No more depression, sadness or anxiety. And I sleep better too! The dark cloud has lifted!

I am so happy I tried this miracle medicine. I am 32 and was diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression when I was 18. I have been on and off Zoloft since I was diagnosed. At first Zoloft helped with my diagnosis but I had a lot of side effects including; NO sex drive, being tired all the time, and feeling flat(not happy or sad). I also tried Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Buspar. This is the only medicine for me. I have only been on Pristiq for 5 days but I already feel happier and best of all hello libido! I thought I was going to live out the rest of my life on a roller coaster of being on and then taking myself off of the Zoloft and on no medicines, just so that I could feel closer to my boyfriend. You do not have to choose between happiness and a libido! Thank you Pristiq!

I was put on Pristiq for postpartum depression. I had already been on Zoloft but had to stop due to severe fatigue. I only stayed on Pristiq for 1 week and it was the worst week. I had horrible headaches, nausea and was suicidal. I had fatigue with this medicine as well. It definitely did not work for me. The only good thing is it decreased my appetite significantly.

I've suffered severe depression for the last 20 years. I've been on Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Cymbalta and Lexapro. My neurologist prescribed Pristiq 2 months ago. I recently told her at my follow-up visit, "For the first time in 20 years, life doesn't suck." I wake up in the morning well-rested. My mind is clear. When I go to bed at night, I'm actually tired (no more insomnia!) and I sleep really well. I used to be a stress eater; now I only eat when it's meal time and have less of an appetite. The only negative side effect for me has been constipation, but it's manageable. I had pretty much given up any kind of hope that feeling better was possible. I'm glad I was wrong!

Taking 50 mg/day for about 3 months for depression/OCD/ anxiety mix. Was previously on 40 mg of Prozac which worked well but had some cognitive clouding on occasion (seems seasonally dependent). Pristiq worked well for about 2 months then had terrible side effects of headache, inability to concentrate, irritability, constipation.

I am on a lot of medication, but thanks to the previous comment, it may be the Pristiq that is causing my constant hot flashes!

I was taking Pristiq for 3 weeks and it was working well. After six weeks I started experiencing extreme agitation and severe headaches where I could not function.

Give Pristiq time. I've been on Pristiq for 3 and 1/2 weeks and the first 2 weeks I had hot sweats, nightmares, irritability and increased anxiety. I wanted to quit but I resisted, and then WOW the 3rd week I started feeling WONDERFUL! Side effects disappeared, lost 7 pounds, and have sex drive again. As a mother of 3 little kids and working, I felt more optimistic, energetic and enthusiastic! I love my work again, which I did a long time ago and I am much more loving with my kids and husband and show much more affection to everyone. This is who I really am and was 5 years ago! It has made me want to exercise and play with my kids again! Dont quit early give it TIME to Work. I thank God and pray for all of you that you find peace , happiness

38 year old femaie, working mom and wife, 3 year old son, years of depression and anxiety augmented by C-section/spinal surgeries beginning 2006. Lexapro - Prozac - Wellbutrin -- all failed. Pristiq broke through the darkness ... but after a very rough period of uptake. Took three weeks -- almost to the day -- to achieve a positive impact. Continued Wellbutrin with Pristiq 50 mg 1xday morning dose. Also Suboxone for opioid dependence management 8 mg daily. I used to have suicidal thoughts, anxiety, sweating, fatigue, inability to focus or concentrate ... THEN one morning things were different, I felt better, I felt like me again! Pristiq works, but buckle your seat belt while it gets into your system.

I felt a difference right away. The only negative feedback I have is the tiredness. I can't stay awake but I do not know if it is from coming off of ADD medication. I have been on this medication for 3 days now and already feel like a new woman! I no longer need my Xanax!

I have been on Lexapro for 4 years and have gained 40 lbs.I have always been able to control my weight, but have gained steadily 10 lbs a year since beginning Lexapro. Other than the weight gain, overall, I felt like I was doing good on Lexapro until the last 6 months or so and even tried to get off of it, but was not successful. I went to see my doctor and she switched me to Pristiq. I feel so much better mentally and physically. I have been able to drop some weight and feel that there is hope for getting these extra pounds off. I'm not nearly as lethargic and wake up in much better spirits than I have in a while. I am hopeful this medicine will work for me and that I am also able to lose the weight.

I suffer from episodic depression and anxiety attacks. Pristiq is the only medication for depression that I've tried that has virtually no side-effects either getting on or getting off. When I begin taking it (I'm on my 2nd round with this medicine since it came out). I almost immediately (in 2 to 3 days) start feeling better, or at least "normal". It certainly doesn't make me feel happy or like dancing, but it does erase feelings that I wished I'd never been born. Which is wonderful! I do have occasional night sweating, especially if I take any other medication with the Pristiq, even something like Advil. Getting off the Pristiq last time was uneventful. Only some slight dizziness upon moving my head for about a week.

I have been on Pristiq for 3 months now. I am a 23 year old male who suffers from depression. It is only the second drug I have tried after Cipramil (Which did nothing for me). I started on 50mg, and at first felt great (minus minor nausea, headaches and bad insomnia). However, in comparison to the depression, the side effects were well worth it, and my Doctor said they would go away. The sides only lasted a week and I felt pretty good. A few weeks later however, I was feeling really bad again, so my Doctor upped me to 100mg. This did the same thing as when I first started the medicine, gave me small side effects, but made me feel ALOT better in general. Sure enough the side effects were gone after a few days, but now the 100mg dose isn't doing much.

I have been on almost every antidepressant and bipolar medication there is and Pristiq is the first one where I don't hear everyone telling me how much better I act yet don't feel better in my head. I actually feel better and have less manic episodes, the only down of it is that my insomnia has gotten worse but I can deal with lack of sleep if it means not feeling the way I did!

I have been on Pristiq 6 months. It took a few weeks of course (plus coming off the Wellbutrin), and there are still rare days when I want to curl into a ball, but they are less and less. I am doing the things I enjoy again, also doing much better at work, actually would call the mood happy and energetic. Friends and family have told me I seem happy and am doing the best work of my life. I battle Depression, and I know that is lifelong, and I also have horrific life experiences that no drug can banish--so there will still be occasional bad days. I'm realistic. But Pristiq is the best medication I have tried--a blessing. Each person is different: if it doesn't work for some, it works for many others.

I have been taking Zoloft for about 7 years after a serious bout of depression. I began on a 50 mg dose and was recently upped to 200 mg. It helped with depression, but left me feeling very 'numb'. I started taking Pristiq about a month ago. I feel more normal than I have in years. I have experienced no side effects. I know everybody is different and not all SSRI's or SNRI'S work the same for everyone, but Pristiq has definitely helped me feel better than I have in a very long time. It's worth a try.

I've been taking Pristiq for almost a month now. I have OCD, anxiety and depression. I also take 0.5 mg of peach Xanax. The Pristiq works great for me, the Xanax helps with the sleeping side effects of Pristiq but after taking it for this long I can fall asleep pretty well with out it. I wake up with energy and as I take it more and more I feel better.

I have now been on Pristiq for a month, by the way it takes that long for you to see a difference. This is a good medicine. Calming, gives me a happy feeling upon waking. A general sense of well being. I am BiPolar. Have Been on everything for the last 30 years. I kept going back to Prozac because it kept me skinny. I do have to watch my weight with this drug but you won't gain if you don't increase your eating.

I'm 18 and a first time user for depression medicines. I was just given 50mg of this to start out and so far it has helped a lot and it's only been three days. I haven't had any energy for a month and just wanted to sleep all the time but now I'm doing things like cleaning and going out! The only problem is it makes me sick and I've had headaches, dilated pupils and sleep problems but it is worth it and I'm sure it'll get better as the days go by.