Pristiq and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "Pristiq was a miracle for me. I was originally put on the 50 mg, and my mood drastically changed from depressed and anxious to happy and functioning. Do NOT forget to take it, though. I forgot to take a dose one day, and I was a mess the whole day. When I finally took it again, it didn't work as well, so I had to have the dosage doubled. Then I ran out and couldn't get in touch with my psychiatrist, so I spent about a week off of it. I was extremely depressed and had to be watched closely by my family and boyfriend to make sure that I didn't hurt myself. I tried going back on it, but it no longer worked. I'm not sure if I hadn't had those mishaps with taking it if I would still be on it, but it was definitely a lifesaver while it worked."

• Lis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 6, 2017

For Depression "Eight years ago, I had a hysterectomy and afterward suffered deep depression. Pristiq took me out of a deep pit and made me able to live a normal life again. One caution: Make sure that your doctor is prescribing and your pharmacy is filling the name brand and not the generic. When I switched to the generic, it did absolutely nothing to help me and, in fact, made my depression worse. And after just one day back on Pristiq proper, I have peace and calm again and happiness."

• che...
• October 29, 2015

For Depression "I tried Pristiq for 3 months with no good results. I have social anxiety disorder and typically only become anxious around people. When on this medication, I became anxious 24/7, and the intensity of the anxiety increased. I also suffer from depression. This medication took away all of my good thoughts and negative ones as well. It left me feeling empty and like a robot. I could not talk to people. I have Asperger's syndrome as well and almost lost the ability to speak when on this medication. It is horrible. I would not recommend it for anyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or Asperger's."

• Gla...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2019

For Depression "I was prescribed more and more of this drug that helped me function, but I have been trying to get off of it for 7 years. 7 years of mediocre existence, of misery, or the lie that I must need it, otherwise, I would not be so anxious and depressed when I try to stop. I am Australian, we have a free but often ineffectual health care, so insurance is not an issue. Seriously, try everything else before you go down the drugs path."

• Jac...
• March 23, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started on Zoloft over five years ago when I had uncontrollable mood swings, then changed to Pristiq. The Zoloft stopped the mood swings, and I fairly quickly changed, at the doctor's suggestion, to Pristiq, and the improvement in my functioning continued - far better than I was before. About four months ago, things were going so well I thought I could stop taking it, and after speaking to the doctor, slowly reduced my dosage until I wasn't taking any. I then experienced a strong return of depression, anxiety, and lack of drive. I am now one week into taking Pristiq again and haven't experienced any change yet, but didn't expect to as it can take six weeks to work. On my previous experience with Pristiq, I highly recommend it."

• Meh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am currently taking Pristiq. When I first started taking it, I experienced noticeable side effects, despite being accustomed to antidepressants from having taken different types before. I had headaches, a yeast infection, and a decreased appetite. I could not eat and did not feel hungry. However, it did change me. I had more energy, even though I was still depressed, and started cleaning and doing many things. After a few weeks, my depression began to lessen, but I was also attempting to make myself feel better by doing yoga, meditation, and journaling. I became accustomed to the pill, but if I went 10 hours without taking Pristiq, I would feel strange and experience headaches, brain zaps, mood swings, and anger. After two days, I would experience severe withdrawal side effects such as crying, depressive episodes, and anxiety. After four days, I would feel suicidal and very angry. Although I am still taking Pristiq, I would like to stop taking it. However, I am afraid of the withdrawal symptoms, as I am still a student. Even if it might be helpful, I do not believe it is the answer."

• Mor...
• December 4, 2009

For Depression "Like everyone else out there, for 15 years I have been on and off antidepressants, been on almost every one of them. Been on Cymbalta 90 with trazodone and Xanax. Back in May, stopped all medicines (surgery complications), except Xanax. Severely depressed since then; constant mood swings from being happy one minute, then becoming impatient and finally agitated, and some rage, almost bipolar-like. Condition got to a point where anxiety/panic attacks would leave me in mental breakdown symptoms in crowded places (heart pounding, sweating, etc.) and then typical breakdowns involving sadness and suicide. I thought these symptoms were a side effect from Neurontin. Met with a psychiatrist, on Pristiq ER, Abilify, and trazodone and woke up feeling great!"

• Mor...
• December 4, 2009

For Depression "Like everyone else out there, for 15 years I have been on and off antidepressants, been on almost every one of them. Been on Cymbalta 90 with trazodone and Xanax. Back in May, stopped all medicines (surgery complications), except Xanax. Severely depressed since then; constant mood swings from being happy one minute, then becoming impatient and finally agitated, and some rage, almost bipolar-like. Condition got to a point where anxiety/panic attacks would leave me in mental breakdown symptoms in crowded places (heart pounding, sweating, etc.) and then typical breakdowns involving sadness and suicide. I thought these symptoms were a side effect from Neurontin. Met with a psychiatrist, on Pristiq ER, Abilify, and trazodone and woke up feeling great!"

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 20, 2021

For Depression "I am leaving this comment to increase awareness of the difficult withdrawal one can experience when trying to get off Pristiq. I have been trying to get off this drug for the past few months. The first step was reducing my dose from 100 mg to 50 mg, which I managed to do without too much difficulty. After achieving this, I started to skip one pill each week, then two, etc. This process was the most difficult. Skipping one pill was okay. But skipping two has led to a range of unpleasant symptoms, including brain zaps, paresthesia, hyperarousal, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, auras, crying outbursts, and detachment. This really gets in the way of life. Yeah, I wouldn't have started on this drug if I had known about the horrible withdrawal process. I really, really wish the doctors would inform their patients of this."

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Took the dose of 100 mg for about a year with Remeron and never noticed anything helpful about it. The only reason I stayed on it was because of the horrible withdrawals I had to deal with. This past week, I finally kicked it after taking 25 mg for about 3 months. Absolutely horrendous. Didn’t want to eat, I am dizzy, I’m shaky, have horrible constant vertigo/brain zaps, and got thrown into a depressive episode worse than I ever had before. I realize it was the withdrawals' fault. Do not suggest taking it unless you have experience with withdrawal."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2010

For Depression "I suffer from anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. 9/10 because it's working for me, but it's only the second antidepressant I've used. I was prescribed Cymbalta but had terrible nausea, body tremors, hot flashes, and panic attacks. With Pristiq, I had nausea for three days, but it was bearable, and I was really restless. I had so much energy I walked around the block three times a day or more in the first week. It did stir up my depression, and I had suicidal thoughts, which is quite controversial because I never want to die and know in myself I would never do that to my girlfriend and my family. I had insomnia on the second night after starting my Pristiq, but have had no insomnia ever since. All my side effects were gone after a week, and then I was given a prescription for it. Life-changing stuff."

• rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2017

For Depression "This drug made me feel as if I was always running out of time, as if I couldn't stop and enjoy anything. I felt down most of the time on it; not significantly so, but enough to make me want to quit it."

• odd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2021

For Depression "Pristiq made me even more depressed and anxious. I had to check myself into the hospital because of suicidal thoughts because I was on this medication. I'm sure this helps many people, but it hurt me. Once I came off it and went on Lexapro, I started doing much better."

• lov...
• April 14, 2011

For Depression "Both my husband and I started taking Pristiq for about a month, and it has changed our lives. We are both what we once were and are 'supposed to be.' It has cleared our concentration, thinking, and memory issues, and we both feel 'normal.' Gone is the out-of-the-blue sadness, anger, and lack of motivation or interest in anything. We both feel great now, and we are both losing weight like crazy. It's been 3 weeks for me, and I am already down two pant sizes! I can hardly believe it! I am not starving constantly anymore, like I used to be on other medicines, and I eat when I need to instead of eating to fill an emptiness. I love Pristiq so far."

• lov...
• April 14, 2011

For Depression "Both my husband and I started taking Pristiq for about a month, and it has changed our lives. We are both what we once were and are 'supposed to be.' It has cleared our concentration, thinking, and memory issues, and we both feel 'normal.' Gone is the out-of-the-blue sadness, anger, and lack of motivation or interest in anything. We both feel great now, and we are both losing weight like crazy. It's been 3 weeks for me, and I am already down two pant sizes! I can hardly believe it! I am not starving constantly anymore, like I used to be on other medicines, and I eat when I need to instead of eating to fill an emptiness. I love Pristiq so far."

• lov...
• April 14, 2011

For Depression "Both my husband and I started taking Pristiq for about a month, and it has changed our lives. We are both what we once were and are 'supposed to be.' It has cleared our concentration, thinking, and memory issues, and we both feel 'normal.' Gone is the out-of-the-blue sadness, anger, and lack of motivation or interest in anything. We both feel great now, and we are both losing weight like crazy. It's been 3 weeks for me, and I am already down two pant sizes! I can hardly believe it! I am not starving constantly anymore, like I used to be on other medicines, and I eat when I need to instead of eating to fill an emptiness. I love Pristiq so far."

• ATa...
• September 7, 2009

For Depression "Reading most of the reviews on here just makes me wonder why not me? I'm a 28 female with bipolar I, anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, OCD (obsessive thoughts, but thankfully nothing severe), and adult ADHD. I'm far from a stranger to the world of therapy, medicines, etc., since I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder at 14. I've been taking Pristiq for about 2 1/2 months. First noticed I felt more tired, then after a few weeks, I noticed I felt more anxious than usual and little things would bother me (more) than before, and I actually feel more depressed in the sense that I didn't actually feel depressed as in sad, worthless, etc., more just kinda blah. But I actually feel more sad and unmotivated now. I've also gained about 10 lbs, and Pristiq is the only thing different."

• ATa...
• September 7, 2009

For Depression "Reading most of the reviews on here just makes me wonder why not me? I'm a 28 female with bipolar I, anxiety disorder with agoraphobia, OCD (obsessive thoughts, but thankfully nothing severe), and adult ADHD. I'm far from a stranger to the world of therapy, medicines, etc., since I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder at 14. I've been taking Pristiq for about 2 1/2 months. First noticed I felt more tired, then after a few weeks, I noticed I felt more anxious than usual and little things would bother me (more) than before, and I actually feel more depressed in the sense that I didn't actually feel depressed as in sad, worthless, etc., more just kinda blah. But I actually feel more sad and unmotivated now. I've also gained about 10 lbs, and Pristiq is the only thing different."

• Wil...
• July 11, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "This is the 4th medication I've been on and the hardest one to work through. I suffer from mainly anxiety and PTSD, not so much depression. I am also extremely sensitive to medication and have experienced all of the side effects. Pristiq made me more depressed than ever, and I knew this was not me. I was always tired, then I halved the pill, and it's worked wonders!! Anyone suffering mainly anxiety, I suggest you do this before jumping ship. I have my energy back and am going to the gym almost every day. I also dropped weight using this medication. I'm getting back my life after losing to this drug for almost 3 months. Please try halving the tablet - best advice ever given :) Now I can go back on teaching rounds without suffering social anxiety."

• del...
• November 11, 2011

For Depression "Took it for about 2 years - get ready for weight gain, loss of interest in everything, extreme tiredness, zero interest in sex. Sure, my 'depression' symptoms felt a little better (but would have had at least the same result with a healthy diet and exercise). It took the 'bad feelings' away, but it also took the 'good feelings' away. When I weaned off Pristiq, every five seconds I felt like an electric shock in my brain (that's the best I can describe the feel), it was the worst 2-3 weeks of my life."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2010

For Depression "Completely changed my outlook on life. Tried it 2 months ago, didn't seem to work initially, but now I can definitely notice a difference. I was having a lot of trouble just functioning like a regular person, but this has brought back the old me. I really am grateful. If I don't take it for a day or take it late in the day, I start feeling depressed again, so yes, it works. Try it."

• Abs...
• August 25, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Pristiq. Well. It's still early days, but I'd like to share my experience already with this medication. (I'm only on 50 mg, no idea how in the world people are surviving on 100 mg). 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."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 23, 2015

For Depression "I started this medication for bulimia. It worked - partially. From the day I took it, I did not purge the entire time I was on it. I still binged, though, and I gained weight. I didn't have an urge to exercise, and ultimately that is why I am going off it. As well as the lack of energy, motivation, and interest to exercise, that spilled over into the rest of my life. I lost interest in socializing, working, cleaning, and cooking (very hard to just do anyways). I stopped sleeping, and after a year, I didn't want to even watch TV or read. It's VERY hard to get off of, and I insist people read reviews on withdrawing. It's been tough physically, although I feel better mentally already. It served its purpose, but I should have gone off it after 6 months."

• Kay...
• September 29, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2016

For Depression "Have been on Pristiq 50 for 2 weeks, was previously on Effexor 75 mg for 6 months. Doc has put me on the Pristiq because it is supposed to be easier to wean off of. I don't think these meds have helped my depression at all. The first few days on the Pristiq I was very dizzy, since then, I am even more anxious and depressed. I am seeing my doc in a week to taper off these horrible meds. NEVER AGAIN. I also take Adderall XR 25 mg twice daily for ADHD, these meds usually calm me. I am now having to take Klonopin daily just to get by. Also, my hairdresser noticed how much hair loss I've had. I still don't know if this is from stress, the Effexor, Adderall, or my birth control pills, since all meds can have this effect."