Pristiq and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dem...
• May 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Originally went on Pristiq when I was 19, definitely didn't give it long enough to work and swore it off. I am now 22 and have been on the 100 mg for 4 months after easily the most traumatic and worst year of my life. As reluctant as I was at first, this medicine has been an incredible assistant in rebuilding my life. I did start off with awful side effects, including nausea, headaches, shaking/twitching, always tired, waking up during the night. I decided to stick it out, and I'm so glad I did. Although it was hard, after a month my body adjusted and my moods were noticeably more balanced. I felt more in control of my reactions to situations, and it aided me to rebuild my life one step at a time. I just need to give it a month for side effects to calm down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2021

For Depression "I have been on desvenlafaxine 25 mg for exactly 6 weeks for panic attacks, social/general anxiety, and depression. I had been using lorazepam 0.25 mg as needed for anxiety for several months before having a mental breakdown and deciding it was time to manage this daily anxiety instead of the up-and-down rollercoaster I was on with the lorazepam. I developed agoraphobia and could barely make myself get out of bed the first week. I was scared to be alone and, at age 46, found myself asking my mom to stay with me while my husband was at work. This went on for weeks. I did notice my depression improved after 2-3 weeks. I was disappointed that it had not improved my anxiety as much as I thought it should, but then that switch finally flipped for me on day 56. Side effects: headache, loss of appetite, tinnitus, fatigue, dizziness. Just tinnitus has stuck. Small price to pay for getting my life back. It’s no joke that it takes 6-8 weeks for relief. Take the pill. Every day. Feel better."

• Dhr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2016

For Depression "What they didn't tell me is how dependent you get on it. It started off I could miss a few days and not feel anything. Then I would feel it if I missed one or two days, but I would just be a little more down. Now, if I miss a day I can't function, and if I miss two it gets really scary. It's only happened once or twice while I've been on it, but by the second or third day missed I am not myself. I'm anxious, my jaw hurts, I can't sleep, crying fits are common, vomiting and headaches are constant. During this time there are stages that are worse than others, but 'brain zaps' and dizziness are common. I've also seen and heard things, and overall it feels like you are high and is the most awful thing I've ever experienced. It's made the med not worth it."

• On...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2012

For Depression "I was on my 4th try on an antidepressant and was feeling very discouraged. I had many side effects from the other medicines such as sleepiness, headaches, overeating, agitation, and crying spells. My therapist gave me Pristiq. I read about the side effects and was not looking forward to headaches. I took it and had no side effects. On my second day, I was doing a lot more things and felt a lot better. Thank God!"

• Do ...
• February 8, 2016

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 5 days, the 1st day I felt great, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, my last day as of yesterday, have been pure hell. Nausea, constant headache, flu-like symptoms, not being able to read the paper or anything, vision really messed up, hot and then cold, total confusion, can't remember something that happened an hour ago, my skin itches so bad it's red. I'm not going to take it ever again. I would rather be depressed. I will take my doctor back the samples he gave me tomorrow and let him know my problems with Pristiq. I know an antidepressant can take time to be effective, but I don't want to risk any more withdrawal symptoms than what I'm having after taking this just 5 days. I will never take it again."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2012

For Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for 3 weeks now. First week, a mild headache and insomnia, but after reading forums I would take it early in the morning, and sleep improved. This is the first antidepressant I have taken. I felt wonderful and thought, wow, this is what I have been missing! Things that bothered me before became insignificant. Week 2, much of the same. Week 3, I feel tired and slightly flat, much the same as I did before. I had an anxious moment but distracted myself and it passed. First time I actively felt anxious. I will continue to see how it goes. Having felt the amazing, stable, elevated mood in the beginning makes me consider riding it out."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2010

For Depression "I was on Celexa, which helped a lot for the first few months. Then I started getting moody again. After about 2 years, I went cold turkey. I was so depressed, it took a lot to just get out of my bed. I then tried Wellbutrin, I liked it, but I had a bad headache. I thought I could be okay off an antidepressant because I forgot what it was like not to be on one. So I dropped the Wellbutrin. I had nervous stomachs, crying, everything. My doctor gave me Pristiq, and I have never felt so good in my life. I rate this a ten. It's the best."

• Car...
• August 31, 2011

For Depression "I am currently one month in, and Pristiq is a life saver! After about an hour, I felt energized and extremely optimistic. I cleaned, got out of bed, and wanted to do stuff for the first 3 days. Then, from 3 days to 3 weeks, it was really bad. I had massive mood swings. I'd be feeling really good and then VERY, VERY horrible and low. I felt suicidal, angry, and my self-esteem was super, super low. I'd also have anxiety attacks. Then, after about 3 and a half weeks, it just started working. I felt really, really good! I got up and hung out with friends and started doing things! My anxiety was completely gone. Symptoms I've had are increased appetite, headaches, and stomach pains. Definitely give this medicine a chance and give it time to kick in."

• No-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "After being on numerous medications over the years, my doctor decided to try me on Pristiq. I started on 50 mg once daily and took it for about a month. I had headaches almost daily within that time, and it increased my blood pressure. I felt like it wasn't making any changes in my mood or anxiety. Around the 6th week, everything went downhill. Fits of crying and rage, anxiety came back worse than before. I had the worst migraines I'd ever experienced, diarrhea no matter what I ate or drank, severe abdominal pain, and also chills pretty much all of the time. I called my doctor right away because I was becoming very scared and feeling awful. Definitely not a medicine for me!"

• 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."

• -as...
• July 26, 2009

For Depression "Wrapping up week 8 with Pristiq. First depression treatment attempt, therefore, unable to compare to similar drugs. Notable: elevated mood, on-and-off headaches, sleepiness, confusion, poor coordination, decreased appetite, consistent sex drive. Positive effects of the drug definitely outweigh setbacks. Thanks, Pristiq. Everyone is different, and therefore, no two people are expected to react the same."

• Eri...
• November 11, 2009

For Depression "I really wish people didn't rate their experience of having taken the pill for one day or less than one week, and here's why: For my first week, I felt great, and no side effects whatsoever. Then, pretty much the day week 2 started, I was so nauseous I thought I had swine flu, so anxious I couldn't breathe, and I cannot stop crying. It's weird because when I was on Lexapro, which also sucked, there's no way I could cry - I was totally robotic. Anyway, I also can't sleep, and I have headaches. I am so, so upset about this because it's like, why did I get teased with that one week of clarity and then drop so much lower?"

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2011

For Depression "I have severe depression and anxiety. Tried one other anti-depressant with disastrous results. Changed doctors and changed to Pristiq. Wow! I could tell the difference within the week. Six weeks later, I feel wonderful, now I realize how depressed I really was. No major side effects, a little headache occasionally, but nothing compared to life without Pristiq. Everything is clearer, calmer, and I am coping really well. It makes therapy more effective. Life is great."

• bra...
• November 25, 2009

For Depression "I have taken almost every drug out there. With so many drugs and so many different side effects, because of this, I have been off all drugs for a couple of years. I feel the need to go on something for depression. I was so worried about the side effects of weight gain or hair loss that I asked my doctor for something that would avoid these two side effects. I have been on Pristiq for almost 2 weeks. I have mild headaches, frequent urination, constipation, and insomnia so far. I am hoping with monitoring this that maybe if I change the time that I take it and try to add fiber to my diet, and try to drink less fluids closer to bedtime to help. I have had worse side effects with other medicines, so I will stay on longer to see if I notice a difference."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2010

For Depression "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 50 mg, 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 100 mg and she agreed to go for it. Now, 2 months later on the 100 mg, 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."

• jus...
• September 6, 2011

For Depression "After 20 years of marriage, I have found myself in the midst of a terrible divorce. I spiraled downward quickly and scarily into a deep, dark depression. I have no history of depression or having to take any antidepressant-type medicines. I was at a point where I was almost unable to function and was suicidal. I realized how severe a crisis I was in and started researching for FAST help. I found Pristiq. I have always been a skeptic, to say the least, re: antidepressants, but I must admit, this medicine absolutely saved my life. The only minor side effects were feelings of 'zoning out' and a headache for about 3 days on the 2nd week. NOTHING SINCE. I'll take that over my inability to function ANY DAY."

• did...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Pristiq worked for me, but I had unbearable withdrawal symptoms, only dismissing after 2 weeks. Headaches, brain zaps, flu-like feeling, anxiety, and the worst insomnia. I didn't quit cold turkey. Slow tapering. Awful anyway. Couldn't come back since I was pregnant. Only take it if other natural ways fail to make you feel a little better. It may work for a while (which might be necessary), but know that quitting is the worst thing ever. Nobody deserves that. Be ready to be down for 2 weeks minimum."

• Obz...
• June 19, 2010

For Depression "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 50 mg, 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 100 mg. This did the same thing as when I first started the medicine, gave me small side effects, but made me feel a lot better in general. Sure enough, the side effects were gone after a few days, but now the 100 mg dose isn't doing much."

• 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."

• diz...
• September 15, 2011

For Anxiety "I started 50 mg of Pristiq only two days ago. My doctor didn't like the medicine combination that I was on before, and they seemed to not be working so well anymore. I was taking Cymbalta and Celexa. I stopped taking Cymbalta and took Pristiq and the Celexa the first day. I was very afraid of a horrid drop in my mood all day being without my Cymbalta. But my mood was great. I stopped taking the Celexa and only took the Pristiq. It's crazy, I feel good. Well, aside from the dizzy, dumb head feeling. I also get headaches here and there, but nothing too terrible. In the past, I have tried Effexor XR, Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft for my depression and anxiety. I am really impressed with Pristiq."

• She...
• February 7, 2016

For Depression "It's only been day two for me, and I will not be taking another one of these. Side effects straight away: sick to the stomach, no appetite, massive headaches today, no libido, horrible taste, and to be honest, all of these effects are bringing back my anxiety. My headache is not going away. I am going to choose nature tomorrow and get myself better the healthy safety way."

• Kky...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2018

"I started Pristiq for GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and Major Depression, mostly in response to a horrible breakup. With treatment, I found myself completely rid of anxiety and nervousness, my appetite returned, and I started to eat normally and function. Although not incredibly satisfied, it did help with my depression, but I decided the side effects were horrid and not worth it (weight gain, sweating, emotionless numb feelings, headaches, and decrease in sex drive). Pristiq is also very difficult to get off, as the withdrawals are significant. Very, very good for anxiety in my case, okay for depression - horrid side effects."

• cup...
• May 13, 2010

For Depression "I'm 18 and a first-time user of depression medicines. I was just given 50 mg 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."

• jus...
• July 21, 2009

For Depression "The very first day I took Pristiq, I had severe headaches, and I never get headaches. I had diarrhea within the first hour that I took the pill. I couldn't finish my food because I haven't been feeling well, and I felt extremely dizzy. I haven't been taking it very long, but I've been sick ever since I started taking the pill."