Pristiq and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Not...
• September 21, 2017

For Depression "Pristiq is a horrible drug. Caused me to be off work for 9 months due to the side effects. I had insomnia, didn't sleep for 2 weeks, gave me restless leg syndrome, felt agitated, my mood was super down. I would not recommend it to anyone."

• S D...
• April 13, 2017

For Depression "I have BPD II, PTSD, and anxiety with agoraphobia. I've tried a lot of different meds and gone unmedicated as well, probably over the last 15 years or so. Right now, I'm on Lithium 900 mg. Just stopped Gabapentin 900-1200 mg. On Desvenlafaxine 100 mg (start, 50 mg) about 1 year. Since I started, I've been lifted out of a suicidal and debilitating depression. Taking into consideration lithium, my moods are more leveled out, and I don't feel like crying at the drop of a hat. I don't feel completely hopeless. However, I do feel unnecessarily agitated, sleep issues - too much or insomnia, low energy, incessant nausea. I've also gained an incredible amount of weight, without appetite. DNA test 'green-lit' Pristiq... Going to see the doctor today."

• 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."

• Jam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Just horrible. Sweating, panic attacks, diarrhea, limb jerkiness, tooth grinding, worse insomnia, feelings of unreality, and incidentally, I have taken this for several months and the side effects are still there, just milder. No idea why this was even approved in the first place since it's just a 'patent extender' for the almost identical drug Effexor (venlafaxine)."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started on Lexapro in my early diagnosis 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 50 mg, which did a good job of controlling the anxiety and lifting me out of depression. Last week, my psychiatrist upped my dose to 100 mg to see how I go with this. I am also on Epilim 1000 mg daily, as well as 200 mg of Seroquel for sleep disorder. I think taking extra Pristiq will help, though, see how I go."

• 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."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I technically have bipolar II disorder, and I'm a rapid cycler, but most of the time I experience crippling depression. I take this along with Trileptal to curb any possible hypomanic side effects. I took a genetic test, and this showed up on my list of drugs that were okay to take. I'm on 25 mg, which is technically a starter dose, but I've found that it's more than plenty to help with my symptoms. Within the first couple of days, my depressive thinking (intrusive thoughts, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, etc.) and daily panic attacks went down to basically nothing. I have relatively low energy still, but it sure beats feeling suicidal and anxious all the time. The only side effects I have are constipation, and if I take it too late, insomnia."

• 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?"

• Kre...
• January 24, 2010

For Depression "Started taking Pristiq about 4 months ago. I am also taking 300 mg of trazodone to go to sleep (horrible insomnia). I also take 5 mg of Xanax a day. I started off at 50 mg on the Pristiq, but I wasn't noticing anything different. I still wanted to hide from everyone and not go to work or school. I now take 100 mg of Pristiq, and maybe it's helping? I am smiling at people, I just hope it is not fake."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2009

For Depression "My sister has been on this drug for 2 and a half weeks now. She has had suicidal thoughts on more than one occasion. She's also having to triple her dose of Trazodone to sleep due to the insomnia. And her depression is worse than ever. She's also become very aggressive."

• Bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

For Depression "I am a healthy 49-year-old female RN going through menopause. A family member noticed I cried too easily. HRT did not work for me, it made hormonal swings worse. The doctor prescribed Pristiq 25 mg, and the next day, I was not so 'weepy.' Depression is not an issue for me, it's the mood swings from going through early menopause. I took the 25 mg every day and felt great, but after a few weeks, I started having insomnia and restless limbs at night. A little GI upset, but I take it in the morning with food. I exercise very hard, so no weight gain. However, the insomnia and restless limbs at night are starting to affect my quality of life. For a few months now, I only take the 25 mg every other day. I am going to slowly taper down this medication, as in my professional opinion, I have too much serotonin. I'm going to maybe take it 1-2 times a week. My goal is to get off of it completely."

• ape...
• July 1, 2009

For Depression "I've been on this medication for a week to treat my low-grade depression, which has manifested itself primarily with erectile dysfunction and insomnia. I am 22. Within 48 hours, I slept through the night for the first time in months. Much of the sexual difficulties I had experienced prior to taking the Pristiq (which is the first antidepressant I've been on) went away within the same time period. I'm yawning a lot despite not being particularly tired, and I'm clenching my jaw a lot. I'm more focused, excited about my sex life, and just being able to sleep through the night for once is a godsend. If these are the worst side effects I have to deal with, I'll be happy."

• gba...
• April 10, 2012

For Depression "This drug has been a miracle for me. I take it with Abilify (5 mgs) - and it has been a Godsend. I was on a triple combination of Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Abilify and still did not feel well. Pristiq has helped me tremendously from within a week of onset. I have struggled with depression since 1991 - and have been on a variety of 'cocktails,' but this one is working the best so far. I still struggle with sleep and anxiety - as I have problems with doctors treating my anxiety disorder as it should be. Interesting that physicians will treat some things and not others. My only complaint is lacking in sleep - otherwise, I would recommend this medicine to anyone struggling with depression."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2019

For Depression "A week later, after one dose, and I'm still having problems. Fits of shallow yawning, trouble falling asleep without spasming, fuzzy frontal lobe, and I've noticed caffeine makes me feel awful. Very upsetting."

• 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."

• 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."

• lap...
• February 21, 2009

For Anxiety "My doctor recommended this for my pre-menopausal symptoms as well as anxiety. At first, I was thrilled with the results, but about 3 months into it, I realized the insomnia was not worth it. I have sleep apnea, so this medication was not a good choice for me. My doctor increased the Ambien dose, and that wreaked havoc with my system. I have stopped taking both and hope to feel better soon."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2010

For Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for about 5 months now, and after an initial positive reaction... it has let me down. After about 2 months, my dosage was increased from 50mg to 100mg. All was well for another short time until a massive and quick weight gain began (25 lbs). I was constantly tired but a complete insomniac. Neck and jaw tightening were also a constant. My dose was lowered back to 50mg, which helped, again for only a short time. I am now on my 4th day off the drug and feel 'crashed.' Wishing everyone the best."

• 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."

• blu...
• June 17, 2010

For Depression "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!"

• 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."

• Mid...
• October 10, 2009

For Depression "I absolutely loved Pristiq - great energy - great sex - felt good. I unfortunately suffered a side effect that I couldn't empty my bladder all the way. So that meant sleep deprivation. My MD thought it was a UTI, but getting off the medicine and seeing a urologist cleared up the symptoms. The urologist said it was a very common side effect of Pristiq. He put me on Flomax for a couple of weeks... Loved Pristiq, hate that I can't take it."

• mel...
• January 28, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• uns...
• April 14, 2009

For Depression "I was prescribed this medication for anxiety social phobia. I have tried a lot of medications and have been off and on with different ones, never really feeling fully recovered. This medication made me feel nauseous at first and gave me insomnia. Symptoms resided, but now I have sexual dysfunction, which is one of the side effects. I can't climax and hardly have any desire, plus I wasn't experiencing any improvement, so I stopped it."