Pristiq and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• Her...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I literally took this medication for 1 day at 25 mg. I've been on so many meds, had ECT treatments, the whole 9 yards. It started with nausea and dizziness within an hour. By hour 2, my joints hurt so bad and I was extremely fatigued. I dissociated badly throughout most of the day at work, I had to be snapped out of it. That night after work, my muscles and joints hurt so bad and I was still dissociating so badly. I felt so, so bad, and that came with a whole new set of emotions. I emailed my psychiatrist. She called me the next day, literally 10 minutes after my daily dose (in which I cried and cried because I had to take this pill again) and told me to stop taking it immediately. That my body was metabolizing it too fast, and I should not be having these kinds of side effects at all. So, now we're on to Trintellix. And if that doesn't do the trick, some nasal spray treatment. So defeating."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2012

For Depression "Pristiq has been the first and only antidepressant I've taken, so I didn't know what to expect. What I got from the daily pill was an aid; it was like having crutches; it just helped me do what I needed to do. The first week I felt different, along with the slight nausea in the morning (I took it at night after dinner) and yawning, which was only slightly annoying. Overall, it was a 100% experience."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2012

For Depression "I'm 29, female, was on Celexa before. On 50 mg of medicine for the past 2 weeks. Killed my sex drive, stone cold-just gone! Palpitations like crazy. Extreme nausea and dizziness. Sweating through my clothes...underarms, chest, back, groin, everywhere! My whole body is very tense, and my TMJ is flaring like crazy. Feel like a sweaty zombie with palpitations and zero sex drive. Trying to stick with it."

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2009

For Depression "Never taken any antidepressants. Initial days were bad due to interactions with other medicines. I had nightmares, lack of sleep, nausea, anxiety, and negative thoughts. Once I straightened this out, I felt great, have a clear mind, and I've lost 5 lbs in about 2 weeks."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2022

For Depression "I was so nervous to begin taking Pristiq, I anxiously read through all of these reviews, getting myself to focus on the positive outcomes. I have both depression and anxiety. I started on 50 mg, I could feel the impact quickly. I had a tense jaw, sore ears, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. When you have the side effects, it can feel like it won’t pass. Hang in there, it will pass. Drink a lot of water for the dry throat and nausea, rest whenever you can. I found 50 mg wasn’t enough for my depression, so I’ve increased to 100 mg. It is too early to say if this will make a significant difference, as I’m getting better through the side effects again. I wanted to write this review, though, because I know once I’m well I will forget! I’m going to rate this highly because I want to give others hope! And I did feel it do “something,” even if I’m still trying to find the correct dose. If you are suffering and everything in life feels hard, give it a go!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 10, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Pristiq 200 mg for over 2 years, and it has worked well for me. I have tried a number of SSRIs, and this has been the best but isn't perfect. If I forget to take my tablets at breakfast time, by mid-afternoon, I feel very nauseous, lose balance, and feel tired. Routine is important with these tablets. Side effects for me include some sexual performance issues, some weight gain, and poor short-term memory. I have had problems with generic versions of Pristiq, so I stick to the real stuff now."

• Rob...
• January 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "First off, I hope most or all is somewhat well with everybody in here! Let's make this very short and to the point... I have been on Pristiq and the last few years the generic form of it for a total of around 7-8 years... I have been seeing countless doctors, of course, including my psych doctor, for these all of the sudden recent symptoms - 24/7 nausea, 24/7 dizziness, sore throat with a lump in it at times, just feelings of not being present in my own body, constantly thinking that I am going to pass away. It is so bad that I cannot play or spend quality time with my only grandson!!! Constant crying and doom. Had an endoscopy and a heart cath which turned out fine. Heavy blood work which is good... Doctors think possible tooth infection from rotted teeth, GI problem, or sleep apnea. Oh, and another huge symptom is really never being able to sleep! Could this medication be catching up to me???? And any thoughts for care on sore throat - all these for the past 4 months."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2010

For Depression "After about two weeks on Pristiq, I can definitely say it is helping. I had come off of Effexor (which made me gain weight) and was in a bad state with terrible anxiety. Pristiq has made me feel more balanced. It also reduces my appetite, which is a plus. Some dry mouth and nausea, which have subsided. I also wake up more in the night but am able to go back to sleep."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2010

For Depression "I started Pristiq on 3/22/10. The main side effects were not sleeping well and night sweats. This lasted only about 4 nights. A bit of nausea, not enough that I couldn't handle, and that was it. I am now on my 3rd week, and I am doing fine. I do feel much better and have more energy, since before the Pristiq, all I was doing was sleeping. If someone has never taken an antidepressant, the side effects can be alarming. I went cuckoo and had no sex drive on Zoloft and Cymbalta. Pristiq, whatever is different about this SNRI, seems to keep me at an even keel. I will give Pristiq at least 3 months before I give a full report."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2011

For Anxiety "I was experiencing major anxiety, which I only have when I have major life changes. After getting engaged, moving, planning a wedding, and changing jobs, the anxiety kicked in full force. The doctor put me on Zoloft, which made me very, very nauseous. I lost 10 pounds on it, was miserable as it also caused more anxiety and moodiness. The doctor gave me trials of Pristiq...AMAZING. I had not realized how closed off I was until I tried Pristiq. It increased my ability to have relationships with friends, my fiancé, and even family. Prior to Pristiq, I was very shy and untrusting of everyone. I tried Lexapro too due to insurance requirements. Dislike - for me, it caused weight gain, clenched jaw, moodiness. Long process to find the right medicine!"

• Xay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 4, 2018

For Depression "Works great for me! Tried other antidepressants, and they are not as effective or have worse side effects. Cymbalta works for me, except that I get the worst dry mouth on it. Pristiq doesn’t do that. The bad? When I stopped taking it, I had the worst withdrawal symptoms: horrid headache, queasy, and overall feeling super rubbishy. So be aware when you want to go off it, you will likely have to deal with that. For me, it lasted about 5 days."

• Mom...
• October 11, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 3 weeks, and it is wonderful! The only side effect I have suffered is nausea, but well worth it! I was on a low dose of Wellbutrin for almost a year and started suffering severe depression, my husband and 3 kids were definitely suffering from this as I was! I am very thankful for Pristiq, just wish it wasn't so expensive. I am only having to take 50 mg once a day and hope to be able to get off completely soon. There is hope!"

• srt...
• February 17, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 6 days now. I am feeling better, but still have nausea and dizziness, but it's getting better. I have never been on any kind of medicine except antibiotics. I am also still tense, but hope that will go away soon. Reading all of the comments has helped."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2010

For Depression "I experienced 3 of the most common side effects of Pristiq. I experience nausea, loss of appetite, and dizziness. The nausea and loss of appetite were minimal, and I could get along with my day. However, the dizziness, in my opinion, is not a side effect to be taken lightly. I was so dizzy I could not concentrate or do well in class. I had to stop taking it because it was disrupting my schoolwork very badly."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2011

For Anxiety "I have suffered terribly from social anxiety for the past 4 years. I am 23 years old, and once it started negatively affecting my performance at my first job out of college, I felt it necessary to do something. Was on Zoloft for a few months prior, but it suddenly stopped working. I was put on 50 mg of Pristiq and I felt it working IMMEDIATELY. Right after I took the first pill, I went into a foggy state, but that hasn't happened since. The first week I couldn't sleep past 4 a.m., and the first morning I woke up with extreme nausea and vomited. I have been on Pristiq for about 6 weeks and really feel amazing. Work through the side effects, they will disappear, and hopefully it will work as well for you!"

• myb...
• July 24, 2009

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking this now for 30 days, and on the 13th day, I felt dizzy and sick to my stomach. I also did not feel emotionally well for a few days after. I lost weight the first week, and my appetite has been suppressed somewhat. I continue to lose a few pounds a week. The doctor thinks the side effects I have had will diminish, so I will be taking this for another month."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2010

For Depression "Initially, this medicine gave me nausea and loss of appetite and sex drive, but those symptoms went away. After two weeks, I must say that I'm feeling better, but I'm still hopeful that after the full four weeks, I will be doing better. Don't be scared of bad reviews, you need to try it first to see how your body reacts to it."

• 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."

• 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?"

• Dow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2017

For Depression "Feel down and nervous on a higher dose. Stick with 100 mg or less for a while. Over 100 mg might be too much, for me, it is. I take Klonopin, prazosin for PTSD, and Latuda for mood swings. Don't give up unless it makes you horribly sick to your stomach or other side effects, but talk to your doctor first."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2021

For Depression "I just started taking Pristiq 2-3 weeks ago, and ever since, I have been having some of the worst anxiety I’ve ever had. I have also felt super nauseous and sick in general. Feels like I have COVID again. I am wondering if I should keep trying it out or switch now. Lexapro worked very well for me, but caused an itching side effect. At this point, I would rather be extremely itchy than continue taking Pristiq. I cried for an entire day last week for absolutely no reason and feel like crying way more often than before."

• Anonymous
• January 28, 2012

For Anxiety "I started taking Pristiq since I was having anxiety, slight depression, and mild panic attacks in my job (I'm in sales). I was taking Lexapro on and off for a couple of years, but felt it wasn't working anymore, so my doctor recommended Pristiq. I am 3 days in and feel great! I've experienced slight nausea (but food helps), decreased appetite, dry mouth, and slight jaw clenching. Also, my first two days, a couple of hours after I took it (which has been in the morning), I would feel extremely tired. But I would snap out of it and feel great. Overall, I feel happy, calm, and focused. I hope to only be on Pristiq for the short term, but while I am going through this difficult time in life, it will be my miracle."

• Emm...
• February 21, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "Honestly, I’ve been on a lot of different antidepressant/anxiety medications (Lexapro, Zoloft, Paxil, Cymbalta, etc.). I’ve been taking it since July 2020, and yes, it takes your body a few weeks to get used to the medication, but the side effects aren’t as severe as some of these other reviews, or at least they weren’t for me. I had nausea, extra energy, felt kind of like you drank a coffee, loss of appetite, the brain zaps were no picnic either, but try not to freak out if it happens, it’s normal. It seemed to be working for me after the initial side effects go away. It felt great for awhile, but now I see why people can’t stay on these too long. I’m starting to get the 'zombie' side effects, pretty much can’t cry at all, and I feel emotionally detached, annoyed frequently, very tired, drained."