Pristiq and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ggk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2019

For Depression "After several years of trying various meds with no success, I did GeneSight testing, and Pristiq was at the top of the list for meds my body will metabolize correctly. I took my first dose 3 days ago and regretted it within a few hours. Nausea that I'm still experiencing. Flushed, feverish feeling, blood pressure way too high, and no energy at all. I've barely been out of bed for 3 days. This stuff is poison. I'm done with all psych meds after my experience."

• mak...
• November 7, 2008

For Depression "I have been using Pristiq a little over a month, and I feel so much better. The first week, I was very tired and extremely sleepy. My appetite has decreased, and I've lost 10 pounds. I highly recommend Pristiq."

• Fox...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 10, 2015

For Depression "I have been taking antidepressants for years; Prozac, Celexa, Cymbalta, and now Pristiq. I have always had problems stopping taking antidepressants and needed to go back on the medication after a while. I even stopped taking Pristiq and found it necessary to go back on the drug after stopping. This last time I started taking Pristiq, I felt much better after some weeks and everything was back to normal. Then I began to notice more depression symptoms like brain fog, general lack of motivation, tiredness, major forgetfulness. I went out of town and even forgot to take the pills with me. This is where things took a strange turn. I felt better the next day! Every day that went by, I felt better. I forgot what it felt like to feel this good."

• sbb...
• February 14, 2014

For Depression "I took Pristiq for the first time today, alongside Deplin and ADD medication. I thought it would be a good idea to take all this at night. Not so much. I am wide awake and have to start getting ready for work in two and a half hours. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years now. But I must say today has been one of the best days I have had in a long time. I am sure me making a change in the right direction has something to do with it, but still very happy and excited. I have had yawning already, which I have experienced before on antidepressants, and I also have dry mouth. I have a pretty good cocktail going on, but it had to be done."

• 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."

• 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."

• Chr...
• September 5, 2013

For Depression "Day 1. Took 50 mg last night, felt 'stoned', woke every hour, and had a nervous tummy, feeling hungry this morning, a little more calm than normal for morning time. Still feeling slightly 'stoned' and very tired. No nausea."

• Fee...
• July 13, 2009

For Depression "I too started Pristiq after 17 years of being on antidepressants. I also have tried everything out there. I did not feel anything at all for the first 2 weeks. However, I started to have these slight body aches - never did I attribute this to the medicine. After another week on this medication, I also could not stay awake for longer than 2 hours at a time. I began having body aches. I could not make it through a day at work, I could barely get out of bed in the morning, and there was no way I could do my household chores. I had many blood tests ran, and everything came back normal. I finally realized it may be the Pristiq, and after just 3 days of being off of it, I was completely pain-free and not tired."

• 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."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started on Pristiq one year ago. I had a slight positive change in my depression. I was able to get out of bed, shower, and do some work. However, I developed OCD where I had to continually rub my nose or pick my scalp. After 6-7 months, I became anti-social, completely lethargic, did not dress or shower for days but sat in a chair rubbing my nose! I had no range of emotion - no anger, no joy - no feelings. The death of a good friend did not affect me. I decided to stop Pristiq - slowly - and I have had hellish withdrawals reducing by 25% every 2 weeks. Withdrawals included depersonalization, confusion, inability to think clearly, panic attacks, tremors, nightmares, tremors, and out of body sensations. I would never recommend this drug."

• 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."

• pat...
• April 25, 2009

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for about a week. It has been extremely stressful, and I found myself sick with stomach and abdominal pains. After several specialists, biopsies, and exploratory surgery, it was concluded that stress has induced IBS as well as depression. I have noted that I am not hungry, and I have not had an episode with pain so far. As for side effects, I have felt exhausted by late morning, however, after a short nap, I feel fine. I am a bit less anxious, and my mood is a bit better, however, I have not yet experienced the energy to get going. But from the reviews, I do look forward to that. I noted one person said they were told not to take it with thyroid medication. I take Synthroid and know my doctor would not prescribe this if it was a bad combination."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking Pristiq for 2.5 weeks now. I was having very few side effects, lots of yawning initially, but this is improving. I have mild depression and anxiety and OCD (which only acts up when I am stressed). I have been feeling pretty good, but the last few days I have had blurred vision and dizziness, lots of ringing in the ears, and dry mouth. I am hoping this passes. My mood is pretty good, and I am sleeping well."

• 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."

• Wil...
• June 17, 2009

For Depression "I am so hopeful about this medication. Within 24 hours, I could tell a world of difference in my outlook (I have suffered with major depression most of my life). I have been on Pristiq for 2 weeks now. I did miss a dose 2 days ago and could tell the difference in my focus, concentration, and mood (yesterday and today), so I will definitely be faithful about taking it from now on. I am feeling the overwhelming tiredness after an initial burst of energy when I first started taking it. I hope that will get better. And I do think it has helped me focus on other things besides food."

• 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."

• 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."

• VAc...
• February 19, 2011

For Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for two weeks now for depression. I have bad days, but good are outnumbering the bad now. The first week made me very tired and sick to my stomach, but I never threw up. Lost 5 lbs already, which I needed to do! I take Pristiq in the mornings and wake up feeling refreshed. Less anxious and feeling more positive about the future. I kept my Klonopin for when panic attacks hit (the number of those has dramatically decreased!). I do feel more like myself than I have in years! Better eyesight also! Good luck to all of you."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2017

For Depression "Day 4 of 150 mg of Pristiq. Went from 225 mg Effexor to 150 mg Pristiq. Effexor hasn't worked for months. Having a weird day... Day 1 okay, day 2 okay, day 3 tired all days. But I still don't know what to do - no motivation to do anything still. Sad and overwhelmed by everything. Depression and anxiety are so hard for me to manage and understand. Nothing in my life is the same... hope is all I've got."

• 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."

• rol...
• February 2, 2010

For Anxiety "I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for years. I just got on Pristiq. I hope this helps. Plus, I take Klonopin. I hurt all over, no energy. I pray I get my life back. I had a heart attack at age 47, have had a bad family life with my siblings. I have a wonderful husband of 30 years. Not sure if he understands what I'm going through. I just want to get better, so wish me luck."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2010

For Depression "I really don't know how to rate this medication. I only took it for about 3 weeks at 50 mg per day. It really helped with depression and with anxiety. I have both depression and panic disorder. But, I started getting what I thought was acne everywhere. Now, I think it is some sort of allergic reaction because it is getting worse and I am very itchy, and my skin feels hot to the touch. I'm not sure. So I stopped taking it 6 days ago. I am extremely depressed now, and the hives are getting worse each day, and I am exhausted. I can hardly get up in the mornings. But the hives are just awful. I keep waiting for them to go away now. I am so itchy and very tired. The red bumps are all over my face, neck, and torso."