Desvenlafaxine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• August 11, 2009

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "Have been taking Pristiq for 4 weeks and am feeling great. More focused, relaxed, and energetic. Can think clearer and no anxiety. Had dry mouth, dizziness, and loss of appetite for the first couple of days."

• jus...
• July 21, 2009

Desvenlafaxine 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."

• Dio...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2021

For Anxiety "It's an amazing drug indeed. I was suffering from heavy anxiety in the early days of quarantine in 2020, and my doctor told me to start taking desvenlafaxine 50 mg with 20 mg of Frisium. After 2 months, I began taking only 100 mg of desvenlafaxine, and my life has been much better. Overall, my anxiety is nonexistent, and I don't crazily worry about small things like before. The only negative point, which I don't even care about, is that I sometimes feel a little slow in my thoughts. Not dumb, but I take thoughts calmly. This weekend, I forgot to buy my meds, and I did not take it for 2 days. My life was a nightmare. Headache, dizziness, confusion, and vivid dreams, stress, and anxiety. So, never forget to buy extra quantities whenever you can."

• Igo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

For Anxiety "I took desvenlafaxine for a few weeks, for moderate-to-severe anxiety and mild-to-moderate depression. Side effects were horrible from the beginning, increasing my anxiety and making the dizziness and the brain fog worse. It improved over time, but in the end, I was still worse than before, so I stopped it and changed the medication."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2009

Desvenlafaxine for Anxiety "I've been taking Pristiq 50 mg daily for the past 7 months for anxiety and mild depression, and I can't say I'm much better for sticking with it. The side effects were horrible as I started - extreme dizziness, nausea, restlessness, sweating, impotence. Those subsided over the first week or two but quickly returned if I miss a dose. My energy level has not lifted and in fact may have decreased, but most importantly, I've felt more disconnected, numb, and unfocused since being on the drug. I've heard it's rough to come off, and I've been tapering back slowly, but I'm looking forward to clear thoughts and true feelings again."

• gg6...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2022

For Anxiety "Have never written a review before, but don't know if anyone else has had a similar experience. On 100 mg, take it every morning for severe anxiety. Have been on it for over 6 months. I feel great, happy, little anxiety, tons of energy, up at 6 am every morning... but only for 2 or 3 weeks. Then feel incredibly depressed, anxious, can't get out of bed, can't face anyone... this goes on for 1 to 2 weeks. Then I start to feel better again, and then I feel worse again... this cycle has continued for months. This did not happen before I started this medication. Don't know if this has happened to anyone else. Side effects include excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, gastrointestinal issues, agitation, and tiredness."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2022

For Anxiety "I just want to get some hope. I have been dizzy for more than a year. All tests done, no apparent cause. Anxiety, depression, and stress are the aiming explanations. Was prescribed this, I am afraid of the negative reviews, I do not want to start this, get hooked, and still have this fatigue, dizziness, and certain lack of motivation. On top of this sickness, my girlfriend kicked me to the curb. I am really hopeless, I think I am physically sick without any way out. I think I am a good guy, smart, etc., and I have this thought this drug may change the good I am. I quit fluoxetine 8 months ago. It helped, but it made me irritable, or at least I was irritable too often while on it. Please, some light to make the decision."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2010

Desvenlafaxine for Panic Disorder "Pristiq did a good job reducing my symptoms dramatically. However, it gave me so much in return, which made my life complicated! I mean 50 lb weight gain over a year that keeps growing every month. I also cannot sleep at night as I could before. I see very vivid dreams and nightmares almost every night! It makes me wake up feeling tired. In addition, I had withdrawal symptoms when I once forgot to take my dose. I had vertigo, nausea, headache. I absolutely could not function."

• vio...
• May 16, 2011

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I was diagnosed with clinical depression over 13 years ago. I took Paxil for 1 year and swore I would never take another depression medicine. After some extreme and consistent stress in 2010, I talked to my MD, and he suggested that my depression would not just go away on its own. After explaining my drug experiences, he prescribed Lexapro, and I took it for about 3 months. It was wonderful, except that it just stopped working, I had gained 10 lbs, and the sexual side effects were terrible. He changed me to Pristiq, which I have been taking for 16 days now. I never had nausea or dizziness. I feel less hungry than I did on Lexapro, and there are no sexual side effects. At first, I felt a bit spacey, but now I have more energy."

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

Desvenlafaxine 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."

• Bri...
• April 23, 2021

For Depression "About two months ago, I was prescribed Pristiq at the lowest dose for chronic nerve pain by a leading professor in pain management! It was a nightmare! I was prescribed Pristiq after trying three other drugs, all of which made me ill after the first dose! I was then advised to have a DNA blood test to see what drugs are better suited with the least side effects. I was ensured I wouldn’t have any adverse reactions with Pristiq. After taking just one tablet, I became violently ill! I experienced dizziness, nausea, zero appetite, increased heart rate, vomiting, and violent shaking! We called an ambulance at 2:30 a.m. the day after. I felt like I was about to die! I was later diagnosed in the ER with hyponatremia (low sodium blood level of 117). A level of 115 would have been critical! Apparently it’s one of the serious side effects! I might add that I have not felt well since then. This drug is dangerous! I would seriously advise anyone thinking of taking this drug to reconsider!"

• drs...
• March 15, 2012

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for 2 years now and feel normal and stable. I have been prescribed Pristiq for major depression, which I have experienced most of my post-pubertal life. I have taken various medicines that have had differing side effects, e.g., Cipramil, Luvox, Prozac, and for me, Pristiq has been the most well-tolerated. I have not had any dryness, nausea, or dizziness, thank heavens. I don't cry for no reason anymore, and I have not had any suicide thoughts or plans since being on this medicine. I am currently going through a very stressful time (partner out of work) and am considering asking the doctor to increase my dose as I am experiencing unusually high levels of anxiety."

• Kel...
• September 16, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked great up until Tuesday when I had a sudden attack of dizziness that dropped me to the floor. This continued for two days, and I finally called the doc yesterday, who took me off of it. I went back to Lexapro as I had no side effects with it. It's too soon to tell if I will have any withdrawal from it, but I'm hoping not, I have a busy day at work today. I'm glad to be off it, though, I had a dizzy spell a few minutes ago, but it was not bad and stopped quickly. Guess I'll stick to Lexapro and just deal with the depression as it comes."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2010

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I'm day 4 on Pristiq. I've always hated being medicated to treat my depression and anxiety, for some time, I had been doing okay with managing it on my own, but recent events in my life sent me for a downward spin, so I had to start the medicine. The first day was awful, I was dizzy, nauseated, shaky, and for a period of 2 hours, I was hit with a serious wave of paranoia I've never felt before. I wasn't keen to keep taking it after that, but I've stuck it out. My doctor had to give me a sedative to help level me out because I was going up and down, mood completely unpredictable. Today is the first day I've taken the sedative with Pristiq, so far, so good. I've had to be on leave from work until things are a bit more balanced."

• ash...
• September 29, 2011

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I just recently started taking it (a little less than 2 weeks ago). The first day, I was very giddy and kept getting a tingly feeling from my head to my toes. Then it stopped after the second day, but I did experience hot sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, and lack of sleep. The sleep was the worst thing! I woke up almost every hour every night for 2 weeks straight! I was either waking up and feeling wired or waking up because of the hot sweats, and I'm only 23! If you want advice, do not take caffeine until some of these side effects go away because it will make you way more wired than usual and you'll feel very uncomfortable. Also, do not drink alcohol. One sip of wine and I felt dizzy for at least an hour!"

• cym...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2019

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I started Pristiq to help with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. The anxiety went totally away, which was awesome (hence the 2 stars). Everything else sucked. It reduced my depression about 30%, pain about 10-20%. I looked at the most common side effects of Pristiq, and they were increased or excessive sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, sleep problems (insomnia), loss of appetite, tightness in your jaw, but for me, I was so flat emotionally and ended up gaining 40 pounds, it was like my body never got the cue that I wasn't hungry. I also dealt with constipation, sexual side effects, and general blahs. Going off the medication was the hardest part. I gained 10 pounds in a month going off it, I was in a very dark place, very emotional and rage-y, and had severe dizziness for like two months. While not having anxiety was great, the apathy and weight gain, as well as minimal depressive symptom relief, made this one a no-go for me."

• nap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2021

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "Took Citalopram for 5 years and think it lost efficacy. Doctor switched me to desvenlafaxine after tapering off the Citalopram, during which I had suicidal intrusive thoughts and feelings and felt very odd. I've been on just the desvenlafaxine now for about a month and noticed I'm a lot more emotional. I cry now when I normally would not. I rarely ever cry, so I don't like it. I also missed a dose the other night and woke up the next morning feeling dizzy, brain-fogged, and just sick. I couldn't take the missed dose because it knocks me out and I had to work. Well, I was so sick I ended up going home early anyway. I was very, very sick, just from missing one dose. I was also very emotional and cried and cried toward the end of the day either from feeling so sick or from being emotional from missing the dose. I took it that night and woke up the next morning fine. I really don't like that there is no room to miss a dose ever, or I'll either be messed up all day or knocked out all day."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2010

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "I just started taking it today. I am feeling super dizzy, hot flashy, nervous, and like I'm going to throw up every second! I'm having worse anxiety and a dry mouth, and I'm clenching my teeth. I don't know why."

• KBa...
• April 12, 2020

For Depression "I’ve been on Pristiq for 9 years. I began with 50 mg every 24 hours, but it made me lethargic and sleepy, so I took 50 mg every 36 hours. Over time, I just lost all drive and motivation to do anything. I went up to 100 mg 2 years ago, and shortly after, I ended up with adrenal fatigue. I don’t know if there’s any correlation between the two, but I’ve read SSRIs increase cortisol. What goes up must come down, and I totally tanked. I’m down to 50 mg every 24 hours, and my doc added 20 mg Prozac that has a much longer half-life. If I miss one dose or even try to stretch it out a few hours longer, I get really bad symptoms. I had side effects when beginning the drug, so I knew it would be brutal to come off. I went cold turkey off Lexapro years earlier, and I was dizzy but able to function. This stuff, no way!! All I can say about this drug is it pulled me through a hard time 9 years ago, but I wish I would have come off it 1 year after beginning it. Brutal!"

• Ade...
• February 21, 2016

For Depression "Pristiq is the only antidepressant I've ever tried. 26. Recovering bulimic. Anxiety/depression. I put off taking ADs for years and tried everything but... but couldn't stop throwing up my food due to bouts of anxiety and sadness. Pristiq is working for me, and I now have my life back. I am so happy now. Normal weight and attitude towards myself and food. This saved me. Miss a tablet, and it causes dizziness and nausea. Also, hot and cold flushes if you go nearly 48 hours without it. Super lightweight on alcohol and makes hangovers worse. But I didn't expect this drug to work for me at all. I thought I would live with an ED for the rest of my life and that it would be a struggle. Not anymore. But"

• Anonymous
• November 11, 2010

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "Had been on Prozac - that pooped out. Then Effexor, it was okay. This is okay, but I get the dizzies every evening as the product wears out. Doctor tried Wellbutrin - not a good fit as I got just plain mean. I wish I could find a good medicine that sticks with me, doesn't have me put on weight, and doesn't drag me down. Mood is okay, but just okay. Not interested in much as I used to be."

• Chr...
• March 14, 2010

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "Warning, caution! If you are doing Remicade treatments for Crohn's disease that involve IV Phenergan. The day after my 56th treatment, I took my 2nd dose of Pristiq, and within 30 minutes, almost passed out, became very disoriented, drifted in and out of reality. I have done 56 of these treatments, and yes, the aftereffects of Phenergan and Remicade tend to make you tired for a couple of days, but not disoriented. I have waited a couple of days to let the premeds from the treatment get out of my system more and will try Pristiq again bravely! I can note that the first dose I took the day before my treatment had no effects like this, so it must have had an interaction with something (either the Remicade or Phenergan)."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2014

Desvenlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I took Pristiq for one day. It was the most distressing experience ever. For about 48 hours, I had blurry vision, jumpy eyes, dizziness, sweating, and kept changing moods every 5 minutes. First, I was crying, then I felt high and was staring into space. I have taken Lexapro before and never felt anything remotely close to this horrible. This medicine was not for me."

• cre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2017

Desvenlafaxine for Depression "Pristiq 200 mg. Maybe it was way too strong. The side effects outweighed the effect by absolute miles. Side effects were I couldn't stand up for longer than 4 hours, got dizzy spells, dropped work from 8-10 hrs/day to maybe 12 hours a week, had really bad nightmares and really bad mood swings. I felt suicidal and continued to have those thoughts for the next 3 weeks. I gained 6 kg in 3 weeks. I had to take Valium and Mersondyl Forte for the down times. I had erection problems, so Viagra to counteract that. I cannot say anything good about it. The best remedy was to start walking, biking, sport, record times, and try and beat those times, achievements. I need a sense of accomplishment. Valium for down times, had to have it anyway."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I saw someone else comment on here about their issues with generic Pristiq. I'm having the same problem! I've been taking generic just fine up until a refill I got in March 2018. I have been experiencing brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, night sweats, etc. All of which I've only ever experienced when missing a dose, but I haven't missed any. Unfortunately, no one will believe me that this is the problem, even though this is the only thing that has changed."