Melbelle1, overwhelmed! got put on antidepressants when didn't really need them

[melbelle1]

Hello! 

 

Want to know... Is it even worth trying to get of Pristiq???? 

 

I'm on pristiq, have been for about 3 years. I've been seeing a counselor for a year. She feels I was put on antidepressants prematurely, I am beginning to agree with her. I tried once to take it every other day. But that was insane. So now I am pissed and feel a bit depressed that I am stuck on a medicine I didn't really need.. and feel like I can't get off. The main reason I started researching getting off it is that  I am having a hard time affording it now.  I am very happy with how Prisiq affects me, no terrible side effects.  So I'm scared to try something different since this one does work just fine. Even tho I am ok currently I do really hope to be off it one day. I think it would be so wonderful to feel free of it, to be and love myself with out it.

 

Can I do it?

I've read the longer you take meds the harder it is to get off them. 

I feel slightly inferior for taking meds. 

scared to start the journey off them. will I be the same person with out them??? 

Don't know what to do. 

 

I do have some good support, but feel like I need more info and support on this. 

Mostly, feeling scared, and want to know if I am strong enough for all this. strong enough to get off the meds. 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, melbelle.
 
Good for you for researching this before trying to go off Pristiq.
 
We have people here who are tapering Pristiq, and people who have gone off it successfully. Use search in upper right in the Intro forum for "Pristiq" and you will see their stories.
 
Please read

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

[melbelle1]

Thanks very much for your reply! Tons of great information on the site. defiinitely appreciate your links. excited and dreading the eventual taper off. 

 

I appreciate your time Altostrata! It means a great deal to me.  

[Altostrata]

You're welcome, Melbelle.

[Aliwill]

Hi Melbelle.

 

Welcome to SA.

 

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. Why don't you think about just getting to the lowest dose possible. That way, you are putting less drug into your system. If you start tapering really slowly, you can then just see how low you can go before you get any symptoms. As you are not desperate to get off the drug then it doesn't matter how slow you go.

 

You might just surprise yourself and get all the way there. If not you will at least find the lowest dose that is effective for you and you can sit there for awhile. And if you then start to suffer from symptoms of long term use you will already be well on your way to coming off.

 

By reducing the amount of the drug in your system hopefully you will reduce the risks of long term use.

 

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[Altostrata]

Those are good points, Aliwill. Thank you.

[melbelle1]

I am already on the lowest dose i can go as far as i am aware which is 50mg pristiq. Thats why i feel so trapped. I dont thing there is any great option for tapering pristiq from what i have researched. Have seen it mentioned on this site that effexor comes in more dosing options, that switching from pristiq to effexor then takpering of is a slightly better option. I have not researched that much yet tho. 

 

 

Thanks for the replies!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Altostrata]

Yes, we know of the difficulties tapering Pristiq. Read Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

[degen12]

Awwww be nice. They're scared and probably can't focus.

[Petunia]

I am already on the lowest dose i can go as far as i am aware which is 50mg pristiq.

 

It now comes in a 25mg tablet, check out the topic.  Also see:  

Mogfish: successful taper directly off Pristiq using cutting up method