Introduction Gardencat

[Gardencat]

I'm new to the forum and desperately needing support to come off of Pristiq. I guess just reassurance I can do this without losing my mind and my hubby. Dr. Casually suggested dosing every other day but didn't feel using any other meds would help. She did say to take it slow but that's about it. The every other day regimen has already got me angry, anxious, sweating, and several severe headaches. Please tell me it gets better.

[Fresh]

Hi Gardencat , welcome to the site.

Actually , with dosing every other day it won't get better. This is not a form of tapering we support , as it takes away any stability your brain has.

We can help you come off safely with lots of advice , information and support (I'm tapering pristiq myself , and it's been going fine).

 

We recommend decreasing by no more than 10% at a time , and holding for 4-6 weeks after each cut.

See "Why Taper 10% of my Dosage?" here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

Also "Tips For Tapering off Pristiq" here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/876-tips-for-tapering-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

 

How many days have you been alternating doses for , at what dose?

You need to get back onto a regular daily dose.

 

Please have a go at filling in your signature , instructions are here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

It's going to be okay , hopefully you get to feel better AND keep your husband!

 

Best wishes , Fresh

[ChessieCat]

Hi Gardencat,

 

Welcome to SA.  You've joined a great site which has lots of information and supportive members and voluntary staff.  It also sounds like you found it just in time.  I did too, thankfully.

 

I'm another Pristiq taperer.  Fresh was, and continues to be, very helpful with her advice.  After dropping from 100 mg to 50 mg and reinstating to 75 mg and then holding to get stable for a couple of months my taper has been going well.

 

These helped me understand why a slow taper is recommended.

 

Video: Healing from Antidepressants: Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling

 

Once you have completed your signature (include dates, drug/s dosages and how you decreased/increased) the mods will be better able to offer suggestions.

 

You can ask questions and use your Intro/Update topic as a journal of your progress.  Click Follow This Topic (top right) and you will get an email advising when someone has replied.