Simaaaah: Pristiq withdrawal

[Simaaaah]

Hi everyone. I've been debating whether I should do this or not but I think it's best. So I had been taking pristiq 50mg since May 2014 when I was diagnosed with PTSD and I took it because well it numbed everything out. I was pretty naive and only now after much closure and comfort I've realised I do not need this medication in my life at all. My doctor well he basically told me take it once every two days and then once every three days and then once every four days and then completely stop. This process lasted about two weeks or just over that. I'm now ten days off of pristiq and well it's not easy. There's a lot of brain fog and confusion. I can't think too much it overwhelms me and I am constantly dizzy and have a persistent headache. The brain zaps are no joke. I tried eating healthy but I just want to vomit. I take stemetil for the nausea. It helps a little. I also take fish oil for some added effect i read about online. All I want to know is when will the brain zaps end ? It really is taking a toll on me. I'm not myself and that gets to me the most. 

[KarenB]

Hello Simaaaah - Welcome to SA,

 

Sorry things are so rough right now.  Sadly your doctor gave you a poor tapering method.  Alternating doses is actually a very harsh way to reduce your amount.  They say it's like playing ping-pong with your brain - ouch!  Your Central Nervous System can get really destabilised- which you are now experiencing in the form of all those symptoms. 

 

The troublesome thing with psychiatric drugs is that you can't just flush their effects out of your system.  They change the way your brain works, and that takes much longer to heal.  Suddenly stopping the drug puts your brain and Central Nervous System into shock.  It's like yanking a trellis out of a garden instead of gently untangling the plants and slowly removing the wood – it’s too much trauma for the plants/your brain.  (For the source of that simile, plus further discussion, see http://survivinganti...el-your-brain/)

 

Please put your drug and/or withdrawal history in your signature – all drugs/dates/dosages for the last year or two so we can see your situation easily whenever you post and help you more accurately.  (Please use this format for dates: 12 October 2016)  Thanks. 

 

It's good you posted here so quickly, as it gives you more options for getting stabilised sooner.  Reinstatement would likely be the smoothest path.  We have a thread that discusses it here: reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/  The idea is that once you are stable again you could taper off according to our 10% monthly guide.  We recommend a gentle taper, reducing by no more than 10% of your current dose each month.  This allows your brain time to adjust as you go, and lessens any withdrawal.  

 

tips-for-tapering-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine

 

Withdrawals can last for months or years, depending on the individual and how they either tapered or CT'd.  There is also the possibility that they will get worse before they get better.  I say this not to alarm you but to be sure you've got all the facts before you make a decision. 

 

Many people find Fish oil and Magnesium useful during withdrawal.   

Non-Drug Techniques to cope with emotional symptoms.

Melt into your own life

 

Have a read of those and then you can come back to this thread to discuss things further.  This can be your journal to record your tapering and healing progress, and to ask questions.

 

Welcome to SA,

Karen

 

Edited July 8, 2017 by KarenB

[Simaaaah]

Hi Karen the thing is I did read about so many ways to taper off this medication. And the one I was going to go with was cutting the medication but sadly that would've altered the time release format and made my body absorb it all at once. I'm not looking to go back on this medication at all. This isn't me being stubborn I have a real fear of never coming off of it. I do feel my days are getting easier though. And another thing I find that assists me is my will. I am absolutely determined to rid my life of this drug. The worst decision I've made in my life. I know the tapering wasn't the smartest but I knew that secretly and I still did it. So I don't know. I'm sort of in a limbo here. I don't want these effects to be so bad but I don't want to retake the medication. Is it as if I've gone cold turkey ? 

 

History

pristiq 50mg. May 2014! Withdrawal process since mid June 2017 

[KarenB]

It's just so hard to tell how you're going to go.  The things in your favour are the fact that you've only been on one drug, and only done one withdrawal process.  It seems that our Central Nervous Systems do cope better if it's the first time they've been mucked around (although this isn't always true). 

 

One thing not in your favour is the fact that you alternated doses to reduce, so you're more destabilsed than you needed to be.  A two week taper is pretty much a cold-turkey. 

 

Your fear of going back on in order to stabilise is in fact very common.  Very few people ever wants to - cause it feels like such a backwards step, I guess.  However, it's often the fastest and smoothest way off. 

 

So far, so unhelpful?  It's a tough decision, I know.  The fact that you feel your days are getting easier is a good sign.  I think keeping good daily symptom notes would really benefit you.  That way we can monitor what's happening.  If the good days turn out to be a window, and are followed by bad days, then you might like to reassess. 

 

If you follow this link you can write an actual signature that will appear on all your posts:  Please put your drug and/or withdrawal history in your signature

[scallywag]

Simaaaah -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA) ... from me too!

 

 

We have a member who is an Aussie tapering Pristiq. She's working with a compounding pharmacist to achieve 10% reductions in dose. You might find it helpful to read her introduction topic:

ChessieCat: So I'm not the only one.

 

 

[PoetJester]

Hey Simaaah

 

the brain zaps when you withdraw from these meds seem to last around 3-4 weeks for many of us.  when I quit Zoloft and zyprexa cold turkey in early 2014, I had about 3 weeks of brain zaps.  this was after the first week or two of nausea and projectile vomiting and insomnia.  the brain zaps and nausea usually don't stay too long, but then you are left with poor sleep, which does often stick around and make life miserable.  hopefully, insomnia/sleep deprivation won't be bad for you because it does exacerbate the brain fog and short term memory problems that a lot of us deal with in wd.

 

poetjester

[Simaaaah]

Hi everyone

 

just an update, i believe it has been a month since my last dose of pristiq and i am doing much better. the only issue i have is lightheadedness and the occasional brain zaps. the rest is much better. I am a bit more tired than usual, my sleep pattern is improving. In this time, ive managed to move into a new place with my husband and i am slowly getting back into the routine of uni. However, my partner still thinks i am depressed. I dont agree because well i feel happier in general. I doing my best to not take any type of medication for anything unless it is vital. I never want to go back to a medication like this. I think my biggest accomplishment was taking the first steps into coming off this medication. I was scared, like beyond scared but it got easier as each day progressed and i am thankful i had my siblings and husband and mom by my side. my dad is another story, he thinks i was stupid to take it in the first place. I still persevered and i did it. I am extremely proud of myself. The little symptoms i am experiencing will slowly ease, that i am sure of. 

[nz11]

Thanks for the update

Simaah i am concerned for you as wdl can be delayed a month or three.

(imo wdl can even be delayed for more than a year.)

Why does your partner think you are still depressed. By the way depression is a wdl symptom. Wdl mimics many psychological distresses....the whole gammit.

Are you having crying spells ? If so that is also a classic wdl symptom.

It is good you have family support at this time.

[ChessieCat]

This list is worth looking at.  It's surprising what symptoms you can have and not realise they are caused by withdrawal.  I had an upset tummy whwn I tried to halve my dose and thought I had a stomach bug.  I feel sure now that it was a WD symptom.

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist