hatepristiq: Successful weaning off Pristiq?

[hatepristiq]

Hello all. I've read several of the discussions about tapering off of Pristiq. I want to know if there is anyone out there that will post who has SUCCESSFULLY weaned off of Pristiq, and if they will share their experience and how they did it. I have been slowly tapering down the Pristiq for almost three months. I began just by waiting as long as I possible could inbetween doses before noticing withdrawl symptoms. The only symptom I have that is really bothersome is the brain zaps. They're just plain mean. As the weeks went by, I slowly went down on my dose. As said before on this site, there is not a lower dose of Pristiq other than 50mg. Though it is not recommended, after two weeks of waiting as long as I could between my dose ((1)50mg tab per day) I cut the pill in half, and did the same thing. I let my body tell me when it was time to take it again. Eventually it became longer and longer between doses. I did this for about three weeks. I was to the point where I could wait around 48 hours between doses before I started getting the unbearable brain zaps. This week I began cutting the pill in quarters and am currently allowing my body time to do the same thing..adjust. My plan is, once my body adjusts to taper down to 1/4 tab every other day, then 1/4 tab every two days, then 1/4 tab every three days, then none. I hope that this will help my body deal with the withdrawl symptoms. Mentally and emotionally I have done just fine. I have a very positive outlook on this. I want to rid my body of this horrible medication. I was never told how hard it would be to get off of it. I suppose this is because doctors expect patients be on these types of medications for the remainder of their lives. I might note to any of you reading this, that I have been taking Pristiq for about 3 years. I know one of the medication side effects is weight loss, but I have had just the opposite...despite eating MUCH healthier than I did before getting on this medication, I have gained about 20lbs. I have also had a raised heart rate since being on this medication. Any of you looking for information before getting on Pristiq, please be forewarned about the withdrawl symptoms if you ever plan on discontinuing this medication. I look forward to everyone's comments. Thanks! HatePristiq

[Barbarannamated]

Hi HP,

I tapered off of Pristiq (100mg) over 8 months after 18 years on SS/NRIs and many other drugs for depression. I'm still on a benzo and trazodone that likely cushioned my taper. I didn't get brain zaps and didn't realize that my early morning wakenings with panic, DP/DR, anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, etc., were classic w/d. I feel fortunate that I haven't had the disabling physical w/d as many have but I'm far from off of psych drugs. I am facing many life issues that were dulled by drugs over the years.

Others will offer specific advice on your taper plan. Stabilizing your nervous system is paramount, so keeping a steady, daily dose is very important.

I didn't know about this site or the importance of careful tapering while i was in the process. I likely wouldn't be dealing with the protracted w/d if I had handled things differently during the taper. You are already a big step ahead in finding your way here.

 

Welcome to the group.

[hatepristiq]

Thank you for your post Barbannamated. It is uplifting to me that you shared your story. I am glad to see that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. Best wishes to you!

[Jemima]

You might want to take a look at the advice under the 'Tapering' topic. Skipping doses isn't the best way to withdraw for most people.

 

I was on Pristiq 50 mg. for four months, thanks to a really inept psychiatrist, and it was a hellish experience. My personal doctor switched me to Lexapro 10 mg. and that hasn't been any picnic either, but I undersand the withdrawal isn't quite so bad. I took Lexapro for about a year before tapering off over four months (too fast). My last dose was December 14, 2011 and I'm just now starting to have some days when I feel almost normal.

 

Keep up the good attitude, though. I was devastated when I realized what was happening to me and that didn't help at all.

[Nikki]

Hi HP....

 

I never took Pristiq. Over the years I have read about going to a Compounding Pharmacy to have the Pristiq made into smaller doses. Originally I read that about Efexor and now Cymbalta.

 

More members will come along to help you out... Alto is very knowledgeble.

 

Take care

[moses]

Hi Hatepristiq,

 

I also hate Pristiq!

I have been on it since November last year. I went from 100mg to 45mg with compounded Pristiq

and will continue to taper down at a slow pace.

This drug has made me feel horrible. Dizzy, anxious, tired, depressed, bruxism, heart palpitations.

Good luck in your journey!

Rosie

[Altostrata]

Hello, hp, welcome to our community.

 

I moved your introductory post here because it describes your situation. Please consider this topic a way to track your journey off Pristiq.

 

Many people have successfully tapered off Pristiq, as well as other antidepressants. The people who come to this site have had problems, either because they tapered too fast or are very sensitive to reductions in dosage.

 

Brain zaps are a sign that the way you are reducing your dosage is causing a lot of wear and tear on your nervous system.

 

The nervous system thrives on stability. A slow, gradual taper is best. The way you've been doing it, the amount of medication in your bloodstream has been going up and down. This is a good way to touch off severe withdrawal symptoms.

 

Cutting up the tablets is a good way to taper Pristiq. See Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

 

Yes, it's a crime Pristiq is not available in dosages that enable tapering. You might give Pfizer, Pristiq's manufacturer, a call and make a strong complaint: (800) 438-1985

[hatepristiq]

Hello everyone and thank you for your replies. It is comforting to know I am not alone and also comforting to converse with people who understand. One thing I think I forgot to mention in my original post is that I do not wish to bridge Pristiq with any other medications, nor go off of Pristiq to get on another anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication. Alto, thank you for the link to weaning off Pristiq.

[Altostrata]

You may be able to successfully wean off Pristiq without switching to another drug. Just do it carefully.

 

Completely support your desire not to take another antidepressant!

[hatepristiq]

Good morning everyone. I just thought I would drop in and give an update on my withdrawl from Pristiq. I am very proud to say that my last dose of Pristiq was at 6:30AM Easter Sunday. With a determined and positive mindset, I have done what I initially thought was impossible. Daisy, just hang in there. Listen to your body. Although I did experience discontinuation symptoms, the most disturbing being the brain zaps, I believe I was able to tone it down by just listening to my body. I began to decrease my dosage in February. For the first two weeks, I would just wait as long as I could between doses before the brain zaps came. After that, I halved my pills and did the same thing for approximately two and a half weeks. Once my body had adjusted to the lower dosage, I quartered the pills, and did the same thing. I was eventually able to get down to 1/4 pill every 48 hours relatativly comfortably and decided that it was time. My last 1/4 pill was on Sunday April 8th. I will tell you that Wednesday was my worst day, but it was tolerable. I did experience brain zaps, however they were not as intense as they were if I had missed a dose. It honestly has been no picnic, but the reward of knowing I DID THIS and that I am on the road to a happier and healthier me has been my light at the end of the tunnel. Along with the brain zaps, I too had problems with "noise" and sounds and my feelings got hurt very easily. Everything made me want to cry...but I was able to realize that it was just the withdrawls and that everything was going to be ok soon. Today is the 9th day without Pristiq. I do still have very very slight brain zaps, but they are better every day. I feel great. I might add that the manufacturer of Pristiq does not recommend cutting pills, but there are no other tapering instructions. I do suggest you talk to your MD, but also remember...MD's are people just like you and I. They make mistakes, and do not know everything. You must listen you your own body and do what is best for you. Keep your head up and look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Altostrata]

Hello, hatepristiq, good to see you again.

 

I moved your post here because it updates your situation. I put a note to Daisy in her topic.

 

Yes, cutting up tablets is just about the only way to taper Pristiq. See Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

 

Your taper schedule was faster than we recommend, and we don't recommend irregularly taking doses at any stage, but some people can tolerate an irregular taper. It's not for everybody!

 

Listening to one's body is excellent advice. I'm very glad you're doing well.

[Daisy]

Hi hatepritiq,

 

Thank you for your encouraging words.

 

I am so glad that you are doing so well

 

Love and Peace, Daisy

[elizabeth11]

Glad to hear that you've been so lucky with the taper and are doing so well!

 

Keep us posted!

 

Elizabeth

[goodwill]

Hello HP, This is the quickest tapering story I have ever come across. It seems to be over 4 years now. I really pray and wish you have been having a great life without Pristiq. Can you please update me on how you have been doing. I am going to start tapering my desvenlafaxine dose of 50X2 mg soon. Any inputs from you on your current well being will help. Thank you.