Bleh: Pristiq

[bleh]

 HI  formerly of UK, now in the states- new to site- I just cannot write all you have written just makes me so tired heavy- I found this site thru google-Used Prestiq- which was the best for me  ( upped twice in dosage) for almost 5 yrs with xanax for sleep at night prn.  New insurance kicked in 29 days ago and the refused to cover Prestiq- so OOP is 9 dollars a pill each for 30 days. Huge problem with not taking pill- Started with nausea, headaches, insomnia and bad feelings which led to changed perceptions to abnormal every day and  daily functions such as baking, gettting dressed, taking other meds (diabetic) as unimportant, focusing on typing this letter, asking people to repeat what they are saying, forgetting how to properly spell, details slip away and I can become highly irritated by all noise.  Stresses seem overwhelming. Called my physician and drs office several times. Been using my xanax to make up for lack up prestiq but it makes me sleepy, (fell asleep at job interview) zombie like -I don't care for it . I won't drive my car if I take it, so it limits me socially.  My question is there an alternative to Prestiq, because I have asked locally and noone can recall one. I have extremely highs with verbal diarrhea and extremely lows which I am not comfortable talking about.  Thank you.

[Meimeiquest]

Effexor is very close, but of course you need more support than just that info. Someone with more knowledge will be along soon.

[mammaP]

Hi Bleh, I am glad you found us but sorry it is in these circumstances.  Some people find effexor easier to 

taper than pristiq and switch to that for tapering so if you can get hold of effexor it will be better than nothing!

Could you put your meds history in the signature line please? It would help us a great deal as it will appear at

the bottom of each post and we will see at a glance what doses you were / are  on and will be able to advise

you.  Here's how to do that, it's pretty simple. Open the link in a new window and follow the instructions. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Pristiq is desvenlafaxine, effexor is venlafaxine so it's quite possible to switch for tapering. 

 

Here are some links for you, if you can manage to read them it will help, but I know it is difficult to concentrate

when you are in withdrawal! 

Tips for tapering pristiq, which also covers switching to effexor.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/876-tips-for-tapering-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/

 

And about reinstating to stabilise once in withdrawal. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/