Lovegoddess off Pristiq

[Lovegoddess]

Hi to all!!! I love reading about the bridge and tapering. Need help. I had tsking Pritiq and lithium for post- partum depression for 2 years. Ten I kept forgetting to take the lithium because I felt so much better. I am in a new episode of depression and I felt the Pristiq was not helping and I was sleeping more and more, not knowing if it was just the depression or the medicine. I stopped cold turkey taking the Pristiq about 6 days ago. And two days ago started taking 20 mg of Prozac. Last night I have terrible episode of crying. My husband opened the capsule and have me half of dosage this morning. I felt a little better. I am also on 300 mg of lithium. Help: should I be taking the Pristiq with the Prozac. Or should I just wait for my mother to send me the liquid prozac( fluoxetine). Every appointment with the Psychiatric nurse man is 120$. . Help me please;) thank you and blessings.

[Lovegoddess]

Hi to all!!! I love reading about the bridge and tapering. Need help. I had tsking Pritiq and lithium for post- partum depression for 2 years. Ten I kept forgetting to take the lithium because I felt so much better. I am in a new episode of depression and I felt the Pristiq was not helping and I was sleeping more and more, not knowing if it was just the depression or the medicine. I had been not disciplined in taking the Pristiq and drinking almost one bottle a Chardonnay for 2 weeks at night time to ease being a mother and having my husband travel so much. I stopped cold turkey taking the Pristiq about 6 days ago. And two days ago started taking 20 mg of Prozac. Last night I have terrible episode of crying. My husband opened the capsule and have me half of dosage. Help: should I be taking the Pristiq with the Prozac. Or should I just wait for my mother to send me the liquid prozac( fluoxetine). Every appointment with the Psychiatric nurse man is 120$. . Help me please;) thank you and blessings. Irony is now I have my husband here at home and we are truly facing all of our flaws in our marrige and he no longer travels. Please pray for us as well.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Lovegoddess.

 

I moved your initial posts from other topics here.

 

When did you go off lithium completely? Did you have any uncomfortable symptoms after that?

 

You may have seen Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)

 

Why did you decide to take Prozac?

[Lovegoddess]

Hi to all!!! I love reading about the bridge and tapering. Need help. I had tsking Pritiq and lithium for post- partum depression for 2 years. Ten I kept forgetting to take the lithium because I felt so much better. I am in a new episode of depression and I felt the Pristiq was not helping and I was sleeping more and more, not knowing if it was just the depression or the medicine. I stopped cold turkey taking the Pristiq about 6 days ago. And two days ago started taking 20 mg of Prozac. Last night I have terrible episode of crying. My husband opened the capsule and have me half of dosage. Help: should I be taking the Pristiq with the Prozac. Or should I just wait for my mother to send me the liquid prozac( fluoxetine). Every appointment with the Psychiatric nurse man is 120$. . Help me please;) thank you and blessings. Two days ago I started taking the pristiq again. So when day yes one day no. I don't have enough pulls to take one everyday.

[Altostrata]

Lovegoddess, this is your topic.

 

Please put your questions about your situation here so you don't have to repeat yourself. Bookmark it or click on the big gray Follow This Topic button in the upper right of the page.

 

Please read my response above and answer my questions.

[Lovegoddess]

Altrostrata, I figured I did good many years on fluoxentine, 20 mg. so.... I returned. But I noticed that it's strong even at 20. So open the capsule and take out half. But I staated taking the pristiq again 4 nights ago. I am afraid to exerience heavy withdrawal symptoms. Lithium, well I went off just by forgetting to take it. But since this new depression hit, I figured I should go back to what worked for me. Lithium extended release works well for me. The stupid psychiatric nurse man, gave me lithium carbonate and changed the prescription and that was too strong. So I started taking my old prescription which I had in my medicine cabinet. My question is can I take one 40 mg of Pristiq one day, and the fluoxentine in the In between days? So I am not bound to Pristiq everyday. I just can not do depression. I have 2 children and my husband and I are trying to work through some issues. I felt neglected by him when he was working at his previous job and now he is working from home but we still trying to patch things up. I need all the prayers I can get. I guess he can see the light but it's really had for me so I have obsessive thoughts. Like: can we really work it out? When will I feel in love again? I feel so lost and upset. Especially at my self. I need to trust my husband again and trust myself again. Help.

[Petunia]

Hi Lovegoddess,

 

I just read through your thread, I'm sorry you are going through this, please don't blame yourself, these drugs can change us in ways we have no control over.

 

My question is can I take one 40 mg of Pristiq one day, and the fluoxentine in the In between days? So I am not bound to Pristiq everyday. I just can not do depression.

 

This is not a good idea.  These drugs are not like aspirin, they need to be taken regularly and consistently in order to keep the nervous system stable.  It sounds to me that what you are experiencing is withdrawal, possibly from lithium and pristiq, not depression.

 

Its difficult to get a clear picture of what you have taken over the last several weeks, we need to know what drugs, dates and dosages.

 

When did you stop taking the lithium?

 

Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature.  Putting a short version of your drug and tapering history in your signature helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts.  Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

If you can provide a clear picture of your recent drug history we will be able to make some suggestions. 

 

Also, please read through:

The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

and   Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This will give you a basic understand of tapering and how to safely come off these drugs.

 

I'm sorry you are having some problems in your marriage at the moment, but it sounds like your husband is understanding and supportive, which is good.

 

Once you get back to us with more details, we will be in a better position to offer support and suggestions.

 

Petu.

[btdt]

Altrostrata, I figured I did good many years on fluoxentine, 20 mg. so.... I returned. But I noticed that it's strong even at 20. So open the capsule and take out half. But I staated taking the pristiq again 4 nights ago. I am afraid to exerience heavy withdrawal symptoms. Lithium, well I went off just by forgetting to take it. But since this new depression hit, I figured I should go back to what worked for me. Lithium extended release works well for me. The stupid psychiatric nurse man, gave me lithium carbonate and changed the prescription and that was too strong. So I started taking my old prescription which I had in my medicine cabinet. My question is can I take one 40 mg of Pristiq one day, and the fluoxentine in the In between days? So I am not bound to Pristiq everyday. I just can not do depression. I have 2 children and my husband and I are trying to work through some issues. I felt neglected by him when he was working at his previous job and now he is working from home but we still trying to patch things up. I need all the prayers I can get. I guess he can see the light but it's really had for me so I have obsessive thoughts. Like: can we really work it out? When will I feel in love again? I feel so lost and upset. Especially at my self. I need to trust my husband again and trust myself again. Help.

The more you jump around taking different types of medication the more confused your brain/body will be.  To reach a stable point you need to stick with a plan.  Perhaps people here who are knowledgeable could help you to make such a plan if they had all the needed history it is very important you supply the best history you can come up with.  If you can't recall all the dates or timelines of how long you took which drug how long till you added another ect... do you best guess.  Start now writing down all the drugs you take and which day you took them on a calendar and report the best history you and your husband can come up with.  I ask you to ask him for help as he is involved suggested by him giving you a half dose.  I suspect his memory of things may be helpful as bouncing around on medications like you have been can affect your memory.  As for the feeling loved or in love please know these drugs can affect our ability to love or feel love from others.  You can read about that later here:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6714-marriages-destroyed-by-ssri-snri-topix/

 

But for now getting stable is the most important need to focus on.  Interesting that the two can be connected... becoming destabilized is the more important issue just now and you need a plan to get stable... first before anything else can be worked on there will be time for all else later.

I wish you peace.  

[Lovegoddess]

I tapered myself off the Pristiq. But now in Welbutrin. I do feel good when I exercise. I am eating healthy. But I feel that it has not lifted the depression. Only have. A little bit of calm. Sometimes I feel like I will be ok. And then I do not know, I feel out of control. Please help.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Lovegoddess,

 

The mods have had to move posts you make that refer to your situation out of forums where they are not appropriate BACK to your Intro topic. Please bookmark your topic so you can find it easily;

 

How you make a new post with your questions is this: find your topic (this is the link to it) after you log in, then go to the last page of your topic and you will find a blank posting window for you to start a new post in.

 

All of the information pertinent to you should be kept in one place.

[Lovegoddess]

Thank you. I am on biprppion the generic from Welbutrin. I feel really anxious on it. Should I be taking the original welbutrin? I can't take this depression anymore more help. I want to see everything positively. Marriage my life. Help me God. I del out of control. Help.

When i has postpartum depresssion the doctor started me on Effexor and then switched to pristiq I was also prescribed Luthium extended release. 2 years and half of bliss and happiness. Starting having marriage issues and felt lost hopeless but before the big blow up, I must say I was drinking on bottle on Chardonnay at night and taking the pristiq at different times or not at all. Please help me. I have obsessive compulsive thoughts about wether or not marriage can work out and I am hurting. My husband is the best person ever! And the best father! Am I am putting the responsibility of my happiness on him solely?

Help please help.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

LG,

 

The next thing we need to have you do before we can suggest much of anything else is for you to list in your signature all of the drugs you are taking, what amounts and when you started taking them. If you are taking them on alternate days please write that too. Also include any supplements and over the counter drugs and how much and how often you are using alcohol. List all of this information in your signature, this link explains how to do that:

 

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

 

Please read back at the previous posts in your thread for the info that has already been given to you.

[Altostrata]

Lovegoddess, it could very well be that the "depression" you feel is from taking your drugs inconsistently. An unusual "depression" can be a withdrawal symptom from the lithium, going on and off and on Pristiq, skipping doses, etc.

 

Wellbutrin itself can be very activating, causing side effects of nervousness, anxiety, jumpiness, disrupted sleep, etc. It is not a good drug to treat withdrawal symptoms.

 

It also sounds like you have situational reasons to feel anxious or sad. You may wish to consult a psychotherapist or marriage counselor to help you develop ways to deal with this other than taking drugs.

[Lovegoddess]

Thank you all. You really are so kind to answer. Right now I am on 40 mg of fluoxentine and one 350 Luthium Extended. I will see if I get stable. Lord give peace, courage and clarity.

[Lovegoddess]

I am back on Lithium and pristiq. Plus 20 mgs of GeOden at night for anxiety. Oh brother!!!!!!

[Lovegoddess]

Does anyone know about the long term effects of GeOden? Ziprasidone?

[JanCarol]

Dear LoveGoddess - 

 

Please please please, put your current drugs, doses, and how long you have been taking them, in your signature.

How to complete your Signature

 

I sense you may be using a phone.  The best benefit from SA is to use it from a computer so you can see everything, but I understand that some people use their phone for all their internet, so:

Complete your Signature from Phone or Tablet

and

How To Use Surviving Antidepressants from a Phone

 

Also, it will be important for you to know drug interactions.

 

please put your drug interactions into the drug-checker at:

http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

 

and copy and paste your interactions here.

 

You are on very strong drugs, and lots of them.  

 

The reason you are on the drugs is because your doctor switched your drugs so often, that your brain doesn't know whether it is coming or going.  No wonder you've been depressed.  If you go to a doctor and complain, the only thing they know how to do is give more drugs.

 

Do you want to come off of your drugs?

 

NONE of these drugs have "good" long term effects.  Geodon has cognitive, muscular, and metabolic effects, long term.  Fluoxetene is very stimulating and has caused lack of impulse control (doubled, when on a drug like Geodon which puts a damper on your executive functions), restlessness, agitation, and insomnia.  Lithium is a "flattener."  I thought I was the walking dead on lithium, no feelings, no cares, no desires, just nothing.  

 

Just to give you a taste (and because I think you are on a phone) I will do your drug interactions for you:

 

as I suspected, you have TWO major interactions (and you still trust the doctor who prescribed this?):

 

Interactions between your selected drugs

Major lithium  fluoxetine

Applies to: Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium), fluoxetine

Talk to your doctor before using lithium together with FLUoxetine. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Major fluoxetine  ziprasidone

Applies to: fluoxetine, Geodon (ziprasidone)

Using ziprasidone together with FLUoxetine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with either of these medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate lithium  ziprasidone

Applies to: Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium), Geodon (ziprasidone)

Using lithium together with ziprasidone may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Rarely, a syndrome consisting of weakness, lethargy, fever, tremors, confusion, abnormal muscle movements, and increased white blood cells and other lab values has also been reported during combined use of these medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with

• fluoxetine interacts with more than 500 other drugs.
• Geodon (ziprasidone) interacts with more than 600 other drugs.
• Lithium Carbonate ER (lithium) interacts with more than 500 other drugs.
•  

 

 

Please, play by the rules:  complete your signature so that we know what is happening with you.  We cannot really help you until you help yourself.  The first thing to do is complete your signature, and tell us if you want to stay on these drugs, or come off.  Listing your current symptoms (in your thread, not your signature) would also be helpful.

I am sorry to hear of all of your suffering.  It is cruel what has happened to you.  I hope you see the sun today.