[tek110372]

I have been on Prestiq for a little over one month. I am on it for anxiety/depression. I also have migraines so I am on Topamax and Relpax. I also cannot sleep so I am on Ambien CR.
Lately, I have had a rash on the top of my feel and around my ankles that itches like crazy... not all of the time, but occasionally.

My head is foggy. I am tired all of the time. I am usually in a good mood though, but I really question how I am going to make it through most days due to the fatigue. My heart pounds from time to time and am out of breath too. I have no sex drive.

I like NOT being depressed, so I am hoping these side effects go away within the next two weeks. Has anyone else had success with that?

[BlueEyes]

I recommend you read through this thread (and there are a few others if you search for "pristiq") to hear about others experiences with Pristiq.
Pristiq guinea pig

- Blue

[unwell]

I regret changing Pristiq to Wellbutrin. I was really feeling much better with Pristiq, but hated the sexual side effects. When I see the pdoc in November I am going to ask to just be on Pristiq. I didn't have any rash side effects, just a really bad head ache in the back of my head for the first few days after starting it.
When do you take your Pristiq? I was told it may give you some energy so you should take it in the morning, so you don't have problems getting to sleep and then feel tired.

[BlueEyes]

clifford, on Oct 31 2008, 04:45 AM, said:

Well I decided to stick it out and give it another week. I take it in the morning. It has a big time stimulant effect on me. Gives me loads of energy and kills my appetite. I like those 2 side effects, especially since I am 30 pounds overweight. My big issue now is sleeping. Please will someone chime in and tell me that the Insomnia goes away after the startup period. I don't want to be an ambian addict. I tried sleeping without the ambian last night...fell asleep only to wake up 3 hours later wired out of my head and never went back to sleep. I don't like being on any meds to begin with and it is hard for me to accept even taking the pristiq, but I think it is better than the alternative of not taking it. Something I have noticed...I take it around 6:30 am and by the time I go to bed around 10pm it feels like the med has "worn" and I am going through some sort of withdrawel. Feel really weird. The other day I took it at noon and noticed that I felt a little better when I turned in for bed. Anyone experience this? I really am concerned about the insomnia. Thinking of possibly going to SSRI instead of SNRI.

The insomnia does go away. For me, it lasted about a week. It was truly the most awful week because I felt like a zombie every day, but once I got through that, things improved a ton. Just be aware that in the first 6 to 8 weeks, you may have a few great days, than a depressed day. That seems to be a common thing that many of us experienced, so don't be discouraged. If you can stick with it for the first 6 to 8 weeks, then you will see the full effects and will be able to tell if it is a good med for you.

[squirrellover]

unwell, on Oct 30 2008, 11:19 AM, said:

I regret changing Pristiq to Wellbutrin. I was really feeling much better with Pristiq, but hated the sexual side effects.

By sexual side affects do you mean anorgasm or lack of sex drive. If so, I read a thread on her somewhere about a topical cream or even a pill that has testosterone in it that helps even out the depletion of testosterone caused by SNRIs. Maybe this could help.

[JessBNY]

Pdoc prescribed pristiq for depression and anxiety; first AD ever. I would like to share that I tried it yesterday and was an unfortunate case of adverse reaction. Woke up this morning 5am to have a glass of water and blood pressure went awry (extremely hot, ringing ears, then almost blacked out) luckily I was able to launch myself in a cold bath before my knees buckled below me. After words I experienced chills that are synonymous with change in body temp. When I spoke to my doctor about this reaction, he referred to it as a "princess and the pea" kind of thing-that some people are particularly sensitive to these meds and blood pressure is a factor. Otherwise I can report similar side affects as all of you folks. Prior to the episode: Foggy head (blatant rise and fall head stimulation, like I was on an amphetamine); dry mouth; tightened stomach , though somehow I was able to choke down a bowl of chex mix cereal late last night with virtually no appetite; oh! and one hell of a tight jaw. Also some flinching while I was conscious in bed, like a subtle spasm in my arm. Also a vivid dream of nearly hitting a dog with my car early this morning-so much that I woke up screaming outloud, sitting up straight, right before I almost squashed the poor little bug-eyed Dalmatian. Very visceral indeed. One thing I will say, slept decent. By the end of last night I think my brain was zonked from the constant ebb and flow of this med, so I dozed off with little effort. I was feeling quite mellowed out today, social interactions which are otherwise unbearable (I save face, but a lot of introverted suffering and cynicism goings on to say the least) were totally doable:anxiety gone.

Don't know if being doubled over with low blood pressure is worth it, or pragmatic considering my dysthymia is manageable. So I'm done with pristiq. Pdoc is prescribing some low dose xanax as needed for particularly hairy anxiety which is good because I think the anxiety, to be honest, is inciting the depression. Thought I would contribute, good luck to you all who are experiencing depressive episodes-and I commend everyone on your brave efforts to take care of yourselves even when things begin to feel hopeless.

This post has been edited by JessBNY: 14 July 2009 - 08:20 PM