Pristiq and Headaches anyone?

[BigGirLoca]

I have been on Pristiq 50mg for over 3 full weeks now and every night like clockwork I get a headache. I have had problems with high blood pressure in the past, my psych knows this and still put me on this med. I haven't really been out of the house to check my blood pressure seeing as how I am agoraphobic and all. I was just wondering if anyone else here has experienced headaches with this medication? They're really not severe just an annoyance. Pristiq did pull me out of my severe depression, I'm up and moving about again, but from what I understand it does nothing for anxiety. I take Xanax for that, and I seem to need more while on Pristiq! I have been on: Wellbutrin (severe headache), Lexapro (Horrible Cottonmouth), Paxil (50 lb weight gain), Prozac (very very angry), Buspar (nothing..), and most recently Zoloft, 100mg, which stopped working. I feel so defeated... I need to find a med that works for me, my insurance is up on April 1st. Any suggestions, or experiences would be appreciated. Thank you for reading and have a great day. (Thats the Pristiq, see?) Lol

[unwell]

The first week I was on Pristiq I had really horrible headaches in the back of my head. I get really bad headaches/migraines all the time. This, though, I know was from the new med because I had never had them in the back of my head. They only lasted for the first week and then went away. Pristiq works for my depression and my anxiety. I did have to add Deplin to the mix after about 3 or 4 months though. If you can handle the headaches for a little longer they may go away. Good luck!

I have been on Pristiq 50mg for over 3 full weeks now and every night like clockwork I get a headache. I have had problems with high blood pressure in the past, my psych knows this and still put me on this med. I haven't really been out of the house to check my blood pressure seeing as how I am agoraphobic and all. I was just wondering if anyone else here has experienced headaches with this medication? They're really not severe just an annoyance. Pristiq did pull me out of my severe depression, I'm up and moving about again, but from what I understand it does nothing for anxiety. I take Xanax for that, and I seem to need more while on Pristiq! I have been on: Wellbutrin (severe headache), Lexapro (Horrible Cottonmouth), Paxil (50 lb weight gain), Prozac (very very angry), Buspar (nothing..), and most recently Zoloft, 100mg, which stopped working. I feel so defeated... I need to find a med that works for me, my insurance is up on April 1st. Any suggestions, or experiences would be appreciated. Thank you for reading and have a great day. (Thats the Pristiq, see?) Lol

[andrea3821]

I have had headaches my entire life, and nobody has really correctly dx'ed them (sinus pressure, tension, migraine, etc.). Anyway, when I started Pristiq, it was right before my period and I get horrible menstrual migraines. I think I had about two nights of headaches and that was it (normally all day for 5 or 6 days).

Also, though, I was going to the chiropractor and he was working a lot on my neck b/c of these headache issues (my neck is all sorts of messed up). So it could just be anecdotal, placebo effect, etc.

BUT. It is thought that migraines may be related to hormones and neurotransmitters (like serotonin and norepi), and since the Pristiq is affecting both, it could be giving you headaches, whereas I had the opposite effect (maybe).

[BigGirLoca]

This is just my opinion, but I think whatever it is in the Wellbutrin that gave you a headache is probably the same thing that is giving you the headache on the Pristiq. Maybe something to do with the norepinephrine?

I can't take cold medicine that has anything similar to norepinephrine because it gives me really bad anxiety. Being on Wellbutrin or Pristiq likely makes your anxiety worse, from my experience. It doesn't seem right to have to take MORE of a medication just so you can take ANOTHER medication, you know?

I was on Pristiq for about a month. I really didn't like it, and part of the reason is because it seems to have a very short half-life as in if I forgot to take it one morning, by that night I'd be experiencing "brain zaps." I think the pdocs are pushing it because it's a new drug and they want to try it out.

I'd talk to your pdoc about the anxiety. You may be like me in that you are sensitive to medication that affects norepinephrine neurotransmitters. I take Wellbutrin, but at a low dose, because it gives me that extra energy boost.

I go to the P doc tomorrow and she didn't give me enough samples of Pristiq to last me. So, I skipped yesterday and had the brain zaps that evening. You're so right about the half-life. I called pharmacies today to get the cash price and there is no way I'm going to be able to stay on this medication after I lose my insurance. It's really expensive. It did help pull me out of my deep depression, but I'm still tired and very low energy. I just want to have energy and not sleep all day AND be able to go out of the house!!! I don't think I've been out of the house in over a week. I have to pay attention to this, because my bf will do anything I need, and then I turn around and realize I haven't stepped foot outside in 10 days!! I can't keep being this agoraphobic. I want to go back to college and need this to be under control!!!! Thank you everyone for your replies and info, they have been most helpful.

[bradsgirl26]

This is just my opinion, but I think whatever it is in the Wellbutrin that gave you a headache is probably the same thing that is giving you the headache on the Pristiq. Maybe something to do with the norepinephrine?

I can't take cold medicine that has anything similar to norepinephrine because it gives me really bad anxiety. Being on Wellbutrin or Pristiq likely makes your anxiety worse, from my experience. It doesn't seem right to have to take MORE of a medication just so you can take ANOTHER medication, you know?

I was on Pristiq for about a month. I really didn't like it, and part of the reason is because it seems to have a very short half-life as in if I forgot to take it one morning, by that night I'd be experiencing "brain zaps." I think the pdocs are pushing it because it's a new drug and they want to try it out.

I'd talk to your pdoc about the anxiety. You may be like me in that you are sensitive to medication that affects norepinephrine neurotransmitters. I take Wellbutrin, but at a low dose, because it gives me that extra energy boost.

I go to the P doc tomorrow and she didn't give me enough samples of Pristiq to last me. So, I skipped yesterday and had the brain zaps that evening. You're so right about the half-life. I called pharmacies today to get the cash price and there is no way I'm going to be able to stay on this medication after I lose my insurance. It's really expensive. It did help pull me out of my deep depression, but I'm still tired and very low energy. I just want to have energy and not sleep all day AND be able to go out of the house!!! I don't think I've been out of the house in over a week. I have to pay attention to this, because my bf will do anything I need, and then I turn around and realize I haven't stepped foot outside in 10 days!! I can't keep being this agoraphobic. I want to go back to college and need this to be under control!!!! Thank you everyone for your replies and info, they have been most helpful.

I've been on pristiq for a little over two mths now. I was have debilitating headaches with it. I have headaches/migraines quite often, but not everyday. As soon as I started pristiq, I had headaches for about 3 wks straight. After about the 3 wk mark, the headaches subsided. I hope this is your case. The pristiq seems to be working with me and I haven't had any of the crazy side effects I had the first few days! I'm still low on energy, but I think it's just from not having any in so long, my body is used to it. I'm going to start MAKING myself workout/exercise to boost my energy that way. I hope everything works out with you and your headaches go away!

[Guest Cindy Iwata]

This is just my opinion, but I think whatever it is in the Wellbutrin that gave you a headache is probably the same thing that is giving you the headache on the Pristiq. Maybe something to do with the norepinephrine?

I can't take cold medicine that has anything similar to norepinephrine because it gives me really bad anxiety. Being on Wellbutrin or Pristiq likely makes your anxiety worse, from my experience. It doesn't seem right to have to take MORE of a medication just so you can take ANOTHER medication, you know?

I was on Pristiq for about a month. I really didn't like it, and part of the reason is because it seems to have a very short half-life as in if I forgot to take it one morning, by that night I'd be experiencing "brain zaps." I think the pdocs are pushing it because it's a new drug and they want to try it out.

I'd talk to your pdoc about the anxiety. You may be like me in that you are sensitive to medication that affects norepinephrine neurotransmitters. I take Wellbutrin, but at a low dose, because it gives me that extra energy boost.

I go to the P doc tomorrow and she didn't give me enough samples of Pristiq to last me. So, I skipped yesterday and had the brain zaps that evening. You're so right about the half-life. I called pharmacies today to get the cash price and there is no way I'm going to be able to stay on this medication after I lose my insurance. It's really expensive. It did help pull me out of my deep depression, but I'm still tired and very low energy. I just want to have energy and not sleep all day AND be able to go out of the house!!! I don't think I've been out of the house in over a week. I have to pay attention to this, because my bf will do anything I need, and then I turn around and realize I haven't stepped foot outside in 10 days!! I can't keep being this agoraphobic. I want to go back to college and need this to be under control!!!! Thank you everyone for your replies and info, they have been most helpful.

I've been on pristiq for a little over two mths now. I was have debilitating headaches with it. I have headaches/migraines quite often, but not everyday. As soon as I started pristiq, I had headaches for about 3 wks straight. After about the 3 wk mark, the headaches subsided. I hope this is your case. The pristiq seems to be working with me and I haven't had any of the crazy side effects I had the first few days! I'm still low on energy, but I think it's just from not having any in so long, my body is used to it. I'm going to start MAKING myself workout/exercise to boost my energy that way. I hope everything works out with you and your headaches go away!

[Guest Cindy Iwata]

I have been on Pristiq for quite a few months and finally decided it is Pristiq that is causing even more migraines and tension headaches than ever before. I plan on asking my doctor if I can return to Effexor XR on Monday. I can't stand this. The headaches are three or four days long and severe. Also stomach upset and much more anxiety than ever. I can't wait to get off of it, plus insurance doesn't cover it!

[blue canary]

I have a history of migraines (but can't take typical migraine meds because of a circulatory problem), and Pristiq did give me more frequent headaches. Unfortunately, my painkillers were counterindicated with Pristiq!! I ended up switching to Lexapro, which has worked great for me, but more because of my insatiable, ravenous hunger than the headaches.

[Guest DAP]

Hello, I also have night headaches. I take my Pristiq at night and it seems the headaches start about 1-2 hours before I am scheduled to take my next dose. The headaches seem to also make my

sinuses and nose feel numb. I have only been on Pristiq for about 3 weeks or so. I was given Abilify and took it for 5 days until I had the most awful panic attack of my life. I was driving to work

and I felt like I was going to pass out. My head felt numb and I my head started to litterly shake. I do suffer from Essential Tremor but that is only in my hands. I called my Pdoc and he advised

me to stop taling the Abilify immediately and what I was experiencing was a different kind of panic attack. Oh I forgot to mention when switching lanes it was almost as if I lost sense of reality

and I got a sense the car wheels were not on the ground but floating. I was horrified. I had no place to pull over so I suffered the 15 more miles to work. I sat in my car for 1/2 hour and called

my sister. I could not go into work and let anyone see me this way. I am hoping over time the nightly headaches go away I also notice milder headaches in the day too and when I am driving home I

look in the rear view mirror and see my eyes are half closed. I am not sure if this is a comfort thing or something else. All I can say is thank goodness I carry a bottle of Xanax or I would have

never made it through the day. My Pdoc told me on our next visit (about 6 days away) that we will discuss other options. I told him in the past My Dr's would only prescribe Xananx, Ativan, Klonopin

but never a antidepressant. He said the Antidepressants were being prescribed to control the panic and anxiety from occurring to date this has never been the case and I have always needed Xanax on

a need to take basis. Some weeks it is 1-2 a day some days none at all. Sometimes weeks without one. I HATE THIS SH** I could see if I was worried about something that brings on the attacks. Seems

to happen out of nowhere which is most troubling to deal with. I have been on Paxil (Weight Gain) Prozac (Useless) Serzone (Nighttime Hallucinations) Trazadone (Perm Erection scare, no thanks)

Buspar (Might as well been Pez candy)Effexor (Primary Doc prescribed and not enough as per PDoc and made me sweat day and night like crazy) I was taken off of Effexor and put on Pritiq. I hope the

side affects diminish soon. I need some PEACE in my LIFE already. I have suffered from Panic/Anxiety for over 20 years and I am 41 now. That's a long time considering. Sometimes I wonder would it

be better to be completely numb all the time or deal with the depression/Anxiety/Panic attacks.. Sorry for babbling on. I am sure my grammar is horrible.

[Guest certifiedcrazy]

I recently started taking prestiqe a week and a half now, seemed to be working okay, and all of a sudden last two evenings I've experienced extreme headaches radiating from the back of my head throughout my brain. Excruciating pain. Doc said to stop taking it. Felt like I was having a stroke!

[Guest Amanda]

I recently started taking prestiqe a week and a half now, seemed to be working okay, and all of a sudden last two evenings I've experienced extreme headaches radiating from the back of my head throughout my brain. Excruciating pain. Doc said to stop taking it. Felt like I was having a stroke!

I am so happy to hear this stuff. I have been on Pristiq for three weeks today. I have never suffered from headaches or migraines at all. Last thursday, I developed a headache that lasted until sunday. I was miserable. Not used to dealing with that kind of pain. I have gotten a headache every evening since then. And the first week on Pristiq, I was so nauseated that I understand the claim to "weight loss". That did go away. I'm hoping the headaches will too?

[Guest Guest]

I have also been on pristiq for 3 weeks. The headaches are terrible. I thought it was allergies or a sinus infection. I switched from effexor because of some side effects but they were nothing compared to this....I wish they could give the seretonin and norepinephrin separately because the seretonin rebound is horrible on this medication. I skipped the pristiq today and will break my 100mg in half. The depression is completely gone but I can't sleep and the headaches are terrible.

[Guest Andy]

Thanks for the good read. I have been on Pistiq for some months now and have been experiencing a lot of sensitive headaches since I started. Will be seeing the doc about going on the generic Lexipro. I say generic because it did not have the same side effects as the lexipro brand itself. I was on it some time back prior to Pristiq and am now thinking it was a "sale" of Pritiq to me rather than a honest prescription by the doc. Anyway, yes... experiencing bad headaches on Pristiq for some time now.

[Guest lisa]

I recently started taking prestiqe a week and a half now, seemed to be working okay, and all of a sudden last two evenings I've experienced extreme headaches radiating from the back of my head throughout my brain. Excruciating pain. Doc said to stop taking it. Felt like I was having a stroke!

I am so happy to hear this stuff. I have been on Pristiq for three weeks today. I have never suffered from headaches or migraines at all. Last thursday, I developed a headache that lasted until sunday. I was miserable. Not used to dealing with that kind of pain. I have gotten a headache every evening since then. And the first week on Pristiq, I was so nauseated that I understand the claim to "weight loss". That did go away. I'm hoping the headaches will too?

Before I started taking Pristiq I had horrible migraines. When I started taking it, I got a mild headache on the back of my head. However, this were minor after my normal migraines. I have been on Pristiq for 3 months and the migraines are gone. I did get one yesterday but I forgot to take my Pristiq until about 10 hours later so that was probably a withdrawal symptom. I have heard a lot of people say the opposite so I guess it is different for everyone. I did read somewhere that if you drink a lot of water with it, the headaches will lessen. I would give it awhile longer. Pristiq has worked wonders for me.

[Guest Lisa]

I have a history of migraines (but can't take typical migraine meds because of a circulatory problem), and Pristiq did give me more frequent headaches. Unfortunately, my painkillers were counterindicated with Pristiq!! I ended up switching to Lexapro, which has worked great for me, but more because of my insatiable, ravenous hunger than the headaches.

I eat like a horse on Pristiq. I told my doctor about it and she told me to eat non-processed food. I was hoping she would give me an appetite depressant but she didn't. I am starting South Beach again on Monday. Hopefully this will control the weight gain and appetite!

[Guest Cygnetian]

I've only been on Pristiq (50mg) for two days but am thinking I cannot stand the headache. I have had it since yesterday. I have a history of tension and menstrual headaches & migraine and I don't need more. Don't know what to do but I wish I'd thought of asking my GP for Wellbutrin/Zyban to try first. I need an anti-depressant that helps with my very low energy but doesn't exacerbate (or cause) more headaches. Arg. I've tried so many! So frustrating.

[saveyoursanity]

Cygnetian, you may want to wait a few more weeks for the pristiq to kick in. It actually got rid of my migraines.

Of course if you can't stand the headaches then you need to contact your psychiatrist and get his/her advice. If you don't have a pdoc and your GP is prescribing for you, you probably need to get one because psychiatrists have a lot more options and are generally much more current about mental health issues.

[obsessed]

i guess im just chiming in to give an opposing view. pristiq has not at all given me that side effect at all. i wll say, however, i never have headaches anyway. I did have many of the other common side effects, but they all dissipated, and now id say im pretty side effect free. meds effect each of us differently, as we all know. its such a trial and error situation, which is disconcerting to say the least.

[conundrum]

I found pristiq got rid of headaches that I got from taking prozac, that had lingered on afterwards. Its hard to say how a drug like that will effect someone. I found that after a couple weeks I did start to get headaches again, but not as bad as with SSRIs, and the adrenergic buzz wore off and it started to feel more like a normal SSRI.

[annuk333]

Been on Pristiq 50 mg about 5 weeks. Definitely had daily headaches the first couple weeks, but don't have them anymore. Still have some random weird chills and flushing, but hoping they will go away to. Planning to tough it out long enough to find out if med will work....

[Guest ER Nurse]

I've been taking Pristiq for 3 weeks now. I rarely have headaches. For the last 3 days I have experienced a headache starting at the base of my neck on the left side and radiating up to the top of my head and behind my left eye. This is very new to me. Now wondering if it is associated with this new medication. I have tried several difference antidepressants and know that I need one, but can not find one that works for me. Not feeling much better on this one. Feel like I no emotions at all. Anyone else experience this? Are headaches associated with medication? Will they go away? As a nurse in the ER, kind of hard to have compassion for my ill patients. I just want to say "I have a headache too". Any suggestions?

[Guest dog lover]

I was so glad to find this. I was given Pristiq a month ago and after three days on it I had the worst migraine of my life! It lasted 3 days, and I was unable to walk- completely debilitating. I was vomiting, and in the worst pain of my life. I am prone to migraines, but have never felt pain like this before. And since I had my daughter (4 years ago), my migraines decreased. I used to take Effexor xr, which worked the best for me, but I hated the "head zing" sensations if I was slightly late on my next dose. I feel like I've tried everything, and was going to attempt Pristiq again, but definitely not. My life doesn't allow for me to be out of commission for a few days due to meds.

[Guest Jessi]

I'm actually here for the same problem. every time I take the stuff I'm getting wicked headaches.In my temple and behind my left eye, same place every time.

[conundrum]

Hi guys,

I'm somewhat over edu-muh-cated on how some of these drugs work, some might say obsessive. So i'd like to take a stab about what might be causing the headaches, although its purely mental masturbation, not a treatment plan. I'm not a doc, just pharmacology nerd. I'm surprised to hear about all these headaches since Pristiq actually helped to relieve the headaches I was receiving after stopping prozac. I get these piercing little headaches in the front right of my brain from low dose SSRIs. Anyway pristiq resolved these headaches that lingered after a month off prozac. I assumed it was from increase in norepinephrine which is a vasoconstrictor. Vasoconstriction helps relieve certain headaches that are caused by the blood vessels in the brain pushing against the surrounding tissue. o why it causes headaches for some and relieves them for others is odd. I have no idea why, but the parent drug does act as an antagonist at various opioid receptors. So perhaps that it part of it? Blocking pain killing receptors.

Anyway, it sounds like you may need to see a pdoc like Saveyoursanity said. They might be able to help with the headaches or find a drug that works without causing them. I wonder if something as simple as aspirin at night could help with that? It sucks to find something that finally works and then have to stop it. I hope you can find a way to pay for it There are patient assistance programs. But if you can't afford it, there are other drugs that work in similar ways that are generic.

[Arlene]

I am so glad to hear that I'm not going crazy. I changed from Lexapro to Pristiq 3 weeks ago. Normally I have menstrual migraines, but about 3 days after my usual migraine I woke up with almost the worst migraine ever. It has lessened but has not completely gone away in almost a week. Along with the nausea, insomnia, dizziness and heaviness of my head I'm miserable. My doctor didn't think it was the Pristiq but I'm calling her now and telling her I'm going back to the Lexapro; this is nuts!

 

[Akbi]

I started taking Pristiq, 50 mg, for a week. It worked no better than Effexor, 150 mg, which I had been on for years and wasn't helping as much anymore. I upped my Pristiq dose to 100 mg. I felt like a new, amazingly better person, but as someone else in this thread mentioned, I got debilitating headaches at 6 p,m. like clockwork for the first three days. Then they lasted all day. Today I started Fetzima, that very new SNRI and immediately went to the higher dose of 40 mg (I was supposed to start at 20 mg, so shhhh...don't tell my shrink! haha!). Anyway, I have still had a headache all day and night, even though my last Pristiq dose was yesterday morning (it is 1035 the next day now). If this Fetzima thing doesn't work, I may have to try Pristiq again and hope the headaches go away, or maybe another SNRI like Cymbalta. Oy. I just want to be happy and normal.