Severe Pristiq side effects-- how long will they last?

[violet01]

My husband started taking Pristiq 7 days ago. He started off really spacey, zoned out, dilated pupils, nauseous, but he felt it working otherwise immediately. He was also drinking a few beers a day which seemed to make it manageable for him as he was having a hard time with all the new emotions. In the last 3 days or so there's been no alcohol whatsoever and his side effects have gotten a lot worse, adding dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, insomnia, jitters to the point where he is constantly shaking (which looks more like convulsions than a simple shake) and wakes up with muscle pain. He's spent the last three days in bed. He has a full time day job that he hasn't been to in 7 days. He's more than willing to ride out the side effects but how long are they going to last?

He's also had muffled hearing, painful speaking, shaky hands, headache, loss of appetite (well, he's hungry but the smell and taste of everything makes him nauseous), overheated, sweating, and god knows what else.

He takes the pill first thing in the morning. I've suggested he take them in the evening as the side effects seem to wear off as the day goes by, and that way it might make working easier, but he won't.

Has anyone made going to work with these side effects possible? How much longer will he be feeling like this? I just want to see him functioning again, I hate standing by unable to help.

[Blart752]

Well takes up to a month for some antidepressants to start working I believe. but some better effects can come maybe or hopefully within the next week or the next 2 weeks for your partner.

I couldn't take going anywhere on my antidepressant my anxiety was unbearable, i had to quit my job. Which i actually shouldnt hav done, well anyways what i did however was take an antianxiety benzo- like ativan or something for the side effects i was having, which seemed to have calmed them down.

[otherwise the curved]

Yeah. Have him call his doctor. I've been on a ton of medications, and those reactions are severe. Either your husband needs a different dosage, a different approach, or a different med entirely. Those are serious.

[Anna]

Now that good advice has been given, have him call his doctor (yes!) I'm going to close the thread, as we are a first person site. Please let your husband know when he's feeling better he's more than welcome to post here with questions.

Anna

[Anna]

Now that good advice has been given, have him call his doctor (yes!) I'm going to close the thread, as we are a first person site. Please let your husband know when he's feeling better he's more than welcome to post here with questions.

Anna