Desvenlafaxine for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder User Reviews

• Nina
• April 25, 2021

"So my story begins with accepting I was molested at age 8 by my blood uncle on my dad's side. As you know with everything putting a bandaid on things eventually it gets uncovered. I used 2020 as a year of reflection and this drug saved my life. I been on it for 6 months now. The minute I decided my life was no longer owned by my trauma God literally opened new doors and blessed me with the gift of a second chance. I don't get angry or have the anxiety I used to have. I eat about average didn't gain or loose weight. No headaches no nausea. No worries with this medication. Before I could barely fall asleep now I sleep like a baby. My world was so structured before very OCD, clean freaking by the book. I only have control over me and myself nothing else. I'm grateful to God to be here. Will be 49 this year so excited for my future."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I had to write a review on this one. I have tried everything possible in the past and nothing has worked this well for me but this med. I was suffering some horrible symptoms of ptsd and it completely was dibilitating to my life, career, social life, and even started to effect my health. I had gone through a rough phase with extraordinary life circumstances as well as serious difficulty coming to terms and adjusting with drastic changes and past trauma haunting me daily, even waking up from dreams with full blown panic attacks. I feel balanced out on this med, my functioning has been restored, so relaxed and calm, able to sleep at night, no more panic, and increased resiliance to stress, please give this a try if you suffer from ptsd......"

• Macca
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2020

"Had a bout of paternal post-natal anxiety and depression (probably a triggering of latent c-PTSD from childhood). I then tried two different SSRIs for 3 weeks each - both made me so drowsy and didn’t relieve any of the major symptoms I was having. Dr put me on desvenlafaxine (50mg) and Quietapine (25mg at night) and within a week I was back to my normal happy self - have been this way for 6 months now and it’s given me the mental strength to go through psychotherapy, which will continue for probably another 6-12 months. This drug (or this combo) saved my life for sure. No major side effects (harder to orgasm, but only slightly). Able to be the husband and parent that I want to be, and that my family deserve."

• Diver...
• April 3, 2010

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have always avoided antidepressants because the times I have tried them the side effects have outweighed the benefits. I swore I would never take them again. However several months back I had an incident at work and almost died. I was having anxiety and depression because of this and my doctor prescribed Pristiq. At first it was terrible. I felt dizzy, weak, sick, and had severe sexual side effects. I was more frustrated than before, but made myself keep taking them. After four to five weeks though, I felt a huge change. The side effects went away and I felt better than I ever remember feeling before. I don't get angry anymore and I don't take things as serious. And now sex feels better than it ever has. Give it a chance and give it time."

• kollo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "The first couple of weeks of Pristiq were rough. The usual side effects, nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness. In the second week a lot of rage erupted, and I had another post traumatic stress disorder flashback. But I persisted throughout all of this, and the rewards are finally here. It's now the end of the third week, and I am feeling energetic, focused and optimistic. Creative ideas seem to flow easier, and I am out there in the world again, taking photos and hiking. This antidepressant is certainly working a lot better than Prozac did, and better than I remember Effexor being. Worth a shot."

• Sweet...
• September 28, 2010

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I would like to thank everyone for leaving their comments on here. It is so helpful for everyone to stick together and help one another. Depression, anxiety, etc. is so hard to deal with and it is so comforting to know that you are not alone. I have tried Zoloft, which gave me such insanely scary nightmares that I was afraid to go to sleep. Effexor worked great for a while and then seemed to burn out. I tried countless other medicines over the years with no luck. I was on Pristiq for a few weeks and thought it was going to be yet another disappointment, then boom! I started feeling great. Also to my husband's delight, I have a pumped up sex drive, woo hoo! I didn't expect that one! I am so hoping this isn't too good to be true."

• Z06
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2018

"I have a diagnosis of PTSD / 29 years of full time fire fighting. Now finally with Pristiq can sleep at night. The constant worry of looking for the next problem on the horizon is gone. Be very careful if you miss a dose. The withdrawal symptoms are felt quickly. Just have your next regular dose. This stuff just plain works. be safe. be well."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2011

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I just started on Pristiq yesterday, and it's good to read these remarks. I am a 29 year old male diagnosed with PTSD and clincal depression. The last 2 years especially have been hell. The real hell.. and I want to be out. Reading these reviews gives me hope."

• Lee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

"I have struggled with PTSD for the past 5 years, I have tried Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, Welbutrin, Buspar, etc. I was placed on 50 mg of Pristiq and .5 mg of Klonopin as need to prevent Panic Attacks and Flashbacks. So far this medicine has been life changing. I have not had any negative side effects other than a few crying spells the first week of taking it ( not necessarily a bad thing considering Lexapro made me so emotionless I couldn't even cry when I needed to). I have noticed an increase an energy and sex drive as well. My panic attacks have been very manageable and very few and far between since beginning Pristiq. I do have very vivid and lucid dreams but they are not normally nightmares, and can often wake myself up from them when they do get bad."

• Huon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

"I have had PTSD for many years, tried zoloft 200mg, seroquel 700mg, lexam 20mg and now pristiq 200mg. It is working although I lack motivation, but it is slowly returning. I can state categorically that pristiq does not mix with alcohol. If you take meds that affect the brain so deeply, alcohol will screw up the process for days. I wish you all wellness on your journey to betterment. Be kind to yourself, accept help and take care."

• Poodl...
• November 18, 2016

"I have never reviewed a medicine before. I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for almost 7 years now. I'm very sensitive to medicine and I've tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin, celexa, and one more that I can't remember. I've also had to use klonopin as a back up. I hate taking medicine because it always makes me feel weird and that exacerbates my anxiety. It's been 4 weeks and this has been amazing! I don't feel weird or unlike myself, I haven't had to take emergency klonopin once, I was just promoted and have had the most stressful 7 weeks of work I've ever experienced and I feel great! Amazing medicine, I'm glad I gave it one last shot with this. Life changing."

• Saral...
• October 11, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Pristiq is "the one" for me. It's the refined version of Effexor and it has almost completely relieved my PTSD symptoms. Very little side effects, not too much emotional blunting. No flashback to "the event" or panic attacks. And unlike when I took Effexor, I have no unacceptable loss of inhibition. So I'm happy with this one. I take 100mg daily."

• Sunsh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

"I've been on many medications for over 20 years. Name it, I've probably been on it. Pristiq is expensive and takes a chunk out of my budget. No shopping, mani/pedis etc. I pay for the non generic name brand and have my life back. I was sucidal less than two months ago after the death of my nephew. This medicine is worth every dollar."

• Beach...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2021

"After years of trying every pill made, my piece of advice is to quit letting your Internist, General Practioner or Witch Doctor experiment on you, go to a licensed Psychiatrist. As for Pristiq, it has worked wonderfully in treating my Intermittent Explosive Disorder. I'm a new man and more able to exist in society. I'd also recommend you avoid all alcohol while taking it. I tried a couple times and it will turn you into a zombie. As others have mentioned, not every pill works the same for everyone, and I would avoid worrying about dosage size at this time. Get yourself a Psychiatrist that is trained specifically to help people like us and let them treat you."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have been taking Pristiq for over a year now. Works well. My post traumatic stress disorder comes from years of depression, heavy meth and LSD use (in conjunction with each other). It has stopped the day-mares and other things that prevent one from work."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2010

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I'm glad I found this forum. I've been taking Pristiq for about 3 weeks. My depression is due to post traumatic stress from an abusive marriage and it has helped take the 'bite' out of the stress. Not a miracle drug but after reading the other comments I think I'll stay on the 50 mg instead of trying a higher dose."

• Trixy
• November 19, 2022

"Initially, when starting the medication I did have an increase in my anxiety while driving or leaving my house. This disappeared within two weeks and I noticed a significant improvement in my anxiety and depression. I also noticed an uptick in my desire to be social, talk on the phone, and interact in group therapy."

• AnicaB
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2017

"I am in my late 30s and have family members with manic bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. I had struggled with anxiety and feelings of sensory overload often but not major depressive disorder. However, after moving to a foriegn country, I found myself suffering from constant nightmares that were extremely vivid and awful. I sought counselling to cope with leaving behind my friends and family. Pristiq has reduced my heightened sensitivity to sounds, any irrational fears, and made nightmares mild. Both my GP and counsellor thought Pristq was a good fit. I am happy that 2 years later, it still works well with no negative side effects (had some drowsiness at first). But if I miss more than 1 dose, my symptoms do return, so I'm afraid to go off it"

• Miranda...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 26, 2018

"I was placed on Pristiq about a year and a half ago for my PSTD and major depressive disorder. It worked like a charm. About a month ago though, the generic brand disvenlaxifine became the only one close to Pristiq that my insurance would cover so the physician changed me over. I didn't notice anything at first, everything seemed the same. I've been using it now for about 3 weeks and this past week I've started to notice I am getting "brain zaps" even though I haven't forgotten to take the drug. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience? I am hoping it will pass shortly and not that the drug is ineffective for me compared to Pristiq."

• Jeni
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 8, 2018

"I was on Pristiq for at least two years before my insurance company "made me" take the generic - desvenlafaxine. I gradually weaned myself off of it. I take 150 mg a day. So I would take a 50 Pristiq with a 100 desven, the next day I would take 100 Pristiq with 50 desven. Now I am totally off of the Pristiq. It's been three weeks and it's not good. I have night sweats, more spacey moments, bouts of depression, trouble sleeping. I will definitely talk to my psychiatrist about this at my next visit. I am on other meds as well. Truly I have Complex PTSD and Manic depression. Yippeee......"

• Kkano
• April 13, 2020

"I found that it worked short term before I started experiencing side effects without missing a dose and had to keep being upped . Also found that it did nothing to help with nightmares and flash backs. desvenlafaxine numbed me for a while but never out quickly and body became use to it too quick already on 200mg hasn't really helped me long term"

• Pristiq...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 4, 2021

"Been on it for 10+ years and I'm happy and stable. There are a few side effects but I find them way more tolerable than depression/ptsd."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Really has done wonders for me. Have nothing bad to say."

• helped
• March 14, 2011

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I recently tried this medicine and I finally feel better, I will say I have only tried one other and it did nothing for me I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks it helps!"

• anon...
• March 31, 2011

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I was taking an old medicine ENDEP which made me feel very dull. My doctor has prescribed me Pristiq which I have been taking for four weeks and have felt no considerable improvements. "