I have been taking Pristiq for over 5 months. I was only taking xanax at night before bed but as time went on my anxiety and panic attacks had gotten worse. When I was first prescribed pristiq my DR told me to take the xanax 3 times a day, I told him I didn't want to take it 3 times a day because i am afraid of taking of taking any pills. I went back to the DR. about a month into taking pristiq explaining my issues of increased anxiety. I agreed to start taking the xanax 3 times a day at first .5 mg in the am, .5 at noon and 1 mg at bed. I was fine for a few weeks and then I had a major breakdown after I got out of work. I called my Dr and he told me to take 1mg in the am,1mg mid day and the full 2 mg at bed. Is there anyone else out there that is on this combination? I am seeing a therapist to help me as well. Any advise would be great.
I am completely honest with my Dr. I tell him that I drink a glass of wine at night or a joint he has not issue with this. Again I am on the meds for anxiety not depression. I have never taken more xanax than prescribed. Honesty is the best policy in my opinion.
So far the pristiq has been hard to get used to, many side effects. The xanax helps with the side ecffects. I really have no one to talk to. My fiance has never had panic attacks or anxiety so talking to him is hard. I just switched therapists due to my other therapist retiring... wish me luck.
Cheers!
Anthony J
4 mg of xanax and 50mg of pristiq?
Question posted by pisces1981 on 20 Jan 2013
Last updated on 21 January 2013 by kaismama
Answers
I would ask the dr to change my antidepressent. There are some that are more effective for anxiety, like Zoloft.
I haven't specifically taken Pristiq, but I was on antidepressants for a handful of years just for anxiety and panic attacks, not for depression, and I noticed that some antidepressants actually caused panic attacks, and actually made my anxiety worse, rather than making it better. I found the worst culprits to be Cymbalta (which I tried because I also have fibromyalgia and other types of chronic pain, thought I'd give it a shot) and Wellbutrin, while the 2 best antidepressants I found for anxiety and panic attacks were Celexa and Lexapro. Mind you, everyone is different and we all react uniquely to medications, but those were the ones I found to work best for me. However, I'm also on gabapentin (Neurontin) for fibromyalgia/nerve pain, and after years of antidepressants, I took myself off of them, but my anxiety never shot up to the point it was pre-meds, so I think the gabapentin has had some help in controlling my anxiety and panic attacks as well. It's really all trial and error until you find the right medication, or mix or medications, for you. I can say that once I was leveled off on a medication that worked for me, I was finally able to stop taking Valium altogether for panic attacks.
Thank you so much <3 Ill keep you updated.
You're welcome ;) I hope you find the right medication/combination of medications for you! Also, be open to using the older "dirty" tricyclic antidepressants. I found they have a more calming and relaxing effect compared to the newer antidepressants. They tend to cause drowsiness, but that can be remedied by taking it at night before bedtime, and your body becomes tolerant to the sedating effects after a month or two of taking them everyday.
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pristiq, xanax, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
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