How long do withdrawals from Prestiq last?

I had been on antidepressants for approximately 30 years. The last 12 of those years I was on Pristiq 50mg/daily and I had unsuccessfully tried countless times to come of this terrible drug. I could not cope with the withdrawal systems which I will describe as being dangerous due to having to taking those symptoms into a work environment such as mine (Electrical Powerline Worker) or even driving a vehicle.

My doctor switched me onto Lovan (Fluoxetine 20) starting at a dosage of 10mg/day. That was the big advantage taking Lovan over Prozac etc which contains the same drug due to it being in tablet form that you can easily cut with a pill cutter. I stayed on 10mg/day for 2 weeks then lowered to 5mg/day for 3 weeks and then reduced it to 5mg every other day for the final 2 weeks. I have now been med free for approximately 6 months and life could not be better with no evidence of withdrawals or the need to go on any antidepressants for that matter.

Late response I know but here I go 150 mg Pristiq 18 months decided I don't need it any longer being treated for borderline personality disorder bipolar now adhd day 1 nothing day 2 a bit strange day 3 wam got the lot day 4 worse day 5 just the zaps and super dizzy day 6 not there yet cheers

I'm on day 7 since my last dosage. Before that I took pills cut in half for 6 days. Right now most of the side effects have subsided except for the nausea and diarrhea. Yesterday I went to the hospital for IV fluids and other IV meds. I can't imagine surviving like this for much longer.

I have been off Pristiq for 10 days and I am so tired all I want to do is sleep all day. It is not a tiredness in my physical body - but a tiredness in my mind - completely cloudy and foggy in the mind. I never sleep during the day, I can rest but never sleep. But I have been sleeping during the day after coming off this medication. I also have mental confusion and find it hard to concentrate on tasks. I have been getting chills and the brain zaps are terrible, I literally feel like there is something crawling around it my mind and my head gets itchy. I have also had many crying outbursts. I hope that things start to improve soon.

I have been on 50 mg of Pristiq for five years. I have finally decided it is time to stop. I have CHF and do not want to continue taking this drug for the rest of my short life.
I am glad I found this site which confirmed the withdraw symptoms which I have been able to mitigate with Tylenol. I have been off the drug for two weeks. I will continue to tolerate the side effects until they disappear.

I saw your post from 5 years ago and I'm coming off of Pristiq for anxiety. I'm wondering if you ever found a medication to ultimately help you. I was also on Effexor and had to get off of that medication because of the brain zaps. The Pristiq is also giving me brain zaps.

Thank you for your time!
Michelle

Hey all. I have been coming off 400mg of Pristiq over the last month (reducing by 100 a week) and as of two days ago, I am not taking again Pristiq. It is hell, but reminding myself it’s not me it’s the (lack of) medication is helping.

Also I read somewhere in this thread about cutting the pills to smaller doses. BE Careful doing this, the first shrink I saw who recommended this I gave the ass because even I knew that my Pristiq was extended release, and cutting in half gives you the full half dose immediately as one side is no longer coated.

So check that out with your doctor. Hopefully they are smarter than some of the ones I have seen!

Hang in there. Eating properly helped me, I wasn’t eating much at all (just not hungry) and also stay away from coffee etc. lots of water. Flush the poison out!

I was on 100 mg of Pristiq for 3 years. I tapered using 50mg for 6 weeks and took my last tablet 6 weeks ago.

My question is, should I still be experiencing some after effects? I have had a few panic attacks and some feelings of impending doom that have really thrown me off kilter. I had to visit my sister in hospital this week and couldn't fight the urge to just flee the scene. I realise that is a stressful situation under any circumstances, but my inability to calm myself scared me.

I guess I am just seeking some reassurance that this is all part of the withdrawal process. I was told it would take months, I guess they were right?

For one thing, my pharmacist told me you shouldn't break or cut the Pristiq in half or quarters if you're trying to get off, since it's time released and you make get a big bolus of the medication or none at all. She told me (off the cuff) you would have been better staying on the Effexor and opening up the capsule and emptying out the little "balls" inside, a few more at a time each day. Regardless, if you hang in there, the effects of withdrawing will disappear over 2 weeks at the longest. I took my vacation (woo hoo) during that time so I wouldn't have to concentrate as much. If you are going on another medication, make sure your pharmacist tells you about avoiding serotonin syndrome. Pharmacists, I find, have so much more information about medication that physicians.

I'm so glad I found this information. I've only been taking it for 3 days and I already notice weird side effects like loss of appetite, diarrhea, mood swings, change in sexual mood, etc.. I was prescribed Pristiq for my anxiety and depression which came out of no where. My dr also prescribed me lorazepam which I only took for a few days and stopped. I've started to meditate and really observe my panic and anxiety when it comes on and I actually welcome it. When you accept it and stop trying to resist it, you realize how much stronger you are than the anxiety. I've started exercising, cut out caffeine and sugar, spend more time outside, and started taking CBD (one of the active chemicals in cannabis that doesn't get you high but helps with pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, seizures, tremors). I'm glad I found this information early so I can discontinue it only 3 days after starting it. Thank you all for you feedback and I hope you're all doing great.

I started on Pristiq for Cyclothymia disorder in July 2015. It worked really well for me in controlling anxiety, paranoia and emotional stability. On 18/12/2016 I reduced my intake from 100mg to 75mg by taking 11/2 50mg tablets. On 15/01/2017 I dropped to 50mg. And on 15/02/2017 I stopped taking Pristiq completely. The obvious side effects of mind zaps and d swing were apparent in the first 5 days and quite intense. I am now 12 days without Pristiq and the side effects have reduced considerably however I find that from time to time I still get bouts of mind zaps and headaches but all in all getting better. Pristiq has helped me but I found myself somewhat emotionless, apathetic, having a significant reduction in sex drive and lacking drive and energy. Now that I'm off it I can feel so much more intensely. I have noticed a minor increase in anxiety and paranoia but being on Pristiq helped me recognise the reason behind this and now find it easier to control. Overall so far Pristiq disregarding the side effects has had a positive impact on my life.

Hey... I was on pristiq for one year after unsuccesfully trying lexapro for another year... I had never had depression before and I was diagnosed with post traumatic anxiety... My doctor was great all the way and the day came for me to quit we discussed the best option and he told me to take one every other day for 2 weeks and then one every 3 days for 2 weeks... During the first two weeks I had zero withdrawal symptoms thank god and there were days I felt very euphoric, like super happy over the top happy lol so I called him and my doc told me to quit for good after my first two weeks.. I was scared cause when I tried quitting lexapro it was hell but it went perfectly well... Ive been hitting the gym since day one of my tretment and I guess it makes a lot of difference... Its been 4 or 5 months since my last dose and its great... Ive been going out with my friends enjoying my family, my job... I'm applying for a new job actually and I have lost 6kg since then so yeah I wanted to reply cause there's always so many horror stories and it can be good good luck