How long do withdrawals from Prestiq last?

I am doing much better since my original post. I am down to last 2 (half) pills that have been spaced every 2 nights for 3 weeks. I encourage you to try to stick with weaning yourself. The longer you are on the drug the worse the withdrawls later if you have to stop taking it for some reason. I have taken my time weaning because right before my insurance quit covering the drug, I had placed a mail order and received a 90 day supply so I had plenty. My dr wanted me to do the half pill (50 mg) every 2 nights for 2 weeks. I have done almost a month. I hope I do ok once I take that last pill. Fingers crossed. Good luck to you!!

I'm just wondering, did your doctor say you could take HALF of the the 50 mg pill? I thought that wasn't possible because the 50mg shouldn't be split... something to do with the time release of the medication being affected(?) I want to start tapering down from 50mg if at all possible.

Hey pam it seems doctors have no clue when it comes to that. I split mine for a couple weeks by doctors orders and the random bursts of depression tears and anxiety were hard to deal with. I didn't enjoy it at all. It's like dumping a whole lot into your system at once. Instead of gradually. Good job on doing your own research.

I've been on PRISTIQ for 4 years. In the last 8 months of body aches I decided to ween myself off this drug. I spoke to my Doc about it and he wasn't very helpful other than saying cut back slowly if you decide to get off. I am on my 3rd day of cutting my 50mg in half. I feel crazy, dizzy, heavy chest, tired, brain fog, heart racing, restless sleep... I cannot believe they prescribe this drug! I will never put this in my system again and can't wait till I'm totally past this. My plan is to take it slow and cut back slowly even if it takes months... I just don't want to have to keep taking this the rest of my life.

It has been 9 days for me. I'm a mess, still dealing with dizziness, brain zaps, crying, nausea, exaustion and anxiety. I am so tierd of this... will I ever get through this?

I like Kitrys weaning process. I have been on Pristiq for nearly 10 years and really want to come off it. I suffer anxiety, not depression and had managed my whole life with valium. When my anxiety flared up, I'd take valium for a few days and 'reset' my system and I'd be fine for months. But, doctors don't like to prescribe valium and when I moved cities I could not find one that would. So I tried everything from Effexor to Zoloft. All were disasters. I found Pristiq and was finally feeling well. I can't see how Drs can think 365 Pristiq a year is better than 20-30 valium! Anyhow, I'm trying to wean off again. I've tried compounding half tablets into slow release capsules but that didn't work. I'll try your method of spacing doses. I have now found a Dr that will give me valium for anxiety. I did not suffer depression.
Good luck to all of us.

How are u feeling ??? Better ?

I haven't been the same since, I started having seizures.. Very vivid dreams, almost real like. As of right now as I relax I feel ok. But like I said I haven't been the same since

Did your dr taper you off or did you just quit? I have tried to just quit and was told it's a big no no. I had the same symptoms as you lashon 123. I was told you have to be tapered off to lessen some of the effects. Hope this helps.

I am very sorry to hear of all that happened to you while taking Pristiq. My psychiatrist, who is young, recommended that I begin Pristiq while tapering off Abilify - another doozy to wean since I was exposed to it for over 10 years. So when I read about all the problems people were having with withdrawal from Pristiq (Brain zaps and dizziness and your Meniere's), I knew what a mistake it would have been. Thank god for drugs.com's support groups allowing me to see these drug for what they are worth. Plus, if any of you readers have an opinion on the atypical antipsychotics for anxiety reduction and a mood disorder, please take a look at the Abilify thread. There are more and more antipsychotics on the market these days disguised as the answer for depression, bipolar, hallucinations and delusions. Always come here first to verify what a doctor wants to prescribe.

Thank you. This is so difficult. Day 3 and it's a holiday.

Old thread but same drug with same discontinuance problems, from what the thread reads. After 5 years using Effexor XR, the Pfizer precursor of Pristiq, the effects of cessation were intense from the first day. Brain shivers and all that. Now, after 7 years using Pristiq, shut it down three days ago after three weeks at 50 mg every other day. Same symptoms, not as intense. Knowing the Effexor eventually stopped its antics really helps in coping with the Pristiq. And, as many have said, the power of prayer can carry the day. Also found that a psychiatrist is far better at evaluating this type of drug than the average GP. Really helped to see there are alternatives beyond medication.

I'd like to add that drinking a natural tea such as chamomile is good. Many people complain that it tastes horrible, and I thought the same. Some people suggest adding honey etc. to make it more palatable. For me, just to look at the box makes me want to gag. I started to drink it again. Now I am able to drink the tea without anything in it. As it is very hot where I live, I make the tea in advance, refrigerate it, and sip it cold.

I'm currently on day 7 of weaning off Pristiq. I took 50mg for 4 years. The side effects of withdrawal are just as you described. I'm a Believer, currently doing a sugar detox & praying this all ends soon. How did things work out for you?

Hello Christie, What was the reason why you decided to get off of Prestiq? Ive been on it for a few months after a terrible break up, the antidepressant Cymbalta didnt work any more. My doctor put me on 100mgs of Prestiq, I feel ok on them, no bad side effects that I could see.. however I ran out this week and forgot to get it refilled and it's been day 3 now without it and I feel terrible. Very emotional and unstable. I'm constantly dizzy and tired too. I can't sleep at night though. Being off this medication wasn't on purpose but now that I'm reading all of these things on side effects. I'm a bit concerned. I'm just wondering if you experienced any side effect while you were on the medication. I'm also a believer in the power of prayer. I know that God is the one keeping me alive during these tough times in my life.

Hi there everyone like u all I was searching for an easy answer to tapering off this drug. I eat clean, don't drink, do yoga, meditate, etc but 100 ml of this drug (albeit gave me some clarity to deal with life) is destroying me slowly!! I wake up with hives every morning in sweaty areas then have to take antihistamines to counteract the side effects of pristiq!! I don't have my creative side anymore and love drawing! I hate chemicals and avoid all parabens etc in hair body and makeup!! Why do I need this stuff! Ok I was suisidal and shrink had to give me something!! But now I want to try and come off!! Listen to don tolman pod cast re pharmaceutical drugs!! I was diagnosed with many mood disorders one being hypersensitivity so I struggle when coming down drugs!!

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m on day 4 of no longer taking Pristiq, and I can’t even begin to describe the hell I feel. Irritable, angry, dizzy, non stop weeping, and awful brain zaps. I feel hopeless. I keep trying to tell myself that it will get better, but these past two days have been extra extra hard. It’s hard to focus at work. I just constantly cry. I just want to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Reading this post has helped. It’s encouraging, and gives me a little hope that this will pass, and I will feel better soon!

It’s a total train wreck trying to rid yourself of this drug. Excessive crying, headaches, nausea, sweats. It’s been over a month since I’ve last taken this drug, and I feel hopeless. Didn’t help me at all with my anxiety.

My doc put me on Prestiq because of a little anxiety and hot flashes... well I went on vaca forgot my rx... it was horrible, nite sweats,dizziness,nauseous, actually threw up, vertigo, headaches and brain zaps,also I could not sleep... I want to wean myself off this and would like any suggestions.I would rather take zanex... I could take it only when needed and never had any side affects... These so called anti anxiety depression drugs are worse than anything I have ever taken because your body is hooked and you go through the worse symptoms and withdrawals to get off !!! So if any one knows haow I can get off of this I would appreciate your help !!!

What is your detox because I can not handle this mind zapping and joint pains. When does it stop???

I have been on 50 mg pristig for alittle over two years decided I didn't want to take it anymore I started missing every other day for a couple of weeks feell really really tired I have real bad dizzy spells have been taking Bonnie and it helps some have had nausea a lot also especially if I drink coffee. Last week I started skipping 3 days it has gotten alittle better but still dizzy tired and have nausea I'm thinking of just trying to stop altogether tomorrow but don't know how bad it might get

This is my 5th day off pristiq. Man! Brain zaps are so strong every time I move my head. I don't think I can exercise. I can't go out. I'm tired and just feel miserable. I am drinking lots of water. Trying to help flush out the toxins faster. I am now on fetzima. Fingers crossed. I hope the withdrawals don't last months. There goes my summer! Never had this problem with other antidepressants. Wicked stuff.

I've on pristiq + faverine for about 18 months but i stopped taking faverine 4 months ago and showed no major side effects i decided myself to also stop taking pristiq 5 days ago and no side effects at all thks god ... i know its wrong and should have consulted my doctor ... but this illness can not be cured unless you convince urself that u can beat it needs a strong will i guess

Interesting comments.

I started on 50mg Pristiq MR in July last year, and was increased to 100mg in February this year. However, about five days ago now I ran out and couldn't get in to see my doctor until next week (poor time management on my part). It's almost as interesting as it is inconvenient. I did miss taking my meds for a few days once when I was on the 50mg dosage, and on the third day was feeling like I wanted to vomit, and also a little dizziness, however this time there is no nausea at all, just some dizziness and the increasingly frequent 'mind zap' sensation that some people have mentioned. I had been planning to ask my doctor about coming off it anyway, so hopefully he has some advice for me (probably in the form of a lecture), which I will share here if memory serves.