Does anyone else have this problem? Do you have to take it at night? I feel really terrible and extremely lethargic. Please help. Only taking 50mg.
Just started Pristiq this morning. Feel extremely nauseos and sleepy?
Question posted by emeraldmara on 27 May 2011
Last updated on 8 September 2020 by Shannon gast
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
8 Answers
Shannon gast
8 Sep 2020
I just took my 1st dose. 100 mg. I asked dr for something to sleep, anxiety & depression. Put me on this. I chose to take this morning, hoping to relax. So far just little headache & natuea... Soon see
howells04
16 July 2011
Just started back on pristiq. Took for 2 days, got really nervous and felt like I was having a severe panic attack and didn't take the next couple of days. Now I know for it to really work I have to take EVERY day. Took this morning; bound and determined to make this work. I used to be on Pristiq but came off in 2010 when I experienced the death of a close friend of the family due to accidental overdose of pain med's. I didn't want to be on med's of ANY any kind. I really thought I could deal with these panic and anxiety attacks on my on. Stress at work has not helped ither. I am going to go see a therapist to help me deal with my experiences in life and with my panic and anxiety attacks. I can overcome this. I see that I am not alone when it comes to these attacks. I am keeping my chin up and know that Pristiq will work for me again as it did once before. I hope that these supports groups will help me also.
LaurieShay
16 July 2011
Hey howells,
Welcome to the group. Since the Pristiq worked before, I encourage you to take as prescribed. The side effects should resolve in the first couple of weeks of being back on it. I have found it to be a very good medication. Therapy is so very important too. With the combination of therapies, drug and talk, I pray that you'll be feeling much better soon.
Laurie
howells04
16 July 2011
It has really been a rough day today! I have really hurt in my chest almost all day today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I just want the pain to go away! Thanks for being so positive. I really need all the help I can get.
LaurieShay
16 July 2011
Hey howells,
If the chest pain continues please consult the doctor. Chest pain can be a symptom of something more serious going on or it can be from the anxiety. To see a list of serious side effects of Pristiq go to:
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/pristiq-side-effects.html
You need to contact the doctor right away if you are still experiencing chest pain.
Laurie
howells04
17 July 2011
Thanks. I have chose not to take Pristiq this morning due to yesterday and will be contacting my doctor in the morning. Again thanks!!
LaurieShay
17 July 2011
OK, keep in touch and let me know what the doc says.
mamoune
17 June 2013
I have been taking pristiq on and off for two years. I have been wanting to get off for some time and after extensive research have found that it has a high incidence of discontinuation syndrome. So it is advisable to go off it very slowly. Missing it can cause very bad anxiety and panic attacks, which I have learned the hard way! And also through experience, I know NOT to cut the tablets as the dose will get dumped unevenly! I have read that if one is wanting to get off it, it would be better to switch to Effexor which is a similar drug but the dosage works differently. I realise it is very important to follow the drs advice!
Inactive
3 July 2011
emeraldmara, sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. Like Laurie said there are more out there. I take Lexapro 10mg 1 xday.but I also have to take xanax, I have panic attacks so bad. I hope the doc finds something you can take, it took me a while to find the right one. Hang in there and we are all here if you need us. please keep us updated.
emeraldmara
2 July 2011
Had to stop Pristiq. It made me worse and the panic attacks were much more severe.
LaurieShay
3 July 2011
Sorry to hear you couldn't tolerate the Pristiq. What antidepressants have you tried? There are many good ones which also control anxiety such as Lexapro and Paxil.
emeraldmara
28 May 2011
Couldn't sleep last night. Had terrible night sweats. Very nauseous still. Seems today is worse. Ugh. :(
LaurieShay
29 May 2011
Hey emeraldmara,
Hang in there through the weekend. The nausea will get better I promise. The insomnia may be a problem. Are you taking the Pristiq early in the morning now? If not, then you really need to. I used peppermint tea or candy for the nausea, it really helped mine. Give it a try and keep me posted.
Laurie
emeraldmara
28 May 2011
Thank you both. Wide awake now. Ugh! Try again in the morning. Pharmacist said to use tums or pepto. Any suggestions are useful.
Thanks,
<3 emeraldmara
LaurieShay
28 May 2011
I was afraid of that. The pristiq is liable to cause some insomnia more so than drowsiness for most people. Try to take with food in the morning. You hopefully have a weekend here to help you adjust. It will take a week or so before these side effects subside completely. So hang in there. We are here for you if you need to talk or have more questions.
Laurie
jillmb
28 May 2011
emeraldmara,
I take Pristiq & suffer no side effects. Like Laurie does, have you tried taking it w/ food? Pristiq works very well for me; stick w/ it & the nausea may hopefully subside after a week or two.
Best of luck,
Jill
LaurieShay
27 May 2011
Hey emeraldmara,
Unfortunately the nausea is a common side effect of the Pristiq. If you can hang in there, it will subside in awhile. I have to take my Pristiq with my breakfast and that helps not get nauseated. Drowsiness can also occur with the Pristiq though it is more common for the opposite to occur. I would be leary to recommend you take it at night because it may end up making you not be able to sleep after you take it for a few days. If you took it this morning (Friday), do not take tonight though. You'll have to wait until tomorrow night to take it if you want to take it at night.
Hang in there and give it a few more days. Keep in touch.
Laurie
Related topics
pristiq, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic disorder
Further information
- Pristiq uses and safety info
- Pristiq prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pristiq (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.