I was on Lexapro for one year then came off (it was super easy to come off Lexapro) then 6 months went by and I was having anxiety again so my doctor put me on Pristiq. I am trying to come off of it now but the withdrawals are a little crazy. What should I expect? What is normal for coming off? Right now I am taking a pill everyother day for 2 weeks then I don't know what my doctor has in store for me. Also, weight gain. I gained 20 pounds on Lexapro. Is that normal? I keep reading now it makes you crave carbs. Pristiq I think is contributing to the extra 5 I have put on - is Pristiq kind of the same? As far as weight gain.