Desvenlafaxine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Chelsea
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 14, 2023

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I was on generic Pristiq for almost two years before my panic attacks, anxiety, and depression became creeping back. It also caused hair loss and night sweats that made me have to change my clothes up to 3 times a night and I gained 30lbs with no end in sight. Coming off this drug has been horrendous. I have had full blowen withdrawal symptoms, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. I got put in the psychiatric ward and lost my job. It’s been weeks and I still don’t feel like myself, still can’t work and I'm at risk of losing everything. This medication literally almost killed me and I don’t know if I’ll ever be the same. Beware."

• beebl...
• April 14, 2015

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I am a 24-year-old male who has been dealing with depression, anxiety, and a lack of focus in my life for a couple of years now. After a recommendation from a friend, I decided to make a change and start on 50mg of Pristiq. I'm a relatively small person, 5'5 and 130 pounds, and immediately felt the effects of the medication. I had a huge surge of energy that was a little overwhelming. I was much more sociable and confident, also, my curiosity was dramatically increased and I managed to breeze through several books in a week's time. This was a huge shift in my normal behavior, which was generally lazy and unfocused. Now I've been on the drug for about 3 months, and the effects aren't as noticeable, but I'd say my life has changed for the better."

• MAB
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Initially Pristiq kept me on an even keel. Then it didn’t seem to make a difference. I don’t feel interested in anything. I have gained 20 lbs in six months. I told my doctor and she said to stop taking it. Easier said than done. It made me extremely sick. Headache and nervousness were unbearable."

• Gareth
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on many antidepressants and desvenlafaxine had the least side affects. Dose increased rapidly until I was on 100mg morning and night. Recently had some anxiety, paranoia and rage issues. Got a referral for a psychiatrist. He started me on taking the 200mg Pristiq in the morning and taking 30mg of mirtazapine in the evening. Increased my issues over the 2 weeks taking this combo. Now on 200mg in the morning as before and 100mg of quetiapine in the evening. My mood has stabilised but my social anxiety has increased (even with a Valium safety net) and have trouble getting back to work. I'm genuinely glad most of you have found peace but I'm yet to find mine- with a marriage hanging by a thread and a 1yo daughter relying on me, time is not on my side."

• ccsk
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I have had depression for a long time, sometimes more serious, sometimes less serious. In the past 7 years, I think I experienced a 're-entry shock' going back to the teaching profession in HK. I need to take it once per day. I did not experience any side effects like sleepiness or dizziness. I can perform my normal heavy duties in my workplace. At first, my doctor asked me to take it after evening, but since it will not affect my work and does not need to be taken after meals, I prefer to take it right after I get up, and I can establish a routine for it easily. Soon after I have taken Pristiq, all my negative thoughts and feelings disappeared like a miracle and many people around me commented that I am happier than before."

• NYC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2013

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "My experience with Pristiq 50 mg works wonderfully. I've been on it for more than 2 years and don't prefer any other. It's low on side effects and it makes me feel like my true natural self, no zombie feeling at all. For the women in their 40s, Pristiq is a miracle medicine to lessen hot flashes and allows you to sleep well. No worries with sex problems; you will not have any problem."

• Eve
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2023

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Anxiety "I started taking Pristiq for anxiety and agoraphobia and it REALLY helped me!! However, it took a long time to kick in but I’m so glad I stuck with it. I started on 50mg and after 8 weeks I honestly didn’t feel much different, I thought this wasn’t going to work, then we bumped up to 100mg and that’s been the sweet spot for me! I just feel so so much better in daily life, I’m able to attend social gatherings and visit restaurants without having full-on panic attacks and being absolutely consumed by anxiety. It’s been about 6 months now and I just feel so much less scared of the world. My only side effect is being way more constipated than I used to be, but I’m working on this because I don’t want to go off Pristiq anytime soon. Give it a try and see if it works for you because it’s really changed my life!"

• trixi...
• December 18, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I have been on Pristiq for about 3 months. I had insane anxiety and depression, as well as insomnia that got so bad I ended up in the ER. I don't care if I ever come off of Pristiq because it works. I am normal again. I sleep, and for about 2 months I almost forgot what it was like to feel so anxious I could hardly function at work or life. I hesitated to start this medicine because my psychiatrist told me absolutely no drinking. I do have a few drinks on weekends and have no side effects from it."

• Tim
• February 28, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I had been on Pristiq for about 1 year at 50mg. While on it, the feelings of depression and anxiety pretty much disappeared. However, after changing my lifestyle for the better and going off Pristiq, I have been dealing with withdrawal side effects. It has been 4 weeks now and I still have the brain zaps which make me feel unsteady. These zaps have been continuous and extremely upsetting. Add to this the deep states of sadness (mention the least sad thing and I would start crying) and the nightmares...it has been a very rough 4 weeks. For the last week, I have had blood pressure swings from 110/60 to 218/111 and weakness in the large muscles of my legs and arms. For those going on or off, be careful!"

• MKate
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Pristiq has been a life changer for me. I know it gets a lot of bad reviews on here, because I looked at them before I started it lol. But it may be the med that works for you. I have not felt this good in years. My energy is good, I laugh way more now, I am able to recognize and replace old negative thoughts with more positive ones. I have gained a few lbs but it’s nothing compared to living in depression. I am so thankful for this medication after trying 3 other meds that weren’t very helpful. I hope the good effects continue. Only side effects are sweating and sometimes I’ll wake up in the night and be unable to fall back asleep for an hour or two."

• ERNYC
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2015

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Pristiq has been a miracle for me. I had depression, anxiety disorder, and panic attack disorder. I had tried many other medications, gained 50 lbs, and was still mentally a mess. I had to take over a year off of school because I couldn't handle the stress. I started Pristiq and within a week, I noticed I was no longer crying at the drop of a hat, was better able to concentrate, and was actually feeling so much better in my mood. I've been taking it for over a year now, I've lost 40 of the 50 lbs I gained on my previous medication, and I'm back at school and doing great. I credit Pristiq with all of my recovery. For the first 2 weeks of Prestiq, I had a side effect of insomnia, but that went away after 2 weeks, it was no big deal."

• Zyut
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 26, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "After a severe injury in the workplace, I hit rock bottom, depressed, suicidal, hopeless, really sad. I didn't understand what was going on, like someone else was at the wheel and I had to go along on this scary ride. I needed help so I went to a psychiatrist who diagnosed clinical depression. This was a relief to hear and separated me from the weirdo driving! It took 2 years of counseling and different medicines to find the right one, for me it is Pristiq. I have been on it for 8 years and now work full time. I think it takes a while for the user to live with an antidepressant medication. I read and hear of many who want out after 2-4 years, but I found that just hanging in there is the way to go. I see myself as complete now, no side effects."

• McGhee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Major Depressive Disorder "Why is this a frontline anti-depressant? Yes you read of people having positive responses to it, but it's either this or profoundly negative responses. For me personally, it made my depression worse in terms of cognitive issues, fatigue and anxiety which isn't usually a big issue for me. I was obsessing about my girlfriend cheating on me non stop and had more frequent self harm ideations. I got off it after only 3 weeks and had night terrors and bouts of anger with motivations to ending my life stronger than any I've had before."

• eaced
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2024

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Major Depressive Disorder "I struggled with treatment-resistant depression for years and ended up in a depressive episode so severe I didn't leave my home for months. Did ketamine therapy, tested over 15-20 meds, nothing at all helped. Tried everything short of MAOIs and TMS (which were my next steps), and started Pristiq, thinking it was just one more med to add to the roster of failures, and it actually worked. It took some time, but after about two months on 50mg, I noticed things started to improve. At 100mg, I am feeling so much better. I never really believed anything would work for me, and I think Pristiq saved my life. My worst side effect is some pretty intense drowsiness, so I just take it before bed. I also tend to get pretty easily irritated a few hours after my dose (another reason to take it before bed). Brain zaps and sexual problems are also a thing. I've found taking my dose every other day manages the overall side effects pretty well."

• My...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 17, 2024

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "After 40 years of therapy and various drug protocols, my PCP insisted we try this med. I would have to check with Dr., but am now 69 years old and since the start of Pristiq at age 44, it has allowed me to live a normal and balanced life, with no negative side effects. We are celebrating 44 years of marriage and are more in love every year thanks to eliminating a family plague."

• vmart
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I rated Pristiq a 9 for the simple fact that although it really helped me get out of depression, I have been having crazy vivid dreams. The dreams are not pleasant or bad, just weird. I have flashbacks about them all through the day, and I can recall almost every little detail. Some might argue that this is not a bad side effect; however, because of this, I've been having poor sleep. All this said, it wouldn't be a reason for me to get off the medication. It has really given me back my life!"

• Miss-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2015

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Pristiq is awesome so far. Don't reject it because it is nearly identical to Effexor. Effexor caused extreme sweating. I would stand in front of a forceful fan while dressing and still be drenched! My doc told me I might not have that with Pristiq and I don't! I am just over 6 weeks, and it took a full 4 weeks to kick in. The first couple of days I felt great, calm, and happy, and got hopeful, but then slid back into the dark place. But I kept going and at 4 weeks, I suddenly one day woke up and started planning fun outings for my teen, after months of sofa lounging. 100mg, F, 56, 135lbs. Tried Prozac (allergic), Paxil (weight gain), Effex (sweating), Lexapro (out of dark place, but flat). I hear it's hell to stop, but I'm not going to stop. Why would I?"

• Feeling...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2019

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Ive been on Pristiq for over a year now. I understand it doesn't work for everyone, but I fully think it saved my life. I used to be between so many medications, and I fully think that this will be the one for me. The biggest thing it helped me do was remove the obsessive side of my depression and removing the CONSTANT invasive terrible thoughts. The side effects have just been kind of annoying. You definitely HAVE to be on top of taking it though. That's what keeps it from getting a 10/10 in my opinion. Overall its definitely worth trying."

• Fer
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2022

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Don't suffer! I started with a severe depression & anxiety, I used to have terrible panic attacks & anxiety episodes, going through the day was tremendously hard and couldn't wait to be back home to sleep at 6pm.... I was having a terrible time and getting used to calm my anxiety with alcohol, I was afraid of starting on meds but when I discovered that I was coping with anxiety through alcohol I got very scared as there is alcoholism at my family so I started with Pristiq. I had what expected, dry mouth and a lot of thirst (the good side is that you get super hydrated), Lost appetite so I needed to force myself to eat and avoid sugar lows specially when working out, by the third month I started to feel alive again, I started to enjoy other people's company, I know sounds cliché but I started to see bright colors again... don't suffer!"

• Sadno...
• December 30, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I've been dealing with depression for a few years. Recently, it had gotten so bad that suicidal thoughts and social withdrawal were really concerning me. I tried to fight it naturally by taking Super B Complex, but to no avail. Within the last month and a half, I've tried Lexapro, which did not work for me. Now, Pristiq, which I must say is really helping me. I'm finally having sex again with my husband. I didn't know that it was depression that was hindering me, and having an orgasm is not a problem at all. In fact, I've become quite frisky. A lot more talkative and beginning to get together with friends again without as much anxiety. Anxiety is not completely gone yet, but it's only been two weeks. Loving it!"

• Melissa
• February 25, 2013

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I love this. I used to have major mood swings. I feel so much happier. I'm a recovering meth addict. I started this medicine in rehab. 6 months at 50mg and life couldn't be better. All of the anxiety and nerves, tics and repetitive thoughts I no longer have. Pristiq and AA saved my life."

• Gigi
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2021

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Been taking Pristiq for about a year and I’m definitely no better. If not worse. I have a lot of symptoms that I feel are coming from this drug. I have no motivation to do anything. I have a hard time making a decision. I’m constantly tired. I am mad at the world and often find myself taking out anger on everyone around me. I have no emotions and can’t express myself. I believe it’s time to talk to my doctor about changing my meds or stop taking it altogether. I really feel like it’s changed me and not for the better. Sometimes I don’t even like myself and I feel like a horrible person. In general I just don’t like the way it makes me feel. I hope I can get my life back soon."

• raul
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2024

For Anxiety "34-week update. Had to come back and share my update. It’s been amazing. I’m putting myself in situations that would previously provoke panic and anxiety and haven’t had a panic attack in 7 months. I’m speaking in conferences of 200+ people, able to give presentations on the fly, social anxiety completely non-existent. For those of you reading this worried about side effects, just go for it and don’t look back. I was once there reading all the comments on this site. My marriage is way better, got promoted at work. Life is good. Believe me when I tell you, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I did have H. pylori. Search the connection between it and psychological issues. No longer stressed out all the time. I did gain 30 lbs, but I think it’s because I no longer have health anxiety. I honestly thought anxiety was going to kill me eventually. Spent a lot of money with different doctors because I couldn’t accept that it was all rooted in anxiety disorder."

• KCWard
• August 3, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for 6 months. The first two months, nothing happened. The third and fourth months were great. I was well-balanced, no longer angry all of the time. I had motivation to do things, and I felt like I finally had the ambition to do something with my life. And then Pristiq just stopped working for me. As if my body had grown immune to it. I am still taking it regularly every day, but I feel just as horrible as I felt before I started taking it. I am going to see a doctor next week to find out why it just stopped working for me. It's not fair! I read so many reviews on how it has changed people's lives and fixed their depression. I was so happy to think that I'd gotten the same result. I can't find a reliable drug."

• Alice...
• July 11, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) for Depression "Diagnosed with Cyclothymia, as severely depressed and adult ADHD. Been on Pristiq for 2 years, before that Cymbalta. Although both worked well, Pristiq has helped much more (no meds for ADHD). Had to have the dosage raised today because I must have hit a plateau and started feeling bad again. Doc says the higher dosage for six weeks should help get me back on track, and then I can take the regular dose again. For anyone that has quit these medicines cold turkey, please don't do it, can cause seizures/psychotic episodes, talk to the doctor. I'll be on these meds or something all my life, so feeling better-no complaints. I'm actually nicer on Pristiq and since I don't take anything for ADHD, I'm still very interesting too."