Desvenlafaxine for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 2)

• vp89
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2017

"I was on Effexor for a year, 2 different times for anxiety. Because my husband recommended Pristiq I decided to try it the next time I had to go back on anxiety meds. It has helped me tremendously. I couldn't bring myself to fly anymore (even though I love travelling more than anything else). Since being on Pristiq I've flown (with no anxiety issues at all) across the U.S., then to Europe, then to Hawaii. It also helps me with daily issues as well. The only drawback for me really is that I'm a little too calm now. I don't get excited about things as much as I use to. No more excessive worrying but also not too much joy either. Overall though, I prefer this over what I was feeling before."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2018

"I was to the point that I would look out the window to make sure no one was out side just so I could pop outside to get the mail, Just the idea of having to shop for food made me have chest pains and cry I could not do it anymore ... So I went back to the doctor and started this medication after 2 weeks I felt human again . I was myself for months but then I forgot to pick up my prescription and then it was a holiday and I thought it would be ok because it took so long to go into my system ... I was crying in the line at the pharmacy because my chest hurt and I could not breath my anxiety was back and bad . It was not ok do not miss a few days when you have bad anxiety it is still there waiting to overtake you :( I am back on it and doing well .I now am on a ready fill program that will call me a few days before I run out so it never happens again ."

• Natha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2019

"I've been taking this medicine for about 7 months. In the beginning, I suffered through some extreme side effects (my body felt really heavy, couldn't leave the bed, lot's of nausea, etc) but after 10 days it started getting better (so if you can, try pushing through the side effects). I started taking desvenlafaxine for depression and anxiety and while it has KINDA helped with my depression I feel almost anxiety-free. Before the medication, I couldn't make a phone call without having an anxiety attack, and I had some serious tachycardia but now I don't feel any of it. One downside I felt from the medication was that I started feeling really drowsy and couldn't quite focus on my everyday tasks. I talked to my doctor tho and he recommended that I start taking bupropion alongside desvenlaxine so I hope that helps! Overall, I think this is a great med."

• Mothers...
• January 7, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Wow is all I can say. I did not realize how lousy I was feeling until I started this drug. I feel so much better. The first two days, I was jittery, and the first week slightly queasy, but I noticed by day two an increase in my energy and desire to do my everyday activities and a DECREASE in my appetite. I have no desire to binge eat like I do when my anxiety is bad. I have so much more patience with my children. I still have anxiety but it is calmed with Klonopin, and I am starting Buspar this evening before bed. The only bad thing is that it has been very constipating for me. I drink prune juice and have added fiber and Metamucil, but it is still a problem. I have taken many meds over the years, but I truly find this a miracle drug."

• Harold
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2020

"Great, life changing. I'm so glad I agreed to go on Desvenlafaxine, I feel like my old self again. It suppresses those feelings you have no control over regardless of how hard you try. Some side effects included initial constipation, jittery jaw, feeling a bit dizzy, but all subsided after a few weeks. Dry mouth still persists and if I forget to take it for a day I get the dizzy type feeling, but this goes when I get back on track with it. Side effects are well worth the positives. I have now halved the does to 25 mg (I cut a 50 mg myself as thats the lowest dose) and feel it still helps me. I am slowly working towards reducing the dose, I will see how I go through winter on 25 mg, but I will have no concerns to go back up to 50, and/or even stay on it forever if needed! It has improved my quality of life immensely."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2024

"This med has saved me. I felt like a new person after 3 weeks of taking it. Been taking it for 10-11 months. Last summer, even after 8 months of counseling, I couldn’t function from anxiety. This med gave me the boost I needed to be able to live again. As I understand it, it’s just giving my brain what it should have but doesn’t! I had minor side effects on and off for 2 weeks or so - headaches and a general nauseous feeling in my stomach. I could still eat fine; eating didn’t make it worse or better, so it was a slight annoyance more than anything. I noticed some reviews say they can’t sleep - my doctor said take it in the morning! I have no problems with sleeping. Also, don’t forget to take it - I did that once and had a bad headache that night! I just set a reminder. :) I previously had tried Lexapro for 8 days. I knew something wasn’t right. My doctor said this was a good alternative for people whose bodies don’t agree with Lexapro."

• carls
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2022

"am not one to write reviews on anything, but I once was you, reading the reviews on this medication feeling scared and I want to provide my experience to hopefully make you feel better. I was in an awful state and it was something I haven’t experienced before. My anxiety was so bad I couldn’t function and ended up in the hospital. I just felt like I couldn’t control it. My doctor prescribed me this medication and it saved my life! The first week was awful. About 5 hours after taking my dose I was really nauseous although I didn’t vomit - this really scared me as I have a phobia of being sick. The next few days I was shaky, I had dry mouth, and felt really wired. The best way to put it is that I looked like I was on MDMA my pupils were dilated and my jaw was tightened. I spent that whole week in bed, sleeping it off. By the 3rd week, I felt amazing. Mild anxiety to none, no panic attacks, and I felt like I was me again! Please stick out the side effects - it’s scary but so worth it!"

• Chelle
• September 10, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have only been on Pristiq for a week and I can already tell a difference! My only side effects are jaw clenching, thirst, waking up in the middle of the night and weight loss. The jaw clenching is tolerable and if I pay attention to it, I can control it... except when I'm sleeping. The weight loss is awesome. I have been trying for years to lose weight and in 4 days on Pristiq, I lost 6 pounds! It really does suppress the appetite. Sex is still good, no side effects there. I have been on Zoloft (terrible migraines) and Lexapro in the past. The Zoloft was bad, liked the Lexapro, LOVE the Pristiq!"

• David
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "My doctor prescribed Pristiq for anxiety. The first 2 weeks I felt like a Zombie. I had bouts of nausea(although I never threw up) and I really just felt strange most of the time. I knew that this medicine had side effects so I stuck it out. On the 14th day I awoke feeling awesome! I am not exaggerating. I have been taking Pristiq 50 mg for one month now and continue to feel great. Several times a day I actually think to myself how happy and content I am. That never happened before taking this medication. The only side effect that I am experiencing is that it takes me longer to climax. I can live with that, considering how Pristiq has changed my life. Give it a chance to work and you may find happiness once again."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Taking Pristiq for severe panic attacks as prescribed by my GP. 6th day into it and already feeling much more calm and clear-headed. Some nausea and a little constipation, but please, if that is the trade-off to feel much better, then so be it. Not planning on a long-term relationship with Pristiq, however. Using this in conjunction with therapy so I can have some relief while I work through finding the real emotional root of my problems. Pristiq is only a band-aid while I try to heal whatever wounds. Give Pristiq a try, everyone reacts differently, but it has truly been amazing for me so far. Good luck to you all."

• Confi...
• May 30, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Have been on it for 3 months. Immediately felt a change for the better. Have lost 10 lbs. Have stopped drinking. No longer filled with rage or overwhelming despair. No side effects that I've noticed. I'd love to hear from people who have been on it longer than a few months."

• khatc...
• December 30, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "This medication can't be rated hastily. It can take up to 6 weeks to level off. My first days of Pristiq 50mg were terrible. My first dose at night caused insomnia, jitteriness and dizziness, dilated pupils, nausea, sweaty, and a racing pulse. The following week I felt great with NO ANXIETY! I still felt nauseous however, ate very little (lost 7 lbs), and had a headache daily. The following week my side effects continued (insomnia & TMJ flare up), but my benefits diminished. My doctor then increased my dose to 100mg. Since then, most of my side effects are gone except the dilated pupils & TMJ issues. I've taken Zoloft (ok) & Lexapro (zombie) in the past. Please give this medicine time before you decide you hate it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I took Pristiq for extreme generalized anxiety disorder. I went off 5 weeks ago because I was feeling so well after taking it for several years and I just had to go back on 4 days ago. This medicine works very quickly. I could barely get out of bed on Friday and I was back to work Monday, functioning and feeling much better. Pristiq does not take my anxiety away 100% all the time but it keeps me functioning. Without this medicine I am not sure what I would do."

• DavidG
• December 23, 2015

"I was on lexapro for 5 years at 30 mg but was tired of always being tired all day and not caring, after the DNA test I found out lexapro wasn't for me and my dr switched me to pristiq- it's only day 6 but I notice more energy and less anxious. Hopefully this continues to improve and work- will update later."

• Anxio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2020

"I have decided to come off this medication desvenlafaxine after 10 days of nightmarish living. I haven't had panic attacks in over 10 years and yet on this medication I have had 3 in the last 10 days. If anything this medication has made me realise that my symptoms are probably really mild and that I don't need medication. My partner came home one night and literally thought I was on drugs because of how wired I was from this medication."

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2008

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I began taking Pristiq 50 mg approximately 6 months ago and as reported by the numerous previous posts, I also experienced exceptionally rapid weight loss. The first week I suffered from nausea, to the point that I did not think I could suffer through it; but my physician said I should continue taking it. I also experienced extreme dizziness, but only for the first few days. I have to admit those symptoms do not outweigh the benefits. Like many others, I am much more clear headed and focused. I have noticed those negative side effects will return almost overnight if I miss a dose, so my body helps to remind me. I do not want to forget."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I've tried a lot of medication, nutritional products, "self medication", etc... since I started having severe anxiety and depression around 1998. I've been taking Pristiq for about a year, and it is the first medication to successfully treat both my anxiety and depression. Most treatments made one better, while the other got worse. The only real negative with the medicine is the short half-life. You'll definitely notice if you miss a dose. Missing two is not a pleasant experience at all. Since being on the medication, I've been much more productive at work, more social, more driven, more attentive to my son, and just more happy and at peace overall."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I took Zoloft for a long time and it stopped working. I am so glad it did. Pristiq is 100 x better. It controls my anxiety and leaves me clear headed, i.e. not numb. I experienced some insomnia and increased sweating during the first week but it went away. The only side effect I experience now is constipation, which I hope will go away because I don't plan on parting from this medicine for a long time. It's been a life saver for me and I love it."

• kilo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2013

"Had been feeling depressed and anxious for years and was loathing to go on medication. Tried all sorts of herbs and supplements with very little effect. I took 50mg of Pristig and felt better that day. Anxiety is gone, depression lifted, feel so much better."

• Super...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2018

"I was switched about three days ago from Cymbalta to generic Prestiq. Thus far its all good. I am much more awake all day long and for the first time in years I am thinking of going out to buy some new clothes. I know its early but thus far I am so happy to not be so tired any more and I have become more productive in my work."

• Worri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2017

"After trying a myriad of medications for my postpartum anxiety, all which brought on profound side effects such as depression, insomnia, rage, no feelings whatsoever, etc, I was placed on Pristine/ Desvenalfaxine. I have not had to take medication for anxiety or depression previously and was to the point where I intended to suffer through the anxiety rather than the side effects. This medication however, has been a lifesaver. I feel fantastic and very much like myself. I want to do normal things, taking care of my son doesn't make me feel like I'm going to worry myself into an early grave. I'm not having heart palpitations. I can actually work and be productive opposed to constant worry. It is working!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "Decided to try Pristiq after feeling like my depression and anxiety were taking complete control of my life. It was the first time I ever tried medicines of this sort and I have to say it really has turned my life around. I feel completely energized in my private and professional life and enter new tasks with a renewed sense of optimism. "

• christy
• June 13, 2010

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I have been on several different medicines from Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Effexor to name a few. I LOVE Pristiq. I can get up in the morning and feel it's going be a good day. Before, I would avoid social places where I knew there would be a lot of people because I panic. I also raged and get irradiated very easy, it almost cost me my marriage. "

• Cekro...
• February 13, 2018

"I have not been on this too long, but so far so good. I did a DNA saliva test a few years back with a mental health nurse practitioner, and Pristiq came out as my number one choice. Since it was not in generic form at the time, I opted for choice #2, generic Paxil, for insurance/money reasons. That has worked very well for my anxiety for 3 years, but the one side-effect that has driven me nuts was always feeling sooo tired in the morning. Since the generic for Pristiq has come out, I decided to switch, and I already feel more awake and energetic in the morning. I have tried a plethora of anti-anxiety meds over the years, always with side effects or they just quit working. Knowing that everybody has a different body chemistry and reactions to medication vary greatly, I HIGHLY recommend doing the DNA test if you can. It has been a real life changer for me and the change from generic Paxil to Pristiq has been seamless."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2010

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I am on my 4th day of Pristiq, I felt better almost immediately. I suffer with anxiety and negative chatter in my mind. I feel calmer, more relaxed and the chatter in my mind has gone. I don't have trouble sleeping at night, my appetite is DECREASED. I am feeling weird though, my head feels heavy and I feel a bit spacey, zombie like. I am hoping it passes."