Pristiq for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2008

"I have been on Pristiq for about 2 months. I've tried probably 10-12 other antidepressants with lots of side effects that made me want to quit them. I feel better emotionally today. I have no side effects and I am able to complete tasks in a reasonable amount of time, without feeling overwhelmed. I have no anxiety issues and I am finally enjoying my life. I only wish the insurance industry would cover this medication."

• m21h
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2024

"This medication is positively incredible. I was in an absolutely terrible place a few months ago. I had a breakdown and was barely functioning. I started Pristiq 50 mg 7 1/2 weeks ago. I know it works immediately for some people, but it took some time to kick in, so please be patient if you're not feeling the effects right away. I started to feel a bit better at week 4, and by week 6, I felt like an entirely new person. I am happy, productive, and able to be sociable, exercising regularly and feeling very good. I was really scared to start taking this. I know that it's not easy to come off, and that worries me, but I knew I had to do something, and if I have to take this for the rest of my life, I'm okay with that. It's well worth it... I went from being practically unable to function to feeling almost 100% within 6 weeks. If you've tried other meds with no success, Pristiq is worth a shot."

• Ga girl
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2014

"Been off and on antidepressants for 20 years. Been on 100 mg of Zoloft for about 5 years now and was having some adverse effects - gained a lot of weight for starters. Started Pristiq about 3 weeks ago. I feel a lot clearer in the mind - guess I didn't realize the fog I was in on the Zoloft. I'm not hungry - lost seven pounds in the first two weeks. Had some headaches while switching over. Sleep hasn't been a problem - but I have found that I need to take the meds at the same time in the mornings or I have headaches. So far, so good. Hopefully it will continue long term. I will probably be on meds the rest of my life - I've come to terms with that. Hoping this will be the last one I'm on!"

• Anonj
• April 11, 2016

"Absolutely no side effects. I lost weight on this medication, however, if you do not want to lose weight, talk to your psychiatrist, and they can prescribe medications that can help you gain weight if you are underweight. This medication worked perfectly on my depression, and I have not relapsed since I was weaned off it. No sexual side effects, it actually helped my sex life. I am so happy I tried it."

• Amand...
• December 3, 2014

"Finally I see hope. After being diagnosed with severe depression (took me 4 years to seek treatment), I tried 5 different medications (plus therapy). They all failed miserably and I lost the hope I didn't even know I had, then tried suicide twice. Finally I was prescribed Pristiq and let me just say... what a difference! It got easier to wake up and get through the day, my self-esteem got better, my anxiety doesn't come as often, and I can even make plans for the future. For the first time I see change is possible. Just don't ever forget to take your pills, you can't really function without them. I got no side effects except for increased hunger/libido, and a bit of difficulty falling asleep. I'm taking 150mg now."

• Kevin
• January 23, 2014

"Went to the doctor complaining of anxiety. Was waking up and not falling back asleep or even worse, could not fall asleep. Was also having anxiety attacks. The last time this happened, I was prescribed Effexor, which was a nightmare, and Celexa, which did nothing for me. Ended up quitting my job and with time off, I returned to normal. Quitting my job this time is not an option, so the doctor put me on Pristiq. Noticed a positive effect within 7 days, and I have been on it for a month now. This drug has worked absolute wonders for me. I have had no side effects at all (and no sexual impotency)."

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

"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."

• Pristiq...
• March 21, 2009

"I've been on Pristiq for 8 weeks and believe me, I have never felt better in my life. It works, no side effects. I'm a happy person now. The only thing I wouldn't do is to take Pristiq at night time. I take it at 8:00 am, so I don't have sleeping problems. Try it this way. This medicine is wonderful. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY."

• WCano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2013

"Best medication EVER! After 2 years of feeling angry and upset and constantly fighting with my husband (over stupid things) and having suicidal and self-harm thoughts purely from severe depression, I am now feeling 100% absolutely fantastic ALL the time thanks to Pristiq! Before, I could barely get out of bed. Now I have heaps of energy to last all day and am constantly on the go. I LOVE how this medication makes me feel. I'd highly recommend trying this antidepressant."

• Jo Girl
• November 22, 2013

"Have been taking Pristiq for just over a month -- relief from anxiety and depression after 3 days and able to concentrate and focus again to full capacity -- no side effects and sleeping well. I was on Effexor on and off for 10 years, with not a lot of relief from anxiety symptoms. Have lost some weight as well, and am starting to feel very positive."

• Coope...
• June 7, 2015

"My doctor put me on 100 mg once in the morning, and I could tell a huge difference in the way I felt. For the first time, I felt like I could breathe, I could see colors again, the trees, the flowers, everything changed from grey to vivid brightness, however, this effect was not immediate. I was taking 120 mg of Cymbalta, 2 60 mg caps a day, when this was the medicine I was on for years. I fought a good fight with doctors over years and years. They were telling me I was bipolar and I believed them. It took one great doctor 15 minutes to change my life. I have been on Pristiq 100 mg for going on 3 years now, and I love life again. I can't wait to wake up early in the morning and watch the sunrise, and I found out that I wasn't bipolar."

• beebl...
• April 14, 2015

"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."

• Johnny
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2018

"Depression is like being dead while you're alive. It is the most scary illness in the world. After doing a genetic test while on Effexor (that made my depression worse), Pristiq was the best result. I have no side effects, life is good again. Don't lose hope. This medication works, the side effects are due to interactions in the body chemistry. While you do a genetic test, you'll find a drug that will balance your brain. I wish you all the best."

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

"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."

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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

• trixi...
• December 18, 2014

"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

"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!"

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

"Don't suffer! I started with severe depression and anxiety. I used to have terrible panic attacks and anxiety episodes. Going through the day was tremendously hard, and I couldn't wait to be back home to sleep at 6 p.m. I was having a terrible time and getting used to calming 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 in my family. So I started with Pristiq. I had what I expected: dry mouth and a lot of thirst (the good side is that you get super hydrated). I lost my appetite, so I needed to force myself to eat and avoid sugar lows, especially when working out. By the third month, I started to feel alive again. I started to enjoy other people's company. I know it sounds cliché, but I started to see bright colors again... don't suffer!"

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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 three other meds that weren’t very helpful. I hope the good effects continue. The 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."

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

"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 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?"