Pristiq and Anxiety: What Users Say

• rbc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2020

For Depression "I never write reviews on ANYTHING online, but after being prescribed Pristiq for anxiety and reading multiple negative reviews, I thought I'd write about my positive experience with this medication. I am 31 years old and have been experiencing moderate to severe anxiety my entire life. Last summer, I began taking this medication, and I won't lie... the first 4 weeks were rough. Decreased appetite, increased anxiety, and just very spaced out. Saying this, once you get past the 4-6 week adjustment period, this medication is LIFE CHANGING. And yes, I know that this medication does not help everyone who takes it, but I encourage people to tough through the adjustment period. I honestly wish I knew about this medication earlier. And yes, there are still lows you will feel, this is life. This is not a magic pill... but completely takes the edge off. I wake up feeling great most days, I have increased motivation, little to no self-doubt, increased appetite, increased sex drive, etc... the list goes on."

• Cra...
• February 12, 2020

For Depression "So I had to share my experience because I’ve read so many reviews of so many different drugs. I was on every possible SSRI from primary care dr. The side effects were horrible. I mean HORRIBLE. Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Prozac... you name it, I tried it. Finally got smart and went to a psychiatrist at the advice of my therapist. Hallelujah! He put me on Pristiq, and within days I felt better. It’s been two weeks now, and he just doubled my dose. I take 25 mg at 7 pm and noticed by the next day around 2, I was getting anxious, clenching my teeth, etc. So he has upped it to 50 mg. He also gave me Ativan for when my anxiety is at full tilt. I’ve had no side effects. I just want to give people hope. You can’t go by the reviews because we all react differently to medicine, but don’t give up. See the right professional. I also did the mouth swab thing to see what medicines might be a good fit. With the $. Good luck to whoever is reading this and stay strong"

• mun...
• July 9, 2010

For Depression "Give Pristiq time. I've been on Pristiq for 3 and 1/2 weeks, and the first 2 weeks I had hot sweats, nightmares, irritability, and increased anxiety. I wanted to quit, but I resisted, and then WOW, the 3rd week I started feeling WONDERFUL! Side effects disappeared, lost 7 pounds, and have a sex drive again. As a mother of 3 little kids and working, I felt more optimistic, energetic, and enthusiastic! I love my work again, which I did a long time ago, and I am much more loving with my kids and husband and show much more affection to everyone. This is who I really am and was 5 years ago! It has made me want to exercise and play with my kids again! Don't quit early, give it TIME to work. I thank God and pray for all of you that you find peace, happiness."

• mtl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2020

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 1 month and a half. The first week felt weird: I had headaches, anxiety, couldn't eat, difficulty to sleep. Then the physical side effect went away and I started to feel better but it was very subtle and slow but steady change. After 1 month and a half I can say that I feel a lot better. I have more energy, more sense of control on my life. One thing that stays is that I have to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. I have skipped a dose once and it wasn't bad, I didn't cry or feel horrible."

• Jes...
• September 27, 2018

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 10 days. Day 1-4: Constant migraines, teeth aches, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, no desire to eat, eye pain, brain fog, body pain, restlessness, and anxiety. I felt like I had the flu. By Day 7, I began to notice the physical symptoms go away with such great relief at feeling normal again. My depression felt at bay. I’m glad I stuck with this medication and encourage anyone else struggling at first to wait at least a week! Every day I do something that my depressive/anxious self wouldn’t and I am proud of myself. I can converse with strangers, reply to messages right away, and get up every morning with no feeling of drowsiness and dread for what’s to come. I feel like I am finally taking control of my life. I am still having problems with my appetite and anxiety. I hope anyone else taking this with the same side effects will feel a sense of relief knowing that it will get better!"

• Mun...
• May 25, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking generic Pristiq for several years and it has really helped. Got a refill and the bottle looked different. The pill was also different. After about 5 days, I began to get dizzy, light-headed, had problems sleeping, and felt very anxious. It was from a different manufacturer. Stopped taking it and the dizziness has stopped, been able to sleep, but have been having anxiety. I had no problems until the pharmacy got the supply from a different manufacturer."

• Myl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

For Depression "I have never wanted to take any SSRI or SNRI, but I became very depressed and was desperate, so I listened to my doctor who told me to try Pristiq and give it 4 weeks. I suffered almost every side effect: yawning, insomnia, increased anxiety, tinnitus, sweating, incapable of having an orgasm, vivid nightmares. I took Pristiq 50mg for 4 weeks and I only had 1 day that I was not depressed. I quit taking it after 4 weeks of sleepless nights and a very loud high-pitched ringing in my head. 2 weeks of feeling dizzy and extreme headaches, then 2 months of bad headaches and extreme anxiety. Now, 4 months off Pristiq, I have very high anxiety, headaches, and the worst is tinnitus. Pristiq ruined my life. After researching, I realize that this tinnitus is probably not going away, since it has been 4 months, and I am devastated. The ringing is intruding my brain every second, and my anxiety has grown uncontrollable alongside the tinnitus. I wish I never took Pristiq."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2014

For Depression "I want to share my experience because I was terrified when I first started Pristiq. It was the first time I'd taken an antidepressant following a severe depressive episode. I read so many negative things about Pristiq and people over-analyzing it. It took 6 weeks to work and yes, I had dry mouth, headaches, and nausea, but they passed after a few days. The anxiety went away gradually, and I felt like I could control it again. The depression lifted too, and I could function. I went cold turkey to come off it (Dr. supervised) and yep, side effects but no big deal. The brain zaps were full-on, but they lasted about 4 days. I feel great. Of course, I'm doing lots of exercise and eating well too... but Pristiq helped."

• dbu...
• December 11, 2014

For Depression "Pristiq for me is a lifesaver! The first 2 days I took the medication, I was tired, but now being on it for two weeks, it is amazing. I used to cry at the drop of a hat, and I had severe anxiety. Pristiq is the only medication that has ever worked for me! Try it! It might save your life too!"

• Anx...
• April 10, 2015

For Depression "I have nothing but amazing things to say about Pristiq. I went through a 5-year toxic relationship, lost everything including myself, tried to rebuild my life after leaving him but could not stop feeling 'heavy'. Felt numb. Had anxiety, could not sleep and pretty much felt like I was living in the dark. Went to see doc, started with 50 - no side effects so after 2 weeks he upped to 100mg and after three weeks I started to feel better and after a month I was truly amazed. It's been just over three months and I feel better than ever. I can't believe I suffered for so long. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it just isn't enough! Best thing I ever did for myself. Thank god for health benefits! It's expensive!"

• Gar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on many antidepressants, and desvenlafaxine had the least side effects. The dose increased rapidly until I was on 100 mg morning and night. Recently, I had some anxiety, paranoia, and rage issues. I got a referral for a psychiatrist. He started me on taking 200 mg of Pristiq in the morning and taking 30 mg of mirtazapine in the evening. My issues increased over the 2 weeks of taking this combo. I'm now on 200 mg in the morning as before and 100 mg of quetiapine in the evening. My mood has stabilized, but my social anxiety has increased (even with a Valium safety net), and I 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 1-year-old daughter relying on me, time is not on my side."

• Gar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on many antidepressants, and desvenlafaxine had the least side effects. The dose increased rapidly until I was on 100 mg morning and night. Recently, I had some anxiety, paranoia, and rage issues. I got a referral for a psychiatrist. He started me on taking 200 mg of Pristiq in the morning and taking 30 mg of mirtazapine in the evening. My issues increased over the 2 weeks of taking this combo. I'm now on 200 mg in the morning as before and 100 mg of quetiapine in the evening. My mood has stabilized, but my social anxiety has increased (even with a Valium safety net), and I 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 1-year-old daughter relying on me, time is not on my side."

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

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."

• McG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Why is this a frontline antidepressant? 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 nonstop 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 end my life stronger than any I've had before."

• Mel...
• February 25, 2013

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."

• Mel...
• February 25, 2013

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."

• Fos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2023

For Depression "I have struggled with solutions for PMDD for decades. I have been on this medication for 2 years and am finally leaving a review because I truly believe that Pristiq alone has saved my life. I had run the gamut through antidepressants, birth control, diet, and exercise to treat the symptoms of PMDD to no avail. Every month going through the same cycle of anxiety, insomnia, rage outbursts, impulsive thinking, and helplessness to the point of thinking of suicide. I doctor-shopped for someone who would believe me that my hormones were doing this to me and I wanted off the rollercoaster. I felt it was a losing battle. I would be this miserable person forever. As a last resort, I took a gene test. It changed my life. Pristiq was the only medication in my 'green column.' My doctor put me on a varying dosage. I take slightly more or less depending on my symptoms. It has worked. I have my life back, or maybe for the first time. I no longer struggle with sleep, hormones, or anger. I have peace."

• 32...
• March 13, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I recently came to terms with my mental illness and decided to seek help. I decided to take Pristiq after it had been sitting in my cabinet for over a month. Day 1 was terrible - I couldn’t eat, I was nauseous, paranoid, socially withdrawn, went to hot yoga and almost fainted (Pristiq makes you sweat a lot! Body temperature skyrockets). Day 2 was not quite so bad, but I was still not sure if I should continue because I felt a lot of brain fog. I felt kind of numb too. Although! No irritability or depressive symptoms on those first two days. So I gave day 3 a shot, and I've been good ever since then. I’m only on my 2nd week now, but I just wanted to write to people who may want to give up after the first week of bad symptoms and tell them my story. Because I’ve felt great ever since then and I have had no meltdowns, haven’t cried once, or yelled at anyone, or questioned my own self-worth. So good luck to anyone who’s going on the same journey. I hope we all find the right cure."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

For Depression "I almost lost my life because of this drug and Effexor. I was on Effexor for a year and couldn’t sleep, had massive anxiety every day, and felt groggy and tired every day. Got switched to Pristiq and had extremely real suicidal thoughts that I’ve never had before. Had to wean myself off of it because doctors didn’t understand why I was still not able to sleep all night (would wake up every 2 hours), why my anxiety was constantly spiking, and why I was so suicidal. My cognitive thinking made sense, but my physical reactions did not. I weaned myself off, and my anxiety attacks mostly stopped, I was not depressed anymore, and I could sleep again a full 8 hours (which helps with cognitive function a lot). The brain zaps were awful, and my agitation was sky high while going off. Now I’m on a high CBD tincture and find it works better than any antidepressant I’ve used in the past."

• jel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2014

For Anxiety "I take Wellbutrin XL 150mg and Pristiq and have been since 2009. Tried to go off of Pristiq twice because my sodium level is a bit low. Within a month of being off of Pristiq, I got my old anxiety attacks, panic, insomnia, etc., so the positive definitely outweighs the negative. Hopefully, my sodium will be corrected now that I'm seeing a specialist for it, but for me Pristiq and Wellbutrin XL work wonders and I don't plan to go off either ever again."

• Cne...
• June 23, 2016

For Depression "I'm not a doctor, but I want everyone who's reading this to know: EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO MEDICINE. Pristiq didn't work for me, unfortunately. I was on the lowest mg. It didn't do anything when I took it, but man...when I didn't take it...it was like I was having an 'out of body experience.' It was the weirdest feeling. Not like a 'cool' high. It was uncomfortable and annoying. I kept taking it in hopes of it helping my suicidal thoughts and major anxiety. Now, all antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts. Pristiq definitely increased these bad thoughts. I threw up before work (anxiety) and was always a nervous wreck. I'm off the medicine now. I'm going back to the doctors to talk about other options. God bless all of you."

• S88...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 6, 2015

For Depression "Was put on Pristiq around 8 months ago for severe anxiety/panic attacks. I couldn't even drop my kids at school without a panic attack, and we live a minute from the school. I didn't want to do anything, go anywhere. It was affecting my kids, my marriage, everything. Now I have my life back. I put off going to the doctor for a year, I wish I hadn't. I can function again. I did have to up my dose after about a month to 100 mg, and I still have a day here or there that I can feel my anxiety bubbling under the surface, but it's nothing like it was, it's manageable."

• oda...
• September 24, 2014

For Depression "Went from 50 mg to 100 mg. After 3 weeks on 50 mg, trying to adjust. Not getting results with tears or compulsive behavior like eating. Side effects of face flushing and hot flashes, anxiety is worse. It hasn't been 30 days on the change yet. Feel crazy."

• 151...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 17, 2014

For Depression "I started taking Pristiq 50 mg for major depression, major anxiety, chronic pain. I took it the first day, and it was great! The first week, sleep and headaches were rough, but energy was good. Gradually started decreasing by itself as I kept taking the pills. Nine months later, I was still taking the pills, but I was dizzy, getting brain zaps, CRS, tinnitus, major anxiety, non-stop migraine for two months, bed rest, and had to go to the psych hospital. The psych MD upped it to 100 mg Pristiq, but that lasted a week. My whole spine was hurting, and now I am switching over to a new SNRI that I am not happy about. And still on withdrawal from Pristiq."

• Roo...
• October 10, 2019

For Depression "Be aware of the time-release factor in Pristiq. It is almost impossible to step down or taper off, and the side effects of missing a dose can be debilitating. I took Pristiq for over 8 years after a very traumatic experience. It helped me cope at that point in time. As a teacher, I tried almost every summer to get off the drug and finally was successful by stretching the 24 hours until I could get myself down to 25 mg one summer and then repeating the next summer to get off entirely. After 8 years of depression in an emotion-numbing state, I was able to rejoin the world with joy and enthusiasm. I learned that my 'anxiety attacks' at night were caused by A-Fib! I was misdiagnosed and suffered for 8 years, using a drug that did not alleviate the anxiety attacks! Be careful and insist that all physical factors are explored before taking an antidepressant, and avoid Pristiq like the plague. It is designed to keep you on it."