Pristiq and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2011

For Depression "I have been taking 50 mg Pristiq for depression for 4 months, and having used many different depressant medicines previously (Zoloft, Luvox, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Effexor), I find it to have fewer side effects. I take thyroid medication (Oroxine) as well, and I feel like Pristiq helps it to work better. I have lost 10 kg in four months without dieting and just a tad more exercise. Fewer headaches, fewer backaches and aches and pains, a bit more get up and go, which I need as I have 3 kids. I'm hoping that it doesn't wear off as some of the antidepressants have in the past. It is not as 'strong' as when I first started, but still effective in controlling mood swings and anger (and appetite)."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2010

For Depression "I have been on Pristiq for 6 weeks now. The first week was hell! I had nausea, headaches, and just felt strange. After two weeks, I started to notice a difference. My husband notices more of a difference than I do, he says I am not as snappy or aggravated easily. We recently went through a rough patch, he was in a car accident, and everyone was okay, but if I didn't have this medication, I know I would have lost it! It really does keep me calmer, and my anxiety is almost non-existent. Right now, I feel a little bit anxious, so maybe I need to up the medicine to 100 mg. I have also had a dry mouth every day since taking this medicine, but the benefits have been worth it so far. No panic attacks in lineups, traffic seems a bit more tolerable."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2011

For Panic Disorder "I take 100 mg. It works, but side effects were I was always tired and gained weight. Took Wellbutrin with it when I was taking 50 mg. That made me feel close to normal, but I got headaches and gained weight. I was good enough with just the Pristiq, but not great. The doctor then added Dextroamphetamine, which now has me feeling normal, like when I was in my 20s. I have motivation, energy, focus, no panic, no depression, and once again feel the wide range of emotions as they are meant to feel. I am able to take joy in the small things in life and not dwell on the downsides. My weight has also adjusted back to pre-medication size."

• jan...
• August 30, 2009

For Depression "I've been taking Pristiq for 2 full months now. It helps me get up and out of the house, and I don't feel as hopeless. People aren't getting on my nerves as much either. Continuing side effects for me are sleepiness, headaches, and a rise in blood pressure. I'm seeing my doctor to taper off as the side effects are too much. In the first few weeks, I noticed a dramatic loss of appetite, which has unfortunately gone away. I have some weight to lose. For a while there, I was eating like a 'normal' person, which was really nice. I've been on everything, most recently Prozac and Cymbalta. Just don't know if there's anything left to try."

• dak...
• July 16, 2010

For Panic Disorder "I have been on pretty much every antidepressant out there for the last 7 years. The last few were Lexapro 20 mg, then switched to Zoloft, which made me feel like I wasn't on anything at all, and I began having anxiety, which turned into panic attacks. I was put on Ativan 1.5 mg a day and 20 mg Paxil, which was raised to 40 mg. This past year, I was diagnosed with ADD, so Adderall XR was added.... can't remember the dose because I had an allergic reaction and moved on to Focalin XR. I thought they both worked very well. I was totally on target, focused, and awake. However, my jaw felt clenched a lot, which gave me headaches. I saw a new PCP last week, who put me on Pristiq and took me off everything else. It makes me so sleepy, but so far, so good!"

• Gib...
• August 4, 2010

For Depression "I was put on Pristiq for postpartum depression. I had already been on Zoloft but had to stop due to severe fatigue. I only stayed on Pristiq for one week, and it was the worst week. I had horrible headaches, nausea, and was suicidal. I had fatigue with this medicine as well. It definitely did not work for me. The only good thing is it decreased my appetite significantly."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2010

For Panic Disorder "Pristiq did a good job reducing my symptoms dramatically. However, it gave me so much in return, which made my life complicated! I mean 50 lb weight gain over a year that keeps growing every month. I also cannot sleep at night as I could before. I see very vivid dreams and nightmares almost every night! It makes me wake up feeling tired. In addition, I had withdrawal symptoms when I once forgot to take my dose. I had vertigo, nausea, headache. I absolutely could not function."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2011

For Depression "I've been on 50 mg Pristiq for 2 weeks now. As a 39-year-old male with anger/depression issues, I've already seen a change in my behavior. I stay pretty mellow and let the small stuff roll (the things that used to make me really angry). It's just starting to kick in, so I still get angry, but not near as much. I've also lost 8 pounds in less than 2 weeks. Side effects have been mild headaches, loss of appetite, and the weight loss. I experienced night sweats and weird dreams only once."

• rai...
• October 22, 2009

For Depression "I have mixed feelings about this medication. I had taken Pristiq for almost 6 months. The side effects of a headache daily, nausea, night sweats, teeth hurting, jaw clenching. The 1st month I was so tired, taking a nap shortly after the dose. I have to admit I wasn't so emotional to the point of crying at the drop of a trying situation. I then had Topamax added as well, it seemed okay for a couple of months until I just wasn't myself at all. I made the hasty action to stop all the medicines, which I must say do not do this. The withdrawal effects were terrible, to say the least. I strongly suggest seeking medical advice on taking this action."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2010

For Depression "Took Lexapro for 5 years, gained 30 lbs (am very active), fell asleep at stop signs, very lethargic. Finally spoke with people who had had the same effects, weaned off. Terrible crash, lost 15 lbs. Started Wellbutrin, had energy, which was wonderful; rages were awful. I have started Pristiq with Wellbutrin wean; Pristiq 1 day, Wellbutrin the next for a week, then 2:1, 3:1, etc. I am optimistic. I feel better just addressing the problem and relieved to find some help. Am raising 3 children and want better for them. Worth mentioning, abrupt change of any medicines can cause withdrawal symptoms. Beware and make sure that you read the signs. Headache, nausea, mood swings, sweats, appetite loss, etc."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2012

For Depression "I've been taking Pristiq for 18 months. I take it in the morning, same time every day. Sex drive is low and I get the occasional nosebleed and slight memory loss, and now recently have been experiencing headaches. Don't suffer in silence, get the help you need, even if it's hard. If you are a male like me, suffering is not a choice."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2010

For Depression "Taking 50 mg/day for about 3 months for depression/OCD/anxiety mix. Was previously on 40 mg of Prozac, which worked well but had some cognitive clouding on occasion (seems seasonally dependent). Pristiq worked well for about 2 months, then had terrible side effects of headache, inability to concentrate, irritability, constipation."

• Ala...
• August 28, 2022

For Depression "The first few days on Pristiq, I felt like I was on speed, but my appetite was fierce! I settled down after that and have had very little symptoms (having no headache has been awesome - I had a low-grade headache on my last few antidepressants). However, I have gained 10 pounds in roughly 11 weeks, so unfortunately, that will probably be why I have to go off of it."

• Blo...
• November 16, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was switched to this drug because Effexor made me the meanest person on the planet. My doctor told me this was a cousin to Effexor, so I wasn't very thrilled to be put on it, but she really wanted me to try it. It did the same exact thing Effexor did, made me very irritable and added anxiety on me. Every time I smoked a cigarette, it would put me in almost a panic attack. Then tapering off the drug was a nightmare. I had the worst headaches and brain zaps you can even imagine, along with twitching and tremors... for me, Pristiq did not work."

• kyg...
• October 26, 2009

For Depression "I am glad to see most people here on this forum had positive experiences with Pristiq. I have been on Pristiq for 7 long days. While I know it takes weeks for antidepressant medications to take effect, I could not tough it out. My pupils were so dilated, headaches, severe diarrhea, chills, stomach pain. It's amazing how medications affect people differently."

• Ber...
• March 15, 2016

For Depression "I was prescribed this drug for some stress and anxiety experienced due to some work-life balance issues. I took it for 5 days only. By day 3, I could not stay awake or focus, let alone feel okay to drive. I felt sick and had excessive sweats. Constipated and headaches, I stopped on day 5. Day 6 and 7, symptoms continued with lots of nightmares and night sweats and shakes. Never again."

• a72...
• October 7, 2009

For Depression "I have been taking Pristiq for 1 week. I loved how it lifted me up right away. I was on Cymbalta for 5 years and was having panic attacks and very stressed out and wasn't working anymore. I have noticed a mild headache off and on and NO sex drive, like short-tempered too. Oh, and night sweats started and we don't like that, but from what I have read, it should lighten up. I do feel better and will give it a chance, like with any new medication your body has to get used to it. Hope this one works! I have even backed off on my smoking, which is a plus! Good luck to everyone."

• Tou...
• March 22, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Pristiq about 6 months ago and am currently on the highest dose. It took me a while to commit to taking it because the side effects were awful: headaches, groggy feeling, dry mouth, and constipation. I've been on it consistently now, and the only difference I see is that I feel more numb. I still feel and think the same, but my outbursts have calmed down since the medicine makes me so exhausted. I have also gained a lot of weight from this medication. The good part about this medicine for me is I get coupons for it and basically get it for free."

• 20y...
• December 29, 2011

For Depression "I am 20 and was suffering from anxiety and depression after 'recovering' from an eating disorder. Pristiq made me feel so awful in the first 2 weeks, but by week 3, I felt calm, I no longer snapped at people for no reason, I could concentrate during conversations, and my university work has not suffered. I do feel like I find it harder to sleep (after 3 months on Pristiq), and if I miss a pill by a few hours, I feel very, very drowsy. I have experienced no weight gain but have had a notable increase in headaches and a few migraines. Overall, the positive effects far outweigh the bad."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been on Pristiq for 11 days after switching from Paxil 12.5 CR. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster ride. Agitation, shaky, anxiety, and emotional. The nausea and headaches are gone now, but I'm thinking this is not the right medicine for me. I will give it 14 days, and if there is no improvement, I will get off them. Not sure what I'll try next. The doctor thinks Wellbutrin."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2011

For Depression "Taking 50 mg. This is my first week. Wellbutrin gave me hives, and Lexapro was nothing more than a sugar pill. My most noticeable side effects: repetitive yawning on day three and day six. Almost incomplete, non-satisfactory yawning followed by a quick wave of nausea. My first two days, I felt really nervous. Insides were shaky. Very minor headaches almost every other day. My general sense of well-being has improved, but I am quieter. I am not as vocal as I was. Almost subdued, which means less arguing with my fiancé. I haven't noticed an appetite decrease, in fact, my hunger pains seem more pronounced. My sex drive was gone to begin with, so nothing to report there. I was in the sun today and noticed a much greater sensitivity to it. Dry mouth."

• Tre...
• May 21, 2011

For Depression "I took my first dosage around 5 pm, and by the next morning, I felt drunk and disoriented. My side effects are as follows: grinding my teeth, awaking off and on all night, shaking, dilated pupils, mild stomach ache and headache, fatigue, weakness, nervousness, loss of appetite (which I was okay with), and diarrhea. I couldn't stand for very long, therefore, I didn't even attempt going to work. So, I stayed in bed all day, and probably by 4 or 5 pm that day, I felt a lot better. Still groggy, but I could function. I skipped taking another dose and went to work the next morning, feeling like it was still in my system, and I felt good. I'm weaning onto the medicine by 1/4 of the pill for a week, then 1/2 the second, and so on. Seems to be working and no side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2010

For Anxiety "I took this medicine two days ago. The first day I took it around 8 pm and couldn't fall asleep until 3 am. I also experienced clenching my teeth that night, and it made me so irritable. I noticed my stomach making funny sounds, and I took it with a full glass of water and with food. The next morning, I woke up with a horrible headache. I had an upset stomach, and my jaw was so sore. I felt very nauseated, and that passed after about three hours. Around 3 pm, I took it again since I knew it kept me up. I hardly ate at all that day due to feeling so sick. Around 7 pm, I felt like I might be hungry. I went to get fries. When I ate the fries, they tasted different. Pristiq made me so sick and made stuff taste different."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2011

For Depression "This is my first day on Pristiq, and I am having the worst side effects. First, I noticed a huge decrease in my appetite. Headache all day, clenched jaw, crying, irritable, a little aggravation. I don't know if I should stick this out or not. I was really hoping that this would help since I suffer from depression, anxiety, and OCD. I don't want to give up."

• don...
• April 4, 2013

For Depression "Depression has gotten worse, causing me to miss work. I have been on 20 different antidepressants over 7 years. Pristiq didn't help at all for me: headaches, foggy, and nausea. Also shaky at times."