Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 846256

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Pristiq

Posted by friendlyzombie on August 14, 2008, at 18:56:27

I'm starting Pristiq (50 mg) beginning tomorrow (August 15) and will provide weekly updates about my experience.

I've had chronic major depression for many years and have been on every SSRI at one time or another. I've had the best results by far with Lexapro (15-20 mg). However, it seems to poop out every 9 months or so, causing me to switch to something else. The last time that happened, I tried Cymbalta for 2 underwhelming months before successfully returning to Lex.

Lex has pooped out again, so I'll take 1/2 my current dose (10mg vs. 20mg) along with 50mg of Pristiq for the 1st 5 days, then discontinue Lex and see how I do on Pristiq (50mg). The manufacturer's drug trials determined the standard 50mg dose worked better than 100mg.

My depression modality needs an energizing medication, so I'll especially focus on that. I'll also report on sexual side effects, since they've not been a major problem for me (a male)with Lex.

Four years ago, I barely survived the living hell of getting off Effexor so I'll also report what happens if I eventually need to get off Pristiq (since it's an Effexor derivative).

I'll leave the patent vs. generic drug pricing discussion to others because I've never even understood why Lex works for me, but Celexa did nothing. I'm just lucky my insurance covers Pristiq.

 

Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie

Posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2008, at 0:26:41

In reply to Pristiq, posted by friendlyzombie on August 14, 2008, at 18:56:27

So if you give a med a rest it works for you again? Could be the fillers and binders in the generic that make the difference. I really don't know. Phillipa and thanks for letting us know you will update us.

 

Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie

Posted by SLS on August 15, 2008, at 4:21:01

In reply to Pristiq, posted by friendlyzombie on August 14, 2008, at 18:56:27

> I'm starting Pristiq (50 mg) beginning tomorrow (August 15) and will provide weekly updates about my experience.

Thanks for sharing your personal experiences with these drugs. I look forward to watching you progress through your drug trial.

Good luck!


- Scott

 

Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie

Posted by B2chica on August 15, 2008, at 7:59:19

In reply to Pristiq, posted by friendlyzombie on August 14, 2008, at 18:56:27

iam SO glad to hear this.
i'm wanting to try either pristiq or celexa. so i'm anxious to hear your experience with pristiq.

let me know if it makes you tired, and if its just an initial SE and eventually goes away or if it sticks around.

thanks!
b2c.

 

Re: Pristiq

Posted by copper on August 17, 2008, at 17:20:18

In reply to Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie, posted by B2chica on August 15, 2008, at 7:59:19

I too just started pristiq on the 13th. I have been weaning of effexor 225mg since May. The last 2 weeks I have been feeling all the anxiety again and the horrible depression were nothing seems to look good for the future.
5 days on pristiq and I still feel the same, I know it takes time for one med to get out of the system and the other to get in. I hope and pray this drug works.

I'm so glad someone else is taking this drug at the same time. We can talk and compare notes.

Copper

 

Re: Pristiq---me too, with nortriptyline

Posted by dcruik518 on August 19, 2008, at 9:12:22

In reply to Re: Pristiq, posted by copper on August 17, 2008, at 17:20:18

Me, too. Me, too. I've been on Pristiq for about 9 wks. For me, it has a subtle relaxing effect. I started adding some Nortriptyline to it the other day and I'm feeling a bit more energized. The reason for adding the Nortryptyline is to boost my NE, since there's some evidence that the SNRIs don't adequately boost NE on their own.

 

Re: Pristiq AND weight

Posted by B2chica on August 20, 2008, at 8:04:19

In reply to Re: Pristiq---me too, with nortriptyline, posted by dcruik518 on August 19, 2008, at 9:12:22

any weight gain for those that are on it?

 

Re: Pristiq AND weight

Posted by copper on August 20, 2008, at 20:39:27

In reply to Re: Pristiq AND weight, posted by B2chica on August 20, 2008, at 8:04:19

7th day today I feel an uneasiness, but a little better. Does anyone understand that uneasy feeling I'm talking about? I think it's anxiety, but also I feel like the world is not right.

I wake up with this feeling almost every day for almost a year.
Copper

 

Re: Pristiq---Now me too » dcruik518

Posted by B2chica on August 22, 2008, at 8:13:55

In reply to Re: Pristiq---me too, with nortriptyline, posted by dcruik518 on August 19, 2008, at 9:12:22

ok, had long talk with pdoc and we decided on pristiq yesterday.
however due to circumstances (DH is out of town till sat. night) im not going to start till sunday morning.
i have those sample packs staring at me and i'm anxious to start.

maybe i'm getting my hopes up too high on this one. but i'm really nervous after that last burn on med change.
but i guess i have my saftey zyprexa on board this time and i can always stop if cycling gets too bad.
but i want to wait it out.

**************
has anyone been on long enough to know how long it takes to "kick in"? couple weeks? 4 weeks?

 

Re: Pristiq---Follow-up

Posted by friendlyzombie on September 16, 2008, at 11:26:35

In reply to Re: Pristiq---Now me too » dcruik518, posted by B2chica on August 22, 2008, at 8:13:55

I'm very sorry it took me so long to provide the first of the promised updates about my experience with Pristiq. It was my first post here and, after days of searching, I never could find my original message on Dr. Bob's website! So, I assumed that I messed up somehow and the universe was telling me I wasn't intended to post here (since I hadn't kept a copy of anything I'd written).

Then, in preparation for today's follow-up visit with my P-doc, I Googled Pristiq and there was my message, with replies to boot!

So, better late than never:

After ongoing success with 15-20mg of Lexapro, it pooped out and I was sinking fast and unable to stay out of bed.

Since Pristiq doesn't have a titration period, I was able to start on the standard dose immediately while reducing my Lexapro dosage.

Day 1-5:
Lexapro: 10mg (1/2) the dose I'd been taking
Pristiq: 50mg

I'm very sensitive to meds and already began to feel better by the end of 5 days.

Today is Day 33 (28 days solely on Pristiq, 50mg) and Id qualify my overall results as very good. While I sometimes feel tired, the fog is definitely gone.

Side Effects: None

Sexual Side Effects (I am a male): As close to none as I've ever had (Welbutrin doesn't work for me).

Prior to Pristiq, Lexapro gave me the fewest sexual side effects, and I've tried just about every med.

For those (like me) who have success with Lexapro, but occasionally experience Lexapro poopout, I highly recommend trying Pristiq. As long as it keeps working, I prefer it over Lexapro due to the lack of sexual side effects.

If Pristiq should poop out, I feel comfort knowing that Lex is very likely to work well again now that I've taken a "vacation".

Another possible reason to try Pristiq if your present medication isn't working is (since Pristiq is new) there are lots of free samples available at P-docs offices. Be sure to get at least a month's supply.

Can anyone tell me if I posted my original message on the wrong message board or thread (Im trying to figure out why I couldnt find it)? That will help me provide further updates as I go along.

 

Re: Pristiq---Follow-up

Posted by bearfan on September 16, 2008, at 23:02:14

In reply to Re: Pristiq---Follow-up, posted by friendlyzombie on September 16, 2008, at 11:26:35

Was there a time period when the sexual side effects lifted? I have been taking the medication for about a week and my libido is low, but was surprised when I had a few spontaneous thoughts. Also is it more calming, and how can you tell the difference between this and the old effexor (include sexual s/e)

Thanks

 

Re: Pristiq---Follow-up

Posted by friendlyzombie on October 4, 2008, at 13:41:46

In reply to Re: Pristiq---Follow-up, posted by bearfan on September 16, 2008, at 23:02:14

The minor sexual side effects I experienced with Lexapro completely disappeared within a week of starting Pristiq. I had far worse sexual side effects (erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia) with Effexor. With Pristiq, I have no side effects of any kind. Low libido has never been a problem for me.

I agree that Pristiq is more calming (rather than energizing) than Lexapro.

The major difference between Pristiq and Effexor is the complete lack of withdrawal problems with Pristiq.

After 5 weeks on Pristiq, I had multiple and unexpected major stressors and had trouble coping. My P-Doc recommended trying 100mg of Pristiq, but I didn't want to, because the studies showed no improved results with increased Pristiq dosage.

So, my P_Doc had me stop Pristiq completely and titrate back onto Lexapro, which is now working for me again (as it always has after a "vacation").

I plan to try Pristiq again the next time I experience Lexapro poop-out. Im sorry it took so long to reply to your question.


> Was there a time period when the sexual side effects lifted? I have been taking the medication for about a week and my libido is low, but was surprised when I had a few spontaneous thoughts. Also is it more calming, and how can you tell the difference between this and the old effexor (include sexual s/e)
>
> Thanks

 

Re: Pristiq

Posted by friendlyzombie on October 13, 2008, at 14:23:43

In reply to Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie, posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2008, at 0:26:41

Sorry for the very slow response, Phillipa.

With Lexapro, that's the way it works for me. It poops out about every 9-12 months and I have to go on a different med for about a month. After that, it works perfectly again.

friendlyzombie

> So if you give a med a rest it works for you again? Could be the fillers and binders in the generic that make the difference. I really don't know. Phillipa and thanks for letting us know you will update us.

 

Re: Pristiq » friendlyzombie

Posted by Phillipa on October 13, 2008, at 19:59:17

In reply to Re: Pristiq, posted by friendlyzombie on October 13, 2008, at 14:23:43

Thanks well that's a first for me hearing a month off and it works again wonder if it also happens with others? Love Phillipa


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