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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bearfan on August 17, 2008, at 18:37:29
My primarily problem is depression/anxiety and was wondering if Pristiq is really an advance verus the current treatment. I've heard that some say there are less side effects, although I haven't seen any hard data whether this is true. In addition I haven't seen any studies of Remission rates of Pristiq vs Effexor or anything about anxiety disorders (while Effexor has several approvals for). I've been on prozac the longest (years) and recently been taking Cymbalta for the past few months. The Cymbalta had some benefits early on, which was enchanced concentration and energy, but eventually just wasn't as effective and really caused a lot of weight gain and bloating. My doctor suggested Pristiq as he said some paintents have had good progress with it. I tried it for about 5 days and discontinued due to the increased anxiety and irraitbility during a stressful time. I did not get this reaction with Effexor XR 75 as it was much more calming. So my Doc gave me the option of retrying Pristiq or go on Lexapro. I am most concerned with weight gain and sexual side effects, but also desire a med that calms anxieties. Can anyone please chime in on whether Pristiq gets better (or is just a patent extended for Wyeth)?
Thanks
Posted by med_empowered on August 17, 2008, at 18:52:53
In reply to Is Pristiq a real advance?, posted by bearfan on August 17, 2008, at 18:37:29
I don't personally think its anything special. When you take Effexor, your body creates Pristiq. I don't think they've done any studies that show a real benefit to Pristiq vs Effexor. It is weird, though, that you would get a reaction to Pristiq and not to Effexor..maybe your brain chemistry is a little different now?
Anyway, I don't think Pristiq is really anything special. I also don't see why your doc is gung-ho with the anti-depressants if you're prone to having problems with them. Have you tried a benzo?Good luck.
Posted by BearFan on August 17, 2008, at 19:31:06
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance?, posted by med_empowered on August 17, 2008, at 18:52:53
I actually got similar responses to Pristiq as the Effexor XR, but the Effexor was more calming right off the bat, and didn't make me as tired/sleepy.
Posted by rvanson on August 18, 2008, at 1:53:22
In reply to Is Pristiq a real advance?, posted by bearfan on August 17, 2008, at 18:37:29
> My primarily problem is depression/anxiety and was wondering if Pristiq is really an advance verus the current treatment. I've heard that some say there are less side effects, although I haven't seen any hard data whether this is true. In addition I haven't seen any studies of Remission rates of Pristiq vs Effexor or anything about anxiety disorders (while Effexor has several approvals for). I've been on prozac the longest (years) and recently been taking Cymbalta for the past few months. The Cymbalta had some benefits early on, which was enchanced concentration and energy, but eventually just wasn't as effective and really caused a lot of weight gain and bloating. My doctor suggested Pristiq as he said some paintents have had good progress with it. I tried it for about 5 days and discontinued due to the increased anxiety and irraitbility during a stressful time. I did not get this reaction with Effexor XR 75 as it was much more calming. So my Doc gave me the option of retrying Pristiq or go on Lexapro. I am most concerned with weight gain and sexual side effects, but also desire a med that calms anxieties. Can anyone please chime in on whether Pristiq gets better (or is just a patent extended for Wyeth)?
>
> ThanksPristiq is just another way for the Big-pharma companies to squeeze more $$$ out of thier older product, Effexor, just like with older Celexa and the new Lexapro.
IME, Lexapro is more prone to cause anxiety then Celexa is, but some people swear by it.
Posted by dcruik518 on August 18, 2008, at 16:29:42
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance? » bearfan, posted by rvanson on August 18, 2008, at 1:53:22
I've been on Pristiq for over two months now and the main effect for me is a subtle calming one; in fact it makes me a bit sleepy. Effexor, on the other hand, made me jumpy and noticeably more anxious; I never tried the XR version though. ~Dwight
Posted by Larry Hoover on August 18, 2008, at 18:50:22
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance?, posted by med_empowered on August 17, 2008, at 18:52:53
> I don't personally think its anything special. When you take Effexor, your body creates Pristiq.
I think that's an over-simplified view. Extensive metabolizers of venlafaxine produce 8 times more O-desmethylvenlafaxine than do poor metabolizers. The ratio of N-desmethylvenlafaxine to O-desmethylvenlafaxine can vary by more than 16-fold, with the highest ratios in poor metabolizers. Side effects are seen to be proportional to N-DV, whereas benefits proportional to O-DV concentration. We're not all alike with respect to Effexor, but Pristiq levels the playing field for all.
Lar
Posted by copper on August 18, 2008, at 19:45:20
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance? » med_empowered, posted by Larry Hoover on August 18, 2008, at 18:50:22
I have been taking pritiq for 6 days now and I feel more anxious. Your guess is as good as mine!!
Copper
Posted by dcruik518 on August 19, 2008, at 9:28:25
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance?, posted by copper on August 18, 2008, at 19:45:20
> I have been taking pritiq for 6 days now and I feel more anxious. Your guess is as good as mine!!
> CopperCopper,
Are you taking 50 mg? If I take 100, it makes me anxious, too. 50 is the ideal dose. Their studies revealed that people actually did worse, on average, with higher doses. Be patient, I suspect the anxiety will subside as your body adjusts. ~Dwight
Posted by B2chica on August 19, 2008, at 12:08:23
In reply to Re: Is Pristiq a real advance? copper, posted by dcruik518 on August 19, 2008, at 9:28:25
do you all take pristiq in the morning or night?
i've heard someone say its calming and some SE are sedation, so when should one take it?
Posted by dcruik518 on August 20, 2008, at 16:58:59
In reply to morning or evening? » dcruik518, posted by B2chica on August 19, 2008, at 12:08:23
Once you reach a steady blood level, I doubt when you take it is going to make much difference. I don't feel it "wearing off" or anything. The sedative effects for me a mild. Cymbalta was much more sedating for me. Felt sort of zombified on it.
Posted by copper on August 20, 2008, at 20:51:27
In reply to Re: morning or evening?, posted by dcruik518 on August 20, 2008, at 16:58:59
I take the 50mg in the morning, yes thank you I'm trying my best to hold out.
Copper
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