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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 Cinn65 on May 25, 2010, at 23:53:45
I was wondering if I could get some help from anyone who has stopped taking Pristiq and started back on Zoloft (or similar). I'm trying to avoid the dreaded withdrawal syndrome!
I was on 100 mg Zoloft for a few years and felt it wasn't working that well and my doc had me try Pristiq. I've been on it for over 4 months - it's not doing that much for my depression/anxiety and I have some very bothersome side effects (especially sexual) so I thought I'd go back on Zoloft, since I did not have side effects with it, at least until I can get back to the doctor.
I am currently taking 50 mg tablets of Pristiq once a day. I still have 100 mg tablets of Zoloft on hand. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted by chujoe on May 26, 2010, at 5:34:17
In reply to How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by Cinn65 on May 25, 2010, at 23:53:45
You probably need to titrate between the two drugs because Pristiq is an SNRI & Zoloft is an SSRI. But rather than going back on a drug you felt wasn't working, why not talk to your doc about switching to another SNRI or adding something to the Pristiq?
Posted by morganator on May 26, 2010, at 9:44:24
In reply to How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by Cinn65 on May 25, 2010, at 23:53:45
No need to stay on Pristiq and add something to it if it's causing unwanted side effects.
Did you ever try going above 100 mg of Zoloft?
I would talk to your doctor before making the switch. I guess if you know for sure that you are going to stop Pristiq you could start weening yourself off it till you see your doctor. Not sure about adding Zoloft back to the mix quite yet. Though it is appealing that it did not give you any side effects. Are you taking anything along with your medications like fish oil? Are you exercising regularly?
What exactly do you you mean by Zoloft not working that well? What were your symptoms? How much relief did Zoloft give you?
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2010, at 10:47:38
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by morganator on May 26, 2010, at 9:44:24
Different definitions of depression it seems for a lot of people hence the questions of symptoms and functioning levels. Phillipa
Posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 11:15:44
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by morganator on May 26, 2010, at 9:44:24
> No need to stay on Pristiq and add something to it if it's causing unwanted side effects.
>
> Did you ever try going above 100 mg of Zoloft?
>
> I would talk to your doctor before making the switch. I guess if you know for sure that you are going to stop Pristiq you could start weening yourself off it till you see your doctor. Not sure about adding Zoloft back to the mix quite yet. Though it is appealing that it did not give you any side effects. Are you taking anything along with your medications like fish oil? Are you exercising regularly?
>
> What exactly do you you mean by Zoloft not working that well? What were your symptoms? How much relief did Zoloft give you?Hi,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I totally agree. No need to stay on it...the side effects are awful and I have made the decision not to continue taking the Pristiq.Now that I looked back carefully at the bottle, I was taking TWO 100 mg tablets of Zoloft when I was last on it. I was on it for about 2 years and it seemed to work well enough to get me out of a major episode and then gradually seemed to not work so well over time (I've had this happen before, have tried many ADs over the past 13 years). I've had major depression for most of my adult life, really kicking in heavily after the birth of my children. At the time I started the Zoloft, I also was starting to experience some anxiety attacks.
I do take fish oil (when I remember to take it!) but struggle with finding the energy/motivation to exercise. I know that would help me, but it's just getting my body to do it!
I have not been able to reach my doctor (of course) and I didn't want to wait til next week to start the discontinuation of Pristiq. I'm wondering if the tablets can be cut in half or if they should be taken every other day? If anyone knows who is reading this, if you would let me know I would appreciate it.
Thanks so much for answering my post and for reading this one, if you made it through!
Cinn
Posted by manic666 on May 26, 2010, at 12:52:51
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by morganator on May 26, 2010, at 9:44:24
zoloft is like most meds //if your ill it may work it may not//by work, i dont mean your doing cart wheels down the street// i mean it gives you back some of your life//but also take,s a bit//they all do, there not cure,s they just make things more bearable thats all
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2010, at 20:19:46
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 11:15:44
Is pritiq time release? If so contact your pharmacist. He/she can answer this question. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on May 26, 2010, at 21:23:31
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft, posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 11:15:44
Hi Cinn,
I've tapered from 100 to 50 pristiq by cutting the tablets. Some say cutting pristiq cannot be done, but was fine for me. The first week or two of the decrease was noticeable but very bearable. I've heard the last 25 mg or so can be the toughest. That was my experience w/effexor. I have nor tried to taper the pristiq lower than 50.
When I would skip doses like every other day, whew, I'd be ill. May not be the best strategy for a short acting snri.
(I think I increased my benzo a bit during it--but if you don't take them, I'm not recommending you start.)
Keep us posted--good luck.
Oh, and if you don't feel good, maybe wait for your doctor. If you work well with your doctor, could you wait the week?
Best to you.
fb
Posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 22:21:00
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft » Cinn65, posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2010, at 20:19:46
> Is pritiq time release? If so contact your pharmacist. He/she can answer this question. Phillipa
I'm not sure, but I will try to call and ask my pharmacist. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post, Phillipa. I really appreciate it!
Cinn
Posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 22:29:43
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft » Cinn65, posted by floatingbridge on May 26, 2010, at 21:23:31
> Hi Cinn,
>
> I've tapered from 100 to 50 pristiq by cutting the tablets. Some say cutting pristiq cannot be done, but was fine for me. The first week or two of the decrease was noticeable but very bearable. I've heard the last 25 mg or so can be the toughest. That was my experience w/effexor. I have nor tried to taper the pristiq lower than 50.
>
> When I would skip doses like every other day, whew, I'd be ill. May not be the best strategy for a short acting snri.
>
> (I think I increased my benzo a bit during it--but if you don't take them, I'm not recommending you start.)
>
> Keep us posted--good luck.
>
> Oh, and if you don't feel good, maybe wait for your doctor. If you work well with your doctor, could you wait the week?
>
> Best to you.
>
> fb
Hi,
Thanks for relating your experience with tapering off Pristiq. I knew it would be difficult. I actually cut a 50 mg tablet today and took 1/2 of it and plan to do that with my remaining 6 pills. I hope that will do it for me. Of course, I'm starting back taking 50 mg Zoloft at the same time, and plan to go up to 100 mg within the week.I am planning on seeing my doctor next week. He's a new doc, so not sure how things are gonna go, but he seems good so far.
I'll post again about any progress...thanks for your care and concern! The support here is great and I really appreciate it!
Thanks,
Cinn
Posted by morganator on May 27, 2010, at 0:15:46
In reply to Re: How to switch from Pristiq back to Zoloft » floatingbridge, posted by Cinn65 on May 26, 2010, at 22:29:43
Think there are more than a few here that believe adding Nortriptyline to Zoloft could help tremendously.
This is the end of the thread.
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