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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
I started on 50 mg. of Pristiq 3 weeks ago. I'm not seeing any benefit yet and am starting to get discouraged. Anyone have success with Pristiq and how long before you began to see any benefits from it? I was on prozac for 11 years before it pooped out, then tried lexapro which didn't work. I'm so hoping this will work as it's been a year since I've felt well.
Posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2011, at 9:27:19
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
My pdoc takes it and likes it see her today will ask if still likes it. Wow ll years of reponse from prozac is great so you respond to SSRI's Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on June 8, 2011, at 10:14:24
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
yep. on it now.
i started a few years ago (after baby #1) took about 8-10 weeks to kick in.
This time (after baby #2) it took 10-12 weeks to really kick in. but working well now.
Not sure why it takes so long but everyone i know that was on it, it took a long time to kick in.
if you want to hang in there you must give it at least 2 months or more to test it out.you may want to consider augmenting in the mean time.
i did a zyprexa augment till it kicked in. lifesaver for me.hope it works for you.
b2c.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 8, 2011, at 13:46:50
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
Hi JG,
It's pretty accepted that the kick in is 8-12 weeks. (I add 12 because that was my situation.)
I think it's a good ad with low sides.
Good luck.
Posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 15:49:26
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
Thanks for your responses. I've read on other boards that some people had responses to Pristiq in 1-2 weeks so your experiences give me some hope for Pristiq. Yes, Phillipa I had a good run with prozac. Wish it didn't poop out on me! It was a good med for me. We tried stopping and restarting it but that didn't work unfortunately. I'll have to ask my pdoc about augmenting with something until the Pristiq kicks in. I take klonopin but only a very small dose of .5mg a day which doesn't do much.
Posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2011, at 22:47:58
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 15:49:26
Hi just home and yes my pdoc who is in her 70's still likes and takes her pristiq. So that's positive!!! Can you up the klonopin temporarily til it kicks in? Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on June 9, 2011, at 15:00:27
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 15:49:26
Most people do report a mood lift fairly immediate, within a week however it does not last. its considered an upstart spike.
this is not the actually effect it will have.Definately hang in if you can. augment if you can. but monitor yourself very closely and if it gets tough for you,let your doc know asap.
Best Wishes.
b2c.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 9, 2011, at 18:51:23
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
I'm not a huge fan of pristiq or effexor, I dont think they have enough impact on noradrenalin reuptake....... I got a much better response by taking an SSR (Zoloft) along with an NARI (you culd use Welbutrin or nortriptyline)
My punt would be 50mg Zoloft each morning, and 300mg of Welbutrin ER each morning.
Posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 8:26:46
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
> I started on 50 mg. of Pristiq 3 weeks ago. I'm not seeing any benefit yet and am starting to get discouraged. Anyone have success with Pristiq and how long before you began to see any benefits from it? I was on prozac for 11 years before it pooped out, then tried lexapro which didn't work. I'm so hoping this will work as it's been a year since I've felt well.
It keeps despair and suicidal thoughts at bay. For me it worked quickly, within 3 weeks I'd say. Some ppl need 100mgs though. I don't find it useful for anhedonia and cognitive symptoms though. I am currently still taking 50mgs.
Posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 8:49:57
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 9, 2011, at 18:51:23
> I'm not a huge fan of pristiq or effexor, I dont think they have enough impact on noradrenalin reuptake....... I got a much better response by taking an SSR (Zoloft) along with an NARI (you culd use Welbutrin or nortriptyline)
>
> My punt would be 50mg Zoloft each morning, and 300mg of Welbutrin ER each morning.That is not entirely accurate. Wellbutrin's effect on norepinephrine is very weak, even weaker than its effect on dopamine. It is not a potent NARI like reboxetine. Some studies in lab animals didn't show an increase in norepinephrine at all! It's mechanism of action is still mysterious, but it has been shown its clinical effects can be increased and decreased by messing with nitric oxide metabolism. That said it is still effective, but don't use it as a gauge as to whether you respond to adrenergic drugs or not. Pristiq is a bit more adrenergic than effexor and side effects seem to be easier to tolerate from what I've read. I'd stick it out a little longer and see how it goes.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 12:35:09
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Jerseygal, posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 8:26:46
Conumdrum,
Glad it's helping you, even if it isn't touching some core symptoms.
fb
Posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 13:14:40
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 12:35:09
> Conumdrum,
>
> Glad it's helping you, even if it isn't touching some core symptoms.
>
> fb
>
>Yeh something is better than nothing. Also I started a band with some friends even though I don't totally feel the music and am not into it at times.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 15:21:03
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 13:14:40
C, the band sounds good. Be open to a surprise. Maybe your body will remember and your brain follow.
Best of luck!
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 10, 2011, at 17:49:43
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 15:21:03
Give it 6 weeks at an effective dose - if its working by then then great, if you still feel you arnt getting maximum benifit, ask your doctor about switching to a combination approach
Three common combos are:
SSRI + Welbutrin
SSRI + Nortriptyline (either Zoloft or Celexa)
Pristiq/Effexor/Cymbalta + Remeron
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 10, 2011, at 17:53:22
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Conundrum, posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 15:21:03
Oh, also, isnt 50mg only half the maximum dose.... you could consider pushing it up a bit before you decide to give up on the drug
Posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 20:53:30
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 10, 2011, at 17:53:22
Jono, hi. Your posts aren't for me, are they? I don't take pristiq.
fb
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 11, 2011, at 2:40:26
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on June 10, 2011, at 20:53:30
No, they were meant for the OP.
welbutrin is indeed a strange one, noone realy knows how it works, except that noradrenalin and dopamine are involved. It isnt marketed in Australia as an antidepressant (only as a smkoing aid, more money in that) but i did trial it once, obtaining the drug from the US...... it had the same effect as edronax, but without the dry mouth and hesitancy in urinating...... but i went back to Edronax because it was esier to get a script filled at the local pharmacy, rather than importing from America
Posted by Jerseygal on June 11, 2011, at 15:50:14
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
Thanks for everyone's feedback. Phillipa, I wish I could find a pdoc who also takes meds! At least they can better understand what we all go through. I see my pdoc on Tuesday and will talk about upping my klonopin or something temporarily. I've been taking 30 mg. of remeron since November and it's done nothing for me other than help me sleep like a baby. It doesn't do anything for anxiety for me. I sometimes wonder if remeron could actually be keeping me from getting better - maybe my body doesn't sit well with it. I might ask the doctor if switching that to trazadone or something might be a better option.
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:31:23
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 11, 2011, at 15:50:14
Remeron did absolutely nothing either for sleep or anxiety for me with benzos. I took for a month at 15mg and ditched it. As for the pdoc. I bet lots of them take meds as mine says they are free through samples so why not? Also she started as old and was in a bad car accident two years ago and was in the hospital so long with conplications she asked for an ad. Good luck to you. Me still seaching also. Phillipa
Posted by Jerseygal on June 11, 2011, at 20:26:33
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Jerseygal, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2011, at 19:31:23
Philippa, you're probably right about the docs and meds but most of them probably wouldn't admit it to their patients! Yes, we'll continue on our search for the meds that will work for us. Hopefully, it'll be sooner rather than later.
Posted by torrid on June 12, 2011, at 11:14:12
In reply to Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 8, 2011, at 9:18:28
I good friend of mine with treatment resistant bipolar depression was put on everything, one AD after another. For 15 months nothing worked until she was put on pristq, she was on wellbutrin also. The poor thing got a litle manic so doc took her off the AD's and 2-3 months later she is back in depression, treatment resistant depression. Hope the pristq works for you.
Posted by Jerseygal on June 12, 2011, at 16:04:34
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by B2chica on June 8, 2011, at 10:14:24
To floating bridge and B2chica, when you say 8-12 weeks, was that when you first noticed a difference or felt pretty much yourself again?
Posted by floatingbridge on June 12, 2011, at 16:56:22
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq?, posted by Jerseygal on June 12, 2011, at 16:04:34
Hi JG,
My situation is different than yours. I have never had a med that made me feel myself. That said, I did feel the effects of pristiq somewhere between 8-12 weeks.
Someone posted recently a study that mentioned that medications that work on nephorneprine (sp!) can take longer to show their full therapeutic effect. Since pristiq is an snri, I imagine it might fall into that category.
Let's see what B2chica says. Seems she's had a good long run with it.
Best!
fb
Posted by utopizen on June 13, 2011, at 6:53:50
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » Jerseygal, posted by floatingbridge on June 12, 2011, at 16:56:22
I saw a p-doc (let's just say trust this guy-- I can tell when someone is a straight shooter with meds)-- he said his experience with Pristiq was that it was worse than Effexor, which he happened to be prescribing to me when I asked about his experience with it. He had patients get side effects and have to stop, etc.
There's something to that... Effexor is a sort of balanced med in a sense... can't quite put my finger on it, but I liken it to Adderall versus Dexedrine.
Is Dexedrine in theory suppose to have fewer side effects? Sure. That's how it was discovered- the isomer was isolated, the inventor noticed it didn't make him jittery...
But which one is possible to nap on and feel rejuvenated after 10 minutes of lying down? Adderall, for me, anyhow... as long as it's dosed right, I've gone back to what I did well in life at the time I last took it: Adderall + Effexor. Both have r-isomer alternatives, but those things are not for me anymore.
Posted by bearfan on June 14, 2011, at 5:09:57
In reply to Re: Anyone have succes with Pristiq? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2011, at 8:49:57
It's worth a try, although I found Pristiq much less effective in controlling anxiety symptoms compared to its parent drug, Effexor.
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