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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
In the clinical studies of Pristiq, the dosages tested ranged from 50 mg to 400 mg. I need a minimum of 300 mg of Effexor to obtain a partial response. I am guessing that I will need a similarly high dosage of Pristiq.
Feedback?
Are Effexor and Pristiq equipotent with respect to dosage?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 9:26:49
In reply to Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
Scott so Pristiq is what you and your doc decided on? If you did okay on effexor isn't pristiq the same only in time release? I just know my old pdoc took it for about two years. Liked it said it worked. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on November 6, 2011, at 11:00:41
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 9:26:49
Hi Scott, I only went to 100mg. Sorry I do not know more. I had not heard of higher doses. I imagine it only comes in 100mg pills.
Good luck.
Posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:20:33
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 9:26:49
> Scott so Pristiq is what you and your doc decided on?
I related to my doctor my desire to try Pristiq before he urged me to try Viibryd. I went with Viibryd because it was somewhat novel compared to Pristiq. Since I am partially responsive to Effexor when combined with lower dosages of nortriptyline, I thought it might be interesting to use Pristiq instead. A friend of mine who experienced poop-out with Effexor is now doing well on Pristiq. I don't know what dosage of Effexor she tried before discontinuing it, though.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:25:37
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on November 6, 2011, at 11:00:41
> Hi Scott, I only went to 100mg. Sorry I do not know more. I had not heard of higher doses. I imagine it only comes in 100mg pills.
What side effects did you experience while taking Pristiq?
Did you have any withdrawal effects?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by FrustratedMama on November 6, 2011, at 11:29:41
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:20:33
Viibryd didn't work? I only went to 100 on pristiq but was going to go higher.... I found it to be halfway between Effexor and Savella ..... More activating than Effexor at higher doses. Just my experience :) good luck!!!!
Posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:35:43
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by FrustratedMama on November 6, 2011, at 11:29:41
> Viibryd didn't work? I only went to 100 on pristiq but was going to go higher.... I found it to be halfway between Effexor and Savella ..... More activating than Effexor at higher doses. Just my experience :) good luck!!!!
Thanks, FM. Viibryd seemed to work during the first few weeks at a dosage of 20-40 mg, but then pooped-out. Raising the dosage has not helped, and I am deteriorating. Your observation that Pristiq is more activating than Effexor is interesting.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on November 6, 2011, at 12:17:12
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » FrustratedMama, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:35:43
Scott, side effects were minimal, though there were the usual sexual side effects. I have seen others here who seem not to have sexual sx's. Maybe they will weigh in. If I missed a dose, withdrawal symptoms presented within hours and were similar to Effexor.
When I discontinued, I moved sideways to Cymbalta and that covered withdrawal.
Very good luck.
Posted by FrustratedMama on November 6, 2011, at 12:54:37
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on November 6, 2011, at 12:17:12
I also switched to cymbalta which made it easier....I had a much harder time switching from cymbalta to pristiq than pristiq to cymbalta. Personally I like cymbalta a lot better!!!! Just not the weight gain. For me....cymbalta was great if you discount the weight gain. Actually considering trying it again if the current combination doesn't help soon.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 6, 2011, at 18:38:55
In reply to Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
I think 100mg of Pristiq is about equal to 150mg of Effexor, so 200mg would be a reasonable initial target for you to aim for.
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 19:24:19
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 11:20:33
Scott find out the doseage might help you. Remember the cymbalta it was up and down for you when I joined babble since new at the time the cymbalta did you get to 120mg as they now say this works better? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on November 7, 2011, at 15:07:18
In reply to Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
> In the clinical studies of Pristiq, the dosages tested ranged from 50 mg to 400 mg. I need a minimum of 300 mg of Effexor to obtain a partial response. I am guessing that I will need a similarly high dosage of Pristiq.
>
> Feedback?
>
> Are Effexor and Pristiq equipotent with respect to dosage?
>
> Thanks.
I started taking Pristiq 50 mg today. I will probably go up to 100 mg after a week.Right now, I feel pretty bad. I am feeling depressed, sad, melancholy, dysphoric, and suicidal. No matter how many times I come to feel this way, it doesn't help me very much to know that it is the illness that is influencing my thinking and feeling. I can't seem to simply ignore the darkness.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on November 7, 2011, at 15:42:39
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 7, 2011, at 15:07:18
Yeah, it s*cks. Depression can make darkness seem pretty compelling.
Hang in there, Scott. I am hoping the change in meds will be good. And that you'll feel a lift in mood very soon.
Posted by bleauberry on November 7, 2011, at 18:57:55
In reply to Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
Sorry Scott. From many miles away I've got my fingers crossed for you. Will pray on it.
Posted by Phillipa on November 7, 2011, at 19:02:24
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 7, 2011, at 15:07:18
Scott you saw your doc today right? Does he know how bad you really feel? I know you say you have been there before. But the suicidal feelings leave me concerned. Are you okay alone at home? Phillipa
Posted by Bob on November 8, 2011, at 1:13:54
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 7, 2011, at 15:07:18
>
> I started taking Pristiq 50 mg today. I will probably go up to 100 mg after a week.
>
> Right now, I feel pretty bad. I am feeling depressed, sad, melancholy, dysphoric, and suicidal. No matter how many times I come to feel this way, it doesn't help me very much to know that it is the illness that is influencing my thinking and feeling. I can't seem to simply ignore the darkness.
>
>
> - Scott
Hey Scott -Hang in there! You may not be able to ignore the darkness (hell... if we could I guess this whole depression thing wouldn't really be an issue) but you can keep in mind with all your previous trial experience that nothing lasts forever. Every phase we go through waxes and wanes. Not the most consoling thing I realize, but it has gotten me through some horrific episodes.
Bob
Posted by Phidippus on November 8, 2011, at 21:08:30
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 7, 2011, at 15:07:18
>I am feeling depressed, sad, melancholy, >dysphoric, and suicidal.
Are you safe?
>it doesn't help me very much to know that it is >the illness that is influencing my thinking and >feeling.
Because depression is something that burns deep. It is a feeling more so than a state of mind. No matter how well your thoughts are in order, you will still feel depressed. The darkness you speak of cannot be ignored or reasoned with.
Eric
Posted by Phidippus on November 8, 2011, at 21:14:37
In reply to Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 6, 2011, at 8:39:48
Pristiq is really not approved to treat anything above the 100 mg dosage. Most clinical studies that used higher dosages of Pristiq showed minimal improvement in the higher dosage range. 100 mg of PRistiq is about equivalent to 100 mg Pristiq. Keep in mind, insurance isn't going to cover a higher dose of Pristiq.
Scott, what medications are you on? Are you bipolar? You seem to suffer a lot of depression.
Eric
Posted by SLS on November 8, 2011, at 21:53:05
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phidippus on November 8, 2011, at 21:08:30
> > I am feeling depressed, sad, melancholy, dysphoric, and suicidal.
> Are you safe?
For now.
> > it doesn't help me very much to know that it is the illness that is influencing my thinking and feeling.
> Because depression is something that burns deep. It is a feeling more so than a state of mind. No matter how well your thoughts are in order, you will still feel depressed. The darkness you speak of cannot be ignored or reasoned with.Thanks, Eric.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 8, 2011, at 22:10:52
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phidippus on November 8, 2011, at 21:14:37
> Pristiq is really not approved to treat anything above the 100 mg dosage. Most clinical studies that used higher dosages of Pristiq showed minimal improvement in the higher dosage range.
The portrayal of statistics sometimes hides the experiences of individuals who are located at the extreme ends of a bell-shaped curve. Although they are considered anomalous, they shouldn't be neglected. I seem to be an anomaly. You are probably right about my insurance company not covering dosages higher than 100 mg.
> 100 mg of PRistiq is about equivalent to 100 mg Pristiq.
I am guessing here that you meant to compare Pristiq to Effexor. If you are correct, then I can almost guarantee that I will need 300 mg of Pristiq. Remember, Wyeth had first proposed that 225 mg should be considered the maximum dosage of Effexor, with 150 mg considered to be the average. I believe they have raised the maximum dosage to be 375 mg. I would not be surprised if the maximum recommended dosage for Pristiq were to be increased similarly after doctors gain more experience with it.
Hopefully, I will respond wonderfully to Pristiq at 100 mg, and not need to fight with my insurance company.
- Scott
Posted by Phidippus on November 9, 2011, at 20:37:03
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » Phidippus, posted by SLS on November 8, 2011, at 22:10:52
How many antidepressants are you on?
Eric
Posted by SLS on November 9, 2011, at 20:44:07
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phidippus on November 9, 2011, at 20:37:03
Hi Eric.
> How many antidepressants are you on?
I am currently taking:Pristiq - 100 mg
nortriptyline - 150 mg
Lamictal - 200 mg
Abilify - 10 mg
lithium - 300 mg
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on November 9, 2011, at 22:35:12
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 9, 2011, at 20:44:07
Scott, let is know how the 100mg is going once you get a feel for it, okay?
Posted by Phidippus on November 10, 2011, at 13:48:34
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq?, posted by SLS on November 9, 2011, at 20:44:07
Scott,
> Pristiq - 100 mg
> nortriptyline - 150 mg
> Lamictal - 200 mg
> Abilify - 10 mg
> lithium - 300 mgI'm puzzled why you are taking only 300 mg of Lithium. Wouldn't you want to simplify things by dropping either the lamictal or the lithium in favor for the other?
Have you tried Mirapex for your depressive symptoms?
Eric
Posted by SLS on November 10, 2011, at 14:26:38
In reply to Re: Does anyone take more than 100 mg of Pristiq? » SLS, posted by Phidippus on November 10, 2011, at 13:48:34
Hi Eric.
> > Pristiq - 100 mg
> > nortriptyline - 150 mg
> > Lamictal - 200 mg
> > Abilify - 10 mg
> > lithium - 300 mg
> I'm puzzled why you are taking only 300 mg of Lithium. Wouldn't you want to simplify things by dropping either the lamictal or the lithium in favor for the other?I don't consider Lamictal and lithium to be redundant. Each drug has its own unique array of pharmacological properties. Each makes me feel less depressed in a way that seems to be additive. With lithium, 300 mg works as well for me as 1200 mg does for treating depression.
> Have you tried Mirapex for your depressive symptoms?
No. However, I did try bromocriptine, another D2 agonist, a long time ago. It helped for a few days only. Perhaps the D3 agonism of Mirapex would make a difference, though. I don't think I have heard of anyone who does well on Mirapex over an extended period of time. Either it stops working, or sleep-attacks appear that require its discontinuation.
Thanks for your suggestions.
:-)
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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