Getting Off Of Pristiq - Help?

[MoonGoddessHeart]

Hello everyone.

I just started using Pristiq to help with my PTSD symptoms. However, I am very nervous because of the irregularities and side-effects.

The first couple of weeks I took Pristiq, I felt amazing and thought this was the drug for me. However, the other day I had a really bad trigger. I had some alcohol that night and my boyfriend and I were fighting. Later on in bed, when he moved I woke up screaming. I don't normally have such intense reactions and hyper-vigilance. I couldn't stop crying, and I was experiencing suicidal thoughts.

I am so confused because I was feeling so much better. However, it has been 3 days after the incident and the medication is making me feel sick.

I'm experiencing:
- no motivation
- dry mouth
- loss appetite
- very low energy (tired)
- racing thoughts
- heat flashes

I am wondering if I should get off of the medication and maybe start using herbal supplements and marijuana to help me combat my symptoms?

Can someone tell me how I should start properly weaning myself off of the medication?

 

[expectingbetter]

It is not advisable to stop taking any medication before consulting with your doctor/psychiatrist you prescribed it to you.
Talk to them about side effects you are experiencing and try to find alternative solution together.

 

[joeylittle]

I had some alcohol that night

The alcohol is the most likely culprit. You cannot drink when you are on these things...at all. Really.

(Well, some people can, for some reason - I'm certainly not one of them. I get sick as a dog)

I know it was three days ago - but I'd suggest talking to your doctor, and making sure you are getting enough fluids - at least 2 liters a day. Reduce caffeine intake by a third or ½. See if you are still having the symptoms in another 3 days. It's possible the drug will turn out to still be the problem, but if it was helping, it's worth making sure that it's not from the alcohol/dehydration/and residual anxiety from the fight+daily stimulants (like caffeine).

 

[ShodokanJenn]

This is something you need to talk to your doctor about. He or she can help you determine the next steps to take. I second what JoeyLittle said - no alcohol while on these medications. They do not mix well at all.

 

[marke54812]

Coming off Pristiq can lead to what many have called 'brain zaps', momentary instances where you get this non-painful zap in your head (I called it a 'thunk'). If you plan on quitting Pristiq, begin by halving your dosage, probably for a week or so. Then have your doctor give you a prescription for Prozac (fluoxetine) and take that for at least a month. Due to insurance changes and costs, I've had to come off Pristiq twice and this method has worked wonders for me.