Effexor To Pristiq

[MisterCatLady]

I am a huge fan of Effexor but when I went up to the 225 mg dose my heart rate went through the roof so I went back down to 150 and only took 225 on days when I felt especially depressed. Well, I started feeling myself slowly slipping back down into the grips of depression so I checked in with my doctor and she switched me to 50 mg of Pristiq which she said was a comparable dose to what I had been taking and that Pristiq had fewer side effects. I started Pristiq yesterday. Today I woke up so depressed I could barely move. I'm having trouble forming coherent thoughts. I'm wondering if this is just an adjustment period? I've been journaling like crazy to try and alleviate the depression as best as I can. This is our busy season at work and I really need to bring my A game. Okay I'll settle for my C+ game at this point. Anyone have experience with these medications or advice on when I should call my doctor?

 

[Keming]

Been on both. Give it a few days, then call doctor. Also: find a psychiatrist, double-quick.

Regarding the med change: give it a few more days, so long as you're not in danger. Your brain went looking for Effexor, didn't find it, and... yeah. Unhappy. In a few days things might normalize. Mood might suck for a day or three until your systems adapt.

Pristiq: regardless of the above statement: if your brain isn't responding well to effexor (venlafaxine), it probably isn't going to like Pristiq (desvenlafaxine). If things aren't better in a few days, go to doctor and get off the Pristiq with guidance. Find a psychiatrist, it's why we keep 'em around.

Notes: Pristiq is notoriously rough to quit. Longer you're on it, the worse it gets. You'll find mentions of "brain zaps" in discussions and yes: it happens. It felt like someone had put a short-circuiting phone vibrator in my head. It went away after a few months.

Personal Experience: Effexor: rages, screaming. However, it works for my brother, so... wtf, brain?
Personal Experience: Pristiq: Good for a few months, then evening depressions. Then bad. Then in danger. Then no more Pristiq, and living with months of "brain zaps", and new meds.

Additional: there's no shame in changing medication, even if it feels like you're "questioning" your doctor or being a "bad patient." You're not; you're just looking out for your best interests, as best you can, and you have legitimate concerns.

 

[Deleted member 541]

I know that depression is part and parcel with PTSD, but is it possible that it's S.A.D? I know that you're in the south, but even people in the south suffer from it. Also have your Vitamin D level checked too. Low levels of Vit D causes depression.

Maybe check into getting a happy light. (They mimic sunlight) Also, exercise is effective for depression.

I'm thinking that if she took you off the Effexor, and put you on the Pristiq, then it might be withdrawls setting in.... if you really start feeling shitty, then that's what's going on and it won't be fun!!!!,

 

[MisterCatLady]

Thanks guys, that really helps a lot! I'm starting to feel moderately okay and I think this may just come in waves over the next few days. When things get that bad I start to panic. Last night I had a surge of euphoria which was the case when I first started Effexor so I didn't expect to crash. I think worst case scenario I might not be on a high enough dose of Pristiq to match how much Effexor I was taking. I'll give it a few days before I call my doctor (psychiatrist).

 

[Jenny Dupuis]

I'm onn150 Effexor and I am having all kinds of side effects! My eyes are horrible,my blobs are growing!.my.emotions are gone,Im grinding my teeth!.my hair iscfallingbout bigbtime,I have a horrible itch rash-like on my head!! ,my ears itch!!started having leg cramps! Please tell me what to do! My doc is 30 minutes away.!
Thanks! Please get back to me soon!

 

[Suzetig]

Jenny Dupuis I'm sorry you're having a hard time. The safest course of action is for you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the impact your medication is having. No one here is qualified to advise you on your medication.

 

[joeylittle]

Adding: if you are concerned it's an emergency, go to the ER.