Tcatz74 Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 (edited) I am currently taking 50mg of Pristiq. I have tried everything to quit this medicine including cutting the pill. BIG MISTAKE!!!! That was the worst idea ever. My doctor is going to put me on Effexor, have me quit the Prisitq and then taper off the medicine. Has anyone else had success with this process? I am just really scared to try it after going through all the horrible side affects trying to do it by myself? Please help. Edited May 24, 2015 by Karma added name to intro title Link to comment
Administrator Karma Posted May 24, 2015 Administrator Share Posted May 24, 2015 Hi Tcatz74 I moved your post to Introductions and updates because it is specific to your situation. You can provide updates and ask questions in this thread. Please add a signature line with your recent drug history. Here is the explanation about adding a signature line: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ Here is our topic for tapering off of Pristiq: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/876-tips-for-tapering-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/ In this thread you will find a section that discusses switching to Effexor in order to come off of Pristiq. Switching from Pristiq to Effexor is a legitimate method for coming off of Pristiq. Here is our topic for tapering off of Effexor: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tapering-off-effexor-venlafaxine/ Please let us know how you are feeling right now and what dose of Pristiq you are currently taking. Others will be along soon to help support you. Welcome to our community. Karma 2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax 200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg; 1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers Link to comment
Tcatz74 Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 That is cool. I was hoping someone could help me with tapering off Pristiq with Effexor but I guess no one has gone through it before. I am just really scared to try and I was hoping for some help on it. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted May 24, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 24, 2015 Welcome Tcatz74, Please read the links Karma posted for you, they have a lot of information which you will find helpful. If you have any questions, ask them here in your thread. I haven't used either Pristiq or Effexor, but I know many members have successfully tapered from both. What dose of Pristiq are you taking at the moment? Petunia. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Tcatz74 Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Thank you and Karma both for your help with my issue. I am on 50 mg so the lowest dosage but I have been on it for a year and a half. I am going to go ahead and follow my doctors advice and see how it goes. Thanks again to you both. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 25, 2015 Administrator Share Posted May 25, 2015 Welcome, Tcatz. It is extremely important that you read this: Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) Very few doctors know anything about tapering off psychiatric drugs and even less about going off Pristiq. Yes, we have people here who have used Effexor to go off Pristiq. Use site search in the Intro forum for "Pristiq Effexor" This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
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