Just prescribed Pristiq - should I try it or not?

[Amber98]

Hi guys!! Well my doctor said I was resistant to medication since i've tried effexor and sertraline.

I found that while on them, my symptoms got worse. For instance, I have trouble sleeping due to anxiety and it just made that worse.

When I stopped taking them and just taking Seroquel, I am able to sleep better than i've ever slept my entire life. (When taking Seroquel with sertraline, I still couldn't sleep and was very irritable).

So after visiting my doctor today, he can see i'm not that much better even with the seroquel because I am VERY emotional, I can barely talk to anyone without crying.

So he said he wants me to try Pristiq. I really feel like I should NEVER read the side effects because it just makes me hesitant about the drug. I mean, it has anxiety, insomnia and trouble concentrating in it's side effects. These are all things I already have and don't want to get worse. Does prestiq even help with anxiety?

Also, all the meds I've been on so far have caused sexual dysfunction. Meds seem to always make me feel worse rather than better.

I'm going to be seeing a psychotherapist in a few weeks who will help me with talk therapy. So should I just wait and try the talk therapy while continuing the Seroquel, or should I start Pristiq too? Thanks!

[Amber98]

Thanks so much! I agree with you, my mom is always telling me I can get over it myself. But I've tried getting over it without medication for all of these years, it's impossible. I know I need to be on medication to get my life back together. I feel more better about taking it now that you said people who don't do well on other meds, do well on this one. That's exactly why I need it.

I am going to try it!! :)

[mammo]

Hi.  Pristiq is usually prescribed for people who haven't done well on other medications, so I feel it's worth a try.  Unfortunately it is trial and error as to which drug will work best for us, but once we find the right one....it's well worth it!  I think therapy will do you a lot of good, but it can be a lengthy process and the medication will help during this time. If therapy doesn't help much you will already be on medication to ease your symptoms.  Anxiety is like any other medical condition requiring daily medication to to control the symptoms.  Please don't get caught up in because it's a mental issue that you should be able to handle it on your own.....we rarely can and that's okay. Yeah, don't read the side effects, if one person in a million experiences a side effect while on these medications....they have to list it.  I shouldn't say "don't read the side effects" because we need to know what to look for, just don't expect all of them, if any to to happen in your case.  I have several friends who did not see any improvement on other medications and went on Pristiq with excellent results.  I hope this helps and wish you all the best!