Would like second opinion on discontinuing Pristiq (SNRI)?

[rach7612]

Called dr. to ask how to do this today. Whenever I've missed a dose, by the afternoon I feel nauseus, generally yucky, and start getting those "brain shivers". I take 50 mg per day which is the lowest dose, and it's extended release. Doctor advised to cut down to 1 pill every other day for a week, then every 3 days for a week then stop. I'm skeptical as I've read bc of the short half life of Pristiq, this basically causes you start the withdrawal process from day 1 again on the days you are skipping a dose so it's a waste of time. I've also read that cutting an extended release pill in half isn't really as bad as people make it sound and that this approach is more effective.

There is no way for me to take off sick at work if I get really bad withdrawal so I want to get as much info as I can before attempting this. I'm a CPA working > 80 hrs a week until Apr 15 so I can tolerate feeling a little bad, but nothing toooo intense. Does benadryl really help w/ the brain shivers? Can't remember where I read that..

I've been taking this for about a year if that's relevant. Other medications are zyrtec, loestrin (birth control), and levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement). The reason I need to stop is because I am experiencing the symptoms listed on the black box warning (suididal thoughts, sudden mood swings of aggression, hostility, etc). I tried increasing the dose for a while, but things didn't improve. When I took another look at the side effects of Pristiq, it dawned on me this could be the cause.

[tigerlilly381]

Well there's a lot going on in your life awesome that your staying on top of everything while this is all going on . I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year mine was outrageous, scared the crap out of me. I'm now on 75mg of levo. I was so happy when I found out it was my thyroid because I was like "ok" this is why I've felt so crazy, emotional, and tired. But after taking it I felt the same. I was having major problems got diagnosed with "bipolar 11" I take lamictal now with levo. And it seems to keep all racing-depressive thoughts away. Don't take on too much, do things at your own pace, oh and you can try sleepytime tea? Have u ever tried it? If not it works awesome.antidepressants can sometimes make things a lot worse I can only take 20mg of prozac because ill get hypomanic and moody. Keep a diary too of your moods and meds and then later you can maybe see what's causing what.<3xo hope all goes well.

[johnmdino]

My pharmacy said to go every third day. 1wk. After cutting back every 2 days for a wk.
bad drug to wean off

[rach7612]

* Took 1/4 in the morning. Another in late afternoon, and the last quarter I'll take before sleep.

[rach7612]

That's a good idea - will check on that. Today I took 3/4 of a pill. It was a bit messy since they're not scored. Oh well. I loved the Pristiq at first. I have never had so much energy and good mood in my life. Started feeling very strung out after a while though - I was working 90 hrs a week and had a very vibrant social life, and running an online business on the side. Barely sleeping or eating - just happy and obsessed w/ work. After a few months I sort of crashed! Almost a year later I still feel like I haven't recovered - so tired/dazed and very very depressed, mood swings. Definitely a big problem is thyroid disease still not being adequately treated. I feel like it's not a smart idea to come off this drug because although I feel very bad, and like it doesn't do anything for me anymore, I don't really know what it would be like if I wasn't taking it. Not sure I'm making the best decisions here and haven't actually talked to my doctors about if I should stop (just asked how to stop), but I need to know how I feel without it. If it is helping me a little, then it's just prolonging my misery. And if it isn't, then it's giving me some pretty psychotic mood swings which are making me feel like a walking time bomb. Either way seems like a good enough reason to end it.

[lifesawildride]

Sorry to hear the bad call by your old doctor.uhg!
As far as the Prestiq..a pharmacy should be able to turn them (any pill actually) into a liquid form.Then you could tapper down as slowly as you body requires without all the bad side effects. Maybe that would be a helpful option.It was recommended to me for stopping Effexor.
My sister has had thyroid problems too but is doing very well now..I am hoping the same for you.She had to go through a couple of doctors also before getting the correct diognoses..very frustrating.(putting it mildly!)

[remar]

What a shame. I'm glad to hear your not seeing him any more. Are you seeing any kind of Dr now other than an Endocrinologist? I really hope you can get off this med soon. If you can score the pills that would be great. Please let me know how your doing and what your pharmacist says.  

[rach7612]

Thanks - I don't trust my doctor's knowledge on this too much. I'm actually not really seeing him anymore, after a second opinion confirmed he was mis-managing my thryoid disease and making me sicker.. he also prescribed this pristiq for thyroid disease because he believed my insomnia, stress, and high blood pressure meant I was mentally ill. Now that I've discovered the real problem - Hashimoto's thyroid disease, I'm still stuck on Pristiq. Anywho..

I will definitely check w/ the pharmacy.

[remar]

I agree with you. I think your Dr may be trying to take you completely off this med too fast. What about taking a dose out every few days instead of every other day to see how that works. Of course check with your Dr about this first. Another person that might be able to help you with this is your pharmacist. Not so much as far as the tapering but they can tell you if these pills can be cut in half.