Pristiq and Migranes

[Timerobber]

Hi there,

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
I have been on pristiq for the last ten months (100mg) for depression and anxiety.
It has helped somewhat with my condition however I'm have since been suffering the most debilitating migraines ever since. I have never had them before so it's quiet unpleasant.

I'm just wondering if anyone else is going thru the same thing?

I feel stuck on this med at the moment as I tried to stop taking it by going down to 50mg for a week and was smashed with the following symptoms:

Brain zaps
Shaking
Hot sweats
Major anxiety
Deep depression
Vomiting

To the point where I had to take time off work. I don't feel safe coming off this medication. Has anyone gone thru this that can help with successful tips?

Thanks

[MigraineMate]

I just recently got on Pristiq 50mg and have had a migraine everyday since.  (10days). I initially started with 25mg and did not get any migraines. For about 10 years, I was on Zoloft and had about 8-12 migraine days a month.  I got off it last year and my migraines went down to 1-3 a month. I had no idea the Zoloft was the cause until I discontinued it. Unfortunately my panic started coming back and I really need the antidepressant. I tried Pristiq this time since it's an SNRI but appears it's still causing the migraines.  They are bearable so I may give it a month to see if they subside before perhaps trying a new one. I'm hoping all antidepressants dont cause migraines for me as they do relieve my anxiety and make life easier. I also feel like I'm the only one with this symptom since they apparently are used to treat migraines.  I'd love to hear any suggestions.  

[Paxiled]

I agree with remar.  Migraines aren't fun, and I wouldn't stay on any medication if you think it's causing them since that means it's affecting your vascular system.  This is a very difficult category of drugs, the snris, to stop taking, so you need to do it with a psychiatrist who really knows this and takes it very seriously.  I would take remar's advice.

[rileyocool]

do you have bad migraine or headaches like you have never had before do you have body buzzing....

[remar]

You were trying to taper way to fast. Any tapering should be done with the help of your Dr or you can have these withdrawal symptoms. It sounds like you may need to switch meds since you're having these migraines. You already know this though. I would recommend getting in to see your Dr and making a tapering plan. You're not stuck with this med but it might take awhile to get off of it with no withdrawal symptoms. Then, you can try something different.