Pristiq

[Madavigne]

I'm new to this forum and I wanted to say, "hello", but I also have a question and a few comments.  I've been on several diff types of anxiety meds and just a few weeks ago my dr. put me on a new one b/c the Wellbutrin wasn't working for me.  He put me on "Pristiq", he told me it is a newer anxiety med, but it's basically a spin-off of "Effexor".  I didn't like the Effexor, but the Pristiq is working great!  I'm not anxious all the time, my mood swings are way better and I can focus and remember things more now.  My dr. also said that the Pristiq has the least amount of sexual side affects than any other anxiety med out there, but that is the ONE thing I'm having the worst side affects with.  Is there anyone else who takes this and how do you feel about the med?

[MarkBT2016]

The side effect experienced of low sex drive or erectile dysfunction are all true and they don't wear off. Pretiq is an improved direct offspring of effexor. That being said i had the same issues with the problems at hand so he coupled 2 antidepressants to be taken together that would diminish these problems. I've been taking 100 mg of prestiq with 300 mg of wellbrutrin and still have same issues.

[Kkmmm9]

Yes I feel anxious with pristiq also. It does help alot with depression though

[Madavigne]

Ok, I couldn't take it anymore.  After last night, I called my doctor and told them to change my medicine.  I've taken Zoloft before, a long time ago (about 3-4 years ago) and I remember it helping me with my anxiety.  I'm not 100% sure about the sexual side affects.  But, I do know, being a newly-wed, that side affect can be a strain on us and is very important to both of us...as well as my anxiety.  So, I'm hoping this will help me out  in both departments.  Thanks for your words of encouragement.  :)

[RubyWitch]

I'm a bit surprised your doctor didn't take your height and weight into consideration when upping your dose of Wellbutrin. To just double the does could very well have been way too much for you, and as it turned out, it was. Perhaps if he had taken the time to adjust your dose according to your stature, you may have been very happy with the results. But this is one of the many things that I keep saying about doctors and their lack of training in pharmacology, and most specifically in psychopharmacology. Your doctor no doubt just looked up the dosage in his PDR, saw that 300mg was the next step up and out came the script pad.
We have every right as consumers, which is what we are even in regards to our medical care, to demand the very best. So stop working yourself into a "complex" because YOU'VE had to go back to your doctor three times. That should give your doctor a complex, not YOU!
You are fortunate to have a pharmacist in the family and I hope she is offering you some advice about this. She should be able to give you a comprehensive list of meds that have low sexual side effects. You could take that to your next doctors appointment, just be prepared for him/her to put the poo-poo to your list..........after all, your JUST the patient and THEY are the doctor! Whoot!!
Good luck and stand your ground!
Peace
Greenlydia      

[Madavigne]

Thank you for your response.  I will give this medicine just a little longer to see if that one side affect wears off.  If not, then it's back to the doctor to see what else I can do.  I feel weird when I keep going back to the doctor to get new meds, it gives me a complex, like I'm a junkie or something...LOL!  So many doctors (and people) label you if you keep running back and forth to the doctor.  I'm on my 3rd medicine since October.  The Wellbutrin wasn't strong enough on the lowest dose 150mg, but when they upped it to the next step, which was 300mg, it was too much for me.  I'm 32 years old, but I'm very petite.  I'm only 4'10" and weigh about 85 lbs.  So medicines have a strong impact on me.  My sister in law will be graduating from Pharm school in May, so she is a good source for me to go to about these things.  I was just hoping this side affect would fade out, but so far, no luck.  Thanks again for your response, it was very helpful.

[RubyWitch]

Sorry for the delay in responding..........sometimes things just get a wee bit overwhelming which I'm sure you can relate to.
Now, about this Pristiq. It must be VERY new because I've never heard of it and can't find it in any of my nursing books.
If you are finding that the sexual side effects of this medication are unacceptable, it's time to get back with your doctor. It's also possible that you haven't been on this new med long enough for your body to adjust and perhaps those particular side effects will vanish when you do. But this is something you need to discuss with your doctor. My concern that you didn't get a response sooner is that this drug is not being widely used for some reason. Usually if someone is on the same med, they will respond to your post. Let's hope they just haven't seen it yet.
I'd also suggest talking to a pharmacist. They ARE Doctors of Pharmacology and know more about meds than most doctors. Just a thought.
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia