I met with my family doctor today and he has convinced me to taper off Pristiq. I am really concerned about this. I am doing much better, but I am so scared that my symptoms will reappear. My endocrinologist and Rheumy thought the addition of the anti-depressant a year ago was a great idea, in hopes that it would help me to cope and promote much needed energy for me. Has anyone had any experiences with going off Pristiq or another anti-depressant, while dealing with chronic illness (and other stress)? My doctor says if I feel like I need it, all I have to do is call him and he will write me another script....just nervous.
I agree with John. If you start having trouble don't wait too long. I will say I am surprised he wants you off of an anti depressant. good luck
I have tapered off twice before. The first time was ok, I didn’t need it again for several years. The second time was a nightmare. I didn’t realize how much the sertraline was helping with the fibro pain and depression until I had been off of it for about two months. I ended up being suicidally depressed and in overwhelming amounts of pain. It took me a while to figure out that I needed the sertraline to function. I’ve been back on it at a low dose for over a year and have no plans to stop taking it. But that does not mean that will be your experience. Depression and bi-polar disorder run in my family so I am predisposed to it anyway. Gentle hugs, Annemarie
Annemarie said:
I have tapered off twice before. The first time was ok, I didn't need it again for several years. The second time was a nightmare. I didn't realize how much the sertraline was helping with the fibro pain and depression until I had been off of it for about two months. I ended up being suicidally depressed and in overwhelming amounts of pain. It took me a while to figure out that I needed the sertraline to function. I've been back on it at a low dose for over a year and have no plans to stop taking it. But that does not mean that will be your experience. Depression and bi-polar disorder run in my family so I am predisposed to it anyway. Gentle hugs, Annemarie
Did your doctor say why you need to taper off of the med???? I'm on 3 meds for my depression, bipolar and OCD and have to have them along with my SLE meds...my rheumy knows this and we have to work around them. SLE just makes my mental issues much worse and without the meds, I'm in real trouble.
Praying that you are able to go off of the med if you need to.
Lori
I stopped taking my remron without my doctors knowledge because I felt good and in control however after a period of about a month and a half I seriously thought I was going to die I became so depressed I was afraid because I have never been in such a dark place oh Yeh my anxiety also doubled thank god I had enough sense left to call my doctor who immediately renewed my script
Please review the new lupus website; lupusofnevada.org As you stroll down tap in face book and check like or dislike. More information every month will be on the site.
Live Well
Dr. Williams, D.D., Lupus survivor
I just had to change from pristiq as well but mine was because it was just too expensive. I talked to my dr because I knew that I needed something because I have missed a couple of doses here and there and felt awful. You may have different symptoms as everyone reacts differently but I felt as if the room was spinning, my head was pounding and I had such a short temper it was not funny. We decided to try cymbalta which has just gone to a generic and so far so good. I was on cymbalta before and I had symptoms of dizziness and nausea to the point I could not get out of bed but this time they seem to be working. What I ended up doing was going from 75mg of pristiq down to 50mg and then I finished the script of that off and began taking my cymbalta the day after at the exact same time that I would take the pristiq. I figured this way I would still have medication in my system but not too much where I just felt drugged up. I would seriously talk to your doctor again and watch for any odd feelings or symptoms and immediately let your doctor know. Hope this helps.
He just said that anti-depressants aren't meant to be a permanent treatment for most people. The PA at his office actually disagreed with him, though. She said with my fatigue and pain issues, that Pristiq seemed to be the perfect fit for me. My Rheumy and Endo both thought it was a good idea, as well. Both said that major depression is common among those of us with chronic health issues. I'm willing to give it a try, to take one less pill a day, but I'm nervous about it.
loriken214 said:
Did your doctor say why you need to taper off of the med???? I'm on 3 meds for my depression, bipolar and OCD and have to have them along with my SLE meds...my rheumy knows this and we have to work around them. SLE just makes my mental issues much worse and without the meds, I'm in real trouble.
Praying that you are able to go off of the med if you need to.
Lori
Thank you for sharing. :)
Penguin_Lady said:
I just had to change from pristiq as well but mine was because it was just too expensive. I talked to my dr because I knew that I needed something because I have missed a couple of doses here and there and felt awful. You may have different symptoms as everyone reacts differently but I felt as if the room was spinning, my head was pounding and I had such a short temper it was not funny. We decided to try cymbalta which has just gone to a generic and so far so good. I was on cymbalta before and I had symptoms of dizziness and nausea to the point I could not get out of bed but this time they seem to be working. What I ended up doing was going from 75mg of pristiq down to 50mg and then I finished the script of that off and began taking my cymbalta the day after at the exact same time that I would take the pristiq. I figured this way I would still have medication in my system but not too much where I just felt drugged up. I would seriously talk to your doctor again and watch for any odd feelings or symptoms and immediately let your doctor know. Hope this helps.
Thank you! :)
calvinia said:
Please review the new lupus website; lupusofnevada.org As you stroll down tap in face book and check like or dislike. More information every month will be on the site.
Live Well
Dr. Williams, D.D., Lupus survivor
Thank you for sharing. He said to give it just two weeks of the tapering and not to wait if I am seeing the signs that I'm headed in a downward spiral, like before. I told him I just worry how I will cope, especially if I have a Lupus flare.
fearful said:
I stopped taking my remron without my doctors knowledge because I felt good and in control however after a period of about a month and a half I seriously thought I was going to die I became so depressed I was afraid because I have never been in such a dark place oh Yeh my anxiety also doubled thank god I had enough sense left to call my doctor who immediately renewed my script
Thank you!
John "JC" Colyer said:
Keep your Dr up to date , be vigilant don't feel you are overreacting
Thank you!
reet said:
I agree with John. If you start having trouble don't wait too long. I will say I am surprised he wants you off of an anti depressant. good luck
Hi!!! DON'T Do It ???????????????????????????????? seriously i was out for a week and those days were so hard to deal with myself , i made myself sleep most of the days because nothing was right for me NOTHING! DON'T Do IT Stay on your meds, whatever it takes , to stay on them Aruge, ,fuss, fight ( well only in a sense) , cry even if you have to do them all , Don't come off that med. I take this and it really makes a difference for me and i Don't run out any more either - smile ...Beverly L.
Thanks Beverly L. My doc said to give it two weeks of trying to taper and then call him back if I couldn't do it. I'm very strongly feeling the need to stay on it, because it has helped me so tremendously.
Beverly L. said:
Hi!!! DON'T Do It ???????????????????????????????? seriously i was out for a week and those days were so hard to deal with myself , i made myself sleep most of the days because nothing was right for me NOTHING! DON'T Do IT Stay on your meds, whatever it takes , to stay on them Aruge, ,fuss, fight ( well only in a sense) , cry even if you have to do them all , Don't come off that med. I take this and it really makes a difference for me and i Don't run out any more either - smile ...Beverly L.
I still want to know WHY your doctor wants you off of this med......
Lori
To be honest, I'm not sure that my doc (family physician) has a real good understanding of how Lupus affects me (or anyone else). I just wish he would have talked to my specialists. I guess I could ask one of them to prescribe, but I don't want anyone to think I'm doctor shopping or med seeking.
loriken214 said:
I still want to know WHY your doctor wants you off of this med......
Lori
I can't go more than a few days without my mood meds and I have to convince the ER/hospital docs of this every time I end up in the hospital. The hospital pharmacy mgr. came and talked with me about my xanax dosage when I was in the hospital in late Dec. I was about to go off on her because I had been without my meds for several days and I was on a liquid diet on top of things. She finally got the message and they gave me HALF of my normal dosage. You have to make sure the doctors understand what you NEED! They can't just stop the meds when you need them!
Lori
Thanks Lori! I am really terrible at advocating for myself and I really downplay my symptoms. I know I need to be better about this...
loriken214 said:
I can't go more than a few days without my mood meds and I have to convince the ER/hospital docs of this every time I end up in the hospital. The hospital pharmacy mgr. came and talked with me about my xanax dosage when I was in the hospital in late Dec. I was about to go off on her because I had been without my meds for several days and I was on a liquid diet on top of things. She finally got the message and they gave me HALF of my normal dosage. You have to make sure the doctors understand what you NEED! They can't just stop the meds when you need them!
Lori