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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on March 7, 2010, at 18:35:56
I have been taking Pristiq for a few months now (50mg at night) and I'm not sure it works that great. I still have some depression and it doesn't seem to help with anxiety.
Anyone else find that Pristiq has worked for them?
Posted by kimbersaur on March 7, 2010, at 19:20:29
In reply to Does Pristiq work?, posted by SheilaC on March 7, 2010, at 18:35:56
I have been on Pristiq for 7 months and have experienced slow but steady improvement which I think is still rising (I made a MAJOR step the other night). My problem is OCD though, not depression. Effexor worked wonders for me, but I was on it for years so I haven't given up hope that Pristiq will help me more as time goes on.
Posted by conundrum on March 7, 2010, at 21:20:25
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work?, posted by kimbersaur on March 7, 2010, at 19:20:29
Sorry to be off topic, but I'm wondering why you switched from Effexor to Pristiq since generic venlafaxine XR will be available this year.
If you look at ask a patient.com, pristiq has the same rating as venlafaxine IR and XR so I would say its effective, but if you don't think its helping enough its time to talk to your doctor. A few months is enough time to start helping.
Posted by kimbersaur on March 7, 2010, at 22:08:17
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by conundrum on March 7, 2010, at 21:20:25
> Sorry to be off topic, but I'm wondering why you switched from Effexor to Pristiq since generic venlafaxine XR will be available this year.
>
> If you look at ask a patient.com, pristiq has the same rating as venlafaxine IR and XR so I would say its effective, but if you don't think its helping enough its time to talk to your doctor. A few months is enough time to start helping.When I became sexually active I went off of the Effexor due to sexual side effects. My OCD remained in remission for nearly a year but then got bad again. I have tried a number of drugs since then and always had the same problem with all SSRIs and SNRIs. My doctor spoke to a drug rep who said that Pristiq has less side effects about the same time that I decided and SSRI/SNRI was necessary, sex or no sex. I knew that Effexor and Cymbalta both had sexual side effects for me so I tried Pristiq. LUCKILY, after several months the sexual side effects have improved significantly on Pristiq. It is a bit more expensive, but my doctor gave me some offer from a drug rep that gives you a lifelong discount and I'm really happy with having less side effects. (Also, Effexor made me extremely constipated but Pristiq only has a mild effect on me.)
Posted by conundrum on March 7, 2010, at 22:10:18
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work?, posted by kimbersaur on March 7, 2010, at 22:08:17
Did you find it as effective as effexor at eliminating your symptoms?
Posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 1:10:56
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by conundrum on March 7, 2010, at 22:10:18
> Did you find it as effective as effexor at eliminating your symptoms?
I'm not sure really. On Effexor my OCD went into complete remission but it took a while (I was on it for a few years) and I actually started the Effexor after I had been on Prozac a while and gotten somewhat better already. I feel like I need to give the Pristiq more time. I have noticed definite improvement but no where close to remission. Of course, I'm in a much worse place now with my OCD than last time due to having been on Prozac a while (which really helped but they thought Effexor might help with ADHD-like symptoms too).
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 12:38:05
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work?, posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 1:10:56
So you now have an anxiety disorder after being on an ad? OCD is anxiety disorder if ad's supposed to help anxiety how did this happen? Phillipa
Posted by SheilaC on March 8, 2010, at 14:56:11
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 12:38:05
Did anyone notice any weight gain on Pristiq? How long did it take for the sexual side effects to go away.
Sometimes I just feel so flat. Like I have no personality.
Posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 15:21:30
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 12:38:05
> So you now have an anxiety disorder after being on an ad? OCD is anxiety disorder if ad's supposed to help anxiety how did this happen? Phillipa
Well I went off of the antidepressants for a couple years because of the side effects and the OCD came back. I thought the Seroquel might keep it at bay, but no such luck.
Posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 15:26:15
In reply to Weight Gain? Re: Does Pristiq work?, posted by SheilaC on March 8, 2010, at 14:56:11
> Did anyone notice any weight gain on Pristiq? How long did it take for the sexual side effects to go away.
>
> Sometimes I just feel so flat. Like I have no personality.I think I gained maybe 5 pounds but it could be a coincidence. I have an increased appetite but I'm not sure if it is the Pristiq. My mom and sister-in-law are on Pristiq and neither has had weight gain.
I'm not positive how long it took for the anorgasmia to go away because I was using Levitra for a while, but I didn't have Levitra about 4 months afterward and I was able to orgasm without it (although even with Levitra it is much harder than it is off the Pristiq). My desire/sex drive has just started to resurface after nearly 7 months. This is more than I expected so I'm happy!
And I don't feel emotionally flat at all.
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 20:28:29
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » Phillipa, posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 15:21:30
What a shame so the OCD didn't respond to CBT after the meds alleviated the symptoms? So now meds forever you think? Phillipa
Posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 21:18:47
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 20:28:29
> What a shame so the OCD didn't respond to CBT after the meds alleviated the symptoms? So now meds forever you think? Phillipa
I'm honestly not sure at this point. I think my OCD is too severe for therapy alone. I tried CBT last summer and didn't make any progress, whereas in the first few weeks of Pristiq I made major leaps without the therapy. I don't want to be on SSRIs for the rest of my life, but at present I think it is necessary.
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 21:23:11
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work?, posted by kimbersaur on March 8, 2010, at 21:18:47
Maybe a new med will be released. Is yours the ruminating type or the do things over and over again. I used to add license plates and only drink a certain number of sips of water. Mine is focused on numbers. Love Phillipa
Posted by kimbersaur on March 9, 2010, at 21:54:06
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2010, at 21:23:11
> Maybe a new med will be released. Is yours the ruminating type or the do things over and over again. I used to add license plates and only drink a certain number of sips of water. Mine is focused on numbers. Love Phillipa
Yeah, I really hope a new drug will be released someday. Mine is contamination OCD. I have very elaborate rituals to prevent contamination that I have to do every day, particularly right before I go to bed. It is also kind of like an obsession/phobia of vomit, since vomit is the "source" of contamination for me. Unfortunately if a friend or acquaintance vomits and I know about it, it becomes very hard to spend time around them ever again. Hopefully one day it will go away again or a drug with less frustrating side effects will come out or it will morph into a type of OCD that doesn't affect my relationships so much.
Posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2010, at 20:02:45
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » Phillipa, posted by kimbersaur on March 9, 2010, at 21:54:06
I'm sure not fond of vomit either. Icck. Love Phillipa
Posted by Tony P on March 16, 2010, at 18:31:15
In reply to Re: Does Pristiq work? » kimbersaur, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2010, at 20:02:45
I'll be following this with interest as I don't tolerate Effexor well and I see a new pdoc in a month or so.
Re OCD, I've been told I have some indications of it. No classical symptoms like counting or washing, although I do have a lot of personal rituals. Mostly I've always wondered about the fact that I have a tune, or just a short phrase of a tune, running through my head almost 24/7.
-- Tony
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