Going off Pristiq

***Please Note: I'm not a doctor. I'm not dispensing medical advice. This is just what is happening in my own case. Please discuss your concerns with your own doctor and do not take this blog as professional medical advice.***

I've been on Pristiq, starting at the 50mg dose, and later at the 100mg dose, for over 3 years. At first, I was excited about the idea of fewer side effects than Effexor, which I had been on for at least 2 years previously. I had a lot of side effects with Effexor, but I had felt it was an improvement over the meds I was on before. And Pristiq did work, for a year or so. It helped me when I started a new job. It helped take the edge off a bit socially. Now, I don't know.

I'm not in a deep depression, but I've definitely been better. Better, even while being on Pristiq. I'm on a higher dosage now than what clinical trials found beneficial. Also, I've been experiencing some gastrointestinal problems that started a month or so after upping the dose of Pristiq to 100mg. There are other reasons, such as the complete and utter lack of a sex drive, and the weight gain (20lbs+) I experienced. I'll expand on the side effects in a separate post.
The short of it - I'm going to reduce my daily dose of Pristiq, with the intent of going off it completely.

If you know Pristiq, or its precursor, Effexor, you'll know that they've got a reputation of being difficult to "discontinue". Hopefully, a doctor pointed this out to you. I knew that they had this reputation from my own research. My doctor didn't bring it up when he initially put me on it. I had to ask. He tried to play it down, saying different people react differently - which is true, obviously - but I haven't heard of people having a great time going off Effexor or Pristiq. He said the pill is helpful, in his experience, and we can cross the "withdrawal" bridge when we come to it. Fair enough. I still think HE should have mentioned it. I'm sure people don't get on these drugs with full knowledge of their side effects and potential drawbacks. I digress - I knew what I was getting into when I started taking it. At least up until this point, I don't regret going on Pristiq (or Effexor.)

So, my doctor and I discussed it at my last appointment, and I'm starting to decrease my daily dose. I've spent a week and a few days on 75 mg, after years of being at 100mg. I take one whole 50mg pill, with another 50mg pill cut in half. It is difficult to cut Pristiq, because it's not meant to be cut, but I haven't had too much trouble doing it. I had mentioned to my pharmacist that I'm decreasing my dose, and she gave me a big speech about how I shouldn't cut the pills. I'm glad she cares, at least. I know it's not advised. My doctor knows I am doing it, in fact, it was his idea.

Last week I was so sick with a chest infection that i don't know if I experienced any withdrawal symptoms. I certainly felt like crap, but who knows where it originated. Could have been the infection, the antibiotics, or Pristiq withdrawal. I'm still not 100%, but I'm back at work and a bit more lucid. I guess we'll see what happens as the chest infection subsides.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't on some combination of psych meds... possibly, early 2003. It's been a long time.