Has anyone tried PRISTIQ™

[elwood]

Hello Everyone

My regular doc always gives me a suggestions for new medications in this case PRISTIQ™.  I asked my pdoc about it and he said he wants to wait until it has been used and there is history on it.  I read the patient information on it  and as usual is says you can have every side effect in the world, but it usually works.  It is from the same company that makes Effexor.

Anybody tried it?  Anyone heard of it?

Elwood[/b]

[Phyllis]

never heard of it... sorry 

[rosyblue]

I just got prescribed it today actually. It's supposed to be similar to Effexor, but with less side effects. I'll let you know how it goes.

[elwood]

Hi rosyblue and everyone

Just out of curiosity is pristiq  one of those meds that you have to taper to your regular dose or just start taking the dose from the begining?  Do you mind telling me what med you are switching from or is this just an addition?

Elwood

[rosyblue]

I'm not sure if you have to work your way up to a higher dose or not. The pdoc gave me 50mg pills for the whole month. He didn't mention anything about uping it after that. I wasn't on any meds before this one. I guess it's a really new drug. I went to go add it to my Google Health profile and they didn't even have it in their list of meds. But I have no problem being the guinea pig and trying out something new. I once volunteered for a new medication study of a med that hadn't been released yet. If you guys want I can report any side effects I experience tomorrow once I take it. Let me know if that would help.

[rosyblue]

This is straight from the manufacturer's web site...

Common side effects with Pristiq include:
• nausea
• tiredness
• headache
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• vomiting
• sweating
• anxiety
• dizziness
• tremor
• insomnia
• dilated pupils
• constipation
• decreased sex drive
• loss of appetite
• delayed orgasm and ejaculation
• sleepiness

[Phyllis]

wohooooo dialated pupils! LMAO

rosy - you said something about your google health profile? I'm curious about that? Sounds interesting. Can you elaborate on that?

[Brian]

I guess it's a really new drug. I went to go add it to my Google Health profile and they didn't even have it in their list of meds.

I hadn't realize there was a Google Health. They really are everywhere, now: reading your mail (Google mail), monitoring your schedule (Google calendar), what you read (Google reader), where you go (Google maps), and now even the medications you're taking.

Not to sound too paranoid, though: I actually use all of those services (well, except for the Google Health thing, because I hadn't even heard of it yet).

[Phyllis]

And you don't want to use your debit card because you don't want "the man" knowing where you spend your money. I find that ironic! ABut I still love you. 

[rosyblue]

Google Health
https://www.google.com/health/p/

You can add all the medications you're taking, how much, how often, in what way, etc. and you can keep them on there even if you stop taking them. You just change it to not currently taking. You can also add all your health problems, vaccinations, surgeries you've had done. And you can even import your records from certain diagnostic companies and your script records from certain pharmacies. It makes it alot easier to keep track of everything. And then you can print it out before you go to a new doc.

As far as side effects go for today, the only thing I'm noticing is the extreme drowsiness/weakness from the Elavil. I suppose the Pristiq may have added to it, but there's no way of telling really. So just tired today. That's certainly alot better than Effexor was. OH! And I've been level all day! Pretty amazing. Let's see if it lasts.

[high maintenence]

I don't take or even know about this drug, but I can say that as I get used to a drug, which sometimes takes a good couple of months, the drugged/drowsy/weak feeling goes away. It lifts little by little.

[elwood]

Hello Everyone,

Rosyblue I thank you for the information on Pristiq.  Would you keep me informed as to its side affects and if the medication helps.

I know what you mean being the Guinea pig for new drugs. 

I was also unaware the Google will track you medical history for you.  Its probably a great idea but I don't trust Google enough so I keep my history in Word and Excel including prior meds and side affects.

Elwood

[rosyblue]

I think it will be hard for me to let you guys know what side effects I'm getting from the Pristiq cause the Invega is giving me some nasty side effects that are probably masking the side effects from the other drugs. I guess the Invega is a strong drug and I'm having a hard time with it. Having a really hard time even typing. Totally spaced out, finger tips and mouth are numb, dizzy, but at least my mood is stable! lol Hope all this made sense, I'm pretty out of it.

[elwood]

Well I hope that the Invega's side affects disappear with time.  Unless you like being dizzy.  LOL. 

Good luck

Elwood

[rosyblue]

I ended up having to go to the emergency yesterday because I was being driven nuts by the side effects. They were seriously so bad I thought I was going to scream while I was waiting to be seen. The ER doc told me to stop taking them and she gave me some ativan. I feel much better now without the meds. Hopefully my pdoc can find me something else that will have less side effects. Man that was awfull! Sorry, I won't be able to be your guinea pig on this one. But just to let you know, it probably wasn't the Pristiq. Most likely the Invega.