Weight Gain On Pristiq??
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I have been on Pristiq now since November of 2008...not quite 5 months...and I have put on 15 lbs since starting it. DESPITE working out with a trainer at the gym twice a week weight training, 3 days a week of cardio AND counting calories. My doc assured me that I would also have a decreased appetite on Pristiq, which I have yet to find true...so he has now increased my dosage to 400 mg. Does anyone have anything to add to this?? I'm just frustrated!


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I'm down to one 50 mg per week of Pristiq. I do notice after a few days I start getting over sensitive. I worked through it though. Hoping I get rid of this weight. I've not as of yet seen much weight gone, still have the bloating belly. I sure hope it comes off. I never had a problem with weight on Trazodone which I take at night for sleep. I swear Pristiq has good benefits but the the bad side effects are not worth it. Let me know if any of you see your weight going down.

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I was told never to cut seritonin in half rather take one every second day.

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400mg. is a very high dose. I am on 5omg and seem to havesettled down on this and initially i felt a bit bloated but everything seems to have settled down again. My weight has gone up a bit but my biggest problem is lack of energy and always feel lethargic. Not sure if this is causedby pristiq though.

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So...i finally bit the bullet...and stopped taking pristiq..been off 4weeks...slowly losing the extra lbs...my stomach issues are seeming to clear up..i feel more like myself..but ive noticed i cant sleep well again from my mind being permanent on now...but able to talk thru my thoughts and calm...a bit more work mentally...lol!! But worth being myself again....

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I have been on Pristq since last May. I too have gained weight. Stomach pooched out-constipated & lazy. But...I love what this drug did to my life. I couldn't get through a day without crying. I am going to try Atkins. Started today. Don't know if it'll work but I need to do something.

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Ooo thank you!!! Ill try weaning off that way....sounds healthier....think part of my issue was fear...of not taking something...i appreciate it!!

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Thanks Diane, that was what I was wondering. Have you notice if your weight has gone down? I did cut a Pristiq in half and ended up making my blood pressure sky rocket and my feet swollen. Never again that way. I'm now on the every 2 days taking one pill.

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I was on 50MGS. I was told that cutting them isn't a good idea. They are time released and they have a coating so if you cut them the drug is released more rapidly. I did every other day, then every two, until I got to every four days. This was over an 8 month period.

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Hey diane...if u dont mind me asking...what was youre dosage...im in 50...n have been cutting in half and then started to cut it in half again, so really only 1/4 of the pill daily...which i know not supposed to do...so im wondering if youre way of is better...and healthier..thanks for youre thought!

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Has anyone lost the weight after going off Pristiq?? I gained even more and can not drop a pound. If you did lose what worked??

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I had been weening myself off of Pristiq for about 8 months and was up to one every 4 days. I noticed that when I would take one on the fourth day I would feel extremely nauseous. So I stopped and I feel great. I did it! By myself. I can't wait for my next dr. appointment. I am hoping my bp is down.

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Thank you so much for posting on your progress of getting off it. I'm going on a trip in two weeks and when I come back I'm getting off of it too. Please keep posting on how it's going, I'm so nervous of the withdrawl symptoms. Good luck and keep kicking it's A@@!!!

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Day four of no pristiq.. All felt so much better... I thought I was over the worst of it. Made it home from work and spilled my drink on the floor- why the heck did it set off a broken dam of tears?!? Lots of deep breathing and trying to just let it all go.. If there were just a quick fix to let this all go, I guess I would have not needed the medicine to begin with. It has done its job and I really am thankful. Now I just need it's terrible grasp to let me go.

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Oo i so agree that it is soo incredibly frustrating...i also thought it was miracle, was able to rationalize my thoughts cleary, sleep better, just love people, n life was glorious in my lil world....lol!!! But then after 2 1/2 years on it at 50mg.. im 30lbs heavier, no real sex drive, stomach issues, high blood pressure and feel as if falling apart..i also am considering having another child...and want to get off it..ive cut pills in half and going from there...tried to wean off before but was a wild women..so now want to try to be tougher and ride my crazziness out until it evens out...lol!! Hope it works!!

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I did Effexor before pristiq. With effexor I lost weight in the beginning but I had no desire for sex or just didn't enjoy sex at all. With pristiq I didn't immediately gain weight but I would say overall pristiq was my miracle drug. Until of course the blood pressure and heart rate decided to increase.. So right now I am coming off it completely too. It all is truly a roulette wheel with each individual until you find the one that works for you. Don't give up. Eventually we all will get it right. I just wish a blood test woul say...... You need this to make it alright.

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I had the same problem with the nausea if I missed a dose. As far as coming off... I was on 2 doses of the 100 mg. I have weened myself down to 1 every other day. I am on day 3 of no pristiq and my ears vibrate, my eyes vibrate, I am nauseas, and I can't follow a conversation without losing my train of thought. My shoulders are tight and I also find myself grinding my teeth like a junkie waiting for his next fix. But I can't continue adding another dose or a new medicine. Hopefully I will see a little more norm as the days progress away from it. I really feel like pristiq was my miracle drug. While I took it as directed and at the same time ( at night for me). When my doctor suggested that I try to come off it I almost cried at the thought. But it wasn't a permanent idea in the beginning. So here goes.

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I had my Dr put me on 50 mg., I now take it every other days. I'll let y'all know in a couple weeks if it helps with weight lost. I hope so.

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I've gained lots of weight with Pristiq as well, though it seems to be a side affect from most anti-depressants, as I had the same issue with previous ones, though not nearly as bad as Pristiq.
It also gives me really bad chest pains, though it's getting better.
I don't know about the rest of you but if I accidentally miss a dose I get really bad nausea and feel like vomiting. It's really bad, worse than any stomach bug I have ever had. I'm on 100mg a day, so I wonder what would happen if I had to get off it, I'd hate to think! :/

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ME TOOOOO!! I gained on it but stopped it and have gained 6 pounds in 10 days.....What the heck????

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Hi Laura, I wanted to see how the Lexapro and Wellbutrin are working out for you?

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