Hi all-
I have taken Pristiq for 6 months now for anxiety and am ready to get off of it and doctor said it is time. I have tried not taking it for a day and I get the brain zaps which apparently are pretty normal. I have seen a lot of people say they have cut the pills in half. Isn't all Pristiq time release? Just wanted to be sure they were cutting the time release pills in half and not some other type. I have heard that cutting them in half has worked for people and I have heard others say be careful about cutting a time release pill. Anyone had experience with this? I already know I am going to get the brain zaps. It is what it is.
You should be weaned on and off by your prescribing doctor. Go back and get the plan, they can prescribe lower and lower doses, and give you the proper isntructions.
M.
You'll need instructions from your doc but it will go something like this:
Day 1 - Regular dose
Day 2 - Lesser dose
Day 3 - Regular dose
Day 4 - Lesser dose
For about a week.
Then you will start to go just lower dose everyday. Then you will start to skip a day. Then skip two days, etc. until you are finally off the drug. It should take about three weeks.
Good luck and don't go too fast.
Did your doctor give you a plan for weaning off the medication or did you just try stopping the medication? I'm very surprised that a doctor would instruct you to just stop taking an anti-anxiety drug cold turkey without a weaning plan.
If he/she did not give you instructions, call and find out or make an appointment to get a plan. Side effects of withdrawing from anti-anxiety medications can be pretty serious, so seek the guidance of your health professional.
haha! brain zaps! I know exactly what you're talking about. Since Pristiq only has one dosage (I think?), you will wean yourself off of it by skipping days. Take it every other day for a week, then every two days for a week, then just twice that week, and then you should be good to go.
Good luck!
