I have been taking Pristiq 50 mg for about 6 months for depression. My hot flashes and night sweats have been increasing at a terrible rate. I just read that Pristiq is susposed to help with hot flashes. What gives? Please help me.

Can someone please advise me as to how to view new comments on this thread? I keep getting notices that new comments have been added, and I come here, go through all the pages, and cannot find anything after December 4, 2010. What am I doing wrong??

Bellows

Can someone please advise me as to how to view new comments on this thread? I keep getting notices that new comments have been added, and I come here, go through all the pages, and cannot find anything after December 4, 2010. What am I doing wrong??

Bellows

Hi there,

I am currently awaiting to start pristiq, meaning I have not brought the scrip yet as I am being put on it for severe anxiety and mild depression. I wanted to see if there was any crazy stories on side effects. When changing mess I usually feel lethargic and ill in the stomach but last time my mess were changed I was rushed to the emergency department by my girlfriend because I was adamant I was going to kill myself, crying and completely losing it. I'm scared. I'm 21, I should be enjoying life so worrying about every minute thing. I see a physc once a week, she doesnt know that sometimes when I'm alone I vision harming myself fatally sometimes. I dont understand. why. Why won't this stop. Why do we need to suffer and depend on effing tablets to get us through the day. Ash

I'm so relieved to hear the MD tell it like it is. The MD who prescribed effexor for hot flashes is a man I trust completely, but who was also completely in the dark about the effects of this drug. Once starting on venlafaxine (which, I understand, is the basic ingredient in Pristiq), I, too, suffered worse flashes than the ones I complained to him about, after some initial improvement in the symptoms. The MD who posted here also warns about stopping it cold turkey. My doctor insisted that the HORRIBLE withdrawal I had was unusual, and likely unrelated to the drug. I succeeded in informing him otherwise, and he's since been very careful in giving it out. I also suffered weight gain of some 20 pounds, horrible sleepiness during the day while on it. I've been off of it for about 2 years now. It took me 4 months and a week off from work to slowly come off of the 112.5 mg dose I was on. BEWARE!

Marilyn

Thank you for the information from everyone that has written on this post. It is clear, that each person may react to this drug in different ways so having a journal, monitoring any side effects and keeping in contact with your physician will certainly help.

I started taking prestiq for extreme hot flashed & night sweats that have been going on for about 3 or more years. I got relief from the first pill. I have been taking for 30days & feeling pretty good, with very few & very light flashes.

I believe the person that asked the question was referring to pristiq, also known as venlafaxine. I also was prescribed this drug for hot flashes, not depression. It initially worked quite well, and then the flashes got worse. My MD upped the dose and the same pattern occurred. I also began gaining weight. I went online and discovered, to my horror, that this drug's side effects include excessive sweating. Worse, it's a real problem to withdraw from. It took 3 months and a week off from work to complete the withdrawal. Don't take it if you can help it.

I have been diagnosed with major depression/anxiety and been taking 50mg of Pristiq for a little over a year now. I'm happy to say that I actually like it. I've tried celexa but it would make me grind my teeth all the time (something I do naturally just when I sleep). I still have some issues with social anxiety and focusing/concentrating but the panic attacks have decreased significantly, I can feel a more positive difference, I'm less irritable as well as less emotional (decreases the urge to just break out in tears over nothing or something very minor). It has certainly evened out my moods more and helped me have a better grip on living my life. It's not perfect but I'm happy with it.

I do have to mention some things to keep in mind. A couple of times I would forget a dosage and experience discontinuation effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. It really concerned me out the first time. Also, do not drink or drink minimal amounts of alcohol on this. As mention before, one should always pay attention to how they respond on new medicines. I kept a journal to document the progress. And be honest and open with your doctor about your depression/anxiety- I finally found one that listens to me, asks questions and actually takes the time to sit and talk with me about it.

Dr Annonymous. If you are still having exteme night sweats, talk to your Dr. about other causes, such as a hidden infection. I am having wonderful results with Pristiq. If it isn't working for you, search (with your Dr.'s help) until you find the right combination for you. Good luck...

Anon - Hyperhidrosis was seen in 21 percent of the people involved in clinical trials for Pristiq, according to Drugs.com. http://www.drugs.com/sfx/pristiq-side-effects.html

It's not clear why an anti-depressant was prescribed to treat your condition. There are several topical treatments and medications that are typically used: https://www.empowher.com/condition/hyperhidrosis/treatments

Please use this information to decide whether to seek other treatments from your current physician or to see another doctor. Let us know if this helps you and how you do. Good luck, Pat