[SandyWeb]

The patent for Effexor expired in 2010, but the company came up with Pristiq (to continue to bring in the bucks) by taking away a few addictives and adding a few salts in their place. It is an NSRI (I can't tolerate ANY SSRIs, and I'm staying far away from the old meds), and only Remeron and Effexor ever worked for my depression. They were wonder drugs....except for one tiny flaw. LOL. Remeron made me eat non-stop until I finally stopped the med when I reached 300 pounds (about 3 times what I normally weigh!!!). Effexor made my eyes so blurry that I could read without glasses, and sometimes the water pressure in my eyeballs would increase to incredibly painful levels that I thought they would break open. Not wanting to cause any irrepairable damage, I had to quit Effexor.

My doctor gave me a month's supple of Pristiq (basically Effexor), and I have to say......IT WORKS!!! My eyes are still a little blurry, but then again, I'm almost 46-years old...maybe this is normal. But they don't hurt. And I feel almost normal. I feel good. I feel like my confidence is wanting to come through. By the way, I'm agoraphobic. It's not a perfect med, but it is a WONDER!!! The problem....no coverage. You have to get the generic Effexor now as they say that Pristiq is non-beneficial (and more exprensive). I can't tolerate the additives in Effexor, and there is not even an "Exception Status" clause for Pristiq that the doctor could fight to get the med for me. I'm not sure what to do.

Any suggestions? Has anyone tried this med yet? Does it keep working long-term? How can I go about getting a prescription for this med that is covered by PharmaCare (Canada)? I only pay $5 for a three-month supply of any med.

Thanks for any help or stories or suggestions. Everyone be careful in all the snow out there!!!

Sandy

[missbelle]

Havn't tried but I am on the generic effexor XR