[ShaggyChic_1201]

I've been taking 200 mg of Pristiq for 2+ years. My depression is under control. My pdoc has indicated that he won't take me off the meds b/c I've never been stable w/o them. I'm fine with that - I feel like the meds are a safety net so I don't crash.

But the dosage does interfere with my sex life and I want to try to lower it. Has anyone lowered from 200 to 100 mg? Did you do it in one shot or step down to 150 and then 100? Did you suffer withdrawals?

Thanks,
Bub

[DePressMe]

I don't know specifically about Pristiq but I've taken a ton of other meds and had to stair step them down to avoid side effects from withdraw. I understand about the sex thing--it can be very frustrating....D.

[Aiuto]

I only did 100mg to 50mg and there were withdrawal...My sex life did not come back till my ADD meds...Good luck

Wow i never knew someone could be on 200mg of it that's double the max dose.

[ShaggyChic_1201]

Double? Really?

That would explain why I needed so much documentation for insurance to approve it and why my IP doctor was rather surprised when I mentioned the dose. He kept saying, you mean you take two 50 mg pills twice a day.

In my uncharitable moments I thought, I'm depressed, not stupid, but knew arguing was pointless.

Yes, I was thinking that 200mg was extremely high for pristiq. In fact, from the literature I've read, there really is little evidence that increasing the dose above 50mg really makes much difference for effectiveness.

[ShaggyChic_1201]

That may be true in general, but for me, the higher dose + Abilify + talk therapy is what got me out of black death spiral.

I tried last night just taking 100 mg and was about to burst into tears during a routine phone conference. So that was a dumb idea.

Now I'm wondering if I can even stand the withdrawal of going from 200 to 150. I've been depressed for so long (>35 yrs) and this is my first glimmer of freedom, that I'm terrified to have one moment of discomfort. My pdoc is willing to try lowering dosage with me b/c I've been asking him to, but I'm second guessing myself again.

Anyone relate and can tell me if they lowered and survived, of if they had to go back to orig dose?

[pinkbutterfly]

yeah...pristiq can cause really bad withdrawals. and I was told the highest dosage was 100mg too. i'm at 100 and if i I'm even a few hours late I get "brain zaps"