Hi, my name is Alicia and I've been on Lexapro 20mg for 2 or 3 years now and lately I just don't feel the effects that lexapro used to give me. So I went in for my annual checkup today and my doctor is putting me on pristiq and I'm a little worried about it because I hate trying out new medication. I just get worried about maybe having an allergic reaction or a fatal reaction. So if you've had this experience before or if you're taking Pristiq can you tell me how its either helped or hindered you? Thank you!

Ok I think you are me! I was on Lexapro 20 mg for years, but it basically just stopped working. My doctor wanted to switch me to Pristiq and sent me out the door with a bunch of samples, but I hesitated for over a month as to whether to take them or not. Hadn't ever heard of the drug, and I thought maybe he was just trying to dump a new drug off on me since he had an enormous box of samples in his office. Also, although I do suffer from depression, my deeper issue was in anxiety and panic, and after much googling, there was very little information provided anywhere online as to the efficacy of this drug regarding treatment of anxiety. This was in September 2008.

So...I bit the bullet and decided to go ahead and try it finally--mostly out of desperation because my Lexapro didn't do a D*** thing for me anymore, and I had run out of it anyways with no more refills. But now I must say, Pristiq has surprisingly been working quite nicely for me ever since. It has helped curb my anxiety and panic attacks at an incredible rate, which was such a relief. (I get nauseous and sick and throw up every time I have an attack. I had averaged 17 throw ups in August, the month before I finally began taking the Pristiq for the first time).

I've had maybe three vomits total now since going on Pristiq, which is an amazing success story for me. I am in general very happy with the medicine, and I feel much better on it than I ever did on Prozac or Lexapro. Now I wish I had not waited so long to try it out initially!

That being said, be careful though if you miss doses. It leaves your system super fast--like within the first 24 hours, and side effects will creep up right away. A big side effect is nausea, which happens to me every time, as well as heart palpitations and fatigue. So stay on top of your prescription if you decide to go on it. No more of this "3 weeks to phase out of your system" stuff.

Hope my story sheds some light for someone. Best of luck to you!

Hey there. Looks like we are in the same boat. I am taking effexor xr and I don't seem to have the same relief I once had on it. I have an appointment tomorrow with my dr. and I am going to ask to be put on pristiq.
I try not to pay attention to the negative comments about the medication. So, they may have released this new drug for money.......so what. After all of the years that effexor has been on the market, I am sure that the new medication has some advantages. They don't have scientists sitting around in the labs playing twister! Drug companies have big egos and they want their medication to work. If it don't, people won't take it and no money for them.
I have heard great stuff about this medication (and some not so great). I think you just have to take the chance. don't miss out on the "one" that will work for you. And remember, give it time to work - a few weeks.
Hopefully, I will get my script tomorrow and we can keep eachother posted on our progress. Good luck and hope to hear from you soon.

I'm doing the same thing - moving from Lexapro, after a few years to Pristiq. I'm VERY worried though because I know that Pristiq is related to Effexor and made by the same manufactor. As far as I'm concerned, Effexor is the drug from HELL - I had HORRIBLE side effects (ended up in the ER once because of them), and it took FOREVER to get off of it. Missing one dose did HORRIBLE stuff to me too. I've been on most of the other AD and Lexapro seemed to be one of the better ones (for me). I've just learned, however, that Lexapro makes one of my already severe sleep disorders WORSE. Specifically, I've got Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) which helps to keep me awake all night. So. . . here I go again. I would really like to hear how the OP has done since this post was first put up. Thanks.

((((((((((((Danteey)))))))))))))))

It is so good to 'see' You! I just noticed your post and welcome back to Depression Forums for answers and information! Sweet Melissa is here back as a moderator (I made her senior of course). It is like old home week.
Thank you for your post. You do know what it is like, as I do, since way back when we all started, how we all can react differently to our meds. It takes time and changes.
Best wishes to you sweetheart.

~Lindsay

I was on lexapro for 4 weeks and in the beginning I was fine, within the 2nd week it made me incredibly tired.
I was having horrible nightmares and increased suicidal thoughts and even tendencies. I was tempted to just pop
the whole bottle and go back to bed. I lost my sexual desire and my motivation for life became worse. Before lexapro
I was on celexa which just made me naseaus. I would have one or two up days, then down for the rest of the week on lexapro....so I consulted my primary physician and she suggested this would be the last med before seeking help from a psychologist. She put me on Pristiq and this is my 2nd week. I feel much better now and the nightmares and suicidal thoughts have completely stopped. It does not make me sleepy during the day, although some days I do not want to get out of bed--my "lazy" days. I feel much more positive in the mornings, and I can now continue with my daily workouts. I've only been through two sample packets, but I already feel the effects..so far so good. It makes me feel calm and controls my attacks and outbursts. Although I feel I still need something to bring me up a bit more during my day...I try caffeine, exercise, food :-), but wonder if I need more or different meds or just a psychologist. I must admit pristiq has curbed my appetite and makes it easier for me to diet.

I was on Lexapro 20mg for 7 months and it didn't do anything for my depression, I was allways tired and had no motivation, my house was filthy and I did not leave my house unless it was to go to work.
I've been on Pristiq for almost 3 months now and inmediately I saw improvements, I started walking my dogs, cleaning the house and finding any excuse to go out for a drive, I've only seen good things hapen so far. Good luck to you.

i was on lexapro for two weeks and i saw this ad for pristiq and decided it looked like the thing for me. lexapro only gives you serotonin, where as pristiq gives u serotonin and norepinephrine.....i dont know if its working yet, it has been 6 days, but its nothing you should be scared about its a perfectly safe drug and if you dont react well to it then just call your doctor and stop taking it....no life threatening issues to worry about as far as i know...