Hi...I am looking for any input on similiar situation.
I have been on Pristiq (dressed up Effexor) since March. It is great. Reallly helped my anxiety/panic and lifted some depression.
(I had been on Zoloft 12 yrs prior, but stopped working.)
My Dr. just added a tiny bit of Prozac for continued anger, irritibility and bad PMS.
I just took first prozac today, but a bit fearful. I know I shouldn't be.
Anyone on this combo or similiar one? Either Prozac & Effexor or Prozac and Pristiq??

I've not taken Pristiq so can't help you with that. I took Prozac and Lithium for 14+years with good success. I hope someone else will come along to help you with the Pristiq/Effexor and Prozac combo.
Sheepwoman

Just today I talked to my psychiatrist about this.

My treatment over the past 9 months or so has included varying doses of Wellbutrin XL and Pristiq, with my current regimen being 50mg of Pristiq and 150mg of Wellbutrin XL. The combo has handled many of the typical depression symptoms (hopelessness, just "down" feelings), but I feel like I need some more help with issues like concentration, motivation, energy, and some OCD/GAD traits. We agreed on trying Prozac, but I am going off of the Pristiq in order to do take the Prozac. She did mention irritability as one of the issues that Prozac often helps with.

I did ask her if there was any dose which I could do both Prozac and Pristiq, and she said that because two two meds haven't really been studied together (primarily because Pristiq is so new), she couldn't give me a definitive answer. However, had I wanted to do both at the same time, she would have allowed it. Psychiatrists often prescribe combos that may seem to have a little higher risk (and possibly alarm your pharmacist!), but it usually works out so long as the patient and doctor use some caution and stay in close contact.

Since it's a low dose of Prozac, I wouldn't be frightened of anything serious like serotonin syndrome. I might have an expectation of a higher risk of the less serious, more common side effects that come from serotonin increases like fatigue and nausea. Just follow your doctor's directions, and be sure to ask either him or your pharmacist if there are any symptoms that call for immediate concern and a quick call to your doctor.

Good luck to you, and keep us updated. I'm hoping for some improvement with the Prozac, and hopefully it will do the same for you!

Thank you for the reply. It was good to learn of your experience. I hope the Prozac works well for you.

Hi Teacup,

I am on Pristiq and Prozac as well. About 3 months ago I switched from Wellbutrin and Celexa to Pristiq only. My main reason was to try to get rid of migraines which I was also taking topamax for. I felt that the headaches were worse because of the WB and/or Celexa. After a couple months on the Pristiq (50 mg) I was having some major depressive episodes, especially during PMS. My doc added Prozac (20 mg) a month ago. It has helped a great deal. I think I like this combo although the Prozac makes me more tired/sleepy. The 25 lb of weight I lost on the WB is all coming back... I feel pretty good (don't feel like I want to die anymore), I'm just tired and fat. Oh well...

I hope you do well with the combo!

MC

Hi MC,
Thank you SO much for the input. It helped me a great deal to read about someone who is also on this combo. I am only on 5mg of Prozac, so I think I will up it to 10mg. I really need it for PMS.
Your post gave me encouragement.
I am glad you are feeling better these days.
Happy Summer to you!

Teacup

I had previously been on Prozac and have switched over to the SNRIs lately (Effexor, now Pristiq). Been on Pristiq for 2 weeks now, with minimal effects, however it doesn't seem to be handling the anxiety. So I tried taking Pristiq and 20mg of Prozac together and I've really noticed a marked difference in my mood - much more relaxed, no anxiety during the day. Nighttime is tough for me, I wake up with anxiety tightness in my chest at 5 or 6 am daily.

HTH, and I hope it works for you also.

Has anyone switched from Prozac to Pristiq?

I've been on Prozac (40 mgs) for about 9 years and am just doing the switch to Pristiq (50 mgs). My psychiatrist has me taking both Prozac and Pristiq for 3 days and then just stopping the Prozac, which seems very quick.

Any advice from anyone that's made this switch would be amazing!

Thank you

I too was wondering about Pristiq
I am currently on prozac 30mg..only have been on it for over 4 months..it has helped a bit for the depression...but I still get anxious...and it has really made my TMJ flare up
..I have doc appt this week....I wonder if he will put me on different med..or up my dosage to 40
I just want to feel good again...

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I am taking Pristiq 100mg a day and with Prozac 40mg a day. I just started the Prozac. Haven't had any side effects with the combination

Ask your Dr for something for anxiety.

Hi Kassiegal,

Im just curiouse about what your Dr. decided to do in regards to the prozac and TMJ flare up...I also experienced jaw clenching and severe muscle spasms while on prozac which caused me to have to stop taking it. This is frustrating because it was working wonderfully for me and thus far nothing else has helped for the depression and physical effects of it. I found online that SSRI'S and tranquilizers are known for affecting the central nervouse system this way causing the muscle/joint spasms and pain. I have a very informative link if you are interested.

Well Im hoping you have or will find the right med/dosage to put back on the road to feeling good again.

Hello..didnt get into see my doc..he was sick...so have appt next week
last time when I had mentioned the jaw tension..he upped my dosage...but still get the TMJ....so I will see what he says this time around...
I would love that link....
I broke my jaw years ago...so tmj Is not new to me..but I swear since the prozac...its been worse...
could be, that I am bored, lonely. and got laid off..and spend way to much time on laptop...could very well be a posture thing too....that will affect the jaw..
good luck to you too

First off, HI EVERYONE, I am new.
I am also curious about this combo of meds. Was diagnosed in April of this year w/MDD and GAD and was prescribed Lexapro. I have been on Prozac for 3 weeks now after switching from Lexapro b/c of horrid dreams and worsened anxiety (I have emetophobia). I noticed immediately that the Prozac didn't work as well at ALL. I go back to my dr today and was considering asking about switching to Pristiq or adding Abilify ... need some advice/input here, please.

As far as TMJ .. my Mother suffers from TN, which I know is not the same, but she has had relief by using Baclofen and Lyrica. Just thought I'd mention that, in case you'd be able to talk to your dr about that.

I have been taking Wellbutrin and Prozac but before was taking Wellbutrin and Pristiq. There was a period of cross-over in which I took both. IMO there is no need to be afraid. I found that there were no significant changes taking both, though I kind of hoped there would be lol. Remember Prozac has been around the longest of the ssris and has probably been combined with just about everything on God's green earth. Hope this might ease some anxiety and you are feeling better!!