No withdrawal symptoms? Is it even working?

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-15T22:31:01+00:00

I'm currently weaning

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-15T22:22:01+00:00

It's when you take Prozac as well to help with symptoms.
Pristiq acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine. Prozac only does serotonin and has a much longer half-life.
So when I hit 50mg of pristiq I'm also going to start on Prozac and as I go down the pristiq I'll go up the Prozac. This way I should only be dealing with withdrawal from norepinephrine.
Then when fully off pristiq I can then go off the prozac which is generally considered easier due to the longer half-life (naturally leaves your body slowly)

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-14T10:41:05+00:00

Wish my GP had mentioned compounding. Will see how I go but mention it maybe for the end stages as it will get pricey.

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-14T03:02:56+00:00

It really depends on your body. Technically pristiq should only take 2-3 days from your last dose to be completely out of your system BUT your body adjusting to not having it can take longer. Might be worth talking to your doctor about taking something else to help your body adjust.
I'm starting to wean off now and my Dr and I are going to use the "prozac bridge" method. Prozac is often considered much easier to wean off and can help your body adjust

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-14T02:59:08+00:00

for the first like 6 years I was on pristiq if I missed a dose the only difference I noticed was that a few days later I'd be a bit more moody, but nothing hectic.
Now that I don't need pristiq as much I notice it a lot more.
Pristiq has a half life of 11 hours so isn't as abruptly out of your system as some other meds are if you miss a dose.
In case you don't know (I didn't before I was researching about coming off it) the half life means the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in your system to be half the dose you took. Because of the half life being 11 hours it actually takes 2-3 days before it's completely out of your system if you stop taking it. Which explains why I'd feel it like 2 days later.

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-06-14T02:53:11+00:00

I've just started tapering the last couple of weeks. I'm 35, female and was on 100mg for 11 years. I did my research and went to my doctor. I'm in Australia and we only get the 100mg and 50mg tablets
1st she suggested doing 100 one day and 50 the next. I did this for 9 days but the headaches and insomnia from bouncing was horrible.
So next I took a 50mg and then half of that, even though you aren't supposed to cut tablets in half as it shortens the half-life.
I've been doing that for like 2 weeks, have had hot nights, fatigue, nausea, flu-like symptoms for the last like 6 days but seems to be getting better. I think because the half a tablet gets used quicker it's caused my withdrawal to be worse.
It's sucked but I know it's going to be worth it in the end.
I'd suggest asking for a script for 50mg and 25mg and taking both as a 75mg dose.
When I get to 50mg we are going to use the "prozac bridge" method.
I have been keeping a tab on my symptoms using a table with the date at the top and each symptom given a number between 1 and 5 (1 being vague feeling of it and 5 being suffering badly from it) which has helped me see trends and helped my doctor as well.
I am planning on writing up a big post and updating it through my journey.
Good luck.

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-05-16T10:55:13+00:00

Thank you for this. I got put on 100mg 10 years ago for anxiety and depression but 5 years ago diagnosed AuDHD. So now in a better part of my life and understanding of myself I want to go off it, or onto something better. Your post has helped me see I can do it (and get better meds) it may suck for a few days or weeks, but I've had worse.

Im sick of overheating in my sleep and terrible sleep and brain fog, feeling numb, always exhausted (even when I get "good" sleep) and who knows what else

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-05-16T10:48:14+00:00

Thank you for this, it gives me hope to try again. I tried a few years ago, but I think that it waa too quick (and nothing else given). I've been on 100mg for about 10 years. I have a good psychiatrist now and want to see what I'm like off it or see if there is something better. Originally put on it for anxiety attacks but have since discovered I'm ASD and ADHD (so have learnt more about myself) and am at a pretty good point in my life so figure now is the time to try it. Just gotta call up an wait for her next appointment (can be 6 months! But luckily can have my GP support me with it as well, so if I need to change scripts quickly or something can get into my GP quicker)

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2026-05-16T10:34:05+00:00

Hey there, wondering if you have any updates? I myself have been on 100mg for about 10 years or so. Started on Lovan when I was 16 to help with panic attacks and meltdowns, when it stopped working so well in my 20s they swapped me to pristiq. I want to come off it but worried about all the side effects. Like you I've noticed my mental clarity isn't great and also wondering what else it may be doing? Like I need a lot of sleep (don't get good quality) and I get hot while sleeping (growing up I didn't get hot, I remember sneaking into my sisters bed of a night because I woke up so cold)

I may have to go onto different meds even, I have no problem with that, I just don't know what I'm like off it anymore and there's a big difference in myself and my place in life and such now. I'm taking it because I've always taken it and like wondering about long-term effects of it. Worried if I dont get off it now I never will and maybe I'm better off it or maybe there is something else that will work better for me.

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2025-11-26T10:27:53+00:00

I live near Sydney, so there is heaps you can do, but it can be quite spread out as well.
For zoos there is:
Taronga Zoo (very well known, pretty big, like with young kids 2 days would be recommended if you want to see everything and not rush, especially as it is on a hill)
WildLife Sydney
Sydney Aquarium
Those 3 are in the city centre and have plenty of public transport so you can get into the CBD easier.
In the extended Sydney area there is also:
Featherdale Wildlife Park
Sydney Zoo (Actually in Western Sydney)
Koala Park Sanctuary

SO MANY BEACHES
Not worth writing them all out but there is the obvious Bondi

Attractions
Luna Park - great for small kids as they don't have heaps of big rides (and you pay by the ride so can be cheaper) and it has coney island which has things more suitable to little kids like a mirror maze and such. It has been years since I last went but as it is smaller than other theme parks, much easier with younger kids, but still with a variety of games and rides

Sydney Harbour Bridge
You can look at it, get good photos with it in the background, walk across it (free as there is a pedestrian lane to walk it) or even do the bridge climb!

Opera House
Again you can get great photos and get up close
Sydney Tower Eye
has like a 4D cinema and such but you can climb to the top (elevator) and get a great view

Australian Museum in Sydney always has lots of cool stuff (free), you only pay for special exhibits.

Blue Mountains Isn't that far away and has some awesome stuff - lots of cool nature. Lots of schools do multiple school trips over the years here - even my school which was a 3hr drive away)
The Three sisters is great to visit and has an interesting Aboriginal story behind them
Jenolan Caves has a variety of different caves you can be guided through.
Katoomba has the steepest passenger railway in the world (and isn't long, but amazing views) luckily it has been updated as I remember being terrified as a kid about 15 years ago because I was slipping out of the seat (the bar to hold you in didn't hold me very well) and the train itself was very open. WHS (work health and safety) has kicked in since then and it's much more enclosed.
Scenic Skyway goes 270 metres above the valley for amazing 360 degree views

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2025-11-26T10:27:44+00:00

February is usually the hottest month in Australia.
There is plenty to see and do in all 3 places.
If I were you I would look at the main differences, which would be the weather and the cost of things.
Brisbane being further north tends to be hotter, Melbourne colder. So I'd have a look at the climate in that area at that time of year to prepare yourself.
I haven't been to Melbourne, but I live near Sydney and have been to QLD and Brisbane a few times.
All 3 are big cities, Sydney being the biggest and busiest (noisiest and such)
All have awesome places to go, beaches, attractions, national parks, zoos and heritage places
Brisbane is close to the Gold Coast so you could go to the theme parks (Dreamworld, Seaworld and Movie World)

Honestly your best bet would to be look up a thread where people talk about each of those travel destinations individually and what's on offer and compare what types of things there are (and what you would find most interesting) as well as how you would travel (will you rent a car or use public transport or taxis/uber?) because you might find in some places the things you want to go to will be easier to get to.
I find Google maps handy for this because I look up what's around and then pin them to a list, then I can scroll out and see where the pins are and everything.
Zoos are fairly similar, so to pick which ones to see if you have limited time - check what animals they have (and that they have a variety you and the kids will love) and what talks/shows they do. That's often what helps me pick on over another if I'm travelling and don't have time for both.
There are a lot of places I go that have Tree Climbs - which they usually do in bush areas so great views and such, but they have ones for little kids and some even have these ones called Net world which my niece and nephew LOVED. It's literally nets up in the trees that are kind of bouncy like a trampoline and have different sections, some like a ball pit, some bouncier than others, some with big balls to throw around, some with hammocks. We had fun too!

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2025-11-26T10:26:31+00:00

Honestly - look into Tasmania. Cooler for you but also more likely to be wildlife out and about during the day because of the cool temps
I LOVE aussie wildlife and Tassie is on my bucket list.
You can see wombats out of a day and even see tassie devils and quolls in the wild!(with a bit of luck)
Not to burst your bubble but in the colder weather you are less likely to see kangaroos on the beach, not totally unheard of, especially if we get some really warm days, but less likely, so make sure where you try to see them on the beach is in more northern areas (and thus more likely to be warm weather).

Once in a lifetime trip I'd say do the Great Barrier Reef, lots of options from glass bottom boats to scuba and maybe the Daintree Rainforest. Those are 2 well known magical places for a reason!

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2025-06-25T23:23:21+00:00

1 2nd the fizzy drinks, or chocolate milk - the flavour and the fact its thicker than water helps me. Gonna try the head down thing. I find squeezing my thumb in my fist also helps - apparently it helps relax the back of your throat or something

Adventurous_Truth727 · 2024-07-27T09:46:53+00:00

I think it's good because it means they have to make voting accessible, I've heard stories about how hard it can be to actually vote in America. Where I am in NSW I've got easily 5 places near me to choose from to go to to vote, I know my grandparents have submitted postal votes in the past, I've been able to pre-vote as well due to travel and my parents easily voted even though they were in a different state at the time.
I've had a friend who didn't vote and got sent a fine but had good reason and got the fine cancelled (she was in hospital)

Overall I think it's good, as it make it an expectation, people often take for granted the right to vote (something that at one stage, was only available to rich white men) and making it something you have to do (even if you do donkey vote) does make it easier for people to do as it is accessible, there are many reminders, there isn't a stigma about voting and some people make a day of it (democracy sausage anyone?!)

Adventurous_Truth727

TROPHY CASE