Pristiq - what do I expect?

Thanks @kmakm :smile:

@Vangirl Here's a discussion you might like to browse.

I'm still on 100mg and it seems to be doing the job OK. I still get sad but it's not overwhelming. Mostly.

I'll tag you in another thread. K xox

@Sister I'm glad the chemistry was good, so important. And expertise in the BC field I have found to be invaluable.

My high heart rate on exertion seems to be very slowly settling down. Fingers crossed yours will too.

@kmakm - I found the psych to be very easy to talk to and she seemed to have a good grasp of personality traits (you'd hope so but it doesn't always follow).  I am going to go back to see her as the fact that I was able to talk to her and that she's well-versed in the impact of breast cancer on people is a plus.
I really want to know now what my echocardiogram showed but I guess I won't find out for a couple of weeks as my onc is on hols until my next appointment.  Even though I felt that my heartbeat was a bit racy at times over the last week, I didn't expect to be told that it was too high to risk going on the exercise bike (maybe it was exercise bike anxiety - I don't like them much).

Thanks @kmakm . I always have to  look it up. 

Scratch that @Sister, just read what you said about your session today on another thread.

I've seen my psych six times now I think. Have cried everytime, once non-stop for the entire session... Will you go back?

I had my first echocardiogram yesterday (fascinating, loved seeing my heart in action!). My heart's been very weird since my third chemo (so fast after the slightest exertion) & my GP wants to be cautious before my operation. She said she's hate for me to arrive on the day of to have the anaesthetist to call a halt. I have to wear a holter monitor next Monday for 24 hours. I reckon it'll all be OK but better to be safe than sorry.

@Sister @lrb_03 My psychologist says breast cancer women almost always need to be on 150mg, such is the trauma of the disease and the levels of depression & anxiety that occur in the women who develop them. It sounded like a bit of a generalisation to me but she specialises in breast cancer and has been doing it for a long time.

I presume there is a point where you are on the 'correct' dose for you.

My GP and my research has warned me about the withdrawal! I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't want to be on these pills forever.

How was your first appointment today @Sister?

Hi @Sister, & @kmakm, I started on Pristiq 5-6 years ago, initially 50mg, quickly increased to 100mg. I had just started thinking about reducing the dose when I was diagnosed, so stayed on the 100mg. It all seemed to catch up with me late last year when I was doing it tough again, so my GP increased me to 150mg, and that's where I've stayed, for the time being.

The other thing to be aware of is that Pristiq in particular will require a carefully supervised reduction in dose to come off it, as apparently you can get quite a nasty rebound amongst other things if reduced too quickly. All of which I guess means I'm stuck on the higher dose for a bit longer   :open_mouth:

Take care

Not sure what happened to that post - I thought I sent it this morning...  It was supposed to end with: is there a point at which anxiety doesn't come back or do you need to come off the drug?

I'm interested @ kmakm. If anxiety returns after a few weeks and then dose is upped, is there a point at which anxiety doesn't u