Question about Anxiety and medication

[MTBguy]

So I recently went to see a psychologist, and he prescribed me 50mg of pristiq for generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety which is causing depression. Does anyone else have any experience with it? I've been on it now for about 2 months and I take it a bit after dinner before bed. I feel like it heightens my senses and gives me a feeling I would compare to the onset of psychedelic drugs (shrooms) or even MDMA like just before they really kick in. I wake up a few times a night in a bit of a panic and it interrupts my sleep. And I just don't feel myself.

Although it has worked to reduce my depression.

Another thing I have noticed, and It has gotten worse since I have started taking the pristiq I get "Crazy eyes" sometimes when I'm talking to people and I get nervous or anxious or make eye contact with anyone and I feel like people notice and I get really self conscious about it, can anyone relate or help explain this? **** it's such a nightmare to deal with sometimes, I feel like i cant be myself ever and it just destroys my confidence and self esteem.

[stumpy]

I've never been on Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine), but have been on Effexor (Venlafaxine), Desvenlafaxine is a synthetic form of the isolated major active metabolite of venlafaxine, thus suggesting it has a much quicker onset, but basically the same drug, the shrooms or MDMA like feeling is normal for this med, as is common knowledge, Venlafaxine/Desvenlafaxine are structurally so similar to Phencyclidine (PCP/Angel Dust) the med can show a false positive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venlafaxine , also if your not familiar with PCP/Angel Dust http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phencyclidine There is also the chance your MDMA was not actually MDMA but actually PCP as per here, http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/pcp.pdf , PCP is also mixed with dyes to produce colored powder, tablets or capsules

[tiptoes]

It might be a good idea to mention this to your prescribing doctor, a tweak of dose or swapping you to a slightly different medication might be an option.

[Steel Maiden]

Desvenlafaxine can cause such symptoms as "jitteriness" and nervousness. SNRIs can increase anxiety at the onset of taking the medicaton, however fortunately this decreases in time as receptors regulate and then it is more likely to help with anxiety.

I am not sure about the psychedelic-like effects though, it could be the serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake (MDMA and LSD act on serotonin and noradrenaline, but not in a therapeutic manner).

Best communicate with your doctor if you are concerned. As said above, perhaps it needs changing or a dose adjustment.

[MTBguy]

Thanks for the advice guys