"started taking pristiq about 4 months ago. i am also taking 300 mg. of trazodone to go to sleep (horrible insomnia). i also take 5 mg of xanax a day. i started off at 50 mg on the pristiq but i wasn&#039;t noticing anything different.  i still wanted to hide from everyone and not go to work or school. i now take 100mg of pristiq and maybe it&#039;s helping? i am smiling at people, i just hope it is not fake."