"my doctor prescribed pristiq to help me deal with overwhelming grief after death of my son. i never took any antidepressants before, so i have nothing to compare it with. it worked very well for me, after taking it for just 3 days,without major side effects. i don&#039;t cry everyday like i used to, but also feel somewhat emotionally numb. i am calmer, happier and able to go on with my life."