"i am so thankful for this medication ... after years of self medicating for untreated depression, anxiety, add and mild bi-polar and trying other antidepressants (wellbutrin, celexa and effexor, which is supposedly similar to pristiq but all gave me nasty side effects). i was given samples of pristiq and decided to give it another try.  within days i was back on the right track and feeling better.  only side effects which went away quite quickly was mild nausea and loss of appetite. i have realized some people like myself, just need medications like pristiq to live a somewhat &quot;normal&quot; life.... nothing to be ashamed of.  a diabetic needs insulin ... i need pristiq.  thank you for giving me my life back."