"i tried prozac, paxil, cymbalta and lexapro before i was put on pristiq. the lexapro helped but left me a sexual zombie. so my psychiatrist started me on 50 mg of pristiq. within days the sexual interest and feelings returned. after two weeks, she upped it to 100 mg and i&#039;ve not had to take any anxiety medicines. 
negatives: nausea, upset stomach. very vivid and sometimes very frightening dreams. a lot of tossing and turning. fortunately, i have a very patient and loving partner who has been with me through all these months of depression. i will say that the medicine has made me much more positive and outgoing, and it is amazing how other people respond."