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What Causes Persistent Loss Of Consciousness While On Pristiq?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Feb 2017
Question: please tell me about seizures - i take 200 milligrams each morning. when i am sleeping, my mind awakens but i cannot control my movements as i try to become fully conscious. i also try to vocalize (call for help) but my voice is muffled and almost incoherent. i am 66-years of age. i have been on Pristiq since 2010. thanks...
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Seizures unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

It seems that you worry about those episodes being seizures. Judging from your description I do not think that to be likely, those episodes do not correspond to a generalized seizure where there is loss of consciousness and do not look like focal seizures either.
They do fit with episodes of sleep paralysis a sleep disturbance where the patient is awake but unable to speak or move. Usually it is benign, measures to improve sleep quality are about the only means of reducing episodes.
The possibility of Pristiq playing a role is also present, it may in some cases cause anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams etc, although more common in the initial period of therapy.
Whether it is the cause or not I would tend to agree that trying to wean off Pristiq is advised after 6 years of therapy.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Loss Of Consciousness While On Pristiq?

Brief Answer: Seizures unlikely. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. It seems that you worry about those episodes being seizures. Judging from your description I do not think that to be likely, those episodes do not correspond to a generalized seizure where there is loss of consciousness and do not look like focal seizures either. They do fit with episodes of sleep paralysis a sleep disturbance where the patient is awake but unable to speak or move. Usually it is benign, measures to improve sleep quality are about the only means of reducing episodes. The possibility of Pristiq playing a role is also present, it may in some cases cause anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams etc, although more common in the initial period of therapy. Whether it is the cause or not I would tend to agree that trying to wean off Pristiq is advised after 6 years of therapy. I remain at your disposal for other questions.