Posts by fadedbear92

Kevin Nguyen3 said:The core issue—the real trouble here—lies with medications like anxiolytics or sedatives. You see, they create this cycle of dependency. It’s a physiological reality, isn't it? The body develops a tolerance to the drug. In other words, you find yourself needing a higher dose just to achieve that same baseline effect. How can one expect stability when the very chemistry of the body keeps shifting its requirements?
Addiction? It’s a phenomenon we all know too well, isn't it? A pervasive, undeniable reality that touches so many lives.
And there it is... that endless, vicious cycle. Isn't it just always like that? You think you've finally broken free, only to find yourself spinning right back into the exact same loop. It’s relentless, really. How does it even happen? One moment you're making progress, and the next, the circle closes again. It’s exhausting, isn't it?
You’re already telling me how much more liberated you feel on Helex—how things are clearer, sharper, better... doesn't that just say everything? It sounds like you can't even function without it anymore. I mean, wouldn't you assume that if you aren't taking it, you just feel terrible? And let's be honest, I bet you're dealing with a mountain of side effects on top of all that, too. Don't you think?
Is Helex actually effective during that initial stretch? I mean, for those first few weeks—maybe even up to two months—it seems quite useful for calming the nerves and just finding some semblance of relaxation while you wait for the AD to properly kick in and start doing its job. Isn't that the main point? To bridge that gap until the antidepressant finally takes hold?
As for everything else... honestly, what is even the point of staying on it long-term? It simply doesn't make sense! Does it actually address the root cause? No. Is that its primary objective? Certainly not. Why would one continue such a regimen when it isn't even designed to fix the underlying issue? It just feels futile, doesn't it?

Plus, you aren't even experiencing "real" emotions anymore—they're just masked by the anxiolytic. Once you switch to an antidepressant, that changes; you won't feel like a zombie.

James Foster4 said:How can it be that there's absolutely no benefit from seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist...
I guess I'm a mother to grown children myself, and I went through a similar mess with my own mother recently, but I didn't force my kids into the middle of it or make a whole scene out of it. At the end of the day, that's something between her and her husband.

This is truly about making the right choice and setting boundaries. My own mother—completely unintentionally—did massive damage to my mental health because for years, she would call me every single day to report on where she saw her ex and his mistress. She treated her daughter like a best friend, but a daughter isn't a confidante. Eventually, she ended up telling her own mother, her sisters, or anyone else close to her who was willing to listen.
Back then, I was pretty immature; I actually felt a sense of pride being "Mommy's little best friend," so I didn't grasp how serious the situation actually was.
Bottom line: you have to leave this entirely up to the parents and try to detach emotionally as much as possible. It might sound selfish to you, but it isn't—it’s just necessary self-preservation for your own sanity and mental health. I'm speaking purely from experience here.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Well, yes—she actually posed this question to me, asking who I thought was responsible for my current anxiety. I offered the candid opinion that it likely stems from myself, to which she responded with some vague notion that everything traces back to one's childhood... and just like that, the conversation hit a dead end. In my estimation, we should have delved deeper, but it’s always the same pattern: these sessions are incredibly brief. Once, she spent two entire sessions lecturing me on sleep hygiene—as if I haven't mastered the basics of a good night's rest, thank Quincy—and then simply said goodbye.
So, what am I expected to do when I show up? Am I supposed to just wander in and start rambling about whatever random thought crosses my mind or whatever minor grievance is bothering me that day?
I did see a psychotherapist once for a short stint—he's currently answering queries on WebMD—and he always took the initiative to steer the dialogue, which felt productive enough. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with the costs, so I had to walk away.

Exactly—she really should have guided you through that, especially after you took the blame upon yourself.

When I go, I'm the one who starts talking too—that's just how psychoanalytic therapy works based on free association. My therapist stops me when he feels there's something worth analyzing and then steers the conversation back on track.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Unfortunately, I am not.😢
They label it psychotherapy, but I see one doctor for medical check-ups and another specifically for therapy. I was with the second one yesterday, and I actually spend more time with her—sometimes even thirty minutes... but this second one (today) is strictly for the psychological side. I felt so triumphant when I finally managed to secure an appointment with her, but since May 1st, it’s been the same repetitive loop. Today, she practically said, "Go ahead, tell me everything" the moment I sat down, but I was feeling so low that I simply didn't know where to begin. When I hesitated, she just remarked, "Well, you did come to a psychiatrist, didn't you?" I told her, "Please, ask me something, because I honestly don't know what to talk about." She then started questioning me as if I were discussing my mother. Just as I finally began to open up after ten minutes or so, she cuts me off and says, "Alright, we'll see you in fifteen days..." and it goes on like that constantly, though sometimes it's been once a month.
She is a lovely, pleasant woman, but what is the point? To me, it feels like a complete waste of time...
Whatever, maybe I'll go a few more times, but I'm starting to think it's futile. I see other patients being rushed out just as quickly; even when the waiting room is empty, she never keeps me longer.
And so I continue to struggle with anxiety for four years now. I'm quite sensitive to medication, so we'll see how things progress with the Coaxil... if I can even stomach taking it. Even considering that Xanax and Ambien aren't exactly a small amount of medication to have been taking for four years straight.

Yeah, that's how it works in therapy, but she shouldn't have cut you off after only 15 minutes. Did she even give you any feedback on what you were saying?

Jason Vaughn482 said:As of today, I’m starting a regimen of Coaxil paired with Xanax to help me actually get some sleep. Though, if I’m being honest, the effect feels identical to taking Sanval—it just costs a hell of a lot more, so I suspect I’ll eventually just revert to the Sanval once I’ve burned through these first 14 Xanax pills, unless they somehow manage to hit differently. Beyond the medication, I also decided to pull the plug on seeing my psychotherapist. Over the last six months, I showed up maybe six or seven times, and each session lasted a measly ten to twenty minutes. I was under the impression that I’d be getting a full hour of undivided attention every single week; instead, she’d see me twice a month, if we were lucky, for fifteen minutes at most. Just when I finally start to open up and dive into what’s actually going on with me, she cuts me off with a "Right, well, see you in two weeks." It’s absolutely absurd. That’s the reality of trying to use state-funded therapy through insurance; if you don't have a job or the extra cash to pay out of pocket, you’re essentially left with nothing but a handful of pills and the instruction to just white-knuckle your way through life.

Jason Vaughn482, are you from Chicago? There was a thread somewhere with recommendations for psychiatrists—actual doctors who provide real, quality therapy covered by insurance.
We really should comb through the old posts.
I have this vague memory of someone at a clinic over near Michigan Avenue—don't quote me on that, I'm not 100% sure.

Those 15-minute sessions are basically just check-ins. I spent seven years dealing with my grandmother's care at a clinic in downtown Seattle—we went every two weeks, then once a month, then once every two months, maybe once every three.
If you add it all up, it probably totals maybe a year or two of so-called "therapy" where the whole thing just starts with: "So, anything new?" followed by "Why don't you try this?" or "Why don't you try that?"🙄

Paul Newman5 said:I don't know, but my doctor at Mayo Clinic had me in for a checkup last month on September 13th because she said they'd be striking starting on the 18th—she's even acting as some kind of lead negotiator. Regardless, I always have to call her a day or two ahead because things pop up for her, so we'll see. My next appointment is set for October 31st.
Yeah, I'll keep taking it until the checkup. That's two more weeks, then we'll see.
You're right, sometimes I just want to toss all my pills and think I'd be better off without them, even though I tried going without and it didn't work.
The only thing that spooked me last time was when she told me if Velafax doesn't work either, I should come into the hospital because she's run out of options. And I'm scared of that—not the hospital itself, but the idea of getting fired just because I took medical leave.

And that's what they call doctor😲🙄ly changing her

Paul Newman5 said:So, I’ve got a question. I’ve been on 37.5mg of Velafax once a day for 28 days now. For the first two weeks, side effects were basically nonexistent—maybe some slight nausea, sweating, or dry mouth, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then, during week three, things actually started looking up. I stopped napping all day, found myself humming along to the radio, and realized I hadn't reached for my Xanax in a while. It felt good. But then, after just a few days, everything crashed back to zero. The morning sweats are back, I'm taking more Xanax during the day, and that old fatigue and sadness have returned.
To be fair, this dip happened right when my PMS and period hit. It's hard to tell if one caused the other or if they just collided.
What do you guys think? Does this mean the meds aren't working, or is this kind of roller coaster normal during the first few weeks? 🤷
I know I need to talk to my psychiatrist, but any advice from here would be appreciated right about now.

Hang in there for another week or two, smarty-pants—if things don't shift by then, give your doctor a call.

Jack Johnson47 said:Man, I went through this absolutely brutal stretch where I lost seven people close to me in just a few months—including my dad, who was my rock. That's when the sleep issues started. Then came a super stressful divorce, and to top it all off, I was actually a victim of an armed robbery. Now, I'm basically scared of everything... being around strangers is so uncomfortable, and even simple errands like going to Chase, the post office, or the library feel impossible. It just leads to me putting everything off... I constantly end up asking my mom to handle stuff for me because I'm so insecure and I just spiral into despair so easily. Honestly, I've had so many panic attacks that I've kind of learned how to manage them myself now...
Work isn't too bad since everything is familiar—the environment, the people—and I get along great with my coworkers, though it's a pretty small team. The only real issue is my concentration and memory... I'll start one thing, jump to another, and then totally lose track of what I was supposed to be doing in the first place...

That sounds absolutely horrific—when did all of that happen to you????!!!!

Almost all psychotropic meds cause dry mouth—it’s just how it goes. I used to sleep like a baby on Prazina, though it seems like I need to bump up my dosage now... maybe check in with your doctor
As for the heart palpitations, I never really dealt with that

redpilot37 said:I'm wondering if I can list Zoloft on my medical history for a primary care doctor

Why would they put that in there? Usually, it’s the psychiatrist who handles the medical history updates—your GP can just write the prescription, or even just email it over if your shrink already cleared it.

Gary Diaz3 said:Probably so. That would sound a little too much like a dream come true for those folks hooked on pills.

And honestly, now that everyone is constantly online and all your data is being logged—it’s just not going to happen.

Gary Diaz3 said:So, is it possible for someone to pick up prescription meds using just their medical history records?

I don't think you can have both—it's usually one or the other.

It used to be possible back in the day—though I think there was some rule about it not being more than a week old—but honestly, I have no clue how the system works these days.

ironrider11 said:It’s not just about the psych meds. It’s any kind of chemical hitting my system... honestly, I could probably write a decent horror story out of it. Something brain-related... just because... Nobody... There’s no time... even if they paid me for every single referral... I don't have more than five shallow minutes to spare... Once I'm out of the hospital... then maybe... eventually...

Side effects from Moditen...

Too often...
Extrapyramidal symptoms—we're talking weird muscle spasms, stiffness, tremors, restlessness, or even those rapid, jerky eye movements... You can usually get ahead of that stuff or dial it back by taking an anti-parkinsonian. But if you start seeing rhythmic, involuntary movements in your tongue, face, mouth, lips, or limbs, that could be signs of something more serious called tardive dyskinesia. If that happens, stop the meds immediately and call your doctor or pharmacist right away...
Not as often...
Gynecomastia in guys... some patients on similar meds have dealt with galactorrhea—basically milk coming out of the nipples—plus irregular periods or missing them entirely. You also get libido issues, ED, headaches, blurry vision, a slight drop in blood pressure, stuff like nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and constipation...
Rarely...
Blood disorders where things get out of whack—like having way too many or way too few platelets, white cells, or red blood cells... plus that constant drowsiness and lethargy, basically feeling like you're stuck in a deep sleep...
Fever, muscle stiffness, low blood pressure, being unable to move or just feeling totally paralyzed, extreme apathy, even a coma... those could be signs of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. If that happens, stop taking the meds immediately and get to your doctor or hit up the nearest ER right now. Also watch out for restlessness, vision issues like blurry lenses, heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation, T wave stuff), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation), jaundice—that yellowing of the skin or eyes—skin pigmentation changes, light sensitivity, rashes, trouble peeing or losing bladder control, and high cholesterol... stay sharp.
Pretty damn rare...
Watch out for allergic reactions—we're talking rashes, trouble swallowing or breathing, or if your lips, face, throat, or tongue start swelling up... You might also deal with joint pain, swollen joints, getting way too sensitive to sunlight, mouth sores, hair loss, anxiety, fever, night sweats, stomach aches, chest pains, or feeling short of breath. This stuff can also happen because your immune system is acting up or due to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other issues include sexual dysfunction, brain fog, or just having a hard time thinking clearly. You could see abnormal liver tests, swelling in your feet and legs, or blood work that shows your immune system is out of whack, like having high antinuclear antibodies...

It’s also pretty great... when you mention your diagnosis—even though they haven't even bothered to ask what it actually is yet—just as part of the problem... and then the doctor doesn't even follow up to ask what meds you're currently on. Just total silence...
Just curious about the interactions... regarding what he’s got you on for therapy...

So, which one of those charlatans were you seeing? And seriously, your avatar is creepy again.😲

Has anyone had a chance to listen to the new "Head up high" album yet? I’m just about to dive in—honestly, the first single sounds incredible, such a cool shift in their style

Gimme Your Love😍

They're hitting NYC on December 8th!🙂

Larry Lewis said:What kind of mess are you dealing with?🙂
I swear—honestly, I mean it—if these pills don't end up making us even more unstable than we already are, I don't know what will.😕

I've mentioned this before—it absolutely wrecked my sleep. I ended up on three weeks of medical leave because I could barely close my eyes. Even the heavy-duty sedatives they give you before surgery at the hospital wouldn't knock me out for more than an hour. Eventually, my doctor put me on Tegretol, which was a lifesaver back then, but my system really needed time to flush all that junk out.
It helps some people with depression, sure, but for me, it felt like pure speed.😲

Larry Lewis said:As for me, I just quit my Klonopin cold turkey—I was on the 2 mg pills—and honestly, I felt absolutely nothing.

I suppose everyone’s biology is wired differently. It’s one of those things where some people can step off Effexor without even blinking, whereas for me... well, the Effexor [ venlafaxin ] Withdrawal and Brain Zaps were an absolute nightmare.

Don't even bring up Effexor, brother!!!😲😲😲

redtiger35 said:fadedbear92, have you ever actually tried tapering off Clonazepam and dealt with something similar to what Kevin Bailey2 went through?

I actually have to take it just to keep my mood stable—so, honestly, tapering off isn't even on the table for me right now.

Kevin Bailey2 said:Rivotril is "weaker" in the sense that you don't get that high, drugged-out feeling (which, if I'm being honest, I actually liked sometimes with Xanax 😛 😁). But it actually works more intensely. It clears the fog in your head without you even realizing it's happening. It hits my motor skills, too. Without it, I'm a total klutz. As soon as I realize I'm struggling to even hold a glass, I'll take a quarter—like half a milligram.

Normally, I'm at the max daily dose: 6mg a day split into three 2mg doses. But I usually break those down differently depending on how I feel. Sometimes I'll take a full dose in the morning, sometimes a half in the afternoon, sometimes just a tiny bit.
My psychiatrist actually suggested this approach—just adjusting based on how I'm feeling.

With Xanax, I used to feel totally wasted... basically non-functional.
Rivotril is more like a stabilizer; it almost lifts my mood. I can't even put it into words. On Xanax, I could do nothing but sit there and smoke cigarette after cigarette...
If I have housework to do, I make sure to take Rivotril so it can steady my brain. Again, hard to describe. Once it kicks in, I just look around the apartment, see where things belong, and clean up the mess without any stress or agitation.

signature
taking 3x0.5mg doses

It's incomparable to Xanax—God forbid I ever get hooked on that stuff again.🙄

Chloe Roberts2 said:That doesn't actually give me any answers at all. So, thanks for nothing, I guess.

Let me be crystal clear: can Risperdal be prescribed for acute psychosis?

Honestly, I’m starting to get really anxious here, and I would truly appreciate a straight answer on whether Risperdal is used for treating acute psychosis. It’s incredibly important to me because, frankly, I’ve lost all confidence in my doctor.

There’s a chance my psychiatrist lied to me about my diagnosis; she once told me I was perfectly healthy and just had a behavioral disorder. So now I'm left wondering—is this whole "acute psychosis" thing just another lie too?

Does that sound logical to you?
Healthy? Honestly, that’s just a behavioral disorder in disguise—if you ask me.
I wouldn't exactly go that far.