552 posts shown.
David Vaughn75 said:There are tons of similar drugs out there these days, so if one messes you up, you can always just switch to something else.
For instance, I took some Risperdal once and felt like my head was spinning 180 degrees—just completely lost it. My doctor ended up putting me on Zyprexa instead, and honestly? I feel great now.
That is true in theory, of course, but she failed to actually make that change, all while preaching about how much "trust" we ought to place in our medical professionals.
One should never, under any circumstances, dismiss potential side effects as mere trifles—a mistake I have made far too often in the past. You must read the fine print and listen intently to what your body is trying to tell you. My daughter is currently hospitalized because she ignored a warning sign from an antiviral medication prescribed by her dermatologist for a facial herpes outbreak. Even though she noticed some slight swelling after just two days, when she sought medical attention at the hospital, the specialist was incredibly dismissive, rudely telling her to stop worrying about the side effects and just keep taking the pills. Well, the consequences were swift and severe: within forty-eight hours, the swelling surged to the other side of her face with terrifying intensity. They admitted her immediately, and now, on her third day in the ward, she is being treated with heavy-duty antibiotics and allergy injections. It looks like she’ll be stuck there for at least a week, if not three full weeks. I am absolutely devastated; I can't stop weeping, and my entire world feels like it's collapsing. This nightmare has served as a grim, painful lesson: I will be infinitely more vigilant with medications from here on out.
Paul Newman5 said:Everyone is different, sure, but I still like hearing people's experiences here. Once I start taking it, I'll see. Every time you start a new med, there's always a little bit of anxiety.
I was on a short course of 50 mg of Eglonil, and honestly, it seemed quite effective—it felt like a solid option for managing anxiety—but I had to cut it short because I broke out in this persistent rash. I might reconsider it down the road if things don't improve, though. Currently, I'm still on Calixta, though I deal with that morning fog; my doctor suggested that dropping from 15 mg to 30 mg might actually be counterproductive, claiming a higher dose helps mitigate that "drunk" feeling, but I haven't tested that theory yet. What I can say is that after staying on it for a while, that initial grogginess isn't nearly as overwhelming as it was at the start. Right now, I'm tapering down to 15 or even 7.5 mg; it’s not specifically meant for anxiety, but we'll see how it holds up when the morning haze hits. I'm responding here since I haven't had a chance to check my private messages yet, and I haven't been active on the forum since we last spoke.
Kevin Nguyen3 said:Oh, noooo... I wasn't aiming that at you. You're one of us; we all look out for each other the best way we know how.😉
I was talking about those people who pop in once every three months with the exact same question they asked three months ago.
And let's be honest, there's been a massive amount of them.
Then, once they feel somewhat satisfied with some advice or an answer, they just go right back to their old ways, and three months later... it's the same cycle all over again.
I really have no reason to mock anyone or pick on someone by accident. Sure, maybe I'm taking a combination of medications that isn't exactly "recommended," but just like everyone else here, I don't have many choices left. I take what works for me.
But people are just people, aren't they? Some prefer a gentle nudge, while others need a direct hit to the face.
Perhaps I lack tact, and I tend to attack head-on, but then people dig out their egos and suddenly find the motivation to write something meaningful... I suppose.
It just seems to me that's the only time they become truly honest... honestly, I don't even know anymore.🙄
Edit
Downer and I have only crossed paths in a few passing posts, and there has never been anything else going on or any backstabbing involved.
Just like how I might support certain viewpoints while criticizing others. We're all in this together, so it's only natural that we have to tolerate one another.
it's all good,,,personally I don't mind taking advice at all, I wouldn't even bother asking if I didn't, and I ask quite often
Brandon Lopez6 said:Maybe I am young, but I've dealt with enough anxiety to know a thing or two.
I'm one of those people who isn't exactly "doing things by the book" when it comes to treatment, but I'm not going to lie about it or make excuses.
I'm done posting here. This is getting way too personal.
Look, I'll admit it—I'm not looking for sympathy. To me, the true excuse is the fear of the illness itself, whereas my primary struggle is hypochondria. It's a heavy burden; if I read anything about stroke risks, I instantly freeze up in pure terror. Honestly, there was one night where I was home alone and just lost consciousness entirely. When I finally pulled myself up off the kitchen floor, I couldn't even tell if I was having a heart attack, a stroke, or just a momentary blackout... it was a total panic attack. I suspect it was a reaction to medication; I had been dealing with a nasty virus and took a cocktail of painkillers, followed by some Xanax and Ambien... likely my blood pressure just plummeted the moment I stood up. I ended up with a massive bruise on my forehead, and frankly, things could have gone much, much worse.
Brandon Lopez6 said:Oh please, what, should we give her a spanking for that? We're all struggling here, so come on—how can you be so rude 🙂 🙄.
Jason Vaughn482 just doesn't want to follow the treatment plan properly. Simple as that.
And I don't have anything against Bluzara; I'm just looking at what one person is saying versus the other.
You’re far too high-strung to be speaking about me in such a manner. While I’m certainly not suggesting anyone needs a physical reprimand, I make it a point to remain civil when offering advice or asking questions; I don't lash out at people like this. But then again, you’re still young and haven't quite grasped the reality of what lies ahead, even if you think you're handling your treatment "properly"... and if you truly have no connection to Kevin Nguyen3, I fail to see why you're acting as his defense attorney...
because I addressed him directly, and I stand firmly behind everything I wrote; if he has something to say, he can step up and say it himself.
Kevin Nguyen3 said:Man, I am truly sorry that you interpret certain posts as if they were personal attacks or... I don't know, something aggressive?
But you know how it goes, right? You can explain something eighty-four times to certain people, and yet, they just stubbornly cling to their own views regardless.
I live with PTSD from my time in the service.
I’ve tried everything—every substance under the sun—experimenting, struggling through it all, dealing with a mountain of side effects. Even now, I still deal with them, but honestly, I just don't let it get to me anymore.
I used to think, "Wouldn't it be incredibly cool if people felt more comfortable sharing their silly little struggles more often?" I never realized that this place would feel like an exclusive "clique" where a small group has basically privatized the entire forum and won't let anyone else get a word in edgewise.
Look, if my decision to stay quiet helps anyone, fine, okay, but I highly doubt that's the case.
I suppose I might have started getting on a few people's nerves over time, but I really do try to remain objective—as much as I can, damn it.
As for medication? I know a thing or two about it. I've been through the ringer with various prescriptions... and when you talk to a doctor, you usually just get those classic, canned responses that don't actually tell you anything at all.
Are you making insinuations about me again, for the eighty-fifth time? If you have something to say to my face, then just say it directly.
By that same logic, I could claim I don't understand why someone would be terrified to stay home alone or too paralyzed to step outside, but I won't say that because I recognize the struggle—even if I don't personally deal with those specific issues. Therefore, I expect the same grace for those who fear medication or those struggling with health anxiety... but fine, maybe it's better if I just withdraw from the forum entirely. As for knowing about drugs, I actually come from a medical background, and I spend a significant amount of time reading and educating myself as much as I possibly can. I've been lucky enough to only be dealing with anxiety for four years now, and I hope I can pull through, but if I can't, well, Bog knows, Xanax is helping me get by for now... Best,
Listen, Dawn, you simply cannot ignore the gravity of this situation any longer. To pretend otherwise isn't just optimistic; it’s bordering on delusional. We are standing at a precipice where the consequences of inaction will far outweigh the temporary comfort of silence. It’s much like watching a slow-moving storm front roll across the Midwest—you can see the clouds darkening on the horizon, you can feel the pressure dropping in your chest, yet some people still insist on sitting on their porches enjoying the afternoon sun as if the sky isn't about to break wide open. One cannot simply wish away the impending deluge. kaže:
I personally tapered off my Paxil and felt absolutely nothing—not even a flicker of a withdrawal symptom. In my experience, Lexapro was a far more brutal ordeal to navigate. So, this whole notion that everyone "just sails through" the weaning process is complete nonsense. Even if you had a thousand people claiming their transition was seamless, you could still be the outlier who actually suffered through it. Experience isn't a monolith, and one person's smooth ride doesn't invalidate another's struggle.
It strikes me that this individual refuses to take a single pill without being prompted, yet they seem to harbor this delusional misconception about how medical consultations actually function. They approach their doctor with the same casual, entitled air one might use when strolling through a Kroger, essentially barking orders like, "Alright, doc, toss in twenty-five milligrams of this and ten milligrams of that," as if they’re just picking up groceries off a shelf. It’s as if they fail to grasp that medicine isn't a buffet where you simply grab what looks good; unfortunately, some people just refuse to understand the gravity of how professional healthcare is supposed to work.
It is my personal ritual to frequent specialized forums dedicated to specific medications just to scour the user experiences; I find there is nothing else to it, though I am under no illusions that one single prescription will yield identical results for every individual.
I can't be entirely certain if that second part was directed at me, but I find myself in a similar position; I am also managing medications prescribed by my psychiatrist. Naturally, I have to be far more vigilant regarding potential side effects. I am certainly not some twenty or thirty-year-old with an untouched constitution; I have to contend with high blood pressure and other realities of aging. It is fundamentally different to treat a young person compared to an older individual who is already navigating the complexities of chronic health conditions.
I fail to see any inherent flaw in the pursuit of a specific AD; after all, nearly everyone in this community tends to trial almost every available option until they finally stumble upon the one that truly resonates with their needs and provides the necessary relief.
Paul Newman5 said:I know people who’ve been on various benzos for years and they sleep just fine. For me, I was on Calixta with Effexor; took it for a month and quit. I could only afford to take it if someone paid me a massive salary, hired a housekeeper, and let me sleep half the day while walking around like a zombie the rest of the time. But I work, I run a household, I have a life. So I go back to the benzos. They aren't the sin you're making them out to be. Sorry, didn't mean to offend, just stating my piece.
How did you hold up while taking Velafax, and what kind of side effects did you run into during the initial phase? Does it actually help with anxiety?
Bluzara said:
😉
Look, I’m more than happy to play the villain and drag them through the mud, but when you’ve been cycling through prescriptions for years, you start speaking from a place of hard-earned, albeit bitter, experience. I actually know what I'm talking about here.
"Benzos" are addictive. Period.
That isn't an opinion; it's a physiological reality.
And after a certain amount of time passes, their efficacy begins to wither away.
That is also an undeniable fact.
As for those people who claim they’ve been popping these for years and still sleep like babies... well, no offense intended, but it’s nonsense. It sounds like nothing more than a collection of convenient fairy tales cooked up to justify their own reckless, excessive consumption of whatever pill is within reach.
To illustrate my point, unlike you, I am currently balancing Effexor at 75 mg and Calixt at 45 mg, yet even that doesn't quite cut it—so I supplement with Q-pin at 250 mg, toss in a little Zonidan, then a bit more... plus Lamal twice a day at 25 mg.
Let me be perfectly clear: I have absolutely no issues with "morning performance," nor am I some sort of degenerate addict.
Everyone reacts differently, and there is no universal rulebook for this kind of thing.
So, you're suggesting people just make up stories to excuse their habit of swallowing everything in sight? Honestly, looking at that list of yours, my head starts spinning... anyone would be out cold after a cocktail like that. Personally, I've been taking Ambien at 10 mg for four years and it does the trick, though if I can't drift off because my anxiety is spiking, I prefer having some Calixt at 15 mg—or even half a dose—to help me fall asleep quickly. At the end of the day, I can't sleep without a pill, likely because I haven't managed to resolve the underlying issue, which is my anxiety. I desperately want to find that one perfect medication that would allow me to sleep soundly without needing xanax, though I know some people still rely on benzos even while taking antidepressants. The truth is, coming off certain antidepressants is incredibly difficult; I've read plenty about how brutal it is to taper off something like Paxil... so I don't think you're entirely correct in your assessment.
Brandon Lopez6 said:If I'm gonna taper off Helix, I feel like I should probably get some Normabale so it isn't such a sharp drop-off (I seriously don't have the patience to cut my dose by a quarter every single week). So, I'm wondering if Normabale actually works well enough for panic attacks and general anxiety. I was thinking about asking my doctor if I could test it out for a couple of days—two days is plenty—just to swap one dose of Helix for Normabale and see how it feels. That's basically it.
In my personal experience, Normabrel doesn't come anywhere close to matching the efficacy of Xanax when it comes to crushing a panic attack. It might take the edge off or perhaps lull you into a sleep, but for me, Xanax remains the absolute gold standard. To be honest, I've tossed back a few Normabrel pills here and there, and frankly, they did nothing at all for me.
Actually, if you aren't looking to increase your Xanax dosage, there isn't even a need to change anything; I've been steady at 1.5 mg for four years now.
Jeremy Clark23 said:Hey everyone.
Has anyone here ever taken, or thought about taking, Xanax? Any experiences you can share?
My doctor put me on it yesterday, so, well, I've started.
I took it for about a year, though looking back, I really regret that because it contains aspartame; eventually, I made the switch over to Calixta—which is actually the exact same medication—and it works wonders for my sleep. That’s why I stick with it to this day. As far as anxiety goes, it does next to nothing for me; if you ask me, it seems much more geared toward treating depression...
Sophia Harris89 said:I started taking Hemolex back in June and it actually worked! I’m dealing with one large internal hemorrhoid and a few external ones too.
Tell me, can you actually feel that large internal one when you're applying ointment internally? Because I was feeling around last night and again today, and I definitely felt something quite substantial, and let me tell you, it hurts like hell.
Sophia Reyes66 said:I used to suffer from them—well, at least my doctor strongly suspected I had internal hemorrhoids—but they finally cleared up. During those few days, things were a bit difficult, if you know what I mean; everything felt quite tight and there was some bleeding. I wasn't sure what caused it, though I had been taking Portalak syrup and drinking celery tea. Eventually, I went in for an exam, a rectoscopy, and honestly, even now, a chill runs down my spine just thinking about it :'( The doctor assured me there were no hemorrhoids and that everything looked perfectly clean and normal. Since that procedure, the pain and the bleeding have vanished entirely.
How much does a rectoscopy actually hurt, and how long does the whole thing take?
coppercanyon57 said:I’m dealing with internal hemorrhoids, grade 3 and 4, which bring this unpredictable, agonizing pain that ebbs and flows quite mercilessly; I've been using =
I find myself in a remarkably similar predicament, grappling with stage 2 and 3 issues. For the longest time, they were silent, invisible players in my life—I hadn't even noticed them, let alone felt any discomfort. However, after a bout of particularly stubborn constipation recently (and I do rely on laxatives to keep things moving), a persistent, gnawing ache has taken up residence inside me since yesterday. Last night, I applied some HemeroProtekt cream, and while doing so, I actually felt something—a distinct, thickened lump deep inside on one side. It sent a genuine chill down my spine because, despite knowing I had these issues, I don't recall ever feeling anything so substantial before. It feels quite large under my touch, and I can't help but wonder if I'm misinterpreting the sensation—could it be something more sinister than just hemorrhoids? When you check, do you actually feel those lumps when you reach inside? Fortunately, there hasn't been any bleeding, and my last colonoscopy three years ago came back perfectly clear, which offers a small shred of comfort. Tell me, does the pain linger throughout the entire day, or is it strictly an issue that strikes only when you're sitting on the toilet?
restlesstrucker15 said:I find myself unable to sleep. I don't mean to complain, but the medications prescribed for my neurological issues—specifically Neurontin, following my previous use of Lyrica—seem to keep me wide awake. Even 20 mg of Ambien wasn't enough to help.
I am genuinely curious how others taking these drugs manage to get any rest; perhaps they aren't accustomed to hypnotics, or maybe they simply don't experience this specific side effect.
If it had just been a broken finger instead of this neurological damage to my spine... then finding a treatment plan would be much simpler. I almost look forward to facing an illness that doesn't require this endless process of trial and error.😁
FedEx
So, what happened with your spine?
Many thanks to Rejo and Bluzara. No, my psychiatrist didn't actually recommend it; ever since I stopped taking Calixta, I’ve been searching for coaxil, which I finally managed to obtain. However, I’ve hit a brutal rough patch lately—first a virus, fever, coughing, headaches...
...and then, out of nowhere, our little puppy got sick. He was only seven months old, a tiny thing we'd only had for three months, and he passed away within those four days. It feels like everything has collapsed over the last ten days. My anxiety has been through the roof; I'm such a hypochondriac that I can't stop spiraling. I ended up at the local ER three times and even made a trip to the psychiatric ward once. When I initially asked about Calixta, the doctor insisted I choose either coaxil or Calixta, so I decided to stick with coaxil. Though, truth be told, I am NOT taking it yet. It’s just sitting there in my nightstand drawer. I tried it for a couple of days a while back, but it made me feel even more jittery, so I put it off until I felt physically better. Honestly, Calixta would actually be helpful just to help me sleep, so I’ve been taking what I had left from before for the last few days. I don't have any coaxil left, and I certainly won't be mixing them. I'm hoping to let things settle for a few days before I finally start the coaxil regimen... once again, my symptoms have manifested physically, which is always how it goes for me—this crushing lethargy, exhaustion... total helplessness. I spent the entire afternoon reading through this forum about psychotropic drugs, and I have to say, I'm deeply disillusioned seeing how many people cycle through endless medications without ever reaching actual recovery. It makes me genuinely fearful of when things will improve for me, or for anyone else, really. I know the fault lies with me, because I haven't even given an antidepressant a full month to work so I can see if it helps... though I did take Calixta for a long time, and while it wasn't effective for my anxiety, it did help me sleep. I thought perhaps I could take one type in the morning for energy and then a minimal dose at night—maybe half of a 15 mg pill—just to sleep. But my primary care physician won't authorize Sanval because they aren't allowed to prescribe it to patients who have been on it long-term.
Has anyone here ever experimented with combining COAXIL and Calixta? Or perhaps someone possesses the clinical insight to know if such a pairing is even viable? I am curious about what the minimum effective dosage might look like in that scenario.
Kevin Nguyen3 said:🙂
But he *is* a child.
Just kidding.
I don't know his exact age, but typically the instructions state that adult therapy protocols aren't meant to be swapped with those for anyone under 18. It isn't strictly defined down to the day and month, obviously, but surely there's some level of medical tolerance? Isn't there?
If he's extremely thin, I suspect the doctor might be assuming—just an assumption on my part!—that given his body weight, he won't react to the medication in the standard or expected way.
So, if that's the case, it would be justified... though again, I am merely speculating.
What exactly is going on with him?
Anyway, I was looking over that combination of medications you listed (Calixta, Sanval, Misar...)
Now, I’m probably not the best benchmark for what constitutes a "heavy" dose by most standards, but I highly doubt I'd even be feeling drowsy on that specific regimen.
I'm currently taking 30 mg of Calixta, 200 mg of Q-Pin (!!!), and 75 mg of Velafax—plus I occasionally take Zonadin, just a little 5 mg dose, along with Lamal, which used to be 25 mg but is now 50 mg.
I’ll spend about an hour just swaying back and forth before I finally head to bed.🤣
Once I do fall asleep, it's like someone hit me over the head with a heavy oar.😍
Well, 45 mg of Calixta, 15 mg of Sanval, and 2 mg of Misar isn't exactly nothing; if you ask me, it sounds like quite a lot... when I mentioned earlier that I take 1.5 mg of Xanax throughout the day, 10 mg of Sanval at night, and 7.5 mg of Calixta, you told me that was too much.
I’ve been finding it absolutely impossible to drag myself out of bed in the morning ever since I started taking sleep aids. At first, I was under the impression it was the Calixte supplement, but I’ve come to realize that even after I cut that out entirely, I still can't manage to roll out of bed before 9:00 AM. Since I’m not currently working, I suppose it isn't the catastrophe it would be for someone else, so I can let it slide for now... though, truth be told, I ended up knocking back half a dose of Calixte last night and finally managed to get some decent sleep.