Posts by Jason Vaughn482

Kevin Bailey2 said:You’re all going to end up miserable... honestly, I don't get why people fight so hard for a medication that clearly does more harm than good.

In my book, chronic constipation is absolute torture for the body and overall health, so I’d switch my treatment in a heartbeat. Thank God we actually have a whole pharmacy's worth of options to choose from these days, almost like picking candy at a convenience store.

My current regimen is Prozac, Xanax, and Seroquel.

I tried Effexor... it just shut me down. I wasn't touching it again.
I've also tried Prozac, Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Zoloft... they all left me feeling emotionally numb, so I called it quits.
With Xanax, I felt totally depersonalized—like I wasn't even there—and my head just felt "off." I didn't want it.
Then there was Ampyra... besides making me feel like a zombie, I slept through basically everything, and when I was awake, I was eating like there was no tomorrow. Just a bottomless pit. I refused to take it because I wasn't about to gain 150 pounds and spend my life asleep.
Why? Because being constipated, feeling detached, gaining massive weight, and being an emotional shell felt way worse than the actual condition I'm treating without pills. There's no point in taking meds if there's a better alternative out there. And I found mine.

Eventually, I landed on this specific combo (the ones I mentioned earlier) that actually works for me. I mostly feel great, and the side effects are negligible—sure, it takes me a bit longer to finish, or my appetite is lower... but that’s not a huge deal since you can always force yourself to eat.

It honestly terrifies me to read about someone gaining 20 or 30 pounds from antipsychotics. Forgive me, but I wouldn't touch a drug like that.
The antipsychotic I'm on doesn't make me gain any weight at all. It doesn't trigger crazy cravings or turn me into a zombie. It’s solid, and it keeps me stable.

As soon as I told my psychiatrist that Zoloft made me feel numb and lifeless, he told me to toss it immediately. He said the damage outweighed the benefits—there's no sense in treating anxiety by turning someone into a walking vegetable.

What dosages are you on? Prozac worked well for me too, almost to the point where I felt like myself again, but how much Seroquel are you taking?

Donna Torres5 said:Well, I managed to handle things naturally today—and by that, I mean we’re talking about digestion, which is truly a universal topic, isn't it?😂
I think I finally cracked the code: drink a full liter of water all at once—not just sipping, obviously. And suddenly, everything is moving perfectly!

Give me some advice, please—how on earth did you manage to down an entire liter without feeling faint? I want to try this, but I need to know how many days it had been since your last movement before this worked.

Justin Rogers5 said:Just read the warning on the Dulcolax bottle—stuff about abdominal bleeding or sudden pain after long-term use. Whatever, you know your own body better than I do. Anyway, I just made myself a weak cup of Turkish coffee with plenty of sugar and milk, then heading to the bathroom.😍

Look, I understand exactly what my body is asking for, but it simply isn't happening. That said, as I was saying before, every single one of these medications is incredibly dangerous—especially the ones we rely on daily, particularly AP.

Justin Rogers5 said:That Bekunis gave me such bad hemorrhoids😲 😲😲, spent a month on medical leave and swore off it forever. Try taking Sensiom on an empty stomach instead; regular use actually leveled things out for me when I used to go ten days without a movement. Laxatives just wreck your gut—it's a fact, you can end up with all sorts of issues.

Lola, but then what do you think about how these other medications we rely on—specifically psychiatric drugs like antipsychotics—wreck the liver? You can end up with all sorts of physiological disasters from those too, yet we just keep swallowing them down anyway.

Justin Rogers5 said:That Bekunis gave me such bad hemorrhoids😲 😲😲, spent a month on medical leave and swore off it forever. Try taking Sensiom on an empty stomach instead; regular use actually leveled things out for me when I used to go ten days without a movement. Laxatives just wreck your gut—it's a fact, you can end up with all sorts of issues.

Look, laxatives don't destroy your stomach, though they certainly can mess with your intestines; I've been using them for a decade, and sure, my bowels might be a bit "lazy" because of it, but I simply cannot fathom surviving ten days without relief. If I miss even one day, the bloating and intense pressure become unbearable. As for that Senna stuff? It's completely useless. I spent days taking it along with two teaspoons of flaxseed, and nothing—absolutely nothing. Even prunes or soaked dried plums did zero for me. In my experience, if it isn't Donald Trump or a heavy-duty stimulant like Dulcolax, nothing touches the problem.

Donna Torres5 said:So, I decided to try out some Portalak this weekend—a mix of senna tea and some probiotics. Honestly, I barely managed to make it to the bathroom yesterday, and even then, it wasn't exactly a dramatic situation. It was pretty uncomfortable... so, I think I'll just take some Bekunis today to get things moving properly.

Whenever things reach that level of absolute chaos, my personal remedy is to just take four

Donna Torres5 said:Hey everyone, does anyone else here deal with chronic constipation caused by medication? And I mean truly chronic—where nothing seems to work without a heavy-duty laxative.
How are you all managing this?
I've tried eating plenty of fruit, veggies, and high-fiber foods, but they don't seem to make a dent. Glycerin suppositories only help occasionally, drinking massive amounts of water doesn't do much, and even starting my morning with a big glass of water hasn't helped. I've even tried herbal teas and other blends, but nothing works... so what's left? Has anyone ever tried at-home enemas? You can pick up a kit for them at any pharmacy.

Honestly, honey, I’m at a total loss myself; my only reliable strategy seems to be sitting on the toilet and popping three Dulcolax tablets just to get things moving.
I’m currently on a course of antibiotics for bronchitis, and I was foolishly hoping they might trigger some movement since they usually cause diarrhea in most people, but in my case, there isn't a single sign of life.

Paul Newman5 said:I reached out to Johnson & Johnson directly via email. They told me it might be okay with anxiolytics, but not with antidepressants. Honestly, who knows if they were actually being helpful or just trying to get me off their back. Even the instructions on General Mills products don't mention any issues, unlike the warning on the Advil label. Better to just ask my doctor.

Back in the day, my psychiatrist handed me some herbal supplements alongside my usual Xanax; apparently, the combination is permissible, though in my experience, those plant-based remedies are about as effective as a placebo when things get heavy.

Paul Newman5 said:That's why I'm avoiding antidepressants for now, though you never knows. When I was on them, I needed twice as much Mississippi as I do today. And looking at the posts here and talking to people, nobody seems to have recovered just by taking an antidepressant for a year; there’s always something else added to the mix. There's the period spent finding the right fit, then the side effects—one keeps you awake, another makes you sleep too much, and you spend months just waiting for something to actually work. So that's where I am, but I'll say again, you never know. And there's no need to argue about it on this forum. Everyone is different, with different views. We should be supporting each other through crises and sharing experiences rather than fighting or claiming one way is objectively better. For me, that's not the case. Some choose antidepressants, some Mississippi, some nothing, some bioenergy, healers, psychologists, whatever. But we should respect and comfort each other. None of us are experts, and we're all stuck in the same mess. Besides, I personally know a woman who takes Helex three times a day and goes to work, raises three kids, and hasn't even thought about seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist. She says the bullying at her job is just part of life, and she manages. I'm not saying that's a solution, but some people really don't see a doctor as necessary. When I complain about being on Mississippi for three months, people mock me for making drama out of nothing. Let's just respect each other. Everyone should treat themselves however they think is best.

Once you finally make up your mind, you might consider trying Prozac. For me, it worked wonders after the initial three weeks; prior to that, I dealt with various side effects like heightened anxiety, but once it kicked in, everything stabilized and I was able to stop taking xanax. However, after three months, something snapped—I don't know how to describe it—I just woke up feeling utterly overwhelmed by dread, physically depleted, almost like the malaise you feel when fighting a heavy flu. I couldn't sleep at night and felt absolutely wretched. I cannot say for certain if Prozac played a role in that sudden shift, but my intuition told me to stop immediately, so I did, overnight. It took about a month for my state of being to gradually return to something resembling normalcy. Nowadays, to combat insomnia, I take half of the smallest dose of Lexapro—7.5 mg—along with some Lunesta just to ensure I get through a full night's rest. Lexapro is typically prescribed in doses of 15, 30, or 45 mg...

Steven Martin13 said:I honestly feel like I have to respond to this. I’ll admit, I’m not exactly the best at explaining complex science on internet forums, but I’ll try to be as precise as I can.

1. No one has ever truly proven the efficacy of antidepressants—and by that, I mean SSRIs, the ones that target serotonin. In a living human being, you simply CANNOT measure serotonin levels in a way that provides meaningful data, because everyone has their own unique baseline; there is NO modern medical test that can just scan your brain and say, "Oh, we've increased the sensitivity of your neurons to serotonin." All those studies funded by Big Pharma? To me, that sounds like fairy tales for children. It’s all subjective: if you feel like it helps, it helps; if it doesn't, it doesn't.

2. Regarding the Antipsychotic (AP) vs. Antidepressant (AD) comparison.
The reason I used that comparison was to give you a clearer picture of why certain medications are indicated for specific issues.
Just as ADs are indicated for obsessive thoughts, anxiety, and depression, APs are indicated for insomnia and anxiety (in lower doses), depression, and—at higher doses—various types of psychosis (though calling it a "schizophrenia cure" isn't quite right).

3. Benzodiazepines are "miracle" drugs because, let's face it, nothing works better in the short term. But there's no debate about their utility because they merely mask symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. Their massive Achilles' heel is addiction, which is the "spoiled child" of pharmacology—it ends up magnifying the very symptoms you were trying to fix. If you're "lucky" enough to experience that, you'll feel it firsthand.

4. APs are often prescribed for anxiety, which frequently goes hand-in-hand with insomnia, and that is the go-to choice for many psychiatrists. They can have side effects on your bloodwork or organs, so regular monitoring is a must. However, a huge advantage is that they aren't addictive and don't trigger a massive rebound of symptoms when you stop taking them.

If you really want to dive deep, we can talk extensively about the mechanisms of action for ADs, APs, and benz, but please—don't call something "unfounded" unless you actually have the arguments to back it up.

If you're choosing benz over APs based purely on personal preference, then fine. Of course you're going to look for reasons to convince yourself that benz are these "magic pills" or "super useful" just to justify your choice. That's just human psychology at work—unfortunately, the truth usually lies somewhere else entirely.

Everyone speaks from their own experience, and for me, Xanax works fine. Over three years, I haven't taken more than 1.5 mg a day. Right now, I'm dealing with some kind of virus, I have a fever, I haven't slept, and I feel terrible—yet as I read this post, I realized I haven't even taken a single Xanax today. I simply forgot because of the herbal teas, the Tylenol, and all these other cold medicines... I don't know, but I don't think I've become addicted, even though I usually take up to 1.5 mg depending on the day and my condition. Personally, I find AP to be more dangerous drugs, especially for certain groups of patients. If I ever felt like I was starting to crave "just one more pill," as you put it, I would naturally worry and perhaps switch to something else. On the other hand, my friend takes 200mg of Seroquel and 50mg of Zoloft, and yet she still can't function without three Xanax; if that's the case, what is the point of the Seroquel?

Brandon Lopez6 said:I'm on 2mg too, but I split it up into four 0.25 doses. If I'm flying solo, I'll just knock back 0.50 in the morning and then basically "fast" until my next 0.25 dose.
Got this totally ridiculous schedule when I actually take it 🤦

Wait, you said 2 mg, but from what I can tell, you're actually taking 1 mg total—just doing 4x0.25 🤷

redranger2 said:It’s great that a dose like that works for you, but there are plenty of people for whom that amount simply isn't enough.
And frankly, I fail to see how taking antipsychotics relates to intelligence, considering psychiatrists have been prescribing them for years to manage anxiety and stubborn insomnia. Those pills aren't strictly reserved for a schizophrenia diagnosis. My first AP was actually
prescribed for severe depression, and quite honestly, it saved me.

Look, I grasp the logic, truly I do, but I cannot fathom why there is such a massive uproar regarding Xanax. In my estimation, every single medication carries some degree of risk; I spend a great deal of time reading about psychopharmaceuticals, and from what I have gathered, antipsychotics seem to be the most hazardous, whereas antidepressants are generally the superior option. My comment about memory was merely a follow-up to someone else who noted that taking anxiolytics shouldn't impact one's intellect—everyone takes what works for them. I could certainly transition to an AP if my condition deteriorates, but if I am managing well with Xanax, I see no reason to disrupt that balance. Perhaps weaning off is difficult, but I struggle with panic attacks, and I suffer from high blood pressure—I'm already on medication for that. With my family history of strokes, it feels entirely rational to be wary of any drug where the primary side effect involves blood clots and potential strokes. Of course, I don't believe I would take a dose high enough to trigger that, and I might try 25 mg eventually, but as long as I can sleep with Ambien—which I also dislike—and function on Xanax, I won't touch an AP. My doctor prescribed me Empty two years ago when I was suffering from total sleep deprivation, but I only took it for a very short window, just one box of 25 mg. It makes me incredibly restless, and the mere thought that it might cause a stroke leaves me feeling even more anxious, which is precisely why I avoid them.

David Vaughn75 said:In 99% of cases, people dealing with schizophrenia aren't even going to function normally without their antipsychotics.

Oh, I certainly grasp that distinction, but what escapes my understanding is why anyone would claim an antipsychotic is a superior choice for managing anxiety over something like Xanax...

And yet, I am still waiting for someone to provide a coherent explanation of what the actual point is here. Whether you’re popping Xanax, taking Quetiapine, or some other antidepressant, the pattern remains identical: you end up consuming something just to adapt to one thing or another. And don't even get me started on the sheer number of people who mix them all together like a cocktail. I have a friend who takes three Xanax, 200 mg of Seroquel, and Zoloft on top of that... she claims she feels fine and can function perfectly well, but when you actually step back and look at the sheer volume of medication being forced into her system, it's staggering. None of these drugs come without a price; every single one carries side effects and carries its own set of risks, but from everything I’ve read, nothing is quite as damaging as the APs.

Steven Martin13 said:The first time I ever went through a "withdrawal"—tapering off Xanax after six months (on 0.25mg three times a day)—I didn't really feel much of anything. I just stopped, and to make matters worse, I ended up drinking quite heavily that same night (I was young and, frankly, pretty foolish back then).

I have to admit, though, reading through all those various articles online actually ended up making things harder for me—it kind of pushed me to the mental state I'm in now.

Exactly—it's easy to say that when you're having a decent day, but when you're in the middle of a full-blown crisis, you'd take almost any poison just to feel normal again.

From what I've gathered by doing some digging, APs seem to be much better in smaller doses compared to anxiolytics—basically, they aren't nearly as damaging.

Let me read it first, and then maybe you can convince me.

David Vaughn75 said:Smart psychiatrists generally steer clear of the heavy-duty stuff—you know, things like Loris, Xanax, Clonazepam, and all that junk—because they actually realize how easy it is to get hooked. They really only reach for those prescriptions when things are truly hitting the fan. Honestly, when I was trying to kick my Loris habit, I thought my brain was actually going to melt—I was dealing with these massive waves of panic attacks basically every hour on the hour.

I have to say, I couldn't disagree more. Are we suggesting that "smart" doctors are those who prefer to manage patients with heavy-duty antipsychotics instead? And let’s be honest, tapering off antidepressants isn't exactly a walk in the park either—or at least, that’s the consensus, even if I can't speak to it personally. For my part, I take Xanax, topping out at 1.5 mg and usually hovering around 1.25 mg, which doesn't strike me as some catastrophic dosage. Honestly, it keeps me feeling steady enough.

redranger2 said:I started out on the antipsychotic Vera for about two years, but then it suddenly, almost
overnight, just stopped working, and my insomnia came roaring back. I managed to get
off it within a week without any major fallout or side effects. I stayed off the
AP for about a month and a half, but then everything spiraled again—chronic insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks—so last November, my psychiatrist prescribed
the Q-pill (Seroquel). I started low at just 25 mg, moved up to 50, then 100, and eventually settled at 200 mg, where I remain. If I ever stop taking them, it would likely
only be because they’ve lost their efficacy, at which point I’d just switch to a different AP. I simply can't function without an AP; antidepressants alone don't cut it for me.

And which antidepressant are you pairing with that, and are you still using Xanax? Honestly, I can't bring myself to touch those antipsychotics. I end up leaning most heavily on Xanax, and for sleep, I rely on Salvatore. Every time I read some horror story about having a stroke, I lose the nerve to take anything, and then I get caught in this vicious cycle where the fear of the pills themselves triggers a massive panic attack.😢 🙂

shadowbear9 said:Good evening. I’m dropping in to say hello and, honestly, to see if anyone can offer some actual advice. I don't browse this forum regularly, so I'll just jump straight into it. As of today, I've come to the realization that I am genuinely ill. I can't quite put my finger on the diagnosis, but it feels like social anxiety, phobias, or maybe Type B depression. I have absolutely zero desire to be around people or socialize; I much prefer staying home with my inner circle and my cat. Ever since I begged my doctor to reintroduce an antidepressant into my routine, things have gone south. I’ve been taking 10mg of Lexapro in the morning, and I can't say I see any improvement whatsoever. If anything, I feel more agitated and tense—literally hyperactive. I am never relaxed. A few days ago, I asked about Mirzaten for sleep after seeing some of you mention it here, and that actually sounds reasonable. It even helped my appetite increase, which is a small win considering I'm only 45kg and very picky about what I eat. However, I can barely get my hands on Mirtazapine. My doctor refuses to even give me the 1mg dose for sleep alongside my 10mg Sanval. It’s supposed to be prescribed as needed, but I made it very clear that I don't want the Lexapro and could really use a sedative during the day. By nature—or perhaps due to my condition—I am high-strung, and combined with this current crisis, I feel like a ticking time bomb for anyone around me. Is anyone else on a similar regimen? I'm dealing with insomnia and constant agitation, and when I approached my GP, she basically told me that since I'm already on Mirtazapine, there's nothing more she can do. Are these doses really considered that high? Also, my apologies—I didn't realize this section was designated for pregnancy discussions rather than psychotropic medications. Could a moderator please move this? Thanks.

A psychiatrist would likely prescribe the Risperdal; personally, I take Xanax three times a day, along with Sanval and Mirzaten.

If this is your very first time attempting to drift off with it, you’ll likely find yourself unconscious within fifteen minutes; personally, after battling a month-long bout of insomnia, I succumbed to sleep almost instantly once I took it. Eventually, you might find it takes closer to an hour to kick in, but when it does, the quality of sleep is undeniably deep and restorative.

shadowbear9 said:But in my case, I've been prescribed 10 mg of Sanval and 15 mg of Mirtazapine, and as of a couple days ago, they added Misar to the mix which I take at night. I really think I shouldn't be waking up at all with all this stuff.

Well, that sounds like a solid plan; give it a shot tonight and see how it goes. You'll likely find yourself sleeping like a baby.😁