552 posts shown.
fadedbear92 said:Guys, please do a little research first—Sanval is really just meant for helping you fall asleep faster quickly, and one pill usually only lasts about three hours. For more serious issues—you know, when we're talking about chronic insomnia—there are other medications available.
You really need to talk to a psychiatrist.
As for my own experience, I suffer from insomnia, though if I’m being precise, the struggle isn't staying asleep, but rather the agonizing difficulty of actually drifting off in the first place. Once I finally succumb to sleep, I tend to sleep for a solid 8 to 10 hours, even when I've taken 10 mg of Ambien. The only exception is during those darker stretches when my mental state is deteriorating; in those instances, I find myself waking up multiple times throughout the night, though I do manage to drift back under. During those bouts, I take some Benadryl just to knock me out. It honestly feels like I end up oversleeping, yet the initial onset is so incredibly difficult... I suppose I call that "severe insomnia," though perhaps I am misinterpreting the term if I read accounts here of people who can only manage a few hours of rest.🤷
Eric Mitchell55 said:Looking at this thread, I see people way older than me who are way too young to be dealing with this many pills.
I actually started on Helixim when I was just 14—almost 15—and within a few months, I was already on Haldol and some pretty nasty meds.
Now I’m turning 19, and my daily routine includes Olandix 20, Akineton 4 mg, Haldol 4 mg, Cymbalta 60mg, and Prazosin 75mg.
The plan is that I'll probably switch from Olandix to Seroquel soon.
Anyway.
The truth is, you’re taking an incredible amount of medication; one has to wonder what the toll will be when you hit 50. Your liver is going to bear the brunt of it... perhaps it would be wise to consider tapering down slightly, though naturally, that must be done in strict coordination with your psychiatrist—maybe even exploring psychotherapy as an alternative.
Edward Long4 said:HONEY, Vega, sorry I haven't been on here in forever! You're probably already taking the Zoloft by now, and honestly, I really hope you're doing alright and that it's helping. So, get this—my doctor told me just the other day that it’s finally time to taper me off the Zoloft, and oh my god, I have been waiting for this moment. I feel amazing. Psychotherapy helped a ton, and my PSYCHIC has been absolutely FANTASTIC lately... so it's not just about the pills, there's a lot more to it, and progress with your PSYCHIC depends on so much stuff... good luck, sweetie... fingers crossed for you!
No way, I spent twenty days taking half of a 50 mg dose and I didn't feel any better than before, so I just quit; perhaps I should have pushed through it.
Matthew White4 said:Seriously, what are they thinking?! Last time I saw my doctor, I practically had to fight her just to get two 30-count boxes of 10 mg Ambien and two packs of 0.5 mg Ativan, and now she thinks she’s gonna "cure" me with this? I used to be able to knock out in two hours on 2-4 Ambien, 3-4 Ativan, 2 Xanax SR, and 2 Tramadol—bam, asleep. Done. What next, should I just ask to be admitted to the hospital so I can stay on pure morphine?
I'm definitely going to go talk to my psychiatrist earlier than planned.
And how are you holding up regarding your liver after slamming that many meds in a single day? Are you actually getting regular blood work done to monitor it?
feralstag72 said:I switched from Mirzaten to the Mirzaten Q-Tab version and honestly, things have gone downhill since the change. Has anyone else dealt with this?
The ingredients are identical—it's just that the Q-Tab is designed for extended release.
I personally tried the 15 mg Q-Tabs, but they did absolutely nothing for my anxiety—they only helped me sleep. Ultimately, I had to give them up because they contain aspartame, which I try to avoid. Now, if I’m really struggling to drift off despite taking Ambien, I’ll just take half of a 15 mg Calixte—which is essentially the exact same medication anyway.
shadowbear9 said:I am reaching out specifically to those of you who deal with chronic insomnia, because frankly, I can’t take this anymore. Up until now, I’ve been scraping by using a combination of 0.25 mg Misar and 5 mg Sanval, but they just doubled the dosage for both, and it hasn't helped much. To try and regulate my sleep, I’m taking Faverin alongside Elicea, though I suppose that might be irrelevant. What I really want to know is: what are the strongest hypnotics and sedatives out there? I mean the kind of stuff that could practically knock out a horse. I’m looking for real experiences here, because my current regimen feels incredibly weak; I process these meds so fast that I end up needing three or four Sanval doses a day, plus about 5 mg of Misar. I once heard about Normabel at 10 mg, and apparently, if you take two of those, you sleep like a baby. Does anyone have a recommendation on what I should ask for? I realize my doctor probably won't approve it, but I honestly cannot endure this—it's 3:30 in the morning and even after 6 Misar, I still can't fall asleep. Please, tell me which heavy-duty sedatives you use—the kind so potent you almost have to fight them. I'm not very familiar with all the options.
thanks
Please, stop taking so much Ambien, especially for sleep; those things aren't actually designed to put you to sleep, and consuming them in such high quantities is doing real damage to your system. Try bumping the Lunesta to 10 mg, and perhaps, if you coordinate with your psychiatrist, they might consider prescribing something like Mariden—for me, personally, that stuff hits like a freight train. Some people swear by Seroquel, though others find it leaves them feeling completely drained. Of course, you absolutely must consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medication...
Paul Newman5 said:I was on Lexapro and then switched to Lexapro for four weeks. Not sure which one actually messed me up more. I had terrible restlessness, and now I'm off everything—just feeling miserable. My psychiatrist just prescribed Wellbutrin today. Please, let me know if anyone has tried it. Maybe it was mentioned here before, but I can't be bothered scrolling back through all those pages right now.
So, you actually did stop the Lexapro after all; I was under the impression it was finally doing the trick for you since you seemed to be turning a corner for a while... I ended up quitting it myself after only twenty days, and now I'm relying solely on Xanax, much like you are. To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what Wellbutrin is or how it actually functions within the system. For me, Prozac was quite effective—so much so that I’ve considered starting it up again.
Brian Young5 said:Hey there.
Per my psychiatrist's orders, I've been taking Ativan regularly for three years now (alongside two other meds). Back then, they switched my regimen from Zoloft and Xanax over to Depakote and Seroquel (both at very moderate doses), plus 5 mg of Ativan three times a day to manage anxiety. To be fair, I never needed to pop three green pills a day; I managed to grit my teeth through three years on just one, so I’m honestly surprised I haven't built up a tolerance yet. But apparently, luck isn't on my side. Since November, I can feel my body adjusting—even though my head feels clearer and more peaceful than ever—and for the first time, I'm feeling nervous and tense. I'm even getting dizzy and lightheaded after just one dose. I've started adding an extra one once a week, being extremely cautious about it, but I have this intense mental resistance to increasing the dosage of this anxiolytic. I’m terrified that I’ll end up needing more and more, eventually becoming a pill addict—just a bottomless pit. The thought of dependency makes my skin crawl. To make matters worse, my psychiatrist flatly denies that you can get hooked on Ativan, but I'm hearing otherwise from everywhere: it's on the label, the pharmacists tell me, and even my GP is suggesting either stopping it altogether or switching to a different sedative. Regardless of what the "rules" say, my own mind is telling me something else. Maybe I'm wrong, but everyone's body reacts differently; biology doesn't always follow the textbook.
What should I do? Should I try to taper myself off Ativan using those detailed online programs and eventually transition to taking it only as needed, or should I just listen to the doctor? I’ve lost trust in him, and without that trust, making progress feels impossible.
The worst part is that Ativan is one of the milder benzos with a long half-life and stays in your system for a while. I really don't want to find myself in a position where I have to swap it out for some heavy-duty pharmaceutical companion from the same family 🙂.
Has anyone here had a positive experience staying on the same minimal dose for years without having to increase it due to resistance or tolerance? Is that even a realistic possibility?
Well, look, the only thing I can tell you is that I've been on Xanax for three years at a dose of 0.5 mg three times a day—sometimes only twice. It is the only thing that works immediately and makes me feel steady; so far, I haven't felt the need to increase it, but who knows what the future holds... I certainly wouldn't want to start an antidepressant just to stop taking Xanax, though I do know someone who takes both Zoloft and Seroquel at 150 mg at night along with 3 Xanax...
fadedbear92 said:I wouldn't know the answer to that myself; you really ought to check with your doctor.🤷
True enough, though I must observe that when I experimented with Normabell, it felt remarkably ineffective against my bouts of anxiety and panic—even after the injection, there was simply no discernible impact. In stark contrast, valium provides a noticeable relief almost immediately, usually within fifteen minutes. Since I haven't been able to successfully initiate any kind of antidepressant therapy yet, this remains my primary lifeline, and frankly, I can only hope I won't find myself needing increasingly higher doses just to maintain some semblance of stability.
fadedbear92 said:Why aren't you asking your doctor? Generally speaking, you shouldn't mix unverified herbal remedies with actual pharmaceutical chemistry.
I was addicted to Xanax for 15 years—it's basically what they call Helex in other places—but I finally managed to get off by using Normabrel. However, you really need a verified tapering program for these kinds of drugs—taking it incredibly slow, reducing the dose step-by-step.
That program was developed by a British physician named Ashton.
Here is the full tapering guide:
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha00.htm
But how does one actually taper using Normabagel? And more importantly, why? I struggle to wrap my head around the logic; if you are simply swapping one dependency for another, isn't that just moving the goalposts? It feels like the same cycle all over again. Furthermore, I’m left wondering if I even need to face the music regarding my xanax use, considering it's currently the only medication in my cabinet. I've been taking 0.5mg about two or three times a day for roughly three years now, and frankly, for the moment, that dose seems perfectly sufficient to keep me level.
Timothy Wood38 said:15 Milligrams is actually a pretty low dose. Usually, you're looking at 30 to 45 Milligrams, though some people need more—sometimes even pushing up to 90 Milligrams. It’s pretty common knowledge that when dealing with anxiety disorders, you generally need a higher dosage than you would for pure depression. Anyway, what I was actually getting at was combining Wellbutrin (or Cymbalta) with Calixta. That is arguably one of the most powerful and effective combinations out there. Dr. Phil actually made it famous; he's probably the most renowned psychopharmacologist on the planet. He calls that specific combo "California rocket fuel." I mean, the name really says it all, doesn't it? 🙄
I hear you, truly, but if you look at the label, it isn't even indicated for Gap Inc. issues—it’s meant for major depression. To make matters worse, even at just 15 Milligrams, I spend my entire day feeling completely drugged and lethargic; I can't even imagine what a higher dose would do to me, not to mention the inevitable weight gain... I think I'll just head back to Prozac. Once I pushed through those first three weeks of side effects, I actually started feeling like myself again.
Timothy Wood38 said:It isn't just about the dosage. You could be taking ten different pills and still get zero results if they aren't the right fit. You might have been on a combination of Wellbutrin and something else—that can be one of the heaviest hitter combos out there. Just don't give up. Good luck.
Calixta? I’ve been taking 15 Milligram for nearly a year now, though I always make a point to mention that. It does wonders for my sleep, but when it comes to anxiety, it hasn't done a single thing for me—not even a dent. Then again, the label specifies it's for depression, which isn't even my struggle. It also tends to cause weight gain and a bit of a hangover effect, but because my sleep was so abysmal, I'd end up taking a 15 Milligram dose just to pass out immediately. I honestly can't wrap my head around what makes it so powerful.
[QUOTE=Victor;42639136]Obesity isn't any less of a threat to one's life than mental illness, even if I catch your drift. Once you're overweight—largely because you're eating to cope with psychological struggles—you end up developing psychosomatic issues, and then treating the underlying mental health problem leads to even more weight gain. You find yourself trapped in this vicious, inescapable cycle where nothing actually gets better. I've tangled my own thoughts a bit there, but hopefully, the point lands.
I'm not exactly hunting for a weight-loss miracle disguised as a psychotropic drug; I just want something that won't make me gain weight. And honestly, if the side effect happens to be losing weight, well, that would just be the icing on the cake. That was my only real concern.[/QUOTE
Prozac was originally developed with weight management in mind before they eventually categorized it as an antidepressant... personally, within two days of starting it, my appetite plummeted. It’s true that during those first three weeks, it can ramp up your anxiety levels, but once you clear that hump, it’s fantastic—at least, that was my experience. On the flip side, things like Ambien work terribly for my appetite; if I take it at night, I’ll find myself stumbling straight to the fridge fifteen minutes later. Of course, that leads to weight gain, but I simply can't sleep without it. Similarly, Lexapro tends to cause weight gain too... though, look, I haven't become obese or anything; I went from about 128 pounds at 5'4" to roughly 136 pounds, and frankly, those extra few pounds are starting to bother me.[/QUOTE]
Lisa Myers said:I think that’s the same thing as Zoloft, too (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I know that much.
So, does anyone know of an anti-anxiety med that actually helps with weight loss? Or do they all just make you gain weight? Does everyone gain weight from psych meds in general, or is it just specific groups?
It isn't quite the same thing; they belong to the same class, sure, but there are nuances... I was on Zoloft for a short stint, maybe twenty days, and I didn't notice any dip in my appetite, but with Prozac, I felt the difference by the very next day. Plus, Zoloft just made me feel nauseous... And no, you don't gain weight from everything; the consensus is that it's primarily the antipsychotics that do that.
Brandon Lopez6 said:For me, 0.5 Xanax didn't even touch my anxiety as much as 0.25 Ativan did. My doctor mentioned Ativan is better suited for psychosis.
Honestly, that's all psychological; Xanax and Helex are essentially the exact same medication—just alprazolam.
Lisa Myers said:I’m curious if there’s any psychotropic medication out there that actually causes weight loss 🤣? I’m being serious here—is there anything that genuinely suppresses appetite? I read somewhere that Zoloft works that way initially, but then the effect reverses... so, does such a thing exist? If that's the case, what do doctors prescribe for patients who are already struggling with weight issues? It seems counterproductive to give someone medication when we know it might just make them gain more weight 🤔
Personally, I found that Prozac actually caused me to lose weight.
redcrane22 said:Got both Sanval and Calixta
I was wondering if anyone here has experience using this combo
Do I actually need to take the Sanval to sleep if I’m already taking Calixta right before bed?
Also, how do you feel when you wake up in the morning? That’s a huge factor for me.
And is the whole thing about weight gain actually true, or just a myth?
I was on the 15 mg dose for nearly a year, strictly to fix my sleep issues, and while it certainly delivers a heavy slumber, things shifted after I started pairing it with Sanval. Honestly, I would wake up feeling absolutely hammered—like a complete walking zombie—and it didn't do a damn thing for my anxiety. I still keep one box tucked away for those rare, desperate nights when sleep feels impossible, but that's about it. And regarding the weight? Yes, the weight gain is real. I personally put on about 5 or 6 pounds and haven't been able to shake it off, and from everything I’ve read in various online circles, people end up gaining upwards of 40 or 50 pounds. At the end of the day, you have to decide if the relief is worth the trade-off, because for me, it simply wasn't.
Justin Rogers5 As I have observed through my own weary travels across this landscape, there exists a certain profound, almost exhausting weight to the way we navigate our existence. It is much like staring into the fog of Silent Hill—one can never quite be sure if the shadows ahead are merely trickery of the mind or something far more substantial and unforgiving. We drift through these cycles, hoping for clarity, yet often finding ourselves only deeper in the haze.
Is it actually possible to take Faverin in the morning? I’ve been trying to dose it before bed because that was the intention—it was supposed to help me drift off—but instead, it absolutely wreaks havoc on my stomach, and rather than inducing sleep, it seems to do the exact opposite. It keeps me wide awake, only for me to crash hard around 10:00 AM with this crushing, heavy exhaustion.🤷
What exactly is working for you lately? Because if you’re dealing with stomach issues—especially if you’re already struggling with an ulcer while simultaneously trying to manage it with antacids—you might really need to reconsider that AD Valdoxan. I don't know if you ever gave Prozac a shot, but honestly, it’s quite effective, and since it belongs to the same class of medication, it might offer a much smoother ride for your system.
mistycyclist4 said:I hear you. I’d drink just about anything if it meant feeling better. I’ve been on Effexor for three months now and it’s completely turned my life around. If I hit another slump, if I lose all my drive again, or if my receptors just get burnt out, give me whatever—I'll take it. Now that I know this can actually be treated, I know things can change. Of course, it's not just the meds; I'm seeing a therapist once a week too. I'm trying to scrape together every bit of strength to stay positive and not let panic, fear, or depression run my life. I'm working on building my confidence back up. Every little step feels massive to me, like finally driving myself again or getting back to work. It feels like I'm actually living again. These meds saved me because, looking back at this summer, I couldn't even go to the beach here in California. I wouldn't leave the house for days. Every single morning, I'd think my life was pointless, even with my two kids—they're 10 and 15—and my husband supporting me through everything. My whole family suffered because of what I was going through, but they're finally thriving now because they see me smiling. Seeing my girls happy because their mom is actually functioning, working, and not just lying in bed crying all day... it makes it worth it. I'd take the pills, the poison, whatever, just to never feel that level of despair again. A few months ago I was spiraling, but now I finally see light at the end of the tunnel. For everyone else out there who's been through this hell, what do you think? Is there hope for us?🙂
Well, I haven't even made it to the beach either, and I live in Seattle. The problem is, I just can't seem to find the right antidepressant. I tried one that didn't suit me at all—though I did sleep better—and then I started Zoloft, which just didn't feel right either. Now, I'm stuck relying on nothing but Xanax, and God knows I want to be done with that too....
Paul Newman5 said:Can someone please weigh in if you've dealt with this? I’ve posted about this before, but nobody replied. I've been on Lexapro for four weeks now. Started at 25mg, now up to 50mg. Physically, it's helping a bit—I actually managed to get out of bed this morning instead of staying stuck there all day, and that stinging sensation near my heart has stopped. But the restlessness is still there. I'm also on at least 10mg of Prozac. My Psychic told me to take a two-day break, but then after those two days, she just snapped at me. Said these aren't even antidepressants for me and if I want anything, I should just go to the hospital. I see her privately and pay her plenty, so the way she blew up at me made me decide to just keep taking the Lexapro out of spite. Is it normal to still feel this restless in the afternoon after four weeks? And should I keep going? She was the one who diagnosed me with anxiety and depression, prescribed the meds, and claimed there are like thirty different types we might have to try until we find the right one. Now suddenly they aren't even antidepressants for me. 🤷Those two days without Lexapro were even worse. She just brushed me off and told me to take Xanax or Ativan whenever I feel like it. I didn't go to her because I was "nervous"; I went because I could barely move and my head was spinning with panic. I don't know what to do or what her problem is. My therapist says I should stay on it and that maybe the doctor was just having a bad day. So, I'm asking you guys: is this restlessness normal after four weeks? What am I supposed to do now? For now, I'm sticking with the Lexapro and seeing what happens. Any advice or experiences would help. 😕
It seems to me that you ought to seek out a different psychiatric professional entirely; there is simply no excuse for someone in that position to be weeping while they treat you, let alone maintaining such an unprofessional demeanor. As for the Zoloft, I find myself in a bit of a bind—I’ve discontinued it, and now I am left adrift without knowing which way to turn. I feel absolutely wretched; I am bloated like a parade float, and naturally, my hypochondria has flared up alongside this overwhelming, paralyzing sense of dread. My advice? Stick with the medication for another month just to see if it yields any results, but if you don't find relief, start hunting for a new option—perhaps Prozac might be a more suitable path for you.