387 posts shown.
Brandon Lopez6 said:I was on it for intrusive thoughts—diagnosis was F33.3. 😠
No side effects, really. Usually, I'm super sensitive and end up catching something from every pill, but Risperdal worked great for me. I was taking three a day, so that's probably a higher dose. If you're just looking for sleep, I'd guess one at night would do the trick. 🙂
Normally, it takes forever for my body to adjust and for the side effects to die down, but Risperdal was an outlier. It kicked in after about a week and the side effects vanished (the only thing I dealt with was feeling constant drowsiness and getting tired fast at first, but once I finally slept like a normal human being, it passed 👋)
I will let you all know what they tell me at the Sleep Disorders Clinic, though my appointment isn't for another two weeks. My psychiatrist mentioned they might suggest a specific therapy, though I can't see exactly which one they'd choose (not to repeat myself), given that even low doses of antipsychotics and Calixta are devastating to me and leave me unable to function at all; consequently, I am back on Sanval. During my last session, my psychiatrist and I had extensive discussions regarding this topic and went over each medication individually. Unfortunately, there aren't many older antidepressants left that would work as an add-on therapy for insomnia. 😢
Chloe Garcia10 said:For me, half a pill of Trazodon
actually does the trick.
It looks like this might be an option for insomnia, so I plan on consulting with my psychiatrist about it. I am curious to hear what your experience has been like, or if anyone else here has tried it. It will likely require an international order.
shadowbear9 said:Since my doctor carelessly prescribed me 5mg of Sanval instead of the 10mg I actually need, it seems Sanval has found a new rival—either my physician is incompetent, or the medication itself just refuses to work at all. I’ve taken it for three days now, and honestly, what else can I even say? It's been an absolute disaster... I suppose all I can do is pray for some sleep...
You might want to try a different hypnotic. I am fairly certain Dormicum would do the trick for you, though you should consult a Psychic to get the prescription written. It isn't on the standard formulary, but it isn't expensive either, just $8.25 ten pills per box.
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.
From what I understand—at least according to my primary care physician—they aren't allowed to prescribe hypnotics or anxiolytics beyond the recommended dosage. In practical terms, this means there needs to be a month-long gap between one 30-count box of Sanvale and the next. I don't know if that's a hard rule, but once, she tried to prescribe me Apaurin to take as needed, and thank God I already had some at home. When she attempted to write a new prescription for a different diagnosis—a pinched nerve—she actually turned her computer screen toward me to show that the system wouldn't even let her click the button.
That is why, if you feel your Psychic believes you require higher doses, you should ask them for a private prescription. Most of these medications aren't particularly expensive anyway.
I have been reflecting quite a bit on the recent developments regarding Dayria. It is one of those situations that demands a certain level of patience and careful consideration before jumping to any hasty conclusions. One cannot simply look at the surface level of these events; there is a deeper complexity involved that requires us to step back and evaluate the broader implications for everyone involved. I recall a similar instance years ago when I was working in Chicago, and much like that experience, the initial impression often differs significantly from the eventual reality once all the facts are laid bare. We must remain steady and observant. kaže:
I think it would be best if I simply present the idea to her first and let her offer her own perspective. I am looking forward to the 25th.😳
How exactly does one go about getting more hypnotics prescribed? I wonder if a doctor could realistically write me a script for Sanval alongside another sedative. To be honest, I don't have an issue with the sedatives themselves, though my only real concern is how quickly they seem to run out.
I truly empathize with your situation. Honestly, I had to take some Ambien yesterday and today just to feel like a functioning human being again. I’m planning to head downtown tomorrow to pick up some Sanval, but before all this, I haven't had a decent night's rest in two weeks. I've been surviving on maybe three hours of sleep a night when I desperately need twelve. 😢 Good grief... what a disaster.
I feel for you; you’re in the same boat. It all really comes down to the individual, though. I don't think she intended to suggest mixing hypnotics; her point was more about adjusting the dosage. Regarding Sanval, she advised me against bumping my dose up from 15 mg. She mentioned that while taking a higher dose might be acceptable if someone is dealing with a temporary bout of insomnia lasting a month or two, it isn't a viable solution for those of us facing chronic sleep issues to simply increase our Sanval to 20 mg or more. Anyway, I have an appointment downtown this February, so we'll see if they decide to design a specific therapy plan for me first.
George Allen71 said:As far as I know, APs aren't meant for insomnia at all. There is a massive difference between an anxiolytic and an antipsychotic—they are completely different diagnoses... we're talking about two totally distinct classes of medication here. APs are for psychosis...
Some people say that an anxiolytic like Ativan is good for sleeping because of its long-lasting effects.
There's also that newer medication based on melatonin that specifically targets insomnia, Valdoxan... I don't know, it didn't do much for my depression, but I slept like a baby when I took it. 🙂
Your best bet is to talk to your doctor. They'll give you the most reliable answer on this.
While antipsychotics are primarily for psychosis, they are sometimes prescribed in lower doses to address insomnia.
I had a discussion with my physician yesterday regarding whether it would be "healthier" to increase the dosage of a hypnotic or simply add a sedative to improve sleep maintenance. She maintains that increasing the hypnotic dose is the better approach, and she noted that medications like hydroxyzine or Xanax shouldn't be used as primary sleep aids. While they might induce drowsiness in some, that isn't their intended purpose, and she consistently advocates for using a dedicated hypnotic. Of course, depending on the duration of the insomnia, one might attempt treatment with either Calixt or an antipsychotic. I also inquired about Trintellix, but she mentioned that none of her patients have reported improvements regarding their sleep issues while taking it. I sincerely hope you find some restful sleep, unlike myself.🙂
shadowbear9 said:Hold on, hold on—are you heading to El Paso or Miami? Did you actually request this, or were you sent there? I would probably do the same thing, but today my dad gave me that pale, worried look again when I mentioned that 7x5mg Normabel isn't doing anything for me, and that 2 mg of Misar actually puts me out (though in reality, I take more, but I won't tell him). He takes 1 mg of Ativan because of his PTSD, and he got rejected for Sanval because I'm already taking it... but ugh, I just can't help it. Can someone please explain antipsychotics to me? I guess I don't really know how to use the term properly; I just associate it with schizophrenia. I know I am taking an antidepressant and an anxiolytic/sedative and a hypnotic, but I'm not taking an antipsychotic—unless Misar or Sanval fall into that category? And which one is a sedating antidepressant? They barely managed to switch my Fevarin; it was for bedtime, but I really can't afford that anymore $12 so she gave me Elicee for the morning. It doesn't calm me down because it's taken in the AM... I suspect the doctor won't give me anything else, because I think they are prescribing these strictly for my serotonin levels... one doctor wanted to put me on Zoloft, but now this other one is saying, "No, no..." I just don't know.🤷
Well, yes. Take a moment to read through some of the previous posts. An antipsychotic can be prescribed in smaller doses to either provide steady calming effects during the day or to ensure you sleep soundly at night. At standard dosages, these medications are used to treat various forms of psychosis. However, if they are prescribing them for insomnia because you've become heavily reliant on hypnotics like Sanval, no one is going to hand those over to you immediately. 🙂 If you were prescribed Sanval specifically for your insomnia, then take it at night and stop messing around with the Normabel. If the Sanval isn't working, you really need to be direct with your psychiatrist; they are the experts and will know the best course of action. We are all just sharing our personal experiences here regarding what works for us and what doesn't work for others.
shadowbear9 said:Hold on, hold on—are you heading to El Paso or Miami? Did you actually request this, or were you sent there? I would probably do the same thing, but today my dad gave me that pale, worried look again when I mentioned that 7x5mg Normabel isn't doing anything for me, and that 2 mg of Misar actually puts me out (though in reality, I take more, but I won't tell him). He takes 1 mg of Ativan because of his PTSD, and he got rejected for Sanval because I'm already taking it... but ugh, I just can't help it. Can someone please explain antipsychotics to me? I guess I don't really know how to use the term properly; I just associate it with schizophrenia. I know I am taking an antidepressant and an anxiolytic/sedative and a hypnotic, but I'm not taking an antipsychotic—unless Misar or Sanval fall into that category? And which one is a sedating antidepressant? They barely managed to switch my Fevarin; it was for bedtime, but I really can't afford that anymore $12 so she gave me Elicee for the morning. It doesn't calm me down because it's taken in the AM... I suspect the doctor won't give me anything else, because I think they are prescribing these strictly for my serotonin levels... one doctor wanted to put me on Zoloft, but now this other one is saying, "No, no..." I just don't know.🤷
It would be best to disclose all of this to your psychiatrist. You might find that a Calixt antidepressant taken in the evening could actually help you sleep. Misar acts as an anxiolytic—intended for calming nerves, for instance—whereas Sanval is specifically for insomnia. Generally speaking, you could take Elicee during the day and perhaps Calixt at night; that is how I managed for a period of time. However, you must be completely transparent with your doctor regarding exactly what you are taking and in what dosages so they can adjust your prescription appropriately. It is also possible that your sleep patterns will stabilize after a few months on Elicee.
I am going to the clinic in El Paso based on my doctor's recommendation for an initial evaluation. They asked about my symptoms and the nature of my insomnia so they can assign me to the most appropriate specialist. 🙂
Justin Rogers5 said:What even is Misar SR? My doctor put my grandpa on it to help him sleep, and now my mom's asking if she can start taking it too.🤷
That is a 0.5 mg extended-release Xanax. It is primarily indicated for panic attacks and severe anxiety. I find it somewhat surprising that he was prescribed this specifically for insomnia; if he has never taken psychiatric medication before, it will likely make him quite drowsy. I am under the impression that his primary care physician wrote the prescription rather than a psychiatrist. Honestly, I am not entirely sure why they would prescribe Misar for sleep issues—I suppose the medical professionals handling that should have the answers.
shadowbear9 said:Well, fine then. Last night, after going two whole days without any sleep, I figured, okay, let's just try to crash. My dad even gave me some 5 mg Normabel—about ten pills left—so I thought, great, finally. I take one, wash it down with some cooked wine, then another, then a third... I managed to sleep from 1:00 until maybe 2:30, and then I took a fourth. After that? I didn't sleep a wink until morning. Honestly, I don't know anymore. Please, tell me—is it just me, or is insomnia actually incurable? I really don't want to think about it, even though I suspect I already know the answer... Is there truly no cure for this other than these pills? Are we ever going to sleep normally again?
You will likely need to experiment with a low-dose antipsychotic; more than likely, your psychiatrist will be the one to prescribe it. From what I understand, the standard approach is treating insomnia with hypnotics for short durations or using sedating antidepressants. Benzodiazepines aren't typically recommended because they aren't primarily designed for insomnia. If 5 mg of Oxazepam puts someone to sleep, then good for them, but that person probably isn't dealing with chronic insomnia—they're likely just going through a temporary crisis.
shadowbear9 said:Well, fine then. Last night, after going two whole days without any sleep, I figured, okay, let's just try to crash. My dad even gave me some 5 mg Normabel—about ten pills left—so I thought, great, finally. I take one, wash it down with some cooked wine, then another, then a third... I managed to sleep from 1:00 until maybe 2:30, and then I took a fourth. After that? I didn't sleep a wink until morning. Honestly, I don't know anymore. Please, tell me—is it just me, or is insomnia actually incurable? I really don't want to think about it, even though I suspect I already know the answer... Is there truly no cure for this other than these pills? Are we ever going to sleep normally again?
I was referred to a Sleep Disorders Center. My only concern is how they intend to monitor my sleep patterns when I am physically unable to fall asleep without a mountain of hypnotics. They mentioned starting with an initial consultation, after which they should provide a specific plan or protocol prior to the actual recording. Has anyone here actually gone through this process?
fadedbear92 said:How much Xanax were you taking? During my worst bouts of insomnia, I was doing 4x25 mg and it worked—now I feel like I need that much, though sometimes even 3 pills do the trick.😍
Hey there. I tried taking 25 mg, which was enough to knock me out, but I ultimately decided to stop because I spent the entire following day feeling heavily sedated. It was quite intense. On the flip side, half of that dose—12.5 mg—wasn't nearly enough to help me sleep. I had high hopes that this lingering grogginess would subside after about a week, but unfortunately, it hasn't improved at all. 😢
To be honest, I am reaching my breaking point with this insomnia, the sheer difficulty of falling asleep, and these constant middle-of-the-night awakenings. To make matters worse, I’ve developed a significant tolerance to hypnotics. Even when I push myself physically—like going for a long swim or something similar—it helps at first, but within a week, my body just adjusts to the fatigue and I’m right back where I started.
So, after years of relying on Valium and spending the last eighteen months on Ambien, they honestly don't seem to be doing much for me anymore.
In coordination with my psychiatrist, I tried taking Lexapro twice a week for a week at a time, combined with Xanax (varying the dosage each time), but I felt like I was in a coma for the entire duration of those weeks. We decided to discontinue that approach because, for me, it results in more of a delayed sedation rather than immediate relief.
Honestly, Zoloft, Ativan, and Xanax have been total failures. A friend from the States even gave me a tablet of Benadryl that was registered over in Mexico, but it did nothing for me.
As it stands, I take 20 mg of Valium in the morning.
Right now, I’m alternating between small doses of Valium and Ambien.
Sometimes I’ll take 5 mg of Ativan an hour or two before bed, but it rarely makes a difference.
Oh, and we also experimented last night by adding a bit of Xanax and Xanax to the mix, but that didn't help me sleep; it just left me feeling sedated the following day.
My doctor says there isn't even any point in trying Trintellix, as none of her patients have managed to resolve their insomnia with it.
Of course, the ultimate solution is that the insomnia will vanish once I fully resolve the underlying issue...
My main goal was to move away from Ambien, because when I'm traveling, I find myself needing to take up to two pills just to function, so now I'm struggling while trying to stick to 10 mg of Valium.
I realize you probably don't have any answers, but I just needed to vent. Perhaps I should ask my doctor about ordering a hypnotic from overseas? Though, in all honesty, I know that isn't a real solution.
frozenorca63 said:Has anyone here actually dealt with anxiety and those random panic attacks using Elicea? My neurologist put me on it, claiming I’m not really "psychiatric material" and just need a little boost to get going. Honestly, I’m still just sitting here on my porch wondering if I should even be messing with antidepressants at all, especially since nothing seems to be changing. I don't feel great, but I don't feel terrible either... it's just this constant, nagging sense of worry and dread hanging over me, and those sudden panic attacks are honestly the absolute worst.
I am currently taking Valium, and my experience with the medication has been positive, though naturally, one must proceed with caution. For me, the panic attacks subsided at around 10-15 mg, and the general anxiety stabilized at 20 mg, although I still experience fluctuations in my mental state from day to day. As far as side effects go, I haven't experienced any. However, when dealing with anxiety, it is absolutely vital to engage in psychotherapy to attempt to shift your thought patterns and behaviors. For any anxiety disorder—panic attacks being one of them—therapy is highly beneficial. I strongly recommend it; you can decide for yourself how often you need to attend based on your own progress. That said, you really ought to find a quality private practitioner. It isn't that doctors at public clinics are incompetent—mine actually works in a hospital setting—but they are often overwhelmed by patient volume, leaving you with perhaps fifteen minutes, which simply isn't sufficient. Furthermore, since you are taking an antidepressant, it would be wiser to see a psychiatrist who also specializes in psychotherapy rather than just a psychologist. I mean no offense to the profession, but in my experience, psychologists often felt as though they were merely reciting the self-help books I read myself. There were moments when I wanted to ask my psychiatrist—who could actually finish my sentences and understand my train of thought—"Wait, I didn't realize you suffered from the same things too," haha.
wiredmason56 said:So, I’ve been on Wellbutrin for a few months now. Side effects? A bit of nausea, some heart palpitations, and dilated pupils—but nothing like the restlessness I dealt with back when I was on Effexor. Currently, I’m taking Lorsilan along with Clonazepam whenever I need it, which replaced my old Tegretol after that whole scary reaction I had. The depression is starting to lift a little, though I still have those rough days. Honestly, I just feel really sensitive lately; I’ll snap at people out of nowhere or get hit with sudden bursts of aggression, but then a minute later, everything just seems hilarious... My mood is swinging all over the place, and man, the dreams are incredibly vivid, almost like watching a movie. Since Wellbutrin focuses on dopamine and norepinephrine rather than serotonin—and since serotonin is the big player for mood—I’m thinking about asking my psychiatrist at the clinic if we could add an SSRI into the mix. He mentioned before that they might not be the best combo, but I’ve heard plenty of people combine them without issues. I was wondering if anyone here has had good luck mixing this kind of antidepressant with something that hits the serotonin side, or maybe something like Devidon (trazodone), which acts as an antidepressant but also has that calming, sedative effect? For me, Wellbutrin helps the depression, but it doesn't touch my anxiety at all.☕
As Reese mentioned, certain combinations are possible. It is true that addressing anxiety typically requires targeting serotonin, and quite often, higher doses are needed for that than for treating depression. In my case, increasing my Lexapro to the maximum dose finally brought my anxiety under control.
Regarding the specific medication you mentioned, it is no longer in production. Among the older antidepressants, you really only have Lamictal and Amizol left. I am not entirely sure how they impact anxiety; I took Lamictal long ago as an add-on to Paxil, but I don't...😢
You should consult your doctor; she will likely suggest an SSRI, and that is probably the best course of action. Interestingly, I have noticed that individuals who primarily struggle with anxiety rather than depression tend to find Wellbutrin and other dopaminergic or noradrenergic drugs to be more agitating. However, that is not a universal rule.
George Allen71 said:Please don't start playing chemist with your medication. Look, I'm no doctor... but I really don't think experimenting like that is a good idea. I don't know your specific diagnosis or which combination of meds you're supposed to be taking. For me, plain old Prazosin works wonders for sleep... and I know from when I was on antipsychotics that Prazosin used to put me right out... not even mentioning Zeldox. But if your only issues are depression and trouble sleeping... as far as I can tell... there's no point in messing around with antipsychotics. I'm sure there are much milder options, maybe some type of anxiolytic, that will help you drift off. From what I've seen, it seems to be a universal rule for anyone dealing with mental health issues—you spend those first few months staring at the ceiling at 4:00 AM counting stars on the balcony... but after a while, they usually dial in the meds so you actually get some rest... though the truth is, sometimes you don't even want to wake up because the day ahead looks so grim... and then, well... things get messy... until you finally start psychotherapy and try to pull yourself together. That’s just my takeaway from my own experience and what others have told me. No single pill is ever going to "cure" us or magically change our condition... they just take the edge off enough so we can actually start doing the work on ourselves. Yeah... it's sad... but it's not like other illnesses where you just pop a Tylenol and the fever vanishes...
I agree; one should never experiment independently. However, everything I have described has occurred over the course of this past year—meaning every single combination was managed exclusively in consultation with my psychiatrist. Even if I had wanted to deviate, I wouldn't have been able to simply obtain the pills on my own. My intention is merely to see if anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation, so I can understand what people are taking and then discuss those specific options with my doctor.
Bradley Williams74 said:In my experience, Coaxil is probably one of the gentlest antidepressants you can find when it comes to side effects; honestly, it feels like they're almost non-existent. While that’s certainly a huge plus for comfort, there's a bit of a trade-off to consider—you might find that if you're dealing with particularly heavy bouts of sadness, it just doesn't pack quite the same punch as some of the more potent options out there.
Cipralex works wonders for those dealing with milder bouts of depression. However, if you are struggling with more severe depressive episodes or significant anxiety, it often falls short; as for panic attacks, it’s practically useless. It’s a real shame, because the lack of side effects is such a huge plus.
Jason Vaughn482 said:I mentioned to you once before that Amyzol helped me sleep somewhat well; admittedly, I only took the 10 mg dose a handful of times, though I believe they offer a 25 mg version as well... you should definitely consult your psychiatrist about that option. I struggle with sleep issues too... yesterday, I took 10 mg of Sanval along with one Praxiten and managed to sleep through the night, though I find Xanax much more effective during the day—though I'm unsure if mixing them is safe. What kind of side effects were you dealing with from Calixta, aside from that heavy hangover feeling?
I remember you reaching out, and I appreciate it. However, my doctor mentioned that Amyzol might not resolve my specific issues since it isn't quite the same as Ladiomil, and the older medications aren't even available anymore. Perhaps I will bring it up with her again and see if we can give it a shot.
As for Calixta... I really dislike how I end up devouring half the fridge the next day, but the worst part is being completely wiped out and drugged on the second day—even after taking just half a pill—as if I had swallowed a massive dose of sedatives. 😲
Listen, it isn't recommended to mix Sanval and Praxiten, or Normabel and other anxiolytics. It's not that something catastrophic will happen to you immediately, but rather that you risk becoming dependent on both substances simultaneously. Back when I was taking Dormicum—which I don't take anymore because it wasn't particularly effective, and I felt the need to take two at once—my doctor told me I could take a 10 mg Apaurin along with the Dormicum, but only very occasionally so it wouldn't become a habit.
The current plan is to ask her to let me try Amyzol first; usually, when I am testing something new like this, she hands me a small card at the clinic before she officially writes up the formal report.
George Allen71 said:Trintellix is a newer generation AD, and unlike the older ones, it targets melatonin. I’ve personally taken it. And yes... you definitely sleep well with it. You take one in the evening and it's lights out.
I didn't personally deal with insomnia... it was prescribed to me as an AD for depression... but it wasn't strong enough.
I can only repeat what the literature says about it being an AD with the mildest side effects, and that's what doctors tell you too... unfortunately, I experienced quite severe side effects, including dizziness and nausea. If you look through this specific thread, you can find my posts from late August and September of this year where I wrote specifically about how Trintellix affected me, since it's relatively new and not many people had even tried it yet. Good luck.
Don't worry, I've been following your situation 🙂 and I truly understand what you've been going through. However, since you didn't typically have trouble sleeping before this, it likely just sedated you; I doubt it would have had that effect on me. That said, I can always check back in with my doctor.
I apologize if this topic is considered inappropriate for discussion here.
Has anyone found Agomelatine helpful for insomnia? The literature suggests it works on melatonin receptors, but I’ve found most melatonin supplements to be nothing more than expensive water. My doctor mentioned that, at least among her own patients, she hasn't observed a link between Agomelatine and insomnia.
I am struggling significantly with insomnia. I seem to be resistant to almost all hypnotics (including Ambien, Valium, Celexa, and Flurazepam, or even Xanax). I have had to abandon everything from Lexapro to low doses of antipsychotics because the next day I feel like I'm in a coma. My doctor maintains that none of the older ADs still on the market are effective for sleep; they just provide mild sedation. Look, I could easily take two 10 mg doses of Valium to pass out, but that isn't a sustainable solution.
Do you have any pharmacological advice or, perhaps, personal experience to share? For context, I have been taking Eli Lilly medication in the morning for quite some time. My issue isn't the morning dose; rather, I can't sleep due to racing thoughts and what feels like a growing dependency on hypnotics. Has anyone else dealing with chronic insomnia found an AD that actually aids sleep, specifically excluding Lexapro or Faverin, both of which caused me terrible side effects?