Posts by restlesstrucker15

Eric Mitchell55 said:My doctor just switched me off Prozac and put me on Cymbalta instead. I’m also scheduled for another injection of Risperdal, and since we're starting to prep for tapering off the long-acting stuff, I started taking Olandix this evening.
On top of all that, they gave me some more Valium to help me sleep along with some Prazin.

Does anyone here have experience using the meds I mentioned above?
Is Olandix basically the same thing as Zyprexa?
I'm really not thrilled about this change—I definitely don't want to end up gaining another 40 pounds again.

I can only offer my perspective on the Valium. It functions as a hypnotic for sleep; it doesn't knock you out instantly the way Sanval or Dormicum might, but rather it seems to have a more sustained effect, if I may say so. It should be fine if you find yourself waking up during the night. You were likely prescribed either 15mg or 30mg. If you haven't used any sleep aids previously, it will probably feel alright to you. 🙂 They likely gave it to you so that you can actually fall asleep, even if you do wake up later.

Paul Newman5 said:Is it nausea, vomiting, stomach pain? I have a bit of gastritis, but I guess I'll manage. I wasn't aggressive, just really on edge after what happened three months ago—just a high-strung type. You know the deal, a total workaholic and perfectionist. Everything had to be done right then and there, but I don't think that counts as aggression. My doctor prescribed Xanax 0.5mg extended-release and told me I could take Lexapro alongside it, which I am doing now. Sorry for all the questions, but you know how it is when you start dealing with this, you want to know everything. My doctor said it might start working for me in about 10 days. The Psychology professional I see mentioned I might resolve this on my own with therapy in a couple of months, but that felt too long. Of course, I'm still seeing my therapist; my psychiatrist says I need to. Once the Lexapro actually starts working, did you stop using the Xanax, the Lexapro, and all that other crap I've been using for the last 20 days? Thanks, truly... I just need to know. Sorry if I'm being annoying.

You aren't being tedious at all. However, I am sending you a private message so we don't overwhelm the others here. I'd like to invite anyone else who has experience with the side effects of Lexapro to chime in, as I personally haven't experienced any.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I decided to give Praxiten a shot instead of my usual Xelox for just a single day, but honestly, it felt like a total wash. It seems to me that Xelox is significantly more effective; perhaps it’s just my own perception, but I find myself feeling much calmer within a mere ten minutes of taking Xelox, and the effects tend to linger quite beautifully... I was originally considering Praxiten in hopes of improving my sleep quality, but what on earth am I supposed to do if these two can't be taken together?

Unfortunately, Paxil won't provide the same coverage that Xanax does. Did your doctor explicitly tell you that you aren't allowed to take them together, even if you were to take the Paxil strictly before heading to bed?

Paul Newman5 said:She prescribed me 10mg right away, first thing in the morning. To be honest, I’m not nearly as worried about the nausea as I am about the side effects; I’ve heard stories of people becoming incredibly aggressive, and the thought of having an outburst like that truly terrifies me. When did you actually start feeling the effects? For me, it feels like it might take a week or two. I’ve been diagnosed with depression, and I struggle with these occasional bouts of anxiety—specifically this overwhelming fear that I’m going to lose my mind. My mornings are completely wasted; I can't get anything done. Thank you.😉

Lexapro doesn't trigger aggression, so please don't worry about that—especially if you aren't naturally an aggressive person to begin with. It is possible that the symptoms you are currently struggling with might intensify slightly during the initial phase, but there is no need to panic. If things get difficult, you can take some Xanax or whatever else your doctor suggests; that is actually the standard recommendation. Lexapro is quite effective for depression, panic attacks, and general anxiety alike. I can't recall the exact moment I started feeling the effects, but it was somewhere between the two and three-week mark. For you, it might happen as early as two weeks. Try to look at it this way: you might endure a little discomfort while waiting for it to kick in, but at least you know what to expect. With Lexapro, I doubt you'll face much beyond some nausea, and once that passes, you will start feeling much better. 🙂

Paul Newman5 said:Thinking about starting Lexapro. Anyone here dealt with it?

That is excellent news! Of course, everyone reacts differently, but on average, people tend to experience fewer side effects with this one. It also generally has the lowest impact on libido compared to other options. Personally, I didn't encounter any side effects at all; usually, nausea is the most common complaint, but since I have a pretty strong stomach, I didn't even deal with that.🙂 Best of luck!

Since Cipralex requires a co-pay, you might want to try asking for Elice instead—it’s the exact same medication, but it’s the generic version produced by Krkino, so there shouldn't be an extra cost.

Also, I hope your doctor advised you to taper up slowly. Typically, the protocol involves taking half a dose for three days, then moving to a full dose for three days, and continuing that gradual progression.

Jason Vaughn482 said:And what about this lorazepam—is it really considered the most harmful of the bunch? Or are they all essentially cut from the same cloth? I am honestly itching to try something else, perhaps something a bit more subtle than Xanax, so I’ll be checking in with my psychiatrist during our next appointment in a few days.🤷
I took normabel for a brief stint, but frankly, it felt like nothing at all; completely ineffective.

Look, the reality is that Diazepam, when taken in a standard dose, is the least intrusive and least harmful option available; it's even frequently prescribed to pregnant women, so that covers your Diazepam, Ativan, or Valium options.

Klonopin/Oxazepam is even gentler than Valium, though its effects tend to linger a bit longer. If it doesn't knock you out completely, it might actually be your best bet. In fact, it's arguably the safest among them since it's commonly used for elderly patients.

Lorazepam is generally considered the harshest, but if Diazepam isn't providing enough relief, you don't have many choices left—perhaps Bromazepam (Lexapro).

However, if you need to halt a severe panic attack quickly, the most effective options are Xanax, Xanax, or Valium (I would suggest taking those only specifically when an attack strikes).

If you are simply feeling restless or anxious, it's better to take 5 mg of Valium; it should be fine, though it won't be sufficient if you are dealing with full-blown panic attacks.

By the way, regarding the list you mentioned, half of those aren't even widely available on the market anymore. You really have what I just listed: Diazepam (Ativan, Diazepam, Valium), Bromazepam (Lexapro, Lexapro, Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Oxazepam (Oxazepam and Klonopin), and the heavy hitters for panic attacks, which are Xanax, Xanax, and Valium—though those shouldn't be used daily unless you are adjusting to an AD during that first month.

Timothy Wood38 said:For quite some time, I was running on two different SSRIs—Seroxat and Prozac—and honestly, it felt like the perfect setup for me.
I’m actually thinking about getting back on that combination because, frankly, this Prozac just isn't cutting it anymore.

Oh, really? Well, I suppose I'll just go ahead and ask my psychiatrist what she thinks about combining SSRIs to manage anxiety; I’m sure she’s heard plenty of feedback from other patients on that approach.

restlesstrucker15 said:Dear fellow members,

As many of you are already aware, I have been managing anxiety and panic attacks by taking ELice 15 mg along with various sleep aids.

I am fully aware that anxiety should be treated through psychotherapy, which I am currently undergoing, but I was wondering if anyone here has experience combining an SSRI with a tricyclic antidepressant to help mitigate both anxiety and insomnia.

A long time ago, I was prescribed Seroxat, but it eventually lost its effectiveness. At the time, my psychiatrist attempted to pair it with Ladiomila, though we didn't see much improvement from that combination.

What are your thoughts on this? Specifically, is anyone currently taking Cipralex or a similar medication in conjunction with older tricyclic antidepressants, and if so, how effective has it been? My intention would be to introduce the newer medication in a very small dose. My concern stems from the fact that many of these older options—like Anafranil or Devidon—are becoming increasingly difficult to find in our local pharmacies (I believe only LADIOMIL and AMYZOL 🤷 remain readily available), though they might still be obtainable via special order. That said, I have read discussions on international forums suggesting that Cipralex can be quite effectively combined with the components found in Devidon.

If anyone is currently utilizing such a regimen, please let me know. I would like to consult my psychiatrist first so she doesn't look at me like I've lost my mind for suggesting we start adding more pills to the mix.

I previously tried experimenting with Calixt, but it didn't work for me; furthermore, when I took Velafx, I felt almost intoxicated, so it seems clear that SNRIs are simply not the right fit for my system.

If you have had any positive experiences blending older and newer antidepressants specifically regarding anxiety management, please share them. Personally, I prefer to avoid anxiolytics unless a panic attack becomes completely overwhelming. It seems to me that the practice of mixing SSRIs, such as pairing Cipalex with Seroxat, 🤷
has largely fallen out of favor in modern practice.

My inquiry remains unchanged; I am merely relaying the perspective of my former psychiatrist, who recently relocated from the US, leaving me with her advice via email. To my surprise, she actually suggested using two different SSRIs, which runs contrary to my own initial assumptions:🤷, contradicting my own conclusions:

Quoting the psychiatrist:

Dear xxx,
long time no see. In my opinion, Escitalopram (Elicea) would be a more effective option for you than venlafaxine (Velafax), which typically requires a dose of at least 150 mg for a month before showing results, and even then, results vary. I would recommend pairing 10 mg of Elice with 20 mg of Seroxat in the morning, as that should provide sufficient relief.

Dear fellow members,

As many of you are already aware, I have been managing anxiety and panic attacks by taking ELice 15 mg along with various sleep aids.

I am fully aware that anxiety should be treated through psychotherapy, which I am currently undergoing, but I was wondering if anyone here has experience combining an SSRI with a tricyclic antidepressant to help mitigate both anxiety and insomnia.

A long time ago, I was prescribed Seroxat, but it eventually lost its effectiveness. At the time, my psychiatrist attempted to pair it with Ladiomila, though we didn't see much improvement from that combination.

What are your thoughts on this? Specifically, is anyone currently taking Cipralex or a similar medication in conjunction with older tricyclic antidepressants, and if so, how effective has it been? My intention would be to introduce the newer medication in a very small dose. My concern stems from the fact that many of these older options—like Anafranil or Devidon—are becoming increasingly difficult to find in our local pharmacies (I believe only LADIOMIL and AMYZOL 🤷 remain readily available), though they might still be obtainable via special order. That said, I have read discussions on international forums suggesting that Cipralex can be quite effectively combined with the components found in Devidon.

If anyone is currently utilizing such a regimen, please let me know. I would like to consult my psychiatrist first so she doesn't look at me like I've lost my mind for suggesting we start adding more pills to the mix.

I previously tried experimenting with Calixt, but it didn't work for me; furthermore, when I took Velafx, I felt almost intoxicated, so it seems clear that SNRIs are simply not the right fit for my system.

If you have had any positive experiences blending older and newer antidepressants specifically regarding anxiety management, please share them. Personally, I prefer to avoid anxiolytics unless a panic attack becomes completely overwhelming. It seems to me that the practice of mixing SSRIs, such as pairing Cipalex with Seroxat, 🤷
has largely fallen out of favor in modern practice.

fadedbear92 said:A PCP can prescribe an antidepressant for milder depression, but for anything more serious, you'll need a specialist to handle it.

Look, for immediate first aid, you should absolutely reach out to your family doctor; they can provide something to help calm you down so things feel a bit more manageable, though I realize that isn't a permanent fix. While a GP can certainly prescribe antidepressants, it is generally wiser to have a psychiatrist evaluate your specific situation to determine which medication is most appropriate. There are many excellent psychiatrists out there—younger professionals who are quite empathetic—and you will likely benefit from some talk therapy as well.

In short, start with your primary care physician for initial relief and ask for a referral. I actually know of a wonderful psychiatrist; although finding the right fit is deeply personal, her reputation precedes her. My colleague’s mother is a highly regarded specialist, and she spent three days carefully vetting doctors just to find someone she felt would truly suit my temperament, as she is notoriously picky about her patients. She accepts both insurance and private patients. If you would like her contact information, please send me a direct message.

fadedbear92 said:I've never even heard of that one before.

Well, I see it listed on that benzodiazepine chart you put together, though it seems to have been removed now.
The same goes for Anafranil; it was quite effective for many people, but it appears they've stopped manufacturing it.

Now, I have a question, purely out of curiosity: does Rivotril work quickly enough to instantly halt a panic attack, similar to how Xanax acts (though I thank God I am no longer taking that), or is its effect more akin to Valium, primarily working to eliminate general anxiety? I am referring to use on an as-needed basis.

Fadedbear92, how have you been sleeping?

fadedbear92 said:Here is a list of medications used to treat insomnia

Hypnotics and Sedatives

flurazepam – Valium
midazolam – Dalmane
nitrazepam – Cerson

Benzodiazepine-related drugs
zolpidem – Sanval

Other hypnotics and sedatives
valerian (approved) – Persen

Anxiolytics

Benzodiazepine derivatives
alprazolam – Helex, Xanax, Xanax SR
bromazepam – Lekotam, Lexaurin, Lexillium
diazepam – Apaurin, Diazepam, Diazepam Desitin, Normabel, Valium
lorazepam – Lorsilan
medazepam – Ansilan
oxazepam – Oxazepam, Praxiten antipsychotic

Antipsychotics

Antiepileptics

http://www.psychiatry.com/MATURANT...ihofarmaci.pdf

Regarding Rivotril, medazepam (Ativan) isn't available anymore; I'm not entirely sure why they discontinued it. I personally have never had the need to take it, though it might have been an effective option for managing anxiety once upon a time.🙂

Jason Vaughn482 said:It is quite a curious predicament when one finds that Valium and Cerson offer absolutely zero relief, especially considering this was my very first encounter with them; I attempted them for the first time and felt nothing at all—they fail to induce even a hint of sleep. Subsequently, I turned to Sanval; while I previously managed with 5 mg, I have now increased the dose to 10 mg, which allows me to drift off and remain asleep for a considerable duration, yet the experience is utterly ghastly because I find myself waking up in the middle of the night to eat without any conscious recollection of doing so. It is as if I am living a double life in my sleep, and I am desperate to break free from this cycle. Now, I am contemplating whether an Antipsychotic might provide the stability I need, perhaps allowing me to transition away from Xanax toward something else? I recall using it for sleep once, back before I had started any other regimen, where taking just one in the evening sufficed perfectly... at that time, anxiety wasn't an issue, merely a mild bout of insomnia. Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention Dormicum, which is a substance I have absolutely no desire to ever experiment with.

Are you saying you don't want to try Zoloft? If nothing else is working, maybe try starting with half a dose.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I think I’ll run it by my doctor—maybe swap out the valium for Praxiten, perhaps even to help with sleep...

Look, let me be blunt: Circadin is essentially useless. It doesn't do anything for me. Perhaps it might work for someone who has never even touched psychotropic medication in their life, especially regarding sleep issues. Don't waste your money buying it. If you're curious, just go to a local pharmacy, pick up the cheapest melatonin available, and try that; you'll see how it goes. This Circadin is just a timed-release version of melatonin, but that extended release won't matter one bit if it fails to actually put you to sleep. In any case, standard melatonin is available over-the-counter without a prescription.

Well, I am not entirely certain why, but there must be a reason behind this approach. My physician insists that it is better to avoid using anxiolytics or sedatives for sleep, opting exclusively for hypnotics instead. Personally, I have found that neither Praxiten nor Normabel—nor any of those other options—ever truly helped me sleep, even back when I was a student and used them occasionally; they were completely ineffective for that purpose. You should certainly consult your doctor to get her professional opinion.

In any event, there is a higher probability that Praxiten might induce sleep, and it could arguably be more effective for that specific goal than Xanax, though it might feel a bit heavy since Praxiten tends to last longer than Normabel.

As for tapering off Sanval... Listen, if you find it difficult to do halfway, ask your doctor to prescribe a different hypnotic. Ideally, Zan would be the best choice simply because it carries the lowest risk of dependency, though you could also try Cerson. Generally speaking, they are milder than Sanval, though they may not necessarily knock you out. For me, both are completely ineffective; currently, I am transitioning away from Dormicum and attempting to fall asleep using 10 mg of Sanval, though that has become quite difficult lately. Ultimately, my advice would be to try anything else besides Dormicum—not because it is inherently bad or harmful, but because once you develop a tolerance to it, there isn't really a stronger hypnotic on the market to turn to.

If you are seeing a private specialist, they might be able to provide you with some sample packs so you can test them before they commit to a full prescription.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Thank you; I am acutely aware of all that, but I suppose those of us dealing with anxiety—or at least me—tend to lean toward hypochondria, constantly fearing the next ailment, including potential side effects. I spent a good portion of today spiraling through various forums reading about Zoloft and Valium... one user described experiencing serotonin syndrome from Zoloft, and honestly, how are you even supposed to recognize that? This morning, I woke up completely sleep-deprived and feeling absolutely wretched—intense anxiety coupled with nauseating sensations. Even searching for information on Valium left me shivering with dread, yet I have no idea how to actually fall asleep. I find myself circling back to Mirzaten once again; truthfully, it didn't present many unpleasant side effects—just some grogginess and a bit of weight gain, though only about six pounds. It worked wonders for sleep, but it felt foolish to continue using it while I was also taking Valium. And let me tell you, I could NEVER stomach a higher dose; I stuck strictly to the minimum of 15mg. Perhaps I should have increased it, or maybe I’ll return to it and try a larger dose... when I decided to stop taking it previously, there wasn't any drama, I simply stopped and that was that. Perhaps it isn't such a villain after all. By the way, how is it working for you? Are you also just starting out on Zoloft?

Listen, everyone experiences side effects, but they should subside after about three weeks. If you don't start feeling better, call your doctor immediately so she can prescribe a different antidepressant. Don't go mixing things with Mirzaten until you speak with her. If you feel awful, just take your Xanax; that is perfectly standard practice during the first month. You can take it before bed so the anxiety doesn't hit you in the middle of the night.

Look, Samuel is generally fine. That list of side effects looks intimidating on paper, but if you take it and go straight to bed, you'll fall asleep and that's that. You shouldn't experience any major issues. Just don't take it alongside Xanax. It shouldn't be a problem for you, but every body processes medication differently, so you never truly know—not that you'll die, God forbid, but you might just feel a bit groggy in the morning.

Melissa Chavez2 said:Is anyone else taking Helix (or something similar) while still knocking back 2-3 coffees a day and maybe 4 or 5 cigarettes?
I really tried to kick the coffee habit—honestly, I gave it my best shot—but it’s just not happening for me. 😲😲

Listen, in my experience, it really comes down to the individual. Some people find that caffeine and nicotine actually spike their anxiety levels even further, which makes everything feel more intense, but that isn't necessarily because of the Helix itself; it's just how those substances interact with an anxious state. It doesn't change how the medication works. Just stay away from alcohol.

fadedbear92 said:Why don't you just ask your doctor?

http://www.meppo.com/pdf/drugs/566-D...1322057169.pdf

Abrupt discontinuation
of the drug, in particular, can provoke Withdrawal Symptoms May Include
symptoms. In mild cases these are restricted
to tremor, restlessness, sleep disturbances, anxiety,
headache and poor concentration. In more serious
cases, symptoms such as sweating, muscle cramps,
abdominal cramps, impaired sensory perception
and, rarely, delirium and convulsions may result.
Depending on the drug’s duration of action, symptoms
may appear a few hours to one week or more
after cessation of therapy.

Halcion Withdrawal Symptoms May Include:

http://www.pointofreturn.com/halcion_withdrawal.html

abdominal pains, aching, agoraphobia, anxiety, blurred vision, body vibrations, changes in perception, diarrhea, distended abdomen, feeling of unreality, flu-like symptoms, flatulence, food cravings, hair loss, heart palpitations, heavy limbs, increased allergies, increased sense of smell, insomnia, lethargy, loss of balance, metallic taste, muscle spasms, nightmares, panic attacks, paranoia, persistent & unpleasant memories, severe headaches, shaking, short term memory loss, sore mouth and tongue, sound & light sensitivity, speech difficulties, sweating, suicidal thoughts, tinnitus, unusually sensitive, fear

Thanks, fadedbear92. 🙂 I honestly feel too self-conscious about this to call her up right now. I'll bring it up during my follow-up appointment instead. I have already been off it for ten days, so I will see how things look by next week. I am hopeful that this won't stretch much beyond the ten-day mark.

So, I wanted to ask if it’s actually possible to experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping Halcion? I’ve been taking it regularly for about a year and a half now, though it seems to have lost its effectiveness lately. Now, I find myself struggling even with Valium; it’s a far cry from how it used to be when it would reliably knock me out. My doctor suggested taking one pill, and then perhaps another if I can't sleep, provided it isn't past 4:00 AM. Honestly, my instinct is to just take 20 mg all at once, but that doesn't align with my ultimate goal of getting off hypnotics entirely. I had expressed my desire to stop the Halcion, and she mentioned that we should rotate through different hypnotics occasionally, or at least take breaks, to make it easier to step away. Anyway, here we are. I’ve been feeling a bit low lately, so I could easily attribute this to anxiety, but I’m dealing with chills, daytime sweating, and a slight tremor... Could this be due to the lack of Halcion? Or am I just overthinking things? I suppose I can endure whatever comes my way, provided I know how long this detox lasts. After all, Halcion is a benzodiazepine, so it stands to reason that one could develop a physical dependency rather than just a psychological one.

restlesstrucker15 said:Your doctor gave you sound advice; you need to take the Zoloft consistently, as its purpose is to actually address the underlying issue that prompted you to start the Helex in the first place. Relying solely on Helex is insufficient—to use an analogy, it's like trying to treat a severe bacterial throat infection with nothing but painkillers instead of taking the prescribed antibiotics. While SSRIs aren't a perfect solution, they provide significant relief. Of course, psychotherapy should also be part of the equation.

Precisely. Most of the negative feedback people share regarding SSRIs typically stems from those initial two or three weeks before the body adjusts and the side effects subside. If your concern is the overall impact on your health, any medication carries some level of risk; there is nothing inherently more dangerous about these than other common prescriptions. This is especially true for the modern options, such as Zoloft, Lexapro, or Paxil.

Kenneth Scott41 said:But what happens when even 1mg of Helex isn't enough to cut through it?

Your doctor gave you sound advice; you need to take the Zoloft consistently, as its purpose is to actually address the underlying issue that prompted you to start the Helex in the first place. Relying solely on Helex is insufficient—to use an analogy, it's like trying to treat a severe bacterial throat infection with nothing but painkillers instead of taking the prescribed antibiotics. While SSRIs aren't a perfect solution, they provide significant relief. Of course, psychotherapy should also be part of the equation.