Posts by restlesstrucker15

shadowfox75 said:I suspect the Lexapro isn't doing much for me.
It helped settle my dizziness, but I've been dealing with this restless feeling for five days now; some days feel fine, but then they don't...
On top of that, my appetite is just as inconsistent, swinging wildly every few days. Any time a negative thought crosses my mind, everything just takes a turn for the worse.
I think I'll tell my doctor on Tuesday that I'm done with the Lexapro. I just need to know what the next steps are. Zoloft didn't work, and it feels like Lexapro is no different...
Honestly, I just can't catch a break. I’ll give it a little more thought, but I’m leaning toward giving up on antidepressant therapy altogether.
Psychotherapy is helpful, but I doubt I can manage without medication. Then again, I don't see the point in all this suffering—constantly waiting to see if things will finally click or if I'll just be stuck in this cycle. It's been six weeks of this mess...
What the hell is happening to me? 🤦

Hang in there and try to stick with it a bit longer; having five good days out of seven is actually a decent sign. I'm not sure what they would even switch you to if you're dealing with anxiety-depression rather than just pure anxiety, if I understood you correctly. Prozac is very similar to Zoloft, maybe even Paxil, though the side effects can be a real pain.
I have no idea... Let me know how it goes, I'm genuinely curious.

Best, fr

I am uncertain what you are referring to by "Berigoj." If this is a specific term or a name I have missed, please provide more context so that I may address your inquiry with the appropriate level of detail and precision. restlesstrucker15 says:
It feels as though at least half the country is currently on antidepressants. Honestly, I can't say I find that surprising. In my own experience, adding Effexor to my Prozac hasn't yielded the desired results, and I am reaching a point where I intend to discontinue its use.

Does anyone here take Prozac? It seems like doctors rarely prescribe it these days, supposedly because it’s inexpensive—which I suspect doesn't sit well with the big pharmaceutical giants. That being said, I’ve read quite a bit about how exceptionally effective it actually is.

I would suggest consulting with your psychiatrist regarding Prozac. Generally speaking, the older generations of these medications can be quite taxing on the body due to their more intense side effects—not just during the initial adjustment period, but in terms of long-term physiological impact. That said, I am aware there are certain individuals for whom that specific medication was the only effective option. It is concerning to see how market shifts dictate availability; for instance, when major manufacturers pull a product because it’s no longer profitable to produce, patients are left stranded. I have read reports that Lexapro might face similar commercial discontinuation issues soon. We saw this happen previously with Trazodone, and even with Flexeril, which many rely on for muscle relaxation only to find it leaves them feeling completely sluggish. Now, they are pivoting toward alternatives like Normabel, but it feels incredibly disorganized. I honestly struggle to understand how the pharmaceutical landscape in America allows for the sudden withdrawal of a single essential medication without ensuring seamless transitions. It seems inefficient; while companies churn out endless generics for things like Lexapro, Zoloft, or Seroquel, there is absolutely no guarantee that your doctor will be able to prescribe the exact brand or formulation you actually need.
I find myself wondering about the implications for those currently relying on Lexapro. It seems they will be forced to resort to ordering their prescriptions from overseas at a significantly higher premium.

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There is some encouraging news for anyone currently prescribed Lexapro. Starting tomorrow, Lexapro (formerly produced by Lexapro) will be added to the supplemental coverage list, which means you can finally file your claims through Medicare. 🙂

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restlesstiger49 said:I'm currently on my second day of taking Ginkgo (40mg daily), and so far, I haven't noticed any side effects at all. 🙂

You should probably just ask at the pharmacy. I read up on this quite a while ago and found there aren't any interactions, though there are some with similar supplements.
Or you could check with a clinical pharmacology specialist 😁

What's the motivation behind taking it? Is it because of those unappealing 😁 side effects or something else? I ask because doctors usually prescribe a little Wellbutrin to help with that, but if you're on an antidepressant for anything other than depression, they won't give it to you—you'll lose your mind. 🙂 Believe me, I know.
For me, those specific side effects were least noticeable on Lexapro, and they eventually leveled out after about five or six weeks. Some antidepressants really kill your drive, or they just take longer for your body to adjust. It's highly individual, but from what I hear, Lexapro is a bit milder.
Unless you're dealing with forgetfulness and want to try Ginkgo? :P Honestly, I often struggle to remember names and terms myself; maybe I need some Ginkgo too. But then again, I'm a bit foggy from using opioid painkillers, so...
What was my point again? 🤣

Send me a DM

I agree; I am also quite sensitive to anxiety disorders. However, Lexapro seemed to work effectively for me. For now, I am simply keeping my fingers crossed.

shadowfox75 said:😵 In that case, it isn't right for me, and I have no interest in trying it.🤣
Since my primary struggle is anxiety, I will stay on Lexapro for now.

True, why don't they develop more of those anxiolytics? 😢
Look, just hang in there on the Lexapro for now; it will eventually take effect. My own anxiety has decreased significantly thanks to it, especially when paired with psychotherapy.

Sending best wishes,

Kimberly Morris said:I’ve seen plenty of women on these forums who were taking both antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds while pregnant, and they all say the same thing—they had perfectly healthy babies. Like, totally fine, healthy kids. Everything looks great on paper: perfect health scores, hitting all the milestones, sleeping through the night, eating well... you name it. But how are we supposed to know if that same kid isn't going to run into issues down the road because of those meds their mom was on? Honestly, I'm terrified, and I'm just constantly fighting this internal battle about it.

A close friend of mine was also hospitalized at a psychiatric clinic. The clinical consensus was that staying on medication was the best course for her mental stability. They prescribed her Cipralex as well.

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shadowfox75 said:I’ve been reading online that this is an SSRI. Since it was only approved by the FDA two months ago, please let me know how it works for you. I will be patient.
I don't expect anything revolutionary, but I suppose there's always a chance I could be wrong. 🤔🙂
I have decided to stay on Cipralex for the time being.

I did some reading on the web. Apparently, it has a faster onset, and it supposedly boosts serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine all at once. It seems primarily targeted toward depression; according to the studies, it isn't particularly effective for anxiety. It wouldn't be my first choice for panic attacks either, given that it raises dopamine levels.

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shadowfox75 said:I hope so. Let's hope your optimism is well-founded.
I am also hoping this marks a turning point. Panic attacks are terrible. I wouldn't wish them on anyone, but if things improve, I'll be thrilled. I'm starting psychotherapy now, so we'll see how that goes. It all feels a bit like a lottery. :-)

It will work out fine 🙂 though I suspect the effects are quite gradual.

Let me know if you find out any more details about this new medication.

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Well... both the extended-release version and the 3 mg Kalov. Don't waste your money. It might have been more effective if you hadn't relied on sleep aids in the first place.

What about those living with epilepsy who take antiepileptics that fundamentally alter brain chemistry? We're talking about specific receptors targeted by medications like Valium and Tegretol. Or consider those managing neuropathy through Lyrica and Neurontin—drugs that happen to be approved for bipolar disorder as well. For people like us, these aren't "as needed" pills; they are a constant, daily requirement.
Breaking free from benzodiazepines requires an immense amount of time and dedicated personal work. This is where ADs should ideally step in to assist. In my view, those of us under some level of psychiatric supervision are actually in a better position regarding this transition, simply because we have transitioned onto ADs. On the other hand, I know individuals who rely on Xanax and Normabex every single day just because they refuse to see a psychiatrist.
While being able to live without benzos would be ideal, one has to consider how many more people would be consuming them if ADs weren't available. Eventually, everyone reaches a point where they either taper down to a minimal dose or move away from them entirely.
Regarding the concerns over Lorazepam and memory loss, there is a significant amount of truth to that. It is often administered for sleep or pre-surgery specifically because it can induce a certain type of amnesia, which takes a toll on memory. However, if someone is using it for panic attacks but is already struggling with memory issues, they might find it more practical to switch over to Xanax. From a metabolic standpoint, Lorazepam is often preferred for elderly patients or even nursing mothers when absolutely necessary, as it is less likely to be excreted in breast milk.
The principle with benzodiazepines remains the same: you should attempt to make small adjustments if you have several options that are chemically similar, depending on what specific condition is being treated.

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restlesstrucker15 said:Oh no... Please, please take care of yourself. 🙂
If you ever feel the urge to take pills, just take some Tylenol instead.
The Cymbalta should eventually lift you up; if it doesn't, they need to increase your dosage at your next checkup.
What exactly is your diagnosis?

Sending love

*Sorry, my phone autocorrected that exclamation point into a question mark, I meant to ask. Hang in there. :hug;

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shadowbear9 said:Here I am again, venting a little. I had my session with the psychiatrist today. The current regimen is Seroquel at 800mg, Helex 1mg as needed 😠, and Cymbalta in the morning... which, I suppose, is the only thing keeping me tethered to this life. It isn’t even that I feel deeply depressed; it’s more like this suffocating sense of isolation. To make matters worse, she completely forgot to give me the Xanax XR that I practically had to beg for. Anyway, after all of this, I ended up hospitalized again—in a different city this time. I have absolutely no memory of what happened. My dad says I looked like a different person, that I was sweating like I was dying. I honestly don't know what I'm doing 🤷 or why... It always starts with one pill that doesn't seem to work, then I take a second, then a third, and once the wave hits me, I just end up taking dozens of pills at once. I'm destroying myself. I just swallow them; it isn't a conscious choice, but I am certain it's linked to my mental state and the horrific things I've endured in my life. Now, I just wish I could disappear from this whole... world 🙄

At least there is one small consolation: I don't feel any pain. I simply lose consciousness. I don't remember being intubated or even being put on dialysis. It’s gruesome, really. And deep down, I know I'll do it again one day when I'm finally alone. I just can't bring myself to do it now. Living is just... tedious.

Oh no... Please, please take care of yourself. 🙂
If you ever feel the urge to take pills, just take some Tylenol instead.
The Cymbalta should eventually lift you up; if it doesn't, they need to increase your dosage at your next checkup.
What exactly is your diagnosis?

Sending love

Everyone finds their match eventually, but getting there can be an absolute grind. 😢

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David Jackson22 said:I wasn't generalizing; I was just sharing my own experience and how Effexor is designed to function. At the end of the day, every body is different, and you have to treat them as unique cases. Obviously, if a med isn't working or it makes someone feel terrible after a certain amount of time, they need to switch.
Also, it's well-documented that ADs can trigger hypomania or mania in some patients. It seems to me that Effexor, and even Cymbalta (which, by the way, never worked for me), triggered a mild hypomania for you, which explains your late-night cleaning sprees and insomnia. It's a very real possibility.
So yeah, these are just examples of how much we all differ and why we need an individualized approach to treatment.
What I said about Effexor being an excellent AD still stands, but obviously not for everyone, because there's no such thing as a universal "magic pill" that fits us all perfectly. For me, Effexor didn't actually start working until several months in, whereas for someone else, it might kick in after a month. Someone else in my shoes might have given up thinking the drug wasn't working, but I stuck it out, and it paid off.
The 37.5 mg dose that restlesstiger49 is taking—whom I also replied to in another post—is below the standard therapeutic dose, but that doesn't mean it won't cause side effects. What I was trying to get at is that you have to be sure the anxiety being mentioned is actually a side effect before deciding to quit the meds. I dealt with anxiety for a few months, not because of Effexor side effects, but because of the underlying condition itself; it was only after upping my Effexor dose and being patient that the anxiety finally cleared up. I could have easily blamed my anxiety on the Effexor and stopped taking it, which would have been a massive mistake since the medication ended up helping me so much in the end. Side effects often mimic the symptoms of the illness itself, making it incredibly hard to tell what's the disease and what's the drug.
That's the huge hurdle when you're hunting for that one specific medication that actually "clicks" for you.

No, I didn't think you were generalizing at all. I agree with you entirely, and I agree that Effexor is fantastic for those who respond well to it. Even my psychiatrist mentioned that when it comes to antidepressants, I am more of an exception than the rule.

What would be ideal is if there were a standardized timeframe to determine whether a specific antidepressant is suitable for a patient. We know it takes a few months, but clinicians should be able to recognize what exacerbates the primary symptoms versus what constitutes a new side effect. One should give the medication a fair chance, provided the side effects aren't intolerable, even if the full therapeutic effect hasn't kicked in yet. Everything is subjective, but a psychiatrist really needs to possess extensive pharmacological expertise. For instance, because of those manic episodes, my doctor had to taper me off much faster than patients who only experienced increased anxiety, tremors, or sweating. In my case, I had to grit my teeth and push through.
It isn't easy, but a one-month trial is a reasonable baseline unless something truly unpredictable occurs. If anyone is feeling uncertain, they shouldn't feel ashamed to call their doctor or visit the clinic. That’s what I would do; after all, we are essentially acting as a support group here.

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David Jackson22 said:Not me. Honestly, the dose you're taking is so tiny that I'm almost certain it isn't even the Effexor causing this. You're basically below a therapeutic dose at that point. I'm on more than double—actually, five times—your dose and I don't have any side effects. I had them when I first started, but they're gone now. What you're describing might actually just be symptoms of your underlying condition masquerading as medication side effects. Let's be real, we all love to blame our meds for everything that goes wrong, even when it's not the cause. Plus, since illness symptoms and side effects often look identical, it's hard to tell them apart. Usually, we just jump to blaming the pill because it's easier.
By the way, Effexor at lower doses (up to 150 mg) acts like an SSRI, but once you go above 150 mg, it kicks in differently and starts acting like an SNRI. That's the part people don't get, so they end up making up all these wild theories about it. Sometimes you need a lower dose to hit specific targets, and sometimes you need a higher one to engage other receptors. It's really not that deep. Don't stress too much about Effexor; it's a great AD, but if it's just not working for you, why suffer? Just switch it.

You see, I completely agree with your logic regarding how things should work.
However, I am living proof that reality is different. My primary struggles are anxiety and panic attacks. On Effexor, I felt like I was on speed; my sleep was non-existent, and frankly, it became unbearable, so after two months, we discontinued it. And that was on a mere 30-something mg dose in the morning and evening. The positive aspect was that my anxiety vanished, but that level of stimulation was impossible to handle—much like my experience with Cymbalta, where every third night I would find myself cleaning, washing, and cooking frantically because I had no idea what to do with all that excess energy. We stopped that quickly, even though my psychiatrist insisted it was a mistake because neurologists prescribe it for issues involving neurotransmitters rather than purely psychological ones. Her conclusion was that I absolutely must avoid anything that spikes norepinephrine, even though based on research, I shouldn't have reacted that way to Effexor. But I did.😢

And for those who know I struggle with sleep... I was stunned one day while cleaning the house when I stumbled upon some old notes from my former therapist. She was notorious for her love of pills; honestly, it's a miracle she didn't start handing them out on the street. Looking at those notes—which were from nine years ago—I saw that for sleep, she had me on two Ambien and Xanax 2 mg. So, it is hardly surprising that my current psychiatrist is having such a hard time regulating my sleep patterns. There you have it.

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shadowfox75 said:That is an interesting question. When I speak with my therapist, she usually asks me to identify what I believe is causing my symptoms—why I am experiencing dizziness or fear at that specific moment.
The truth is, I don't know. It could be a million things. I suspect work is the biggest factor, though I can't just quit on a whim, or perhaps it is the fear that something is physically wrong (even if that doesn't mean I'm immediately demanding an MRI).
In the past, I dealt with significant trauma, such as losing both of my parents. The difficulty lies in the fact that there are so many contributing factors, and I cannot pinpoint the primary one.
By the way, I am looking for a girlfriend. 😛
Everyone tells me that once I find a partner, I won't dwell on these trivialities anymore because my life will feel complete. 🎉
However, besides being in debt until I'm 50, I also have a negative balance in my checking account, so if anyone is interested... I'm free.

I'm a Late Starter, and I was asking you about the symptoms from your last antidepressant experience. It sounds very similar to mine. Just like everyone else is telling you, I suggest sticking with it for at least five or six weeks and using Helix to help manage the transition.

You see, it's all highly individual. I was on Paxil for a very long time before I stopped, which was a mess, and eventually, Paxil just stopped working for me altogether. Since then, I've been on Lexapro. Miraculously, I haven't had many side effects. My only regret is that it doesn't feel quite as perfect as Paxil did, though I suspect that might just be my own perception. Because of that, I tried almost the entire spectrum of medications, but nothing worked—it felt like I was constantly wired, and I wasn't even just on Zoloft. Now, I just stick with Lexapro and push through.

Don't give up; the brain needs time to stabilize. If you're struggling to figure out whether a sensation is physical or psychological, I would personally take some Helix and try to assess the situation. I don't mean trying to analyze it while the anxiety is hitting you, though. And honestly, people are right when they say you need to get out of the house. Try to go out, no matter how difficult it feels; it helps, and you'll be glad you did. Just carry your Helix with you, just for peace of mind.

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shadowfox75 said:Here I am again... starting on Lexapro tomorrow. After my attempt with Luxe didn't pan out, she switched me over to Lexapro.

I've spent the last ten days slowly tapering off the Luxe (following her advice). I was taking half a pill at a time.

Starting tomorrow, it’s half a dose of Lexapro for the first seven days, then moving up to the full tablet.

God dammit. Back to square one... again.

When does this cycle ever end?

Fingers crossed that the side effects stay mild and this thing actually starts working.🙂

Good luck.😉
What were your worst side effects on Luxe, and have you taken any other ADs before?

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Brandon Lopez6 said:I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Finally, some 🙂 closure...

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A Nurse Practitioner has quite a bit of leeway when it comes to prescribing, though ultimately, the decision to prescribe an Ad remains at the psychiatrist's discretion. They are fully authorized to prescribe various benzodiazepines and hypnotics on their own authority. Honestly, I think that’s appropriate; sometimes people just need immediate relief for a specific situation without having a formal diagnosis on file. If anyone is curious about which medications strictly require a psychiatrist's oversight versus those that don't—even if they are used off-label—you can simply download the A and B drug lists from the Medicare website. It provides a full breakdown alongside the medication names and their respective abbreviations.

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