I’m seriously considering checking into that Sleep Center because this whole situation is killing me. Honestly, if I’m supposed to work eight hours and sleep twelve, plus throw in two more for eating and showering... what the hell is actually left of my day? 🤣
I mention it, though I never actually went. Let me reiterate. Because my psychologist was at a loss for how to proceed, she referred me there. It felt more like an attempt to find a therapeutic approach she hadn't considered herself. I had an initial consultation with a specialist—mind you, my doctor sent me, along with a colleague from the hospital where she works, though that facility functions as a day clinic and doesn't take regular patients. The conversation lasted barely ten minutes. I asked the doctor to suggest a specific course of therapy, and her response was simply to continue with psychotherapy while scheduling a sleep study for ten months out. I ended up skipping that appointment. The purpose of the study is to detect breathing issues or muscle spasms, and I am certain those aren't my problems. Perhaps I should have gone, but I didn't. I was sitting with a specialist who either lacked a solution for my specific struggles or chose not to offer one. My psychologist was quite taken aback that he wouldn't even propose a potential treatment plan. So, there it is. But please, go ahead and make an appointment; perhaps you will have a more productive experience and actually follow through with the testing, unlike me.
Jesus, if I end up in the hospital—specifically neurosurgery—I’m going to have to find a way to manage my headspace. Whether it's being awake at dawn or just being unable to sleep, the panic sets in. Imagine being handed Normabest by five people who have never even touched a drink before; I’d practically have to bring my own psychiatrist along with me. 😁 The first two surgeries I had were under local anesthesia, and I was able to head home the very same day. Honestly, it isn't the possibility of the surgery itself that worries me; it's my mental state. I'll also need to make sure I bring my own medications. When my mother was staying there, they didn't exactly have a great selection of analgesics available, so you can only imagine what kind of psychiatric meds they might lack in a non-psychiatric ward. 😁 Sorry, I'm just spiraling a bit with all these projections. 😢 If I have to go through this, I really hope I have some support. 🙂
Jason Vaughn482 said:Why don't you tolerate Calixta, specifically? In what sense does it fail you? For me, nothing seems to work anymore—not even Sanval. I just lie there tossing and turning from 10 PM until 2 AM, struggling to drift off, and in the meantime, I find myself bingeing on whatever I can get my hands on, especially sweets... if I could just fall asleep instantly, I wouldn't be doing that.
I feel like a total zombie because of them, much like how I feel with Seroquel or Q-pin. My psychiatrist claims I'm just overly sensitive to these medications. When I take 7.5 mg of Calixta, I don't really start feeling like myself again until about 3 PM; with 12.5 mg of Seroquel, I'm out of the fog closer to 6 PM. Until then, I'm basically a shell of a person. Lower doses don't actually put me to sleep, they just leave me feeling hungover until noon. And it isn't as if I'm taking some antidepressant that's supposed to be stimulating, like Lexapro.
Hmm... We don't actually carry Temazepam here in the States, so I can't say for certain... Perhaps someone else on the forum might have some insight. If we're talking about the active ingredient being Temazepam, then as far as I am aware, it isn't available in our pharmacies.
I find myself reflecting on the complexities of flight, both literal and metaphorical. There is a certain weight to the concept of takeoff—that precise, heavy moment where momentum overcomes gravity. It reminds me of those long afternoons spent watching the planes descend into O'Hare; there is a quiet tension in the air before everything settles. Sometimes, life feels much like that ascent: a series of calculated adjustments made in hopes of reaching a steady altitude. One simply hopes the engine holds. restlesstrucker15 says: I find that I require at least seven consecutive hours of sleep to function at a baseline level; anything less than that effectively turns me into a zombie.😲
You are my idol. 🙂 It appears that you are the only one among us who has found a truly ideal therapeutic fit—or more accurately, your brain chemistry seems uniquely receptive to this specific combination of treatments.
Jason Vaughn482 said:And what are you using to sleep now? If you're even sleeping at all...🥱
It is a strange feeling—I am sleeping, but it doesn't feel like true rest anymore. I have been relying on two Sanval tablets just to get through, which is a temporary fix at best. I know I eventually need to see a psychiatrist, though I find myself hesitating because my lower back pain has become quite debilitating lately. During my last appointment, the doctor was adamant that I shouldn't tolerate Calixta or Seroquel, but she also noted that since my pain levels are currently so high, she isn't entirely sure what would be safe to prescribe right now. Since I am out on medical leave from work, I might have a little more leeway to experiment with antipsychotics if she decides they are necessary, provided they don't interfere too much with my recovery. That said, the pharmacist gave me a stern warning about mixing my antidepressants with certain pain medications, as both can elevate serotonin levels, and frankly, I have no desire to deal with the mental fog or instability that comes from such a chemical cocktail.
Stay away from Halcion. Here’s the thing: I’m likely facing surgery soon, and I happened to meet a guy online in another thread who mentioned he specializes in anesthesiology. I asked him, "Look, I'm on antidepressants, Xanax, or Normabell, and I've been taking Valium for a really long time—who is actually going to put me under?" He just brushed it off, saying, "What does all that matter compared to our Halcion and some other stuff I can't quite recall." When I told him I had been on Halcion for almost a year, he didn't seem happy about that at all; he just muttered that his colleagues would find a way to manage it. So please, don't do it. Honestly, it seems like he only uses it briefly, and I have no idea why they even prescribe it for long-term use. I don't see why anyone would use it like that. Perhaps in some strange case where someone doesn't have a psychological issue but simply cannot sleep due to some shock, and Valium isn't working, so they give them that for a week or two just to get some rest. Personally, I think it should be banned for sleep aid.
urbanskipper4, you really need to sit down and have a serious talk with a psychiatrist. I know there are still some hypnotics available, but relying on them long-term just isn't a sustainable solution. I’ve been taking San Francisco for years now, and honestly, it doesn't even touch the problem anymore, which has left me in a real bind. I've gone through all the different hypnotics, and they simply don't work for me at this stage. There are other types of medication out there, but only a psychiatrist can evaluate your specific situation and decide if they are appropriate for you. I suspect Jason Vaughn482 might be referring to Dormicum, which isn't even on the list, but taking that is a one-way street. Looking back, I truly don't understand why I was ever prescribed it or why I stayed on it for so long.
Brandon Lopez6 said:I had some vodka yesterday and again today, and I realize that probably isn't the best move. Personally, I don't feel any immediate side effects from mixing pills and alcohol, but I know it can't be good for my system in the long run. For what it's worth, my psychiatrist knows that I sometimes have three or four beers a week and doesn't make an issue of it—at least, that's what I asked him. He told me one or two is fine when you're out, but no more than that. Since I take Elicea, I suppose it depends on what specifically you're drinking. This situation with the brandy was an exception, and truth be told, I haven't been drinking much otherwise. Don't take this as an invitation to go drinking, but if you're thinking about having a beer, definitely check with your psych first. If you're on Adverity, definitely stay away from the hard stuff.
Skicka
I'm on Xanax, Adverity, and an anti-epileptic. Plus some stomach meds... so I highly doubt it's a good idea for me to drink.😁
Don't do it, absolutely not 🙂 once you settle into the Adverity, you might 😉
Brandon Lopez6 said:I'm more of a vodka guy, honestly. 😒 Man, I could really go for a drink right about now. Something strong. 😬
Might be time to ditch the Zoloft... honestly feels like it isn't even doing anything for me anymore. ☕
I had some vodka yesterday and again today, and I realize that probably isn't the best move. Personally, I don't feel any immediate side effects from mixing pills and alcohol, but I know it can't be good for my system in the long run. For what it's worth, my psychiatrist knows that I sometimes have three or four beers a week and doesn't make an issue of it—at least, that's what I asked him. He told me one or two is fine when you're out, but no more than that. Since I take Elicea, I suppose it depends on what specifically you're drinking. This situation with the brandy was an exception, and truth be told, I haven't been drinking much otherwise. Don't take this as an invitation to go drinking, but if you're thinking about having a beer, definitely check with your psych first. If you're on Adverity, definitely stay away from the hard stuff.
Kevin Bailey2 said:Seroquel really drains you... feels like it eats up every nutrient in your body. For me, staying super hydrated before bed helped a lot, so give that a shot. If that doesn't work... maybe try something lighter, like Prazina.
I suppose I will try one of those approaches—either focusing on hydration or asking my doctor about Void. Hopefully, I can find some relief soon.
I am wide awake. Greetings to everyone who knows me. I have a question for those of you currently taking Quetiapine, Seroquel, or similar medications... I am currently on an extended medical leave, and I am wondering if it is worth attempting the 25 mg dose of Seroquel again just to get some sleep. I tried it twice, lasting ten days each time, but I found myself unable to function until about 6:00 PM. > The 12.5 mg dose failed to put me to sleep entirely, yet left me feeling hungover until noon. My psychiatrist told me that if a medication still struggles to work after ten days, then it simply isn't the right fit for you. She clearly sees how much I am struggling with insomnia. For those of you who have used this, how long did it take for your body to adjust? Personally, I would be fine with feeling a bit groggy until 10:00 AM. Perhaps I might try it again now that I am on vacation. It wouldn't just be grogginess; it would feel more like watching a movie in slow motion—a total coma. I am at a loss for what else to try, as things like Calixte didn't work for me. Trazodone was tolerable, though it kept me sluggish until midday. However, my job involves teaching, which means I can't just stare blankly at a computer screen all day; I need to be actively engaging and animating others.
Regarding Seroquel, we have already covered how that process works. The copays aren't being reimbursed. On a separate note, regarding medication copays... If you are already paying for supplemental coverage through Medicare, why not just cancel that and switch to a private insurance provider instead? For the exact same monthly premium, you could get a plan that covers all those additional costs for medications on the B-list; you would simply swipe your card at the pharmacy.
Michael Hill2 said:That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to someone about. For instance, I’m on Fevarin right now and it’s been great—it pretty much wiped out my anxiety completely. I feel awesome.
My doctor wants to taper me off after a year, and I'm wondering: am I going to slide back into my old ways, or will this positive shift actually stick to some degree?
Btw, I’m starting psychotherapy too. 😉
I can't give you a definitive answer because I haven't experienced being completely off medication, except for that one time I made the mistake of stopping on my own. If you have been doing the work in therapy, yes, the progress should largely stick. And even if you have a setback every now and then, that is perfectly fine. So, stay encouraged. My best to you, 🙂
True, she gave me that one because she was trying to nudge my serotonin levels up a bit higher; that other medication was more of a 'neurological' type
Apropo Denaxit, you might want to get a second opinion. My doctor, Dr. Brinar, prescribed it to me for some neurological issues, and she was fully aware that I was already taking Elice. She seemed quite preoccupied with the fact that Elice is a Danish medication—honestly, it felt like she had a bit of an obsession with anything coming out of Denmark. In any case, I’m not a fan of medical professionals overstepping their bounds; my therapist actually gave me some very warm advice to avoid Denaxit altogether because of her poor experiences with patients on it. After doing some digging online, I found out this drug has been banned in large parts of Europe and across the globe, even by the manufacturer in Denmark itself. You should ask Dr. Brinar; I am certain there is an alternative available if you choose to pursue it.
Michael Hill2 said:I don't have any personal experience here, but I've read on some American forums that sometimes these meds just stop working after a while. People over here call it the "poop-out" phenomenon. It might be worth poking around some US message boards to see if what you're feeling matches up with what others are going through. Fingers crossed it’s not that for you. 🙂
It does happen to me. It’s infrequent, but it occurs. Antidepressants combined with psychotherapy significantly reduce these symptoms, and the ultimate goal is learning how to manage them effectively. It is quite normal for these issues to surface and then recede, though they should never return with the same intensity as before. Despite all the therapy and medication, I still deal with about 20-30% of my original struggles, but that is a percentage many people face, regardless of whether they are in our specific situation. There is no such thing as a magic pill; however, through dedicated self-work and a combination of medication and therapy, one can typically resolve about 80% of the issue. Unfortunately, we cannot fully alter our core personality or our genetics.
I’m dropping in out of nowhere, but I can certainly agree that TV series pull much larger audiences these days than movies do, especially considering how scarce they were from the 60s until recently. That said, the sheer number of seasons being pumped out today really bothers me. Sure, everyone wants to replicate a hit, but you can't just force it. The last series I sat down with was Orphan Black, and I thought it was excellent. I was actually quite taken by the second season; honestly, it would have been better if they had simply extended the first season by five episodes and called it a day. Discussions about films versus series can never truly be reduced to what is objectively superior. However, the truth remains that people used to scramble around their homes back before the era of VCRs just to catch a specific show. As I recall, people weren't nearly as desperate to rush home for movies that, say, finally aired on TV after their theatrical run and couldn't be obtained any other way. As for the acting, I don't believe actors perform any worse in series. It just strikes me as odd that the heavyweights rarely commit to television. Why? Probably because they find it beneath them. Just imagine Meryl Streep in a series 🙂 whether people liked her or not, there are very few actors capable of portraying such a vast array of characters with the absolute mastery that she possesses. I must admit, I was also impressed by the lead actress in Orphan Black; she portrayed those clones brilliantly.
Joseph Jackson9 said:She didn't actually explain anything to you—she just started rambling some vague nonsense to dodge the point and leave everything up in the air.
I wouldn't go that far, though my doctor mentioned similar things. They aren't exactly thrilled when you need them for insomnia, but the general consensus is that you shouldn't have to keep increasing the dosage, which makes getting off them easier. That said, they are certainly more habit-forming than standard antidepressants.