Posts by Kevin Nguyen3

Chris Kim7 said:I'll give it a few more days, then if things don't start looking up, I'm just going to call my doctor and get it sorted...

And seriously, why is there zero info online about the actual medical difference between the regular version and the Xanax Tablet? Or am I just missing it somewhere...

http://www.pfizer.com/media/produ...oxanax_PIL.pdf
http://www.pfizer.com/us/en-q-tab/1869/

Xanax—it also works by selectively activating 5-HT1 receptors, which increases serotonergic transmission.
Xanax Tablet—Depression is linked to lower concentrations of neurotransmitters, those substances responsible for sending messages throughout the brain (like serotonin and norepinephrine). Xanax Tablet acts by increasing the concentration of these specific transmitters within the brain.

🙂

feralstag72 said:NO NO NO, absolutely not the q-tab!!! You don't need that, especially since it's extended-release. That just means you won't feel the hit immediately when you take it, and the sedative effect is weaker compared to regular Remeron. Listen to me, go to the pharmacy and ask them for Calist. It's the exact same formula, so even if your script says q-tab, just explain the situation to them. You can trust me and take care of it yourself—nothing bad will happen. Calista hits faster and harder, which is exactly what you actually need!!!

Xanax and Calisthenics should, in principle, be identical medications, though there are certain nuances.
Calisthenics has significantly fewer side effects and is a much gentler medication compared to Xanax.
The Xanax Tablet increases the concentration of certain hormones, whereas the standard Xanax enhances the transmission of those same hormones.
I personally take 45 mg of Calisthenics and, as far as I can tell, I am satisfied.
But, of course, if your doctor tells you otherwise, you must listen to them. Don't go changing things on your own without medical advice.

Paul Newman5 said:Just checking in with everyone... I've been on 😕Cyrus for just under a month now. Well, actually, today marks 14 days since I hit the full prescribed dose (5 mg). Last week was manageable—just some morning sweats and a bit of restlessness, nothing major. But yesterday and today, the mornings have been worse than last week. Nausea, and this brain fog that’s really getting to me; it feels like my head isn't even mine. I'm still taking 3x0.5mg of Helix during the day, same as before. Sleep isn't an issue; honestly, I wish I slept less. If I take 6 mg of Lexapro, I sleep like a baby.
Basically, I want to know if it's normal to still be dealing with these side effects after two weeks, especially since they seemed to clear up for a bit last week. How long am I supposed to wait? How much longer do I have to put up with this? My follow-up appointment isn't for another month, and I can't exactly call my doctor every five minutes, even though she gave me her cell number. I already called her once about the Ladd. Any advice would help. I don't want to stop the treatment, but I also don't want to spend another month suffering through these mornings.🤷

It takes quite a while for Cyrus to fulfill its duty as a CIA. Once you finally start feeling better, you have to stay on it for at least another six months.
Lexapro is similar to Oxazepam. There's also one called Lexaurin... some kind of mid-range anxiolytic.
My recommendation? Stick to exactly what the doctor prescribed until your check-up. Then, have a detailed conversation with them and proceed based on their assessment—either keep going or switch the CIA.
Sometimes, combining Ladd with other medications can speed up the metabolism of the Ladd, which ends up reducing its effectiveness.
Are you taking Ladd?
I'm not entirely sure if Cyrus should be combined with tetracyclic CIAs.
That would require a much closer look.
Helix is an anxiolytic and can be quite dangerous; it creates dependency and doesn't play well with all CIAs.
You absolutely must report these side effects to your doctor and stop taking Helix.

ironrider11 said:There isn't a meaningful answer... being "in it" is the whole point of the post. In this day and age where info and misinformation exist about absolutely everything—where everyone wants to be informed on every little thing and try to use that info to their advantage—you hit this paradox. You get overloaded with info that ends up being totally counterproductive. Where do you draw the line between being obsessed and being ignorant? There's no answer. On a personal level, especially with sensitive topics like physical or mental health, it doesn't matter... any info you gather might randomly turn out to be total garbage. It's easy to accidentally steer yourself from the "right" path onto the "wrong" one, ending up deeper in the hole instead of getting out. It's all subjective; based on how someone perceives a specific method, therapy, or pill working, and how they vent their satisfaction or frustration about it... that venting can easily become part of someone else's solution, or the cause of their problem. It's highly individual. Information is health to one person, a sickness to another, a problem to some, and a solution to others. It's like they say... it just depends on how the wind blows. It's bizarre how we live in a society where every single person is both a producer and a consumer of whatever is being made, and money is the engine of this entire consumerist machine; it basically turns health into a commodity available only if you have the cash. How can someone who is physically or mentally struggling—or both—actually fight to grab a piece of that precious commodity? What should you try, and what should you dodge? What's worth enduring and what should you just walk away from? Who can you actually trust? We live in a society that loves to pretend we always have options, but how real is that? When you're backed into a corner, you'll inevitably grasp at whatever whispers to you just to make the pressure stop... How real was your perception of a "solution" in that moment? And how productive or destructive is sharing your experience with someone else, given how much they might actually listen or believe what you say...

Sometimes the path is right there in front of us, but we’re too blinded by xyz to see it. Other times, we spot it, but yxz makes it impossible to wrap our heads around. And sometimes, we think we’re on track, only to realize we were following the wrong damn thing all along........

"I knew nothing at all".. 😉

It’s true. I live my life operating under the assumption that I actually know nothing at all. That is precisely why I am even here writing these things—to learn more.
How can anyone truly know, or even remain objective, about how much someone else's lived experience or knowledge might actually help another person? I suppose everyone knows that already... or they don't. From my perspective, once you strip away all the mistakes—whether intentional or not—all the ignorance, and all the terrible advice coming from various sources, I still find myself double-checking or even quintuple-checking before I ever suggest anything or even offer a mere suggestion regarding medication. This isn't a joke, nor is it a game.
People take certain things literally; they think, "If it worked for him, it'll work for me," but that is such a flawed and unserious way to approach the problem! A medication that helped me carries absolutely no guarantee—not even a trace of a guarantee—that it will help someone else. In fact, there is a massive possibility that it could act in the exact opposite way.
I am not telling people, "Go ahead and take this," I am simply (and often) noting that it helped ME.
On the flip side, shouldn't we look at doctors the same way? I mean, where does their knowledge actually come from? Does a medication really help?
Have they tried it themselves? Have they taken it for years? Or have they merely read millions of different accounts of experiences and side effects, only to end up knowing... well, nothing?
Unfortunately, in our desperate attempt to be as healthy as possible, we are forced to acknowledge some kind of authority.
We simply cannot do it ourselves. Because how can we ever view ourselves with true objectivity?
Think about it like this... if we want to go North, we grab a compass, point it North, and that should be that.
But who is telling us what actually awaits us on that journey? Nobody.
And that is the catch. We have the will, we have the desire, we take realistic advice, we read, we exchange experiences... but we still have to face that "journey."☕

ironrider11 said:"They aren't healthy for anything"... Who says that? "I was just reading about it"... In some medical journal? Or maybe some random health blog? Total nonsense... What even counts as "healthy" anymore? We're talking genetically modified produce grown using petroleum-based fertilizers in soil that's been completely stripped of its nutrients over decades... or even worse, soil that's basically dead on its own. Then you've got hydroponics where stuff grows in nutrient solutions without any actual dirt at all. Or those fruits and veggies soaked in pesticides to keep bugs away, or loaded with fungicides just so they don't rot during shipping across the country... Is that "healthy"? And what about milk or meat that's pumping out aflatoxins, growth hormones, and antibiotics? Everyone’s got their own definition of "health," obviously. It's totally individual. Take two identical twins... they could react to the exact same chemical substance in totally different ways. One twin has a lethal allergy to shellfish, while the other can't touch peanuts. Shellfish is packed with Omega-3s, minerals like selenium and zinc, and a ton of B vitamins... and peanuts are loaded with Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium too. All those "benefits" people talk about in studies? For one twin, they're life-saving; for the other, they're potentially fatal... and vice versa...

So you’re popping this specific pill and thinking that because you aren't feeling any side effects right now, you're somehow safe... like you won't end up with some massive, undocumented medical disaster down the road just from taking it... all while dodging another med because some big pharma company ran a scary ad campaign to freak everyone out... ridiculous...

We’re all just junkies here... everywhere... always hunting for that perfect "fix." Looking for that "pure health" hit that puts you in that zen, nirvana, total high feeling... trying to balance the soul, mind, and body. Or maybe we're just obsessing over something imaginary? This whole idea of "health from petroleum products"... honestly, we should just kick the word "health" out of our vocabulary entirely. Just call it what it is, like those warnings on a pack of Marlboros: absolutely toxic... regardless of how bad they are; they’re still legal, permitted, and easy to get your hands on.. "unhealthy" vs. maybe "possible/relatively healthy".......

"Man is a wolf to man."

Hmm, a decent post that ultimately says absolutely nothing.
Is being healthy and having an actual backbone a sore spot for the sick? It certainly feels that way. We all want to hold opinions built on solid foundations—on information that is, at the very least, somewhat verifiable.
But can you really be in the depths of depression (let's call it the common denominator of all mental struggles) and, with a perfectly sound mind, embrace the inherent challenges and risks of treatment? It’s an impossible mission. Or nearly so.
During those brief windows of time when I'm not being washed away by various ailments, I sometimes manage to gather my thoughts and actually process what I've read to see what's truly happening.
We have to weigh everything. Put it all on the scale.
What is the move? Do we act with full awareness of the consequences, or how do we balance treating ourselves while trying to follow our own logic?
What you're writing is rational, and yes, it makes sense. But given that context, how does one choose a path of treatment while remaining fully conscious of tomorrow's fallout?
There is no way.
Achieving even a semblance of a normal, acceptable lifestyle requires a combination of medication and psychological therapy.
There is simply no alternative.
All those trendy, advertised "natural" healing methods? They don't work anymore. Not for me.
Who do we give our money to anyway? This big pharma factory or that one?
Sure, we have choices, but I have to ask: how much does obsessing over these marginal details really matter when you are backed against a wall?!
Give me one meaningful answer that we can actually grapple with here in these posts.
You're right, you are, but there isn't a second chance.☕

Jason Vaughn482 said:Yes, I've been dealing with insomnia and I'm constantly relying on Sanval to get through it. As for the aspartame, it’s simply not good for you under any circumstances—given its supposed links to cancer, I decided to switch to Calixta instead, though I only made that move after a year (once it finally clicked for me), and frankly, both drugs have the exact same sedative effect. My insomnia hasn't actually vanished; if I don't take one of these medications, sleep becomes an impossibility. As for Valdoxan, there is absolutely no way I'm willing to try it; I am incredibly cautious when it comes to pharmaceuticals. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether Calixta will help with anxiety, because personally, it didn't touch my anxiety at all.

Well, obviously! Calixti isn't even designed to target anxiety. It's an antidepressant, which is a completely different ballgame from anxiety management.
Now, sure, some antidepressants can happen to soothe acute anxiety as a side effect, but that isn't Calixta's primary mission.
Think of Calixta as a relatively mild antidepressant with a fairly clean profile regarding side effects; honestly, even in cases of accidental overdose, you rarely see anything catastrophic. It’s your classic, standard antidepressant, typically used as a first-line treatment when starting out on depression therapy.

Chris Kim7 said:Of course, I forgive you...😁

I guess I'm such a total nerd about this stuff, which is why I keep asking so many questions here... I'm honestly just spiraling because I'm terrified of side effects, and mostly I just need to know if this actually helps people get their sleep back on track.

I'm still stuck in this constant loop of wanting to try it but being too scared, though staying on Valdoxan feels pointless now that my insomnia is getting worse and I'm reaching for Sanval more and more often... even then, I'm barely getting a few hours of sleep.

I was totally confused by that mention of aspartame, I thought there was some other catch to it.

Thanks for clearing that up!

🙂

Look, when it comes to aspartame, things are just... complicated. They're contradictory, and honestly, part of it feels shrouded in mystery.
There is an upper limit for intake—specifically 40 mg per kilogram of body weight.
But is that actually "safe" or recommended? Does anyone truly know? No one does!
The real kicker is that a huge majority of medications contain it because it’s roughly 200 times sweeter than standard sugar.
It shows up in about 6,000 different products, and here in the USA, there are massive debates surrounding it—we've even seen multi-million dollar lawsuits (especially after those deaths back in '94).
We are talking about what are known as "excitotoxins." They essentially kill off nerve cells in the brain.
Anyway, the bottom line is this: you should avoid anything containing aspartame whenever you possibly can.☕

Chris Kim7 said:Amy, you clearly missed what I wrote in my first post... 😉

I actually went to the pharmacy and picked it up. Everything was cleared with my psychiatrist, I just wasn't ready to swap out my AD immediately, so she wrote me a private script so I could grab it while she's away if I change my mind.

Also, just so you know, the difference between Xanax and Xanax 0.5 mg is just the pill itself: one is a standard tablet, but the 0.5 mg ones dissolve in your mouth, which means there's no extended release... at least that's what the pharmacist on duty just told me.

And honestly, you totally condescended to me... 🤣

🙂
It’s better if I give you a reality check now rather than you rushing blindly into something. At least you asked, so that's fine.
Mirzaten increases the transport of certain hormones in the brain, whereas Q increases the concentration of those same hormones.
But, really, it doesn't matter.
My apologies, I didn't catch your earlier post.😉

Chris Kim7 said:Thanks so much for getting back to me! I’m probably going to pick up some Prozac Q today and give it a shot... though I’m still second-guessing myself, but these insomnia issues are just getting worse and worse...
Was aspartame an issue for you because it's unhealthy as an artificial sweetener, or was it something else? I mean, does it actually interfere with how that antidepressant works for sleep?

Maybe Serzone really is good, but right now it isn't doing anything for ME, which doesn't mean it won't work for you or anyone else, so don't rule it out just yet! Yeah, I had my liver tests done and everything came back fine, so there's no reason to worry about that, since if any liver issues do pop up, they clear right up once you stop taking Serzone. And Serzone can be taken alongside $33, otherwise it's 300.

For me, the anxiety is mostly tied to the insomnia, just that constant fear that I won't be able to fall asleep, and then I end up wide awake and reaching for the Lamictal and stuff...

Sorry for nitpicking, but did you deal with insomnia before starting Prozac? How long did it take for it to subside? Does the hangover effect wear off during the day?

And you didn't deal with any nausea, diarrhea, or anything like that?

Thanks!

What do you mean by "I'll go pick up some"?
You're just going to try it?
Mirzaten Q absolutely requires a recommendation and guidance from a specialist psychiatrist.
Taking medication on your own without consulting a doctor is exactly what we've been warning against for decades—no, no, and no.
Have you even looked at the basic characteristics of this drug (which is new and hasn't been sufficiently studied) and its side effects?
The pharmaceutical companies pumping out drugs like these are practically praying there are people like you out there—and not just you.
As for aspartame, it's only dangerous in large quantities and through long-term use. What kind of fool would put it in everything if it were strictly forbidden?
When Valdoxan is taken under a doctor's supervision in moderate doses, it is actually very effective.
Consider this warm advice... please don't just take medications on a whim.
You could end up doing far more damage to yourself with the medication than the underlying condition ever could.

Joshua Vaughn9 said:Morning. My fiancé has been taking 30mg of citalopram every morning for about six weeks now, but honestly, I’m not seeing much of an improvement yet. How long does it actually take for these things to kick in? This is our first time dealing with this kind of thing. He was also prescribed 25mg of promethazine if needed. Thanks in advance.

Citalopram is just the name for a class of antidepressants that specifically target the serotonin system.
What is the actual brand name of the medication? (Like Celexa or something similar...)
Usually, unless the doctor specifies otherwise, people stay on it for about 8 months.
It can also be used to treat bipolar disorder.
Six weeks is sort of that invisible threshold where the drug truly starts to work in every sense of the word. You have to be patient.
And Promethazine? Where did that come from? 😕
It's an antihistamine.
Some versions are still being studied.
What is the reason for it? An allergy? A stomach ulcer? Travel?
Maybe they meant Phenergan?
Hmm... it can also function as an anxiolytic—you know, to help soothe anxiety, stress... perhaps even depression.
What does the official diagnosis say?☕

Chris Kim7 said:P.S. My psychiatrist is out on vacation right now, so I can't run all these questions by her—though she did leave me a private prescription just in case I end up switching my AD... I don't usually hang out on forums like this, so thanks to everyone for the help! :-)

In practice, you won't even feel the Rivotril. It acts more like a shield for your system against those seizure-like episodes. It’s doing its job regardless of whether you feel it or not, so please, do not stop taking it. You would likely—well, maybe—have much bigger problems if you suddenly quit. These are just assumptions, of course, but it really could happen.
It is probably best to just wait until you get back from your trip to the coast. Just be careful out in the sun; so many medications increase your skin's sensitivity to UV rays.
Regarding the Mirzaten Q Tab—it's true. It has an extended-release effect, which is one reason why you might be feeling that grogginess, but it is difficult to say for certain since I don't know how it interacts with your other specific meds.
Look, I take quite a lot of medication myself, so I can't tell you which specific one is responsible for helping me sleep well. Personally, I don't have any issues with insomnia.
You aren't going to drop the Rivotril from your regimen; I already explained why.
Your doctor will likely phase out the Sanval because there isn't much point in keeping it. Whether they'll give you something else to replace it depends entirely on their clinical judgment, so I wouldn't know.
A certain amount of time needs to pass before we can see how the Mirzaten actually works; once that happens, your doctor will have a much clearer picture of everything.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Portal is just another way of saying Prozac 🙂. And what do you mean by restarting Sanval? It's hardly a "gateway" to sleep. Personally, I spend ages tossing and turning, which is why I end up taking half a dose of Calixta, but it feels foolish to take it if it isn't even indicated for anxiety. If that's not the case, then what exactly is its purpose? And what on earth is my doctor thinking, pushing this on me?

🙂
I had no idea it was called Portal-Prozac. Where did that name even come from?
Calixta can actually ramp up the sedative effects of an anxiolytic. And Sanval too.
The issue is that you shouldn't be on Sanval long-term; eventually, there's just no point.
Calixta is an AD. A good one, at that. If we compare it to the other options out there—and believe me, there are plenty of them.
It would be best if you just went to see your doctor and told her exactly what you're writing here. She has the power to switch things up (for instance, swapping Sanval for something else, maybe Zonadin or something similar).
Prozac is an AD that carries quite a few nasty side effects; it can even trigger serotonin syndrome. However, if you're taking it in small doses—meaning, strictly following your doctor's orders—there shouldn't be any issues.
Hmm... Prozac.☕
It's usually recommended to pair it with some form of psychotherapy. You know, group therapy, individual sessions, and all those other varieties.
Essentially, it's about facing your problems head-on and getting the education needed to overcome communication hurdles in the real world.
As far as that goes, unfortunately, we are still in the early stages here in America. In a place like New York City, you can find plenty, but in other cities? It's difficult. The reason is already well known—a lack of qualified staff and funding.

Chris Kim7 said:Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a rush so I'm looking for some info regarding Mirzaten Q Tab (I assume that's the same as Calixta).

Basically, I've been dealing with insomnia for years now, and I've cycled through several ADs like Prozac and Amyzol... right now I'm on Valdoxan, but honestly, it doesn't feel like it's doing much anymore :-( Along with that, I take Clonazepam 1 mg, and I often find myself needing Sanvale (sometimes even twice a night), because things have just gotten so much worse lately... I've tried everything from Dormicum and Normabell to Xanax—basically the whole pharmacy cabinet—but I still end up waking up after just a few hours.

My psychiatrist suggested that if things don't improve, I should try Mirzaten Q Tab 15 mg (Calixta). What I really need to know about this AD is:

1. how soon can I expect it to actually help with the insomnia

2. what kind of side effects am I looking at (switching between ADs has always been rough for me: insomnia, restlessness, nausea, irritability, all that stuff)

3. how long do those side effects usually last

4. does it cause weight gain if I keep my diet the same?

I know everyone reacts differently, but if anyone has personal experience, I would be soooo grateful for some answers...

My doctor is on vacation right now so I can't ask her these specific questions, though she did give me a private prescription in case I decide to switch my AD...

Yes, Mirzaten Q Tab and Calixta are just different names for the same thing. 15 mg is the lowest dose available.

1. Usually between 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Those are quite common side effects. When transitioning to a new AD, you're supposed to taper down the first one while gradually introducing the second. You shouldn't do it abruptly! If you do, you experience exactly what you described. Even with a gradual introduction, sometimes those same side effects pop up. But, they pass relatively quickly.
3. Side effects typically disappear within 4 weeks at most. It varies from person to person, though. Some people don't experience any side effects at all.
4. No. Weight gain is tied to your lifestyle and eating habits. It is true that certain ADs increase appetite, but if you control your diet, there shouldn't be an issue. Often, it is the depression itself that causes fluctuations in appetite—either making you crave food or losing interest entirely.
Valdoxan has its own specific side effects, such as insomnia, headaches (even migraines), fatigue...
You must definitely mention every single side effect to your doctor.
Valdoxan helps, and the body cannot build a tolerance to this AD; meaning, there isn't a need to increase the dose just to achieve the same effect.
People often take it for as long as 6 months just to ensure the depression doesn't return.
Clonazepam 1 mg is essentially an anticonvulsant, but it also acts as an anxiolytic.
Are you taking 2 tablets a day?
Increasing your dosage of Sanval only provides a short-term effect, and sometimes it doesn't work at all.
It falls under the category of so-called hypnotics, and treatment with it shouldn't last longer than a month maximum (even shorter, maybe just 2 weeks)
After that, there is no further benefit.
Sanval does have some side effects, which are more common in women.
The things you mentioned in parentheses are completely different medications, and they require time to work.
Calixta generally enhances the effect of certain anxiolytics, so in relation to that, sleep might be longer and "more peaceful."
But, ultimately, the doctor is the one who advises on what the smartest course of action is.

Jason Vaughn482 said:That is an overwhelming amount of medication; honestly, it sounds terrifying to me. You are actually taking Calixta at 45 mg? I can barely fathom that, as I spent an entire year on a mere 15 mg dose and would wake up feeling completely intoxicated every single morning, yet it provided absolutely zero relief for my anxiety. Now, I’ve resorted to cutting that 15 mg pill in half, and when paired with Sanval, it helps me sleep reasonably well. However, I dread the thought of stepping up to 30 mg as my doctor suggested; I simply don't dare. Ideally, I would prefer to settle on 7.5 mg and perhaps take 20 mg of Portal-Prozac in the morning, but I am uncertain if they are compatible. Also, what is your take on Seroquel regarding sleep? I have some sitting here at home; she prescribed 25 mg once, but it did nothing to help me drift off, forcing me back to Sanval, which makes the whole exercise feel utterly pointless.

Calixta isn't meant for anxiety. It's strictly for depression. And you really shouldn't—well, it isn't recommended—to take it alongside Normabell, though I haven't run into any issues with that so far.
It also intensifies the effects of Sanval, though in a slightly different way.
And I'm not quite sure what "Portal" refers to.😕

I see you've added more details since your last post...
Seroquel comes with so many side effects; why on earth would you consider taking that?
At the end of the day, you really must consult with your doctor.
Starting Sanval up again doesn't make any sense, nor does it actually help with sleepiness. It acts as a sort of "gateway" to sleep. It only works right when you intend to pass out; it won't work otherwise.

Jason Vaughn482 said:Well, there's the thing—I don't feel like I'm functioning normally at all. I feel exhausted the moment I pull myself out of bed in the morning, and that fatigue lingers throughout the entire day. I've lost interest in being social, and naturally, none of this is satisfying, yet I am at a loss as to what might actually help... I am far from content with my mental state... so, tell me, what kind of medications are you taking?

I believe I mentioned this somewhere else already—Normabell 5 mg twice a day, Lamal 25 mg, Q-pin 200 mg, Calixta 45 mg, Zonadin 10 mg, and Velafax 75 mg.
Since I deal with recurring PTSD, these specific drugs seem to be doing the job for now.
What does tomorrow hold? Who knows? I sleep normally (no nightmares), though it takes about half an hour in the morning for me to truly feel awake. I haven't noticed any other issues, like digestive problems or anything similar.
I also keep some Nexium on hand just in case for my stomach, though I don't take it regularly. I also take one dose of Plibex once a week.
As for side effects—here is what I've gathered😳sun sensitivity; it only takes about ten minutes for me to literally burn. Occasionally, I get restless legs, and sometimes I deal with headaches (in which case I take Lexapro).
This combination of medications is quite dangerous, really. Would it kill a healthy person? I don't know, but it would certainly cause heart arrhythmias. Therefore, I cannot recommend that anyone takes any medication on their own whim unless a doctor explicitly says otherwise.
My body has somewhat adjusted to them, or rather, I don't feel the impact as intensely because they are performing exactly as they should.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I honestly find myself questioning whether these physical ailments ever truly get resolved. You mentioned treating yourself for twenty years, riding the waves of better and worse phases while remaining tethered to a pill regimen... let's be honest, these medications aren't exactly "health food" for the liver, the heart, or any other vital organ. I recently read that Sanval could potentially lead to cancer or even a stroke. My doctor tried to put me on Valdoxan, but I shut that idea down immediately when she mentioned I’d need to monitor my liver enzymes every three weeks; frankly, the fear regarding my liver health is exactly what triggered this current bout of anxiety in the first place. I took Mirzaten for a year and it did absolutely nothing for me, until I realized it contained aspartame—so I started looking for Calixta instead. Not because it fixes my anxiety, mind you, but because it helps me sleep; I take half of a 15 mg dose alongside 10 mg of Sanval and I'm out. At the end of the day, we are all essentially addicts here, varying only in our dosage, if we accept the premise that these drugs function like narcotics, as someone pointed out the other day. I've been relying on Xanax and Sanval for years now because my doctor is constantly presenting me with a revolving door of new, experimental options—first it was Lyrica, then Mirzaten, then Solian. I haven't touched any of those except for Mirzaten, which at least allowed me to sleep well without side effects, though I did put on a little weight. So, I continue my routine with Xanax—never exceeding 1.5 mg, usually hovering around 1.25 mg—and 10 mg of Sanval; that has been my steady therapy for the last four years. My diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but in reality, my entire existence is fueled by health anxiety and the paralyzing fear of falling ill.

Yes, I understand exactly what you are trying to convey. And look, the liver will eventually give out; my gallbladder hurts sometimes, I haven't caught a cold in years, my vision has weakened... I view all of this as an inherent part of life, but who knows? Perhaps the medications are to blame. In my case, they certainly are.
It is clear to me that the drugs must be causing certain side effects, but in this specific instance, I know the culprit.
I have spent years wondering, what should I do?!
I don't know; I watch how to remain mentally stable, how to function within society, to stay interested in my surroundings while still sleeping, and not feeling utterly exhausted by the therapy—to be able to wake up in the morning feeling somewhat normal.
How does one compose all of that together?
I have to let something go and make peace with it. That is exactly what I have done. A clear head, more or less, and I pray to God that nothing physical catches up to me, some lasting consequence of it all.
Nothing hurts, and I am content with that; I am not gaining weight, nor am I losing it, I can work normally for part of the day, read with comprehension, remember things, drive, climb five flights of stairs... damn it, I am just happy that I can even do that.
As long as things remain this way, I will take my therapy and stick to the prescribed regimen.
When it is no longer possible to continue like this... I will try again to find some middle ground.
How?
With the help of my physician and sheer patience; there is no other way.

redranger2 said:Honestly, I don't care what it contains—I couldn't care less about the aspartame as long as it lets me function. When you're hitting rock bottom, you'd probably swallow hydrochloric acid if someone promised it would make you feel better. I learned a long time ago that you can't have your cake and eat it too.🙂

On one hand, you're absolutely right—addressing the primary issue is paramount, but...
What happens when, after we finally manage to stabilize the main illness (regardless of what it actually is), all those tiny, subtle, previously ignored ailments suddenly resurface? They were always there, lurking in the background while we dealt with much larger crises.
Suddenly, those minor issues become the very challenges we feel compelled to solve.
At some point, the depression or the OCD or whatever else fades away... and then, suddenly, you notice your stomach hurts. Or you have digestive issues. Or a headache won't quit. We didn't even register these symptoms before, but now we realize we have to deal with them too.
And isn't that one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle? It’s how we prevent physical ailments from taking root—ailments we couldn't even address while our mental health was the sole priority.🙂

redranger2 said:I take Vaira for insomnia and depression. Honestly, I haven't experienced a single side effect from it; it works perfectly for me. In contrast, when I was on Q-pin, I had terrible reactions—heart palpitations, difficulty swallowing, and that terrifying restlessness in my legs. There really is no predictable rule to these things.

For the frequent bowel movements, I would suggest black seed oil. Beyond being excellent for overall health, it should help stabilize your digestion. Take three small teaspoons a day, and you can eventually scale down to two.

Ugh, Vaira actually contains aspartame (sort of like an artificial sweetener).
That is some bad AP.🙄
As for me, Q-pin worked just fine. Isn't it strange how differently things work? No rules at all.
For my stomach issues, an old-timer once suggested a mix of dried ivy, sage, and wormwood. You just take a tiny pinch of each, put them in hot water, let it cool down, and then drink it all at once.
A friend brought me some stuff from California too, and it really helps the stomach.
Everyone has such different experiences, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, right? It means you get to hear advice from all sorts of different sources.

Larry Lewis said:One more thing—has anyone else dealt with digestive issues while taking Zyprex? Specifically, does it mess with your bathroom habits?
I’ve been on Zyprex for a while now, and honestly, the medication itself seems to be doing its job just fine—but back in February, things took a turn for the worse. I started dealing with this constant, urgent need to run to the restroom. It was brutal; I couldn't even step foot outside my house for at least three or four hours after waking up without worrying I'd have an accident. Just a total nightmare, frankly.
I’ve been taking probiotics for quite some time, which has actually helped a lot, but the doctors are giving me the runaround. My primary care physician insists it’s definitely a side effect of the Zyprex—she mentioned she had another patient deal with the exact same thing—but then my psychiatrist claims she’s never heard of such a thing. It’s maddening when the experts can't agree.
I feel better now thanks to the probiotics, but let's be real: those supplements aren't exactly cheap. And don't even get me started on our healthcare system here in the States. Even though I requested a referral way back in June, the earliest I can see a specialist is mid-October. It’s a complete disaster.
Does anyone have any insight on this?

Zyprex is a pretty specific medication. Honestly, one of the tougher ones I've ever tried.
One of the potential side effects can be slowed intestinal motility (ileus).
Also, you shouldn't take it if you have a history of seizures, as it can make them worse.
Generally speaking, Zyprex carries a lot of side effects, including several severe ones.
I suspect the psychiatrist isn't being entirely truthful; she likely has seen plenty of these cases, but since they often occur when combined with other medications, she might be hesitant to pin the blame solely on Zyprex.
I didn't experience digestive problems myself, but I did break out in a rash and had unbearable itching, especially on my legs.
I'm not sure what dosage you're on. Are you taking any other medications alongside it?
Sch?

Larry Lewis said:Does anyone actually have a handle on which one carries a higher risk for potential dependency—Lorsilan or Xanax?

Oh, wait... I just realized...🙂

Exactly the same thing. A quick, straightforward answer.☕
It seems to me that Lorsilan contains lactose, but when we are talking about emotional and physical dependency, all anxiolytics pose a danger, don't they?
One shouldn't take them for longer than 6 to 8 months; you have to gradually taper down to the lowest possible dose before eventually spacing out the doses over time.
In practical terms, it is advised to use anxiolytics for a shorter duration, just to lift your mood while the Apple takes over its role.
Recently, there have been attempts to combine an anxiolytic with other properties—for instance, combining an anxiolytic and an antiepileptic into a single pill, though much of that is still in the clinical trial phase.