Paul Newman5 said:Same here. That anxiety paired with restlessness is brutal. Lexapro—basically Cipralex—didn't work for me either; it just made me jittery and almost manic, kind of like how Zoloft works for some people on a Lexus. I went three months without anything, and now that I'm on Cox Communications, it looks like I might be stuck. It helps me sleep, sure, but my muscles ache and my stomach is a mess. Constant diarrhea. Dealing with these antidepressants is a nightmare. It's not that doctors are just guessing, it's just that everyone's brain is wired differently. You either spend forever trial-and-erroring meds or try to handle it through therapy alone.
That is exactly it. It feels like PMS every single day. My head hurts constantly and everything just irritates me. This morning, I actually woke up feeling okay for once, but then I remembered everything I had to do and I've been a nervous wreck with zero concentration ever since. I am currently attending CBT sessions with my primary care physician, but I guess I still place more faith in the chemistry side of things...
fadedbear92 said:Tell your psychiatrist you want to switch up your meds. How do you think they can just prescribe stuff blindly? If you don't trust them, go find a different shrink. Besides, every antidepressant hits everyone differently.
You mentioned being stuck in a depressive state—if you're in a big city like Chicago, you should look for a psychiatrist psychotherapist and start actual psychotherapy because pills alone aren't going to solve everything.
Well, here’s an example: they tried to stabilize my insomnia by throwing Prozac and Elavil at me, even though I specifically asked for Mirzaten, which was the one thing that actually worked for me. And honestly, Elavil just makes me feel incredibly moody, angry, and irritable—it leaves me with zero motivation. I frequently have these episodes where I can't even bring myself to get out of bed, which is something I never dealt with before. I suppose I don't know what else to ask for to stay calm during the day while still regulating this... I don't know, this depression? It isn't quite classic; it feels more like constant agitation and lethargy. I guess I'll just have to head in for an earlier follow-up appointment.
frozenorca63 said:I’m only on day four of taking Lexapro and I honestly don't feel anxious at all. Is that even a thing? To be fair, I was almost through the worst of it just using St. John's Wort tea, but then everything started sliding backward so I figured I'd give the Lexapro a shot. After dealing with some pretty nasty side effects for the first couple of days, I ended up coming down with a brutal cold, but now that it's day four, even though I still feel under the weather, the anxiety and that heavy chest pressure have just completely vanished...
Hi, I’ve been taking Lexapro for five months now and Mirataz for two, and while the Mirataz has definitely helped my sleep, the Lexapro isn't doing a single thing for me. I’m constantly on edge and struggling with depression. I honestly don't know what else to ask for because it feels like they just throw these pills at us blindly. Maybe Zoloft? I have no idea what else is out there. Or maybe I could use an antipsychotic to calm this constant nervousness? I really don't know.
Brandon Lopez6 said:I don't think anyone can give you a 100% certain answer on how long it'll take for the meds to get you back to baseline. Usually, with antidepressants, doctors suggest sticking with them for anywhere from 6 to 12 months after the depression or anxiety episodes actually clear up, just to make sure they don't sneak back in.
I know the weight gain is stressing you out, but honestly, try to focus on your mental health first. 🙂 If you're constantly hungry, maybe grab some healthy snacks and try eating smaller meals throughout the day. If you stick to cleaner eating, you probably won't pack on as much weight. Plus, (from my own experience), once you finally stop the antidepressants, the weight usually just falls off because that weird, unnatural hunger disappears.
EDIT I went down a Google rabbit hole just now to check the instructions for Xanax (since you mentioned it earlier, and it's essentially the same thing) versus birth control, since I was taking both and nobody ever warned me about anything. On this site, it says this (I bolded the important parts):
When alprazolam is used alongside medications that interfere with its metabolism, pharmacokinetic interactions can occur. Agents that inhibit specific liver enzymes (specifically cytochrome P450 3A4) can increase the concentration of alprazolam and intensify its effects. Data from clinical trials involving alprazolam, in-vitro studies, and trials with drugs metabolized similarly to alprazolam provide evidence of varying degrees of interaction and potential interactions between alprazolam and numerous other medications.
Based on the level of interaction and the type of available data, the following recommendations have been made:
Simultaneous use of alprazolam with ketoconazole, itraconazole, or other azole antifungals is not recommended.
Caution and consideration for dose reduction are recommended when alprazolam is used concurrently with nefazodone, fluvoxamine, or cimetidine.
Caution is advised when alprazolam is administered alongside fluoxetine, propoxyphene, oral contraceptives, sertraline, diltiazem, or macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and troleandomycin.
Interactions involving HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) and alprazolam are complex and time-dependent. Low doses of ritonavir have led to significant impairment of alprazolam clearance, extending its elimination half-life and amplifying clinical effects. However, following prolonged exposure to ritonavir, induction of CYP3A acts as an offset to this inhibition. Due to this interaction, it will be necessary to adjust the dosage or discontinue the use of alprazolam.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try to scan that new paperwork because I read everything they give me, and all this stuff about it affecting blood levels... that definitely wasn't mentioned before.
Matthew White4 said:@shadowbear9 You seriously need to loop both your psychiatrist and your primary care doctor in on absolutely everything you’re taking. There might be some crazy contraindications buried in there somewhere, and those are the people who actually know how to manage that stuff and keep you safe. I personally never touch anything—even something basic like an Advil—without checking with them first... To be specific, I felt okay using certain pills alongside my ADHD meds, but honestly, just ask them before you try anything...
From now on, I will—and I intend to—but I completely forgot to ask how long I am supposed to stay on Mirzaten to keep my condition stable. I’m starting to realize I could end up eating like a whale if I'm not careful.🤣 I honestly have no idea what the minimum duration is that I need to take this before my symptoms potentially resurface.
So, I’ve been taking Mirzaten for about two weeks now, and my sleep has improved drastically. I’m actually heading to bed around 9:00 or 10:00 PM and sleeping relatively normally. However, I noticed some new information on these recent printouts from my doctor, specifically mentioning that I should notify my physician if I am taking birth control pills. Does anyone happen to know what kind of interaction this might have with oral contraceptives?
Good evening. I’m dropping in to say hello and, honestly, to see if anyone can offer some actual advice. I don't browse this forum regularly, so I'll just jump straight into it. As of today, I've come to the realization that I am genuinely ill. I can't quite put my finger on the diagnosis, but it feels like social anxiety, phobias, or maybe Type B depression. I have absolutely zero desire to be around people or socialize; I much prefer staying home with my inner circle and my cat. Ever since I begged my doctor to reintroduce an antidepressant into my routine, things have gone south. I’ve been taking 10mg of Lexapro in the morning, and I can't say I see any improvement whatsoever. If anything, I feel more agitated and tense—literally hyperactive. I am never relaxed. A few days ago, I asked about Mirzaten for sleep after seeing some of you mention it here, and that actually sounds reasonable. It even helped my appetite increase, which is a small win considering I'm only 45kg and very picky about what I eat. However, I can barely get my hands on Mirtazapine. My doctor refuses to even give me the 1mg dose for sleep alongside my 10mg Sanval. It’s supposed to be prescribed as needed, but I made it very clear that I don't want the Lexapro and could really use a sedative during the day. By nature—or perhaps due to my condition—I am high-strung, and combined with this current crisis, I feel like a ticking time bomb for anyone around me. Is anyone else on a similar regimen? I'm dealing with insomnia and constant agitation, and when I approached my GP, she basically told me that since I'm already on Mirtazapine, there's nothing more she can do. Are these doses really considered that high? Also, my apologies—I didn't realize this section was designated for pregnancy discussions rather than psychotropic medications. Could a moderator please move this? Thanks.
Gerald Torres2 said:Are you having nightmares??? The other day I dreamed about my former boss and woke up in tears!!!! Could the pills be causing weird dreams or something like that?? I saw on the Zoloft packaging that it’s a possibility...🤷
I don't really get nightmares, but I do find myself unconsciously hitting my rhythm—and honestly, it's not even because of the medication, it's just during those gaps when I'm off them. I was crying tonight over a horse....
Gerald Torres2 said:Finally caught up on some sleep—man, that feels incredible... 😍 But what, you aren't feeling a little groggy this morning? Come on. Misar and Sanval wear off pretty fast, though I’m not so sure about Mizarten. 😕
The usual hangover, nothing too out of the ordinary. I’m just sitting here crying and dreaming about my rhythm... I have to say.
Misar, Sanval, and Mirzaten make for a winning combination, you idiots. As for me, I slept like a baby starting at 9 PM. Honestly, those extra pounds don't even matter;
Jason Vaughn482 said:I wouldn't say it's weaker than Ambien; honestly, I can't say for sure because I usually take my Ambien at 5 or 10 mg alongside this. If you opt for 15 mg, you might find you don't even need the Ambien anymore, though personally, I prefer cutting my dose in half just so I don't feel like a complete zombie the next morning. You can take it about an hour before you head to bed.
But in my case, I've been prescribed 10 mg of Sanval and 15 mg of Mirtazapine, and as of a couple days ago, they added Misar to the mix which I take at night. I really think I shouldn't be waking up at all with all this stuff.
Jason Vaughn482 said:Well, I can speak from experience having taken it for a full year; nowadays, I only take half of a 15 mg dose strictly to combat insomnia. As far as anxiety goes, it doesn't do much for me. When I was on the full 15 mg, I’d drift off almost instantly, but the trade-off was a brutal morning grogginess—I felt completely hungover, if you know what I mean. At least, that was my reality. Now that I’ve scaled down to a half-dose, it feels perfectly manageable. One thing to watch out for, though, is the weight gain; it definitely causes it, and I’ve put on a few pounds that just refuse to budge. You asked about the sleep aspect? Honestly, you'll be out like a light within thirty minutes of taking it.
Thanks so much. So, it's a bit weaker than Ambien? That sounds perfect since once I mix everything together, I really need to pass out. Just to confirm, I should take it two hours before I plan to head to bed? 😁
Would one or two people be willing to provide a concise breakdown of how Mirtazapine actually works? Specifically, I'm curious about its effect on sleep. How quickly does it kick in? And so on. Thanks.
Hey, my psychiatrist put me on 15 mg of Calixt. Before this, I was taking Lexapro 10 mg and some Xanax. Basically, I took Calixt for two nights and woke up in the middle of the night with terrible shakes, chills, and a high fever. I called my doctor in the morning and she just told me to stop taking the med. That was on Monday. I still have a fever (around 100.4, so when it spikes, I take some Voltarena to bring it down). My throat is also feeling a little scratchy...
Could the fever be a reaction to the medication? It’s listed as a super rare side effect...
Well, I just got back from my checkup too. She kept me on Lexapro 10 mg in the morning, gave me 0.5 ml twice a day, some Mirtazapine 10 mg for sleep, and I asked for and received Calixt 15 mg to take before bed, which is supposed to help settle my insomnia.
Hi, I was prescribed 10mg of Valium today along with 0.5mg of Xanax, even though I really should have been given two doses of the Xanax. I honestly don't know what to ask for because I feel absolutely terrible, and this just isn't going to cut it since I take Xanax for both my stress and my insomnia. I’m heading in for my follow-up appointment tomorrow morning, so what should I bring up regarding this sleeplessness? Maybe Mirataz? Or perhaps some antipsychotics? Please, give me some advice... and please don't just ignore me; I'm dealing with my own struggles just like everyone else here... thanks.
Benjamin Martin65 said:In what sense would you say it acts as an anti-anxiety antidepressant?
I am actually considering switching back to Celexa, because Elicea isn't doing anything for me at all... though I can't quite wrap my head around why it didn't, say, prescribe that Unknown you guys mentioned for insomnia; I suppose I'll just have to ask her. Also, I'm curious—is it ever standard practice to take two hypnotics simultaneously? I know you can't mix an AD, but I'm not sure about hypnotics. Has anyone here actually taken two at once?
I've been off my meds for two weeks now, and while it isn't exactly a total disaster, I certainly wouldn't call it "great." I find myself waking up constantly, and I'm plagued by these incessant jerking and kicking motions in my sleep. On top of that, there's the early waking issue; I'll go down around 2:00 AM and then I'm wide awake by 7:00 AM... I have a check-up next week, so maybe we can come up with a better plan then.
Kenneth Scott41 said:I'm feeling the exact same way today. 😢
I feel for you. Honestly, I rarely have days quite this bad, but I truly hope that for those of you struggling, your medication provides at least some relief from that awful sensation. Yesterday, I just stayed in bed, took a nap, and then went for a walk with my grandmother, which helped a little bit. Today, however, is just... standard. Neither good nor bad, just nothing. I am incredibly unmotivated. It's just garbage.
Today has been absolutely miserable. Does anyone have any advice? Ever since I woke up, I’ve just been feeling incredibly angry and dissatisfied. I haven't even managed to get out of bed before 1:00 PM, and this mood is still hanging over me. I honestly feel like my life has no purpose and I don't even want to bother living it... what the hell is wrong with me? 😢
I suppose I should chime in here as well... It’s actually been such a beautiful day today, and I managed to get some decent sleep, so I’m feeling quite upbeat—no headaches and none of that usual drowsiness. If only every single day were like this 😢. As for my progress, I haven't seen any dramatic shifts since we last spoke; I’ve been strictly following my regimen. I have to schedule a follow-up appointment tomorrow to see if they’ll put me back on antipsychotics, though honestly, who knows which doctor they're going to assign to me this time? Is it even normal for them to switch my physician every other visit? I think I’m just going to insist on staying with my previous one; I really don't feel like explaining my entire history over and over again to some new person every time I walk in.