So, I decided to try out some Portalak this weekend—a mix of senna tea and some probiotics. Honestly, I barely managed to make it to the bathroom yesterday, and even then, it wasn't exactly a dramatic situation. It was pretty uncomfortable... so, I think I'll just take some Bekunis today to get things moving properly.
Hey everyone, does anyone else here deal with chronic constipation caused by medication? And I mean truly chronic—where nothing seems to work without a heavy-duty laxative. How are you all managing this? I've tried eating plenty of fruit, veggies, and high-fiber foods, but they don't seem to make a dent. Glycerin suppositories only help occasionally, drinking massive amounts of water doesn't do much, and even starting my morning with a big glass of water hasn't helped. I've even tried herbal teas and other blends, but nothing works... so what's left? Has anyone ever tried at-home enemas? You can pick up a kit for them at any pharmacy.
I wanted to reach out to everyone here who takes Valium, as I’m currently on it myself. Does anyone find that it actually helps settle things down for you? I usually take a pill whenever my anxiety starts to peak and the panic sets in, but honestly, I can't say it provides any massive relief. Do you all find yourselves taking it on a daily basis, or is it more of an as-needed thing for you?
David Bishop4 said:Oh, tell me about it—I feel like I'm constantly on edge, just a nervous wreck, feeling like a panic attack could strike at any given moment. And when it actually hits, I end up taking Xanax just to get a little relief, but even then, it’s far from being enough. I'm holding onto the hope that Paxil will help; I took it about six years ago and it truly brought me back to life. As for the nausea, I guess I'll see; maybe I'll move up to the full dose tomorrow, or perhaps I'll stick to half doses for another day or two and just see how my body reacts. I'll definitely check back in, and I hope you'll do the same. Wishing everyone here nothing but much better days ahead very soon.
I'm right there with you—living in constant fear of when those obsessive thoughts will strike. It feels like a pendulum swinging between a few good days and a few bad ones, but finding that steady ground where everything is consistently okay feels impossible. Is anyone else struggling with intrusive thoughts? Or did they eventually fade away for you once you started medication?
wiredskipper45 said:If I’d known what Zyprexa would do to me, I never would have touched it. 😢 But that doesn't mean every suicide attempt is caused by the meds. All I know is that for me, it left me feeling like a literal stone. And honestly? Being totally numb isn't what I'd call "stability." :/
See, my experience hasn't been nearly that dramatic. I actually feel fine on it; I don't feel emotionally vacant or anything like that. I still have my full range of emotions—it's just that I can't cry. Then again, I couldn't cry even when I was going through that massive trauma that triggered all the mental chaos in my head in the first place; that's just how I'm wired. The only real downside to Zyprexa for me is the weight gain. Everything else works out just fine.
I wish I could drop even just a single pound. As the years go by, the scale seems to fight back harder, especially since I’m barely moving these days... I honestly find myself wondering how I ever managed to stay so thin. Before I got sick, I really was quite slender.
On my end, I’ve put on about 45 pounds since I started taking Zyprexa. It feels like I’ve been stuck at this weight for an entire year now and just can't seem to shake it off.🙂
Personally, I’m fine with having a glass or two of wine every now and then without any issues at all. It’s really just about moderation—as long as you don't go overboard, everything stays perfectly fine.
I’m standing right there with you in solidarity 🙂 I’ve been trying to convince my wife to let me switch medications. I'm currently on Fevarin, but the obsessions just won't quit, and she refuses to even listen to my side of things. Since the FDA has approved Fevarin specifically as a treatment for OCD, I feel like this is the one thing we should be focusing on to get these thoughts under control.
Hi everyone, does anyone here have any personal experience using Clozaril? I’m currently taking Zyprexa for persistent OCD, but I’m planning on starting a family soon. I did some research and found out that Zyprexa is classified as Category C (which isn't ideal when you're pregnant), whereas Clozaril is listed as Category B (which is considered safer during pregnancy).
I think you might be overthinking this a bit. I don't want to sound like I'm fear-mongering, but there is actually a specific thing called Relationship OCD (ROCD). It’s a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder where someone constantly second-guesses their partnership—questioning if they're truly in love, if the connection is genuine, or if they care enough. If you can rule out ROCD, then you might just be stuck in your own head. My advice? Try to take a breath, let go of the analysis, and just enjoy being with her. It sounds like you might just be a little spooked by how serious things are getting.
pegula said:Yesterday, I started my first quarter dose of Paxil. Could someone explain how Paxil and similar medications actually affect you? I'm curious about the positive side effects—can you still function normally under their influence? How effectively do they mask anxiety?
I'm also on Paxil, and it has helped manage my issues with obsessive thoughts to some extent. While I wouldn't say I'm completely satisfied with it, I haven't experienced any side effects at all. It’s been very smooth sailing for me, with no tremors or anything else.
I’m also taking Faverin, and honestly, I haven't run into any side effects, aside from that pesky drop in libido I mentioned before. But I won't go into it again—I don't want people thinking I'm just an old lady obsessed with sex.
Hi everyone! I see a lot of discussions here about how psychotropic medications affect you, so I thought I’d share my own struggle. I’ve been on Faverin since last July, and it has completely wiped out my sex drive. There can be entire months where I feel absolutely zero desire. I’m married, so naturally, my husband isn't exactly thrilled about this situation. The thing is, I have to stay on the Faverin; stopping the medication isn't an option for me right now. But what am I supposed to do about my libido? How do you all manage these kinds of side effects?
urbanskipper4 said:Regarding the medication shortages, you can't find any Anafranil at the local pharmacy anymore.
Now I have to order it from Germany, specifically through some specialty supplier near a Farmers Market. A box of 100 costs $48. And don't even get me started on the extra out-of-pocket costs since I'm already juggling so many other prescriptions. I'm taking 6 Anafranil tablets a day. That means I need 168 per month. One box doesn't cut it, so I have to grab two right away just to stay ahead.
Honestly, it feels like being sick is just way too expensive these days. I'm keeping all my receipts in case anyone ever decides to bring back tax credits.
Emma, I'm in the exact same boat—I take the same daily dose. I even had to visit that pharmacy near the Farmers Market... honestly, it feels like Pfizer couldn't care less about how much this drug helps people; they were probably just looking for a slim profit margin anyway. Are you taking anything else? It feels like we might be dealing with the same set of challenges.