Posts by quietwalker5

Roger Bennett62 said:Maybe bump up the Normabel, 4mg feels a little light... maybe try 5mg twice a day just to take the edge off the nerves and tension...

Sent from my G2

Understood. Thank you. Is it typical to experience tremors and weakness, along with shortness of breath?

Day 17 on 50mg Lexapro. The anxiety is hitting hard. The Norsk Nordica 4mg isn't cutting it... should I try Xanax instead?

This narrative serves as a powerful catalyst. It offers hope to those of us still navigating our own challenges, proving there is always a way forward... provided one maintains patience...

Roger Bennett62 said:So, on paper, I’m listed as F32, though honestly, it feels more like F40—mostly just dealing with constant anxiety. My doctor writes down F32 even though he knows the whole deal. I’ve been in treatment since 2009. There was this one five-month stretch where, after talking it through with my doc, I was strictly on Klonopin. I started back on the other stuff because I wanted to taper off the Klonopin slowly, but man, no antidepressant really hits quite like that benzo does. Even my doctor agreed. For me, the antidepressants were mostly there to act as a buffer, keeping the Klonopin from dragging me down into that total void of apathy and numbness. I never really felt that emptiness from the meds, but they definitely helped. I think they did their job lately since I managed to scale back the Klonopin and I'm actually doing okay. Psychology is kind of my thing, so I stopped going to therapy ages ago... I'm just super aware of everything and have a good support system around me. It just feels like I've finally gotten strong enough to push through on my own without needing the extra crutches. My brain likes to play tricks on me, though, and sometimes I can't even tell. I'm kind of stuck wondering what to do next. Part of me feels like this "I'm fine" feeling might just be a temporary illusion, like things could fall apart again. I've been on meds for so long that I don't mind taking them, but you know... you just get that gut feeling. I'm no genius 🙂

Sent from my G2

Your decision is valid, but staying in touch with your doctor is vital. Having a professional monitor your progress provides a safety net, which should help ease your uncertainty.

Brandon Murphy5 said:I'm officially on my tenth day of Zoloft—not counting those first few days when I was just taking half a pill—and honestly, things are looking up; the side effects have finally cleared out, and I'm really crossing my fingers that they stay away for good...
It’s just that right now, I feel like I’ve got absolutely zero motivation to get anything done, but I know deep down that the spark will come back eventually, it's just a matter of waiting for the gears to start turning again...

Me neither. It feels the same for me. Talk soon.

redpilot37 said:Here I am, halfway through a pill on day three... and I feel way better than when I was on a full dose. It just dulls everything down completely.
As if I could handle a steady job right now. I don't even know how I'd manage... it’s like someone just sliced away my drive, my energy... no, no, no... I wouldn't be able to do it. There's really only one possibility here: either the dosage is off or the medication itself isn't right for me.

This article mentions that it can cause fatigue and drowsiness for a while before those effects subside:
http://www.drsandic.net/archives/121

James Fowler3 said:Well, I finally worked up the nerve to start taking my Eglonyl and Xanax again after a break of more than two weeks... So far, I haven't really noticed any major side effects, thank God, though this persistent lump in my throat is being quite bothersome... My doctor insists it isn't caused by the medication—and to be fair, I’ve dealt with that sensation before regardless—but still...

I have a question about the regimen. I've heard that Eglonyl can sometimes trigger insomnia, which apparently means it shouldn't be taken in the evening? However, the instructions say to take it at noon. Since I'm also taking Xanax alongside it, I find myself feeling rather conflicted... and frankly, I'm starting to feel a bit embarrassed about calling my doctor back for yet another question.
And one more thing... is it safe to drink tea while on these medications? It might sound like a silly question to ask, but here we are. 😁

Also, how long does it typically take for this specific combination to actually begin working?

It is better to stick to coffee—like Nescafe—during the afternoon hours. I felt listless and unmotivated this morning; I had some coffee and was immediately hit by an anxiety attack. 🙂

Brandon Murphy5 said:Hang in there, because honestly, all of this is pretty "normal" for the process. You're already seeing progress, since you mentioned the improvements yourself; you just need to give it more time to settle.
I'm telling you all of this from my own personal experience—things will eventually stabilize and be okay.

How are you holding up? How do you feel today?

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Are you just listening for what you want to hear, or are you actually seeking an answer that holds some semblance of objectivity?🤷

Forgive me, and thank you for such an objective response. Once I finally got my footing, I realized...
Thank you for the response.
I have been on medication for eighteen days now. I listen to my doctor, but sometimes the feeling just overflows.

I am experiencing increased drowsiness and fatigue today, much like what redpilot37 described.

Brandon Murphy5 said:That’s pretty much how the process works, so it actually means things are heading in a better direction.🙂

🙂

Today feels like a crisis. I’ve been taking Lexapro since July 15th. It started at 1/4 tablet, then moved to 1/2, then 3/4, and tonight I need to take a full pill. Like a storm shifting gears, I thought increasing the dose would bring relief.
This morning was heavy with fatigue, low mood, and depression; by this afternoon, it turned into irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. It is bearable, though.

Is this how the process works?

restlesstiger49 said:The issue is that I’m actually working, even though I wrote this. I'm here. I have a problem. I'm currently stuck at Union Station, and things aren't going well. Is there any way to get a hold of a backup doctor through Kaiser Permanente? Or maybe even just manage a quick phone consultation? I'm really hoping for some good news...

Go to the ER at Vineyard. I read somewhere on a forum that they're decent. That is my suggestion.

redpilot37 said:Finally feeling my libido getting back to baseline. I’ve been on Zoloft for about 30 days now, and man, the beginning was just a total coma... but things are finally returning to normal. It’s not quite what it was before I started the meds, but it's fine enough.🙂
Yesterday, instead of taking my prescribed normabel before bed, I tried some Schizandra (that adaptogen herb) and I was out like a light in seconds.😍
I wasn't too worried about potential interactions... and unlike normabel, you actually wake up feeling rested and refreshed in the morning.

What exactly is Schizandra? Where can one purchase it, and what is the typical cost?

redpilot37 said:Finally feeling my libido getting back to baseline. I’ve been on Zoloft for about 30 days now, and man, the beginning was just a total coma... but things are finally returning to normal. It’s not quite what it was before I started the meds, but it's fine enough.🙂
Yesterday, instead of taking my prescribed normabel before bed, I tried some Schizandra (that adaptogen herb) and I was out like a light in seconds.😍
I wasn't too worried about potential interactions... and unlike normabel, you actually wake up feeling rested and refreshed in the morning.

It’s great news that the Zoloft is working for you. Enjoy it!

Just asking Brandon Murphy5:

When you were taking Pfizer in the evening, was that your routine for the entire treatment, or did you switch it to the morning? I feel like I'm starting to have more trouble falling asleep...

Michelle Kelly4 said:Rough situation...

This too shall pass...

Brandon Murphy5 said:Honestly, coffee is naturally going to trigger that jittery, restless feeling, but it feels like it can be way more intense—almost amplified—when you've got antidepressants in your system.

That is true. I felt it firsthand. I hope you're doing alright and that things are going according to plan now.

Michael Hill2 said:My therapist was pretty blunt about it—told me straight up not to touch caffeine while on my meds, so now I'm strictly a decaf person.

I'm actually on Fevarin, which is notorious for not playing nice with caffeine.

A quote from a site: Mixing caffeine and Luvox can be intensely unpleasant. Your one cup of joe will suddenly become like five cups, and the effects will last six times as long.

That is helpful information. Thanks.

Does anyone else experience sudden restlessness immediately after drinking coffee while on antidepressants?
Is caffeine contraindicated when taking an antidepressant?