Posts by David Jackson22

Brandon Lopez6 said:I think my Ad might finally be kicking in 😲
I’m not gonna say I feel "great," because that would imply I’ve been feeling like crap lately, which isn't really the case. But I do feel... more normal. Yeah. That's the word.
I don't know, I just have this feeling that I'm actually myself again. Really hoping this sticks 😍

Jeeeeeee!!!🎉🎉🎉
That's awesome! Just don't let it get to you if things dip a little bit here and there, because that's usually how the ride goes—just a bunch of ups and downs until things finally level out completely.

restlesstiger49 said:Look, I’m struggling to wrap my head around something here. If I was originally prescribed oxazepam for my insomnia through my primary care doctor—on his own initiative—but now that a new physician has taken over, he refuses to refill it without a sign-off from a specialist I haven't been able to see for two months... where is the damn logic in that?

There’s zero logic in it, so why don't you just switch doctors?

Brandon Lopez6 said:The worst part is that it’s family. Extended family, sure, but still family.
I really held out hope that one day we’d all just be able to sit down and talk things through, but clearly, that's never happening.

Yeah, obviously not, but honestly, you shouldn't even feel bad because people like that can only mess with your head using their warped logic. It sucks because we're out here fighting battles with illnesses that are still so heavily stigmatized and just completely misunderstood by everyone else. It’s pretty pathetic, really, especially when you think we're supposedly living in the 21st century. I've already reached the point where I've accepted that some people just shouldn't know anything about my condition—it's better for me that way. I have zero interest in dealing with those condescending looks or all that "well-meaning" advice they try to shove down your throat.

Brandon Lopez6 said:So I was at this birthday party today and somehow the conversation drifted toward health and medication. God, it was so incredibly awkward. The big takeaway from the group was that people who take a ton of pills aren't doing it for their health—they’re basically just getting high. If I had dared to open my mouth, everyone would have immediately started interrogation mode about my own "count," so I just sat there feeling stupid and listening to all that nonsense.
Some guy was talking about how he takes 20 different meds because he's had three heart surgeries, but no, according to these geniuses, he's just using them to get buzzed. Like, seriously? Give me a break.
(For the record, I'm looking at 12 pills on a normal day, and don't even get me started on how many I was popping during my absolute worst stretch.)

Honestly, what do people like that even know about real life? It’s so easy for them to play amateur psychologist when they clearly haven't dealt with a single actual hardship themselves. Don't even waste your brainpower wondering what they think; they aren't worth a single second of your attention...

fadedbear92 said:You really don't need to worry about the Q-pin; I've been using it for quite a while now and it completely cleared up my insomnia.
I used to take Tegretol, which worked wonders for getting me to sleep—though you have to be incredibly careful with it. You have to keep a close eye on your liver enzyme levels via regular blood work every three months; if those numbers spike, you have to stop taking it immediately.

Ray, look, I've actually been on Tegretol for ten years straight. I get my labs checked every six months, and even though one of my liver enzymes went up a little bit, it wasn't anything major, so I'm still taking it. My doctor thinks there's no reason to stop the treatment because of that, and my internist backed him up too. It's only if those enzyme levels shoot way up that you actually have to quit.

Kimberly Morris said:Every single day I find myself hoping things will turn around and I won't need meds anymore, but man... it is SO hard.

I'm seeing a psychiatrist, but since it's through my insurance, it's basically just a glorified check-in. No real talking involved. I tell her how I'm feeling, she gives me some bullet points of "professional advice," and we're done. It's pretty useless. I even tried seeing her privately before, but honestly? I still walked away feeling like she just didn't get me at all...

Yeah, honestly? It’s huge. You really need a psychiatrist who actually listens and gives you the support you need to make it through a pregnancy. I had someone like that, and it made a massive difference for me.
Look, if it helps at all, I know exactly where you're coming from because I've been right there in the trenches myself. I pulled through, I beat it, and I ended up having a healthy little girl. I’ve already shared most of this, but seriously, stay strong, keep fighting, and don't back down. The panic attacks and the depression—they’ll eventually cave under your strength. You aren't alone anymore; there's two of you now, which means you're way stronger than this crap. Your baby is going to be your anchor; you'll find that extra gear just by thinking about them.
And trust me, you aren't the only one who's dealt with this nightmare during pregnancy. There was another girl on here going through the exact same thing who made it out the other side. She had a healthy boy, he's doing great, and she's happy as hell now. The kid is already two and a half.
So, bottom line: you can do this. You've got this inside you, so please, don't lose hope!🙂

Kimberly Morris said:I'm basically a walking zombie... Still throwing up, and these panic attacks are hitting harder every single day. To top it all off, I caught a nasty cold too. Honestly, I'm terrified. I'm scared I'm actually losing my mind, that I'll spiral during labor, or that I'll end up doing something crazy to my baby. I'm spiraling, thinking they'll lock me up in some mental asylum because I won't even recognize myself or know what I'm doing anymore. It’s just... it's nightmare fuel. I'm fighting so hard, but man, it is brutal.

Man, I am so sorry you're going through this. I know it probably feels impossible to believe right now, but things really will get better—you just have to white-knuckle it through this part, and honestly, that's the absolute worst stretch. Are you seeing a therapist or anything? Getting some professional help could really make a difference in helping you navigate this mess.

Hey, how's it going, Kimberly Morris?

shadowfox75 said:I believe I will switch. I will discuss it with her. During my therapy session today, I mentioned to my therapist that I haven't felt much better after the initial improvement. It doesn't feel right that the anxiety and fear are washing over me again.
Since I am tapering off my Lexus, it is possible my body is reacting to that, as I have been taking it for nearly seven months, even at a minimal dose. I successfully tapered down to half a pill daily, then moved to three-quarters of that half, but the anxiety persists regardless.
Something is bothering me... I was on Paxil for almost ten years. Then, after six months, everything started returning. I tried to push through, but they put me on Lexus. Now, since I was on Paxil and am currently on Lexus, is this new choice just another SSRI or something else? I have heard that if a second option fails, one should consider an SNRI.
What are your thoughts?

I was on Prozac for about ten years too and it worked wonders for me, but lately I had to switch things up because the Prozac stopped doing its job and I hit another depressive episode. Working closely with my psychiatrist, I cycled through a few different SSRIs, but none of them really hit the mark. Once we both realized there wasn't any real improvement, my doctor switched me over to Effexor, which I’d actually used alongside Prozac way back when. I wouldn't say this one is working as well as it did in the past, but there is some movement—it's slow, but it's heading in the right direction. Sometimes you just have to be patient and wait a while for things to kick in. I didn't see how long you've been on Luxet? Maybe you just need a dosage adjustment, and if that still doesn't move the needle, then yeah, changing the treatment plan is definitely worth considering. Honestly, I'm not 100% thrilled with how I'm responding to my current meds either, but after cycling through so many antidepressants that did absolutely nothing, I'm sticking with the one that actually shows some results. I truly believe that along with the medication, you need plenty of time and a lot of personal work to actually get stabilized.

Aaron Garcia5 said:I started taking Eli Lilly yesterday. My doctor actually prescribed me Celexa, but somehow I ended up with this instead—honestly, I didn't quite catch why from my physician...
Naturally, I’m looking for some insight. What should I be watching out for? Is weight gain really an issue, or what kind of side effects am I looking at? Does this actually help with anxiety? If anyone feels like sharing, I'd appreciate it...

I was on Eli Lilly for about five weeks or so, and since there wasn't any effect—not even a tiny positive or negative one—my doctor just took me off it. I didn't deal with any side effects, but sadly, I didn't see any improvement either. I know five weeks isn't exactly a huge window to judge if a med is working, but my brain was pretty convinced it wasn't doing its job because you'd expect to feel *something* by that point.
That said, there are plenty of people out there on Eli Lilly who feel amazing. It’s all just super individual, I guess.

mellowtinker7 said:David Jackson22 and Kimberly Morris, you're both in my thoughts. I’ll be saying a prayer for you tonight, hoping things turn around quickly... Just try to remember that nothing—absolutely nothing—is permanent. Right now, your brain is just playing tricks on you because of this stupid depression. The meds will kick in eventually. You both have the best possible reasons to hang in there just a little longer. One of you has a little one on the way, and the other has two right by their side. So stay strong. I'm rooting for you both!

Hey mellowtinker7,
if there were actually more people like you out there, the world would probably be a lot less depressed since people would actually be looking out for one another through the good and the bad. Thank you so much for the prayers and the kind words; when you're stuck in this headspace, stuff like that really means the world to me.🙂😘

Kimberly Morris said:

David Jackson22 says: Look, I’ve been through the wringer when it comes to antidepressants and pregnancy. I actually got pregnant while I was on Prozac, and my doctor told me to just stop cold turkey right then and there. No tapering, nothing. Of course, my depression went absolutely ballistic during that time—it was brutal. To make matters worse, I found out at the exact same time that my mom had cancer and had to go through all that nightmare treatment stuff. I honestly don't know how I pulled through, but I did. Just taking it one day at a time, watching my belly grow... that was the only thing giving me hope that things would eventually be okay and that I could hang in there. Taking antidepressants during pregnancy is not a good idea. Period. End of story. You can use Xanax once in a while if you really need to; doctors prescribe it to pregnant women for various issues like premature contractions, and it isn't harmful to the baby. But the safety of antidepressants? There's no proof. I made it through my pregnancy without them. And let me tell you, "made it" is an understatement because there were moments it felt totally unbearable, like I was losing my mind. What you're dealing with right now is pure anxiety and fear. That panic makes your brain spin in circles with all these crazy thoughts. Because of that, please, don't just sit there. Go for long walks until your body is wiped out—it helps quiet the noise in your head. Stay active, keep busy, just don't stay stuck in that mental loop. Get into therapy more often; you need extra support right now. Surround yourself with people who actually get you, people you can talk to. Don't try to fight these thoughts alone! Believe me, you can do this if you have a goal to focus on! I made it, so why can't you? Good luck!

David, can we PM? I seriously need some help...

For sure, Kimberly Morris, just ask whatever's on your mind. I'll be waiting for your message in my inbox!

Kimberly Morris said:Thanks restlesstrucker15, I'll keep you posted.

So, while I was off my meds, things got pretty dark. It wasn't just the depression and anxiety; I was having panic attacks so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. I was losing like 2 pounds a day just from the stress. But the worst part? These intrusive thoughts kept popping up—like, what if I actually hurt someone? It was especially terrifying because it focused on kids. I come from a huge family and have a massive circle of friends and godchildren; I adore those kids and they absolutely love me. That thought alone was just soul-crushing. When I brought this up to my doctor, she brushed it off as "just anxiety" and put me on unknown, which honestly did nothing for me. Still, I can't shake the fear that these thoughts might be early signs of schizophrenia or some other kind of psychosis. What do you guys think?

Is Bluzar still around? Or fadedbear92? (I've been lurking and reading every single one of your posts since day one.)

Look, I've got plenty of experience dealing with antidepressants and pregnancy. I actually got pregnant while I was on Prozac, and my doctor told me to stop cold turkey right away—no tapering or anything. Naturally, the depression went absolutely ballistic during that time; it was brutal, especially since I found out at the exact same time that my mom had cancer and had to go through all the horrors of treatment.
I don't even know how I made it through, but I did. Just one day at a time, watching my belly grow gave me enough hope to believe things would eventually be okay and that I just had to hang in there.
During pregnancy, it's not a good idea to take antidepressants. Period. You can use something like Xanax here and there—it's prescribed to pregnant women and is used for things like preventing premature contractions, so it shouldn't harm the baby. There's just no proof that antidepressants are safe. I survived my pregnancy without them. And I say "survived," because there were moments where it felt totally unbearable, like I was losing my mind.
What you're going through right now is pure anxiety and fear. Because of that terror, your brain is just spinning with these wild thoughts. Because of that, please don't just lie there; go for long walks to tire your body out so your mind finally quiets down. Stay active, stay busy, just keep moving so you don't end up just spiraling in circles with your own head. Get into psychotherapy more often; you need extra support right now. Surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with, people you can actually talk to—don't try to deal with these thoughts all by yourself!
Trust me, you can do this if you have a goal to aim for. I pulled through, so why can't you?
Good luck!

I was wondering if anyone could help me make sense of these blood work results:

iron 33 ref. range 8-30
TIBC 55 ref. range 49-75
UIBC 22 ref. range 26-59
ferritin 57.21 ref. range 13.00-150.00
RBC 4.47 ref. range 3.86-5.08
hemoglobin 142 ref. range 119-157
hematocrit 0.402 ref. range 0.350-0.470
MCV 89.9 ref. range 83.0-97.0
MCH 31.8 ref. range 27.4-33.9
MCHC 353 ref. range 320-345
RDW 12.4 ref. range 9.0-15.0

cholesterol 6.2 ref. range < 5.2
HDL-cholesterol 1.6 ref. range > 1.2
LDL-cholesterol 4.1 ref. range < 3.0
VLDL-cholesterol 0.5 ref. range 0.1-0.5
triglycerides 1.1 ref. range

Should I be stressing about my iron being high since this has never happened to me before, or should I look into more testing right away instead of just waiting and redoing the labs in a while?
My total cholesterol is also up. Looking at how the rest of the numbers stack up, how much of a diet overhaul do I actually need to pull this back, and is this level of cholesterol really something to worry about? I eat pretty clean and stay active.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Roger Rodriguez said:Well, isn't that increased appetite just a common side effect for so many different medications? If you find it impossible to stay on top of your cravings—much like me, right 🙄—why not just up your workout routine? Isn't that an easy way to offset any weight gain?

I'm totally with you, Roger Rodriguez! I definitely put on some pounds from taking Adderall, but once I started working out regularly, I ended up getting lean as hell!😂

Alex Barnes8 said:I'm on Lamictal and dealing with insomnia, though I can't really blame the drug since I struggled with it before anyway.
Something else is confusing me, though. How is it that Lamictal, which is an antiepileptic meant to calm the brain, can also act as an antidepressant?😕
My EEG showed dysrhythmia, and they told me there's some activity in my cerebral cortex that shouldn't be there. Because of that, I'm not supposed to use anything that stimulates the nervous system. I had to cut back or completely stop coffee, soda, and stuff like that. And definitely nothing like Activin H (the natural antidepressant). I can't even take Ginkgo. The labels say people with epilepsy shouldn't consume them.
It turns out that even if I have depression, I'm technically not supposed to take antidepressants.
So the whole Lamictal thing is confusing—it's the same drug for both epilepsy and depression.😕
Can someone explain this to me?

I'm assuming what you aren't supposed to touch are stimulants, which aren't the same thing as anti-epileptics. Anti-epileptics aren't technically antidepressants; they function more as stabilizers, meaning they target those massive mood swings and level things out. They're usually prescribed to maintain the progress that antidepressants have already made. The name itself pretty much tells you what they do—they stabilize, they don't boost your mood or act like a stimulant.

Alex Barnes8 said:Thanks for the reply. I'm taking Lamictal for neurological reasons, so I never really considered the psychological impact. Same thing happened when I was on Phenytoin. So, you're saying Tegretol works for you as an antidepressant? Since starting Lamictal, I don't feel better or worse, I guess.🤷
Maybe it's because my dose is low (75mg/day). But I'm still dealing with my old issue: insomnia. How is your sleep? Have the pills helped with that at all? What dose are you on?

I've been sleeping like a baby ever since I started Tegretol. I take half of a 400 mg pill, so basically 200 mg daily. Honestly, the dose you're on for Lamictal is super low; I used to go all the way up to 200 mg a day, but it did absolutely nothing for me. In fact, it had the exact opposite effect—it actually made my depression deeper and hit me with side effects like tremors and some other weird sensations.
It also gave me insomnia; when I was on it, I slept worse than I ever have in my entire life! As soon as I hopped off it, I finally started sleeping normally again. While I was taking it, I’d get these horrific dreams and nightmares and stuff. Even if I did manage to drift off, it was barely anything. I’d spend the whole night in this bizarre half-awake state where I wasn't fully asleep but wasn't awake either; I could hear everything happening around me while just sort of "dozing" in bits and pieces. It was just a miserable feeling, and stopping the Lamictal was the only way I got rid of it.
Obviously, my bad experience doesn't mean the drug is garbage or anything, because my psychiatrist told me a ton of his patients take Lamictal and feel great without any issues. Apparently, it's the kind of med doctors love to prescribe because they get such solid results with it.
Personally, Tegretol just works better for me and I'm totally happy with it.
Anyway, hope that helps you out.🙂

Alex Barnes8 said:I guess I'll just leave this here. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn't.

I haven't read the whole thread, but I suppose you might actually know a thing or two about this...
I was wondering about barbiturates and anti-epileptics... I guess. Maybe just some thoughts on them.
I asked about this on an epilepsy forum a while back, but I guess they didn't really have much to tell me then.
I've been on an anti-epileptic containing barbiturates since I was three. Small doses, sure, but it’s been over twenty years of constant use. Since they're essentially narcotics, I read somewhere else that drugs—hard or soft—can mess with your concentration and memory. That seems to be exactly what I'm dealing with. I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows the full range of side effects, both mental and physical, from long-term barbiturate or general anti-epileptic use. It would be helpful to know if I can actually distinguish between the effects of the epilepsy itself and the impact of the medication, though I suspect that might not be easy.
I’ve been on Lamictal for about two years now. The main ingredient is lamotrigine. I guess you have to wonder what that actually is.
The instructions suggest it's used for depression and bipolar disorder, too, besides just treating epilepsy, I guess.🤷 Anyone else here using it for that? I guess any info would be helpful. Thanks.😉

I was on Lamictal for just a short stretch, maybe a few months up to half a year. It didn't sit right with me, so my psychiatrist switched me off it and put me on Tegretol, which works wonders for me and doesn't give me any side effects at all. I took both Lamictal and Tegretol because I have recurrent depressive episodes and needed a mood stabilizer. Lamictal just wasn't doing it for me, but Tegretol totally did.
I've been on antiepileptics for 6 years now—cycling through Tegretol, then Lamictal, then back to Tegretol—and I haven't had any issues. My depressive episodes have slowed down significantly, and when they do hit, they're shorter and don't feel nearly as intense.
So yeah, that's just my personal take on these meds, but hopefully someone more of an expert will get back to you on those other specific questions you have.

dustygardener25 said:What does it have to do with the topic that Girl is in college and therefore deserves to be self-important instead of popping Dormicum like "some people"? Who exactly are these pill-poppers—are they somehow less worthy of psychotropic drugs than everyone else? You managed to cram all that into one sentence. Something isn't right with that Girl🤷

Nah, you're missing the mark. Girl isn't acting superior at all. She just gets pissed when someone who clearly hasn't done their homework tries to shove their twisted opinions down everyone's throats and messes things up for the rest of us. That’s really all there is to it.
It seems like some folks here are just bothered because she's educated, and since having a degree usually means knowing a bit more than they do, they try to tear down every single point she makes in the most pathetic way possible.

Ryan Palmer2 said:What do you mean?!

If that's the case, then I guess they're out there selling snake oil all over the world.

Sure, you can definitely prove through testing that life doesn't exist without a brain. 😂 Watch what you say. 😂

If you refuse to see it, then they’re the ones who are crazy. 😂 They hand out dangerous drugs under the guise of a "chemical imbalance"—something that has never been proven because it simply doesn't exist. 😂 And they'll admit it, dead serious, when you get close with a microphone and a camera.

Of course suffering is real, but they don't actually know how to help, nor is that their intention.

Harsh, but true.

And why should they show up? Because people come here looking for help. 😕

As for the internet, you're literally using it right now to post this. 😂 😂 😂

Do you actually know anything about chemical balance or imbalances? Like, do you even have a clue what you're talking about?
Are psychiatrists supposed to just wander onto an online forum to help people out????
This is ridiculous! Who am I even arguing with right now!!!
And I'm not writing online.😂
Honestly, you really need to take a step back and think about the nonsense you're spewing here. If you want to actually make sense, you need at least a tiny shred of knowledge, and you clearly don't have it.
Psychology isn't some playground for people like you; it's a scientific discipline, and you should probably learn something about it before jumping into a debate.
I'm sorry, but I don't see any point in wasting my breath on empty conversations with you.